Cold Tapes, an innovative podcast murder mystery from content studio Free Turn, is drawing to a close. With the penultimate episode released today, listeners now have just over six weeks to crack the case for the chance to win £10,000.
Explaining the concept, Free Turn says Cold Tapes combines the twists and turns of a real-life murder investigation with the enjoyment of a murder mystery game. It breaks traditional podcast formats by presenting a cache of seemingly unedited or raw audio files, creating a world for the listener to immerse themselves in, challenging them to piece together the clues they hear to solve the crime at the heart of the story.
The story is set against the backdrop of Antarctica’s six-month Winter Over, which is marked by perpetual darkness and isolation. It delves into the intertwined lives and claustrophobic relationships of a small group of international scientists and crew stationed on a remote research base, Bowers Wilson. In addition to the pressure posed by the extreme conditions, the research station crackles with sexual tension, unexplained mysterious psychotic events, hidden criminal pasts, and strange global conspiracy theories. Wannabe detectives are then propelled into a gripping narrative surrounding the death of 33-year-old behavioural scientist Andrew Fairfield.
Listeners join the diligent and obsessive DCI Tessa McCallister, as she works through the night and against the clock to spearhead the subsequent police investigation from the UK and achieve the seemingly impossible task of solving a murder from over 9,000 miles away. To crack the case, budding detectives need a keen attention to detail and acute listening skills as well as a curious and analytical mind, as they explore hours of meticulously crafted audio content, featuring the victim’s audio diaries, secret recordings, police interviews and other compelling evidence.
Those who correctly identify the culprit can enter a competition to be in with a chance of winning the title of British Super Sleuth 2025, which will be awarded at Crime Con 2025, as well as a £10,000 cash prize. The competition to solve the case closes at 11pm on Friday 21st, February 2025. For £5, listeners can binge the series ad-free, as well as access exclusive additional content and a ticket to enter the competition.
Sian Williams (pictured), a producer at Free Turn and the show’s director said: “For anyone who loves nothing more than a new binge-able true-crime podcast, and fancies their chance at solving a complex and intriguing crime, Cold Tapes is for them. We’ve brought the authenticity of a real life police investigation together with the unique experience of an Antarctic research base to create something totally addictive.”
Gemma Batterby, COO and founder of Free Turn added: “This is more than a podcast; it’s a cerebral challenge and an intricate puzzle, an opportunity for listeners to showcase their analytical prowess and potentially emerge as the sharpest amateur detective, claiming both bragging rights and a substantial cash prize.”
Cold Tapes is made up of 83 audio files. For the best insight into the show, listeners are advised to consume them in the order they are numbered, starting with FILE 001 Operation Antelope. After the competition closes, the final reveal episode will drop on February 25, and the winner will be announced on February 28. All files are now free to listen to wherever you get your podcasts and ad-free on Wondery+.
