Hello, dear readers! The weather is dazzling in Northeastern Pennsylvania right now. I mean, sure, it could be hotter, but it's sunny. And what better way to welcome summer's warmth and brightness then by listening to sinister and terrifying true crime podcasts.
Podcasts don't just educate and entertain, they can inspire your writing. A good podcast episode can reinvigorate a stodgy plot or awaken a protagonist. They help pose the question: what if that happened to my character?
CRIMES OF THE CENTURY WITH AMBER HUNT
As Amber says, she "will discuss a case that's lesser known today, but was huge when it happened." I am a sucker for old-timey crimes, and Amber Hunt delivers. This well-produced and well-researched podcast delves into historical crimes, some more well-known than others such as the Lindbergh baby kidnapping and serial killer H.H. Holmes. And in other episodes, Hunt explores the social and political impact of crimes such as the Radium Girls and the Scottsboro Boys.
My favorites: Episode 2: Leopold & Loeb--The Jazz Age Killers, Episode 19: The Murder of Marie Smith.
Hosted by Rachel Fisher and Desi Jedeikin, HCS is often a raunchy ride as Rachel and Desi explore all sorts of crimes connected to Hollywood. These include episodes about the rise and tragic fall of starlets, Jazz Age killings in Los Angeles, and murders that inspired the movies based on them. The women are funny, foul-mouthed, and entertaining. There is a lot if inspiration to be found such as in Episode 187 about the Bling Ring, a band of teenagers who rob celebrities' homes and
My favorites: Episode 95: James Ellroy (whose mother Jean was murdered in 1958) and Episode 119: Mae West (a woman way ahead of her time)
TENFOLD MORE WICKED/WICKED WORDS
Tenfold More Wicked and Wicked Words are a multi-season podcast hosted by Kate Winkler Dawson on the Exactly Right Network (created by My Favorite Murder mavens, Georgia Hardstark and Karen Kilgariff). Dawson is a journalist and producer who knows how to draw in listeners.
Tenfold More Wicked devotes a one season arc to a historical crime. Dawson interviews descendants of both the victims and killers, as well as travels to the areas where the crime had taken place. She also interviews forensic and legal experts. In Wicked Words, a spin-off podcast, Dawson interview authors who write about true crime cases and know them best.
My favorites: Tenfold More Wicked, Season 2: The Body Snatcher. This season delves into the crimes of William Hare and William Burke who murdered people to sell their body to a famed anatomist in 19th century Scotland. Wicked Words, Episode 101: Dr. Katherine Ramsland: BTK Killer Dennis Rader
JENSEN & HOLES: THE MURDER SQUAD
Also on the Exactly Right Network, Billy Jensen, a true crime journalist most famous for helping to finish the late Michelle McNamara's book I'll Be Gone In the Dark about the Golden State Killer, and Paul Holes, a retired detective who helped take down the Golden State Killer, team up to discuss cold cases. Their goal is to tap into the murderino network in order to drum up leads for unsolved cases or to identify victims. Unlike historical crimes that provide a sense of detachment, The Murder Squad episodes are often dark and unsettling.
My favorite: Episode 4: The Golden State Killer (of course!)
Brought to you by the Last Podcast Network, Some Place is hosted by stunt woman Natalie Jean and comedian Amber Nelson. They focus this podcast on cases involving missing women. Admittedly, I just started listening to this podcast because they're doing a multi-episode arc on the Institute in Basic Life Principals (the weird cultish religion the Duggars practice). So I can't attest to the other episodes, but I feel comfortable in saying that they seem to know their shit.
If you want to be inspired to actually do the writing, here are podcasts for crime fiction writers.
Hosted by three of my favorite women writing today--Kristen Lepionka, Layne Fargo and Wendy Heard--this podcast explores the intersection of feminism and character in literature, media, and pop culture.
THE SISTERS IN CRIME WRITERS' PODCAST
Produced by Sisters in Crime, this podcast features interviews with crime fiction authors and is hosted by SinC's Executive Director Julie Hennrikus.
CRIME WRITERS OF COLOR PODCAST
This podcast features interviews and discussion with leading crime writers of color including Kellye Garrett, S.A. Cosby, and Tori Eldridge.
Do you have a suggestion to be added to the list? Let me know in the comments!
No comments:
Post a Comment