Although True Crime is super popular these days, I prefer my murder mystery podcasts to be fictional. It allows writers to expand their imagination into stories that could never otherwise happen. They can base podcasts on a different planet, in a different timeline, or add some humor into the mix without any backlash. Knowing that certain events never happened also gives me a sense of peace, and allows me to fully enjoy the events unfolding before me. I’ve chosen some amazing fictional murder mystery podcasts that everyone should listen to. They are all delivered quite differently, so there’s surely an approach you’ll enjoy.
True crime listeners aren’t just consuming content about murder — they’re showing us the future of podcast engagement.”
— Tom Webster, Sounds Profitable
1. The Angel of Vine (Fictional “True Crime”)
A present day journalist listens to the audio tapes of a 1950 private eye who cracked the greatest unsolved murder mystery in Hollywood. The tapes were kept by his family, but were never listened to, so the information was never released. It’s a compelling story with amazing voice work, and is guaranteed to get you hooked. It stars the voices of famous actors Joe Manganiello, Misha Collins, Constance Zimmer, Alan Tudyk, Alfred Molina, Camilla Luddington, and Mike Colter.
2. Heads of Sierra Blanca (Fictional “True Crime”)
This podcast is an immersive experience that combines fiction, true crime and real interviews with experts. Don’t skip this one because of the ratings. It was review-bombed for not being true crime. The story revolves around serial killings that take place in Sierra Blanca, Texas. The niece of one of the victims, along with a private investigator, attempt to find the killer when the police have written it off. It plays a lot like a true crime podcast, but with the comfort that it never really happened.
3. Verdict by AudioFlix (Crime Drama)
This is a 4+ hour long scripted fictional murder mystery. It focuses on Investigator Abigail Kaplan who is trying to solve the murder of a high school athlete in a small town in Texas. Although someone has already confessed to the murder, Abigail is sure that there’s more to it. She has to navigate small-town politics and the local mega church in order to get to the bottom of it.
4. 7 Suspects (Whodunnit)
This audio drama murder mystery focuses on seven suspects who were all present at a murder. A reporter is tasked with questioning each suspect to compare their stories and find out who might be lying. Each episode gives you just enough info to keep you guessing as to who the killer might me. The voice cast is amazing and the story compelling from beginning to end. If you want to play detective, then this is definitely the podcast for you.
5. The Deca Tapes (Sci-Fi)
While not an all out-and-out murder mystery, this podcast does have a murder and LOTS of mystery. The story is about ten people who find themselves confined to an area – each with a specific role to play. It’s a full cast production set in space, but is presented in an audio log format of one person per episode. As you listen, you’ll find yourself trying to figure out how these people ended up in their predicament, who killed The Entertainer, and more info on the corrupt Deca Group.
Honorable Mentions
6. Deadly Manners (Thriller | Comedy)
If you’re a fan of the boardgame Clue (Cluedo), then you’ll love this old school whodunnit set in 1954. During the Billings family’s annual dinner gala, a snowstorm begins that quickly traps everyone inside. When a murderer starts killing off the guests, they must work together to find the killer. This murder mystery has the voice talents of well-known actors like LeVar Burton (Star Trek), Kristen Bell (The Good Place), Anna Chlumsky (My Girl) and RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race). It’s a bit silly, but so is Clue.
Best Murder Mystery Podcasts
Additional Info: The 2014 true crime podcast Serial broke podcasting records by achieving 5 million downloads on iTunes faster than any previous podcast. As of 2018, it had been downloaded more than 340 million times — demonstrating the enormous audience appetite for audio mystery storytelling that fiction podcasts continue to tap into. (Source: Wikipedia)
These are the best fictional murder mystery podcasts you’ll find available today. Don’t miss out out on these amazing stories. Every creator approaches stories different and for a different audience, so if one show doesn’t hook you, simply jump to the next. There are plenty of options and once you find the type you enjoy, it’ll be much easier to find more similar ones.
If you’re also interested in true crime, then check out our list of the top true crime murder mystery podcasts. Some are solved and others are actively being worked on, so you can follow along or even contact the creator and add your own theories to the mix. For high-production full-cast audio dramas, check out my picks for the top 5 full cast murder mystery audio dramas. For mystery books, the top 10 murder mystery novels has all my favorites. And finally, for all other murder mystery entertainment, see our best murder mystery entertainment guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do fiction podcasts require headphones?
For the full experience, yes. Many of these shows have amazing sound effects and use creative ways to give a fuller experience without the need for visuals. Headphones are strongly recommended, but if you’re listening in a group or driving, etc. then you’re still able to enjoy them without.
What’s the difference between a fiction podcast and an audio drama?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but audio dramas are usually productions with multiple voice actors who play distinct characters, with added sound effects, and soemtimes even scored music. It’s basically a radio play (radio drama) for those old enough to understand the reference. Fiction podcasts is a broader term that includes single-narrator stories as well as full-cast productions. Most of the shows on this list are audio dramas. If you want specifically full-cast productions with the highest production values, then check out our favorite full cast audio dramas list
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.
