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

Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder Cover

Jerry Bledsoe

Bitter Blood

A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder

It was the source of much of the information shared about the Bitter Blood murders, a story of crime, wealth, mental illness, and incest spanning decades, resulting in the deaths of four generations.

"

The book that a lot of this information is from is called Bitter Blood by Jerry Bloodsoe and he's the one who like coined the name of it.

— Episode: 142 - Live at the Durham Performing Arts...

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Episode: 142 - Live at the Durham Performing Arts Center

It was the source of much of the information shared about the Bitter Blood murders, a story of crime, wealth, mental illness, and incest spanning decades, resulting in the deaths of four generations.

"

The book that a lot of this information is from is called Bitter Blood by Jerry Bloodsoe and he's the one who like coined the name of it.

The Baby-sitters Club Graphic Novels #1-7: A Graphix Collection: Full Color Edition: Full-Color Edition (The Baby-Sitters Club Graphix) Cover

Gale Galligan

The Baby-sitters Club Graphic Novels #1-7

A Graphix Collection

The podcasters compared the Andrews family haunting story to the tone and feel of 'The Babysitter's Club' novels, specifically in the context of a 15-year-old girl's excitement about a phone call from an attractive boy.

"

So if I can, babysitter's club novel. It fully is, yes. But over the phone.

— Episode: 137 - Gloogle

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Episode: 137 - Gloogle

The podcasters compared the Andrews family haunting story to the tone and feel of 'The Babysitter's Club' novels, specifically in the context of a 15-year-old girl's excitement about a phone call from an attractive boy.

"

So if I can, babysitter's club novel. It fully is, yes. But over the phone.

Skeleton Crew: Stories Cover

Stephen King

Skeleton Crew

Stories

The hosts discussed a book about online sleuths solving crimes, particularly focusing on the Lady of the Dunes case, which was mentioned as a significant unsolved case.

"

There's a book written by a writer named Deborah Halber. She wrote it in 2014 called The Skeleton Crew, which is about online sleuths solving crimes.

— Episode: 133 - Made of Crystals

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Episode: 133 - Made of Crystals

The hosts discussed a book about online sleuths solving crimes, particularly focusing on the Lady of the Dunes case, which was mentioned as a significant unsolved case.

"

There's a book written by a writer named Deborah Halber. She wrote it in 2014 called The Skeleton Crew, which is about online sleuths solving crimes.

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

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

the full name of the book, sorry, is the Skeleton Crew, how amateur sleuths are solving America's coldest cases.

On Hell Cover

Johanna Hedva

On Hell

It was a new album by Nico Case, who was considered perfect and talented, so it was hard to appreciate new work as they were all so good.

"

Well, Nico Case's new album is called "Hell On",

— Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

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Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

It was a new album by Nico Case, who was considered perfect and talented, so it was hard to appreciate new work as they were all so good.

"

Well, Nico Case's new album is called "Hell On",

It just came out.

It's so fucking good.

Great.

But she's always perfect.

I think she's one of those people that suffers from the fact that she, from when she first started going, when she was doing Nico Case and her boyfriends and her first couple projects, she's always been so like 10 out of 10 stars perfect that it's almost like she doesn't get appreciated enough anymore.

Tell Me How You Really Feel Cover

Aminah Mae Safi

Tell Me How You Really Feel

It was a new album by Courtney Barnett that contained the chorus, "men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."

"

Also, Courtney Barnett has a new album out. I love her.

— Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

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Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

It was a new album by Courtney Barnett that contained the chorus, "men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them."

"

Also, Courtney Barnett has a new album out. I love her.

It's called "Tell Me How You Really Feel".

And it is amazing.

And it's such a good album as well.

One of her songs, the chorus of it is, "men are afraid that women will laugh at them. Women are afraid that men will kill them".

American Animals: A True Crime Memoir Cover

Eric Borsuk

American Animals

A True Crime Memoir

It was a true story about college age guys who tried to steal rare, valuable Audubon books.

"

My friend Bridger Winograd and I went and saw a movie called "American Animals".

— Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

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Episode: 124 - Errant Duct Tape

It was a true story about college age guys who tried to steal rare, valuable Audubon books.

"

My friend Bridger Winograd and I went and saw a movie called "American Animals".

Did you see the imposter, that documentary?

It's the same director.

It's really fucking good and it's a true story.

About which one?

Of these guys that tried to steal these really rare valuable Audubon books from a college and they were like college age themselves.

Nerds.

It's a really good movie.

You have to go see it.

Everyone has to go see it.

Rick Steves Ireland Cover

Rick Steves

Rick Steves Ireland

It was written in 1805 and described the House of Industry, where Billy Davis lived, as a gloomy place with heavy chains and fallen women, highlighting the harsh conditions.

"

a gloomy abode of mingled want, disease, vice and malady where lunatics were loaded with heavy chains and fallen women bound and lodged.

— Episode: 123 - Live at Vicar Street in Dublin

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Episode: 123 - Live at Vicar Street in Dublin

It was written in 1805 and described the House of Industry, where Billy Davis lived, as a gloomy place with heavy chains and fallen women, highlighting the harsh conditions.

"

a gloomy abode of mingled want, disease, vice and malady where lunatics were loaded with heavy chains and fallen women bound and lodged.

Linda GoodmanS Sun Signs Cover

Linda Goodman

Linda GoodmanS Sun Signs

It was mentioned that people, specifically girls, often look up their compatibility with someone they're dating using this book.

"

And then you look up that like Linda Goodman sun signs and you're like, oh my God, look at how compatible we are.

— Episode: 121 - Clomp Everywhere

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Episode: 121 - Clomp Everywhere

It was mentioned that people, specifically girls, often look up their compatibility with someone they're dating using this book.

"

And then you look up that like Linda Goodman sun signs and you're like, oh my God, look at how compatible we are.

All The Dark Places Cover

Frankie Riley

All The Dark Places

It was described as a soothing and monotone audiobook, which was listened to while falling asleep, but the writing was so captivating that it was hard not to imagine the events described within.

"

I was listening again to the audio book of All Begun in the Dark by Michelle McNamara cause I can't fucking get enough of it.

— Episode: 116 - Robot Grandma

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Episode: 116 - Robot Grandma

It was described as a soothing and monotone audiobook, which was listened to while falling asleep, but the writing was so captivating that it was hard not to imagine the events described within.

"

I was listening again to the audio book of All Begun in the Dark by Michelle McNamara cause I can't fucking get enough of it.

It's like really kind of, it's really soothing and monotone, but the writing is so deep and you're like in it and I can imagine everything.

Well, that's a testament to how amazing that book is written.

There's no extra writing and all, but also it's not sparse. It's just the most concentrated boiled down. Here's how it happened. Here's this experience for people.

He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure Cover

Shirtaloon

He Who Fights with Monsters

A LitRPG Adventure

The hosts discussed this book as something they listened to while falling asleep, often at a slower pace.

"

It's either some space fucking story or space jam. Yes, the soundtrack to space jam.

— Episode: 97 - The Hague

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Episode: 97 - The Hague

The hosts discussed this book as something they listened to while falling asleep, often at a slower pace.

"

It's either some space fucking story or space jam. Yes, the soundtrack to space jam.

Whoever fights monsters. Yes, that book we love the best falling asleep to.

I think it is something like that, which by the way is a great book to fall asleep to.

It seems like that book has 95 chapters.

The Pelicans Fly High Cover

Christie Peavyhouse

The Pelicans Fly High

It is part of the same book that also covers Colin Heath and John Christie, all of whom were British serial killers.

"

Neil Root wrote a book called Frenzy, Colin Heath, High and Christie.

— Episode: 90 - Peak Experience

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Episode: 90 - Peak Experience

It is part of the same book that also covers Colin Heath and John Christie, all of whom were British serial killers.

"

Neil Root wrote a book called Frenzy, Colin Heath, High and Christie.

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 featured a picture of the boarding house where John Norman Collins lived during the last of the murders he committed.

"

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. The picture is attached.

— Episode: MFM Minisode 40

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Episode: MFM Minisode 40

It featured a picture of the boarding house where John Norman Collins lived during the last of the murders he committed.

"

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. The picture is attached.

He Who Fights with Monsters: A LitRPG Adventure Cover

Shirtaloon

He Who Fights with Monsters

A LitRPG Adventure

It was mentioned as an audiobook about serial killers being listened to at the time of the recording, and it was said that David Berkowitz was interviewed later on in the book.

"

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 as an audiobook about serial killers being listened to at the time of the recording, and it was said that David Berkowitz was interviewed later on in the book.

"

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.

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, and recommended for reading to understand the details of the case.

"

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, and recommended for reading to understand the details of the case.

"

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 written by Alex Castles in 1995, which details the events of the shark arm murders case and is recommended listening for the podcast.

"

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 written by Alex Castles in 1995, which details the events of the shark arm murders case and is recommended listening for the podcast.

"

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

Mysteries of the Unexplained Cover

Carroll C. [Editor] Calkins

Mysteries of the Unexplained

It was mentioned as a book that reminded one of the podcast host of a show they watched, BBC Horizons.

"

It reminds me of Steven. What was that book you got us the lifetime? Yeah. Mysteries of the Unexplained.

— Episode: 84 - Harvard 2

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Episode: 84 - Harvard 2

It was mentioned as a book that reminded one of the podcast host of a show they watched, BBC Horizons.

"

It reminds me of Steven. What was that book you got us the lifetime? Yeah. Mysteries of the Unexplained.

Totally Tasteless: The Collected Works (So Far) of Blanche Knott Cover

Blanche Knott

Totally Tasteless

The Collected Works (So Far) of Blanche Knott

It was compared to 'Catcher in the Rye' as a book that was carried around in one's back pocket during adolescence, implying that it was a humorous and possibly somewhat inappropriate book.

"

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

— Episode: MFM Minisode 36

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Episode: MFM Minisode 36

It was compared to 'Catcher in the Rye' as a book that was carried around in one's back pocket during adolescence, implying that it was a humorous and possibly somewhat inappropriate book.

"

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

Oh, I had that too. I used to carry it around. I couldn't believe how.

You had, instead of Catcher in the Rye, you had Truly Tasteless.

THE SADIST Cover

Karl Berg

THE SADIST

It was published after Peter Krten's trial, and it included a detailed confession from him about his many crimes.

"

With each successive sentence, Peter Krten's rage, this is a direct quote from the Biography Channel page. As I'm reading this, I'm like, this is hard to read.

— Episode: 81 - Weapon Bush

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: 81 - Weapon Bush

It was published after Peter Krten's trial, and it included a detailed confession from him about his many crimes.

"

With each successive sentence, Peter Krten's rage, this is a direct quote from the Biography Channel page. As I'm reading this, I'm like, this is hard to read.

Hell's Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men Cover

Harold Schechter

Hell's Princess

The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men

They said Harold Schechter's Hell's Princess was a bestselling biography and one of the most detailed accounts of Belle Gunness's story.

"

After our 2017 show in Indianapolis, Harold Schechter released Hell's Princess, The Mystery of Belle Guinness, Butcher of Men. And that became a bestselling biography. It's still cons...

— Episode: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 67: Live A...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Rewind with Karen & Georgia - 67: Live At The Egyp...

They said Harold Schechter's Hell's Princess was a bestselling biography and one of the most detailed accounts of Belle Gunness's story.

"

After our 2017 show in Indianapolis, Harold Schechter released Hell's Princess, The Mystery of Belle Guinness, Butcher of Men. And that became a bestselling biography. It's still considered one of the most detailed accounts of Belle's story and did not have.

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