Audio dramas are extremely addictive. I’ve listened to thousands of episodes and have no intention of slowing down. Murder mystery audio dramas are even more addictive. There’s a large variety that includes action, comedy and psychological, so you’ll never run out of good shows to listen to. While I could spend the rest of my life listing great audio dramas to you, this article is only going to focus on those in the murder mystery genre. So, here are my 5 favorites that I’m certain you’ll enjoy:
Arden
Arden starts off just like a true crime podcast. There’s a cold case, with a missing woman and there’s two hosts that disagree on how to investigate it. But you’ll realize that it’s fiction when things go off the rails. It’s filled with media satire and drama that keeps you at the edge of your seat. One of the hosts wants to investigate methodically while the other one want to go with her gut. Their relationship is a big part of the story and gives the show a comedic overtone. This is a show that I think everyone can easily get into.
Jackie the Ripper
Jackie the Ripper had me laughing from the first few seconds right through until the end. I can not recommend this show enough to everyone reading this. It’s about a female Jack the Ripper type who hunts down any man she thinks deserves it. It’s got a great message behind it, and delivers it in the funniest way possible. You won’t always agree with the killer, but you’ll always understand why she does what she does. It’s been a few months since I last listened to it, so it’s definitely time to give it another go.
Gather The Suspects
Set in a locked-down Welsh apartment building, Gather The Suspects is a cozy murder mystery drama. One of the residents is dead and everyone is a suspect. And because none of them can leave, they’ll have to solve it themselves. It’s a funny show that is very self-aware. It’s what you’d imagine a sitcom version of Cluedo would be like. You’ll have to listen for some clues, spot red herrings and catch strange behaviors. The show never takes itself too seriously, so it’s very easy to listen to.
Mockery Manor
This one’s set in a 1980s British theme park, which already makes it very different from everything else you’ve probably listened to. There’s a murder at the park, and the twins decide to investigate, often putting themselves in danger. They’ll have to be careful of the staff in the park, as there’s no way of knowing who’s involved and who’s not. It’s got great voice work and a solid soundtrack. This one might not be to everyone’s taste, but give the first episode a try and see if it hooks you or not.
Deadly Manners
Deadly Manners is what an audio drama by Agatha Christie might sound like. A storm traps a group of wealthy guests in a mansion and one of them ends up dead. The killer has to be one of the guests, so they set out trying to figure out who it is. Everyone in the mansion has a secret that they want to keep hidden, so it won’t be easy to get answers from them.
It’s got a huge cast, including Kristen Bell and RuPaul. It’s also got amazing sound design, so you’ll hear every door creak as you explore the mansion. It’s the most theatrical option on this list, and feels like a stage play brought to life through your headphones.
Top 5 Full Cast Murder Mystery Audio Dramas
Each of these shows is worth your time. They’re each different enough that you’re basically guaranteed to find something you’ll love. Remember, not every show is going to be to your taste, but someone else in the world is going to absolutely love it. So try one and if you’re not hooked, or at least mildly interested, jump to the next one and you’ll soon narrow down the exact types that you enjoy.
For more fiction audio, check out our choices for the top fiction murder mystery podcasts. If you’d like to check out some interesting true crime audio, the top true crime murder podcasts list will have all my favorites. And for a full list of murder mystery options in various formats, check out our best murder mystery entertainment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need any special app to listen to these?
No. All five are available through normal podcast apps – Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, Pocket Casts, etc. Personally, I use the free version of Pocket Casts to listen to all my favorite podcasts. You don’t need a subscription to any paid service for any of this content.
What makes a full cast audio drama different from an audiobook?
An audiobook is usually one narrator reading the text in a book – including all the dialogue, descriptions, and narration. A full cast audio drama is created by multiple actors, where each person plays a separate character with added sound effects and music. If you close your eyes, you can usually picture exactly what is happening in each scene thanks to the sound effects, without a narrator ever needing to explain what’s going on.
Sherwin has been creating amazing murder mystery case files since 2023 – and he has no plans to ever stop. His cases have earned rave reviews from players around the world, and he’s since expanded into full murder mystery dinner party games. With 10 years of experience under his belt creating digital products, he brings a sharp eye for design and detail to every crime scene he builds.
