Popular Reviews of The Art of Crime

Instantly, my favorite historical true crime podcast! It's not just entertaining, but very thoroughly researched.

While this podcast is in its first season, it knows what it wants to do and already does it excellently. Each episode is an energetic lesson about the life and world of the featured artist, as well as an exploration of the social responses to crime. The perfect listen if you are a fan of history, the arts, and fresh, alternative approaches to the often predictable and repetitive genre of true crime.

Smart, original, and fun. It's as much a history and arts education podcast as it is a true crime show. There's a different topic each season.Season 1 is about artists who have been suspected of the Jack the Ripper killings. The first episode is just background about the victims and Victorian London. The second episode is a fascinating look into the life of Willy Clarkson, a theatrical wigmaker and possible arsonist who has been named as a Ripper suspect. So far, I am impressed with the quality of the research, writing, and sound design. The podcast's accompanying website is also impressive; the show notes of each episode include fascinating images and additional insights not included in the show itself. Looking forward to the next installments!

There are two things I admire and love in a podcast: painstaking research and intriguing storytelling. The Art of Crime has both; it’s the real deal. The show is now deep into Season 1, which offers a refreshing, art-centered perspective on the crimes of Jack the Ripper. That the podcast succeeds in saying anything of interest about this grim and hackneyed subject is a testament to the host’s writing, which brims with atmospheric detail and a great eye for character and historical anecdote. I know I’m going on and on, but I really love this podcast! If you are a fan of theater history, painting, or literature (and like small glimpses into the histories of crime and detection), you can’t go wrong with this one.