Criminal
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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Most Recommended

Time to Rise (TV 24 Book 1) Cover

Heléne Holmström

Time to Rise (TV 24 Book 1)

It was mentioned as a book written by David Brown, the former Dallas Police Chief, likely detailing his career and experiences.

"

You can see them at thisiscriminal.com where we've got a link to David Brown's book called To Rise.

— Episode: Becoming Chief Brown

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Becoming Chief Brown

It was mentioned as a book written by David Brown, the former Dallas Police Chief, likely detailing his career and experiences.

"

You can see them at thisiscriminal.com where we've got a link to David Brown's book called To Rise.

Kingfish: The Reign of Huey P. Long Cover

Jr. Richard D. White

Kingfish

The Reign of Huey P. Long

A nearly 900-page biography of Huey Long that won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, concluding that Carl Weiss shot Huey Long and had planned it.

"

In 1969, a writer named T. Harry Williams published an almost 900-page biography of Huey Long. It won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

— Episode: The Kingfish

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Kingfish

A nearly 900-page biography of Huey Long that won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize, concluding that Carl Weiss shot Huey Long and had planned it.

"

In 1969, a writer named T. Harry Williams published an almost 900-page biography of Huey Long. It won both the National Book Award and the Pulitzer Prize.

Williams interviewed 295 people who'd known Huey Long.

And by the end, he concludes that Weiss did shoot Huey Long and that he had planned it.

Williams writes that Weiss read a lot of political philosophy and, quote, wept openly in conversations about what Long was doing to the state.

We asked Carl Weiss Jr. and his son about this, and they said that Williams didn't interview a single member of the Weiss family.

Vanishing Point Forever by Robert M. Rubin Cover

Robert M. Rubin

Vanishing Point Forever by Robert M. Rubin

It was described as a strange book that contains a section on gold mining as a way to make an honest living whilst remaining invisible.

"

There's an even stranger book, Vanishing Point, How to Disappear in America Without a Trace, which is a whole section on gold mining as a quote, 'Way to make an honest living while remaining invisible...

— Episode: Vanish

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Vanish

It was described as a strange book that contains a section on gold mining as a way to make an honest living whilst remaining invisible.

"

There's an even stranger book, Vanishing Point, How to Disappear in America Without a Trace, which is a whole section on gold mining as a quote, 'Way to make an honest living while remaining invisible to society.'

Love, Liberation, and Escaping Slavery: William and Ellen Craft in Cultural Memory Cover

Barbara McCaskill

Love, Liberation, and Escaping Slavery

William and Ellen Craft in Cultural Memory

It was mentioned as a resource for those wanting to learn more about William and Ellen Craft within the broader context of cultural memory and the impact of their story.

"

You can also learn more about Professor Barbara McCaskill's book, Love, Liberation and Escaping Slavery William and Ellen Craft in Cultural Memory.

— Episode: In Plain Sight

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: In Plain Sight

It was mentioned as a resource for those wanting to learn more about William and Ellen Craft within the broader context of cultural memory and the impact of their story.

"

You can also learn more about Professor Barbara McCaskill's book, Love, Liberation and Escaping Slavery William and Ellen Craft in Cultural Memory.

"That Fiend in Hell": Soapy Smith in Legend Cover

Catherine Holder Spude

"That Fiend in Hell"

Soapy Smith in Legend

It was mentioned as a book about Soapy Smith, who was a con artist, and it was mentioned that it revealed he was a handsome, smooth-talking man who stole from others.

"

This is Catherine Spoody, an anthropologist and historian who studies the American West. She has a book about Soapy called That Fiend in Hell.

— Episode: The Shell Game

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Shell Game

It was mentioned as a book about Soapy Smith, who was a con artist, and it was mentioned that it revealed he was a handsome, smooth-talking man who stole from others.

"

This is Catherine Spoody, an anthropologist and historian who studies the American West. She has a book about Soapy called That Fiend in Hell.

Almost a Psychopath: Do I (or Does Someone I Know) Have a Problem with Manipulation and Lack of Empathy? (The Almost Effect) Cover

Ronald Schouten

Almost a Psychopath

Do I (or Does Someone I Know) Have a Problem with Manipulation and Lack of Empathy? (The Almost Effect)

It was discussed as a book that explores the concept of 'almost psychopaths', individuals who exhibit some but not all of the criteria for psychopathy, and how they can cause harm to themselves and others.

"

This is Dr. Ronald Chowdhurn, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Law and Psychiatry Service at Massachusetts General Hospital.

— Episode: The Checklist

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Checklist

It was discussed as a book that explores the concept of 'almost psychopaths', individuals who exhibit some but not all of the criteria for psychopathy, and how they can cause harm to themselves and others.

"

This is Dr. Ronald Chowdhurn, a professor of psychiatry at Harvard Medical School and the director of the Law and Psychiatry Service at Massachusetts General Hospital.

He's both a lawyer and a doctor, and he's the author of a book called Almost a Psychopath.

This is the subject of Dr. Chowdhurn's book, Almost a Psychopath.

The Sicilian: A Novel Cover

Mario Puzo

The Sicilian

A Novel

Also borrowed from the prison library alongside Malcolm X's autobiography, it was difficult for Robin to read initially due to his illiteracy, but it led him to purchase a dictionary and improve his reading skills.

"

He borrowed the autobiography of Malcolm X and The Sicilian, a mafia novel by the author of The Godfather, Mario Puzo.

— Episode: The Editor

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Editor

Also borrowed from the prison library alongside Malcolm X's autobiography, it was difficult for Robin to read initially due to his illiteracy, but it led him to purchase a dictionary and improve his reading skills.

"

He borrowed the autobiography of Malcolm X and The Sicilian, a mafia novel by the author of The Godfather, Mario Puzo.

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia Cover

Mark A. Stevens

Merriam Webster's Collegiate Encyclopedia

Robin ordered a copy from a catalog, after having read several hundred books. He meticulously read through it and identified multiple errors, which he communicated to the editor, Mark Stevens.

"

In 2004, he ordered an encyclopedia from a Merriam-Webster catalog.

— Episode: The Editor

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Editor

Robin ordered a copy from a catalog, after having read several hundred books. He meticulously read through it and identified multiple errors, which he communicated to the editor, Mark Stevens.

"

In 2004, he ordered an encyclopedia from a Merriam-Webster catalog.

It contained 2.5 million words, a gigantic book of 1,800 pages.

By the time that I got a hold of the Merriam-Webster's desktop collegiate encyclopedia, always get the whole thing out because it's impressive for me.

By the time I got to that point, I had probably read five, 600 books.

Harry, A History: The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon Cover

Melissa Anelli

Harry, A History

The True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon

It was published in 2008, was about the Harry Potter phenomenon, and debuted at #18 on the New York Times Bestseller list, with a foreword by J.K. Rowling.

"

And in 2008, Melissa published a book, Harry, A History, the true story of a boy wizard, his fans and life inside the Harry Potter phenomenon.

— Episode: Eight Years

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Eight Years

It was published in 2008, was about the Harry Potter phenomenon, and debuted at #18 on the New York Times Bestseller list, with a foreword by J.K. Rowling.

"

And in 2008, Melissa published a book, Harry, A History, the true story of a boy wizard, his fans and life inside the Harry Potter phenomenon.

J.K. Rowling wrote the foreword and the book debuted at number 18 on the New York Times bestseller list.

The I Ching, or, Book of Changes (Bollingen Series XIX) (Bollingen Series, 31) Cover

Richard Wilhelm

The I Ching, or, Book of Changes (Bollingen Series XIX) (Bollingen Series, 31)

It was mentioned as a Chinese book of changes that Meredith used to consult during her decision making process for the brownie business.

"

Now at that time, and still, I was very much into the I Ching, which is the Chinese book of changes.

— Episode: Brownie Lady

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Brownie Lady

It was mentioned as a Chinese book of changes that Meredith used to consult during her decision making process for the brownie business.

"

Now at that time, and still, I was very much into the I Ching, which is the Chinese book of changes.

And what that is, is a method of throwing coins and asking questions and consulting the occult, consulting the oracle.

Because remember, the Ching was a silent partner right from the beginning.

San Francisco Then and Now® Cover

Dennis Evanosky

San Francisco Then and Now®

It was a book that Meredith's brownie business was mentioned in, with her baby picture next to a pan of brownies.

"

We were written up in Great Ladies of San Francisco. There was a book.

— Episode: Brownie Lady

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Brownie Lady

It was a book that Meredith's brownie business was mentioned in, with her baby picture next to a pan of brownies.

"

We were written up in Great Ladies of San Francisco. There was a book.

And the great books of Hasheesh were my baby picture. There's a there's a baby picture of me standing next to a pot, a pan of brownies that ran in the great books of Hasheesh.

The Ice Box Murders Cover

Hugh Gardenier

The Ice Box Murders

It was initially intended to be a non-fiction book about the Rogers murder case, but eventually published as a novel in 2003, with 85% of it being factual accounts of the investigation.

"

They published all of their findings in a book.

— Episode: Open Case

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Open Case

It was initially intended to be a non-fiction book about the Rogers murder case, but eventually published as a novel in 2003, with 85% of it being factual accounts of the investigation.

"

They published all of their findings in a book.

They'd expected it to be a non-fiction book but in 2003, The Icebox Murders was published as a novel.

85 percent of it is straight fact and it was a matter of Martha and I arm wrestled over the other 15 percent.

I mean we just literally rolled around because my first intent was this growling gritting of my teeth and going by golly this will never be written as a novel and you know there are going to be footnotes everywhere and so forth and we're going to reference the specific documents.

It's an incredibly dense novel moving back and forth through time and going down these long paths with side characters. Just the sheer amount of detail that they put into this book makes you understand the level of research and really it's rather violent in parts.

The Man in the Monster: An Intimate Portrait of a Serial Killer Cover

Martha Elliott

The Man in the Monster

An Intimate Portrait of a Serial Killer

It was discussed how Martha Elliott spent 20 years trying to figure out if Michael Ross's remorse was real, writing about it in her book, 'The Man in the Monster'.

"

Learn more about Martha Elliot's relationship with Michael Ross in her book,The Man in the Monster.

— Episode: The Stay

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Stay

It was discussed how Martha Elliott spent 20 years trying to figure out if Michael Ross's remorse was real, writing about it in her book, 'The Man in the Monster'.

"

Learn more about Martha Elliot's relationship with Michael Ross in her book,The Man in the Monster.

He had given them a book, Ferdinand the Bull, which as you probably know is the story of a bull who is very peaceful and who gets stung by a bee and then goes crazy.

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts: A Memoir Cover

Neil White

In the Sanctuary of Outcasts

A Memoir

Neil White's memoir, 'In the Sanctuary of Outcasts', detailed his experience serving an 18-month sentence in a minimum-security prison located within the last remaining leprosy colony in the United States.

"

You can find out more about Neil White's time at Carville in his book, In the Sanctuary of Outcasts.

— Episode: No Place Like Home

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: No Place Like Home

Neil White's memoir, 'In the Sanctuary of Outcasts', detailed his experience serving an 18-month sentence in a minimum-security prison located within the last remaining leprosy colony in the United States.

"

You can find out more about Neil White's time at Carville in his book, In the Sanctuary of Outcasts.

IEC 61347-2-1 Ed. 2.0 b:2024, Second Edition: Controlgear for electric light sources - Safety - Part 2-1: Particular requirements - Starting devices (other than glow starters) Cover

International Electrotechnical Commission

IEC 61347-2-1 Ed. 2.0 b

2024, Second Edition

It was mentioned that Phil Elverum's album 'The Glow Part II' was released in the fall of 2001 on K Records. It was briefly referred to during a mention of the Song Exploder podcast.

"

In the fall of 2001, Phil Elverum released the album The Glow Part II on K Records.

— Episode: Angie

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Angie

It was mentioned that Phil Elverum's album 'The Glow Part II' was released in the fall of 2001 on K Records. It was briefly referred to during a mention of the Song Exploder podcast.

"

In the fall of 2001, Phil Elverum released the album The Glow Part II on K Records.

The Meaning of Our Tears: The Lawson Family Murders of Christmas Day 1929 Cover

Trudy J. Smith

The Meaning of Our Tears

The Lawson Family Murders of Christmas Day 1929

It is a follow-up book to 'White Christmas, Bloody Christmas' and while still in print, libraries require a deposit to check it out due to its high demand and risk of theft.

"

Trudy Smith wrote a follow-up book, The Meaning of Our Tears.

— Episode: The Portrait

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Portrait

It is a follow-up book to 'White Christmas, Bloody Christmas' and while still in print, libraries require a deposit to check it out due to its high demand and risk of theft.

"

Trudy Smith wrote a follow-up book, The Meaning of Our Tears.

Even though that one's still in print, if you want to check it out from a library around here, you'll have to leave a $50 deposit.

Bad Luck, Hot Rocks: Conscience Letters and Photographs from the Petrified Forest Cover

Ryan Thompson

Bad Luck, Hot Rocks

Conscience Letters and Photographs from the Petrified Forest

It was described as a book compiling photographs of the conscience letters and the pieces of petrified wood that were returned, and it was said to have made a lot of sense in context of some of the research into geologic materials.

"

it starts just straight away they are beautiful, but i can't enjoy them they weigh like a ton of bricks on my conscience. period. sorry for him the letters are artifacts that are just as interesting a...

— Episode: Triassic Park

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Triassic Park

It was described as a book compiling photographs of the conscience letters and the pieces of petrified wood that were returned, and it was said to have made a lot of sense in context of some of the research into geologic materials.

"

it starts just straight away they are beautiful, but i can't enjoy them they weigh like a ton of bricks on my conscience. period. sorry for him the letters are artifacts that are just as interesting as the pieces of wood

Ryan Thompson's photographs of the letters look stark and lie on all white backgrounds next to pictures of pieces of returned wood he collected them into a book called Bad Luck Hot Rocks

made a lot of sense with some of the research i was doing into geologic materials geologic ephemera events and the way we project human emotions and thoughts into these sorts of materials so it just kind of bowled me over

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