What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCrime Beat
Podcast
If you loved Crime Beat, start with Crime Beat (Michael Connelly, 2006) — a book from the same story. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to Crime Beat across media.
What hooked you in Crime Beat is the way investigative persistence pulls back the curtain on the human stories buried within complex criminal files.
Start with the source
Books on the same thread
The Journalist and the Murderer
Janet Malcolm · Book · 2011
Shares 2 threads with Crime Beat: True Crime, Investigative Journalism.
Much like the rigorous reporting in Crime Beat, this book examines the ethical complexities of true crime storytelling and the often uncomfortable relationship between the journalist and their subject.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote · Book · 2012
Shares a thread with Crime Beat: True Crime.
If you appreciated the immersive, detail-oriented narrative style of Crime Beat, you will find the same foundational dedication to blending serious journalism with the reconstruction of harrowing criminal events.
Unmasked
Paul Holes · Book
Explores: Obsessive pursuit, Criminal psychology, Justice system limitations.
This memoir mirrors the investigative spirit of Crime Beat by providing an intimate, firsthand look at the obsessive pursuit required to bring resolution to long-standing cold cases.
Broken Plea
Christopher Whitcomb · Book
Shares 2 threads with Crime Beat: True Crime, Investigative Journalism.
This deep dive into a high-profile case captures the same investigative intensity found in Crime Beat, focusing on the forensic and procedural realities that define modern crime reporting.
Films on the same thread
Memories of Murder
Film · 2003
Shares a thread with Crime Beat: True Crime.
The relentless, procedural focus on solving a string of brutal crimes will resonate with Crime Beat listeners who value the gritty, methodical work that goes into criminal investigations.
Crime 101
Bart Layton · Film · 2026
Explores: High-stakes, Redemption, Obsession.
The cat-and-mouse tension driving this story echoes the high-stakes investigative atmosphere of Crime Beat, where the personal lives of those involved are irrevocably altered by their pursuit of justice.
Spotlight
Tom McCarthy · Film · 2015
Shares a thread with Crime Beat: Investigative Journalism.
This film highlights the investigative courage central to Crime Beat, showing how determined journalists uncover systemic truths that institutions work hard to keep hidden from the public eye.
Heat
Michael Mann · Film · 1995
Explores: Professionalism vs. Personal Life, Obsession, Cat and Mouse.
The film explores the professional obsession and moral ambiguity of criminal pursuits, mirroring the way Crime Beat delves into the psychological weight carried by those investigating high-profile crimes.
Series on the same thread
Cold Case Files
Series · 1999
Shares a thread with Crime Beat: Cold Cases.
These documentaries mirror the narrative structure of Crime Beat by focusing on the detectives who revisit cold cases, using modern breakthroughs to finally provide answers for grieving families.
Forensic Files
Series · 1996
Shares a thread with Crime Beat: True Crime.
Listeners who valued the evidence-based storytelling in Crime Beat will appreciate this focus on how scientific laboratory analysis serves as the final arbiter in complex, unsolved criminal investigations.
Cold Case
Meredith Stiehm · Series · 2003
Explores: Unsolved Crimes, Justice for Victims, Redemption.
This series captures the same commitment to justice for forgotten victims found in Crime Beat, emphasizing the combination of human instinct and modern technology in solving cold cases.
Unforgotten
Chris Lang · Series · 2015
Explores: Moral Ambiguity, Redemption, Secrets and Lies.
Like Crime Beat, this drama explores the lingering impact of past crimes and the tireless, methodical work required to uncover long-hidden secrets buried within complex cold case files.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Crime Beat based on a true story?
Yes, Crime Beat features real criminal cases covered by reporter Nancy Hixt. The podcast draws from her two decades of experience reporting on high-profile Canadian crimes, providing listeners with exclusive details that were not included in the original news broadcasts.
Should I read the Crime Beat book before listening to the podcast?
You do not need to read the 2006 Crime Beat book to understand the podcast. While both share the same title and focus on true crime reporting, the podcast episodes function as independent journeys into specific criminal cases investigated by Nancy Hixt over the last 20 years.
What kind of recognition has the Crime Beat podcast received?
The Crime Beat podcast is an award-winning production. It received the Edward R. Murrow Award from the RTDNA in both 2020 and 2023. These accolades recognize the program for its in-depth reporting on some of the most significant criminal cases in Canada.
How long has Nancy Hixt been reporting on the cases featured in Crime Beat?
Nancy Hixt has been reporting on the cases featured in Crime Beat for over 20 years. Her experience as a crime reporter allows the podcast to offer listeners a deeper perspective on high-profile Canadian criminal cases than what was originally presented in the news.