Pick of the week
Theatre of Crime
Hosts Pearl Mackie, Emma Sidi and Kiell Smith-Bynoe claim to be “reinvestigating” the infamous 1907 “Camden Town Murder” – via “reimagining key moments” (read: inventing dialogue) with hammy accents. True crime can feel exploitative, and given that a real person – 22-year-old Emily Dimmock – died in this case, not all listeners will find an attempt to turn it into chucklesome light entertainment to be in the best taste. Alexi Duggins
Widely available from Tue 25th February, episodes weekly
Lucky Boy
An absorbing investigation into Gareth’s claims that when he was a 14-year-old student at a prestigious school, he felt like a “lucky boy” to be in a relationship with the teacher that everybody fancied. Host Chloe Hadjimatheou asks: what does it mean when the abuser is an attractive woman? Hollie Richardson
Tortoise, all episodes out on Tue 25th February
Scam Factory
Who are the people who send scam texts/emails? This shocking show about the gangs with whole organisations dedicated to deceit focuses on a young Filipino man who thought he was getting a legitimate job, only to be held captive in an armed compound and made to send messages 14 hours a day. His sister’s daring rescue attempt helps propel the narrative. AD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Obscurum
High-tech sex trafficking, aliens, a top-secret military operation – or something a little more prosaic? This podcast about a string of spooky drone sightings across the US will surely hook you in with its wild theories and X-Files-esque soundtrack. Although whether host Gabe Lenners gets to the bottom of it all is yet to be seen. HJD
Widely available, episodes weekly
Harford: An Oral History
Dan Hooper is a comedy writer for Radio 4’s The News Quiz. Here, he turns his hand to something more idiosyncratic – and it works. Based on his own experiences growing up in the small Welsh town of Haverfordwest, supplemented with some offbeat embellishments, these strange little monologues are brimming with dry wit and unlikely twists. Hannah J Davies
Widely available, episodes monthly
• This article was amended on 25 February 2025. An earlier version incorrectly said that the subject of Scam Factory was Thai, rather than Filipino.
