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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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

Secret San Francisco: A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure Cover

Ruth Carlson

Secret San Francisco

A Guide to the Weird, Wonderful, and Obscure

The book was mentioned as part of a series the host used to read in the 90s, which contained information about haunted and creepy locations.

"

And it would have all the haunted places, creepy places, murder sites, whatever kind of creepy of interest area. So now they're all on one website called Weird US.

— Episode: 183 - Here We Back Are

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Episode: 183 - Here We Back Are

The book was mentioned as part of a series the host used to read in the 90s, which contained information about haunted and creepy locations.

"

And it would have all the haunted places, creepy places, murder sites, whatever kind of creepy of interest area. So now they're all on one website called Weird US.

The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels) Cover

Nathaniel Hawthorne

The House of the Seven Gables (Dover Thrift Editions

Classic Novels)

It was mentioned in relation to the appearance of an old building, and the hosts discussed the book's connection to Victorian or pre-Victorian styles, particularly its architectural features like tall gables and towers.

"

Well, in my mind it's almost like a Victorian or maybe even pre-Victorian. And it's literature. Right? So it's like tall gables.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 129

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Episode: MFM Minisode 129

It was mentioned in relation to the appearance of an old building, and the hosts discussed the book's connection to Victorian or pre-Victorian styles, particularly its architectural features like tall gables and towers.

"

Well, in my mind it's almost like a Victorian or maybe even pre-Victorian. And it's literature. Right? So it's like tall gables.

The Blind Hunter Cover

Kristina Rodanas

The Blind Hunter

The listener's father had an annotated copy of a book about a serial killer called Blind Hunter, in a collection of vintage true crime novels.

"

Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to my family's house and my dad handed me a stack of super rad vintage true crime novels.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 126

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Episode: MFM Minisode 126

The listener's father had an annotated copy of a book about a serial killer called Blind Hunter, in a collection of vintage true crime novels.

"

Over Memorial Day weekend, I went to my family's house and my dad handed me a stack of super rad vintage true crime novels.

In the collection of books was his annotated copies of about the Hillside Strangler, Bundy, Blind Hunter and a bunch of others.

Ypsilanti ND topo map, 1:24000 Scale, 7.5 X 7.5 Minute, Historical, 1952, Updated 1954, 26.9 x 21.9 in Cover

Ypsilanti ND topo map, 1

24000 Scale, 7.5 X 7.5 Minute, Historical, 1952, Updated 1954, 26.9 x 21.9 in

It included a picture of the boarding house where John Norman Collins lived at the time of the last murder he committed, which was relevant to the speaker's father's story.

"

The picture of where John Norman Collins lived at the time of the last of the murders he committed was pictured in a recent book, Tear and Ypsilanti by Gregory Forner.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 40

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Episode: MFM Minisode 40

It included a picture of the boarding house where John Norman Collins lived at the time of the last murder he committed, which was relevant to the speaker's father's story.

"

The picture of where John Norman Collins lived at the time of the last of the murders he committed was pictured in a recent book, Tear and Ypsilanti by Gregory Forner.

Just For The Love of It. The First Woman to Climb Mount Everest From Both Sides Cover

Cathy O'Dowd

Just For The Love of It. The First Woman to Climb Mount Everest From Both Sides

It was mentioned in the context of the Mount Everest story, where a climber had to make a difficult decision to leave a dying climber behind due to lack of oxygen.

"

In her book, Just for the Love of It, Kathy O'Dowd writes, quote, 'I had never encountered anything like this. I had past bodies. I had had friends not come back, but I had never watched anyone die, n...

— Episode: 174 - Rough Winds & High Waters

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Episode: 174 - Rough Winds & High Waters

It was mentioned in the context of the Mount Everest story, where a climber had to make a difficult decision to leave a dying climber behind due to lack of oxygen.

"

In her book, Just for the Love of It, Kathy O'Dowd writes, quote, 'I had never encountered anything like this. I had past bodies. I had had friends not come back, but I had never watched anyone die, nor had I had to decide to leave them.'

He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure Cover

Shirtaloon

He Who Fights with Monsters

A LitRPG Adventure

It was mentioned in passing as an audiobook the speaker was listening to that contained an interview with David Berkowitz, discussing his crimes and the creation of the FBI's VICAP.

"

I've been listening to the audio book of Those Who Fight Monsters, which is the guy from who basically started the FBI, VICAP, all that.

— Episode: 87 - Hither And Yon

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Episode: 87 - Hither And Yon

It was mentioned in passing as an audiobook the speaker was listening to that contained an interview with David Berkowitz, discussing his crimes and the creation of the FBI's VICAP.

"

I've been listening to the audio book of Those Who Fight Monsters, which is the guy from who basically started the FBI, VICAP, all that.

A Rose for Her Grave (Ann Rule's Crime Files) Cover

Ann Rule

A Rose for Her Grave (Ann Rule's Crime Files)

The listener's mother had a large collection of Anne Rule's books about murder, which sparked her interest in the genre and possibly helped influence her to become a fan of the podcast.

"

If you came to my house and took a look at our bookshelves, they'd probably seem pretty ordinary. On closer inspection, however, you'd notice that dotted about are a number of Anne Ruhle books, part o...

— Episode: MFM Minisode 123

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Episode: MFM Minisode 123

The listener's mother had a large collection of Anne Rule's books about murder, which sparked her interest in the genre and possibly helped influence her to become a fan of the podcast.

"

If you came to my house and took a look at our bookshelves, they'd probably seem pretty ordinary. On closer inspection, however, you'd notice that dotted about are a number of Anne Ruhle books, part of my mom's extensive collection.

When I was a kid, I thought it kind of strange that we owned all these books about murder.

Shark Arm: A Shark, a Tattooed Arm, and Two Unsolved Murders Cover

Phillip Roope

Shark Arm

A Shark, a Tattooed Arm, and Two Unsolved Murders

It was mentioned as a book about the shark arm murders case, which was discussed in detail on the podcast.

"

Alex Castles who's a professor and he wrote a book in 1995 called The Shark Arm Murders, which everyone should read.

— Episode: 86 - Live at the Enmore Theatre

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Episode: 86 - Live at the Enmore Theatre

It was mentioned as a book about the shark arm murders case, which was discussed in detail on the podcast.

"

Alex Castles who's a professor and he wrote a book in 1995 called The Shark Arm Murders, which everyone should read.

Shark Arm: A Shark, a Tattooed Arm, and Two Unsolved Murders Cover

Phillip Roope

Shark Arm

A Shark, a Tattooed Arm, and Two Unsolved Murders

It was mentioned as a book about the shark arm murders, which was recommended by one of the podcasters.

"

Alex Castles who's a professor and he wrote a book in 1995 called the Shark Arm murders Which everyone should read I definitely am going to

— Episode: 86 - Live at the Enmore Theatre

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Episode: 86 - Live at the Enmore Theatre

It was mentioned as a book about the shark arm murders, which was recommended by one of the podcasters.

"

Alex Castles who's a professor and he wrote a book in 1995 called the Shark Arm murders Which everyone should read I definitely am going to

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered T-Shirt Funny Cute True Crime Tote Bag Cover

Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered T-Shirt Funny Cute True Crime Tote Bag

The hosts discussed their upcoming three-city book tour to promote their book, 'Stay Sexy Don't Get Murdered', which they said feels like delivering a baby they've been pregnant with for two years.

"

It's called say sexy don't get murdered.

— Episode: 169 - This Old Sandwich

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Episode: 169 - This Old Sandwich

The hosts discussed their upcoming three-city book tour to promote their book, 'Stay Sexy Don't Get Murdered', which they said feels like delivering a baby they've been pregnant with for two years.

"

It's called say sexy don't get murdered.

You may have heard of that title.

Yeah, it's from this show.

This it feels like feels like home.

And also it feels like we're finally delivering this baby that we've been pregnant with for like two years.

Stories & Memories: From a Quest for Positive Development - A Memoir Cover

Tom Crosby

Stories & Memories

From a Quest for Positive Development - A Memoir

The book, seemingly a fictional account of a murderer, was read as a seventh-grade book project, and the author mentioned it vaguely resembled a true story of a killer dentist.

"

Ruel totally wrote a book about it and I reviewed it for my seventh grade book project.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 118

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Episode: MFM Minisode 118

The book, seemingly a fictional account of a murderer, was read as a seventh-grade book project, and the author mentioned it vaguely resembled a true story of a killer dentist.

"

Ruel totally wrote a book about it and I reviewed it for my seventh grade book project.

Truly Tasteless Jokes Three Cover

Blanche Knott

Truly Tasteless Jokes Three

It was mentioned as a humorous comparison to the book Catcher in the Rye; the speaker used to carry it around in their back pocket.

"

What's more exciting? The book Truly Tasteless Jokes.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 36

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Episode: MFM Minisode 36

It was mentioned as a humorous comparison to the book Catcher in the Rye; the speaker used to carry it around in their back pocket.

"

What's more exciting? The book Truly Tasteless Jokes.

Oh, I had that too. I used to carry it around.

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 written by the victim of an attack by Mark Twitchell, detailing his escape from the kill room and the events leading up to it.

"

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, detailing his escape from the kill room and the events leading up to it.

"

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

Bird Box: A Novel Cover

Josh Malerman

Bird Box

A Novel

It was mentioned as a previous book written by the same author as 'Black Mad Wheel', and was described as creepy and post-apocalyptic.

"

it's called Black Mad Wheel and it's by Josh Malerman which is actually a friend of Vince's from Michigan. And he wrote this incredible book called The Bird Box that's creepy and fuck...

— Episode: 74 - Jews Vs. Catholics

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Episode: 74 - Jews Vs. Catholics

It was mentioned as a previous book written by the same author as 'Black Mad Wheel', and was described as creepy and post-apocalyptic.

"

it's called Black Mad Wheel and it's by Josh Malerman which is actually a friend of Vince's from Michigan. And he wrote this incredible book called The Bird Box that's creepy and fucked up and post-apocalyptic

Tao Te Ching Cover

Lao Tzu

Tao Te Ching

It was jokingly referenced as the source of the twins' decision to travel to Hawaii for a spiritual journey, implying that it is a book that advises people to take luxurious vacations.

"

It's written in the Dow Day Zhang if one is to devote themselves to a spiritual practice one should go on a month long vacation to a tropical paradise where everything's beautiful and the air smells l...

— Episode: 161 - Live at the Blaisdell Concert Hall...

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Episode: 161 - Live at the Blaisdell Concert Hall in Honolu...

It was jokingly referenced as the source of the twins' decision to travel to Hawaii for a spiritual journey, implying that it is a book that advises people to take luxurious vacations.

"

It's written in the Dow Day Zhang if one is to devote themselves to a spiritual practice one should go on a month long vacation to a tropical paradise where everything's beautiful and the air smells like flowers.

On Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (Cliffs Notes) Cover

Cliffs

On Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird (Cliffs Notes)

It was described as a fascinating portrait of Dr. Ann Burgess, a pioneer in serial killer profiling, who studied the patterns of serial murderers and their victims.

"

To stop a serial killer, you must think like one.

— Episode: 69 - Never A Mannequin

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Episode: 69 - Never A Mannequin

It was described as a fascinating portrait of Dr. Ann Burgess, a pioneer in serial killer profiling, who studied the patterns of serial murderers and their victims.

"

To stop a serial killer, you must think like one.

Hulu's new original docuseries, Mastermind, To Think Like a Killer, offers a fascinating portrait of Dr. Burgess, a pioneer of modern serial killer profiling.

The unassuming Dr. Burgess worked in the shadows of the FBI's boys club culture. That is until her groundbreaking research into serial murderers put her in the unique position of solving crimes.

Her techniques and expertise took her deep into the minds of some of the most notorious serial murderers, ranging from Ed Kemper to Ted Bundy.

Death Scenes: A Homicide Detective's Scrapbook Cover

Sean Tejaratchi

Death Scenes

A Homicide Detective's Scrapbook

It was described as a book of graphic, vintage crime scene photos that featured a variety of disturbing deaths and was not recommended for late-night reading.

"

I bought a fucking book called like crime scene photos basically when we were in Portland.

— Episode: 63 - Steven's Tuxedo

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Episode: 63 - Steven's Tuxedo

It was described as a book of graphic, vintage crime scene photos that featured a variety of disturbing deaths and was not recommended for late-night reading.

"

I bought a fucking book called like crime scene photos basically when we were in Portland.

It's not late night reading.

It's horrifying. It's very graphic.

To Kill and Kill Again (Onyx True Crime ; Je 323) Cover

John Coston

To Kill and Kill Again (Onyx True Crime ; Je 323)

It was mentioned as a book about the Missoula Mauler case, although the transcript noted that there were not many podcast episodes or articles available on the topic, compared to the amount of information about other crimes.

"

But aside from that, there's really the articles are really short. There's not a ton of stuff.

— Episode: 149 - Lifestyle & Feelings

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Episode: 149 - Lifestyle & Feelings

It was mentioned as a book about the Missoula Mauler case, although the transcript noted that there were not many podcast episodes or articles available on the topic, compared to the amount of information about other crimes.

"

But aside from that, there's really the articles are really short. There's not a ton of stuff.

there's a book about it called it's by John Costin called to kill and kill again.

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil Cover

John Berendt

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil

It was mentioned in the context of a true crime podcast episode about Jim Wells, who was acquitted of the murder of a male sex worker in Savannah, Georgia, and whose story was also featured in the book.

"

You might remember him from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

— Episode: The Exactly Right Podcast Network Spotli...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: The Exactly Right Podcast Network Spotlight Miniso...

It was mentioned in the context of a true crime podcast episode about Jim Wells, who was acquitted of the murder of a male sex worker in Savannah, Georgia, and whose story was also featured in the book.

"

You might remember him from Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil.

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