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The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe
In the summer of 1924, two brilliant young men set out to commit what they believed would be the perfect crime. The murder of fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks shocked Chicago and culminated in one of the most famous courtroom dramas of the twentieth century.
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb presents this landmark case in dramatic form, drawing directly on trial transcripts, witness testimony, and contemporary reporting. Structured as a courtroom drama, the story unfolds through dialogue and scene, allowing the voices of lawyers, witnesses, experts, and defendants to carry the narrative.
This book is published in parallel with a full-cast audiobook production, created from the same dramatic script. Readers may encounter the trial on the page or experience it as a performed work, preserving the rhythm, tension, and moral complexity of the original proceedings.
More than a true-crime account, this is a study of ambition, cruelty, privilege, and persuasion — and of the courtroom itself as a stage on which justice, psychology, and public spectacle collide.
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb presents this landmark case in dramatic form, drawing directly on trial transcripts, witness testimony, and contemporary reporting. Structured as a courtroom drama, the story unfolds through dialogue and scene, allowing the voices of lawyers, witnesses, experts, and defendants to carry the narrative.
This book is published in parallel with a full-cast audiobook production, created from the same dramatic script. Readers may encounter the trial on the page or experience it as a performed work, preserving the rhythm, tension, and moral complexity of the original proceedings.
More than a true-crime account, this is a study of ambition, cruelty, privilege, and persuasion — and of the courtroom itself as a stage on which justice, psychology, and public spectacle collide.
78 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 20, 2026
7 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I listened to the audio which was performed by a full cast playing the parts of narrator, witnesses, the accused, lawyers and contemporary reporting. The scratchy nature of the "recording", whilst atmospheric, did make it difficult to hear in parts but otherwise it worked extremely well as a true crime documentary.
The story itself, while knowing the names of the killers, is not one I was familiar with. it transpires that this crime is what inspired Donna Tartt's brilliant " Secret History".
The crime itself is horrific in that it was such a callous act - being perpetrated by two very intelligent young men simply as an exercise in seeing if they could kill a child and, presumably, get away with it.
What I found almost as shocking was the arguments of the defence counsel, giving the excuse that the victim barely suffered. I woukd hope any of his arguments - and that was not the only one that was abhorrent - would not be resorted to these days. Quite how they got away with life in prison rather than the death penalty is, quite frankly, amazing. Perhaps it spoke to their families affluence and, as now, money talks.
On the whole I found the story fascinating and I would be very interested to hear any future titles in this Crime of the Century series.
Definitely recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Classic Crime Ltd for the audio advance review copy.
The story itself, while knowing the names of the killers, is not one I was familiar with. it transpires that this crime is what inspired Donna Tartt's brilliant " Secret History".
The crime itself is horrific in that it was such a callous act - being perpetrated by two very intelligent young men simply as an exercise in seeing if they could kill a child and, presumably, get away with it.
What I found almost as shocking was the arguments of the defence counsel, giving the excuse that the victim barely suffered. I woukd hope any of his arguments - and that was not the only one that was abhorrent - would not be resorted to these days. Quite how they got away with life in prison rather than the death penalty is, quite frankly, amazing. Perhaps it spoke to their families affluence and, as now, money talks.
On the whole I found the story fascinating and I would be very interested to hear any future titles in this Crime of the Century series.
Definitely recommended.
Thankyou to Netgalley and Classic Crime Ltd for the audio advance review copy.
February 27, 2026
I got the audiobook arc for review on Netgally.
First time listening to an dramatised trial of a real case. It felt realistic and I was invested in it. Was bit uneasy of the arguments to favor the murderers. The case was an inspiration on the Secret history altough I dont know how much of am inspiration it was. Would listen to more in the series
First time listening to an dramatised trial of a real case. It felt realistic and I was invested in it. Was bit uneasy of the arguments to favor the murderers. The case was an inspiration on the Secret history altough I dont know how much of am inspiration it was. Would listen to more in the series
March 31, 2026
This was so interesting. I was already pretty familiar with the crime in question. I’m not usually very into true crime but this story always fascinated me. In the book itself it says that Leopold and Loeb’s “perfect crime” is what inspired The Secret History and I can see why that is. And it’s not the only instance this crime was an inspiration to a writer or a filmmaker.
The two men were influenced by the idea of the superhuman by Nietzsche that they were taught in university, they thought that they were superior in a way and had the right to take lives as they pleased. Which is why they decided to killed a fourteen year old. This is a real life tale of privilege and power.
It’s said to be the trial of the century and back then it definitely was, in the whole of Chicago that’s what they rightly believed. It was one of the most heinous crimes there was.
This book goes over the trial in such an engaging way, it’s reads like a courtroom thriller, you almost forget how real this story actually was. We go over the killers’ pasts and whether or not they should get the death penalty. Sexual depravity (bear in mind it was the 1920s) between the two men is also discussed and taken into consideration. And finally we get to what happened after they went to prison.
I was, again, already sort of acquainted with this story, but it does go over all the facts pretty straightforwardly and I don’t really have any complaints. The only thing is, I wouldn’t have minded if they made it maybe a bit longer. I would’ve preferred it, in fact. 4 stars.
Audiobook notes: I think this was so realistic, the narrators did a brilliant job at transporting me right there and I can only give credit where it’s due, bravo.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
The two men were influenced by the idea of the superhuman by Nietzsche that they were taught in university, they thought that they were superior in a way and had the right to take lives as they pleased. Which is why they decided to killed a fourteen year old. This is a real life tale of privilege and power.
It’s said to be the trial of the century and back then it definitely was, in the whole of Chicago that’s what they rightly believed. It was one of the most heinous crimes there was.
This book goes over the trial in such an engaging way, it’s reads like a courtroom thriller, you almost forget how real this story actually was. We go over the killers’ pasts and whether or not they should get the death penalty. Sexual depravity (bear in mind it was the 1920s) between the two men is also discussed and taken into consideration. And finally we get to what happened after they went to prison.
I was, again, already sort of acquainted with this story, but it does go over all the facts pretty straightforwardly and I don’t really have any complaints. The only thing is, I wouldn’t have minded if they made it maybe a bit longer. I would’ve preferred it, in fact. 4 stars.
Audiobook notes: I think this was so realistic, the narrators did a brilliant job at transporting me right there and I can only give credit where it’s due, bravo.
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ALC in exchange for an honest review.
February 26, 2026
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe
by Ben Devlin
I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.
This is the first audiobook in the true crime trials series. I could enjoy an entire series if they are all about cases as compelling as this one.
Leopold & Loeb brutally murdered a younger boy. They hoped it would be the perfect crime by masking the murder as a false ransom. They tried to mutilate the body so badly that it would be unidentifiable. They are guilty and they admit to it. The only question for the world and for one judge in particular is: should they get the death penalty?
We are given insight into the courtroom, newspapers, psychological analyses, philosophy, the law, their ages, whether or not this should set a precedent, etc.
My words feel cold to me after listening to such an intense and fast-paced telling of what must have been at the time the most famous trial in Chicago.
There have even been similar books and movies that have used this true crime and expanded upon it.
This was as intensely great as listening to The Big Fix series and the Oracle series.
I highly recommend this listen!
by Ben Devlin
I received an ARC of this audiobook through Netgalley.
This is the first audiobook in the true crime trials series. I could enjoy an entire series if they are all about cases as compelling as this one.
Leopold & Loeb brutally murdered a younger boy. They hoped it would be the perfect crime by masking the murder as a false ransom. They tried to mutilate the body so badly that it would be unidentifiable. They are guilty and they admit to it. The only question for the world and for one judge in particular is: should they get the death penalty?
We are given insight into the courtroom, newspapers, psychological analyses, philosophy, the law, their ages, whether or not this should set a precedent, etc.
My words feel cold to me after listening to such an intense and fast-paced telling of what must have been at the time the most famous trial in Chicago.
There have even been similar books and movies that have used this true crime and expanded upon it.
This was as intensely great as listening to The Big Fix series and the Oracle series.
I highly recommend this listen!
February 25, 2026
Book 1 of Trials of the Century is a
feature-length, full-cast audiobook written as a dramatic narrative rather than a conventional narration. It is performed - not read and based on lamdmark cases across the world.
Any fans of true crime or audio books will love this, I did!
This was a captivating courtroom drama set in 1920's Chicago and based on the brutal murder of 14 year old Bobby Franks by Leopold and Loeb, known as Dickie and Babe. It was a concise and compact account of the trial that ensued following their arrests.
The cast were great but the narrator, Sandra Parsons was phenomenal and set the scenes perfectly.
A great soundbite in performance and audio. It was so good I listened to it twice.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
feature-length, full-cast audiobook written as a dramatic narrative rather than a conventional narration. It is performed - not read and based on lamdmark cases across the world.
Any fans of true crime or audio books will love this, I did!
This was a captivating courtroom drama set in 1920's Chicago and based on the brutal murder of 14 year old Bobby Franks by Leopold and Loeb, known as Dickie and Babe. It was a concise and compact account of the trial that ensued following their arrests.
The cast were great but the narrator, Sandra Parsons was phenomenal and set the scenes perfectly.
A great soundbite in performance and audio. It was so good I listened to it twice.
I am looking forward to the rest of the series.
April 1, 2026
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe
By Ben Devlin Performed by a Full Cast
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this expecting a dramatic retelling of a famous case, but what I got was something far more layered and honestly unforgettable.
The full cast narration really brings the story to life. It does not just feel like a book, it feels like you are sitting inside the courtroom watching everything unfold in real time. Every voice adds something distinct, and it pulls you deeper into the tension of the trial.
What stood out to me the most was the character of Dynamite Crow. Out of everyone involved, he felt like the only one truly focused on justice for the young victim. While others leaned into spectacle, he stayed grounded, tactful, and intentional. There was something really powerful about that contrast.
Much of the defense relied on expert testimony that highlighted the defendants’ disturbing behavioral patterns, including power dynamics and relationships that, in 1924, would have been considered deeply immoral and shocking. The inclusion of these details often felt less about understanding and more about influencing perception, turning the courtroom into a stage where morality, psychology, and social taboos were put on display. Against that backdrop, Crow’s steady, measured approach stood out even more.
If you enjoy historical trials, character-driven storytelling, or immersive audio productions, this is absolutely worth the listen.
Thank you to #Classic Crime Ltd & #NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
By Ben Devlin Performed by a Full Cast
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I went into this expecting a dramatic retelling of a famous case, but what I got was something far more layered and honestly unforgettable.
The full cast narration really brings the story to life. It does not just feel like a book, it feels like you are sitting inside the courtroom watching everything unfold in real time. Every voice adds something distinct, and it pulls you deeper into the tension of the trial.
What stood out to me the most was the character of Dynamite Crow. Out of everyone involved, he felt like the only one truly focused on justice for the young victim. While others leaned into spectacle, he stayed grounded, tactful, and intentional. There was something really powerful about that contrast.
Much of the defense relied on expert testimony that highlighted the defendants’ disturbing behavioral patterns, including power dynamics and relationships that, in 1924, would have been considered deeply immoral and shocking. The inclusion of these details often felt less about understanding and more about influencing perception, turning the courtroom into a stage where morality, psychology, and social taboos were put on display. Against that backdrop, Crow’s steady, measured approach stood out even more.
If you enjoy historical trials, character-driven storytelling, or immersive audio productions, this is absolutely worth the listen.
Thank you to #Classic Crime Ltd & #NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review.
March 6, 2026
In 1924, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy Chicago teenagers, murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks to commit what they described as the "perfect crime." In the first of this collection, we hear from the murderers, their defence, the prosecution, and the judge, before it's revealed whether or not they receive the death penalty for their "thrill kill."
This was the first dramatic narrative I've listened to and it was certainly a little different to my standard audiobook picks. There was a full cast of actors, including a narrator, and lots of added atmospheric extras, such as courtroom chatter, children playing, cars on the road, the "recorded" interviews, etc. I thought the format worked really well for a trial - it was realistic and kept me engaged.
I didn't know anything about this crime and would have liked a little more context. The book was super short, barely more than an hour, and I do think it could have been fleshed out with some more build-up and insights/analysis into the crime and the killers. That said, it packed a lot in and didn't feel rushed - I just would have loved a deeper dive (however, this collection focuses on the trials so I understand that's not the intention). Would recommend and will definitely look out for more in this series as they are released.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio advance review copy.
This was the first dramatic narrative I've listened to and it was certainly a little different to my standard audiobook picks. There was a full cast of actors, including a narrator, and lots of added atmospheric extras, such as courtroom chatter, children playing, cars on the road, the "recorded" interviews, etc. I thought the format worked really well for a trial - it was realistic and kept me engaged.
I didn't know anything about this crime and would have liked a little more context. The book was super short, barely more than an hour, and I do think it could have been fleshed out with some more build-up and insights/analysis into the crime and the killers. That said, it packed a lot in and didn't feel rushed - I just would have loved a deeper dive (however, this collection focuses on the trials so I understand that's not the intention). Would recommend and will definitely look out for more in this series as they are released.
Thank you to NetGalley for the audio advance review copy.
March 30, 2026
Thank you Netgalley and Classic Crimes Ltd for the chance to listen and leave an honest review. The Trials of the Century audiobooks are a series that revisits true crimes trails from the 1900s in a radio drama style that include a full cast and various sound effects. Each trial so far has been a standalone, so listening order does not matter. I listened to #2 before #1, and I would have to say the second one was better. There were times during this book where it was extremely hard to hear, especially when one of the professionals is asked to give his findings via whispering on the stand. I also found the closing statements from the defence (20 minutes long) and prosecution (10 minutes long) to be a bit dry and long winded since the rest of the book is only 90 minutes total. That means 1/3 is just us listening to closing statements. But if you like true crime and hearing about cases and trials from last century, you'll probably like these!
2.5 ⭐️ rounded down.
2.5 ⭐️ rounded down.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Crime Classic Ltd for providing an ALC of The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin, narrated by a full cast.
This is a great immersive listening experience. It will take you into the court room as the true crime unfolds. Absolutely awesome. The full cast brought this true crime to life. Their performance was excellent. I love true crime stories. I highly recommend this audible performance.
Expected release date March 13 2026.
This is a great immersive listening experience. It will take you into the court room as the true crime unfolds. Absolutely awesome. The full cast brought this true crime to life. Their performance was excellent. I love true crime stories. I highly recommend this audible performance.
Expected release date March 13 2026.
March 23, 2026
I just love these! I'm not even really a true crime person but this series covers interesting trials from the past. I'd heard of Leopold and Loeb as their crime was very famous but listening to this reenactment helped me understand it better.
I definitely understand now why this shocked people so much. The production is so well done I felt like I was listening to the trial.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this!
This is a review of the audiobook.
I definitely understand now why this shocked people so much. The production is so well done I felt like I was listening to the trial.
Thanks to NetGalley for letting me listen to this!
This is a review of the audiobook.
March 16, 2026
2.75✨ This very short audiobook was a full cast production. That was the best part of the book. That said, the audio was not great. The recording was scratchy (I believe this was purposeful to show the times accurately) and I could barely hear some of the speakers as they were very quiet. This made for a very difficult listen and I felt I missed a lot.
This book is based on a horrendous crime and covers the court hearings (in a little less than two hours). I can’t share much without giving it all away but I’ll be honest, if it was not an advanced listener copy I would have DNF’d it as it covered a child being hurt. This was just not my cup of tea.
Readers who enjoy true crime may like this book.
Version: 🎧
Thanks to NetGalley and Trials of Century Audiobooks for the advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own.
This book is based on a horrendous crime and covers the court hearings (in a little less than two hours). I can’t share much without giving it all away but I’ll be honest, if it was not an advanced listener copy I would have DNF’d it as it covered a child being hurt. This was just not my cup of tea.
Readers who enjoy true crime may like this book.
Version: 🎧
Thanks to NetGalley and Trials of Century Audiobooks for the advanced listener copy. All opinions are my own.
March 13, 2026
I received an ARC of the audiobook from the publishers. This was my first time listening to a true crime audio "episode" like this and I really enjoyed it. The full cast made it entertaining and easy to follow. As it was an old case, the use of the scratchy sounding old interviews gave it character, but was sometimes a bit hard to hear. I would have liked to get more details and perspectives, but I guess you can only fit so much in one episode. Will definitely checm out the other episodes!
March 30, 2026
Thanks to Classic Crime Ltd, the author and NetGalley for an LRC in return for an honest review.
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin - a former court reporter at London’s Old Bailey - is the first instalment in a new true crime series from independent publisher Classic Crime Limited. His work also includes major international productions such as Will Smith’s Welcome to Earth (Disney+ / National Geographic) and Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless (Disney+).
The production features a strong ensemble cast, including Oliver Senton (co-founder of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), Anna Devlin (The Nevers), Nathan Osgood (Earphones Award winner for his narration of Bill Bryson’s The Road to Little Dribbling), Mark Holden (actor and former police officer), Max Ferguson (The Bay), Zachary Fall (co-founder of award-winning production company Woven Voices), i>Mitchell Mullen (Toast of London; Catastrophe) and Glenn Wrage, a prolific voice and performance-capture artist.
The Trials of the Century series will be full-cast audiobooks based on landmark court cases. The titles are being made available to NetGalley reviewers as part of a broader effort to introduce the series and position audio as a serious critical format. Alongside this, the publisher is engaging traditional book reviewers, librarians and cultural journalists, with additional targeted promotion to crime and literary publications. Excerpts and contextual material will also be shared via the publisher’s website, newsletter and social media channels.
Classic Crime Limited have said that, as an audio-first publisher, they approach these works as performances; however, in keeping with this ethos, the script - complete with production notes - will also be published at a later date. From 27 March, the Kindle editions of the first two titles in the series will be released alongside their full-cast audiobook counterparts.
Over the course of 2026, ten titles are scheduled for release, featuring cases including Dr Crippen, Patty Hearst, Lizzie Borden and Lindy Chamberlain, as well as the inquest into Mary Jo Kopechne in relation to the Chappaquiddick incident involving Senator Ted Kennedy. Further titles are planned for 2027.
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 film Rope and Donna Tartt’s 1992 bestselling debut The Secret History were both inspired by this real-life case. In 1924, Nathan Leopold (19) and Richard Loeb (18) committed the disturbing murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks - who was, in fact, Loeb’s second cousin. The subsequent trial became one of the most famous of the twentieth century, shaping public debate around criminal psychology.
I appreciated the publisher’s fresh approach to this audio production - being presented as a dramatised account of the trial, written from original court transcripts.
It feels especially fitting that I’m posting this review on World Theatre Day (27 March 2026), given the production’s emphasis on performance.
The clipped tones of a female narrator (journalist Sandra Parsons - The Daily Mail’s Literary Editor) sets the scene; newspaper headlines are read aloud (evoking the spinning front pages of old black-and-white films), dramatic music builds, and the 'Trial of the century' begins.
The audio shifts between modern-day narration and stylised courtroom exchanges, with lawyers and witnesses presenting their arguments while murmurs, reactions, and exclamations from the gallery add to the atmosphere. The sound design is particularly effective - foley elements such as tape recorder buttons and the distinct whirr of reel-to-reel audio enhance the sense of immersion. Subtle differences in microphone quality further suggest changes in setting, from muffled interiors to more echoing spaces.
All in all, this is a highly professional production. The publisher, cast and creative team have succeeded in creating a convincing and engaging courtroom drama. I will be interested to see how the rest of the Trials of the Century series are received over the course of the year.
#TrialsoftheCentury #NetGalley
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin - a former court reporter at London’s Old Bailey - is the first instalment in a new true crime series from independent publisher Classic Crime Limited. His work also includes major international productions such as Will Smith’s Welcome to Earth (Disney+ / National Geographic) and Chris Hemsworth’s Limitless (Disney+).
The production features a strong ensemble cast, including Oliver Senton (co-founder of Olivier Award-winning Showstopper! The Improvised Musical), Anna Devlin (The Nevers), Nathan Osgood (Earphones Award winner for his narration of Bill Bryson’s The Road to Little Dribbling), Mark Holden (actor and former police officer), Max Ferguson (The Bay), Zachary Fall (co-founder of award-winning production company Woven Voices), i>Mitchell Mullen (Toast of London; Catastrophe) and Glenn Wrage, a prolific voice and performance-capture artist.
The Trials of the Century series will be full-cast audiobooks based on landmark court cases. The titles are being made available to NetGalley reviewers as part of a broader effort to introduce the series and position audio as a serious critical format. Alongside this, the publisher is engaging traditional book reviewers, librarians and cultural journalists, with additional targeted promotion to crime and literary publications. Excerpts and contextual material will also be shared via the publisher’s website, newsletter and social media channels.
Classic Crime Limited have said that, as an audio-first publisher, they approach these works as performances; however, in keeping with this ethos, the script - complete with production notes - will also be published at a later date. From 27 March, the Kindle editions of the first two titles in the series will be released alongside their full-cast audiobook counterparts.
Over the course of 2026, ten titles are scheduled for release, featuring cases including Dr Crippen, Patty Hearst, Lizzie Borden and Lindy Chamberlain, as well as the inquest into Mary Jo Kopechne in relation to the Chappaquiddick incident involving Senator Ted Kennedy. Further titles are planned for 2027.
Alfred Hitchcock’s 1948 film Rope and Donna Tartt’s 1992 bestselling debut The Secret History were both inspired by this real-life case. In 1924, Nathan Leopold (19) and Richard Loeb (18) committed the disturbing murder of 14-year-old Bobby Franks - who was, in fact, Loeb’s second cousin. The subsequent trial became one of the most famous of the twentieth century, shaping public debate around criminal psychology.
I appreciated the publisher’s fresh approach to this audio production - being presented as a dramatised account of the trial, written from original court transcripts.
It feels especially fitting that I’m posting this review on World Theatre Day (27 March 2026), given the production’s emphasis on performance.
The clipped tones of a female narrator (journalist Sandra Parsons - The Daily Mail’s Literary Editor) sets the scene; newspaper headlines are read aloud (evoking the spinning front pages of old black-and-white films), dramatic music builds, and the 'Trial of the century' begins.
The audio shifts between modern-day narration and stylised courtroom exchanges, with lawyers and witnesses presenting their arguments while murmurs, reactions, and exclamations from the gallery add to the atmosphere. The sound design is particularly effective - foley elements such as tape recorder buttons and the distinct whirr of reel-to-reel audio enhance the sense of immersion. Subtle differences in microphone quality further suggest changes in setting, from muffled interiors to more echoing spaces.
All in all, this is a highly professional production. The publisher, cast and creative team have succeeded in creating a convincing and engaging courtroom drama. I will be interested to see how the rest of the Trials of the Century series are received over the course of the year.
#TrialsoftheCentury #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
When I saw this new collection of true crime audiobooks, I immediately knew it would be so fun to listen to them. I recently got into true crime and the thing was that I didn’t understand the genre before consuming it myself. I find it a very misunderstood genre in general. I’m genuinely obsessed with the trial side in all these true crime cases and the fact that these audiobooks have the trial as the centre of the story makes them perfect for me. Also, out of the list of cases that will be covered in 2026, I only knew one name and just from hearing others referring to that person. I’ve definitely followed more recent cases so it’s great to have a good source for older cases that I was not aware of. Or I thought I wasn’t aware of them. I might be surprised when I listen to all of them because they’re very influential.
Seeing that this case of Leopold and Loeb inspired “The Secret History” by Donna Tart shocked me. Because whenever I hear about that book I only see the words "historical fiction” and “dark academia” mentioned. And while I can enjoy those genres, they’re not my favourites. But no one told me the actual plot of the book or that it was based on a real story. Knowing that makes me want to read the book now when I wasn’t too interested in it before. Now I want to check everything related to this case: books, movies, …all thanks to this audiobook.
As I said, I wasn’t familiar with this crime but I feel even those who are can enjoy this production. Having a full cast in any audiobook just elevates it so much. It makes following the narration so easy and so engaging too. Narrators are voice actors but they don’t always narrate books while acting them out loud. This audiobook is like a graphic audio. It’s like listening to a TV show without watching it. The production behind it has to be praised and it makes me so excited to listen to the rest of the series because I know the quality will be great.
Honestly, my only complaint would be that the audiobook was short. But that’s because I could have listened to 20 hours of trial transcripts and how the media reported this crime and love every second of it. Obviously, because it’s such a high profile case, I am able to do more research about it now. But yes, it could have been longer and I wouldn’t have complained. But I do understand why making it into a shorter format can be more appealing to a wider audience. It still told all the main details and I feel I understand what happened really well. But there are so many interesting themes that make this case so shocking that so much could be told and explored.
I also find it so smart to make these series now when true crime is so popular. There is a lot of content out there but not all of it is good. So it’s great to have a series of audiobooks like this one to fill a gap in the market. Very much looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series when those audiobooks come out. And I’ll be recommending them to a lot of people who I’ve gotten into true crime podcasts and such because I know they’ll love this as much as I did.
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
Seeing that this case of Leopold and Loeb inspired “The Secret History” by Donna Tart shocked me. Because whenever I hear about that book I only see the words "historical fiction” and “dark academia” mentioned. And while I can enjoy those genres, they’re not my favourites. But no one told me the actual plot of the book or that it was based on a real story. Knowing that makes me want to read the book now when I wasn’t too interested in it before. Now I want to check everything related to this case: books, movies, …all thanks to this audiobook.
As I said, I wasn’t familiar with this crime but I feel even those who are can enjoy this production. Having a full cast in any audiobook just elevates it so much. It makes following the narration so easy and so engaging too. Narrators are voice actors but they don’t always narrate books while acting them out loud. This audiobook is like a graphic audio. It’s like listening to a TV show without watching it. The production behind it has to be praised and it makes me so excited to listen to the rest of the series because I know the quality will be great.
Honestly, my only complaint would be that the audiobook was short. But that’s because I could have listened to 20 hours of trial transcripts and how the media reported this crime and love every second of it. Obviously, because it’s such a high profile case, I am able to do more research about it now. But yes, it could have been longer and I wouldn’t have complained. But I do understand why making it into a shorter format can be more appealing to a wider audience. It still told all the main details and I feel I understand what happened really well. But there are so many interesting themes that make this case so shocking that so much could be told and explored.
I also find it so smart to make these series now when true crime is so popular. There is a lot of content out there but not all of it is good. So it’s great to have a series of audiobooks like this one to fill a gap in the market. Very much looking forward to enjoying the rest of the series when those audiobooks come out. And I’ll be recommending them to a lot of people who I’ve gotten into true crime podcasts and such because I know they’ll love this as much as I did.
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd and NetGalley for providing me with an early copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
March 14, 2026
This audiobook tells the story of The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe (Trials of the Century) . It is the first audiobook in what is planned to be a series of retelling of what are considered to be trials of the century done in a theatrical format with a narrator, live actors to voice the various characters, and music unique to this production. The actors use actual lines from the real trials involved with the narrator filling in between chapters to add pertinent details that help establish the time, setting, background and more. This first book in the series runs 90 minutes in length which made it feel perfect for my time.
Before listening I had never heard of this particular case which occurred in 1924, well before my time, but I had heard of the famed lawyer Clarence Darrow, who served as defense lawyer in the case of Leopold and Loeb. Both young men had pleaded guilty to murder of 14 year old Bobby Frank in order that it would not be left in the hands of a twelve man jury to decide their fate. It would be up to Judge John Caverly to decide whether they would live or die. The actions of the murderers of a young student showed callous disregard for the boy and his family. Did they deserve to live, or was the death penalty the obvious choice?
I think most listeners are likely to have strong feeling one way or the other about the death penalty. I know that I did, but listening to the eloquent arguments on both sides from the two lawyers, Darrow on defense and Robert Crowe as prosecutor made me stop, and think very carefully, and be glad that I was not in the position of making the final judgement call.
Author Ben Devlin did an excellent job of writing the script and choosing what was important to include in this retelling. The narrator, Sandra Parsons, had a very clear British accent which initially surprised me, given it was an American trial, but which I felt was an excellent choice as it made for a clear division between chapters which tended to bring in alternate speakers on each side of the court. I felt all the actors did very well in their roles but my one concern was with volume, particularly at the beginning of the dramatization. I have hearing aids which were definitely helpful for me in capturing some of the audio. I did not have them in when I first started listening but quickly put them on and was able to manage quite well then, even in a section where the speaker was intentionally whispering. This was a 4.5 stars for me and I think would certainly be of interest to those who follow true crime stories and enjoy a dramatic theatrical presentation. I wonder what other criminal cases will follow in the series?
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #ClassicCrimeLtd for allowing me to listen to a copy of the dramatization prior to its release. All opinions are my own.
Before listening I had never heard of this particular case which occurred in 1924, well before my time, but I had heard of the famed lawyer Clarence Darrow, who served as defense lawyer in the case of Leopold and Loeb. Both young men had pleaded guilty to murder of 14 year old Bobby Frank in order that it would not be left in the hands of a twelve man jury to decide their fate. It would be up to Judge John Caverly to decide whether they would live or die. The actions of the murderers of a young student showed callous disregard for the boy and his family. Did they deserve to live, or was the death penalty the obvious choice?
I think most listeners are likely to have strong feeling one way or the other about the death penalty. I know that I did, but listening to the eloquent arguments on both sides from the two lawyers, Darrow on defense and Robert Crowe as prosecutor made me stop, and think very carefully, and be glad that I was not in the position of making the final judgement call.
Author Ben Devlin did an excellent job of writing the script and choosing what was important to include in this retelling. The narrator, Sandra Parsons, had a very clear British accent which initially surprised me, given it was an American trial, but which I felt was an excellent choice as it made for a clear division between chapters which tended to bring in alternate speakers on each side of the court. I felt all the actors did very well in their roles but my one concern was with volume, particularly at the beginning of the dramatization. I have hearing aids which were definitely helpful for me in capturing some of the audio. I did not have them in when I first started listening but quickly put them on and was able to manage quite well then, even in a section where the speaker was intentionally whispering. This was a 4.5 stars for me and I think would certainly be of interest to those who follow true crime stories and enjoy a dramatic theatrical presentation. I wonder what other criminal cases will follow in the series?
Many thanks to #NetGalley and #ClassicCrimeLtd for allowing me to listen to a copy of the dramatization prior to its release. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I don’t normally read true crime, but I was immediately curious about this one because it’s the true story that inspired Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. As soon as I read that, I had to request the ALC.
An extraordinary audio production that completely immersed me in the trial. It’s nothing like any other audiobook I’ve experienced. This is a full-cast production written as a dramatic narrative rather than a conventional narration.
The sound design enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming it, the direction is taut, and the performances are pitch-perfect. Running at 1h31mins, it does feel more like a play than a traditional audiobook. It is fully performed, not simply read, and it incorporates the original courtroom transcripts, which add a powerful sense of authenticity.
In 1924, Leopold and Loeb, two wealthy University of Chicago students, kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in Chicago. Believing themselves intellectually superior, they attempted to commit the “perfect crime.” The trial is steeped in cultural anxiety about homosexuality and shifting ideas about crime and responsibility. I hadn’t realized just how deeply the case has echoed through literature and culture for a century, influencing writers from Patrick Hamilton to Donna Tartt, as well as filmmakers like Hitchcock. Its enduring fascination lies not only in what happened, but in the unsettling questions it continues to raise.
The cast includes stage actors with backgrounds at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other leading theatre companies, and the quality shows. The production brings language, character, and voice vividly to the foreground.
The publisher promises “an intimate listening experience, designed to draw the listener in gradually, with the narrative momentum and psychological pull of a classic thriller,” and it absolutely delivers. I was completely wowed. I genuinely felt as though I were sitting in that courtroom.
This is Book 1 in the Trials of the Century series, releasing March 13, 2026. I understand this will be an ongoing series exploring landmark court cases and their cultural afterlives, with monthly releases throughout the year, which now has me very intrigued.
I loved The Secret History, and I can clearly see how this trial might have inspired Donna Tartt. Now I need to go and reread it.
Huge thanks to Classic Crime Ltd | Trials of the Century Audiobooks and NetGalley for the ALC. #pudseyrecommends
An extraordinary audio production that completely immersed me in the trial. It’s nothing like any other audiobook I’ve experienced. This is a full-cast production written as a dramatic narrative rather than a conventional narration.
The sound design enhances the atmosphere without overwhelming it, the direction is taut, and the performances are pitch-perfect. Running at 1h31mins, it does feel more like a play than a traditional audiobook. It is fully performed, not simply read, and it incorporates the original courtroom transcripts, which add a powerful sense of authenticity.
In 1924, Leopold and Loeb, two wealthy University of Chicago students, kidnapped and murdered 14-year-old Bobby Franks in Chicago. Believing themselves intellectually superior, they attempted to commit the “perfect crime.” The trial is steeped in cultural anxiety about homosexuality and shifting ideas about crime and responsibility. I hadn’t realized just how deeply the case has echoed through literature and culture for a century, influencing writers from Patrick Hamilton to Donna Tartt, as well as filmmakers like Hitchcock. Its enduring fascination lies not only in what happened, but in the unsettling questions it continues to raise.
The cast includes stage actors with backgrounds at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other leading theatre companies, and the quality shows. The production brings language, character, and voice vividly to the foreground.
The publisher promises “an intimate listening experience, designed to draw the listener in gradually, with the narrative momentum and psychological pull of a classic thriller,” and it absolutely delivers. I was completely wowed. I genuinely felt as though I were sitting in that courtroom.
This is Book 1 in the Trials of the Century series, releasing March 13, 2026. I understand this will be an ongoing series exploring landmark court cases and their cultural afterlives, with monthly releases throughout the year, which now has me very intrigued.
I loved The Secret History, and I can clearly see how this trial might have inspired Donna Tartt. Now I need to go and reread it.
Huge thanks to Classic Crime Ltd | Trials of the Century Audiobooks and NetGalley for the ALC. #pudseyrecommends
February 28, 2026
Audiobook Review: Dickie and Babe by Ben Devlin
I came to this one sideways. I was midway through The Secret History when I learned that Donna Tartt drew on the Leopold and Loeb case as part of the novel’s cultural DNA. That felt like reason enough to take a detour. Dickie and Babe is less audiobook than audio drama, and the distinction matters. A full cast voices Nathan Leopold, Richard Loeb, Clarence Darrow, journalists, and courtroom observers, layered over sound design that evokes period radio broadcasts: ambient murmurs, audience gasps, and the faint crackle of vintage recording. It is immersive in a way straight narration rarely is and transforms what could have been a dutiful true-crime recap into something closer to a staged hearing. You are not being told about the trial. You are sitting in the room.
That theatrical framing is the production’s sharpest interpretive choice. Leopold and Loeb were performers, young men convinced of their own intellectual superiority who aestheticized murder into a kind of art project. Rendering their story through performance rather than exposition lets that self-mythology breathe. Dialogue and vocal tone do the analytical work a narrator might otherwise spell out too neatly.
The tradeoff is depth. At this length (~1hr 30min), Dickie and Babe delivers atmosphere and momentum rather than rigorous context. Darrow’s legal strategy and the era’s broader intellectual currents, Nietzsche filtered through university drawing rooms, and early debates about criminal culpability appear in strokes. Listeners wanting a thorough examination of the case will need to look elsewhere.
As an entry point or as a companion to Tartt’s novel, it is remarkably effective. The Secret History circles the same obsessions: insulated privilege, intellectual vanity, transgression aestheticized until it becomes seductive. Hearing Leopold and Loeb rendered in their own voices, performing their mythology for a captivated public, gives those themes a different weight. The production is compact, confident, and lingers.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance listening copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
I came to this one sideways. I was midway through The Secret History when I learned that Donna Tartt drew on the Leopold and Loeb case as part of the novel’s cultural DNA. That felt like reason enough to take a detour. Dickie and Babe is less audiobook than audio drama, and the distinction matters. A full cast voices Nathan Leopold, Richard Loeb, Clarence Darrow, journalists, and courtroom observers, layered over sound design that evokes period radio broadcasts: ambient murmurs, audience gasps, and the faint crackle of vintage recording. It is immersive in a way straight narration rarely is and transforms what could have been a dutiful true-crime recap into something closer to a staged hearing. You are not being told about the trial. You are sitting in the room.
That theatrical framing is the production’s sharpest interpretive choice. Leopold and Loeb were performers, young men convinced of their own intellectual superiority who aestheticized murder into a kind of art project. Rendering their story through performance rather than exposition lets that self-mythology breathe. Dialogue and vocal tone do the analytical work a narrator might otherwise spell out too neatly.
The tradeoff is depth. At this length (~1hr 30min), Dickie and Babe delivers atmosphere and momentum rather than rigorous context. Darrow’s legal strategy and the era’s broader intellectual currents, Nietzsche filtered through university drawing rooms, and early debates about criminal culpability appear in strokes. Listeners wanting a thorough examination of the case will need to look elsewhere.
As an entry point or as a companion to Tartt’s novel, it is remarkably effective. The Secret History circles the same obsessions: insulated privilege, intellectual vanity, transgression aestheticized until it becomes seductive. Hearing Leopold and Loeb rendered in their own voices, performing their mythology for a captivated public, gives those themes a different weight. The production is compact, confident, and lingers.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance listening copy. This is my honest and voluntary review.
March 1, 2026
This was my first true crime book (I think). Am I a true crime girlie now?? I mean I have watched almost 30 years of Law and Order so 🤷♀️
What drew me to this one, and requesting it on NetGalley (first time with them too), was that they mentioned that Secret History based some characters off Leopold and Loeb. I can see now who that is and geez Donna Tart did well with that.
Also, how did I spend the first twenty years of my life growing up in Chicago and not know about this case? These two studied at University of Chicago and moved around the Hyde Park area. One of the boys father’s worked as Vice President for the Sears department store. How did this not tarnish Sears’s reputation??
So both Leopold and Loeb were incredibly smart young boys. They finished high school early, knew a bunch of languages and one or both of them was due to attend Harvard. That coupled with the fact that they were also both rich, made them think “hmmm 🤔 you know what would be fun? Murder.” They then planned a murder for months and the various ways they’d get away with the crime and once they decided to do it, all they’d have to do is pick someone. This is when poor Bobby comes into the picture. He was 14 and someone who unfortunately lived near them. They coaxed him into their car and murdered him and then disposed of the body and also used acid to hide any distinguishing features.
The trial was called the ‘trial of the century’ and they pled guilty to start with. Then their lawyer tried to paint them as insane and even mentioned that they were homosexuals (because that was insane back then). However, they were romantically involved although it sounded a little repressed on side of things.
Both of were jailed for 99 years but one was stabbed to death in prison. The other got out and married a woman but continued to have affairs with men.
RIP Bobby. All because some rich entitled guys wanted to feel what it was like to be a murderer. If that ain’t a reflection of today’s current society, I don’t know what is.
What drew me to this one, and requesting it on NetGalley (first time with them too), was that they mentioned that Secret History based some characters off Leopold and Loeb. I can see now who that is and geez Donna Tart did well with that.
Also, how did I spend the first twenty years of my life growing up in Chicago and not know about this case? These two studied at University of Chicago and moved around the Hyde Park area. One of the boys father’s worked as Vice President for the Sears department store. How did this not tarnish Sears’s reputation??
So both Leopold and Loeb were incredibly smart young boys. They finished high school early, knew a bunch of languages and one or both of them was due to attend Harvard. That coupled with the fact that they were also both rich, made them think “hmmm 🤔 you know what would be fun? Murder.” They then planned a murder for months and the various ways they’d get away with the crime and once they decided to do it, all they’d have to do is pick someone. This is when poor Bobby comes into the picture. He was 14 and someone who unfortunately lived near them. They coaxed him into their car and murdered him and then disposed of the body and also used acid to hide any distinguishing features.
The trial was called the ‘trial of the century’ and they pled guilty to start with. Then their lawyer tried to paint them as insane and even mentioned that they were homosexuals (because that was insane back then). However, they were romantically involved although it sounded a little repressed on side of things.
Both of were jailed for 99 years but one was stabbed to death in prison. The other got out and married a woman but continued to have affairs with men.
RIP Bobby. All because some rich entitled guys wanted to feel what it was like to be a murderer. If that ain’t a reflection of today’s current society, I don’t know what is.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
4.5 rounded up
Thanks to NetGalley and Crime Classic Ltd for providing an ALC of The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin, narrated by a full cast.
I consider myself a true crime junkie, but not a historian, and maybe that is why I was unfamiliar with this case. I am so glad I was given an opportunity to listen to this ALC and learn about the case that inspired Donna Tartt’s Secret History and many other authors and filmmakers. Not only was this case incredibly well researched, but the ALC was done with all the theatrics and movie magic that will leave you wishing there were more cases to listen to NOW.
With that said, this was not perfect; it was too authentic… let me explain. The “recorded” police interviews with the suspects at the very beginning of the ALC were incredibly difficult to hear and understand. While I respect the production value and the effort to make it sound authentic, it just made it nearly impossible to hear/understand what they were saying. Another problem I found with the ALC being too authentic was the trial itself. The attorneys were loud and clear as if they were wearing the recording device on their lapel, which meant that when the individuals on the stand, they sounded as if they were off in the distance. Again, this is incredibly authentic as it would sound like that in a courtroom, but for listening enjoyment, I found it frustrating. I would have to increase the volume to hear the testimony and then either turn the volume back down for the attorneys or have my eardrums blown out. I just wish they had tweaked it so the distant sound was still there, but the volume was more even.
I would highly recommend this audiobook and will personally be listening to every true crime trial or story Crime Classic Ltd puts out into the world.
Thanks to NetGalley and Crime Classic Ltd for providing an ALC of The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin, narrated by a full cast.
I consider myself a true crime junkie, but not a historian, and maybe that is why I was unfamiliar with this case. I am so glad I was given an opportunity to listen to this ALC and learn about the case that inspired Donna Tartt’s Secret History and many other authors and filmmakers. Not only was this case incredibly well researched, but the ALC was done with all the theatrics and movie magic that will leave you wishing there were more cases to listen to NOW.
With that said, this was not perfect; it was too authentic… let me explain. The “recorded” police interviews with the suspects at the very beginning of the ALC were incredibly difficult to hear and understand. While I respect the production value and the effort to make it sound authentic, it just made it nearly impossible to hear/understand what they were saying. Another problem I found with the ALC being too authentic was the trial itself. The attorneys were loud and clear as if they were wearing the recording device on their lapel, which meant that when the individuals on the stand, they sounded as if they were off in the distance. Again, this is incredibly authentic as it would sound like that in a courtroom, but for listening enjoyment, I found it frustrating. I would have to increase the volume to hear the testimony and then either turn the volume back down for the attorneys or have my eardrums blown out. I just wish they had tweaked it so the distant sound was still there, but the volume was more even.
I would highly recommend this audiobook and will personally be listening to every true crime trial or story Crime Classic Ltd puts out into the world.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie & Babe. In the tradition of popular radio dramas popular in the U.S. in the 1920-1940s (and still produced in the UK and elsewhere), it is written as a narrative drama and is performed by stage actors, but it provides aspects of a true crime podcast experience or the reading of a thriller novel as well.
The murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in 1924 is a famous, harrowing case often referred as "the crime of the century" and the resulting trial left a mark all its own. Clarence Darrow gave an eight-hour summation in his defense of the pair, arguing passionately against the death penalty. This plus the shocking details of the crime created a media spectacle.
This audiobook production focuses on the trial, with reenactments of key portions, but these scenes are tied together with narration that highlights the legal, social, and psychological questions brought about by the crime. In this way listening was like listening to a good true crime podcast (which I do often). The excellent, expressive performances of the actors and the engaging narration provide a literary feel, making the experience rather like listening to a thriller novel audiobook at the same time.
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb is the first in the planned Trials of the Century audiobook series and I will look forward to listening to the others. Perfect for true crime fans and thriller or mystery readers - I highly recommend. These would make an excellent introduction to the cases for anyone new to the genre or the study of crime as well, with a short listening time (at least for this first book).
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early and help spread the word!
The murder of Bobby Franks by Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb in 1924 is a famous, harrowing case often referred as "the crime of the century" and the resulting trial left a mark all its own. Clarence Darrow gave an eight-hour summation in his defense of the pair, arguing passionately against the death penalty. This plus the shocking details of the crime created a media spectacle.
This audiobook production focuses on the trial, with reenactments of key portions, but these scenes are tied together with narration that highlights the legal, social, and psychological questions brought about by the crime. In this way listening was like listening to a good true crime podcast (which I do often). The excellent, expressive performances of the actors and the engaging narration provide a literary feel, making the experience rather like listening to a thriller novel audiobook at the same time.
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb is the first in the planned Trials of the Century audiobook series and I will look forward to listening to the others. Perfect for true crime fans and thriller or mystery readers - I highly recommend. These would make an excellent introduction to the cases for anyone new to the genre or the study of crime as well, with a short listening time (at least for this first book).
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen early and help spread the word!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb is a well produced audio drama, styled like a radio play. There is a small amount of explanation and summary at the beginning and/or end of each chapter, but as indicated in the title, a dramatization of the 1924 Leopold-Loeb hearing itself takes up most of this runtime. It essentially functions as a courtroom drama, and the ways that the state and defense clashed. For instance, no time is given to explaining the investigation of the crime, or the dozens of witnesses who spoke about that aspect of the case, but much time is spent on the lawyer's opening and closing arguments, as well as the disagreements about whether the defense psychiatrists should be allowed to testify. Many questions about the culpability and personality of the murderers are raised and discussed, and the audience is left to come to their own conclusions.
The voice actors do their jobs well, and there are well used sound effects and murmurs from the courtroom crowd throughout to add to the sense of drama. As a short audio drama, this piece would be well suited to someone who has some interest in this specific case or in legal cases/courtroom dramas generally.
As someone who has researched this case I really loved that when discussing newspaper articles as sources, they were well cited. I've never heard that before in an audio work and was very excited to hear it done here. I did notice a few inaccuracies, though on the whole this was taken from the case transcripts and newspaper reports, and is a very accurate, though obviously truncated and summarized, recounting.
The voice actors do their jobs well, and there are well used sound effects and murmurs from the courtroom crowd throughout to add to the sense of drama. As a short audio drama, this piece would be well suited to someone who has some interest in this specific case or in legal cases/courtroom dramas generally.
As someone who has researched this case I really loved that when discussing newspaper articles as sources, they were well cited. I've never heard that before in an audio work and was very excited to hear it done here. I did notice a few inaccuracies, though on the whole this was taken from the case transcripts and newspaper reports, and is a very accurate, though obviously truncated and summarized, recounting.
February 28, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed this dark and chilling tale, which shines a spotlight on the sense of entitlement and absolute disdain that drove Dickie and Babe. Completely lacking in empathy and emotion, these two make your blood run cold.
Written as a dramatic narrative with actual court transcripts, and performed by a full cast of stage actors (including performers with experience at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other leading theatre companies), the production places language and character firmly at its centre. The result is an intimate, slow-building listening experience, unfolding with the tension and psychological grip of a classic thriller.
It is set in the charged social and intellectual atmosphere of 1920s Chicago, drawing listeners into a world shaped by the rise of modern psychology, a deep cultural unease around homosexuality, and evolving ideas about crime and moral responsibility. (If any of this sounds vaguely familiar, it's because this is the true story that inspired Donna Tartt's The Secret History, a favourite of mine).
While the act itself is unspeakable and in many ways unfathomable, there is a certain curiosity and fascination in specimens such as these two. Privileged, intelligent, wealthy, and attractive young men, they had it all. And yet they threw it away to satisfy a curiosity that to all intents and purposes is abnormal. And yet, I wonder... Does darkness lurk in all of us, some merely masking it better than others? Dunno, but either way, give it a listen. It's an eye-opener.
Written as a dramatic narrative with actual court transcripts, and performed by a full cast of stage actors (including performers with experience at the Royal Shakespeare Company and other leading theatre companies), the production places language and character firmly at its centre. The result is an intimate, slow-building listening experience, unfolding with the tension and psychological grip of a classic thriller.
It is set in the charged social and intellectual atmosphere of 1920s Chicago, drawing listeners into a world shaped by the rise of modern psychology, a deep cultural unease around homosexuality, and evolving ideas about crime and moral responsibility. (If any of this sounds vaguely familiar, it's because this is the true story that inspired Donna Tartt's The Secret History, a favourite of mine).
While the act itself is unspeakable and in many ways unfathomable, there is a certain curiosity and fascination in specimens such as these two. Privileged, intelligent, wealthy, and attractive young men, they had it all. And yet they threw it away to satisfy a curiosity that to all intents and purposes is abnormal. And yet, I wonder... Does darkness lurk in all of us, some merely masking it better than others? Dunno, but either way, give it a listen. It's an eye-opener.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Whilst I absolutely love the whole idea of a good true crime read - I somehow never pick up a physical book nor do I gravitate towards podcasts (of any kind really) - so I actually loved getting to read this new release in audio form.
This was a particularly harrowing case due to the fact it was dealing with a child victim and also because it was a pretty cut and dry investigation due to all evidence (including confessions) pointing to Dickie and Loeb.
But here we see the evidence dissected to determine whether the judge should sentence the death penalty or a prison stay.
I thought this was really well presented and I liked that the chapters were split up into sections to make this easy to pause and come back to (if needed) - although I did just listen to this in one sitting due to it's length of just over and hour and a half.
The narrators and cast were brilliant at recreating the authentic era of the case and I honestly felt as though I was there in the courtroom with them all.
Very well done and made for an engaging read.
This was the first book in the Trials Of The Century series and I believe that there are a number of audio releases due throughout the year.
I'm really excited to continue the series and think these would make the perfect audio books to digest over lunchtime or, like I did with this one, to make the housework a much more enjoyable task!
This was a particularly harrowing case due to the fact it was dealing with a child victim and also because it was a pretty cut and dry investigation due to all evidence (including confessions) pointing to Dickie and Loeb.
But here we see the evidence dissected to determine whether the judge should sentence the death penalty or a prison stay.
I thought this was really well presented and I liked that the chapters were split up into sections to make this easy to pause and come back to (if needed) - although I did just listen to this in one sitting due to it's length of just over and hour and a half.
The narrators and cast were brilliant at recreating the authentic era of the case and I honestly felt as though I was there in the courtroom with them all.
Very well done and made for an engaging read.
This was the first book in the Trials Of The Century series and I believe that there are a number of audio releases due throughout the year.
I'm really excited to continue the series and think these would make the perfect audio books to digest over lunchtime or, like I did with this one, to make the housework a much more enjoyable task!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
I listened to the audio book and it was fantastic, really felt like an audio drama with different people voicing the different characters. They were all really good, it really felt as if they were trying to act the characters rather than merely speaking the words aloud, there was passion, anger - and of course, the complete lack. They were very compelling.
It was great at getting into the court room, and this felt more like a battle between the two lawyers than anything else, these two great personalities in 1920's Chicago. It was really good at giving a flavour of the era, of the world post WW1 and even briefly touched on the battle about capital punishment.
I just wish there had been more about the crime itself, we heard from some expert witnesses and then the summing up from both sides, but very little about the crime, its background and everything leading up to and after that moment. I know part of that is because they pled guilty and so there wasn't a need during the trial to delve too deeply into what happened, but it feels like in this book, that kind of background would have been very helpful. This is a case that inspired so much fiction, plays, films, books, and we barely scratched the surface of both what came before and how Leopold and Loeb dealt with life after.
A good way to spent 90 or so minutes, entertaining but could do with some more depth.
~Thank you to NetGalley to the ARC in return for an honest review~
It was great at getting into the court room, and this felt more like a battle between the two lawyers than anything else, these two great personalities in 1920's Chicago. It was really good at giving a flavour of the era, of the world post WW1 and even briefly touched on the battle about capital punishment.
I just wish there had been more about the crime itself, we heard from some expert witnesses and then the summing up from both sides, but very little about the crime, its background and everything leading up to and after that moment. I know part of that is because they pled guilty and so there wasn't a need during the trial to delve too deeply into what happened, but it feels like in this book, that kind of background would have been very helpful. This is a case that inspired so much fiction, plays, films, books, and we barely scratched the surface of both what came before and how Leopold and Loeb dealt with life after.
A good way to spent 90 or so minutes, entertaining but could do with some more depth.
~Thank you to NetGalley to the ARC in return for an honest review~
March 27, 2026
True Crime is all over the place and usually it is a matter of good editing of existing clips with a V/O, same old same old, rinse and repeat. However, this, this hits different in so many ways and I am here for it.
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb places the listener on the scene, in the courtroom, as an observer as events transpire. The structure of the audiobook is simple, efficient and so very effective in putting the main focus on the trial while providing the listener with the perfect amount of information so that they know exactly what they are listening to and what to listen out for
Special props to the narrators and audio technicians for this production as not only did they act the parts perfectly, but the references and information segments were engaging and non-invasive, adding to the flow without impeding it, everything I look for in an audiobook
As the trial progresses, the tension builds and it took me along with it. The focus on the defense wishing to use psychological evaluation was particularly powerful given the social climate of the time and the motivation behind the murders
This was an exceptional production and I look forward to listening to the next one in the series (Dr Crippen)
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Ben Devlin and Classic Crime Ltd | Trials of the Century Audiobooks for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb places the listener on the scene, in the courtroom, as an observer as events transpire. The structure of the audiobook is simple, efficient and so very effective in putting the main focus on the trial while providing the listener with the perfect amount of information so that they know exactly what they are listening to and what to listen out for
Special props to the narrators and audio technicians for this production as not only did they act the parts perfectly, but the references and information segments were engaging and non-invasive, adding to the flow without impeding it, everything I look for in an audiobook
As the trial progresses, the tension builds and it took me along with it. The focus on the defense wishing to use psychological evaluation was particularly powerful given the social climate of the time and the motivation behind the murders
This was an exceptional production and I look forward to listening to the next one in the series (Dr Crippen)
Thank you to Netgalley, the author Ben Devlin and Classic Crime Ltd | Trials of the Century Audiobooks for this ARC. My review is left voluntarily and all opinions are my own
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This is based on the audiobook version of The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin clearly explains one of the most infamous murder trials in American history. It focuses on Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb, two wealthy young men who believed they could commit the “perfect crime” after kidnapping and killing a teenage boy. The audiobook walks you through what they did, how they were caught, and how the case shocked the public at the time.
The storyline is easy to follow and well structured, breaking down the crime, the investigation, and the courtroom drama without feeling overwhelming. It also spends time explaining the psychology behind the two men and the legal arguments used in court, especially around punishment and responsibility. Even if you’re not familiar with the case, the audiobook makes it clear what’s happening and why it mattered.
As an audiobook, the narration is steady and engaging, making serious subject matter feel accessible rather than dry. It feels like a strong introduction to landmark trials, and it definitely leaves you curious. Overall, it’s a compelling listen and a great start to the Trials of the Century, and it makes me genuinely look forward to listening to the rest of the series.
The storyline is easy to follow and well structured, breaking down the crime, the investigation, and the courtroom drama without feeling overwhelming. It also spends time explaining the psychology behind the two men and the legal arguments used in court, especially around punishment and responsibility. Even if you’re not familiar with the case, the audiobook makes it clear what’s happening and why it mattered.
As an audiobook, the narration is steady and engaging, making serious subject matter feel accessible rather than dry. It feels like a strong introduction to landmark trials, and it definitely leaves you curious. Overall, it’s a compelling listen and a great start to the Trials of the Century, and it makes me genuinely look forward to listening to the rest of the series.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin.
Not your normal narration of a story, but an innovative and immersive way of listening to a story.
This book is the first in the Trials of the Century series where a cast of stage and screen actors bring the story to life, complete with background sounds and effects, using the original court records.
Set in Chicago in 1924 it follows the sensational trial of two wealthy students, Dickie and Loeb, who kidnapped and murdered 14 year old Bobby Franks for the thrill of committing the 'perfect crime'. Many books and movies were said to be inspired by what happened here. Google to find all the titles.
Ben Devlin is the writer and director of this story (one of the many things he has done is being part of the original team that shaped the Graham Norton show when it first launched as well as being a former court reporter at London's Old Bailey).
Thank you to Ben @trialsofthecentury, and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this book. It will be released on 13 March 2026.
#TrialsOfTheCentury #NetGalley #booktrovert #lovereading
Not your normal narration of a story, but an innovative and immersive way of listening to a story.
This book is the first in the Trials of the Century series where a cast of stage and screen actors bring the story to life, complete with background sounds and effects, using the original court records.
Set in Chicago in 1924 it follows the sensational trial of two wealthy students, Dickie and Loeb, who kidnapped and murdered 14 year old Bobby Franks for the thrill of committing the 'perfect crime'. Many books and movies were said to be inspired by what happened here. Google to find all the titles.
Ben Devlin is the writer and director of this story (one of the many things he has done is being part of the original team that shaped the Graham Norton show when it first launched as well as being a former court reporter at London's Old Bailey).
Thank you to Ben @trialsofthecentury, and @netgalley for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this book. It will be released on 13 March 2026.
#TrialsOfTheCentury #NetGalley #booktrovert #lovereading
March 11, 2026
The Trial of Leopold & Loeb: Dickie & Babe by Ben Devlin is the first book in the Trials of the Century Series, and I’m officially hooked on this series!
Even though this is technically the first book, it’s actually the second one I’ve listened to, and now I definitely want to go through the entire series. What really makes these audiobooks stand out is the full dramatization and full cast performance of the real court transcripts. Listening to the arguments unfold feels like sitting in the courtroom during the historic Leopold and Loeb Trial.
Before listening, I knew almost nothing about this case, so it was fascinating to experience the proceedings through the actual words spoken during the trial. The production highlights the art of oral arguments in the courtroom, showing just how powerful rhetoric, persuasion, and legal strategy can be.
The format makes the story incredibly engaging. Instead of a traditional narration, the dramatized transcript brings the legal battle to life and makes the historical case feel immediate and compelling. If you enjoy true crime, courtroom history, or immersive audiobooks, this series is definitely worth checking out.
Even though this is technically the first book, it’s actually the second one I’ve listened to, and now I definitely want to go through the entire series. What really makes these audiobooks stand out is the full dramatization and full cast performance of the real court transcripts. Listening to the arguments unfold feels like sitting in the courtroom during the historic Leopold and Loeb Trial.
Before listening, I knew almost nothing about this case, so it was fascinating to experience the proceedings through the actual words spoken during the trial. The production highlights the art of oral arguments in the courtroom, showing just how powerful rhetoric, persuasion, and legal strategy can be.
The format makes the story incredibly engaging. Instead of a traditional narration, the dramatized transcript brings the legal battle to life and makes the historical case feel immediate and compelling. If you enjoy true crime, courtroom history, or immersive audiobooks, this series is definitely worth checking out.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This high quality realistic audio brought this interesting trial to life in a very realistic way by re-acting the trial using a variety of voices. Having read a previous book about this case I was hooked from the get go. I found you had to concentrate as the audio was too realistic in places as it gave the impression you were in court. This was a very quick listen and although I had previous knowledge of this case this is a good way for anyone to learn about it and bring it to life without too much emphasis on the theories behind what they did etc. It is a solid quick listen that would appeal to all true crime buffs who may be looking for something different . This is a great approach that really works with this particular case I could see this working as a series of different cases or different aspects of this case. The only thing that could be off putting is the sound as i say too realistic but otherwise a solid 4 star listen. Thanks to netgallery, publisher, author and narrator and cast members. Looking forward to more .
February 20, 2026
The Trial of Leopold and Loeb: Dickie and Babe is a stellar piece of audio theatre that drops you straight into 1920s Chicago. At just over an hour and a half, it’s a compact listen, but the production makes every minute count. It's fascinating to visit this case in such an immersive format, without being overwhelmed.The sound design is superb, and the cast delivers convincing, lived‑in performances that bring the infamous case to life.
The dramatisation highlights key moments of the trial with real tension, and I found the closing arguments especially riveting. The outcome felt genuinely unpredictable, shaped by the sharp, conflicting points raised on both sides.
This case has inspired Hitchcock and even Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, which I now feel compelled to pick up. I understand this is Book 1 in a new series of landmark cases from Classic Crime Ltd and Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and it’s a strong start.
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the ALC. Releases 13 March 2026.
The dramatisation highlights key moments of the trial with real tension, and I found the closing arguments especially riveting. The outcome felt genuinely unpredictable, shaped by the sharp, conflicting points raised on both sides.
This case has inspired Hitchcock and even Donna Tartt’s The Secret History, which I now feel compelled to pick up. I understand this is Book 1 in a new series of landmark cases from Classic Crime Ltd and Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and it’s a strong start.
Thank you to Classic Crime Ltd, Trials of the Century Audiobooks, and NetGalley for the ALC. Releases 13 March 2026.
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