The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told

The Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told S2 is an anthology of the most layered and engrossing true crime stories of female killers, cops, scientists, lawyers, scammers, activists, and more. Hosted by true crime writer, Mary Kay McBrayer, this podcast series tells stories at the intersection of society, justice, and the human psyche, siphoning wisdom and understanding from these truly great stories.

Recent Episodes
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Recent Reviews
  • A J Dee
    I’m Hooked!
    I’ve been listening to this True Crime podcast for several weeks and I really enjoy it! I think the podcaster’s feminist take on the story is fun and I appreciate her tongue-in-cheek commentary- her perspective makes the podcast unique and entertaining. There are plenty of folks who will just give you the facts of the crime but I enjoy this one! I’ve been digging into her archive and having a great time!
  • jkacki
    Great!
    Interesting perspective and you can tell a lot of research has been done. I love the host’s voice and I get her sense of humor. This podcast has turned into my new favorite. I can’t stop listening!
  • Matt_B_W
    I’m giving up. Hostess tries way too hard.
    Just tell the stories. You have a good approach- until you constantly try to add snarky comedy or “hard hitting” opinions with annoying f-bombs. And quit shoving the Girl Power thing down our throats. We want crime stories, not you to be our life coach. I’m out.
  • Listener JK
    Ehhh
    Content is great, fascinating but the hosts voice is terrible and her dialogue takes away from the stories. She makes really basic comments and overall makes the show very unenjoyable to listen to. I want to like it and keep listening but won’t due to the host. Bummer
  • Wouldntyou
    The Host
    The host stinks. The background music is distracting.
  • kaylamarie1025
    Amazing!
    This podcast is fantastic. Her take on the cases is unique and I am hooked. It is like sitting with a friend having a drink talking true crime.
  • Jlynn meyers
    We love it
    Love the way the host tells stories and love how she gives her own personality through her commentary! Eagerly awaiting more episodes !
  • amfrere2020
    Unprofessional
    Unfortunately the narrator is very unprofessional, she is constantly editorializing and using very casual language. It’s like listening to Kristin Chenoweth after she drank a bottle of rose. It is surprising that she is a professional writer. Not worth a listen.
  • Crochetbug
    Well researched but….
    The podcaster clearly puts a lot of work into getting good information, but she spends just as much time making judgements about everything and everyone. Why, if she thinks Boomers are such a generational fiasco, did she even spend anytime telling the story of not one, but two of them? Then there are the myriad other places in her podcast where she is the final arbiter of all that is good and all that is evil. This could be a five star podcast, but 25 minutes or so was all I could take.
  • streamer [762]
    good title. bad podcast
    Thought it would be interesting. It wasn’t.
  • Terry_Full
    Not everyone can be a comedian
    The stories are interesting, but the narrator’s jokes thrown in are not funny and ruin the seriousness of the story.
  • caryofil
    Great stories, host should back off commentary
    The host has a great voice and a good storytelling pace to keep you interested, but the expletive filled commentary makes it seem like we’ve entered a middle school hallway. It just immature and a stark contrast to the rest of the hard work and professionalism that comes through the actual storyline. Some commentary is fine, but it’s like she substitutes her middle school self for that, and it’s distracting.
  • Ta2dMnky
    Low energy
    I realize there’s true crime podcasts coming out of every crack of the Internet do podcasters gotta have a schtick…for this one, it’s all lady-crime. So instead of putting on makeup or drinking coffee whilst hocking some “can’t live without it” supplement, this podcasts angle is that each story involves a female, in some facet of the story. As an identifying angle for the brand, I think that’s pretty lame, since almost every true crime story has a female somewhere in the story. Not sure if it’s the narrators voice, cadence or just the less-than-exciting script, but I found the show causing me to nod off at noon on a Wednesday.
  • TrueCrimeTartare
    Appreciate the angle!
    Personally I like to fall asleep to true crime and this music is a little jarring - if you like this but want less noise check out Dead Sleep True Crime for Bedtime which is similar but not noisy and no ads
  • stellacawley
    She had me at the intro!
    I’ve only just begun but as a True Crime Podcast addict, I believe I can safely say this one is slipping into a routine listen! Maybe a top fiver! From the voice, to the obvious attention in story selection, focus on details, fascinating characters and riveting plot —this show is a must listen for me. Give this one a listen! I think you’ll agree!
  • Kel_e_r
    Intriguing stories, well told
    The stories are all interesting, and the podcast is well written and narrated. However, the occasional injection of slang-filled editorializing is juvenile and does not fit the tone at all.
  • nbarkach
    Get rid of the music
    Great podcast, but the continual dramatic music makes me want to scream.
  • pdj1030
    Background music
    I’m trying to get through the first episode but the background music is so distracting. I’m hoping they consider removing it from future drops.
  • composeyourself
    Great Show
    This host has a beautiful, clear voice and tells the story with ease. I don’t agree with the other reviewers — I like her she allows her personality to come through in her work. Well done! Keep going!
  • cmtjm
    The host can be off putting
    I have now listened to 3 of her podcasts In totality. They are very interesting and even fascinating, but her telling of the story goes from professionally well done to immature slang and opinion. Additionally, each episode begins with the same autobiography, which does not need repeating. In total, neither the host nor the content is offensive, but it is simply not to my liking. I’m done.
  • Mark00215
    Don’t bother
    The narrators voice and flexions are annoying. The amount of ads in this podcast are awful. It’s a solid 10 minutes before the podcast even starts with frequent breaks. I’ve listened to three of these podcasts now I have found them all to be extremely annoying to listen to
  • leslie in alabama
    Great!
    Love this. Great research, and for once, I like the personal comments! I’ve recommended this podcast to all my friends! ❤️
  • ShanWalkr
    Good show
    Very good writing. Music is fantastic. Some of the asides are… unnecessary.
  • Skip To My Lou777
    The Best
    I am Very Picky about what Podcasts I listen to. I guess everyone is. I got started on true crime with Culpable then Up and Up and Vanished went to PaperGhost then found you and when you start with the Best you just can’t go back. Your vernacular, storytelling and character development is just well… spot on. As the title says “Greatest True Crime Stories Ever Told” is just that.
  • Darla39228709
    LOVE the host!!
    I absolutely love the host. All of her side comments are always exactly what I was thinking! I’d listen to anything that she does but the content here is great!
  • SFladylistener
    Truly awful host
    I listen to a ton of true crime podcasts, both professional and more amateur, and I’m willing for put up with hosts’ different styles. But this host was so terrible I couldn’t even get through the first episode. It was how I imagine a tween would host a podcast: lots of awkward use of slang and more opinions than facts.
  • elyelyuhoh
    Look forward to..
    Listening every week! Love her storytelling and how she puts her “spin”, cutting in saying the same things I think! Hope to hear so many more interesting stories!
  • SashaThumper23
    New fave podcast
    I was reading some of the reviews for this podcast and couldn’t disagree more. I love her voice, and story telling. In a world where people can barely sit through a 30 second video it’s a breath of fresh air to hear someone take their time when telling these stories. The latest episode is my favorite so far. Especially when she mentions women not just being victims but also survivors. Thank you for giving people a voice. I love this podcast. I love your storytelling and your inserts of sarcasm and sass. Keep on and don’t give into the critics.
  • Sarahjj21
    I love it!
    Very well researched and well written! I love Mary Kay McBrayer‘s voice! I absolutely love this podcast and look forward to hearing the next episode every week!
  • Tippsee
    I tried!
    I am very interested in true crime but I could NOT get into this podcast. And I tried, I really did. It was all I could do to get through one episode. The story teller takes entirely too long to tell the story. Also, the occasional cussing is completely unnecessary. Maybe I will try to listen again later, but for now, count me out!
  • appleacid
    Too long of the jntro about yourself
    My goodness. The intro is way too long. I didn’t hear any story for the first 5 min and lost interest. Please consider just get into the story right away.
  • shsngwyns
    No ma’am
    She needs to figure out what she’s going to say before recording it. I couldn’t stand listening to her fumble and reach for her words.
  • Yoga Granny
    Brilliant
    This is a stellar podcast; well-written, well-performed, well recorded.
  • bykrkitty
    To the narrator…..
    You’re a trip and I love how you tell these stories. Every so often I bust out laughing with an off comment you make. 👍👍
  • Schhhiejsn
    Ugh
    Really interesting stories and they are broken down well. But the host just makes it too hard to listen to. She sounds like she’s trying to be cool, and throws in way too many opinions. And they are cringy. But hey, it’s her podcast, not mine, and just not made for me. But it might be for you. No judgement. We all like different things.
  • tiffygriffy
    Has Potential, Needs Some Improvement
    I believe the stories are for the most part well-researched, but the podcast host has some patterns and tendencies that can be irritating/off-putting to me as a listener. I often find that I stop listening and have to rewind back, as her cadence can become boring and my attention drifts elsewhere. Additionally, some of the opinions she inserts during the story-telling come off as judgmental and immature, instead of insightful and educated which should be the standard when you’re having a quality True Crime podcast. This isn’t a girl’s bathroom, why make bratty comments during? I hope she improves with time and takes the feedback she receives (hopefully she has some mentors) as this podcast definitely has potential.
  • Christine82*
    Hard to listen to
    I tried… twice but 10 min in and the host just said, “Homey no you didn’t…” and it was so awkward. The stories seem interesting but can’t get past the host.
  • xfinitystreamblows
    I tried
    The narrator pauses for a very long time between sentences which makes it unbearable to listen to.
  • Bentley. 77
    Torture
    Dear lord, lady just tell the story already!!!! We’re not here to listen to your life story, we here to actually listen to true crime!!
  • Aaron firestone
    Good stories
    Good stories and research, but maybe a different narrator would help. She’s not a good reader and it doesn’t feel natural.
  • Jamielulu
    Story is good….
    I like the story- I’m kinda out of podcasts currently- BUT the host and her weird cadence of reading and than random curse words? I am no prude, they just don’t even fit in! Just read it! Those additions make it hard to listen to for more than a few minutes at a time…
  • Alleyyy__
    I like the host and her story telling
    I like how she tells the story, she tells the story like she’s talking to a friend adding her own opinions in between and doesn’t hold back which I can appreciate.
  • vick Vick🍓
    IDK
    This podcast seems really interesting I hadn’t even heard one of episodes. The trailer is really convincing me to hear one of the episodes. I hope it’s good ‘cause if not I’m gonna be very disappointed.
  • stefuhnee90
    Love so far!!
    One would call me true crime podcast obsessed. I follow and listen to over 50 podcasts, and I am sometimes immediately turned off by a host (even when I love the content and stories). This one is NOT like that! Maybe because I’m from the South, I absolutely love this host, her accent, and her opinions! YES GIRL! Keep it up and ignore the hate.
  • cac10391
    Love it!
    I love the concept of this podcast and the episodes have been so interesting!! Keep it up!!!
  • iona trailer
    Sorry
    It sounds like this podcaster reads the script with much difficulty. The inflection she does use is so forced that it’s uncomfortable to listen.
  • RDOGCD
    I’m a fan!
    I love the host’s southern accent! Maybe because I’m from the south myself but she makes it more relatable. I think the podcast will go far if they fix the early access for subscribers. Shout out to the host! You are doing great! Can’t wait to hear more!
  • Jabstar08
    Potential
    It has potential but the host sounds like a teenager who needs a bit of refinement :/
  • OsLo's Mom
    Host
    The first 10 minutes was the host rambling on about herself. It took me out of it and I lost interest.
  • MelKrist
    No episode 2?
    So good but I’m also an iHeart plus subscriber and was so excited for number 2 and still no episode.
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