Today is bittersweet. The hit podcast Serial comes to a close today. While we're all eager to see how host Sarah Koenig wraps up the 15-year-old mystery of Maryland high school senior Hae Min Lee's death and her ex-boyfriend Adnan Syed's conviction for the murder, we can't help but feel sad that the podcast that has captivated us for weeks is now all over.

But if you live in this society, you know that Americans have an insatiable appetite for true crime stories like this. From movies to TV shows to books, the dastardly deeds of other individuals have fascinated us for decades.

What that means is now that Serial is over, you have time to explore a bounty of stories that are mysterious, suspenseful and unbelievably true. Here's what you need to watch, read and listen to next.

Documentaries

The Witmans (2013)

In Episode 10 of Serial titled "The Best Defense is a Good Defense," Koenig introduces us to Ron and Sue Witman, a married couple whose son Zachary was convicted of murdering his younger brother more than 15 years ago, and who Adnan's lawyer, Cristina Gutierrez, also defended. Filmmaker Joe Lee made a 15-minute documentary about the couple, and you can view it for free on Vimeo now. This haunting short follows the Witmans as they visit Zachary in prison and remain a family through all of the tragedy.

The Staircase (2004)

In 2001, Kathleen, the wife of novelist Michael Peterson, was found dead at the bottom of a staircase in the couple's Durhamn, N.C. home. It wasn't long before Peterson was arrested for her murder, and shocking revelations about the seemingly happy couple came out.This riveting docuseries chronicles how the case unfolded, from the days after Kathleen's death to the judge's verdict.

The Thin Blue Line (1988)

Errol Morris' acclaimed 1988 documentary is similar to Serial in that it re-examines the arrest, conviction and death sentence of Randall Adams for the death of Dallas police officer Robert Wood in 1976. Though this documentary uses re-enactments and interviews to tell the story, it's presented in a way that's unlike anything you've seen before.

Capturing the Friedmans (2003)

In 1988, father and son Arnold and Jesse Friedman were arrested and convicted of multiple counts of child sexual abuse. This documentary follows the high-profile descent of this seemingly normal suburban family and makes you question the nature of truth itself.

Books

The Journalist and the Murderer by Janet Malcolm (1990)

Malcolm investigates the conviction of Jeffrey MacDonald for the murder of his pregnant wife and two young daughters in this book published in 1990, a case that has inspired a few books to question the verdict. But more importantly and perhaps even more relevant for Serial fans is that The Journalist and the Murderer is also an investigation into the ethics of journalism, especially the relationship between journalist and subject.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1965)

In Cold Blood is not only one of the most iconic true crime books ever written, but it is also just one of the best pieces of writing. The book follows the investigation and murder trial for the deaths of four members of the Clutter family in 1959. Although the book's legitimacy has come into question over the years, it is nonetheless a thrilling read.

The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer (1979)

One of Norman Mailer's most famous books tells the story of Gary Gilmore, who after being tried and convicted for murder, wanted to die for his crimes. In addition to being a captivating story, The Executioner's Song also won the 1980 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule (1986)

Before Ann Rule was the best-selling true crime author she's known as today, she worked at a crisis hotline. While working there, it slowly dawned on her that her co-worker was none other than prolific serial killer Ted Bundy. This book is an eerie examination into how much you really know the people you think you know.

Podcasts

This American Life, "Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde" (April 12, 2013)

Once upon a time, Koenig was a producer on This American Life, the parent public radio show to Serial. One of the stories she reported on that is most similar to her work on Serial is the April 12, 2013 episode titled "Dr. Gilmer and Mr. Hyde." In the episode, Koenig investigates the strange story of Dr. Benjamin Gilmer who replaced another Dr. Gilmer after he left the rural clinic to go to prison for the murder of his father. In a similar fashion to Serial, Koenig reinvestigates the crime and all of its twists and turns.

Radiolab, "Outside Westgate" (Nov. 29, 2014)

This recent episode from Radiolab examines what the people inside the Westgate Mall in Nairobi, Kenya saw during the 2013 terrorist attacks and compares that to the official account of the day. The episode is a mind-boggling journey into the effect trauma and tragedy has on memory.

Criminal, "Animal Instincts" (Jan. 31, 2014)

True to its name, Criminal is a podcast all about "Stories of people who've done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle." Its first episode "Animal Instincts" explores the conviction of a husband for the 2001 death of his wife and presents an interesting take on man vs. beast.

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