Crimes of the Centuries

By: Amber Hunt and Audioboom
Listen for free

  • Summary

  • Crime is so commonplace that it takes something particularly shocking to be labelled the “crime of the century.” Even so, there are a lot of cases that have earned the distinction. In each episode of Crimes of the Centuries, award-winning journalist Amber Hunt will examine a case that’s lesser known today but was huge when it happened. The cases explored span the centuries and each left a mark. Some made history by changing laws. Others were so shocking they changed society.
    Amber Hunt
    Show more Show less
Social Sciences True Crime World
Show more Show less
Episodes
  • S5 Ep3: Mulholland's Deadly Dam Disaster

    S5 Ep3: Mulholland's Deadly Dam Disaster
    Mar 10 2025
    William Mulholland was summoned to the St. Francis Dam in San Francisquito Canyon early March 12, 1928, to inspect some leaks that workers found worrisome. Mulholland shrugged off the concerns and declared the dam -- the 19th he'd designed alone to feed water to the parched desert of Los Angeles -- perfectly safe. Hours later, the dam gave way, releasing billions of gallons of water downstream, killing more than 400 people.

    "Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.

    DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order todayat www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!

    Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod

    Episode Sponsors:

    Fay Nutrition.     Listeners of Crimes of the Centuries can qualify to see a registered dietitian for as little as $0 by visiting FayNutrition.com/COTC.

    Skims.     The Fits Everybody collection is available in sizes XXS to 4X. You can shop now at SKIMS.com and SKIMS stores. After you place your order, be sure to let them know I sent you! Select "podcast" in the survey and be sure to select my show in the dropdown menu that follows.
    Show more Show less
    46 mins
  • S5 Ep2: The Genesee River Killer

    S5 Ep2: The Genesee River Killer
    Mar 3 2025
    Sex workers began disappearing in the Rochester, New York, area at an alarming rate in the late 1980s. When their strangled and mutilated bodies were later discovered, it was clear they were being targeted by a sick killer with a distinct MO. It turned out that the man behind the killings, Arthur Shawcross, had already killed before.

    "Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.

    DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order todayat www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!

    Follow us onInstagram and Twitter: @centuriespod

    Episode Sponsors:

    Wildgrain. For a limited time, Wildgrain is offering our listeners $30 off the first box - PLUS free Croissants in every box - when you go to Wildgrain.com/COTC to start your subscription.

    Galatea.     Right now, Galatea is offering our listeners an extra 25% off on top of an already-irresistibly-affordable subscription when you go to GALATEA.COM/COTC.

    Hiya Health.     We've worked out a special deal with Hiya for their best selling children's vitamin. Receive 50% off your first order. To claim this deal you must go to hiyahealth.com/COTC. This deal is not available on their regular website.

    Smalls.     For 50% off your first order, head to Smalls.com and use code COTC.

    Show more Show less
    49 mins
  • Friday Follow-Up: Charley Ross: America's First Kidnapping for Ransom

    Friday Follow-Up: Charley Ross: America's First Kidnapping for Ransom
    Feb 28 2025
    On this Friday Follow-Up, we update with information brought to us by two descendants of an important latter-day figure in the case. After 4-year-old Charley Ross vanished in a carriage with two men who'd offered him candy and fireworks, police at first told his father to wait it out. Surely the men had no bad intentions. Then came the first ransom letter. And another. And another. In 1874, the Charley Ross case marked the first time in American history that a child had been stolen for money.

    "Crimes of the Centuries" is a podcast from Grab Bag Collab exploring forgotten crimes from times past that made a mark and helped change history. You can get early and ad-free episodes on the Grab Bag Patreon page.

    DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE CRIMES OF THE CENTURIES BOOK! Order todayat www.centuriespod.com/book (https://www.centuriespod.com/book)!

    Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @centuriespod
    Show more Show less
    43 mins

What listeners say about Crimes of the Centuries

Average customer ratings
Overall
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Performance
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    1
  • 3 Stars
    0
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0
Story
  • 5 out of 5 stars
  • 5 Stars
    14
  • 4 Stars
    0
  • 3 Stars
    1
  • 2 Stars
    0
  • 1 Stars
    0

Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.

Audible.com reviews

Amazon reviews
Sort by:
Filter by:
  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Anonymous User

So glad you're back!

Stumbled across this podcast last fall and binged the first two seasons. Have been waiting with bated breath for the third! Each show is fascinating and the host does an amazing job. I'm impressed with the research that goes in and her citing of sources.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    4 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Amazon Customer

Love this podcast

I would love more. The only (small) complaint I have is that when they do their advertising the change in voices is kind of jarring. But the stories seem well researched, it's interesting, I like listening.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for L. H.

Excellent style and substance

I love the narration of these stories. While it is clear that she does have normal emotions, she's not trying to imbue the facts of the story with her personal feeling aside for the times where she specifically states how she feels about it. There is no hammy manipulation trying to elicit listener reaction with juicy details. there are plenty of details and we are left to our own reactions.

It is clear that the narrator is well read and employs an excellent understanding of grammar.

The stories are quite interesting and I love that she backs them up with where she researched the information. Many of these are new to me and not the same old stuff different day. Full marks all around.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!

  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Performance
    5 out of 5 stars
  • Story
    5 out of 5 stars
Profile Image for Jane P

interesting

Very good performance, interesting story, well written and researched. Looking forward to more episodes.

Report this

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.

You voted on this review!

You reported this review!