Reviews

Thank you Laura for your unwavering dedication and tireless efforts in sharing your invaluable insights and knowledge. Never did I imagine I'd find my hero on my true crime podcast journey, but there's simply no better way to describe the impact of her work.

I learn so much from Laura and her guests each week.

A fascinating, illuminating and necessary true crime podcast-! You lay bare how coercive control is ubiquitios in our lives in all our social and societal systems. And you podcast is fun, too. Thank you!

I absolutely love this podcast. Laura is so knowledgeable and informed and is an expert in this work. She provides extremely thorough and detailed reviews of cases, often lasting over multiple episodes. I've learned so much about coercive control from her podcast. Almost equally important is her passion for this work. Laura unapologetically expresses concern and care for the victims and for the risks women (predominantly) face at the hands of their abusers. It's refreshing to hear someone say "This is wrong and it is bad and we should never tolerate this under any circumstances." And finally, do not underestimate Laura's dry wit and humor catching you off guard. Her sayings and statements are the perfect show of deserved contempt for people acting in harmful, inappropriate, dangerous or incorrect ways. Every now and then I think about this passing comment she made about the Officer Pratt at the Gabby Petito/Brian stop necessitating a "man-sized water cooler" to hydrate himself as he's peacocking around all thirsty and dominating a scene over which he is ill-prepared. It so accurately sums up her disgust and disappointment as to be priceless. Listen - it's well worth it!

More of you with Jackie Malton!!!

I just found this podcast after hearing Laura’s interview on True Sunlight. I love her expertise and experience and how she breaks things down. I’m hooked!

Such a powerful episode. Having been stalked by an elderly neighbour, I hear so much of my experience reflected. Thank you both. It’s taken me so much work to get the local police to comprehend. Local Australian police don’t get this. I have the situation mostly under control, but as Isla says, it won’t stop until he is dead. That is a black situation to live in, that you will be relieved when your neighbour is dead, or at least incapacitated.

I've just finished Laura's Forgotten Victims series - and I can safely say, it has changed me. I was 5 when Sutcliffe's crimes came to light and was always aware of the manhunt on the news, but obviously wasn't old enough to appreciate its gravitas at the time. Having then been re-exposed to the case via The Long Shadow and having my eyes fully opened to the horrors of both the crimes AND the investigation, I got angry and had to dig deeper - and that's when I found Laura. Over the last few months, I've consumed countless hours of information from different sources, but Laura's series has been by far the most compelling and educational. Laura, I'm staggered at the amount of detail you've presented in each episode, and what’s more, your passion and loyalty for the victims and their families is palpable. I was so overwhelmed by the amount of information offered up that I had to create a chronological timeline of everything in order to get it straight in my mind. It took me months to complete - and the document measures over 15ft long. I sat and listened of the last of the series today and hearing you list the women’s names again, now that I feel I know their stories so much better, made me cry. I fully intend to go right back to the beginning and start it all again, to pick up any detail I may have missed.
 I can’t thank you enough for presenting this case in the way you have. It’s been an unexpectedly emotional experience and you’ve left me wanting to do more to honour the victims and their families. You told me to become an activist. I think I might be on my way… #HerNameWas

This is in my top 5 podcasts it is thought provoking and Laura challenges the narrative always putting victims and their voices first. Her in-depth analysis of the cases is so detailed you can make sense of what is often complex and she provides perspectives that ensure the listener is constantly learning. Laura is a proud expert in her field and I recommend this brilliant podcast to anyone who is looking to better understand how we can recognise, reduce and hopefully end violence against women. Everyone should understand coercive control and if you don’t yet then make sure you listen to Laura. Keep up the great work.

Laura is an amazing advocate for victims and survivors and has such good insight into offenders and domestic violence. As an added bonus she has the best British accent.

I’ve only recently got listening to Laura’s podcasts, after I listened to her as a guest on the lady vanishes podcast which you must listen to if you haven’t done! In a short time I’ve listened to lots of Laura’s episodes back to back, as they are gripping. Laura’s back ground in Criminal profiling, for many years at new Scotland Yard means her knowledge and understanding of assessing crime and offenders is way above any others I’ve listened to. I’ve been able to gain a far greater understanding, especially around coercive control (Laura succeeded in campaigning to make this a crime in the UK). She has campaigned to shine a light on crimes against women, her podcast certainly helps with this. I highly recommend this podcast. She’s super talented and I always enjoy the topics she’s discusses and what I learn from them. Please keep doing these Laura!

Fascinating in depth investigation. Brilliant to hear the case laid out.

Brilliant podcast - detailed and at times hard to listen to, but that is the point, to see the shocking nature of the criminal behaviour of the perpetrators. Complete respect for all the victims shown at all times. Each podcast feels like a new chapter in that crime being discussed, and although a little long, it wouldn’t work if they were shorter. Great series. Laura’s passion for victims of domestic abuse and coercion and control shines through every episode. Very thought provoking and interesting - 5 stars

She doesn’t know me but Laura has become one of my biggest mentors over the years of listening to her work. I have taken so many huge lessons from her including the importance of exercising professional curiosity and working from a place of integrity and compassion. Plus her analysis deep dives are just so juicy!

Love listening to Crime Analyst, Laura is incredible and I get so riveted on each case that is analysed and discussed. Highly recommend

Crime Analyst is exactly that - an analysis into what went wrong, and clear ideas about how to fix it so the same thing doesn’t keep happening over and over. My hope is that when Ms. Richards collaborates with police departments all over the world, they heed her advice, because she has done all the work for them. They just have to implement the ideas. Imagine if Essex went from having the worst domestic crime rate to the best. It’s possible.

If you’re interested in true crime, you must listen to this podcast. If you’re in law enforcement, you must listen to this podcast. Everyone must listen to this podcast!! Laura Richard always places the victim in forefront of the discussion, which is pretty rare from other “true crime” podcasts. She takes a deep dive into a case and allows the listener to follow along on the journey. Please listen to this podcast, it will open up your eyes to coercive control and femicide, which might save a family member, friend, or your own life. I just want to add, I’m so glad to see Laura dropped an episode to cover Dr, Naomi Dancy as I was extremely disappointed in the Ghost Story podcast. How dare they ask for Laura’s opinion on the case and just leave a sound bite? I only listened to the podcast to hear from Laura! I’m excited to hear the second episode!

I discovered Crime Analyst through my interest in Marion Barter’s disappearance and subsequent search by her daughter Sally Leydon. I am so grateful for Laura’s generosity in giving of her time and considerable skill set to further the investigation into the what, who and why of Marion’s case. Thank you so much, Laura. I’m looking forward to listening to the other cases you discuss.

Laura Richards is an absolute gem and I am thankful that I was introduced to this podcast through another great podcast- true sunlight. If you enjoy going deep into human behavior and want to help make an impact by helping women and men around you, this is an amazing listen!!! Laura, your expertise is extraordinary!

I appreciate Lauras expertise and thorough analysis, with a focus on facts.

Joni and Laura are a force to be reckoned with, the way they so carefully and concisely break down this case and the actions of this horrible man is so angry making and emotional but also interesting and educational. Thankyou both xx

Thank you Laura for the work that you do.

Thankyou for your work Laura - so informative and knowledgeable, and insightful. I work with vulnerable women and use DASH all the time to start, support conversation and also identify (with Duluth) what’s not “normal” for healthy relationships …. Also have been able to challenge the “he’s not done anything for a few days, so it’s probably stopping now” conversation, from a SA support worker, with confidence and directing to your podcast…😡🫣🤔

Incredibly detailed and deciphering of true crimes and how they relate to the daily lives of all of us, everyday. So very important to hear and learn from. Behind the scenes politics, personal politics and an impeccable analysis of the very culture that produces these crimes and judicial system that attempts to deal with them - or not.

Thank you Laura for consistently challenging the narrative and putting forward intelligent and spot on analysis of the reason women are so right always be on alert! Your latest episode on Ghost Story had me yelling out in furious agreement. A classic example of male entitlement and class based free passes from authority to just kill women’s and get away with it. Great work as usual, thank you!!

I have listened to many of Laura’s episodes and learned so much however her deep dive with Joni and Sally to help find Marion Barter has truly helped fill in the blanks around what coercive control can look like especially when family are unaware of a relationship existing. If only this knowledge was known back in 1997.

I found this podcast series through listening to The Lady Vanishes. Laura has done an incredible review over 12 episodes on Marion Barters disappearance. I am now listening to other podcasts by Laura and loving them.

I love the explanations, analysis and insights from Laura. They really get to the heart of what Police, law enforcement and law makers need to look at to give victims the justice they deserve. Too much about criminal investigation shows us sadly, that it’s still very much a man’s world where women (and the vulnerable) are often dismissed, unheard or simply not believed…..until it’s too late.

Laura is extremely good at explaining things and is so informative. I thoroughly recommend any of her podcasts.

Even though I’ve been following “The lady Vanishes” -so good! since 2019 and “missing person Marion Barter”, Laura Richards’ Crime Analyst delving has added another dimension of knowledge and understanding. Such thoughtful analysis and assessment from Laura, and observations and research from Sally and Joni. Wow, the latest episode in the series is so powerful. I love that Laura is so honouring of victims and families. Independently of Marion, there is so much to learn through Laura for personal protective skills. Fantastic podcast!