Macabre London

FROM THE VAULT: this week we have a corker of an episode from years gone by, we're diving back into the vault of Macabre Mini Mysteries to find you a yesteryear gem for your delectation. We'll be back as usual ASAP with a brand new episode but until then, enjoy this vintage listen...

A top a windswept rocky outcrop stands a lonely lighthouse. Its job for many years has been to forewarn sailors that their boats are at risk of str...

In September 1888, Jack the Ripper escalated his crimes. Annie Chapman was found murdered in Hanbury Street, followed just weeks later by the Double Event — the back-to-back killings of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine Eddowes in a single night.

In this episode of Macabre London, we follow the police investigations into these gruesome murders, uncovering the challenges they faced, the evidence they uncovered, and the in...

On 31st August 1888, Mary Ann Nichols was found brutally murdered in Whitechapel — and with her death, the shadow of Jack the Ripper began to fall across London.

In this episode of Macabre London, we take you inside the police investigation into the first confirmed Ripper murder. How did officers approach the scene? What evidence did they have to work with in Victorian London? And could they have stopped the Ripper before his killin...

Before Jack: Police Investigate Whitechapel’s First Two Murders

Join Macabre London for a chilling prelude to the infamous Jack the Ripper saga. In this episode, we uncover the first two Whitechapel murders—Emma Elizabeth Smith and Martha Tabram—long before the canonical five claimed global attention. Discover how H Division detectives responded to these brutal cases, the investigative methods of 1888, and why the...

Edward Dando wasn’t your average thief—he was a man possessed by an unrelenting hunger for oysters… and a complete disregard for paying the bill.

In this episode of Macabre Mini Mysteries from Macabre London, we explore the life and crimes of Edward Dando: the Regency glutton who scandalised polite society by stealing and devouring shocking amounts of shellfish.

Discover why oysters were once cheaper than chips, how Da...

Before the crisp uniforms and community smiles, London’s very first police officers were anything but respectable. In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the outrageous early days of the Met — when public trust was low, tempers were high, and a night on the beat often ended in a fight outside the pub.

From riotous mobs to internal corruption, discover how Britain’s most iconic police force was built by brawlers, not by-t...

In 1828, a grand celebration marked the trial of Britain’s first passenger railway—but by the end of the day, one of the country’s most powerful men was dead. William Huskisson, MP, was struck by The Rocket in a gruesome accident that unfolded in front of the Duke of Wellington and dozens of shocked onlookers.

As the wheels of progress crushed Huskisson’s leg and his legacy, rumours of hauntings began to follow the ra...

Before Scotland Yard... before the Met Police... there was chaos.

In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the wild, booze-soaked origins of Britain's very first police force – the Bow Street Runners. But these weren’t your average crimefighters. Oh no. These were drunken, brawling, and occasionally criminal men who blurred the lines between justice and disorder.

Led by an eccentric magistrate and paid w...

In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the astonishing true story of the Chevalier d'Éon — a master spy, decorated soldier, and diplomat in 18th century France who became one of the first openly transgender or gender-nonconforming public figures in recorded history.

D'Éon led a double life in the shadowy world of Louis XV’s secret intelligence network, using diplomacy, disguise, and blackmail to survive the cutthroat pol...

Before London had the Met, it had chaos.

In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the strange and often deadly story of how policing began in the city—from the drunken "Charlies" who fell asleep on the job, to the terrifyingly informal Hue and Cry system that let ordinary citizens legally execute criminals on sight. And let's not forget Jonathan Wild: the man who invented organised crime while pretending to be its biggest e...

True crime lovers, horror fans, and mystery addicts – it’s time to get spooky! Join Nikki and Cheryl as they return for another chilling season of Killers, Cults & Queens!

This season, we’re diving deeper into the most twisted cult leaders, infamous serial killers, and bizarre conspiracy theories you won’t believe. From historic slashers to the murderer next door, expect shocking stories, eerie surprises, and spine-tingling twi...

☠️ Poisoned to Death in Plain Sight – Who Was The Croydon Poisoner? 💀

In the 1920s, an unknown killer stalked the quiet streets of Croydon, leaving a deadly trail of poisoned victims in their wake. But who was behind these sinister tea-time murders? Was it an elusive criminal mastermind, or did police completely miss the real killer who may have just been a little closer to home?

Join me on Macabre London as...

Deep in the heart of Egypt, a horrifying discovery shocked archaeologists—a mummy with its mouth frozen in an eternal scream. Who was this tormented soul? And why did ancient embalmers leave them in such a ghastly state?

In this episode of Macabre London, we uncover the chilling mystery of the Screaming Mummy of Luxor. Was it a curse? A case of live burial? Or something even more sinister lurking in the sands of time? And e...

Jack Sheppard & Jonathan Wild: The Criminal & The Thief-Taker Who Betrayed Each Other

In the dark and dangerous streets of 18th-century London, crime was everywhere—but so was corruption. Jack Sheppard, the legendary escape artist, and Jonathan Wild, London’s self-proclaimed ‘Thief-Taker General,’ started as allies, but their partnership took a deadly turn. One was a master thief who became a folk hero; the other, a crim...

Before Scotland Yard, before the modern police force, one man ruled London’s underworld—Jonathan Wild, the so-called "Thief-Taker General." But was he a crime fighter or the city’s first true crime lord? In this episode, we uncover how Wild manipulated both criminals and the law, shaping the way crime was controlled in 18th-century London.

Discover the shocking history behind Wild’s double life, his role in the early justice sys...

Step into a new adventure with Macabre London! I’m thrilled to announce a special series where I’ll be narrating some of my all-time favorite books, starting with H.G. Wells' The War of the Worlds. This iconic sci-fi masterpiece has been a personal favorite for years, and now I’m bringing it to you in audiobook form!

To celebrate, I’m releasing Part 1 for free on the main podcast feed (there are ads on this one but all future e...

It’s the end of 2024, and I’m back with your Weird News Round-Up! Forget the regular doom and gloom of daily news—this is all about the strangest, most head-scratching stories from the past year. 🌌

From Lexington, Kentucky, beaming out literal invitations to aliens, to mysterious unsolicited packages in the latest “brushing” scam, and a look back at psychic predictions for 2024—what came true, what didn’t! 👽📦✨

Plus,...

Welcome to another Weird News Round-Up where we delve into the strangest stories of 2024! This episode is packed with bizarre twists, from bear-themed insurance scams to mysterious space station mishaps. Here's what you can expect:

🐻 Bear Costume Insurance Scam

Three people in California thought they could outsmart the system by blaming bear attacks for car damage—but when investigators found the "bear" was a cost...

Prepare yourself for a whirlwind of bizarre stories in this episode of Macabre London! From cheese thefts to sheep-stealing antics and a surprise *high* in a pizza joint, it’s a wild ride filled with unbelievable twists and pun-filled fun.

🧀 *The Great Cheese Heist:*

Discover how an audacious scam led to the theft of **22 metric tons of cheese** from Neal’s Yard Dairy. Learn how the public and celebrity chefs rallied to save the...