The 10 Best Nordic True Crime Podcasts
Nordic true crime podcasts represent the gold standard of investigative audio storytelling for listeners seeking meticulously researched cases from Scandinavia's most notorious criminal histories. The region's tradition of thorough journalism, combined with unprecedented access to cold cases and public records, creates deeply researched narratives that have captivated global audiences and influenced the podcasting industry worldwide.
The Essential Nordic True Crime Listening List
1. Fallet Malm/Utler — This Swedish investigative podcast from Radio Sweden examines one of Scandinavia's most perplexing cases involving the 1947 disappearance of two young people near Lake Malm. Journalist Sara Andersson spent three years investigating previously classified police documents and interviewing descendants of witnesses. The eight-episode series uncovered new evidence that prompted authorities to reopen the case in 2019, demonstrating the power of podcast journalism in pursuing justice decades after crimes occur.
2. Norsk Mordgåte (Norwegian Murder Mystery) — Produced by NRK, Norway's public broadcaster, this series tackles a different unsolved Norwegian murder each season with unprecedented access to police archives. The show's second season investigating the 1984 Lofoten Island killing attracted over 2 million downloads and led to a breakthrough when a listener provided crucial testimony. Host Thomas Berg's respectful approach to victim families sets a benchmark for ethical true crime reporting in Nordic media.
3. Den Sorte Boks (The Black Box) — Denmark's most successful true crime podcast examines cases where the justice system potentially failed, resulting in wrongful convictions or unsolved murders. DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation) investigative journalists Marie Louise Kjølbye and Kristian Linnemann have covered 12 cases since 2017, with three investigations leading to case reviews by Danish authorities. Their rigorous fact-checking and legal analysis make this essential listening for understanding Scandinavian criminal justice.
4. Finlands Värsta Brott (Finland's Worst Crimes) — This Finnish-Swedish bilingual podcast chronicles the most heinous criminal cases in Finnish history, from the 1997 Ulvila murder to organized crime in Helsinki. Produced by Yle, Finland's national broadcaster, the show features extensive interviews with detectives, prosecutors, and criminologists. Each 10-episode season focuses on a single case, providing unprecedented depth rarely found in true crime podcasting, with meticulous attention to forensic evidence and legal proceedings.
5. Project Cold Case — An English-language podcast from Swedish journalists specifically designed for international audiences interested in Nordic crime. The show examines cold cases across all five Nordic countries, featuring translations of police documents and interviews with Scandinavian law enforcement. Since launching in 2018, it has covered 15 cases, making Nordic crime accessible to non-Scandinavian speakers while maintaining journalistic integrity and cultural context throughout its investigations.
6. Mord i Norden (Murder in the North) — This collaborative podcast features journalists from Sweden, Norway, and Denmark examining cross-border criminal cases that impacted multiple Nordic nations. The show's unique angle explores how different Scandinavian justice systems handle similar crimes, revealing fascinating contrasts in police methodology, sentencing, and rehabilitation approaches. Notable episodes include the investigation into 1990s Baltic Sea smuggling operations connected to several unsolved murders across the region.
7. Islenski Glæpurinn (The Icelandic Crime) — Iceland's contribution to Nordic true crime focuses on the country's most notorious cases despite its extremely low crime rate. Hosted by investigative journalist Sigurður Bragason, the podcast gained international attention for its coverage of the Guðmundur and Geirfinnur disappearances, which resulted in controversial convictions later questioned by forensic experts. The show's examination of false confessions influenced Iceland's criminal justice reforms in 2021.
8. Kriminalsjournalen — Sweden's longest-running true crime podcast launched in 2015 and has produced over 200 episodes covering both historical and contemporary Swedish cases. Host Johan Hilton combines archived news reports, court recordings, and original interviews to create comprehensive case studies. The podcast's episode on the 1986 Olof Palme assassination remains one of Sweden's most downloaded podcast episodes, featuring exclusive interviews with lead investigators and presenting newly declassified evidence.
9. Den Hvite Snøen Ble Rød (When White Snow Turned Red) — This Norwegian podcast specializes in cases from Arctic regions, where extreme weather and isolation create unique investigative challenges. Produced independently by former police detective Lars Henriksen, the show provides insider perspectives on how Norwegian police handle crimes in remote areas. The podcast's examination of the 2010 Svalbard incident—Norway's northernmost murder—offers fascinating insights into international jurisdiction issues.
10. Gåten (The Riddle) — Aftenposten newspaper's podcast division produces this acclaimed series focusing on Oslo-area mysteries that remain unsolved for decades. Each season investigates one case with documentary-style production values, featuring dramatic recreations based on witness testimony and court transcripts. The show's first season about the 1976 Plaza Woman case—an unidentified woman found dead in suspicious circumstances—generated significant public interest and new witness testimony submitted to Oslo police.
Why Nordic True Crime Podcasts Stand Out
The success of Nordic true crime podcasts stems from Scandinavia's unique combination of transparency in public records, high journalistic standards, and cultural fascination with criminal justice. These podcasts benefit from extensive access to police files, court documents, and prison interviews that would be restricted in many other countries, allowing for deeper investigations than typical true crime content.
The region's emphasis on rehabilitation over punishment also provides thought-provoking perspectives on criminal justice philosophy, distinguishing Nordic podcasts from their more sensationalist international counterparts.
