Criminal
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 Scarlet Letter: The Original 1850 Edition (Nathaniel Hawthorne Classics) cover

The Scarlet Letter

Nathaniel Hawthorne

Mentioned 7 months ago

Fall River

Nathaniel Hawthorne published this book in 1850, 18 years after Sarah Cornell's death, about a charitable woman who has an affair with a minister, becomes pregnant, and is publicly condemned for adultery, showing strong parallels to Sarah Cornell's story.

In 1849, he started working on a book about a woman who was known to be good at sewing and very charitable, who has an affair with a minister. She becomes pregnant and is publicly condemned for adultery.

Buy on Amazon
The Sinners All Bow: Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne cover

The Sinners All Bow

Kate Winkler Dawson

Mentioned 7 months ago

Fall River

This book was about a Methodist minister, a mill worker, and a murder, specifically the case of Sarah Cornell. The author interviewed many people related to the case and wrote a narrative nonfiction true crime book about it.

Kate Dawson's book is The Sinners All Bow: Two Authors, One Murder, and the Real Hester Prynne.

Buy on Amazon
Fall River: An Authentic Narrative cover

Fall River

Catherine Read Williams

Mentioned 7 months ago

Fall River

This was Catherine Williams' book about the murder trial, which she published shortly after the trial concluded. The book interviewed witnesses and friends, finding that many claims made during the trial about Sarah Cornell's medical issues were wrong.

Catherine Williams published her book shortly after the trial. It was called Fall River, an Authentic Narrative.

Buy on Amazon
Storming the Court: How a Band of Yale Law Students Sued the President--and Won cover

Storming the Court

Brandt Goldstein

Mentioned 1 year ago

A Land Without Law

It recounts the story of how a group of law students fought the US president and won a case concerning Haitian refugees at Guantanamo Bay. The book details their legal battle, highlighting the students' dedication and the complexities of the case.

This case should be dismissed immediately. The U.S. Constitution does not apply to Guantanamo. No other federal law applies to Guantanamo. We can do whatever we want to these refugees. We can be arbitrary, we can be capricious, we can even be cruel.

Buy on Amazon
The Mirage cover

The Mirage

Zay N. Smith

Mentioned 1 year ago

The Mirage

It is a book written in 1979 by Pam Zeckman and Zae Smith about their experience of running an undercover bar to catch Chicago officials in the act of corruption. It was a 25-part series that became a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local special reporting.

The Unseen Truth: When Race Changed Sight in America cover

The Unseen Truth

Sarah Lewis

Mentioned 1 year ago

A Murder in the Forest

It was mentioned in passing that Sarah Lewis had written a new book, "The Unseen Truth," and that Brene Brown would be discussing it on her podcast.

A Man's Guide on How to Save Your Marriage Without Having to Talk About It cover

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

Dom Phillips was working on a book about saving the Amazon rainforest, titled 'How to Save the Amazon: Ask the People Who Know', which is to be released next year.

Dom Phillips' book titled How to Save the Amazon Ask the People Who Know.

Buy on Amazon
The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast cover

The Last Good Heist

Wayne Worcester

Mentioned 1 year ago

Into the Vault

It is a book about the robbery of Raymond Patriarca's vault in Providence during the 1970s, written by Tim White, Wayne Wooster, and Randall Richards. The authors faced challenges in tracking down the lead gunman, Robert Dusault, due to his involvement in the witness protection program.

The True Believer cover

The True Believer

Eric Hoffer

Mentioned 1 year ago

Ana

It detailed the investigation and capture of Ana Montes, a DIA analyst who spied for Cuba, and was discussed as a key source of information about the case.

Scott Carmichael's book is True Believer: Inside the Investigation and Capture of Ana Montes, Cuba's Master Spy.

Buy on Amazon
Code Name Blue Wren: The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy―and the Sister She Betrayed cover

Code Name Blue Wren

Jim Popkin

Mentioned 1 year ago

Ana

It recounted the true story of Ana Montes, focusing on her role as a spy and the betrayal of her sister, an FBI agent working to expose Cuban spies.

Jim Popkin's book is called Code Name Blue Wren, The True Story of America's Most Dangerous Female Spy, and The Sister She Betrayed.

Buy on Amazon
Among the Bros: A Fraternity Crime Story: The True Story of a Journalist's Investigation into a Fraternity Drug Ring cover

Among the Bros

Max Marshall

Mentioned 1 year ago

Millions of Pills

Max Marshall's book 'Among the Bros' focused on one fraternity at one college in particular, the College of Charleston, which was known for its wealthy, out-of-state student body and strong Greek life culture. The book investigated the fraternity's involvement in a drug ring that involved the distribution of Xanax and cocaine.

You know, there was a saying I heard a few times under the influence above the law. And I do think that sort of describes the mindset of a certain type of fraternity guy.

Buy on Amazon
Happily Never After cover

Happily Never After

Lynn Painter

Mentioned 2 years ago

State of North Carolina v. Joan Little

It tells the story of Nancy and Dan Brophy, who were married for 25 years. Dan was a chef and Nancy wrote romance novels. In 2018 Dan was found dead and Nancy became the main suspect. Investigators tried to determine whether Nancy was researching her next novel or planning a murder.

Follow Happily Never After Dan and Nancy on the Wondry app or wherever you get your podcasts. You can listen to all episodes of Happily Never After Dan and Nancy early and ad-free right now by joining Wondry Plus.

Buy on Amazon

Most Recommended

The Trauma Cleaner: One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster Cover

Sarah Krasnostein

The Trauma Cleaner

One Woman's Extraordinary Life in the Business of Death, Decay, and Disaster

The podcast episode discussed the book 'The Trauma Cleaner' and highlighted Sandra Pankhurst's journey as a crime scene cleaner, detailing her experiences and the emotional toll of the profession.

"

To learn more about Sandra's story, you can read The Trauma Cleaner, by Sarah Krasnostein.

— Episode: A Bucket, a Mop, and a Sledgehammer

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: A Bucket, a Mop, and a Sledgehammer

The podcast episode discussed the book 'The Trauma Cleaner' and highlighted Sandra Pankhurst's journey as a crime scene cleaner, detailing her experiences and the emotional toll of the profession.

"

To learn more about Sandra's story, you can read The Trauma Cleaner, by Sarah Krasnostein.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Cover

J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

It was the final book in the Harry Potter series, published a year prior to the events discussed in the podcast episode, and was a significant moment for fans.

"

In 2008, we were just... We were a year past the publication of the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And that was a huge moment for everyone.

— Episode: Eight Years

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Eight Years

It was the final book in the Harry Potter series, published a year prior to the events discussed in the podcast episode, and was a significant moment for fans.

"

In 2008, we were just... We were a year past the publication of the last book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. And that was a huge moment for everyone.

The Good Death: An Exploration of Dying in America Cover

Ann Neumann

The Good Death

An Exploration of Dying in America

It was mentioned as a book written by Ann Neumann, which explores dying in America and was relevant to the case of Phillip and Becky, as the author lived in the same area.

"

Ann Newman is from Lancaster County and was home visiting her sister when she read about Phillip in the local paper. She'd been researching cases like Phillip and Becky's for years. She'd written a bo...

— Episode: Philip and Becky

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Philip and Becky

It was mentioned as a book written by Ann Neumann, which explores dying in America and was relevant to the case of Phillip and Becky, as the author lived in the same area.

"

Ann Newman is from Lancaster County and was home visiting her sister when she read about Phillip in the local paper. She'd been researching cases like Phillip and Becky's for years. She'd written a book called The Good Death, an exploration of dying in America.

The Alienist Cover

Caleb Carr

The Alienist

It was the basis for a TNT limited series, which was discussed in a few different segments of the podcast, a gruesome murder mystery set in New York City in 1896.

"

This is a special bonus episode of Criminal made possible by TNT's new limited series, The Alienist, based on the bestselling novel by Caleb Carr.

— Episode: Bonus Episode: Like a Page from a Book

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bonus Episode: Like a Page from a Book

It was the basis for a TNT limited series, which was discussed in a few different segments of the podcast, a gruesome murder mystery set in New York City in 1896.

"

This is a special bonus episode of Criminal made possible by TNT's new limited series, The Alienist, based on the bestselling novel by Caleb Carr.

This bonus episode of Criminal was made possible by TNT's new limited series, The Alienist, based on the best-selling novel by Caleb Carr.

This episode was brought to you by TNT's new limited series, The Alienist, starring Daniel Brhl, Luke Evans and Dakota Fanning.

The Psychopath Test: A Journey Through the Madness Industry Cover

Jon Ronson

The Psychopath Test

A Journey Through the Madness Industry

It was mentioned as a book about the author's journey exploring psychopathy diagnosis and his encounters with Robert Hare, a prominent figure in the field, including attending a diagnostic training course.

"

My name is John Ronson and I'm an author of a number of books, including the book, The Psychopath Test.

— Episode: The Checklist

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Checklist

It was mentioned as a book about the author's journey exploring psychopathy diagnosis and his encounters with Robert Hare, a prominent figure in the field, including attending a diagnostic training course.

"

My name is John Ronson and I'm an author of a number of books, including the book, The Psychopath Test.

John Ronson spent three years exploring how a person is diagnosed as a psychopath and he met several times with the most famous man in psychopathy research, Robert Hare is the father of modern psychopathy diagnosis.

One of the reasons John Ronson knows the checklist so well is because he attended one of the diagnostic training courses taught by the creator of the checklist, Robert Hare.

They Can't Kill Us All: Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America's Racial Justice Movement Cover

Wesley Lowery

They Can't Kill Us All

Ferguson, Baltimore, and a New Era in America's Racial Justice Movement

It was mentioned in the context of the journalist Wesley Lowry meeting Edward Crawford at the 2014 Ferguson protests, before the famous photograph was taken.

"

In his book, They Can't Kill Us All, journalist Wesley Lowry writes about meeting Ed Crawford at the 2014 protest in Ferguson, before the photograph was even taken.

— Episode: It Looked Like Fire

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: It Looked Like Fire

It was mentioned in the context of the journalist Wesley Lowry meeting Edward Crawford at the 2014 Ferguson protests, before the famous photograph was taken.

"

In his book, They Can't Kill Us All, journalist Wesley Lowry writes about meeting Ed Crawford at the 2014 protest in Ferguson, before the photograph was even taken.

The Gilded Age in New York, 1870-1910 Cover

Esther Crain

The Gilded Age in New York, 1870-1910

It was mentioned as a possible source of the newspaper's name, "The Evening Whirl", due to a phrase found within its pages referencing a bustling social scene.

"

Both chatted away in high spirits and made the evening whirl along in the most mirthful manner.

— Episode: Don't Let Me See You In The Whirl

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Don't Let Me See You In The Whirl

It was mentioned as a possible source of the newspaper's name, "The Evening Whirl", due to a phrase found within its pages referencing a bustling social scene.

"

Both chatted away in high spirits and made the evening whirl along in the most mirthful manner.

The Baby Thief: The True Story of the Woman Who Sold Over Five Thousand Neglected, Abused and Stolen Babies in the 1950s. Cover

The Baby Thief

The True Story of the Woman Who Sold Over Five Thousand Neglected, Abused and Stolen Babies in the 1950s.

It detailed Georgia Tann's life and actions, including her illegal adoptions of children and how she operated a baby black market. The book also touched on the lasting effects of Tann's actions on both the victims and adoptive parents.

"

Barbara Raymond's book is The Baby Thief.

— Episode: Baby Snatcher

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Baby Snatcher

It detailed Georgia Tann's life and actions, including her illegal adoptions of children and how she operated a baby black market. The book also touched on the lasting effects of Tann's actions on both the victims and adoptive parents.

"

Barbara Raymond's book is The Baby Thief.

We've got a link in the show notes.

In Broad Daylight Cover

Harry N. MacLean

In Broad Daylight

It was discussed as a book about the Ken McElroy case, with the author being interviewed throughout the podcast. The book details McElroy's reign of terror in a small Missouri town and the events leading up to his death.

"

We spoke with Harry MacLean, author of In Broad Daylight.

— Episode: Bully

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Bully

It was discussed as a book about the Ken McElroy case, with the author being interviewed throughout the podcast. The book details McElroy's reign of terror in a small Missouri town and the events leading up to his death.

"

We spoke with Harry MacLean, author of In Broad Daylight.

This is criminal calm where you can also find a link to Harry McLean's book about skidmore In Broad Daylight

Wilmington's Lie (WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE): The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy Cover

David Zucchino

Wilmington's Lie (WINNER OF THE 2021 PULITZER PRIZE)

The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy

It was discussed as the book that detailed the 1898 coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the rise of white supremacy in the region, a pivotal event that was often misrepresented or forgotten.

"

David Zucchino's book is Wilmington's Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy.

— Episode: "If it ever happens, run."

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "If it ever happens, run."

It was discussed as the book that detailed the 1898 coup in Wilmington, North Carolina, and the rise of white supremacy in the region, a pivotal event that was often misrepresented or forgotten.

"

David Zucchino's book is Wilmington's Lie: The Murderous Coup of 1898 and the Rise of White Supremacy.

In the early 70s, it was my first job out of journalism school and there was a small bust of Josephus in the lobby. There were all these tributes to him around the newsroom. I had no idea of what his role was.

He was portrayed as a progressive, crusading journalist and that's the way he was portrayed for years and years and it was only recently that people realized that he was this committed white supremacist who was the architect of the misinformation and propaganda campaign.

During 1898, there was a statue of Josephus outside the News and Observer building in downtown Raleigh and last summer, the Daniels family decided on their own to take the statue down.

Playing Dead Cover

Robert Sheehan

Playing Dead

It was written about the author's personal experiment of faking her own death in the Philippines, to investigate the practicality of it, and the challenges of trying to disappear.

"

So my death certificate says, NSO certified true copy of death certificate issued to Elizabeth Greenwood.

— Episode: Vanish

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Vanish

It was written about the author's personal experiment of faking her own death in the Philippines, to investigate the practicality of it, and the challenges of trying to disappear.

"

So my death certificate says, NSO certified true copy of death certificate issued to Elizabeth Greenwood.

She's 33 years old, lives in Brooklyn and died in 2013, on paper anyway.

As an experiment, I wanted to see how far I could get if I were to fake my own death.

You can see Elizabeth's death certificate in her book, Playing Dead, a journey through the world of death fraud.

We've also got links to Elizabeth Greenwood's book and Steve Rombaum's investigative agency.

Behind the Shock Machine: The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments Cover

Gina Perry

Behind the Shock Machine

The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments

It was discussed as a book detailing the Milgram experiment and revealed that the most famous version of the experiment, where 65% of participants went to the maximum, was only one variation among 24.

"

Gina Perry's book isBehind the Shock Machine: The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments.

— Episode: "The experiment requires that you contin...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: "The experiment requires that you continue."

It was discussed as a book detailing the Milgram experiment and revealed that the most famous version of the experiment, where 65% of participants went to the maximum, was only one variation among 24.

"

Gina Perry's book isBehind the Shock Machine: The Untold Story of the Notorious Milgram Psychology Experiments.

Gina Perry's book is Behind the Shock Machine, the untold story of the notorious Milgram psychology experiments.

Hello Maggie! Cover

Shigeru Yabu

Hello Maggie!

It was a book about Shigeru Yabu's experience at the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, specifically focusing on the magpie bird named Maggie that he befriended during his time there.

"

And we looked at each other eye to eye.

— Episode: The Magpie

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Magpie

It was a book about Shigeru Yabu's experience at the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, specifically focusing on the magpie bird named Maggie that he befriended during his time there.

"

And we looked at each other eye to eye.

Maggie kept the spirits up for all the internees. And when there was no more internees left, she died from a broken heart.

Maggie to me, and like all my pets, is something that the more you give, the more they give back.

Many people had parrots. But how many pets do you have that did so many different things?

It meant so much to so many people. It brought joy to them. It brought happiness.

Pantographia: Containing Accurate Copies of All the Known Alphabets in the World; Together With an English Explanation of the Peculiar Force or Power of Each Letter: To Which Are Added, Specimens of A Cover

Edmund Fry

Pantographia

Containing Accurate Copies of All the Known Alphabets in the World; Together With an English Explanation of the Peculiar Force or Power of Each Letter

It was mentioned as being a book of alphabets of the world, and potentially a source of inspiration for the 'princess's' invented writing system.

"

She may have sort of based some of her letters on that, but she was clever enough that she never pinned herself down as coming from anywhere in particular.

— Episode: The Princess

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Princess

It was mentioned as being a book of alphabets of the world, and potentially a source of inspiration for the 'princess's' invented writing system.

"

She may have sort of based some of her letters on that, but she was clever enough that she never pinned herself down as coming from anywhere in particular.

Blood On The River: James Town 1607 Cover

Elisa Carbone

Blood On The River

James Town 1607

It was mentioned as a true story of small-town revenge, where the author interviewed people on Isle Madame and discussed differing perspectives on the murder.

"

I've heard actually more than one person say that they should have made a statue because what James did was a good thing.

— Episode: The Midnight Slider

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Midnight Slider

It was mentioned as a true story of small-town revenge, where the author interviewed people on Isle Madame and discussed differing perspectives on the murder.

"

I've heard actually more than one person say that they should have made a statue because what James did was a good thing.

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