Why Do Women Love True Crime?

Why Do Women Love True Crime?

From True Crime Reporter by Robert Riggs

April 29, 2025 · 36 min

About this episode

The episode explores why women are particularly drawn to true crime, featuring insights from former CBS producer Claire St. Amant.

A Former 48 Hours Producer Reveals the Psychology and Power Behind the Genre By Robert Riggs When the curtain drops on everyday life, true crime shows like this podcast and especially those on television expose the darkest side of humanity. Television relentlessly chases the latest trending crimes on police blotters and court dockets. Claire St. Amant pursued those stories in the cutthroat world of prime-time television as a producer for CBS 48 Hours. She also produced segments for 60 Minutes. She’s written a memoir about her experiences, Killer Story: The Truth Behind True Crime Televison . Television executives have known for decades that the audience is overwhelmingly female.  We’re talking 70-80 percent, sometimes more. Mothers and daughters. Best friends.  Women of all ages coming together for what amounts to a girls’ night out… centered on murder. You may want to go back and listen to my episode with Journalist Mike Cox. He wrote a satire, Getting Away With Murder, Learning From Dateline and Other True Crime Shows.  So what’s going on here? Why are women so drawn to true crime? Claire St Amant, now a fellow true crime podcaster , shares her insights.&#160…

People in this episode

Host: Robert Riggs

Guest: Claire St. Amant

Topics covered

  • true crime
  • psychology
  • female audience
  • television
  • media
  • storytelling

Keywords

  • true crime
  • women
  • psychology
  • television
  • media
  • audience
  • crime stories

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: CBS 48 Hours, 60 Minutes

Books & works: Killer Story: The Truth Behind True Crime Televison, Getting Away With Murder, Learning From Dateline and Other True Crime Shows

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