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

All Creatures Great and Small Cover

James Herriot

All Creatures Great and Small

Karen incorrectly stated the setting of the show and book, which is Yorkshire, England, and not Scotland. She was politely corrected by a listener.

"

I was talking about how much I loved the show, All Things Great and Small, which I continue to love and I continue to recommend.

— Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

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Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

Karen incorrectly stated the setting of the show and book, which is Yorkshire, England, and not Scotland. She was politely corrected by a listener.

"

I was talking about how much I loved the show, All Things Great and Small, which I continue to love and I continue to recommend.

All things great and small is set in Yorkshire. Goodbye.

And that's where the entire incredibly famous book and television series is set in Yorkshire, England.

Star Wars: The High Republic: A Test of Courage (Star Wars: The High Republic (Middle Grade)) Cover

Justina Ireland

Star Wars

The High Republic

The book was mentioned as a new Star Wars book and discussed in another podcast on the same network.

"

And she's the author of the new Star Wars book, Test of Courage, which I think is such a like, like obsessive cool thing, right?

— Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

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Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

The book was mentioned as a new Star Wars book and discussed in another podcast on the same network.

"

And she's the author of the new Star Wars book, Test of Courage, which I think is such a like, like obsessive cool thing, right?

People love Star Wars. It's so good. So much fun.

Blue Dreams: The Science and the Story of the Drugs that Changed Our Minds Cover

Lauren Slater

Blue Dreams

The Science and the Story of the Drugs that Changed Our Minds

The book was recommended as a fascinating read about psychiatry and psychopharmacology, including the impact of these fields on the world.

"

I highly recommend reading the book. It's called Blue Dreams, The Science and Story of the Drugs That Changed Our Minds. It's by Lauren Slater, and it's all about psychiatry and psych...

— Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

The book was recommended as a fascinating read about psychiatry and psychopharmacology, including the impact of these fields on the world.

"

I highly recommend reading the book. It's called Blue Dreams, The Science and Story of the Drugs That Changed Our Minds. It's by Lauren Slater, and it's all about psychiatry and psychopharmacology and how it changed the world. It's fascinating. Check it out.

Grt & Desperate Cures Cover

Vaienstein

Grt & Desperate Cures

The book was mentioned as a source containing information about the results of lobotomies, including both positive and negative outcomes.

"

there were some very unpleasant results, very tragic results and some excellent results and a lot in between.

— Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

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Episode: 259 - Fake Snow In Glendale

The book was mentioned as a source containing information about the results of lobotomies, including both positive and negative outcomes.

"

there were some very unpleasant results, very tragic results and some excellent results and a lot in between.

Killing the Bordens: Lizzie Borden and the Unsolved 1892 Borden Murders Cover

C. Cree

Killing the Bordens

Lizzie Borden and the Unsolved 1892 Borden Murders

It was mentioned that the podcast host's listener's aunt had been asked to sign a book about Lizzie Borden for Christmas but instead sent the listener some lace cuffs from Lizzie Borden's house.

"

My mom had always said that my uncle joked about not letting her near sharp utensils just in case.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 211

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Episode: MFM Minisode 211

It was mentioned that the podcast host's listener's aunt had been asked to sign a book about Lizzie Borden for Christmas but instead sent the listener some lace cuffs from Lizzie Borden's house.

"

My mom had always said that my uncle joked about not letting her near sharp utensils just in case.

Apparently my mom had called her to ask if she could sign a book about Lizzie Borden to give me for Christmas and my aunt had responded, 'just a book. Do you think she'd like something even better?'

Petty: The Biography Cover

Warren Zanes

Petty

The Biography

It was praised for its beautiful writing style and engaging insights into Tom Petty's life and career, as told by a talented musician and author.

"

It's so good. It's Petty the Tom Petty biography. And it's written by Warren Zanes who was in the Del Fuego's I believe.

— Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

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Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

It was praised for its beautiful writing style and engaging insights into Tom Petty's life and career, as told by a talented musician and author.

"

It's so good. It's Petty the Tom Petty biography. And it's written by Warren Zanes who was in the Del Fuego's I believe.

So if you're looking for a good book and if you care about Tom Petty which I believe any red blooded American would, Warren Zanes biography of him is a beautifully, beautifully written book.

Beastie Boys Book Cover

Michael Diamond

Beastie Boys Book

It was mentioned as a book that Vince enjoyed, demonstrating his interest in biographies and similar content.

"

Seriously like the Beastie Boys biography is great too.

— Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

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Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

It was mentioned as a book that Vince enjoyed, demonstrating his interest in biographies and similar content.

"

Seriously like the Beastie Boys biography is great too.

A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind Cover

Shoukei Matsumoto

A Monk's Guide to a Clean House and Mind

It was a guide to help people reframe their trauma and regain confidence, based on the author's own experiences with her father's crimes.

"

And in 2016, Melissa Moore released her second book. It's called Whole, a guide to self repair.

— Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

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Episode: 257 - Monster Machine

It was a guide to help people reframe their trauma and regain confidence, based on the author's own experiences with her father's crimes.

"

And in 2016, Melissa Moore released her second book. It's called Whole, a guide to self repair.

Fire Investigator: Principles and Practice Cover

International Association of Arson Investigators,

Fire Investigator

Principles and Practice

It was described as the bible of fire investigations. The book was mentioned during a discussion about the Robin Boes case, where it influenced the jury's decision on the mother's guilt.

"

He wrote it as the bible of fire investigations

— Episode: 256 - Live at the Fillmore in Detroit, M...

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Episode: 256 - Live at the Fillmore in Detroit, MI (2017)

It was described as the bible of fire investigations. The book was mentioned during a discussion about the Robin Boes case, where it influenced the jury's decision on the mother's guilt.

"

He wrote it as the bible of fire investigations

The One Who Got Away: Escape from the Kill Room Cover

Gilles Tetreault

The One Who Got Away

Escape from the Kill Room

It was written by the victim of an attack by Mark Twitchell, who survived the encounter and eventually escaped from his garage. It recounts his terrifying experience.

"

And spoiler alert, I know this because he later writes a book called The One Who Got Away. Escape from the Kill Room.

— Episode: 163 - Nine Cocaines

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Episode: 163 - Nine Cocaines

It was written by the victim of an attack by Mark Twitchell, who survived the encounter and eventually escaped from his garage. It recounts his terrifying experience.

"

And spoiler alert, I know this because he later writes a book called The One Who Got Away. Escape from the Kill Room.

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7) Cover

J. K. Rowling

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Book 7)

It was mentioned as the book that Tyler was waiting for at Barnes & Noble when he claims to have received a divine command to start a worship group.

"

while he was standing outside Barnes & Noble waiting for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,

— Episode: 253 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in...

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Episode: 253 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas Ci...

It was mentioned as the book that Tyler was waiting for at Barnes & Noble when he claims to have received a divine command to start a worship group.

"

while he was standing outside Barnes & Noble waiting for the midnight release of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows,

Charles Dickens: Four Novels (Leather-bound Classics) Cover

Charles Dickens

Charles Dickens

Four Novels (Leather-bound Classics)

Bethany had read all of Charles Dickens' novels except one by the time she was 13, highlighting her love for reading and literary talent.

"

She read every Dickens novel except for one by the time she was 13.

— Episode: 253 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 253 - Live at the Arvest Bank Theatre in Kansas Ci...

Bethany had read all of Charles Dickens' novels except one by the time she was 13, highlighting her love for reading and literary talent.

"

She read every Dickens novel except for one by the time she was 13.

Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences: A Whole-Staff Approach Cover

Victoria E. Romero

Building Resilience in Students Impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences

A Whole-Staff Approach

It was said to be a book written by the husband of a high school English teacher who had sent nude photos to a student, and the book was described as 'cringy' to read.

"

Her husband was another English teacher at the school and he even wrote a book about the whole experience which is very cringy to read.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 204: Live From The Fan Cult

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Episode: MFM Minisode 204: Live From The Fan Cult

It was said to be a book written by the husband of a high school English teacher who had sent nude photos to a student, and the book was described as 'cringy' to read.

"

Her husband was another English teacher at the school and he even wrote a book about the whole experience which is very cringy to read.

Uncommon Type: Some Stories Cover

Tom Hanks

Uncommon Type

Some Stories

It was mentioned that an audio book production company had produced a book of short stories by Tom Hanks, which he had narrated himself.

"

I work in audiobook production and a few years ago we produced Tom Hanks' book of short stories.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 204: Live From The Fan Cult

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Episode: MFM Minisode 204: Live From The Fan Cult

It was mentioned that an audio book production company had produced a book of short stories by Tom Hanks, which he had narrated himself.

"

I work in audiobook production and a few years ago we produced Tom Hanks' book of short stories.

Dying from Improvement: Inquests and Inquiries into Indigenous Deaths in Custody Cover

Sherene Razack

Dying from Improvement

Inquests and Inquiries into Indigenous Deaths in Custody

It was mentioned as a book that discussed the 'Starlight Tours' and the Saskatoon freezing deaths, providing context and insights into the events.

"

And then there's a book that talks about this called Dying for Improvement by Shireen Razik.

— Episode: 251 - One Vince Away

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Episode: 251 - One Vince Away

It was mentioned as a book that discussed the 'Starlight Tours' and the Saskatoon freezing deaths, providing context and insights into the events.

"

And then there's a book that talks about this called Dying for Improvement by Shireen Razik.

Uneasy Street: The Anxieties of Affluence Cover

Rachel Sherman

Uneasy Street

The Anxieties of Affluence

It was mentioned as an audiobook that offered a glimpse into the lives of wealthy individuals in New York, specifically their lifestyles and relationships.

"

I was in the middle of listening to this book. It's called Uneasy Street by Rachel Sherman.

— Episode: 251 - One Vince Away

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Episode: 251 - One Vince Away

It was mentioned as an audiobook that offered a glimpse into the lives of wealthy individuals in New York, specifically their lifestyles and relationships.

"

I was in the middle of listening to this book. It's called Uneasy Street by Rachel Sherman.

And it's just interviews with like aspirationally wealthy people and how they live their lives and what they're all like pretty anonymous.

It's an audiobook Uneasy Street.

Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family Cover

Robert Kolker

Hidden Valley Road

Inside the Mind of an American Family

It was described as a fascinating true story about a family with 12 children, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how they became a study in the science of schizophrenia.

"

So I'm listening to this incredible book called Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker. And it's the true story of this family with 12 children and from the 1945 on and six of those chil...

— Episode: 250 - Look Who’s Crossing

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Episode: 250 - Look Who’s Crossing

It was described as a fascinating true story about a family with 12 children, six of whom were diagnosed with schizophrenia, and how they became a study in the science of schizophrenia.

"

So I'm listening to this incredible book called Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker. And it's the true story of this family with 12 children and from the 1945 on and six of those children end up getting diagnosed with schizophrenia.

And so psychiatry and brain doctors and scientists study them to figure out the how and the why of and the what of schizophrenia and the diagnosis and what it means and how it can be treated. And it's just really fascinating.

So that's Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker.

That's great. Yeah, I love it. I highly recommend it.

That sounds really good.

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks Cover

Rebecca Skloot

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

It was mentioned as a similar book to 'Hidden Valley Road', as it also alternates between the family's story and the scientific study related to the subject matter.

"

If you read the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, it's really similar where it goes between the family and what they're going through in their life. And then the next chapte...

— Episode: 250 - Look Who’s Crossing

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 250 - Look Who’s Crossing

It was mentioned as a similar book to 'Hidden Valley Road', as it also alternates between the family's story and the scientific study related to the subject matter.

"

If you read the book, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, it's really similar where it goes between the family and what they're going through in their life. And then the next chapter is about the scientists and the study and the brain.

Into the Water: A Novel Cover

Paula Hawkins

Into the Water

A Novel

It was mentioned that this book covered the Kara Robinson Chamberlain and Richard Mark Evonitz case in detail, including the events that lead to his capture.

"

There's a whole book about this case called Into the Water by Diane Fanning.

— Episode: 248 - Congratulations, Smarty

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Episode: 248 - Congratulations, Smarty

It was mentioned that this book covered the Kara Robinson Chamberlain and Richard Mark Evonitz case in detail, including the events that lead to his capture.

"

There's a whole book about this case called Into the Water by Diane Fanning.

Mrs D is Going Without: A Memoir Cover

Lotta Dann

Mrs D is Going Without

A Memoir

It was a book based on a New Zealand blog, and was recommended as a light read about the struggles of becoming sober, even with knowing you needed to do so.

"

So here's my new Quit Lit suggestion. It's called Mrs. D is Going Without. And it originally was an anonymous blog way back when blogs existed by this woman in New Zealand and her name is Lotta Dan. A...

— Episode: 247 - Champions In Our Own Ways

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 247 - Champions In Our Own Ways

It was a book based on a New Zealand blog, and was recommended as a light read about the struggles of becoming sober, even with knowing you needed to do so.

"

So here's my new Quit Lit suggestion. It's called Mrs. D is Going Without. And it originally was an anonymous blog way back when blogs existed by this woman in New Zealand and her name is Lotta Dan. And she is, I'm identifying with her so much. And it's just a really light, easy read about how fucking hard it is to become sober when you even know you need to. So I'm enjoying that.

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