Listener sentiment
True Criminals draws overwhelmingly positive feedback, with most reviewers praising hosts Martin Brunt and Helen Fospero for their journalistic credentials, sensitivity toward difficult subject matter, and ability to surface details that other true crime podcasts miss. The calibre of guests — senior detectives, authors, and people close to the cases — is frequently highlighted as a standout feature, and even a retired murder detective praised the show's factual rigor and refusal to sensationalise. The most consistent technical complaint, raised independently by several listeners, is a jarring volume imbalance between quiet interview segments and much louder intro music and ad breaks, which makes headphone listening uncomfortable. A smaller number of reviewers have flagged factual inaccuracies in specific episodes (notably the Madeleine McCann and Myra Hindley installments) and occasional tonal missteps, including one listener's perception of a misogynistic undertone and another's discomfort with a guest's comments about Hindley. A few listeners also find the presentation rehearsed rather than conversational, and one reviewer felt the case coverage was too superficial to distinguish itself in a crowded genre. Overall, the show is regarded as a top-tier true crime podcast whose editorial strengths far outweigh its production and occasional accuracy concerns.
Apple4.6 · 43
Summary generated Sep 7, 2026
