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Murder, She Read...and Watched...and Listened
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items True Crime and Cozies and Procedurals…oh, my! I love murder mysteries, books and shows. Yes, my favorites are fictional, but I also enjoy a well-written true crime story or documentary, especially if it keeps the victim's perspective at the forefront...
Sections
5
True Crime Books & Documentaries
Murder Most Fictional
Show Me The Mystery
Podcasts
Reader Resources
True Crime Books & Documentaries
One thing that I appreciate the most in well-written true crime is a narrative that keeps the victim's life and worth at the forefront, and a wider viewpoint that looks at systemic issues that can be addressed to keep more people safe in the future.
Michelle McNamara was an amateur sleuth whose work was integral in helping to solving the Golden State Killer case. She keeps the victims at the forefront, and unfortunately, she passed away right before the crime was actually solved through ancestra...
I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer a book by Michelle McNamara, Patton Oswalt, and Gillian Flynn
A fascinating look at H.H. Holmes (debatably America's first serial killer) and the creation of Chicago's Columbian Exposition of 1893, and how the two were linked. It exposes the extremes of what humans are capable of--both good and bad.
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Lucy Worsley is one of my favorite historians, and this look at both historical crimes in Britain and how they influenced both society and the arts is a fascinating read.
The Art of the English Murder by Lucy Worsley
This was a fascinating look at poisons that have been used throughout the years and some of the more famous murders they were used in.
A Taste for Poison: Eleven Deadly Molecules and the Killers Who Used Them a book by Neil Bradbury
A murder in more recent history, but still a fascinating look into the dangers of violence in extremist faith groups.
Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith a book by Jon Krakauer
A notorious true crime documentary. In case you're one of the people who haven't heard the twist that happened while filming it, I'll let it remain just that.
The Jinx: The Life And Deaths of Robert Durst
I didn't know what to expect with this documentary, and it was a wild ride.
Watch Don't F**k with Cats: Hunting an Internet Killer
Dr. Ann Burgess is an absolute bada$$ in the world of profiling. This fascinating documentary takes a deep dive look at her life and work.
Mastermind: To Think Like a Killer
Murder Most Fictional
In murder mysteries, I like everything from a cozy Christie to psychological thrillers. It's hard to play favorites, but here are a smattering of ones that I love.
Told through e-mail exchanges, this modern version of an epistolary novel is a wild ride. It took me a few chapters to get into the unique storytelling style, but once I did, I was absolutely hooked. It kept me guessing the whole way through, and I c...
The Appeal: A Novel by Janice Hallett
Man, what is it about getting locked into a snowy mountain retreat that turns people into cold-blooded killers? Well, this is one of the most claustrophobic, fast-paced mysteries in the locked-room genre, and I enjoyed it immensely.
1222: Hanne Wilhelmsen Novel by Anne Holt
A great locked room mystery (and the start to a wonderful, long-running series starring the sleuth Inspector Adam Dalgliesh). P.D. James has the feel of a Golden Age mystery writer even though her career spanned the decades after it.
Cover Her Face: An Adam Dalgliesh Mystery a book by P. D. James
Maureen Johnson is one of my favorite authors. She has a hilarious, dry sense of humor, and this YA closed door mystery series is super fun.
Truly Devious 3-Book Box Set: Truly Devious, Vanishing Stair, and Hand on the Wall a book by Maureen Johnson
Just including this on the crazy off-chance that you stumbled onto this list, haven't read any Hercule Poirot books, and want to know where to start. The Mysterious Affair at Styles was Agatha Christie's first book (written on a dare from her sister,...
The Mysterious Affair At Styles: Hercule Poirot #1
If you read any book on this list, I hope this is it. The Magpie Murders series by Anthony Horowitz is basically a love letter to Poirot. If you're not familiar with Horowitz, he wrote 11 of the 70 screenplays for Poirot, the TV series. Magpie Murders is a clear homage to the beloved Belgian detective--it's also an incredibly clever murder mystery within a murder mystery. I don't want to give too much away, but if you're #TeamPoirot, these are must-reads.
Magpie Murders by Anthony Horowitz
A deviously twisty tale, just like my favorite Poirot stories, I love the turns that this mystery takes as it unravels.
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Just as with Hercule Poirot above, if you haven't read the Miss Marple mysteries, they have a different flavor from her other books. You can start in any order, but the first one, Murder in the Vicarage, is a good introduction to Jane Marple as a cha...
The Murder at the Vicarage: A Miss Marple Mystery
This anthology of new and reimagined Miss Marple short stories is fun and light. Some of the stories are more true-to-form Jane Marple and others offer a more imaginative take, but I love that each author brings her own fresh, original voice to a bel...
Marple: Twelve New Mysteries
The Cormoran Strike book series is slow-burn both in its mystery and the relationship between its two main characters. Worth the journey, though.
The Cuckoo's Calling (Cormoran Strike Series #1)
It's hard if not impossible to pick a Ruth Ware favorite. There's a follow-up to The Woman In Cabin 10 coming out this summer, and I can't wait!
Woman in Cabin 10
Show Me The Mystery
I like to wait until a series is over so I can binge it, but some shows run so long, that makes it difficult.
Humor, great twisty mysteries, a dash of romance. The Mentalist has it all. The first few seasons were my favorite, but the ending was so sweet that it made up for the unevenness in the last couple seasons.
The Mentalist
Castle has such a great blend of Richard Castle's goofiness with the serious heavy of Beckett. They had great chemistry, and the supporting characters add a nice balance. That last season and the end were…controversial. But the first few seasons are ...
Castle
I have so many awesome memories of watching Murder, She Wrote every Sunday night while eating popcorn with my family. Who knew Cabot Cove, Maine was such a dangerous place?
Watch Murder, She Wrote Streaming Online | Peacock
Columbo was already in reruns when I started watching it as a kid, but I always looked forward to the TV specials they'd do every year. It's somewhat unique in that you always know who the killer is from the beginning, but the fun is in watching Colu...
Columbo
The old, classic Perry Mason is a comfort show for me. I used to watch it and Matlock when I was home sick from school.
Perry Mason
The updated Perry Mason on HBO is actually truer to the original Erle Stanley Gardner books than the Raymond Burr version. It's also grittier and darker. Excellent storytelling with a slow burn mystery throughout each season.
Watch Perry Mason (HBO) | Max
I'm counting down the seconds until the new Strike season comes out. I've read all the books, and the show does a good job of capturing them.
Watch C.B. Strike (HBO) | Max
This British show set in the Caribbean is a fun cozy. It's a bit formulaic but like comfort food for me. I like the follow-up Beyond Paradise even more, but Beyond Paradise features a lot of non-murder crimes like robbery.
Death in Paradise
My other sick day mystery show, which played right before Perry Mason. Matlock is another comfort show for me.
Matlock
Sherlock is one of those extremely rare remakes that actually creates something new and unique and builds on the original while still respecting source material. It was a joy from start to finish and went out with a bang.
Sherlock
I just started watching this cozy murder mystery show, and it's absolutely delightful! It has a “bumbling but brilliant” Columbo feel to it. And like Columbo, you know who the murderer is from the start. The fun is in watching her solve it. Elsbeth w...
Elsbeth
Bones has the perfect murder mystery show formula down, in my humble opinion. The main characters' chemistry, the fun mystery unfolding, the great supporting cast, a hint of romance. What's not to love?
Bones
This British cozy mystery is so fun. From BritBox's site: Puzzle setter John ‘Ludwig’ Taylor’s life is upended when his identical twin, DCI James Taylor, disappears. John reluctantly assumes his identity in order to track him down.
Ludwig
This Shondaland comedic locked room murder mystery is set in a fictional White House and had me guessing until the end. Uzo Aduba as the quirky, brilliant detective is absolutely delightful. I'm hoping for a Season 2.
Watch The Residence
Podcasts
I love to listen to podcasts as I do mindless tasks like cleaning and such. True Crime (and especially historical true crime) are some of my favorites.
Kate Winkler-Dawson and Paul Holes have very different expertise and experience in the field of true crime (her as a journalist, him as an investigator). I always appreciate Holes' insights into the forensics and how crimes would be investigated toda...
Buried Bones - a historical true crime podcast with Kate Winkler Dawson and Paul Holes
I always appreciate that Ash and Alaina keep the focus on victims in their retelling of true crime in this podcast.
Morbid
I'm not into the ghosts and haunting aspect of this podcast, but the historical crimes are really well-researched, and I enjoy the deep dive format each season into a geographical or thematic location.
American Hauntings Podcast
If you're noticing a theme, why yes, I enjoy historical true crime. This one focuses on royalty throughout history. They're not all murders, but it's excellently researched and produced.
Noble Blood
Reader Resources
Here are some good general resources to make your reading life a little easier.
I love to support my local library! And I love listening to audiobooks and downloading e-books through the Libby app. Yes, I have to be patient on the waiting list, but it's a great way to read a lot of books on a budget if you're a bibliophile like ...
Download the Libby App: ebooks & audiobooks FREE from your library
Buying books through bookshop.org is a great way to support local independent bookstores!
Bookshop: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
You can find some great audiobook deals on Chirp, and if you don't feel like committing to a subscription, it's a good option for audiobooks.
Chirp | The Best Audiobook Deals Without A Subscription Fee
If you love listening to audiobooks, Audible is a great option. They have a ton of titles that you have access to on an unlimited basis, and then you can also choose a new book each month to keep. You can get a month's free trial to decide if you lik...
Audible - Huge Catalog of Audiobooks
Yes, I'm that weirdo who has multiple tablets to read on. I prefer my Kindle for nighttime reading and travel. I prefer reading on my iPad during the day and for books that I need to be able to zoom in on (like, say, a map of a manor house where some...
Apple iPad (10th Gen): A14 Bionic, 64GB, Pink
I've had my Kindle Paperwhite for years now, after being one of those people who said that you could pry paper books out of my cold dead hands. Well, consider me a humbled convert. I love the way that I can carry my TBR pile around with me. I love th...
Kindle Paperwhite (8 GB) – 6.8" display, Black
I'm an avid reader, so I joined Barnes & Noble's premium membership plan. You save 10% on books, free shipping, as well as exclusive discounts and goodies.
Barnes & Noble | NOOK eReaders
Good e-book and audiobook option!
Rakuten Kobo
If you like to read on your iPhone, Apple Books offers the best app for reading.
Apple Books
Another good e-book option
Books on Google Play
Books-A-Million is a great alternative for print books, ebooks, and more.
BAM! Books, Toys & More | Books-A-Million Online Book Store
Alternate subscription services for reading
Scribd - Read books, audiobooks, and more