What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedSmall Town Murder
James Pietragallo, Jimmie Whisman · Podcast · 2026
If you loved Small Town Murder, start with Only Murders in the Building (Steve Martin, 2021) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 4 series, each matched to Small Town Murder across media.
You appreciate how Small Town Murder finds the tragic absurdity and dark sociological secrets hidden within isolated, tight-knit provincial communities.
Books on the same thread
On Murder Considered as One of the Fine Arts
Thomas De Quincey · Book · 2015
Explores: Aesthetics of violence, Murder as art, Philosophical humor.
This essay captures the same biting satirical wit found in Small Town Murder, exploring the dark, philosophical humor behind the horrific reality of human violence and murder.
Broken Plea
Christopher Whitcomb · Book
Explores: criminal justice, forensic analysis, tragedy.
If you value the rigorous, research-heavy forensic breakdown of Small Town Murder, this investigation provides a similarly deep, serious look at the mechanics of a real-life tragedy.
In Cold Blood
Truman Capote · Book · 2012
Explores: American Dream, Violence, Small Town America.
Small Town Murder excels at dissecting the sociological underpinnings of rural tragedy, a craft Truman Capote mastered by examining the intersection of violence and isolated American landscapes.
The Murder Inn
James Patterson and Candice Fox · Book
Explores: past secrets, reluctant allies, redemption arc.
This thriller echoes the focus of Small Town Murder on provincial life, where the arrival of an outsider highlights the hidden, dark secrets of a small town.
Films on the same thread
Anatomy of a Murder
Otto Preminger · Film · 1959
Explores: Rape Trauma, Moral Ambiguity, Small Town Secrets.
Much like the cases discussed on Small Town Murder, this courtroom drama thrives on the moral ambiguity and long-held secrets that define life in a small town.
Hot Fuzz
Edgar Wright · Film · 2007
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Fish Out of Water, Conspiracy.
This film mirrors the comedic spirit of Small Town Murder by placing a fish-out-of-water protagonist into a quiet village where gruesome crimes reveal deep-seated local conspiracies.
The Trouble with Harry
Alfred Hitchcock · Film · 1955
Explores: Mistaken Identity, Accidental Crime, Small Town Secrets.
This dark comedy captures the same tragic irony found in Small Town Murder, focusing on how a sudden death creates chaos among the peculiar residents of a village.
Vengeance
B. J. Novak · Film · 2022
Explores: Cultural Clash, Small Town Secrets, Redemption.
This movie mirrors the podcast structure of Small Town Murder by sending an urban podcaster into rural territory, using satire to explore the clash of cultures.
Series on the same thread
Only Murders in the Building
Steve Martin · Series · 2021
Explores: True Crime Obsession, New York City, Intergenerational Friendship.
This show shares the meta-narrative appeal of Small Town Murder, centering on the obsession with crime analysis and the way true crime culture shapes our modern world.
Midsomer Murders
Anthony Horowitz · Series · 1997
Explores: Small Town Secrets, Investigation, Rural Crime.
If you enjoy the focus on regional idiosyncrasies in Small Town Murder, this series offers a similar dive into the dark, violent secrets of a quiet community.
American Vandal
Dan Perrault · Series · 2017
Explores: High School, Mystery, Social Commentary.
This mockumentary captures the investigative comedy style of Small Town Murder, using a deep-dive, journalistic approach to satirize the way we examine tragic events in communities.
Mare of Easttown
Brad Ingelsby · Series · 2021
Explores: Grief, Trauma, Family Dysfunction.
This series reflects the somber, investigative side of Small Town Murder, focusing on how a single traumatic crime can unravel the fabric of a small Pennsylvania town.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is Small Town Murder a scripted show or an improv podcast?
Small Town Murder is a podcast hosted by James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman. It features two comedians who provide in-depth research on a specific location and a tragedy that occurred there, blending serious investigative details with their own comedic commentary on the town and the events.
How often does Small Town Murder release new episodes?
You can listen to new episodes of Small Town Murder every Thursday. Each installment focuses on a different small town, examining what makes the community tick before the hosts delve into the details of a murder that took place in that specific location.
What is the tone of Small Town Murder?
Small Town Murder balances the gravity of a horrible tragedy with the comedic spin of the hosts. James Pietragallo and Jimmie Whisman use their backgrounds as comedians to look at the town and the crime, ensuring the show remains a mix of research-heavy storytelling and humor.
Does Small Town Murder focus on the history of the locations?
Yes, Small Town Murder focuses on what makes a town tick as part of its in-depth research. The hosts explore the background of the location to provide context for the murder that took place there, combining local history with a comedic look at the events.