My first!
I just started getting into podcasts (not murder😜) this year! This was the first podcast I fell in love with and binged! Thank you for your detailed episodes ! I love it!
- Cheesecake 23
- July 5, 2021
Good, needs some fine tuning
I have listened to quite a few true crime podcasts such as Serial, Crime Junkie, Criminology and more. Esther’s voice is great and her sarcasm is funny. I do miss the banter of a co-host that this podcast does not have and the sounds (I am on episode 196) are a bit too long, unnecessary, and corny. Some of the editing is choppy and in one there was an entire section of a story cut off. She also does quite a few episodes about women who kill, such as betty broderick, however, the narrative she tells about these women make them sound crazy (which may be true) and one sided. Some of the comments Esther makes just sounds a bit insensitive and paints females in a bad light in my opinion. With that being said, the stories are captivating and I like her personality.
- Iminabusiness
- June 23, 2021
- randa2796
- June 17, 2021
Overall Love The Podcast
I think I like the scripted shows better. Unscripted works better when you have a partner to throw ideas/thoughts against. That is just my opinion. You have to listen and judge for yourself. But, overall, I like this podcast series very much and would recommend.
- Cool Petey Mom
- June 16, 2021
Episode 206 - The Trailside Killer - *****
Ester, you outdid yourself self on this 3 part series! Great research as usual & I really enjoyed how you gave us Part 3 more casually & with your personal thoughts. I love Once Upon a Crime true crime podcasts! She provides all the facts & her own opinion on rare occasions. Great podcasts!!! Thank you for saving my sanity during a pandemic & the election cycle 🥰
- b3853r
- May 29, 2021
Great podcast
I’ve been listening for awhile but was prompted to review finally after listening to the Trailside Killer series. I’m a Bay Area native and remember these murders from when I was a child. Very scary, and there’s so much in the show that I never knew. Thank you so much for this, and I liked the more “casual” approach in the last episode.
- quesita
- May 28, 2021
Stick to the regular way you do your podcast
I like listening to your podcast. But the last trail side killer. Ugh. You talk around yourself. It is way to hard to follow. I couldn’t listen to more than 15 min. I can always listen to your normal podcast. But not this. I’m sorry. I’m not trying to be mean. This is IMO
- Hatlen5
- May 26, 2021
Great podcast
I can’t understand why people leave such negative “picky” reviews?! Yes, she reads the episode instead of ad-libbing, because she’s doing it solo. Plus it’s her style, and many listeners like it. Plus I’ve always found her very thorough and her episodes interesting. For those who criticize her every word, I’d say...just don’t listen. You can leave a review saying it’s not for you, but don’t be so rude!
- cherrio65
- May 26, 2021
No script shows are my favorite
I love this show! Definitely, the no script episodes are my favorites. I just love your casual discussions on the murders more than scripted!!
- mrslduffy
- May 25, 2021
Love this podcast
I started listening to true crime about a year and a half ago. This was the first podcast I tried. I listened from the first episode all the way through. When I went looking for a new one to listen too along with OUAC because I was caught up and had to wait for the next episode to drop I had a hard time finding one that I liked because this one had everything I wanted. The storyline is in an understandable order, the narrator’s voice comforting, and I love the physiological insights she gives to try to explain the perpetrator’s behavior.
- Lerkaufman
- May 19, 2021
- Mannygym
- May 11, 2021
Awesome podcast
I love this podcast, but the flute playing background music in the Gordon Ramsey episode is so distracting and annoying. Please discontinue.
- 2244356745
- May 7, 2021
Fantastic!!
Really like everything about this podcast. No unnecessary chatter or personal interpretations. Great topics, good research, and knowledge of subject. Binge time for sure. Also I just finished the Diane Downs episode. I have read the book by Ann Rule as well as the book by Diane, and have seen the movie. You asked the one question that none of the others did. How did the “stranger” even know there were kids in the car! Thank you!
- 4*5$7
- April 3, 2021
Infinitely better than crime junkie
Infinitely better than crime junkie. Objective, thorough and interesting reporting (no political opinions), supplemented with empathic and reasonable commentary.
- drdrdncr
- March 31, 2021
Please get a new sound guy
Original stories that you don’t hear on other true crime podcasts. I don’t mind the voice, I find it soothing and matter of fact. I appreciate there is no banter or third party audio. The only issue I have with the podcast are the stupid sound effects. They’re CONSTANT and so distracting. They don’t even match with the storylines, they’re weird and chime like. Please get a new sound guy and limit the amount of random sounds while you’re talking !!!!
- Mjtdesai
- March 30, 2021
Nicely done
No co-host banter to muster through. No political opinions inserted in. Just true crime stories. Esther enunciates well & is easy to understand. The clear delivery is appreciated as I can follow the story easily while multi-tasking on another project at home.
- MeMyselfAndI03
- March 24, 2021
I love this!!!
I love the different series with focuses on different kinds of crimes. So well written!
- cuttlebones
- March 1, 2021
Good podcast!
If you don’t like unnecessary chatter and getting off topic, this podcast is for you (and me). I love that this podcast is in series episodes! I do notice the reading instead of actually talking to us, but she’s a great speaker! Happy I found this one! -Kelli in IL
- Rockfan1
- Feb. 13, 2021
- Amber Cannon
- Feb. 3, 2021
Very fair explanation!
Late to this podcast, but just listened to both chapters of the Pacific Heights Dog Mauling case. I thought the host did a tremendous job explaining all the mis-steps that led to the tragedy. There were so SO many warnings & earlier occasions that authorities could’ve been involved & the dogs’ behavior should’ve been reported. The host also didn’t villainize the entire breed, but spoke to the importance of socializing & exercising & owner responsibility. I’m massively protective of dogs being set up to fail, and the loss of this woman’s life should be a massive lesson.
- Jacki Fizzle
- Feb. 1, 2021
A new favorite!
Loving this podcast! She doesn’t do the same old stories repeated on all the other podcasts. Great story teller without all the extra unnecessary banter.
- Amy0942
- Feb. 1, 2021
Pretty Good
I wish there were less music interruptions. There are several per episode and they seem pointless.
- eclark730
- Jan. 28, 2021
- Rapidashin
- Jan. 21, 2021
I love you Ester!
I started listening because of your Bobby Kent episode and I was instantly hooked! Usually female podcasts aren't my thing but there's something soothing about your voice that I can't get enough. Thank you for all your hard work!💗
- KalieRose96
- Jan. 21, 2021
Highly recommended
This is by far one of my favorite true crime podcasts and I’ve listened to every episode so far. Highly recommend :)
- brooklynxx1220
- Jan. 19, 2021
Just what I was looking for
Love the organization of the show and the “series” Esther does. It’s a well-scripted true crime podcast without small talk, and without political snark.
- .Katibug
- Jan. 18, 2021
Good but...
I love narrative-style true crime podcasts. I enjoy this narrator’s storytelling style. No fluff -n- stuff. My only complaint is it seems some episodes weren’t listened to and edited before posted. For example, the Susan Smith episode...she cuts to audio of the parents talking at a press conference, but the audio is almost silent and it sounds scrambled. There’s no way to hear what’s going on or what anyone is saying. Also, there’s other episodes where she makes a mistake, and redoes the sentence, but doesn’t edit out the mistake. If the editing gets better, and the sound gets uploaded correctly, this will be an amazing podcast!
- Mama2Charlotte
- Jan. 17, 2021
- Audrey Oluoch
- Jan. 8, 2021
The Best Podcast
I’ve listened to Ester for over 2 years. I’ve even re-listened to my favorite episodes. She is very accurate and I’ve learned aspects I didn’t know on cases that I’ve had extended research on. Give her a try, she’s amazing!
- Loves to read 2013
- Dec. 15, 2020
- crazymathgirl
- Dec. 14, 2020