Crimes of the Centuries

3,046
True Crime #206

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.

Recent Episodes
  • S4 Ep35: Firefighter-Turned-Arsonist John Leonard Orr
    Nov 18, 2024 – 47:44
  • S4 Ep34: The Monster of Florence
    Nov 11, 2024 – 48:30
  • S4 Ep33: The Unholy Rise and Fall of Jim and Tammy Faye Bakker
    Nov 4, 2024 – 57:57
  • S4 Ep32: How the 1919 World Series Blackened the Chicago White Sox and American Sports
    Oct 28, 2024 – 55:59
  • S4 Ep31: You Have the Right to an Attorney ... Thanks to Clarence Earl Gideon
    Oct 21, 2024 – 49:13
  • FRIDAY FOLLOW-UP: Sex, Lies, and Murder: Evelyn Nesbit, Stanford White, and Harry Thaw
    Oct 18, 2024 – 49:19
  • S4 Ep30: The Pastor and His Mistress: The Scandalous Hall-Mills Murder
    Oct 14, 2024 – 49:13
  • S4 Ep29: Col. Tom Parker: The Fraud Who Made Elvis Presley
    Oct 7, 2024 – 55:27
  • Crimes Of The Centuries presents: The Burden
    Sep 30, 2024 – 16:36
  • S4 Ep28: From 'Closer' to 'Crooked': NYC Detective Louis Scarcella's Fall from Grace
    Sep 23, 2024 – 48:20
  • S4 Ep27: From Hero to Traitor: How Benedict Arnold Slid into Infamy
    Sep 16, 2024 – 45:19
  • S4 Ep26: How the Horrifying Murder of Adam Walsh Changed America
    Sep 9, 2024 – 57:49
  • S4 Ep25: The Clutter Family: The Case Behind Truman Capote's In Cold Blood
    Sep 2, 2024 – 44:40
  • S4 Ep24: How Catherine of Aragon Changed Europe
    Aug 26, 2024 – 49:15
  • S4 Ep23: Cassie Chadwick: The Impostor Heiress of the Gilded Age
    Aug 19, 2024 – 38:48
  • S4 Ep22: The Largest Art Heist in American History
    Aug 12, 2024 – 42:29
  • S4 Ep21: Sex, Lies and a Government Conspiracy: The Tuskegee Syphilis Study
    Aug 5, 2024 – 47:23
  • S4 Ep20: Terror in Munich: The 1972 Olympic Games
    Jul 29, 2024 – 42:42
  • S4 Ep19: The Time Mobile, Alabama, Sentenced a Man to Death For Stealing $1.95
    Jul 22, 2024 – 36:52
  • S4 Ep18: The Pimlico Poisoning: The Trial of Adelaide Bartlett
    Jul 15, 2024 – 43:04
  • From Grab Bag Collab: The Catalyst
    Jul 1, 2024 – 35:58
  • S4 Ep17: The Falcon and the Snowman
    Jun 24, 2024 – 41:39
  • S4 Ep16: The Lonely Hearts Club Killers
    Jun 17, 2024 – 39:14
  • S4 Ep15: Randy Ayers: The Case of the Lookalike
    Jun 10, 2024 – 36:53
  • S4 Ep14: Voyage of the Damned: The M.S. St. Louis
    Jun 3, 2024 – 40:16
  • S4 Ep13: Kidnapped and Buried Alive: The Nightmare in Chowchilla
    May 27, 2024 – 36:05
  • S4 Ep12: The Tsavo Man Eaters
    May 20, 2024 – 37:09
  • S4 Ep11: Marie Noe and Her Cradle of Death
    May 13, 2024 – 38:30
  • S4 Ep10: The Walk of Death: Howard Unruh
    May 6, 2024 – 37:18
  • S4 Ep9: The Monster of Wall Street
    Apr 29, 2024 – 41:41
  • S4 Ep8: Charles Ponzi's Scheme
    Apr 22, 2024 – 41:37
  • S4 Ep7: The Los Angeles Times Bombing
    Apr 15, 2024 – 38:02
  • S4 Ep6: How the Assault of Recy Taylor Shaped Civil Rights Tactics
    Apr 8, 2024 – 43:12
  • From Grab Bag Collab: The Catalyst
    Apr 1, 2024 – 37:27
  • S4 Ep5: Winnie Ruth Judd: The Trunk Murderess
    Mar 25, 2024 – 41:07
  • S4 Ep4: The Texas Tower Sniper
    Mar 18, 2024 – 33:09
  • S4 Ep3: The Cold-Blooded Killing of the Candy Man
    Mar 11, 2024 – 41:23
  • S4 Ep2: The Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa
    Mar 4, 2024 – 36:21
  • S4 Ep1: Dr. Satan of Occupied Paris: Marcel Petiot
    Feb 26, 2024 – 38:51
  • From Grab Bag Collab: Introducing The Catalyst
    Feb 23, 2024 – 39:00
  • S3 Ep42: Uncovering the True Story of the Tulsa Massacre
    Feb 11, 2024 – 38:27
  • S3 Ep41: The Death of Bob Crane: A Television Star's Secret Life
    Feb 5, 2024 – 42:56
  • S3 Ep40: Anna Marie Hahn: Cincinnati's "Angel of Death"
    Jan 29, 2024 – 36:29
  • S3 Ep39: The Lincoln Assassination's Forgotten Conspirators
    Jan 22, 2024 – 38:32
  • S3 Ep38: The Defeo Murders: Behind the Amityville Horror - Part 2
    Jan 15, 2024 – 37:05
  • S3 Ep37: The Defeo Murders: Behind the Amityville Horror - Part 1
    Jan 8, 2024 – 35:14
  • S3 Ep36: American Black Widow Sharon Harrelson
    Jan 1, 2024 – 33:54
  • S3 Ep35: The Kansas City Union Station Massacre
    Dec 11, 2023 – 40:46
  • S3 Ep34: Bonnie and Clyde: The Real Story of the Notorious Duo
    Dec 4, 2023 – 38:32
  • S3 Ep33: The Scourge of Thalidomide
    Nov 20, 2023 – 38:29
Recent Reviews
  • KateJessie
    THE BEST
    Amber is smart, sassy and does research. This is the BEST!
  • crayonsandheels
    Love this Podcast
    I always find this podcast to be easy to listen to and well written and produced. 10/10.
  • Word.89
    But her voice….
    I went back and listened to older episodes and enjoyed those; the tone and smugness of her voice has gotten harder to listen to.
  • Lunadappa
    Great podcast love listening ❤️❤️❤️
    Just listened to the Elvis podcast it was awesome albeit a bit sad ☹️ but it’s not like I didn’t know the end I remember when he died I was in high school
  • knickerbocher
    So fascinating!!!
    I just discovered these podcasts about a month ago. I listen in the car and doing housework (these really help make the time fly). Amber has such intelligence and wit with her writing and her delivery. Her topics are sometimes familiar to me but I always learn something about life, failure, insanity and what constitutes a crime. Thanks you for providing these podcasts!
  • Majors7
    Violates ‘Clean’ rating
    Parents beware, Amber Hunt uses profanity in both her content and her commercials. Good for her potty mouth if she feels she needs that to supplement or enhance her podcast, most mature podcaster use the English language more maturely, but at least let us parents know what an accurate rating before we play episodes with our kiddos. Disappointed.
  • Crashingisabich
    Correction
    In your Benedict Arnold episode I think you meant Judas sold one man not Jesus
  • Gunter0324
    You won’t regret it!
    Such a fantastic podcast. I lol’d at the “more you know jingle”. No one does it better than this team!
  • JulyDot
    Great podcast
    Interesting topics. Well researched. Wonderful story telling. Highly recommend.
  • Rachelsocool
    Love love love
    I love this show and I love amber!
  • not ADA compliant
    Adam Walsh
    Shame on you and your researchers for not doing the research to figure out how to correctly pronounce the little kidnapped/missing six year old New York boy’s name Etan Pats. you did not even notice there’s no H in his name why you said Ethan is beyond me, his name is pronounced Ayton not Ethan his last name PATZ is pronounced PAYTZ, not pats! I hope his parents never hear this or even of this podcast, I am sure if they heard you mispronounced his name like that it would truly hurt their hearts. I should not be surprised I guess, you quite often mispronounced words, I assume because you are doing podcasts that you couldn’t hack it in the journalism and author areas you proclaim to be part of. And your researcher needs to learn how to do accurate research. It’s sad that you have dishonored the memory of this sweet little angel by not even caring enough to find out how to properly pronounce his name. and by the way, his first name is a Hebrew name. It means sturdy and strong. This name comes from Jacob‘s son from the Bible.
  • Starbuckle
    My favorite podcast
    Amber is the absolute best host by far. I have searched every show she is a part of and love them. Keep it up lady!
  • CatnMax
    Best. Podcast. Ever.
    Amber Hunt approaches each show with the calm and professional assurance and delivery which harkens back to the heady days when reporters were solid and trustworthy. Her depth of research and understanding of her subjects is incredible. Her delivery makes each story riveting from start to finish. As a daily podcast listener, an historian, a research nerd, and a fellow potty mouth, I look forward to each new episode. I enjoy “Crimes of the Centuries” immensely. Thank you Amber and everyone who makes the show shine for your consistent hard work and dedication.
  • Cooks1112
    Love the podcast!!
    I look forward to every new podcast. One of my all time favorites
  • Jillybean0726
    A treasure!
    Amber makes each of these crimes come to life!! Love revisiting or learning anew!
  • 123//--::
    Loved the Art Heist episode
    That story has always fascinated me. Let me guess, was it DFW airport where American Airlines stranded you ? Same girl, and they literally shrugged as if they weren’t even employed by the airline. Props for using your platform.
  • YourMom 2016
    Ok Karen.
    I liked this show as it show until the host used an add spot to complain about a trip on American Airlines. 1.) I’m going to be honest I don’t care about your trip. 2.) A lot of people have travel horror stories, and generally this happen on larger airliners. Ever here of crowdstrike outage? So please keep your personal travel stories and complaints about your everyday life out of the podcast, because in this case you sound like a whiny little brat.
  • Marsupial Music
    Crimes Of The Centuries..If I could give this 6 stars, I would!
    I love the fact that Ms. Hunt puts her money where her mouth is, by using ad space to justifiably bash American Airlines! I laughed out loud! Thank you for that!
  • AugBrad
    Zionist
    Yuck, you think someone who talks about historical crimes would recognize genocide. Sad.
  • Nsnsnsnsnsnsnsnsnsns
    This is an important podcast
    Amber Hunt (and team) does important work in this podcast. Some of the stories are ones I know, but many of the stories I haven’t heard of before are incredibly important stories that need to be told. Specifically, Hunt’s focus on injustice, particularly when race or gender is involved, is invaluable. These stories are moving, but what strikes me is that old adage: Those who don’t know history are doomed to repeat it. This podcast highlights the seedy underbelly of society and pulls up the rug to see what lies below. Her (and her team’s) work makes sure these forgotten narratives are heard again. While it’s improbable that a podcast can change society, laws, or the world, I know for a face that this podcast has changed lives.
  • cantthinkofanythingclever
    Can’t listen anymore
    I absolutely used to love this podcast, it truly was superb in so many ways and had more integrity than almost any other true crime podcast, but Amber’s thinly veiled support of Zi0nism and the gen0cidal state of Isr@el (as made evident in her recent episode) is unacceptable. Sadly I have to unfollow.
  • MP 82
    Absolutely love this show!!!!
    Very well researched topics and love the way the episodes are narrated! Just listened to the Tuskegee episode and even though I knew of this, still learned quite a bit more details and the last take at the end of the episode on the ripple effects of the study on the family of the men was the main thing I was thinking of the entire time I was listening to the episode.
  • writer2b310
    Used to love
    So disappointed that Amber is a Zionist supporting genocide. Breaks my heart.
  • Fact-checker 2
    Okay-facts not always well researched
    Enjoy this podcast but not all the facts are correct. In 1972 Munich episode, gymnast Olga Korbut is described as Romanian racking up 10 point scores-that was Nadia Comaneci in 1976. Olga Korbut was Belarusian and whose highest score was 9.8.
  • BlazeJester
    Hate that episodes start with ads
    Amber is a phenomenal journalist and storyteller, and I’m here for that. I HATE that the episodes start with 1.5-2min of screaming ads. I get that revenue is a must, but I wish they would intro the podcast before the hooligans start hollering. Make the first voice of the podcast Amber’s and I’ll make this a 5 star review.
  • Ullie Coco
    zionista
    amber’s a zionist on top of her constant mispronunciations and perma frog in her throat. very unpleasant to listen to, don’t bother hurting your ears & brain.
  • Chucojen
    Highest Quality
    Amber Hunt’s research and writing set a high standard. I am an avid reader of non-fiction and am hoping she eventually publishes a crime encyclopedia. This podcast is well researched and Amber knows how to place historical events in context, even getting down to the local cultural level to help her audience truly gain understanding. I also like that the topic selection covers such wide temporal and geopgraphical topics. I wish more podcasters had Amber’s training and talent.
  • Leorex_1
    Red flags
    I’ve been listening to this podcast since day one and was an avid listener up until recently. This new episode sent up some fed flags for me, but I decided to try and finish it just in case I was overreacting. Unfortunately for me, I don’t think I was. The Olympics is a hot topic right now, and of course you’d want to jump on that hype, but this specific story was NOT the right one. If you want to show your support for those causing a Genocide, might as well just say it instead of spreading more hate and propaganda under the guise of journalistic neutrality.
  • D's QVC
    Superb
    I only found out about this podcast about a month ago and I absolutely love it. It covers two of my favorite subjects for the “price” of one: First history and second true crime. Your research turns up fascinating facts I have never heard before on some of the most famous cases I know about. I started listening to this podcast in order of airing. My favorite was an early show with the case of Leopold and Loeb. I did not hear you mention that Leopold wrote a book called Life Plus 99 Years so, if you ever get the chance you might check it out. There is no salacious mention of his crime but rather what he tried to give back to society during his time time in jail.
  • Fitnes Mom
    The music is too loud
    I enjoy the stories but the music is too loud it’s distracting and I can’t hear what you’re saying.
  • JosTAussie
    Excellent podcast
    I love Ambers voice and the depth of the story telling
  • Lucyboo2021
    Great podcast
    Very well written and informative. No mindless chitchat.
  • Pamsong1951
    Please back off on the music!
    Love Amber’s sardonic style but oh my goodness, the new background music is a definite thumbs down. Please fix this so we can concentrate on the great reporting we’ve come to love.
  • Glitchy and crashes
    Wonderful story teller
    Amber is great at telling these Crimes of the Centuries. Great research from her and her team. Makes me want more.
  • pammmar
    A
    Love listening to amber she does a great job of explaining the story.
  • Webloo
    Waaaay too many ads
    More and more each season
  • StopBeingGullible
    Why….
    The new addition of super distracting music….no. It’s louder than the narration
  • KWZeig1
    Highly recommend!!
    The research is always so good and I love Amber’s delivery. I look forward to each episode.
  • Buzz515
    Voyage of the Damned
    Listening now and the back ground noise is so unpleasant and loud that I am struggling to hear the story. It is unlistenable. What happened?
  • Kedghill
    Love Crimes of the Centuries!
    Amber is a fantastic podcast host and journalist. I adore both true crime and history, and Amber also has great asides, tidbits and facts! She is awesome and worth listening to! 💖
  • lindseym395
    please stop with the music
    the background music is so distracting. makes it u listenable
  • Lee Geranios
    Sam Cooke
    I listen to all your podcasts. I try to ignore your personal opinions you shove in your show. “White people evil,” “white people racist,” “poor oppressed black people,” “evil male misogynists,” on and on. It’s tiresome. Just tell the story.
  • Ohio45239
    Give it a listen
    Always look forward to when an episode drops. Very informative. Also like articles in the Cincinnati enquirer. Probably only person in town still getting paper delivered. Keep them coming
  • ChaiChic
    Fascinating stories.
    Amber’s storytelling style along with her voice and frankness are an ideal blend in the telling of these incredible stories.
  • fromtexasbygod
    Laughably lame podcast
    If you like leftist revisionist history, this is your podcast. Heard all I could stomach about halfway through the Barker gang episode. So lame.
  • PW from GR
    So unpretentious!
    Half an episode on and I’m hooked. Amber is a great story teller in a real-person’s voice. I chose the LaLaurie episode first as I had learned about her during a visit to New Orleans. This podcast offers insights and information I had not known. Bravo! UPDATE - knocking off a star for the incessant commercials.
  • Jared T9
    Woke hard left journalism
    Amber, you are so talented and capable. I loved the first season of Accused. As the years go by, you keep leaning harder and harder to the left. I’m a centrist, and just not a fan of left-leaning political activism infused in storytelling.
  • StinaMasFina
    Great job on the TX Tower Shooter!
    I’ve ignored most of the telling of this story due to the extreme sadness, but I’m thankful to have listened to this account. I have never heard the full story of the shooter’s background, what was going on in his life at the time of the shooting and I’ve rarely heard so many details of the victims. Thank you! And Great Job! 👏
  • Spassed
    Love Amber!❤️
    Informative and enlightening stories about things that definitely deserve more recognition. Or sometimes no recognition at all - but gives insight on the victims of these events. So glad to see COTC on Grab Bag Collab!!!! ❤️❤️
  • SavesSpiders
    Well researched content and a great host!
    I really enjoy Amber’s take on these forgotten cases. The episodes are well researched and Amber’s delivery is spot on. I truly enjoy her work with Grabbag Collab on her Catalyst podcast and I encourage fans to check that out for fascinating insight into the facts behind the crimes we all think we know.
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