A true-crime podcast with a focus on South London crimes. Every crime tells a story...
Welcome to Sinister South, the podcast that delves into the dark and intriguing world of true crime, with a unique focus on the cases that have shaped the southern part of London. Hosted by lifelong South London residents Rachel and Hannah, this podcast is more than just a recount of crime stories; it's a deep dive into the mysteries and histories that have left a mark on our local communities.
Who are we?
We are two friends who have lived the majority of our lives south of the River Thames. When we say we're friends, we mean it! We've known each other since we were 11 and at school and have somehow managed to put up with each other for the last 25 years (mostly).
We both love true crime, whether it be podcasts, documentaries or books (I mean... look at us... of course we do), and on a trip to see the girls from Murder Most Irish, we made the ever so slightly drunken decision to try and do our own (the best ideas always come to you by the 6th pint).
We've created Sinister South to highlight the often-overlooked cases from this part of the city and think that our deep personal connection to South London adds authenticity to our narratives and a personal touch that we hope will resonate with listeners, especially those familiar with the area.
Why Focus on South London?
South London is a vibrant and diverse region, rich with history and stories that deserve to be told. We chose to focus on this niche because it's our home, and we honestly believe every corner of South London has at least one tale of intrigue and mystery. By highlighting local cases, we want to bring awareness and attention to the crimes that have impacted our communities. We think having a localised focus sets Sinister South apart from other true crime podcasts (oooh err), providing a look at cases that other true crime podcasts might not look at but are deeply rooted in the area we know so well.
Our Episode Planning Process
Creating each episode of Sinister South involves meticulous research and careful planning. Here’s a glimpse into how we craft our episodes:
Case Selection: The process begins with selecting a case. We look for intriguing cases with a significant connection to South London. And they aren't all murders! We also look for mysteries, historical crimes, and stories that have impacted the community.
Research: Once a case is chosen, the research phase begins. This involves poring over police reports, newspaper articles, court documents, and interviews with people connected to the case. We aim to gather all available facts to ensure accuracy and depth in the storytelling.
Script Writing: We then write our scripts with the research in hand. We focus on creating a narrative that is engaging and respectful. We want to present the facts in a way that listeners enjoy without sensationalising the tragedy.
Personal Insights: Drawing from our own experiences and knowledge of South London, we try to weave personal insights into the narrative. We hope this unique perspective adds an extra layer of connection and authenticity to each episode.
Recording and Editing: The final stage involves recording the episode in our home studio (AKA the tiny shed, aka the summer sweatbox). And then we pass it on to Will (our engineer...HI WILL) to do the magic before it comes to you guys!
Join Us on Our Journey
Whether you're a local or a true crime aficionado, we invite you to join us as we uncover the stories beneath our beloved city's surface.
Stay tuned for our upcoming episodes, and don't hesitate to reach out with your thoughts, suggestions, or even your own stories. Welcome to Sinister South, where every story has a South London heartbeat.