Detective Dan takes us on an epic small-town manhunt as he tracks down a notorious car thief who makes the mistake of stealing the rims off a teenager’s prized possession: his first car. This one has it all: burner phones, face tattoos, and a golden Honda Accord. This is the season finale!
Deep Cover
Detective Matt returns to share his more than year-long undercover investigation into a fringe environmental group with dangerous designs on an upcoming political convention. This is the kind of story we never get to hear. Told by a detective who mastered the art of disappearing from his own life in order to thwart a violent plot.
The Devil’s in the Details
Crime scene investigations are rarely as dramatic – and definitive – as what you see on TV shows like CSI. That does not make them any less crucial to solving the case. Host Paul Holes takes us through a case he worked on in the late 1990s, where a claim of self-defense was ultimately turned on its head after a thorough and objective look at the nearly invisible trace evidence left behind after the body of a gay man was found dumped in a ditch.
Moving Target
A gunshot rings out in the middle of the night in a small town in rural Australia. Detective Graeme is quickly on the case and soon learns not one but two additional drive-by shootings have occurred this early morning. Such things don’t happen where he lives and all he has to go on is some grainy footage of a dark car out looking for targets.
Living the Dream
So glad to have you with us on this day after Thanksgiving (aka Black Friday). Here’s something special from the Dream Team to our Small Town Family: Detectives Dan and …
One Dark Night Pt. 2
In the conclusion of One Dark Night, Detective Justin has identified his suspect in the senseless murder of Larry, who provided security for a community garden in Justin’s small town. As Justin closes in on the suspect, the stakes couldn’t be higher when the suspect makes clear he will not be going quietly.
One Dark Night Pt. 1
In Pt. 1, Detective Justin gets an early morning call to respond to a community garden where a man’s body is found slumped over at the base of a tree. The first assumption is this is a tragic, but all too common suicide. But the evidence starts to tell a different story, and soon Justin finds himself hot on the trail of a murderer. Pt. 2 drops tomorrow!
Red Flag
A man calls 911 to say his toddler is in distress: he’s not breathing. As paramedics rush to the scene, so does Detective Terry. He knows for this kind of incident, it is all hands on deck. As he begins to investigate what happened, a series of red flags go up and Det. Terry confronts every parent’s worst nightmare.
Split Second
In a split second, your entire life can change. Detective Aaron is a school resource officer. As he does his daily patrol, he stops a man who appears out of place near the local high school. Indeed, this routine stop turns dangerous as the man, who is found to have warrants and is carrying weapons, runs directly onto school property. A confrontation outside classrooms forces Aaron in a split-second decision.
The Most Dangerous Time
Police discover the body of a woman near the bottom of a flight of the stairs that lead to her bedroom. She’s been shot in the head and the main suspect is the man she just broke up with. Her young children are also in the house, hiding in a closet. Detectives Chad and Greg hunt the suspect down and find a pattern of dangerous domestic abuse that had never been reported to police.
Covet
A young mother gets a strange visit from a neighbor. He tells her his security cameras have captured her daughter doing inappropriate things. Shocked and suspicious, the mother calls the police. Detective Dave arrives and begins to investigate. He discovers the neighbor’s story does not hold up, and the truth is alarming.
Bloodline
A bloody murder scene along a California highway leads Investigator Paul Holes on a generational journey, as he discovers a killer’s past could shine a light on a long-dormant cold case. Along the way, Paul finds that the impulse for violent crime sometimes runs in the family.
Parkland, Part 2
On February 14, 2018, Officer George was working patrol with his local PD. He’d met some fellow officers for lunch. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then he heard the radio traffic: shots fired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He immediately headed to the campus. This is Officer George’s story of responding to one of the most horrific school shootings in American history. One that would come to be known simply as “Parkland.”
Parkland, Part 1
On February 14, 2018, Officer George was working patrol with his local PD. He’d met some fellow officers for lunch. Nothing out of the ordinary. Then he heard the radio traffic: shots fired at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. He immediately headed to the campus. This is Officer George’s story of responding to one of the most horrific school shootings in American history. One that would come to be known simply as “Parkland.”
The Briefing Room: The Christian Burial Speech
Once again, Detectives Dave and Dan take a deep dive into case law that governs how law enforcement operates in this country. Today, they discuss Brewer v. Williams, which is better known as “The Christian Burial Speech”. It’s a fascinating and disturbing tale about the limits of interrogation after a suspect invokes his right to counsel: even when, or especially when, the stakes are incredibly high.
The Briefing Room: Case Law, Part 2
If you’ve ever watched a television crime drama, chances are you could recite the Miranda warning by heart. Today, Detectives Dan and Dave continue their law enforcement briefing with a review of the case that brought us the Miranda warning: Miranda v. Arizona. The detectives also delve into a precursor case, Escobedo v. Illinois, which helped define what rights a person has when they’re arrested.
The Briefing Room: Case Law, Part 1
In today’s briefing, we discuss the case law that defines what is considered reasonable when a police officer uses force. These cases are used by departments nationwide as a foundation for use of force policies. The two specific cases you’ll hear about today, if you want to read further, are Tennessee v. Garner and Graham v. Connor.
The Briefing Room: Situational Awareness
Over the next few weeks, we’re sharing a few episodes of The Briefing Room. The series began on our Patreon feed but is going to become a brand new show in January. Today, we discuss situational awareness: Detective Dave and Detective Dan talk about ways to increase your safety by paying closer attention to what’s going on around you.
Gone Fishin’
A young couple go missing after heading out to a local camping spot. A search party discovers their bodies – both have been shot to death. Investigators from this rural town turn over every stone in search of the killer but come up empty. Over 40 years pass before a DNA test points to a suspect. Detectives scramble to arrest him and get justice for the victims.
Out of Reach
A brutal murder. A primary suspect. But small mistakes made by fellow officers in the early hours of the investigation hinder Detective Lins’ pursuit of the man he believes is responsible for bludgeoning a woman to death in her driveway. But the investigation continues until Lins receives word that his prime suspect is dead. Or is he? Even in retirement, Detective Lins says he’s not ready to give up the ghost.
The Very Worst
The stories about Sam are almost unbelievable. He’s wealthy, successful, and a family man. But look closer and you’ll discover a deeply disturbed predator with a dangerous habit of victimizing kids. When Detective Robert and his team take over the case, they find themselves crossing state lines and international borders in the pursuit of evidence which ultimately confirms Sam is exactly what they thought he was: the very worst. WARNING: This episode deals with the sexual abuse of children.
Disturbing the Peace
An attentive security guard confronts a rowdy group outside a bar. One of the group pulls out a gun and shoots the security guard, killing him. As investigators try to sort out what happened, they discover the security guard was wearing a body camera that recorded the whole event. Detective Chris leads a manhunt to apprehend the suspect.
Deception
Detective Dan gets called to an apartment complex to investigate a hit and run. But he quickly discovers there’s much more to the case than just property damage, when a young girl in the house discloses that she was touched inappropriately during an alcohol-fueled party that night. Detective Dan’s brother, Detective Dave, is called in to investigate the crime.
Politically Incorrect
An undercover drug investigation leads to a web of political corruption that has ties to an international crime syndicate. As the case unfolds, our two detectives, Matt, who’s working undercover, and Blake, his handler, begin to wonder if the corruption reaches into their own department, too.
Stand-off
A mother calls police to her condominium over concerns that her son, Mike, is acting erratically and is a threat to both himself and his own son. Because Mike is armed with a gun, police attempt to isolate him. A stand-off ensues which turns violent.
Tourist Season
A German couple comes to hike and enjoy the beautiful Big Sur coastline. As they wander through the backroads, they encounter their worst nightmare – a couple of predators out looking for a soft target. Detective Lins is called to investigate the aftermath and finds a story of tragedy as well as miraculous survival.
The Gamble
This case takes us to Main Street, Small Town, Australia, where *Detective Graeme is called to investigate an early morning blaze in the local business district. Fortunately, firefighters put out the flames before anyone is hurt, but the shops suffer extensive smoke damage. As Graeme picks through the debris, he discovers evidence that the fire was no accident. A bit of luck and good old-fashioned detective work help Graeme and his team zero in on the culprit.
Lying in Wait
Our own Detective Dave investigates a shockingly violent attack on two guards in a small town jail. It’s a case that brings into sharp focus the risks that law enforcement officers take every day to keep others, and themselves, safe.
Straight to the Heart
An estranged spouse calls 911 to say she shot her husband in self-defense. But as detectives look at the crime scene and begin digging into the history of the relationship, they start to doubt the caller’s story. Was this a fatal case of domestic violence, or did something more sinister take place? Detective Robert investigates.
The Ginger Beard Man
Police in a small town come across a grisly scene – an elderly woman beaten and stabbed in her own bed. As Detective Greg sets out to find out who is responsible, and bring them to justice. One of their leads comes from a young boy who tells them a story of a ginger-bearded man. A story all the more chilling when detectives discover the real truth.
Small Town Swindlers
Detective Dan takes the mic to recount a couple of wild cases involving some very crafty crooks. Thieves can be clever, so it takes some real police work to break the case. In part one, you’ll get to know a couple of key fob bandits. It’ll remind you to keep close watch on your gym locker. In part two, you’ll meet the charming but dangerous members of Stu’s Crew.
Hollywood Cops & the Quiz of Laws
Detectives Dan and Dave talk about what Hollywood gets right – and gets wrong – about police work, and which shows are their favorites. Then they take a quiz to see if they know which obscure laws are from which state. It’s a blast!
The Briefing Room
Detectives Dan and Dave take you into The Briefing Room for a candid conversation about online safety.
No Sale
In this special episode, retired Detective Dawn goes undercover as a customer after hearing reports of a fish store owner with busy hands. In the course of her investigation, Dawn uncovers clear evidence that the owner has had a long history of victimizing women, including underage girls.
‘Twas the Night Before Christmas
Today, a gift from our Small Town Family to yours.
Blood Shadow
Detective BK is called to a grisly murder scene at a local motel. The fact that the victim, himself, has a criminal past has no bearing on how hard detectives work the case, their job is to see that justice is served. As BK drills down on a possible suspect, the search becomes a manhunt across multiple states, and the detectives are reminded that you can never have enough evidence.
Gold Fever
In a case that feels like it’s out of the 1800s, a detective in Australia’s famed “Gold Squad” gets an anonymous tip that something fishy is going on at a gold mine in remote Western Australia. An investigation turns up a crime ring that’s pocketing tens of thousands of dollars of the precious metal. The hunt turns tragic as a ringleader considers the blow to his reputation for stealing from the only business in town.
In Pursuit, Part 2
From big cities to small towns, there is perhaps nothing we associate more with modern police work than the high-speed chase. In this two-parter, Detectives Dan and Dave remember their first times behind the wheel when they had to suddenly go Code 3 “in pursuit.” You’ll hear how they learned to keep cool under pressure while also keeping the public safe as they pursued the suspect.
In Pursuit, Part 1
From big cities to small towns, there is perhaps nothing we associate more with modern police work than the high-speed chase. In this two-parter, Detectives Dan and Dave remember their first times behind the wheel when they had to suddenly go Code 3 “in pursuit.” You’ll hear how they learned to keep cool under pressure while also keeping the public safe as they pursued the suspect.
Yeardley’s True Crime Thanksgiving Sides
We are coming to you a day early because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday – we wanted to be sure you had something binge-able as you prep your turkeys, or drive to grandma’s house, or wait for you plane, or take a nice walk. Whatever you’re doing, Small Town Fam, we wish you a warm and happy holiday!
In today’s special bonus episode, Yeardley discusses what her three favorite episodes have been over the course of the show. She offers some commentary and then shares her favorite for your enjoyment.
Never Forget
Famed cold-case investigator and forensic analyst Paul Holes brings us two murder cases from Northern California that remain unsolved. These murders are eerily similar to three others that were committed by serial killer Phil Hughes. But with scant physical evidence, and Hughes remaining tight-lipped, Paul is forced to dig deep and come up with new ways to identify the killer and get justice for the victims.
Rancid
A woman named Mary goes missing after spending the evening at a popular nightclub. Local police have few leads. Then police learn a sex offender from Ireland is in town and was seen harassing women customers before leaving the club with Mary. Detective Shaun, who is supposed to be taking his vacation, suspects something terrible has happened and pulls out all the stops to find the Irishman. When they finally catch up to him he denies any wrongdoing, until a surprising scientific detail puts him at the scene of a grisly crime.
Left for Dead
A passing car notices what appears to be a bag of trash tossed onto the road. Upon closer inspection, the driver finds a woman bundled up in the garbage, left for dead. Retired Deputy Chief Constable Tom returns to the podcast to talk about why this cold case was such an eye-opener for his police department.
Black Friday
An argument over dinner turns deadly at a Thanksgiving Day party. Police are called and find the victim shot in the back. Detective Justin leads a citywide manhunt to track down the killer.
Detective Dave’s Favorite: “Interstate”
We take a time machine back to season 3 to hear Detective Dave’s favorite case. It’s called “Interstate”.
Detective Dan’s Favorite: “Bait and Switch”
Today we turn back the clock and Detective Dan shares why “Bait and Switch” from season 2 is his favorite episode.
Blowback
It was an evening like any other. Police at the local headquarters were going about their business – eating dinner, talking about the latest TV shows, when… boom. The first of a series of deadly explosions tore through Detective Sam’s station in Northern Ireland. Sam talks about the extraordinary dangers his force faced on a daily basis, and the lingering trauma so many suffer who choose to protect and serve.
Confidence Man
Steve is a popular guy. He edits the local paper. He owns the local stationary store. His new restaurant is the most popular spot for miles around. And he’s just opened up a new pub. The only problem is every one of his businesses seems to be failing. Detective BK gets a tip that there’s something shady is going on with Steve’s accounts and his investors have started to notice. BK uncovers a small town scandal that tests the fabric of neighborly trust.
No Win
A routine traffic stop turns deadly serious when the driver opens fire on the patrol officer and peels out. A manhunt ensues and a couple of days later, an alert law enforcement crew spots the driver and embarks on a harrowing car chase during the height of the summer-tourist season.
The Wrong Kind of Irish
A young Irish woman heads into town to hear one of her favorite bands. She quickly makes some new friends who invite her back to their house for an after-party. Once there, things don’t stay friendly for long. Det. Sam takes us inside the investigation to find out what happened to young Anne Marie.
The Players, Part 2
A town is overrun by gang violence. So much so that the local cops get shot at while making a felony traffic stop. Detective Scott and his colleagues embark on a months-long investigation that includes wiretaps, search warrants, and jailhouse informants to bring down a gang called The Players.
The Players, Part 1
A town is overrun by gang violence. So much so that the local cops get shot at while making a felony traffic stop. Detective Scott and his colleagues embark on a months-long investigation that includes wiretaps, search warrants, and jailhouse informants to bring down a gang called The Players.
Murder by the Inch
Detective Roddy talks about the challenges his small-town police force faced when tasked with solving the brutal murder of a man in a local park. The crime shocked his small Scottish community and changed the way his police department viewed marginalized communities and social media.
Three’s A Crowd
Police get called to a marijuana grow operation, where they find a man shot dead near the front door. The shooter is the dead man’s partner in the operation and claims the whole thing was a terrible accident. Det. Justin reviews the evidence and is ready to file the case away until he listens to the 911 tape and hears something that throws the “accident” theory out the window.
Kill Bill
Bill is a well-to-do tech professional who starts down a destructive road of drugs and crime with a younger, and more violent companion, named Tristan. One day, police get a call that leads them to believe Bill is dead under bizarre circumstances. An investigation leads Detective Robert and team into a house of horrors.
Family Ties
Police get called to do a welfare check on a mother and son who have been unusually hard to reach. Officers arrive at the home to find the mother brutally murdered and there’s no sign of the son. Is he a victim or a suspect?
Keep Digging
A man goes missing in a small Scottish town. His mother, Mrs. T., is dissatisfied with the way the police have handled his disappearance and hounds her local PD until she is finally put in touch with Det. Roddy who promises to take a fresh look at the case. It turns out, Mrs. T’s maternal instincts were right and her son didn’t just pack up and leave without a trace, without saying goodbye. Another Small Town episode from overseas.
Payback
Two women are found gunned down inside their home, along with a couple of piles of empty bullet casings. Detectives discover that the victims were sisters and someone was not happy they had been living together. Lt. Joe Kenda is on the case.
The Runaway
Police get called to a seedy motel after reports of a fight. They find two women injured, one badly, as well as a group of men standing around videotaping the incident on their phones. As Det. Scott begins to investigate, he quickly realizes there is much more than meets the eye as he follows the evidence into a world of gangs and human trafficking.
Betrayal
A young mother rushes her infant son to the emergency room. Doctors find suspicious bruises and call the police. The investigation uncovers a trail of cruelty and deceit in a case “Classic” retired Det. David will never forget.