Crime Junkie

The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow

Jake Anderson

The hosts noted that Jake Anderson's book reported Sherilyn had begun physically abusing him.

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He told author Jake Anderson in his book, The Vanishing at Smokestack Hollow, that Sherilyn had started physically abusing him.

Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5

Carolyn Keene

They recalled that reading Nancy Drew as children made them believe every investigation would have a clear answer.

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Okay Brett, remember how growing up on Nancy Drew made us think that like every investigation had an answer?

The Missing Half

Ashley Flowers

The host announced that her recent novel had been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Award and had become a New York Times bestseller, then urged listeners to vote for it.

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My most recent novel, The Missing Half, has been nominated for a Goodreads Choice Awards for readers' favorite mystery and thriller of 2025. It already has meant so much that you guys showed up when the book was released and read it and all your feedback. I mean, it's what made The Missing Half a New York Times bestseller.

Blood on Their Hands

Mandy Matney

The host noted that Mandy Matney had authored a book about the Murdoch case, titled Blood on Their Hands, which covers the murder, corruption, and fall of the Murdoch dynasty.

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Now, Mandy Matney ended up writing a book on this case called Blood on Their Hands, Murder, Corruption, and the Fall of the Murdoch Dynasty. And her work has been optioned into a dramatized limited series that's about to come out.

Helter Skelter

Vincent Bugliosi

The detective recalled reading the book in 1976 and later revisited its epilogue, which speculated that Jane Doe59's murder might be linked to the Manson family.

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He starts thinking about the book Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi. It was a book that he read back in 1976, like very early on in his career.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark

Michelle McNamara

The hosts praised Michelle McNamara's truecrime book, calling it incredible and highly recommendable.

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Michelle was an incredible true crime journalist who wrote the infamous book, I'll Be Gone in the Dark. It's incredible. Yeah. Highly recommend.

The Idaho Four

James Patterson

The hosts referenced the book as a newly accessed source that provided detailed information about the murders, including victim locations, injuries, and forensic details, and later noted that its authors argued the suspect left a crucial piece of evidence.

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According to a new book that we got access to, The Idaho Four by James Patterson and Vicki Ward, which had a ton of information about this case, Zanna and Ethan are found together in her room on the second floor.

Gone Girl

Gillian Flynn

The episode referenced the novel when discussing a theory that Jennifer had written a manuscript mirroring its plot and asked listeners if they had read the book or seen the movie.

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I know you have, but I don't know if all the crime junkies have read Gone Girl or seen the movie. ... And Norm says he read a manuscript that Jennifer wrote with a similar plot and says that Jennifer Gone Girl herself to try and ruin Fotis' life.

Murder in the Dollhouse

Rich Cohen

The hosts cited the book to describe how Jennifer's black Chevy Suburban was found backed against a tree with the gear shift stuck in reverse and no sign of her inside.

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According to Rich Cohen's book, Murder in the Dollhouse, the car is backed up against a tree. Gear shift is like stuck in reverse. Doors are locked. And when they look in the windows, they don't see any sign of Jennifer in the vehicle.

Westside Park Murders

Keith Roysdon

The hosts repeatedly referenced the book as their primary source, noting that it detailed the crime scene, car layout, and investigative leads, and that it was heavily relied upon throughout the episode.

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according to a book by Keith Roysden and Douglas Walker, a source we'll rely on very heavily here for this episode, Terry also has his canine partner Max with him.

Life and its Reflection

Seeking Nomad

The hosts noted that Wiley claimed to have planned a book on the case, listed on Amazon as titled Life and Death Through the Lens with a 2004 publication date, but the book was not available.

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He supposedly had plans to publish a book on this case. Like since the early aughts. There's even an Amazon listing for it still. It's called Life and Death Through the Lens. And it had like a publication date way back in 2004, I think. Except the book is not available.

Free

Amanda Knox

The host mentioned the memoir as a new release and provided a link for listeners to purchase it.