True Crime Stories Volume 12: 12 Shocking True Crime Murder Cases (True Crime Anthology)

I’ll admit, I approached this expecting another by-the-numbers true-crime cash-grab. Instead, *Volume 12* surprised me with its discipline. Rosewood resists the urge to pad these stories with filler—no 20-minute deep dives into a killer’s childhood pets here. The cases are tight, often under 15 minutes, but they *work* because he picks moments that reveal character: the way a murderer meticulously planned his alibi, or how a victim’s last text message undercuts the myth of ‘stranger danger.’ Kollins’ narration is pitch-perfect for this style; his voice has a reporter’s neutrality, but there’s a faint, deliberate tightness when describing violence that makes it hit harder. That said, the brevity isn’t always a strength. A few cases (like the ‘Toy Box Killer’ segment) feel rushed—just as the psychology gets interesting, it’s over. And while Kollins avoids melodrama, his cadence can grow *too* even, making some transitions between stories feel abrupt. Still, the production is clean, with no distracting edits or volume spikes, and the lack of graphic detail (compared to, say, *Last Podcast on the Left*) makes this accessible for listeners who want the chills without the gore. If you’re tired of true crime that romanticizes killers or drags on for 10 hours, this is the antidote: lean, mean, and unsettlingly efficient.