The Paddlefish Caviar Heist
"Best True Crime Podcast" Nominee, 2023 Ambies
Warsaw, Missouri, is a small, rural town of just over 2,000 people in the American Midwest. Locally it’s known as the “quiet end of the Lake of the Ozarks.” Very few realize that it’s the paddlefish capital of the world. But when a new group arrived driving flashy, imported cars and dropping hundreds of dollars on bait and tackle, the town became the setting for an undercover federal sting operation tasked with bringing down a suspected international caviar poaching ring.
The Paddlefish Caviar Heist is a production of Imperative Entertainment and Vespucci and is written and hosted by Helen Hollyman. For Imperative Entertainment, the Executive Producer is Jason Hoch. For Vespucci, the executive producers are Daniel Turcan and Johnny Galvin. David Gauvey Herbert is Executive Producer. Based on original script reporting by David Gauvey Herbert. The series producer is Aron Keller. The story editor is Matt Willis. Thomas Curry is the managing producer. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. Audio recording by Austin Sisler at Eastside Studios. Audio mix and sound-design by Matt Peaty.
Our Editor's Take
The Paddlefish Caviar Heist is a true crime podcast hosted by journalist Helen Hollyman. Set in the Ozarks, it follows Hollyman as she works to uncover the truth of a caviar poaching operation. The show is set in Warsaw, Missouri—the paddlefish capital of the world. The podcast bases its story on reporting by David Herbert. The series is a fascinating listen for true crime fans or those intrigued by the genre.
The Paddlefish Caviar Heist began in October of 2022. The podcast immediately started to capture listeners. The series is seven chapters long, with each episode roughly 30 minutes long. Hollyman, with the help of her team, explores the history of the town's poaching scheme. She takes listeners on this journey. She analyzes Operation Roadhouse. That's an undercover mission meant to discover the truth of Warsaw.
In the first podcast episode, “Fish Guts on the Roadside,” Hollyman immerses listeners in Warsaw's story. It feels like the beginning of an Oscar-worthy film. Listeners get a sense of the absurdity of the story. But they also gain insight into its severity. Some stray fish guts are only the beginning of what lies ahead in this small Missouri town. Hollyman then explains what happened after Operation Roadhouse. She details how the community she visited has changed.
The Paddlefish Caviar Heist features great podcasting and a remarkable story. Though most listeners likely haven't heard of Warsaw, Missouri, it's a town that they'll come to know well. Hollyman, with the help of Herbert's reporting, does a great job with this podcast. Fans praise the series for its quality. Reaching the end of The Paddlefish Caviar Heist is an odd mix of satisfaction and sadness. The story finishes with a hopeful look toward the future. But it may leave fans wanting more.
Episodes