RedHanded
Book Recommendations

RedHanded

RedHanded the podcast jumps head first into all manner of macabre madness. We cover everything from big time serial killers (and those you may never have heard of), to hauntings, possessions, disturbing mysteries, bizarre whodunits and basically anything that tickles our creepy fancy. So, join us, p...

Episodes 611
Books 94

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Latest Recommendations

Making Haste from Babylon: The Mayflower Pilgrims and Their World: A New History cover

Making Haste from Babylon

Nick Bunker

Mentioned 7 months ago

Laetitia Toureaux: Murder on the Metro | #428

This book covered the untold story of the Pilgrims, going beyond the familiar tale of the first Thanksgiving, focusing on the conflict and betrayal against the Wappanag people who helped them survive.

In the fall of 1620, a battered merchant ship called the Mayflower set sail across the Atlantic. It carried 102 men, women, and children, risking it all to start again in the new world.

Buy on Amazon
Agent Storm: My Life Inside Al-Qaeda cover

Agent Storm

Mentioned 7 months ago

Dalia Dippolito: 5,000% Guilty | #427

This podcast season followed the story of Morten Storm, a man from a Danish biker gang who found a book about Islam in a library, leading him into Al-Qaeda, then turning him into a spy for the CIA and MI5.

He finds them in the form of a book about Islam.

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The Men Who Stare at Goats cover

The Men Who Stare at Goats

Jon Ronson

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 368 - MKUltra - Part 2: The Myth of Mind Control

During research for this book, the author visited Eric Olson, the son of Dr. Frank Olson, who believed his father was murdered by the CIA. The book provided insight into Eric Olson's perspective on the death of his father.

Whilst writing The Men Who Stare at Goats, John Ronson paid Eric a visit and found a man convinced that his father who worked on artichoke was actually a good man who intended to bring it all down from the inside.

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The Search for the "Manchurian Candidate": The CIA and Mind Control cover

The Search for the "Manchurian Candidate"

John Marks

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 368 - MKUltra - Part 2: The Myth of Mind Control

This book detailed the CIA's MKUltra project and its experiments in mind control. The CIA's attempts to suppress information from the book led to a court case, giving the book significant publicity and contributing to a Senate inquiry.

The Search for the Manchurian Candidate, colon, The CIA and Mind Control, colon, The Secret History of the Behavioural Sciences.

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Coming of age in Samoa; a Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation cover

Coming of age in Samoa; a Psychological Study of Primitive Youth for Western Civilisation

Margaret Mead

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 368 - MKUltra - Part 2: The Myth of Mind Control

The podcast host expressed dislike for this book, criticizing its descriptions and anthropological approach. It was mentioned in relation to the author's involvement with the CIA.

She's an anthropologist. I fucking hate her. She was very involved with the CIA and she wrote a book called Coming of Age in Samoa and it's one of the original texts that you have to read. And it's so creepy. She just talks about these glistening black bodies and it's fucking gross.

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Communication between man and dolphin: The possibilities of talking with other species cover

Communication between man and dolphin

John C. Lilly

Mentioned 1 year ago

FROM THE VAULT: ShortHand: How a NASA Experiment Ended in Dolphin Sex

In 1961, John C. Lilly wrote this book, exploring the possibility of teaching dolphins to speak English.

(3Pcs) Darling, You're A Goddess, A Badass & You've Totally Got This Sticker Funny Sarcastic 3" in Vinyl Die-Cut Sticker for Laptop Water Bottle Phone Case Tumbler Kindle Hard Hat Decal Gifts cover

(3Pcs) Darling, You're A Goddess, A Badass & You've Totally Got This Sticker Funny Sarcastic 3" in Vinyl Die-Cut Sticker for Laptop Water Bottle Phone Case Tumbler Kindle Hard Hat Decal Gifts

Mentioned 1 year ago

FROM THE VAULT: ShortHand: How a NASA Experiment Ended in Dolphin Sex

Malcolm Brenner, the author, documented his alleged sexual relationship with a dolphin named Dolly in this book.

Frankenstein: The Original 1818 Unabridged and Complete Edition (A Mary Shelley Classics cover

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 367 - MKUltra - Part 1: Cold War of the Mind

The podcast mentioned Frankenstein as an early example of humanity's fascination with controlling the brain, pre-dating the CIA's MKUltra program.

Frankenstein was published in 1818, long before spies were getting nuclear scientists off their nut and asking them questions about fission.

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The Manchurian Candidate cover

The Manchurian Candidate

Richard Condon

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 367 - MKUltra - Part 1: Cold War of the Mind

The podcast mentioned the book as the origin of the Manchurian Candidate concept, describing it as an assassin who's been brainwashed without their knowledge, triggered by external cues.

Originally a book which was published in 1959 and the Frank Sinatra film is like 1963 or something so it's very quick afterwards and essentially Frank Sinatra and all of his mates were at war and they come back and Frank Sinatra keeps having this really weird dream and I think it's really well done because it's like you know when you're in a dream and there's a person but they're in the wrong place and they capture that so well.

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Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control cover

Poisoner in Chief

Stephen Kinzer

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 367 - MKUltra - Part 1: Cold War of the Mind

The podcast referenced this book as a source of information on Sydney Gottlieb, the CIA's chief of MKUltra, who was involved in mind control and drug experiments.

There is a book about Sydney Gottlieb called the poisoner in chief I haven't well I have used it but I haven't particularly followed it because I don't like him and I didn't want to make him the central character it's kind of unavoidable to an extent but I've done my best

Buy on Amazon
Joyce McKinney And The Case Of The Manacled Mormon cover

Joyce McKinney And The Case Of The Manacled Mormon

Anthony Delano

Mentioned 1 year ago

FROM THE VAULT - Joyce McKinney: Mormon Sex in Chains

The book, "Joyce McKinney: in the case of the manacled Mormon", is described as a period piece detailing the events surrounding Joyce McKinney and Kirk Anderson, highlighting the role of the press in shaping the narrative.

This is what it was like in Fleet Street.

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A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II cover

A Woman of No Importance

Sonia Purnell

Mentioned 1 year ago

Episode 365 - Virginia Hall: The WW2 Super Spy

The podcast was based on this book, which details the life and times of Virginia Hall, one of history's most secretive spies. It pieced together the life of a secretive woman who continually overcame obstacles and changed the course of history.

The reason that we've been able to put this episode together for you at all is a book called A Woman of No Importance by Sonja Pernau.

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Most Recommended

The Apocalypse Now Book Cover

Peter Cowie

The Apocalypse Now Book

Tupac's first album, 'Tupocalypse Now', was playing in the car of a drug dealer who shot a police officer, prompting accusations that the music inspired violence.

"

When Howard was pulled over, he was playing Tupocalypse Now, Shakur's first album.

— Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amer...

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Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amerikaz Most...

Tupac's first album, 'Tupocalypse Now', was playing in the car of a drug dealer who shot a police officer, prompting accusations that the music inspired violence.

"

When Howard was pulled over, he was playing Tupocalypse Now, Shakur's first album.

Eyes on Me (Salacious Players' Club) Cover

Sara Cate

Eyes on Me (Salacious Players' Club)

Tupac's album 'All Eyes On Me' rose to the top of the Billboard charts, solidifying his presence in the music world.

"

Tupac's album All Eyes on Me shot to the top of the Billboard charts and Biggie's Hypnotize was the biggest banger of the 90s.

— Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amer...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amerikaz Most...

Tupac's album 'All Eyes On Me' rose to the top of the Billboard charts, solidifying his presence in the music world.

"

Tupac's album All Eyes on Me shot to the top of the Billboard charts and Biggie's Hypnotize was the biggest banger of the 90s.

Project Hail Mary: A Novel Cover

Andy Weir

Project Hail Mary

A Novel

The album 'Hail Mary', released posthumously, included whispers on a track that fueled conspiracy theories regarding Tupac's death.

"

So anyway this is the last one. This is the last one. On the record Hail Mary you can hear someone whisper you think I'm dead followed by wait seven years.

— Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amer...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Episode 300 - Tupac & Biggie: ‘2 Of Amerikaz Most...

The album 'Hail Mary', released posthumously, included whispers on a track that fueled conspiracy theories regarding Tupac's death.

"

So anyway this is the last one. This is the last one. On the record Hail Mary you can hear someone whisper you think I'm dead followed by wait seven years.

So again we know if those whisperings are there that it is because they know the Infamy Notoriety conspiracies sex and rebranding sell.

Edge of Heaven Cover

Nisreen Alghawi

Edge of Heaven

Chad Daybell was a Mormon prepper who wrote books on near-death experiences and doomsday prepping, some of his more popular titles included 'One Foot in the Grave' and 'The Edge of Heaven'.

"

The Edge of Heaven

— Episode: TRIAL UPDATE & REUPLOAD: Episode 180 - L...

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: TRIAL UPDATE & REUPLOAD: Episode 180 - Lori Vallow...

Chad Daybell was a Mormon prepper who wrote books on near-death experiences and doomsday prepping, some of his more popular titles included 'One Foot in the Grave' and 'The Edge of Heaven'.

"

The Edge of Heaven

Murder in Greenwich: Who Killed Martha Moxley? Cover

Mark Fuhrman

Murder in Greenwich

Who Killed Martha Moxley?

Mark Furman, a former LAPD detective famous for his role in the OJ Simpson case, wrote a book on Martha's case called Murder in Greenwich. In this book, Mark Furman suspects that an unknown woman who Michael claimed he regularly peeped on was actually Martha Moxley.

"

And in this book, Mark Furman suspects that this unknown woman who Michael claimed he regularly peeped on was actually Martha Moxley.

— Episode: Episode 297 - Martha Moxley: Death & Dyn...

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Episode: Episode 297 - Martha Moxley: Death & Dynasty

Mark Furman, a former LAPD detective famous for his role in the OJ Simpson case, wrote a book on Martha's case called Murder in Greenwich. In this book, Mark Furman suspects that an unknown woman who Michael claimed he regularly peeped on was actually Martha Moxley.

"

And in this book, Mark Furman suspects that this unknown woman who Michael claimed he regularly peeped on was actually Martha Moxley.

Strange Angel: The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons Cover

George Pendle

Strange Angel

The Otherworldly Life of Rocket Scientist John Whiteside Parsons

George Pendle’s biography, Strange Angel, served as the foundational text for the discussion on the life of rocket scientist and occultist Jack Parsons. The hosts emphasized Pendle's compelling portrayal of Parsons as the "Che Guevara of occultism." The book was cited for explaining Parsons' belief that both space travel and magic were methods for exploring new frontiers, cementing his essential, if complex, role in modern rocketry.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Episode 290 - Jack Parsons: The Occultist Sex-Craz...

The book, "Strange Angel", focused on the life of Jack Parsons, a rocket scientist and occultist, describing him as the "Che Guevara of occultism" and highlighting his contributions to space travel.

"

In 2005, author George Pendle published a book on Jack titled, Strange Angel, the otherworldly life of rocket scientist John Whiteside Parsons.

Pendle described Jack as the Che Guevara of occultism.

And said that although Jack would not live to see his dream of space travel come true, he was essential to making it a reality.

He said he saw both space and magic as ways of exploring these new frontiers, one breaking free from Earth, literally and metaphysically.

Killer Dolphin Cover

Ngaio Marsh

Killer Dolphin

In the episode the hosts referred to the book as an example of a classic murder mystery where a family is slain and the surviving son is revealed as the true culprit, contrasting the initial suspicion on the father. They mentioned it in passing while discussing similar plot twists, without offering a strong endorsement.

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Episode: Episode 288 - Black Magic, Incest & Murder: The Ba...

It was mentioned as an Agatha Christie story where a family is murdered, the father is the main suspect, but the son is the real killer.

"

But one of the stories, Death of a Dolphin, tells the tale of a family who were murdered.

And this thought that David, the surviving son, could be the real killer and that he was just framing his father Robin, had of course occurred to the police.

The Chosen Child Syndrome: What to Do When a Parent's Love Rules Your Life Cover

Patricia Love

The Chosen Child Syndrome

What to Do When a Parent's Love Rules Your Life

The hosts highlighted the title as a useful resource for listeners who had endured emotional incest, explaining that it examines how a parent can treat a child as an emotional partner. They noted that the book outlines the dynamics of a parent relying on a child for support, essentially casting the child in a spousal role. The overall tone was supportive, presenting the book as a recommended guide for those seeking insight into this hidden form of abuse.

Highly Recommended
Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Episode 288 - Black Magic, Incest & Murder: The Ba...

The Chosen Child Syndrome was said to be a book for those who experienced emotional incest as a child. It describes a parent relying on a child for emotional support, almost as if that child is their spouse.

"

And the weird emotional incest, like this is quite a common thing that I don't think we've ever really spoken about on the show before. So there's a book for people who sort of suffered emotional incest as a child and it's called The Chosen Child Syndrome.

RedHanded: An Exploration of Criminals, Cannibals, Cults, and What Makes a Killer Tick Cover

Suruthi Bala

RedHanded

An Exploration of Criminals, Cannibals, Cults, and What Makes a Killer Tick

The podcast hosts highly recommended their own investigative book, RedHanded: An Exploration of Criminals, Cannibals, Cults, and What Makes a Killer Tick, to the audience. They used the discussion of true crime topics, such as the Murdaugh Family Murders, as a prompt, encouraging listeners to purchase the book if they wanted to gain deeper insight into the psychological factors that motivate criminals. The book was positioned as essential supplementary material for fans of the podcast.

Highly Recommended
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Episode: Episode 287 – The Murdaugh Family Murders

The podcast hosts suggested buying a copy of their book "RedHanded: An Exploration of Criminals, Cannibals, and Killers" if you are interested in learning more about this case.

"

Order a copy of the book here (US & Canada):

Order on Wellesley Books

Order on Amazon.com

Order a copy of the book here (UK, Ireland, Europe, NZ, Aus):

Order on Amazon.co.uk

Order on Foyles

The Jigsaw Man: A Novel (An Inspector Anjelica Henley Thriller, 1) Cover

Nadine Matheson

The Jigsaw Man

A Novel (An Inspector Anjelica Henley Thriller, 1)

The book was briefly referenced during a discussion about Paul Britton, with the host noting she hadn't read it and only saw a few excerpts. The comment served mainly to illustrate a point about Britton's work rather than to endorse the title. Overall, the mention was casual and not presented as a recommendation.

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Episode: Episode 285 - The Murder of Rachel Nickell

The book was mentioned in context of Paul Britton being the author and a rumored bassist for the TV show Cracker.

"

He has to write his own book.

He's basically says all I was doing was my job and they didn't listen to me anyway and I didn't write the letters I only saw them after they had been sent.

And he's right Robert Nafo is all of those things but you also didn't realize that it was the same guy you know like I think he uses it as a bit of a smoke screen but like you know I'm not a forensic psychologist maybe I'm missing the big picture but like it seems to me a little bit like a well like I got that right like so do you know what I mean?

I haven't read his book hands up but the sort of snippets that I have read he seems to use that as a there's like a bit in his book who's like you know I often wonder whether I should have gone back and knocked down their door and be like no you really need to look at this.

Necronomicon: 31st Anniversary Edition Cover

Simon

Necronomicon

31st Anniversary Edition

The Necronomicon was referenced during the examination of notorious killer Dorothea Puente in Episode 284. The hosts noted that Puente had reportedly joked about owning "loads of copies" of the fictional dark text. This mention served to illustrate the sinister image and dark humor Puente cultivated while operating her "Boarding House of Death."

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Episode: Episode 284 - Dorothea Puente: The Boarding House...

Dorothea was joking about owning copies of this book, which is a fictional book known for its use in horror fiction, suggesting that she had a dark side or was playing up her image.

"

What books are these? The Necronomicon

No it's just the Necronomicon Loads of copies of it

150 commonly prescribed drugs: A guide to their uses and side effects Cover

Edward R Brace

150 commonly prescribed drugs

A guide to their uses and side effects

This medical guide was mentioned during the RedHanded investigation into serial killer Dorothea Puente. The hosts noted that authorities found the book, "150 commonly prescribed drugs," alongside hundreds of packets of medication in Puente's home. The prosecution used the discovery of this guide to suggest that Puente possessed the necessary pharmacological knowledge to administer harmful substances to her victims.

Listen on Audible 7-day free trial

Episode: Episode 284 - Dorothea Puente: The Boarding House...

The prosecution discovered this book while investigating Dorothea, suggesting she had knowledge of medications and could have possibly used them for harmful purposes.

"

They also found a book called The Necronomicon No I'm just kidding 150 common drugs and their uses along with hundreds of packets of prescription medication

The Landlady (Dover Thrift Editions: Classic Novels) Cover

Fyodor Dostoyevsky

The Landlady (Dover Thrift Editions

Classic Novels)

The story was mentioned as a possible inspiration for Prince Felix Yusupov's account of the assassination of Rasputin, though it wasn't particularly memorable for the speaker.

"

I tried to read The Landlady but it made me want to kill myself because I hate Dostoyevsky so I didn't.

— Episode: Episode 283 - Rasputin: Russia’s Greates...

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Episode: Episode 283 - Rasputin: Russia’s Greatest Love Mac...

The story was mentioned as a possible inspiration for Prince Felix Yusupov's account of the assassination of Rasputin, though it wasn't particularly memorable for the speaker.

"

I tried to read The Landlady but it made me want to kill myself because I hate Dostoyevsky so I didn't.

But I believe that it is essentially the same story.

Lexus: The Relentless Pursuit : How Toyota Motor Went From "0-60" in the Global Luxury Car Market Cover

III Dawson, Chester C.

Lexus

The Relentless Pursuit

Brad Edwards, the lawyer representing Courtney Wilde, details her story of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein in his book, "Relentless Pursuit."

"

In his book, Relentless Pursuit, Brad details Courtney's story.

— Episode: Episode 282 - Jeffrey Epstein: Foul Play...

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Episode: Episode 282 - Jeffrey Epstein: Foul Play - Part 2

Brad Edwards, the lawyer representing Courtney Wilde, details her story of sexual assault by Jeffrey Epstein in his book, "Relentless Pursuit."

"

In his book, Relentless Pursuit, Brad details Courtney's story.

They found a copy of Brad Edwards' book Relentless Pursuit on her nightstand.

The Spider: A novel (Killer Instinct) Cover

Lars Kepler

The Spider

A novel (Killer Instinct)

The book was described as a great book about Jeffrey Epstein's web of child abuse.

"

And Hoffenberg's quoted in The Spider, Barry Levine's great book on Geoff Epstein's web.

— Episode: Episode 281 - Jeffrey Epstein: Along Cam...

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Episode: Episode 281 - Jeffrey Epstein: Along Came a Spider...

The book was described as a great book about Jeffrey Epstein's web of child abuse.

"

And Hoffenberg's quoted in The Spider, Barry Levine's great book on Geoff Epstein's web.

Space Relations Cover

Donald Barr

Space Relations

The book was written by Donald Barr, Epstein's employer at the Dalton School, and was a science fiction novel about intergalactic sexual slavery.

"

And here's what he says.

— Episode: Episode 281 - Jeffrey Epstein: Along Cam...

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Episode: Episode 281 - Jeffrey Epstein: Along Came a Spider...

The book was written by Donald Barr, Epstein's employer at the Dalton School, and was a science fiction novel about intergalactic sexual slavery.

"

And here's what he says.

And Space Relations is the story of intergalactic sexual slavery.

Lulu and Carlos A Very Special Love Story Cover

Sabrina Dier

Lulu and Carlos A Very Special Love Story

Joyce is still working on her book about Kirk Anderson, which she has called A Very Special Love Story. This is likely an autobiography of her experiences with Kirk, perhaps attempting to portray a very different perspective on their relationship.

"

Joyce lives with her cloned dogs and she's still working on her book about Kirk Anderson which she has called A Very Special Love Story.

— Episode: Episode 277 - Joyce McKinney: Mormon Sex...

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Episode: Episode 277 - Joyce McKinney: Mormon Sex in Chains

Joyce is still working on her book about Kirk Anderson, which she has called A Very Special Love Story. This is likely an autobiography of her experiences with Kirk, perhaps attempting to portray a very different perspective on their relationship.

"

Joyce lives with her cloned dogs and she's still working on her book about Kirk Anderson which she has called A Very Special Love Story.

A Cup of Tea: A Novel of 1917 Cover

Amy Ephron

A Cup of Tea

A Novel of 1917

This book was mentioned as a source of information on the case being discussed, and was also said to refer to tea being consumed multiple times throughout the case.

"

And we're doing nothing to dispel the tea drinking stereotype in this country because the book on this case, A Cup of Tea, happens literally every three pages.

— Episode: Episode 359 - Bad Brits: Featuring Wine...

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Episode: Episode 359 - Bad Brits: Featuring Wine & Crime

This book was mentioned as a source of information on the case being discussed, and was also said to refer to tea being consumed multiple times throughout the case.

"

And we're doing nothing to dispel the tea drinking stereotype in this country because the book on this case, A Cup of Tea, happens literally every three pages.

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