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PODCAST

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review

Partners in Crime Media

The original true crime review podcast that looks at other podcasts, TV, and pop culture. True crime authors and real-life couple Rebecca Lavoie and Kevin Flynn hold a pop-culture round table with noir novelist Toby Ball and journalist-turned-investigator Lara Bricker. The panel chats about other podcasts (including "Serial") as well as journalism, storytelling, TV shows and films, and the special segment, "Crime of the Week." Show website: crimewriterson.com. Follow the show on X @crimewriterson

true crime tv reviews

All Episodes

01:03:30

Bad Education and The Innocence Files (Part 1)

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/04/27

School’s in! We’re looking at HBO’s new movie, “Bad Education.” Based on a true story, school superintendent Frank Tassone is on top of the world, but things begin to unravel when a high school journalist is assigned a story about the budget. Does it get a passing grade? (Note: Bad Education is based on this outstanding New York Magazine article by Bob Kolker.) FOR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “BAD EDUCATION,” GO TO 28:00 Then, a look at episodes 1-3 of Netflix’s ambitious series, “The Innocence

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00:57:27

Atlanta's Missing & Murdered, and The Pale Horse

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/04/20

Are the crime writers eating well? Some of them are. Leading off: A woman dies under mysterious circumstances with a list of names in her shoe. Are they in danger? And does it have anything to do with a coven of witches in an English village? The two-part adaptation of “The Pale Horse” from BBC One and Amazon Prime veers from Agatha Christie’s novel, keeping its supernatural overtones but leaning more on domestic suspense than its murder-for-hire origins. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE PALE

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01:03:56

Ozark & How to Fix a Drug Scandal

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/04/13

When Massachusetts State Police discover a chemist has been tampering with evidence at the drug lab, it opens a legal Pandora's box. Netflix’s four-part “How to Fix a Drug Scandal” follows the lawyers seeking answers, the prosecutors who tried to cover it up, and the troubled life of one of the chemists whose personal addiction up-ended the scales of justice. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “HOW TO FIX A DRUG SCANDAL,” GO TO 29:00 In season three of Netflix’s “Ozark,” a drug war in Mexico has put

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01:04:31

Cool Mules and The Valhalla Murders

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/04/06

Our first review is “Cool Mules” from Canadaland. Vice Canada music editor Slava Pastukhov believed the only way to advance at the gonzo news outlet was through more extreme journalism. A mix of greed and ambition led him to orchestrate a drug trafficking ring to Australia.OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “COOL MULES” BEGINS IN MINUTE 34Next is a look at Netflix’s foreign-language series, “The Valhalla Murders.” This police procedural is the latest in the growing number of shows set in Iceland which try

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01:09:04

Tiger King on Netflix

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/03/30

The panel discusses the much-buzzed about documentary, "Tiger King." Expanding on the characters and themes of the recent "Joe Exotic" podcast, this Netflix doc dives even deeper into the world of big cats and the shady people who love them. No doubt it's entertaining, but does it handle the people and issues in a responsible way? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "TIGER KING" GO TO 1:03 PLUS: A big announcement from Toby! His new 10-part podcast, "Strange Arrivals," is out March 31. Subscribe now! In

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00:59:13

The Dating Game Killer and Lost Girls

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/03/23

The crime writers check in with updates on how they're dealing with self-isolation and ponder the world confronted by the coronavirus. In the first review, the panel discusses "The Dating Game Killer" from Wondery and Hollywood & Crime. The docu-drama recalls the tale of serial killer/game show contestant Rodney Alcala. How will the team react to the podcast's style and substance? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE DATING GAME KILLER," GO TO 29:00 Then the group gets into Netflix's film adaptation

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01:07:37

Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders and Verified

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/03/16

This week, Lara's son takes a very bad fall and Kevin has some professional news. Leading off, the crime writers discuss the new podcast from HLN, “Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders.” The reporters attempt to shed light on a double killing with few publicly known facts. Can they advance the story? OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “DOWN THE HILL” BEGINS IN MINUTE 33 Then, they jet to Italy for “Verified” from Witness Docs and Stitcher. This ten-part series looks at a group of women and their search for

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01:12:33

The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez and a recommendations...

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/03/09

After a week of reeling in the years, the Crime Writers are back discussing the hard-hitting Netflix documentary, “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.” Viewers learn the long trail of physical and emotional abuse suffered by Gabriel and the many missed opportunities to save his life. And it dives into the issues around the failings of law enforcement, social services, elected officials, and the System’s desire to protect itself at the expense of the children it’s supposed to help. OUR SPOILER FREE

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01:14:45

200th EPISODE SPECIAL

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/03/02

This is our 200th episode, and to mark the occasion we’re going to look back at some of our favorite moments from Crime Writers On. We’ll revisit reviews from classic podcasts, games, milestones, things that made us cry with laughter, and shed other kinds of tears. For exclusive podcasts and more, go to patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia. This week's special episode cover art: Top row Millie Bobby Brown from “Stranger Things” David Rudolf from “The Staircase” Bowe Bergdahl from

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01:05:50

McMillions and The Other Latif

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/02/24

As the crime writers prepare for their 200th episode special, Rebecca and Kevin have an invitation to London-based listeners. First off, in “The Other Latif,” Latif Nasser learns a Moroccan native who shares his name has been held for years at Guantanamo accused of being a top military adviser to Osama bin Laden. This miniseries from RadioLab explores whether his namesake is as dangerous as the US says he is. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “RADIOLAB: THE OTHER LATIF” BEGINS IN THE 31st MINUTE. Then:

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01:01:44

The Pharmacist and Uncover: Satanic Panic

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/02/17

After casting their votes in the New Hampshire Primary, the panel is ready to vote on two new true crime titles. First, the crime writers discuss the new season of Uncover: Satanic Panic. Host Lisa Rundle brings us to a Saskatchewan town rocked in the 90s by an alleged pedophilia ring run by devil worshipers. The podcast recalls the mass hysteria and the lives forever changed by the charges. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “UNCOVER: SATANIC PANIC” STARTS IN THE 28 MINUTE OF THE SHOW. Then, Netflix’s “The

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01:03:50

Chasing Cosby and The Sneak

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/02/10

Greetings from New Hampshire, where the Crime Writers will be among those casting their First in the Nation primary ballots. Hear them discuss the new text technology campaigns will be using to get your vote. Leading off, USAToday Sports and For the Win is out with a podcast covering an unusual bank Heist. “The Sneak” tells us of a bizarre armored car holdup where a man disguised as a landscaper escaped down river on an inner tube. Host Nate Scott says there’s much more to the story. OUR SPOILER

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01:03:46

The Officer's Wife and Killer Inside: The Mind of...

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/02/03

Mixed reviews this week from the crime writers. First, they explore "The Officer's Wife" from Vault Studios. Just as you think the story will be a typical by-the-numbers true crime tale...it offers a real plot twist. But does it leave too many listener questions unanswered? OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE OFFICER'S WIFE" BEGINS AROUND THE 34 MINUTE MARK. Then, Netflix has a new documentary tackling the life and crimes of the late NFL star Aaron Hernandez. Much like the 2018 podcast "Gladiator,"

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01:13:26

No Body Recovered and The Outsider

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/01/27

The panel takes a moment to reflect on the premature demise of two of their favorite shows, HBO’s “Watchmen” and Netflix’s “Mindhunter.” The Crime Writers follow BBC Radio to County Donegal for a look at Ireland’s longest unsolved missing child case. In season one of “No Body Recovered,” host Kevin Connolly explores the 1977 story of Mary Boyle, through the eyes of the family torn apart by her disappearance. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “NO BODY RECOVERED” BEGINS AROUND THE 36 MINUTE MARK. Then, HBO

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01:04:47

The Dream and Disorganized Crime

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/01/20

In an episode that seems to go off the rails at times, the panel discusses season two of “The Dream.” Host Jane Marie tackles the wellness industry, covering everything from healing crystals and medicinal herbs to vitamins and natural childbirth. Are they coming after the thing YOU believe is saving you from illness? OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “THE DREAM” BEGINS IN THE 29th MINUTE OF THE SHOW. Then the crime writers review the long, strange trip in “Disorganized Crime: Smuggler’s Daughter.” Host

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01:17:13

Dig and Midnight Son

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/01/13

The panel discusses the new podcast/audiobook hybrid “Midnight Son” from Audible Originals. We’re taken to the Arctic to explore the crimes of an Alaska Native and to investigate his claim that while as a fugitive in the wilderness he was visited by mythic tribe thought only to exist in legend. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “MIDNIGHT SON,” GO TO THE 41 MINUTE MARK Then, we’re off to Louisville for season one of “Dig” from the Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting. Host Eleanor Klibanoff finds

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01:20:21

Accused and Don't F**k with Cats

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2020/01/06

Rebecca and Kevin start by addressing some back-end tech changes that could affect listeners’ experience. There are shout-outs to our newest listener. And the panel solicits input from the audience for our upcoming 200th episode celebration. The Crime Writers review the new season of “Accused.” The eight-part series is a story of corporate malfeasance, wrapped in a missing persons case filled with conspiracy theories, family secrets, and government lies. OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “ACCUSED” CAN BE

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01:10:56

In the Dark update and The Confession Killer

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2019/12/23

The crime writers marvel at Kevin’s encyclopedic knowledge of Dunkin Donuts locations in New Hampshire! The team is blown away by the latest bonus episode of “In the Dark,” which covers Curtis Flowers’s bail hearing now that SCOTUS has overturned his conviction. If this were the final installment of the Peabody winning podcast, would it be the perfect ending? OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “IN THE DARK” STARTS AT APPROXIMATELY 35:00 Then the panel looks at Netflix’s five-part series, “The Confession

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01:16:04

The Catch and Kill Podcast & Detective Trapp

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2019/12/16

Leading off, Ronan Farrow's “The Catch and Kill Podcast” is an inside look at one of the most important stories of the decade, giving a deeper dive into the downfall of one of the entertainment industry’s most powerful men. Is there still more to this story? YOU CAN FIND OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "CATCH AND KILL" AROUND THE 34:38 MINUTE MARK. The team behind “Dirty John” returns with “Detective Trapp.” Anaheim's only female homicide detective is assigned the case of an unidentified woman found in

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01:01:42

Broken Justice & Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator

Crime Writers On...True Crime Review ·

2019/12/09

There arose such a clatter at Lara's town holiday celebration (fowl play). And Toby has been getting Twitter trolled by Dan Taberski! PBS NewsHour has released a podcast examining the public defender system in the US entitled “Broken Justice.” Frank Carlson and Amna Nawaz look at the issue through the lens of the Missouri public defenders office, one in which attorneys are given more clients than they can ethically handle. A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "BROKEN JUSTICE" CAN BE FOUND AT APPROXIMATELY

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643 results

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