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20/20

Unforgettable true crime mysteries, exclusive newsmaker interviews, hard-hitting investigative reports and in-depth coverage of high profile stories. Now listen throughout the week with the official 20/20 After Show, the True Crime Vault, and our spotlight of true crime originals.

Episodes 480
Books 65

Recently mentioned

Latest Recommendations

Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope cover

Dear Jacob

Patty Wetterling

Mentioned 3 days ago

Where Are You Jacob?

The memoir about the Wetterling family's ordeal after Jacob's abduction was highlighted as revealing more of the story, written by his mother together with a blogger.

In fact, Deborah, her book, Dear Jacob, A Mother's Journey of Hope, written with blogger Joy Baker, reveals even more of the story, and you can look into it there.

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Entrepreneurship: The Art, Science, And Process For Success: 2024 Release ISE cover

Entrepreneurship

Charles Bamford

Mentioned 1 month ago

The Snare: Peacekeeper

The host noted that detectives recovered a textbook about entrepreneurship from Angie Dodge's nightstand, indicating her interest in business studies.

Angie was also serious, determined, and seemed eager to grow up. She'd graduated from high school with honors the year before and was working full-time. Angie was interested in entrepreneurship and had taken some classes at Idaho State. Actually, one of the pieces of evidence detectives collected from her apartment was a textbook about entrepreneurship sitting on her nightstand.

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A Killer by Design: Murderers, Mindhunters, and My Quest to Decipher the Criminal Mind cover

A Killer by Design

Ann Wolbert Burgess

Mentioned 4 months ago

True Crime Vault: Lock the Door Behind You

The hosts noted that Ann Burgess, a professor and former FBI analyst, wrote the book to tell the story of Henry Wallace and that the case was featured because it was a compelling example for criminal profiling.

She was one of the few women in the FBI at the time doing that work. And I thought it was time to get her story out there. So after a little bit of convincing, she agreed to write this book, A Killer by Design. Wallace is featured in the book because he was a really interesting case.

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Murder on the Orient Express: A Hercule Poirot Mystery: The Official Authorized Edition (Hercule Poirot Mysteries, 9) cover

Murder on the Orient Express

Agatha Christie

Mentioned 4 months ago

The After Show: The Vanishing of Nancy Woodrum

The case was compared to the classic whodunit novel, noting its similarity to the mystery aboard a train.

And... it's almost like one of those crazy things, like on the train or something, like Murder on the Orient Express or something.

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Les Miserables (Les Misérables) cover

Les Miserables (Les Misérables)

Victor Hugo

Mentioned 5 months ago

Her Last Note

It was mentioned as the origin of a musical number, with a performer singing "Master of the House" from Les Misrables.

Here he is singing Master of the House from Les Misrables.

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Fugitive Atlas: Poems cover

Fugitive Atlas

Khaled Mattawa

Mentioned 6 months ago

The Hunt for Mr. Right

The book was described as a selfpublished online collection of musings that gave a firsthand testimony of the fugitive's whereabouts, featuring dark reflections on life, death and the American Dream.

After Sue's murder, Landeros is living a new life on the run, ... He selfpublishes an online book of musings fittingly titled The Fugitive Poems.

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The Stranger Beside Me: Updated Twentieth Anniversary Edition cover

The Stranger Beside Me

Ann Rule

Mentioned 6 months ago

Bad Romance: Tangled Web (Revisited)

The narrator mentioned that Ann Rule authored the book TheStrangerBesideMe, which recounts her friendship with TedBundy.

Rule is the daughter of legendary true crime author Ann Rule, who wrote the book The Stranger Beside Me, about her friendship with Ted Bundy.

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A Tangled Web: A Cyberstalker, a Deadly Obsession, and the Twisting Path to Justice. cover

A Tangled Web

Leslie Rule

Mentioned 6 months ago

Bad Romance: Tangled Web (Revisited)

The host noted that Leslie Rule authored a truecrime book titled ATangledWeb about the case.

Leslie Rule was so intrigued by this story that she wrote a book about it called A Tangled Web.

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The Princess Bride Deluxe Edition Hc: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure cover

The Princess Bride Deluxe Edition Hc

William Goldman

Mentioned 7 months ago

The Rob Reiner Story: A Hollywood Tragedy (ABC News Special Podcast)

The speakers recalled reading the book 14 years earlier, describing it as a lifechanging experience that seemed written directly for them.

Princess Bride to this day is so many people's favorite film of all time I read this book 14 years ago

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A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever cover

A Hunger to Kill

Kim Mager

Mentioned 7 months ago

The Hand in the Window: 'Dana'

The book was mentioned as written by Detective Kim Major about the case, intended to remind everyone that such tragedies could happen to anyone.

Detective Kim Major has written a book about it all called A Hunger to Kill, which is when Sean Great said to her that he just felt this hunger to kill. The book, she says, is to remind everyone that this could happen anywhere and it could have happened to any one of us. She said it could have even happened to me.

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Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Percy Jackson & the Olympians) cover

Percy Jackson and the Olympians Hardcover Boxed Set (Percy Jackson & the Olympians)

Rick Riordan

Mentioned 7 months ago

The After Show : Inside the Courtroom with Brian Buckmire

The series was referenced in a promotional spot announcing a new season of its TV adaptation on Disney Plus and Hulu.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians. New season two episode premiere December 10th on Disney Plus and Hulu. Rated TV PGV.

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Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds cover

Sisters Loved and Treasured

Deborah Roberts

Mentioned 7 months ago

The After Show : "Sisters Loved and Treasured”

The host, Deborah Roberts, discussed her new book which was based on her own experiences growing up with six sisters. She mentioned that doing the book involved talking about their lives, growing up, and their perceptions of each other as children and adults, which helped reconnect them. The book's idea was further sparked by the positive mental well-being research associated with having sisters.

I have written a new book that has just come out called Sisters Loved and Treasured Stories of Unbreakable Bonds.

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Most Recommended

That Lonely Section of Hell: The Botched Investigation of a Serial Killer Who Almost Got Away Cover

Lorimer Shenher

That Lonely Section of Hell

The Botched Investigation of a Serial Killer Who Almost Got Away

During the episode, Kana Whitworth introduced the book as Lorimer Shenher’s personal account of the botched investigation into Robert Pickton, noting that he began drafting it the day the search started in 2002. Shenher explained that the book detailed institutional reluctance within the RCMP to make decisions that could invite criticism, suggesting this culture may have endangered the case. The discussion highlighted the title’s focus on systemic failures and the potential manipulation of evidence.

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Episode: Inside the Midnight Order - Ep. 5: 'Split Screen'

It was said to be Lorimer Schenherr's personal account of the failures of the investigation into Robert Pickton, and was written after the start of the search at the farm in 2002.

"

Lorimer, you're also the author of a book titled That Lonely Section of Hell, The Botched Investigation of a Serial Killer Who Almost Got Away.

And then when the search actually started on the Pickton farm in February 2002, I literally sat down that day and started banging out the first draft of the book.

The book obviously details this a lot, just my efforts to try to find out what was it that was thwarting this investigation or any investigation going forward.

What I've discovered is that there is a institutional wide awareness in the RCMP of not ever doing anything where they can be criticized, of making investigative choices even where they will be beyond public criticism versus making the right investigative choice.

And I believe that that could have contributed to the risk to Robert Pickton because I think that several people stood to benefit from the destruction of that evidence.

Sisters Loved and Treasured: Stories of Unbreakable Bonds Cover

Deborah Roberts

Sisters Loved and Treasured

Stories of Unbreakable Bonds

The host discussed her new title, explaining it drew from her own experiences growing up with six sisters and how the process of writing helped the siblings reconnect by sharing their childhood and adult perspectives. She highlighted that the book was inspired by research showing the mental‑well‑being benefits of having sisters, and presented it as a celebration of those unbreakable bonds. The conversation conveyed strong enthusiasm for the work.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: The After Show : "Sisters Loved and Treasured”

The host, Deborah Roberts, discussed her new book which was based on her own experiences growing up with six sisters. She mentioned that doing the book involved talking about their lives, growing up, and their perceptions of each other as children and adults, which helped reconnect them. The book's idea was further sparked by the positive mental well-being research associated with having sisters.

"

I have written a new book that has just come out called Sisters Loved and Treasured Stories of Unbreakable Bonds.

And the book was sort of based on my own experience with sisters.

But one of the beautiful things in doing this book was that we actually did put a lot of things on the table and just talked about our lives and growing up and our perceptions of each other and what we felt as children and what we feel as adults.

Well, as I said, my new book is called Sisters Loved and Treasured Stories of Unbreakable Bonds. And these ladies helped spark the idea because what better thing to have in your life than a sister?

I Know My First Name Is Steven Cover

Mike Echols

I Know My First Name Is Steven

The hosts noted that the title of the book originated from Stephen Stainer's declaration to police during his rescue, and that it documented his ordeal. They mentioned the book in passing as part of the discussion of the case, without offering a recommendation or critique.

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Episode: True Crime Vault: Evil in Eden

This was the title of a book written about Stephen Stainer's ordeal, stemming from the statement he made to police upon his rescue.

"

I know my first name is Stephen.

And that became the title of a book.

A Severed Head, a Novel Cover

Iris MURDOCH

A Severed Head, a Novel

The series, which was inspired by Mandy Matney's reporting, was discussed extensively. Brittany Snow, who played Mandy in the series, read Matney's book thoroughly before taking on the role.

"

She immediately ordered my book. And I believe by the time that she called me, she read it in, like, two days. Then faster and so thoroughly.

— Episode: The After Show: The Murdaugh Family Murd...

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Episode: The After Show: The Murdaugh Family Murders

The series, which was inspired by Mandy Matney's reporting, was discussed extensively. Brittany Snow, who played Mandy in the series, read Matney's book thoroughly before taking on the role.

"

She immediately ordered my book. And I believe by the time that she called me, she read it in, like, two days. Then faster and so thoroughly.

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction (Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations) Cover

Tom Bevel

Bloodstain Pattern Analysis with an Introduction to Crime Scene Reconstruction (Practical Aspects of Criminal and Forensic Investigations)

The investigators consulted the author of the book on crime scene reconstruction to help analyze the case, highlighting the title as a valuable resource for their work. They referenced his expertise as essential for understanding the forensic details involved. The discussion conveyed strong endorsement of the book’s practical relevance.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Dirty Little Secret

The investigators consulted Tom Bevel, the author of a book on crimescene reconstruction, to aid their analysis of the case.

"

And so we found the person who wrote the book on crime scene reconstruction, Tom Bevel.

How to Make Disposable Silencers Cover

Eliezer Flores

How to Make Disposable Silencers

The title was brought up as forensic evidence after a bank statement showed the suspect had bought both volumes, and the suspect later confirmed the purchase. The hosts highlighted the purchase as part of the case narrative rather than recommending the work.

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Episode: True Crime Vault: Murder and Scandal in Chicagolan...

The book was identified as evidence after a bank statement revealed a purchase, and it was noted that the suspect had ordered both volume one and volume two. Later, the suspect confirmed she had bought the book.

"

And that's when they find out about the book, How to Make a Disposable Silencer. And the fact that she ordered volume one and volume two.

You purchased this book? Yes, I did.

A Good Marriage Cover

Stephen King

A Good Marriage

In the episode, the host referenced the novella, noting that it had been turned into a film that mirrors the BTK theme. The mention highlighted the book’s relevance to true‑crime narratives but did not include a strong endorsement. Overall, the book was brought up as an illustrative example rather than a recommendation.

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Episode: True Crime Vault: My Father BTK

The host mentioned Stephen King's novella A Good Marriage, which was adapted into a film and parallels the BTK story.

"

Stephen King even wrote a novella called A Good Marriage that was made into a film that mirrors this theme.

Rules for Being Dead Cover

Kim Powers

Rules for Being Dead

In the after‑show episode, Deborah Roberts explained that she had read one of the author’s earlier works and even wrote a forward for the title. She expressed enthusiasm for the project, effectively endorsing it to listeners. The discussion conveyed a positive, highly recommended view of the book.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The After Show: In the Writer's Chair

Deborah Roberts said she had read one of his books and wrote a forward for Rules for Being Dead.

"

I read one of your books and actually wrote a little forward for Rules for Being Dead.

Women Behind The Mic: Curators of The Culture Volume Two "The Hip-Hop Edition" Cover

Lajoyce Brookshire

Women Behind The Mic

Curators of The Culture Volume Two "The Hip-Hop Edition"

The host highlighted LaJoyce Brookshire's past role as Arista Records' PR director and her current teaching position, noting that she authored the book. The mention focused on her credentials and the book's relevance to pop culture curators, without offering a direct endorsement.

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Episode: Bad Rap: Downfall

The host noted that LaJoyce Brookshire, former PR director for Arista Records, now teaches at City College and authored the book Women Behind the Mic.

"

In the mid-1990s, LaJoyce Brookshire oversaw PR for Arista Records, which was then Bad Boy's parent label. These days, she teaches at City College, and she's the author of the book, Women Behind The Mic, Curators of Pop Culture.

Miracles on Maple Hill (Harcourt Young Classics) Cover

Virginia Sorensen

Miracles on Maple Hill (Harcourt Young Classics)

In the true‑crime episode, the host recounted that the victim spent the evening before her death wrapping copies of the title for her 24 students, illustrating a snapshot of her everyday life. The book was mentioned only as a detail of the victim's routine, without any recommendation or critique. The overall tone was neutral, simply noting the book’s presence in the story.

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Episode: True Crime Vault: The DNA Detective

Christie wrapped copies of the book for each of her 24 students on the evening before her murder.

"

the evening of December 20th, Christie is at home preparing for the holiday, wrapping copies of the book, Miracles on Maple Hill, for each of her 24 students.

The Vanishing - Jayne Ann Krentz - Large Print Edition Cover

The Vanishing - Jayne Ann Krentz - Large Print Edition

The hosts referenced the Goosebumps title The Vanishing while discussing the fires.

"

Goosebumps, the vanishing.

— Episode: American Catastrophe: LA Burning -- Spec...

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Episode: American Catastrophe: LA Burning -- Special Editio...

The hosts referenced the Goosebumps title The Vanishing while discussing the fires.

"

Goosebumps, the vanishing.

Codename: Blackjack Cover

Rusty McClure

Codename

Blackjack

The episode announced the title as a newly released mystery thriller involving decades‑old documents about John Kennedy Jr., noting its plot of secretive forces and a legal showdown, and mentioned that it was currently available on Amazon.

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Episode: Death in the Dorms Season 2: Episode 2: Haley Ande...

The book was announced as a newly released mystery thriller about decadesold documents concerning John Kennedy Jr., and it was noted to be available on Amazon.

"

Just released in the new mystery thriller, Codename Blackjack. Decadesold documents suggesting John Kennedy Jr. was about to expose his father's killers. After JFK Jr.'s plane went down off Martha's Vineyard, these documents were stored away. Now a chain of murderous events pitting Justice Department Attorney S.B. Harper against secretive forces, which Jackie Kennedy and Attorney General Bobby Kennedy held in mortal fear.

Newly published and available on Amazon right now. Codename Blackjack.

A Simple Plan Cover

Scott Smith

A Simple Plan

In the episode, the hosts noted that the book had been chosen by Julie Jensen for her neighborhood book club and described it as a tale of lies, betrayal, and murder. They highlighted its dark, suspenseful plot but did not explicitly recommend it.

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Episode: The Kill List

The book was read at Julie Jensen's neighborhood book club and was described as a story of lies, betrayal, and murder.

"

We read A Simple Plan, and that's the book that Julie picked.

It's a story of lies, betrayal, and murder.

The Killing of Karen Silkwood: The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case Cover

Richard L. Rashke

The Killing of Karen Silkwood

The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case

In episode 3, the hosts referenced the book while describing the detailed process used to check Karen's contamination, noting that it explained the detection methods and the spiking of her samples. They quoted the author to illustrate how counters were used to detect contamination on the body and clothing.

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Episode: 'Radioactive' - Ep. 3: Contaminated

The hosts cited the book while describing the detailed process used to check Karen's contamination, noting it explained the detection methods and the spiking of her samples.

"

According to Richard Raskey, author of The Killing of Karen Silkwood, the process went something like this. They would use a counter up and down your body to see whether they detected any contamination like on your clothing, on your body. Click, click, click, click, click, click, you could hear it.

Here is Richard Raskey again, author of The Killing of Karen Silkwood.

A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever Cover

Kim Mager

A Hunger to Kill

A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever

The hosts noted that Kim Major had authored a nonfiction account of the Sean Great case, titled A Hunger to Kill, and announced that the book was now available for readers.

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Episode: Meet The Other Me

Kim Major authored a nonfiction account of the Sean Great case titled A Hunger to Kill, which was announced as available for readers.

"

She has written a book about the Sean Great case ... You titled the book A Hunger to Kill

Meantime Kim Major's new book about the case A Hunger to Kill is available now

The Killing of Karen Silkwood: The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case Cover

Richard L. Rashke

The Killing of Karen Silkwood

The Story Behind the Kerr-McGee Plutonium Case

The host noted that the author had written the book in 1981 and had recently updated it for the 50th anniversary of Karen's death. This mention highlighted the book's historical relevance and its renewed edition.

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Episode: 'Radioactive' - Ep. 2: A Powerful Company

The host noted that Richard Raschke wrote The Killing of Karen Silkwood in 1981 and later issued a new edition for the 50th anniversary of Karen's death.

"

He wrote the book, The Killing of Karen Silkwood, in 1981.

He's updated it and published a new edition for the 50th anniversary of Karen's death.

Grapefruit Cover

Yoko Ono

Grapefruit

The speaker noted that they had brought a copy of Yoko Ono's poetry book Grapefruit to the interview.

"

I had brought along a copy of Grapefruit, which was Yoko's book of poetry.

— Episode: John Lennon: His Life, Legacy, Last Days

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Episode: John Lennon: His Life, Legacy, Last Days

The speaker noted that they had brought a copy of Yoko Ono's poetry book Grapefruit to the interview.

"

I had brought along a copy of Grapefruit, which was Yoko's book of poetry.

A Devil Went Down to Georgia: Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Lita McClinton Cover

Deb Miller Landau

A Devil Went Down to Georgia

Race, Power, Privilege, and the Murder of Lita McClinton

Deb Miller-Landau mentioned that she had written a book titled A Devil Went Down to Georgia, which detailed the murder of Lita McClinton Sullivan.

"

I just wrote a book called A Devil Went Down to Georgia, about the murder of Lita McClinton Sullivan.

— Episode: A Puzzling Murder

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Episode: A Puzzling Murder

Deb Miller-Landau mentioned that she had written a book titled A Devil Went Down to Georgia, which detailed the murder of Lita McClinton Sullivan.

"

I just wrote a book called A Devil Went Down to Georgia, about the murder of Lita McClinton Sullivan.

A Hunger to Kill: A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever Cover

Kim Mager

A Hunger to Kill

A Serial Killer, a Determined Detective, and the Quest for a Confession That Changed a Small Town Forever

The book was mentioned as written by Detective Kim Major about the case, intended to remind everyone that such tragedies could happen to anyone.

"

Detective Kim Major has written a book about it all called A Hunger to Kill, which is when Sean Great said to her that he just felt this hunger to kill. The book, she says, is to remi...

— Episode: The Hand in the Window: 'Dana'

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Hand in the Window: 'Dana'

The book was mentioned as written by Detective Kim Major about the case, intended to remind everyone that such tragedies could happen to anyone.

"

Detective Kim Major has written a book about it all called A Hunger to Kill, which is when Sean Great said to her that he just felt this hunger to kill. The book, she says, is to remind everyone that this could happen anywhere and it could have happened to any one of us. She said it could have even happened to me.

Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.