Twenty-five years on from the deadliest terror attack in history, BBC investigative journalist Jane McMullen asks why thousands of grieving families are still fighting for answers.
In early 2000, two young Saudis arrived in San Diego. They had never been to America, spoke almost no English, and had no idea how to open a bank account or rent a flat. Within weeks they had done all of it. Twenty months later they hijacked a plane and crashed it into the Pentagon.
McMullen investigates the hidden story of a man who helped two of the hijackers - and reveals a story that the US and Saudi governments have fought to keep secret.
Chart trend
Position in the True Crime chart (US), last 90 days.
#1#101#200JunJulAugSep
#44
all-time peak
1
day in the top 50 since Jan 2025
Latest episodes
Showing 20 · updated from the feed
To Catch a King: 3. Stormy Weather
A pause in small boat crossings and a coincidence that reveals how boats are delivered.
A journalist and an ex-soldier search for the identity of a people smuggler belie
May 27 33 min
To Catch a King: 2. The Bullet Train
Gangs exert power through fear, but where are they getting weapons from?
A journalist and an ex-soldier search for the identity of a people smuggler believed to be respo
May 20 33 min
To Catch a King: 1. Kardo
A journalist and an ex-soldier search for the identity of a people smuggler believed to be responsible for thousands of illegal crossings to the UK by small boats and lor
May 12 34 min
Ransom Man: 6. Nameless, Faceless People
Crossing the road between interviews, Jenny receives the opportunity she has been waiting for. A chance to meet Julius Kivimäki and finally seek answers from him.
She he
Feb 24 29 min
Ransom Man: 5. 635 Years of Suffering
Within a month of the Vastaamo data breach, Tomi Haustola, a Finnish stand up comedian, is on stage making jokes about it.
But Tomi himself is one of the thousands of vi
Feb 17 28 min
Ransom Man: 4. The Zen Garden
Authorities think Julius Kivimäki could be responsible for the Vastaamo data breach and the leaking of patient records.
They want to bring him in for questioning, but he
Feb 10 28 min
Ransom Man: 3. For the LOLz
ransom_man’s final post contained clues to his identity. In those clues, former cybercrime detective Antti Kurittu recognises similarities to of the biggest hacker he eve
Feb 3 29 min
Ransom Man: 2. Whoopsie :D
After a shocking data breach at the Finnish psychotherapy service Vastaamo, a nation’s secrets are being held to ransom by a faceless hacker. Jenny Kleeman traces the sto
Jan 27 28 min
Ransom Man: 1. Naked
A shocking data breach at a Finnish psychotherapy service. Jenny Kleeman traces the story of a nation’s secrets held to ransom by a faceless hacker.
We all have some thou
Jan 16 28 min
Word of God: 6. Higher Powers
A dark, cold morning in February 2025. Hundreds are filing into the Museum of the Bible - evangelical leaders, gospel singers, and over 30 members of Congress including S
Mar 19 2025 28 min
Word of God: 5. Revelations
In April 2019, Dr Roberta Mazza receives an email from an academic in charge of Research at the Museum of the Bible which leads to the exposure of one of the most extraor
Mar 12 2025 28 min
Word of God: 4. You've Got Mail
Federal investigators uncover a shadowy scheme to smuggle ancient clay tablets into America.
When customs officers in Memphis inspect a package labelled "tile samples" i
Mar 5 2025 28 min
Word of God: 3. Holy Grail
A biblical scholar's dramatic last-minute announcement at a packed debate hints at a fragment that could rewrite history.
On a winter's night in 2012, an extraordinary c
Feb 26 2025 28 min
Word of God: 2. Roberta Investigates
A threatening message leads a papyrologist into the shadowy world of online antiquities trading.
On a September morning in 2017, Dr Roberta Mazza opens her WhatsApp to f
Feb 19 2025 28 min
Word of God: 1. In the Beginning Was the Word
In July 2017, Dr Jeff Kloha is preparing to start his dream job as Director of Collections at Washington DC's new Museum of the Bible when he discovers his new employer’s
Feb 12 2025 28 min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 5
How the murder of British businessman and fixer Neil Heywood changed China. Concluding the true-life tale of sex, death and politics, told by the BBC's former China Edito
Mar 17 2017 20 min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 4
A spectacular show trial exposes the lavish lifestyle of China's new elite. The continuing true story of sex, death and top-level Chinese poltiics, told by the BBC's form
Mar 10 2017 21 min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 3
What really happened in the hotel suite in Chongqing? The British businessman and go-between Neil Heywood arrives in Chongqing, where an"iron-blooded" police chief holds
Mar 3 2017 18 min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 2
We've met the mayor's wife. Now meet the mayor, the remarkable man who takes this story to the national stage. The continuing true story of death, sex and elite politics
Feb 24 2017 23 min
Murder in the Lucky Holiday Hotel: Episode 1
The story of the mysterious murder which changed the course of Chinese politics. Carrie Gracie investigates the killing of a British man, Neil Heywood, in Chongqing in 20
Feb 17 2017 22 min
Chart positions
Where Intrigue ranks today in each Apple Podcasts chart (US, Sep 4, 2026).
A curated, balanced selection of Apple Podcasts reviews.
Listened to Burning Sun. Could have been much better. Way to repetitive — how many times do we need to hear the chat convos? I finally started fast forwarding thru the first 6 or 7 minutes. These are short episodes so way too much time spent on repetition. There could have been 2 fewer episodes or more content (analysis, discussion of the different sub themes) could have been presented. I finally stopped listening and turned to finding written coverage
JC111111PL · Feb 2025
Season nine of BBC’s Intrigue tells another true-life story that’s meticulously researched, well crafted, and told in such a fashion that is makes it perfect for a binge listen. Looking forward with great anticipation to a Season 10 release!
Marshallx4 · Nov 2024
Loved this series!! Couldn’t stop listening and it was so satisfying that they reached their goal at the end and we actually got to hear from the Scorpion himself!
sophstribean · Jun 2024
Things are not quite what they seem, are they? I love Journalists and especially responsible, forensic and investigative journalists. I love the work that was done here. The dedication and thorough reporting and research makes for a very captivating listening experience. I love the intrigue series and I loved this Word of God series too. Great work.
AronJA · Jan 2026
I used to LOVE intrigue. I love investigative journalism and the first few seasons were all excellently crafted if differing in theme and style (the best one for me remains Murder in the lucky Hotel). I listened to each, one after the other. Then I came across To Catch a Scorpion and to my chagrin I had to stop after episode 2. Sue Mitchell is shockingly unprofessional for a BBC journalist and seems to absolutely have no idea what she’s doing. It felt like listening to a reality show about her trying to figure out how to become and investigative journalist. It’s not well planned, it’s not well crafted, and it’s often frankly embarrassing. I came here for well researched facts spun into a narrative, not an auditive reality show. Then you gave her a second season, really???
Cc1cc1c · Aug 2024
I found the storytelling and reporting very compelling, but this doesn’t get down to the real reason why folks are willing to pay so much money and risk their lives to immigrate. Yes, crimes are being committed by folks like the Scorpion, but on a larger scale, why are folks willing to leave their home countries for this perilous journey? No focus on the wars and immigration policies that are causing this.
Perpetual Jury Duty · Jul 2024
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Here you find the Apple Podcasts chart positions of Intrigue, its latest episodes to listen to directly, and reviews from listeners. Rankings are updated daily for the United States.
