My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark
Book Recommendations

My Favorite Murder with Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark

My Favorite Murder is a true crime comedy podcast hosted by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. Each week, Karen and Georgia share compelling true crimes and hometown stories from friends and listeners.  Since MFM launched in January of 2016, Karen and Georgia have shared their lifelong interest...

Episodes 1,279
Books 770

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Latest Recommendations

Apples to Oregon: Being the (Slightly) True Narrative of How a Brave Pioneer Father Brought Apples, Peaches, Pears, Plums, Grapes, and Cherries (and Children) Across the Plains (Anne Schwartz Books) cover

Apples to Oregon

Deborah Hopkinson

Mentioned 1 month ago

534 - Think About the Simulation

They introduced the book as a children's story about a 1800s Midwestern pioneer family traveling west, loosely inspired by Johnny Appleseed.

If you were a kid in the 90s, and in elementary school, a teacher read you a book about a family of pioneers. ... It's called Apples to Oregon by a writer named Deborah Hopkinson, and it follows an 1800s Midwestern family in their westward journey.

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Survivor of the Killing Fields cover

Survivor of the Killing Fields

Haing S. Ngor

Mentioned 1 month ago

534 - Think About the Simulation

They noted that a book titled The Killing Fields had been written and served as the source material for the film about the Cambodian genocide.

They had written the book, The Killing Fields.

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Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris cover

Death in the City of Light

David King

Mentioned 1 month ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 98: Grasp It

The hosts noted that the book covered the dark, twisted tale of Marcel Petiot, providing location maps of Paris and details of his meetings, victims, and trial.

I came across a book in my local library called Death in the City of Light, the serial killer of Nazioccupied Paris. What a dark, twisted tale and man. The book provided location maps in Paris, including the house that neighbors reported burning, which led to Petrois being found out and arrested. The book also covers his meetings with specific victims and how he manipulated them to come to his home in the first place. It also covers the trial of Petrois, which was one of the most frustrating reads I've ever had to get through.

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Drawn to Injustice: The Wrongful Conviction of Timothy Masters cover

Drawn to Injustice

Timothy Masters

Mentioned 1 month ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 98: Grasp It

The episode mentioned that Timothy Masters authored a book recounting his experience of being tried, imprisoned, and ultimately exonerated for Peggy Hetrick's murder.

Timothy Masters wrote a book detailing his experience being tried, jailed, and exonerated for Peggy's murder titled Drawn to Injustice, the Wrongful Conviction of Timothy Masters.

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The Woman They Could Not Silence: One Woman, Her Incredible Fight for Freedom, and the Men Who Tried to Make Her Disappear (True Story of the Historical Battle for Women's and Mental Health Rights) cover

The Woman They Could Not Silence

Kate Moore

Mentioned 2 months ago

533 - An Exercise in Frustration

The hosts highlighted Kate Moore's 2021 book, noting it revived interest in Elizabeth Packard's story and contributed to recent mentalhealth awareness.

Here's Kate Moore's book, she's an amazing author, oh yeah the one they could not silence, very cool.

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The Flowers in the Attic Saga (Boxed Set): Flowers in the Attic/Petals on the Wind; If There Be Thorns/Seeds of Yesterday; Garden of Shadows (Dollanganger) cover

The Flowers in the Attic Saga (Boxed Set)

V.C. Andrews

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

They referred to *Flowers in the Attic* as a V.C.Andrews book, calling it problematic and discussing its controversial content.

there's a V.C. Andrews book. Flowers in the Attic? No. It's a problematic book that they talked about and they said it was controversial.

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When a Killer Calls: A Haunting Story of Murder, Criminal Profiling, and Justice in a Small Town (Cases of the FBI's Original Mindhunter, 2) cover

When a Killer Calls

John E. Douglas

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

They mentioned that there is a book called *Mindhunter* which the case or show was based on.

there is a book called Mindhunter and that's what it's based on.

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ShadowMan: An Elusive Psycho Killer and the Birth of FBI Profiling cover

ShadowMan

Ron Franscell

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 97: The Hague

The hosts said Ron Franshell had written the book *ShadowMan* about the case and the birth of FBI profiling, noting it sounded interesting to check out.

there are no case updates, but in January of 2022, journalist and author Ron Franshell wrote the book Shadow Man, an elusive psycho killer and the birth of FBI profiling about this case and the role it played in the FBI's first criminal profile, which I think is so interesting. We should all check that out.

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Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5 cover

Nancy Drew Starter Set - Books 1-5

Carolyn Keene

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

The hosts explained that the original 1930s Nancy Drew novel entered the public domain and they had annotated it for a $10 purchase.

Nancy Drew went public domain in January, and nobody is talking about what that actually means. The version of Nancy Drew that most of us grew up with, the 1959 version, is not the original version. As of January 2026, that original text is free. It's public domain. So I annotated it. The link is in my bio. Wow. It's $10.

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Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor: The Actors are Come Hither' - The Performance of Tragedy in a Secure Psychiatric Hospital cover

Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor

Murray Cox

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

They noted that the primary source for the episode was the book Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor compiled by Dr. Murray Cox.

The main source for this story is a book called Shakespeare Comes to Broadmoor, which was compiled by the doctor who spearheaded this program, Dr. Murray Cox.

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Parts Work: An Illustrated Guide to Your Inner Life cover

Parts Work

Tom Holmes

Mentioned 2 months ago

532 - We’re Being Artists Here

They referred to a book titled Parts Work while discussing therapeutic concepts.

the book's called Parts Work.

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The Blind Side: Evolution of a Game cover

The Blind Side

Michael Lewis

Mentioned 2 months ago

Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 96: Live at the Hard Rock in Orlando

A brief reference was made to "The Blind Side" as a comparison while discussing a sensational story.

the blind side

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Most Recommended

Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer Cover

Ann Rule

Green River, Running Red

The Real Story of the Green River Killer--America's Deadliest Serial Murderer

It was discussed in the context of the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgeway, and the book was described as being victim-oriented and sensitive to their lives.

"

Yeah, he definitely did that. That was one of the things I just read the Anne Rule Green River killer book. And that was totally one of his fucking things.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 247

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Episode: MFM Minisode 247

It was discussed in the context of the Green River Killer, Gary Ridgeway, and the book was described as being victim-oriented and sensitive to their lives.

"

Yeah, he definitely did that. That was one of the things I just read the Anne Rule Green River killer book. And that was totally one of his fucking things.

Green River running red, I think is the Anne rule book.

I just listened to it over the summer and it's very victims oriented. You know, she tells every victim story.

It's a really good book.

The World Gives Way: A Novel Cover

Marissa Levien

The World Gives Way

A Novel

It was described as a science fiction apocalyptic novel about humanity's escape to a spaceship and a tear in the ship revealing Earth, considered a satisfying read given the current times.

"

I'm reading a book called The World Gives Way by Marissa Levine.

— Episode: 294 - Was It A Sandwich?

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Episode: 294 - Was It A Sandwich?

It was described as a science fiction apocalyptic novel about humanity's escape to a spaceship and a tear in the ship revealing Earth, considered a satisfying read given the current times.

"

I'm reading a book called The World Gives Way by Marissa Levine.

About like a thousand years in the future, we had to escape Earth on a pod.

And there are like different caste systems.

And like suddenly there's a rip in the side of the fucking ship that is now Earth.

It's really good.

Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking Cover

Allen Carr

Allen Carr's Easy Way To Stop Smoking

It was described as the 'bible' for quitting smoking, a highly recommended resource for anyone looking to quit.

"

The book, Alan Carr's The Easy Way to Quit Smoking. If people need to quit smoking, that's like the Bible.

— Episode: 293 - Did We Forget Canada?

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Episode: 293 - Did We Forget Canada?

It was described as the 'bible' for quitting smoking, a highly recommended resource for anyone looking to quit.

"

The book, Alan Carr's The Easy Way to Quit Smoking. If people need to quit smoking, that's like the Bible.

Death Scenes: A Homicide Detective's Scrapbook Cover

Sean Tejaratchi

Death Scenes

A Homicide Detective's Scrapbook

It was described as 'fucking disgusting' and purchased at Powell's Books in Portland. Georgia bought it because of the morbid content, specifically crime scene photos.

"

And they have a vintage crime scene photo book and it's fucking disgusting so I totally bought it.

— Episode: 201 - Live at Revolution Hall in Portlan...

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Episode: 201 - Live at Revolution Hall in Portland (2017)

It was described as 'fucking disgusting' and purchased at Powell's Books in Portland. Georgia bought it because of the morbid content, specifically crime scene photos.

"

And they have a vintage crime scene photo book and it's fucking disgusting so I totally bought it.

Women Who Kill Cover

Ann Jones

Women Who Kill

It was mentioned as a show based on a graphic novel, that the speaker binged several episodes of overnight.

"

And it's called Why Women Kill and it's actually based on a graphic novel and it's starring Diane Lane.

— Episode: 292 - All Coffee & Apple Pie

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Episode: 292 - All Coffee & Apple Pie

It was mentioned as a show based on a graphic novel, that the speaker binged several episodes of overnight.

"

And it's called Why Women Kill and it's actually based on a graphic novel and it's starring Diane Lane.

Mirrorland Cover

Carole Johnstone

Mirrorland

It was described as a spooky book with twists and turns, set in a house in Scotland, and was considered one of the best books the speaker had listened to in years.

"

OK, like Carol Johnstone. So J-O-H-N-S-T-O-N-E. Fucking I just finished it.

— Episode: 291 - Welcome to the Comfort Zone

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Episode: 291 - Welcome to the Comfort Zone

It was described as a spooky book with twists and turns, set in a house in Scotland, and was considered one of the best books the speaker had listened to in years.

"

OK, like Carol Johnstone. So J-O-H-N-S-T-O-N-E. Fucking I just finished it.

Spooky twists and turns that like when you shout when you're listening to a book. No fucking way.

You know, like that sort of like twins. One is missing or is she? Is it murder? Who murdered her? Who done it?

But also in a fucking spooky house in the middle of Scotland.

So she's this like Scottish author. She's like I listen to it. So of course, I've been listening to a Scottish accent for a week, which is so fun.

The Snow Killings: Inside the Oakland County Child Killer Investigation Cover

Marney Rich Keenan

The Snow Killings

Inside the Oakland County Child Killer Investigation

It is a book about the Oakland County child killer case, and it was described as awful, focusing on the high number of pedophiles in the 70s and the difficulties in prosecuting such crimes.

"

And I can't not listen to a fucking book about the Oakland County child killers.

— Episode: 291 - Welcome to the Comfort Zone

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Episode: 291 - Welcome to the Comfort Zone

It is a book about the Oakland County child killer case, and it was described as awful, focusing on the high number of pedophiles in the 70s and the difficulties in prosecuting such crimes.

"

And I can't not listen to a fucking book about the Oakland County child killers.

Oh, yeah. Which you've covered. Yes. Very well.

And this one's called The Snow Killings by Marnie Rich Keenan.

And it's just as awful.

I think that fucking case and why I'm obsessed with it, I think, is just how many fucking pedophiles were going crazy in the 70s everywhere.

Murder by Gaslight (Dead Men Do Tell Tales) Cover

TROY Taylor

Murder by Gaslight (Dead Men Do Tell Tales)

It was mentioned as being a blog and having three books for sale on Amazon, covering murder from around the same time period as the podcast's topic.

"

And he has three books for sale on Amazon that look amazing that are all about basically murder from around this time.

— Episode: 199 - Live at the Hammersmith Apollo in...

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Episode: 199 - Live at the Hammersmith Apollo in London

It was mentioned as being a blog and having three books for sale on Amazon, covering murder from around the same time period as the podcast's topic.

"

And he has three books for sale on Amazon that look amazing that are all about basically murder from around this time.

Life in a Jar: The Irena Sendler Project Cover

Jack Mayer

Life in a Jar

The Irena Sendler Project

It was written by Jack Mayer, who was inspired by the high school girls' play and the story of Irina Sendler. It details how Elbieta Ficulska was rescued by Sendler as a five-month-old baby.

"

In the 2011 book 'Life in a Jar', written by Jack Mayer, who had found out about the play and the teenagers, so he wrote the book about it...

— Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

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Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

It was written by Jack Mayer, who was inspired by the high school girls' play and the story of Irina Sendler. It details how Elbieta Ficulska was rescued by Sendler as a five-month-old baby.

"

In the 2011 book 'Life in a Jar', written by Jack Mayer, who had found out about the play and the teenagers, so he wrote the book about it...

The Mystery of the Wooden Crate (The Steve Mitchell Adventure Series) Cover

Rick Oates Oates

The Mystery of the Wooden Crate (The Steve Mitchell Adventure Series)

It's an autobiography written by Brian Robson, detailing his unbelievable, almost jackass-level survival story, from being mailed across the globe in a crate.

"

So sources for this, what I'm about to tell you are from a book called 'The Crate Adventure' by Brian Robson.

— Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

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Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

It's an autobiography written by Brian Robson, detailing his unbelievable, almost jackass-level survival story, from being mailed across the globe in a crate.

"

So sources for this, what I'm about to tell you are from a book called 'The Crate Adventure' by Brian Robson.

It's a part of my life that in all honesty, I'd like to forget, but in all practicality, I could never forget.

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie Cover

Laura Numeroff

If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

It was described as being more powerful than other books about World War II and the Holocaust. It's a graphic novel that uses animals as people to tell the story.

"

The graphic novel 'Mouse' by Art Spiegelman is somehow it's a graphic novel using animals as people. And somehow it hit me harder than a lot of the books I've read about World War Two and the Holocaus...

— Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 290 - Full Metal Recovery

It was described as being more powerful than other books about World War II and the Holocaust. It's a graphic novel that uses animals as people to tell the story.

"

The graphic novel 'Mouse' by Art Spiegelman is somehow it's a graphic novel using animals as people. And somehow it hit me harder than a lot of the books I've read about World War Two and the Holocaust did.

Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented (Illustrated) Cover

William Tebb

Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented (Illustrated)

The book was mentioned to cover the subject of premature burial and the measures taken to prevent it, with Eleanor Markham's case being included as one of the prominent examples.

"

Her case is among those included in the book, Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented by William Tebb and Edward Volum.

— Episode: 289 - MFM Guest Host Picks #12 - Nick Te...

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Episode: 289 - MFM Guest Host Picks #12 - Nick Terry

The book was mentioned to cover the subject of premature burial and the measures taken to prevent it, with Eleanor Markham's case being included as one of the prominent examples.

"

Her case is among those included in the book, Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented by William Tebb and Edward Volum.

So in 19, Tebb and Volum, they wrote the best book.

Seducing and Killing Nazis: Hannie, Truus and Freddie: Dutch Resistance Heroines of WWII Cover

Sophie Poldermans

Seducing and Killing Nazis

Hannie, Truus and Freddie

It was described as a memoir written by one of the Dutch resistance heroines, Truis, about her experiences during World War II.

"

Truis would go on to speak publicly about all of the work that she, her sister and Honey did during the war... And she also writes a memoir called Not Then, Not Now, Not Ever.

— Episode: 192 - Sticking Together & Helping Out

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Episode: 192 - Sticking Together & Helping Out

It was described as a memoir written by one of the Dutch resistance heroines, Truis, about her experiences during World War II.

"

Truis would go on to speak publicly about all of the work that she, her sister and Honey did during the war... And she also writes a memoir called Not Then, Not Now, Not Ever.

Seducing and Killing Nazis: Hannie, Truus and Freddie: Dutch Resistance Heroines of WWII Cover

Sophie Poldermans

Seducing and Killing Nazis

Hannie, Truus and Freddie

It was recommended as a book about the Dutch resistance heroines, Truis and Freddie Oversteegen, and Honey Schaaft, detailing their work during World War II.

"

And if you want more information about these three amazing women, please read Sophie Polderman's book, Seducing and Killing Nazis.

— Episode: 192 - Sticking Together & Helping Out

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Episode: 192 - Sticking Together & Helping Out

It was recommended as a book about the Dutch resistance heroines, Truis and Freddie Oversteegen, and Honey Schaaft, detailing their work during World War II.

"

And if you want more information about these three amazing women, please read Sophie Polderman's book, Seducing and Killing Nazis.

Honey, the full, the full title, Seducing and Killing Nazis, Honey Truis and Freddie, Dutch resistance heroines of World War II.

Murder by Gaslight (Dead Men Do Tell Tales) Cover

TROY Taylor

Murder by Gaslight (Dead Men Do Tell Tales)

It was mentioned as a good source of information regarding 19th-century murders in America, and the Meeks family murder was specifically covered on the website.

"

Most of the information, I would say 90% of the information that I have in this story is because I found a website called murder by gaslight.com.

— Episode: 191 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in...

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Episode: 191 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas Ci...

It was mentioned as a good source of information regarding 19th-century murders in America, and the Meeks family murder was specifically covered on the website.

"

Most of the information, I would say 90% of the information that I have in this story is because I found a website called murder by gaslight.com.

And it is so good. That's like you. Yes. It's written by an author who has actually written a bunch of true crime books. His name is Robert Wilhelm.

So the Meeks family murder is covered in this and then a bunch of other ones too. He's an amazing writer.

Killer Women: Chilling, Dark and Gripping True Crime Stories of Women Who Kill Cover

Nigel Cawthorne

Killer Women

Chilling, Dark and Gripping True Crime Stories of Women Who Kill

It was briefly mentioned as a source that provided information for the story of Lisa Cihaski's murder, though only a limited number of pages were accessible.

"

There's a book called Killer Women, Devastating True Stories of Female Murderers by Wensley Clarkson.

— Episode: 190 - Lick The Clock

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Episode: 190 - Lick The Clock

It was briefly mentioned as a source that provided information for the story of Lisa Cihaski's murder, though only a limited number of pages were accessible.

"

There's a book called Killer Women, Devastating True Stories of Female Murderers by Wensley Clarkson.

Skeleton Crew: Stories Cover

Stephen King

Skeleton Crew

Stories

Karen realized she had already researched the Dyatlov Pass incident for a previous episode while reading this book.

"

But during it, I was like, where did I read it? I realized it was the book The Skeleton Crew.

— Episode: 188 - The You & Me Of This Group

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Episode: 188 - The You & Me Of This Group

Karen realized she had already researched the Dyatlov Pass incident for a previous episode while reading this book.

"

But during it, I was like, where did I read it? I realized it was the book The Skeleton Crew.

The Ones Who Got Away: An Uplifting and Unforgettable Contemporary Romance Cover

Roni Loren

The Ones Who Got Away

An Uplifting and Unforgettable Contemporary Romance

It was mentioned by Billy as a book written by the victim of Mark Twitchell's attempted murder in the garage, describing his escape from the kill room.

"

I decided I better fight back. I'd rather die my way than his way.

— Episode: 280 - MFM Guest Host Picks #3: Billy Jen...

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Episode: 280 - MFM Guest Host Picks #3: Billy Jensen

It was mentioned by Billy as a book written by the victim of Mark Twitchell's attempted murder in the garage, describing his escape from the kill room.

"

I decided I better fight back. I'd rather die my way than his way.

Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented (Illustrated) Cover

William Tebb

Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented (Illustrated)

It was mentioned that Eleanor Markham's case was included in this book, which explored the topic of premature burial and potential preventative measures.

"

Her case is among those included in the book Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented by William Tebb and Edward Volum.

— Episode: 186 - Sprankers!

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 186 - Sprankers!

It was mentioned that Eleanor Markham's case was included in this book, which explored the topic of premature burial and potential preventative measures.

"

Her case is among those included in the book Premature Burial and How It may be Prevented by William Tebb and Edward Volum.

Skeleton Crew: Stories Cover

Stephen King

Skeleton Crew

Stories

It was mentioned as a book about online sleuths solving crimes, specifically referencing the Lady of the Dunes case as a 'Holy Grail' case to solve.

"

And so they refer to this cold case as the whole, the Holy grail of a case to be solved.

— Episode: 278 - MFM Guest Host Picks #1: Steven Ra...

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Episode: 278 - MFM Guest Host Picks #1: Steven Ray Morris

It was mentioned as a book about online sleuths solving crimes, specifically referencing the Lady of the Dunes case as a 'Holy Grail' case to solve.

"

And so they refer to this cold case as the whole, the Holy grail of a case to be solved.

Um, so I think that's why it comes up a lot and I also think it comes up a lot because, uh, the police in this area, uh, Provincetown, Massachusetts kind of haven't let it go.

And that's basically what got her the full name of the book, sorry, is The Skeleton Crew, How Amateur Sleuths Are Solving America's Coldest Cases.

I already bought and started Deborah Halberst book, the Skeleton Crew and it's great.

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