The Scarlet Letter
Nathaniel Hawthorne
Mentioned 7 months ago
Fall River
Book Recommendations
Criminal
Criminal is the first of its kind. A show about people who’ve done wrong, been wronged, or gotten caught somewhere in the middle. Hosted by Phoebe Judge. Named a Best Podcast of 2023 by the New York Times. Part of the Vox Media Podcast Network.
Episodes
396
Books
187
Recently mentioned
Latest Recommendations
The Sinners All Bow
Kate Winkler Dawson
Mentioned 7 months ago
Fall River
Fall River
Catherine Read Williams
Mentioned 7 months ago
Fall River
Storming the Court
Brandt Goldstein
Mentioned 1 year ago
A Land Without Law
The Mirage
Zay N. Smith
Mentioned 1 year ago
The Mirage
The Unseen Truth
Sarah Lewis
Mentioned 1 year ago
A Murder in the Forest
A Man's Guide on How to Save Your Marriage Without Having to Talk About It
Doug Holt
Mentioned 1 year ago
A Murder in the Forest
The Last Good Heist
Wayne Worcester
Mentioned 1 year ago
Into the Vault
The True Believer
Eric Hoffer
Mentioned 1 year ago
Ana
Code Name Blue Wren
Jim Popkin
Mentioned 1 year ago
Ana
Among the Bros
Max Marshall
Mentioned 1 year ago
Millions of Pills
Happily Never After
Lynn Painter
Mentioned 2 years ago
State of North Carolina v. Joan Little
Most Recommended
The Land Uncharted
This was a series of stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, which was planned to be about the paranormal, poltergeists, ghosts and fairies, and he was writing an article about fairies when he was contacted by the editor of Light Magazine about the Cottingley fairy photographs.
"
And he'd been planning a series of stories called The Uncharted Coast about the paranormal, about poltergeists and ghosts and fairies was one of the things that he was writing an article about.
— Episode: A Glamour and a Mystery
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: A Glamour and a Mystery
This was a series of stories by Arthur Conan Doyle, which was planned to be about the paranormal, poltergeists, ghosts and fairies, and he was writing an article about fairies when he was contacted by the editor of Light Magazine about the Cottingley fairy photographs.
"
And he'd been planning a series of stories called The Uncharted Coast about the paranormal, about poltergeists and ghosts and fairies was one of the things that he was writing an article about.
Prison Writing in 20th-Century America
H. Bruce Franklin argued in his book that the closing of prison newspapers was meant to keep the American people in the dark about the realities of the American prison system.
"
Rutgers professor H. Bruce Franklin wrote in his book Prison Writing in 20th Century America that the shuttering of prison newspapers was to keep the American people in the dark about the American pri...
— Episode: The Prison Newspaper
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Prison Newspaper
H. Bruce Franklin argued in his book that the closing of prison newspapers was meant to keep the American people in the dark about the realities of the American prison system.
"
Rutgers professor H. Bruce Franklin wrote in his book Prison Writing in 20th Century America that the shuttering of prison newspapers was to keep the American people in the dark about the American prison.
Storycraft, Second Edition
The Complete Guide to Writing Narrative Nonfiction (Chicago Guides to Writing, Editing, and Publishing)
It was a Jack Hart book on journalism that helped Phil Smith realize how intelligent he was.
"
And really digging in and trying to figure it out made me realize how intelligent I am. So that journey helps me to help others.
— Episode: The Prison Newspaper
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Prison Newspaper
It was a Jack Hart book on journalism that helped Phil Smith realize how intelligent he was.
"
And really digging in and trying to figure it out made me realize how intelligent I am. So that journey helps me to help others.
Thérèse Raquin (French Edition)
Therese Raquin was mentioned as a book that features the Paris morgue, in which a murderer goes to the morgue to see if his victim is there, and experiences awful guilt when he sees the body.
"
And it was part of a book called Therese Rackin by mile Zola.
— Episode: The Unknown Woman
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Unknown Woman
Therese Raquin was mentioned as a book that features the Paris morgue, in which a murderer goes to the morgue to see if his victim is there, and experiences awful guilt when he sees the body.
"
And it was part of a book called Therese Rackin by mile Zola.
A murderer goes to the morgue to see if the body of his victim is there.
And in seeing the body, he has this awful reaction to it and he feels so guilty.
Apologies for spoilers, but it has been out for 150 plus years.
The Unknown Woman of the Seine A Novel
The Unknown Woman of the Seine was a book written about the mysterious woman whose face was used for the Rescue Annie CPR doll. It was mentioned in the context of how many different versions of her story and her life were imagined and written about. The speaker specifically mentioned how the story of her jumping into the Seine River after being abandoned by a lover was a popular one.
"
People had written short stories, plays, books, and a movie about the woman.
— Episode: The Unknown Woman
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Unknown Woman
The Unknown Woman of the Seine was a book written about the mysterious woman whose face was used for the Rescue Annie CPR doll. It was mentioned in the context of how many different versions of her story and her life were imagined and written about. The speaker specifically mentioned how the story of her jumping into the Seine River after being abandoned by a lover was a popular one.
"
People had written short stories, plays, books, and a movie about the woman.
In the water, she says, what did I do? I'm losing my life because of a stupid man. So she's trying to get out of the Seine River, but the souls of the drowned people in the Seine River are catching her by her legs because they saw that she was beautiful.
She was either pregnant and drunk, or she committed suicide because she was in love, or she was murdered and pushed in the water of the river.
Anne-Galle Salliot wrote a book about the stories of the unknown woman of the Seine.
I was then a student in Paris, so wandering around the streets of the Six Arrondissements, more precisely on the Rue Odeon, I came across a face in a window of a molder shop, the Lorenzi Molder Shop, and I realized, OK, she exists. She has a material existence.
I came and announced, and I asked her about the Inconnue de la Seine, and her reaction was, again, again!
I think there were probably plenty of women like her.
I think that when I first read about it, what mattered wasn't necessarily that it was true of this specific woman.
But the possibility or the story of a young woman taking her own life and ending up in the morgue felt very true.
So I didn't necessarily think that that woman did. But I felt that, I know that plenty of women did.
Thérèse Raquin (Oxford World's Classics)
The book describes a murderer going to the morgue to see if the body of his victim is there, and feeling guilty when he sees the body.
"
And in seeing the body, he has this awful reaction to it and he feels so guilty.
— Episode: The Unknown Woman
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Unknown Woman
The book describes a murderer going to the morgue to see if the body of his victim is there, and feeling guilty when he sees the body.
"
And in seeing the body, he has this awful reaction to it and he feels so guilty.
Apologies for spoilers, but it has been out for 150 plus years.
Rubáiyát of Omar Khayyám
It was mentioned as a popular book of poetry during World War II, and the last two words in the book are "tamam shud", a Persian phrase that means "it is ended".
"
This is the last words in a book of poetry called the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which I've done some historical research on this and it was actually a very popular book of poetry back in the war years...
— Episode: The Somerton Man
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Somerton Man
It was mentioned as a popular book of poetry during World War II, and the last two words in the book are "tamam shud", a Persian phrase that means "it is ended".
"
This is the last words in a book of poetry called the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, which I've done some historical research on this and it was actually a very popular book of poetry back in the war years, back in World War II.
The poetry in the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam dates back to the 12th century.
It's attributed to Omar Khayyam, sometimes known as the astronomer poet of Persia.
The poetry in the book is about life and death and the very last two words are, tamam shud, a Persian phrase that means it is ended.
So they published this in the papers saying, oh, it's the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. Has anyone got a copy with the back page torn out?
Slouching Towards Bethlehem
Essays (Picador Modern Classics)
It was the opening essay for Joan Didion's first nonfiction book, which began with the country and described the San Bernardino Valley. It detailed how Lucille was portrayed by the media and what might drive a woman to burn her husband alive.
"
This is a story about love and death in the Golden Land and begins with the country.
— Episode: The Most Wonderful Terrible Person
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Most Wonderful Terrible Person
It was the opening essay for Joan Didion's first nonfiction book, which began with the country and described the San Bernardino Valley. It detailed how Lucille was portrayed by the media and what might drive a woman to burn her husband alive.
"
This is a story about love and death in the Golden Land and begins with the country.
Here is the last stop for all those who come from somewhere else, for all those who drifted away from the cold and the past and the old ways.
Here's where they are trying to find a new lifestyle, trying to find it in the only places they know to look, the movies and the newspapers.
It was a spotty case and to make it work at all, the state was going to have to find a motive.
Set out to determine what might move a woman who believed in all the promises of the middle class, who had come out of the bleak wild of prairie fundamentalism to find what she imagined to be the good life.
It's Like My Mom Always Said What The Fuck Is Wrong With You T-Shirt
Joan Didion included a book of poems by Philip Larkin in her letter to Deborah, specifically the poem 'This Be The Verse'.
"
They fuck you up, your mom and dad.
— Episode: The Most Wonderful Terrible Person
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Most Wonderful Terrible Person
Joan Didion included a book of poems by Philip Larkin in her letter to Deborah, specifically the poem 'This Be The Verse'.
"
They fuck you up, your mom and dad.
They do not mean to, but they do.
they fill you with the faults they had and add some extra just for you.
Well, that poem is pretty, really does hit to the point, huh?
Yep. You don't need to say much more. And I love it that that's what she sent to me. I loved it.
Starvation Heights
The True Story of an American Doctor and the Murder of a British Heiress
This book recounts the true story of a murder that occurred in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Linda Hazard, a self-proclaimed fasting expert, treated patients with a brutal regimen of fasting, massage, and enemas. The book details the deaths of several of her patients and her eventual trial and conviction.
"
You can find Gregg Olsen's book, Starvation Heights, here.
— Episode: The Fasting Cure
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Fasting Cure
This book recounts the true story of a murder that occurred in the woods of the Pacific Northwest. Linda Hazard, a self-proclaimed fasting expert, treated patients with a brutal regimen of fasting, massage, and enemas. The book details the deaths of several of her patients and her eventual trial and conviction.
"
You can find Gregg Olsen's book, Starvation Heights, here.
Here's author Greg Olson.
Greg Olson's book is called Starvation Heights, a true story of murder and malice in the woods of the Pacific Northwest.
You can find a link in the show notes.
The Bedside Esquire
He brought a book, which he could read using the flashlight he brought. It was called "The Bedside Esquire", a collection of short stories that had been published in Esquire magazine by authors like Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.
"
He brought a book, which he could read using the flashlight he brought. It was called "The Bedside Esquire", a collection of short stories that had been published in Esquire magazine...
— Episode: Out of the Box
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Out of the Box
He brought a book, which he could read using the flashlight he brought. It was called "The Bedside Esquire", a collection of short stories that had been published in Esquire magazine by authors like Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.
"
He brought a book, which he could read using the flashlight he brought. It was called "The Bedside Esquire", a collection of short stories that had been published in Esquire magazine by authors like Ernest Hemingway and John Steinbeck.
¡Despierta!... que la vida sigue
Reflexiones para disfrutar plenamente tu vida (Spanish Edition)
It was mentioned as the title of a show called 'Magic Weeks in Vida D'Ar' which was about magic live on stage.
"
Then the Magic Weeks in Vida D'Ar by Harry Potter.
— Episode: Sunset Mesa
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Sunset Mesa
It was mentioned as the title of a show called 'Magic Weeks in Vida D'Ar' which was about magic live on stage.
"
Then the Magic Weeks in Vida D'Ar by Harry Potter.
Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5
Ellen mentioned reading these books as a child and they were used as an example of a worst case scenario when the lights on her deck kept going out.
"
And without telling you my age, I've been reading those Nancy Drew books since I was a little girl in the 50s.
— Episode: Dog in the Bed, Cat in the Bag, Camel on...
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Dog in the Bed, Cat in the Bag, Camel on the Golf...
Ellen mentioned reading these books as a child and they were used as an example of a worst case scenario when the lights on her deck kept going out.
"
And without telling you my age, I've been reading those Nancy Drew books since I was a little girl in the 50s.
Supper with the Stars
With your host Vincent Price
The book tells the true story of Holly Crippen, one of the most notorious murderers of all time.
"
David James Smith's book is Supper with the Crippins, the true story of one of the most notorious murderers of all time.
— Episode: Across the Atlantic
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Across the Atlantic
The book tells the true story of Holly Crippen, one of the most notorious murderers of all time.
"
David James Smith's book is Supper with the Crippins, the true story of one of the most notorious murderers of all time.
The impeachment and trial of Andrew Johnson (The Notable Trials Library)
The book features famous English cases, including the trial of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Crippen case was featured in the series.
"
In 1920, the Crippen case was featured as part of a series of books called Notable Trials. Each book summarises famous English cases, including the trial of Mary Queen of Scots.
— Episode: Across the Atlantic
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Across the Atlantic
The book features famous English cases, including the trial of Mary Queen of Scots, and the Crippen case was featured in the series.
"
In 1920, the Crippen case was featured as part of a series of books called Notable Trials. Each book summarises famous English cases, including the trial of Mary Queen of Scots.
Dracula (Deluxe Hardbound Edition)
Stephen Volk was interested in how novels such as Dracula were written, as they are presented as non-fiction with letters and journal entries.
"
And it struck me that many, many literary ghost stories that you read begin... I'm going to tell you something that's quite unbelievable, but I really want you to know this really, really happened to...
— Episode: Ghostwatch
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Ghostwatch
Stephen Volk was interested in how novels such as Dracula were written, as they are presented as non-fiction with letters and journal entries.
"
And it struck me that many, many literary ghost stories that you read begin... I'm going to tell you something that's quite unbelievable, but I really want you to know this really, really happened to me.
The Book of James
The Power, Politics, and Passion of LeBron
The book of James speaks of religion being represented by the care of the orphans and the widows and their afflictions. Unwanted, unintended pregnancies and affliction. It was a natural call, in my sense, to engage in this kind of work.
"
The Book of James speaks of religion being represented by the care of the orphans and the widows and their afflictions. Unwanted, unintended pregnancies and affliction. It was a natur...
— Episode: The Procedure
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: The Procedure
The book of James speaks of religion being represented by the care of the orphans and the widows and their afflictions. Unwanted, unintended pregnancies and affliction. It was a natural call, in my sense, to engage in this kind of work.
"
The Book of James speaks of religion being represented by the care of the orphans and the widows and their afflictions. Unwanted, unintended pregnancies and affliction. It was a natural call, in my sense, to engage in this kind of work.
Blood
The Science, Medicine, and Mythology of Menstruation
It was discussed as the book that details the 1849 murder of Dr. George Parkman at Harvard Medical School, which scandalized the university and the city of Boston.
"
Paul Collins' book is Blood & Ivy: The 1849 Murder That Scandalized Harvard.
— Episode: Dr. Parkman is Missing
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Dr. Parkman is Missing
It was discussed as the book that details the 1849 murder of Dr. George Parkman at Harvard Medical School, which scandalized the university and the city of Boston.
"
Paul Collins' book is Blood & Ivy: The 1849 Murder That Scandalized Harvard.
You can see them at thisiscriminal.com where you can learn more about the case and find out more about Paul Collins' book. It's called Blood and Ivy.
Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, Text Revision (Dsm-5-Tr(r))
It was mentioned as the book where premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) was classified as a depressive disorder, based on strong scientific evidence.
"
And last year, the American Psychiatric Association put PMDD in their big book of mental disorders, the DSM-5.
— Episode: That Crime Of The Month
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: That Crime Of The Month
It was mentioned as the book where premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) was classified as a depressive disorder, based on strong scientific evidence.
"
And last year, the American Psychiatric Association put PMDD in their big book of mental disorders, the DSM-5.
Winnie-the-Pooh
Classic Gift Edition
Four first edition copies were attempted to be sold by the thief, but booksellers were aware of his actions and thwarted his attempts to sell them.
"
He has got a set of four, the four original A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh first edition books and he's trying to peddle them.
— Episode: Ex Libris
Listen on Audible
7-day free trial
Episode: Ex Libris
Four first edition copies were attempted to be sold by the thief, but booksellers were aware of his actions and thwarted his attempts to sell them.
"
He has got a set of four, the four original A.A. Milne Winnie the Pooh first edition books and he's trying to peddle them.
The books at the time were worth maybe $6,000 to $8,000 and he's becoming frustrated by the minute everywhere he goes.
Note: The book recommendations on this page are discovered automatically from podcast transcripts, and may be incorrect or incomplete.