Once Upon A Crime: True Crime Told Chapter by Chapter

Once Upon A Crime is a true crime podcast hosted by Esther Ludlow, who takes on some of the world's most compelling criminal cases. Each episode presents real cases in manageable chapters, with the cases grouped thematically, so that listeners can follow complex investigations and sequences of events with both a clear overview and genuine depth.

With more than 300 episodes — all written, produced and edited by Esther Ludlow herself — the podcast has established itself as a substantial survey of remarkable crimes throughout history. What sets it apart is its investigative approach: it does not simply lay out the crimes themselves, but also looks closely at the victims, the perpetrators and the police work that ultimately led to each case being solved.

The chapter-based structure is central to how the series works. Rather than compressing a complicated case into a single instalment, Ludlow breaks the material down into segments that can be followed step by step, allowing the detail of an investigation to unfold at a pace that matches the way it developed in real life. Grouping the episodes by theme gives the back catalogue a shape of its own, letting listeners move between related cases rather than treating each one in isolation.

Once Upon A Crime is available on Apple Podcasts and YouTube, making it easy to access across platforms. Esther Ludlow's thorough research and storytelling have made the podcast a recognised name in the true crime field.