Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Part 1: Trevose, Pennsylvania, 1976—a safe, middle-class suburb where children slept under the stars and front doors remained unlocked. This idyllic peace was shattered when a brutal massacre claimed the lives of the Abt family, marking one of the most horrific crimes in the state's history. The killer meticulously planned the deaths of six people, leaving the community paralyzed with fear and dem...

Happy 250th Anniversary, America! Out early for the holiday! Part 4: In this compelling discussion, author Charles "Chip" Wallace, Jr. joins Jill to share the deeply personal account of his mother, Joell Fleming, and the shocking elder abuse and financial exploitation she faced while battling dementia. Since the publication of his revelations, what steps have been taken to address this issue? It's...

In this special episode: Forty-two harrowing years on death row, former inmate William A. Noguera has a gripping story to share. In his chilling true-crime memoir, Through the Lens of a Monster: A Serial Killer on Death Row, an Unsolved Murder List, and an Inmate's Deadly Play for Redemption, he opens up to Jill about his life behind bars. While at San Quentin Penitentiary, Noguera courageously do...

Part 3 : After his mother's death, Charles "Chip" Wallace is faced with a shocking realization: Esmeralda Gomez, the caregiver hired to look after his mother, Joell Fleming, had lied, manipulated, and committed elder abuse and fraud. She exploited a woman in her 80s who was suffering from dementia. Determined to prevent the caregiver from inheriting a fortune, Chip embarks on a thorough investigat...

In Special Episode 169 :  Jill welcomes investigative journalist Maria DiLorenzo, the author of the new book Confessions of the Green River Killer: A True Story of Manipulation, Madness, and a Search for Justice. Maria DiLorenzo reached out to Gary Ridgway, a serial killer, who pleaded guilty to the murders of 49 women, to gather information about possible unidentified victims. Despite his typical...

  Part 2: During the COVID-19 lockdown, Joell Fleming's adult children—Chip and his siblings—were prohibited from visiting their mother, who suffers from dementia. This left her entirely dependent on her caregiver, Esmarelda Gomez. As communication became increasingly difficult, Joell's children were often the last to learn about critical decisions being made regarding their mother's care, often w...

In this special episode , a very special guest and friend, Joseph Scott Morgan, the host of the Body Bags  podcast, a professor of Applied Forensics at Jacksonville State University, and the author of the gut-wrenching book, Blood Beneath My Feet, joins Jill!. Joseph speaks about death investigations, the dire challenges of exploring the realm of death for decades, and their experiences at CrimeCo...

Part 1: As Baby Boomers and Gen Xers age, many of us face the heart-wrenching reality of caring for a loved one with dementia. This insidious disease undermines cognition, often robbing individuals of their very identity. Chip, and his siblings encountered this heartache when their mother, Joell Fleming, began showing symptoms. Complicating matters, her children lived across the United States whil...

Edna Cowell Martin grew up in a loving home in Washington State, surrounded by her parents and extended family. One of her cousins was Ted Bundy , the infamous serial killer responsible for at least 30 deaths. Bundy was executed in Florida in 1989. In her new book, Edna Cowell Martin details her experiences with Ted, whom she regarded as an older brother during her childhood and college as a young...

In this special episode, discover the gripping new true crime book, ' Dog O' War,' which is indeed stranger than fiction! Author Aphrodite Jones unravels the chilling circumstances surrounding the mauling death of 33-year-old lacrosse coach Diane Whipple, who was attacked by a presa canario, a rare breed of dog. Jones reveals how this tragic incident became intertwined with the sinister motives of...

Judith A. Yates, an award-winning author and criminologist, brings a unique perspective to true crime with her latest project, her book, Shadows in Fire . For the past seven years, she has been in communication with Shirley Winters, a little-known serial killer and serial arsonist. As one of the rare female serial killers, Shirley has never shared her story outside of law enforcement—until now. Di...

Part 3: As Jill Cahill teeters at death's door, her family is engulfed in grief, reeling from the sudden tragedy that has shattered their world and deeply affected her children. Investigators are diligently unraveling the intricate details of the murder plot, all while a pivotal trial looms on the horizon. Her parents braced themselves for a fierce custody battle, determined to secure their grandc...

Part 2:   Nearly beaten to death, Jill fights for her life as she endures a grueling cycle of comas, surgeries, and infections, fluctuating between hope and despair. A fierce custody battle erupts over her children, coinciding with the investigation into the brutal assault. Meanwhile, Jeff Cahill finds his life shattered, unaware that his choices will lead him down a more devastating path, leaving...

In 1982, a wave of terror swept across the Chicago area and the rest of the United States as seven people suddenly died; the manner of death was homicide; the cause: POISON !  Tampering, someone had spiked Tylenol capsules with cyanide and American changed overnight. This shocking crime left the public in fear; anyone could have been targeted! For 44 years, an extensive investigation aimed to unco...

Part I: A boy meets a girl, and love ignites. They marry, craft a life together, and welcome their son and daughter, a perfect family. But as time unfolds, pressures rise, people evolve, and dreams unravel. While divorces are part of many people's stories, Jeff and Jill Cahill's tale is far from ordinary. It's a nightmare that shocks and devastates at every turn. When their lives take a dark twist...

It's time to start a conversation! The amazing David Lyons, a retired homicide detective and co-host of The Murder Police podcast, is Jill's guest. These podcast hosts have an important discussion about David's new book, True Crime and Consequence . In it, David Lyons examines the increasing influence of the true crime community on real-life investigations. This timely work raises important questi...

Spoiler Alert! Be sure to listen to Parts 1 and 2, Ep 152 and 154, before listening to this conclusion!  Part 3:   In this gripping conclusion, after a lengthy 16-year manhunt, the Mad Bomber, George Metesky, is finally apprehended in Waterbury, Connecticut, long after he unleashed a wave of terror across New York City with his dangerous bombings. The palpable relief among NYPD Captain Kinney and...

Part 6- Lost Girls by Robert Kolker.    Retired NYPD Sergeant Joe Giacalone, known from Crimecon, the Hamptons Whodunit, and "True Crime with the Sarge," joins Jill to discuss the latest intriguing developments in the Long Island Serial Killer case. What formidable challenges does Rex Heuermann's defense team face in light of the evidence that has emerged? What complexities confront Suffolk County...

PART 4 :  Best-selling author Leslie Rule joins Jill for an engaging discussion about the unforgettable case she explores in her gripping book, A Tangled Web. Leslie offers her keen insights into the mind of the perpetrator, delving into her motivations and sharing a groundbreaking new development that sheds light on many of our lingering questions. Plus, she's excited to unveil her next project,...

PART 2: 1956- New York City is in a state of fear as powerful bombs are discovered hidden in public spaces like libraries, movie theaters, and subway stations. Sixteen years have passed, yet the elusive Mad Bomber continues to evade capture, leaving citizens in constant dread. To draw the bomber out, the NYPD shares case details with the press, sparking a tense cat-and-mouse game. This triggers nu...

On March 30, 1981, a tragic and shocking incident unfolded in Washington, D.C., when a troubled young man named John Hinckley Jr. opened fire as President Ronald Reagan exited the Hilton Hotel. The chaotic scene resulted in the shooting of four individuals, with President Reagan being the prime tarrget. Hinckley was swiftly apprehended by law enforcement, and his severe mental illness led to his c...

PART I: In 1956, a sinister figure known as the 'Mad Bomber' has been terrorizing New York City for 16 long years, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. His bombs have detonated in telephone booths, restrooms, Grand Central Terminal, and other iconic landmarks across the Big Apple. While many have suffered injuries, fortunately, no one has died—yet. In a desperate attempt to reveal the ident...

Jill is thrilled to welcome retired cold case supervisor Troy A. Hillman, the leader of the elite cold case team that tirelessly pursued the killer of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas. These two young women were heartbreakingly stabbed to death in the early 1990s in Phoenix, Az. In his compelling new true crime book, Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter , Troy shares the gripping story of how the dedica...

Part 3: A cold case is now solved: A suspect has been apprehended in the haunting murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas, as Phoenix, Arizona rests more easily. After more than two decades, Bryan Patrick Miller's DNA has finally matched the evidence found on the victims. Who is the elusive figure who refers to himself as the " Zombie Hunter" ? Join Jill as we embark on a detailed journey thro...

Author Sherri Kukla joins Jill to discuss her brand new true crime book, Riders on the Storm , which reveals the chilling true story of William E. Cook, a spree killer largely forgotten by history—until now! As kidnappings escalate into murder, they send shockwaves through the nation, prompting the largest manhunt since John Dillinger was captured in 1934. Jill and Sherri delve into the haunting s...