The Podcast Killer (The Podcast Murders #1)
C.K. Smith
Reader Reviews
5.0
1 rating
Carla B.
Feb 8, 2026
Ethan Cole built his reputation by diving into the darkest corners of true crime as the host of a popular podcast, Whispers of the Dark, but when a string of murders begins to mirror the cases he’s covered, the line between storyteller and suspect starts to blur. As Ethan digs deeper, it becomes clear that someone is turning the tables and he might be the next story. Is it all coincidence, or is someone playing a dangerous game with his past episodes as the blueprint?
Alright, thriller lovers — buckle up for this one.
The Podcast Killer completely pulled me in from page one. It feels like you’re inside a moody true crime docuseries, headphones in, heart pounding, just waiting for the next bombshell. This book doesn’t just tell you a story, it immerses you in it. C.K. Smith has a real talent for setting a scene. You can feel the tension in the air, hear the static of the mic, and practically see each moment play out in your head.
And let’s talk about those twists. I’m still thinking about them. The plot takes turns that had me second-guessing everything, which is exactly what I want in a thriller. It keeps you on edge without feeling gimmicky or overdone. Every chapter tightens the suspense, and the payoff is worth it.
The pacing starts off almost as a slow burn, giving you time to get inside Ethan’s head and understand his motivations. Once things start to unravel, though? I couldn’t put it down. The stakes felt high, and the tension was real.
Ethan is such an interesting main character… flawed, human, and just a little too close to the cases he’s built his career on. Watching his sense of control start to slip adds to the psychological edge of the story in such a satisfying way.
This was a 5-star read for me. Super twisty. Completely immersive. The kind of thriller that makes you wonder who’s really pulling the strings — and keeps you guessing all the way to the end. I was given a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
The Vibes it Brings
Alright, thriller lovers — buckle up for this one.
The Podcast Killer completely pulled me in from page one. It feels like you’re inside a moody true crime docuseries, headphones in, heart pounding, just waiting for the next bombshell. This book doesn’t just tell you a story, it immerses you in it. C.K. Smith has a real talent for setting a scene. You can feel the tension in the air, hear the static of the mic, and practically see each moment play out in your head.
And let’s talk about those twists. I’m still thinking about them. The plot takes turns that had me second-guessing everything, which is exactly what I want in a thriller. It keeps you on edge without feeling gimmicky or overdone. Every chapter tightens the suspense, and the payoff is worth it.
The pacing starts off almost as a slow burn, giving you time to get inside Ethan’s head and understand his motivations. Once things start to unravel, though? I couldn’t put it down. The stakes felt high, and the tension was real.
Ethan is such an interesting main character… flawed, human, and just a little too close to the cases he’s built his career on. Watching his sense of control start to slip adds to the psychological edge of the story in such a satisfying way.
This was a 5-star read for me. Super twisty. Completely immersive. The kind of thriller that makes you wonder who’s really pulling the strings — and keeps you guessing all the way to the end. I was given a copy of this book from the author. All opinions are my own.
The Vibes it Brings