Trials of the Century

This premium, narrator-led, full-cast drama reconstructs a trial that shocked America - a cultural landmark of the 20th century that later inspired Donna Tartt's The Secret History and Alfred Hitchcock's Rope. In 1924, two wealthy Chicago students - Richard "Dickie" Loeb and Nathan "Babe" Leopold - set out to commit what they believed would be the perfect crime. What followed was one of the most disturbing and psychologically complex murders of the century. Dramatised from original court transcripts, this straight-to-audiobook production unfolds the case of the abduction and killing of fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks, the psychological and forensic evidence presented at trial, and the extraordinary legal arguments that followed. Designed as a courtroom experience for listeners, the narrator introduces the characters and social context of the case, while actors bring to life the arguments surrounding one central question: should Dickie & Babe be sentenced to death? Listeners are presented with the historical record of the case and invited to consider the same evidence heard by the court in 1924, alongside material drawn from contemporary newspapers and later biographical research. Told entirely from documented sources, the case unfolds with the narrative momentum of a crime story, while remaining grounded in fact. Part of the Trials of the Century audiobook series, this production uses a full cast of actors, original sound design, and carefully shaped narration to bring a defining American trial to life - without revealing the verdict in advance.

A Trial of the Century witnessed by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. International true crime with historical depth. Unfolding like a thriller. Full cast. In the dock: a quiet American doctor accused of mutilation and murder. In 1910, Dr Hawley Harvey Crippen stood trial for the murder of his wife, the music-hall performer Belle Elmore, after human remains were discovered beneath the cellar floor of their London home. What followed was one of the first great media manhunts of the twentieth century: a transatlantic pursuit to Canada aboard a steamship, the revolutionary use of wireless telegraphy, and a trial watched by a public gripped by fascination and unease. Drawn from the original Old Bailey trial transcripts and contemporary reporting, this edition recreates the key exchanges between prosecution and defence: the forensic examination of the remains, the testimony surrounding a troubled marriage, and the steady, methodical cross-examinations in open court. The proceedings reveal not only the legal strategies deployed on both sides but also the atmosphere of Edwardian London as science, celebrity, and sensational journalism converged. A classic true-crime mystery thriller that caught the eye of Sherlock Holmes' creator - he sat in the public gallery, taking notes. The Trial of Dr Crippen is the second title in the Trials of the Century series, following The Trial of Leopold and Loeb and preceding The Trial of Patty Hearst (released Summer 2026). Ideal for listeners interested in historical true crime, Edwardian murder trials, forensic history, and famous court cases that shaped modern criminal justice. Performed by acclaimed stage actors and award-winning producers & directors. Discover more Trials of the Century Audiobooks at classic-crime.com.