Mystery Books Podcast

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔎 What makes a crime seem truly impossible, and why can't mystery readers get enough of these types of stories? Join me as we unlock the irresistible appeal of locked room mysteries that have delighted readers for over 150 years. 🧐 I’ll break down the difference between a locked room mystery and a closed circle — and why readers get genuinely cra...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🧶 What’s an amateur sleuth mystery? One of the most beloved subgenres in mystery fiction! They're stories of an ordinary person, not a professional detective, who solves a crime.  📚 If you love cozy mysteries, classic whodunits, or Golden Age detective fiction, this episode is your guide to the amateur sleuth. 🕵️ The amateur sleuth has a long, ri...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔎 Ready for your next whodunit? Let’s talk about mysteries arriving in early 2026.  Join me as I dive into the most exciting upcoming classic-style whodunits releasing from January to March 2026—think locked rooms, closed circles, clever clues, and satisfying reveals that echo the Golden Age greats. Get a curated preview of fresh releases and rediscove...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! ❣️ Valentine’s Day is coming up, so what better time to talk about romantic couples who just happen to solve mysteries.  I explore the enduring appeal of romantic detective pairings, breaking down why mysteries with relationship arcs and witty banter keep fans turning the pages. You'll hear how opposites attract, expert/novice combos, and slice-of-...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 📬 Do you love mysteries where the format is part of the puzzle? What about crime fiction told through letters, emails, and documents? If you answered yes to either question, join me as I explore epistolary mysteries—one of my favorite subsets of the mystery genre. ✉️ I share the inspiration behind my own Mysteries in the Mail letter subscription featur...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🚢 What secrets unravel when a murderer strikes aboard a Nile steamer?  In this special bonus episode, I take you behind the scenes of my new mystery novel, Murder on the S.S. Cleopatra , the second book in the 1920s Lady Traveler in Egypt series. 🔎 I share how Blix and Hildy's tranquil cruise turns into a classic closed-circle whodunit filled wit...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔍 Ever wondered what happens when you combine medieval French scholarship, advertising expertise, and detective fiction? Meet Dorothy L. Sayers, whose Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries revolutionized the genre. ✍️ Join me as I explore the interesting career of one of the founding authors of the Detection Club who wrote mysteries where love bloomed between in...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🎭 Did you know the Queen of Regency Romance was also a master of murder mysteries? Join me as we explore Georgette Heyer's lesser-known but equally interesting career as a crime writer. 🏰 Heyer’s mysteries usually revolved around country house murders with police sleuths, Superintendent Hannasyde and Inspector Hemingway.  ⭐️ Whether you're...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔍 Are you fascinated by detectives who aren't quite what they appear to be? Join me for a deep dive into Margery Allingham's world, where her famous sleuth Albert Campion hides his clever mind behind a decidedly foolish facade. 📖 Allingham was born into a family of storytellers and was a child prodigy who earned her first writing fee at age...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🎭 What happens when two Australian nurses move to New York City and start writing "wacky cozies"? Join me for the interesting story of the Little Sisters, whose 21 mysteries combined clever plots with laugh-out-loud humor. 🏥 I explore the backstory of their unique collaboration style and how Constance and Gwenyth Little's experiences as...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔍 Ever wondered what happens when two mystery writers fall in love and collaborate? That’s exactly what happened with the two authors behind the pen name Kelley Roos. The result is a series of books where marriage and mystery meet. 🌆 Audrey and William Roos created sophisticated stories that balanced romance and suspense. Their Jeff and Haila Troy ser...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔍 Agatha Christie is often remembered for her mysterious 11-day disappearance, but there’s so much more to her story. From her early struggles as a writer to her rise as the best-selling fiction author of all time, Christie’s life was as interesting as her novels.    ☠️ In this episode, I explore how her wartime experience* contributed to her mystery w...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔎 From lockdown to the land of pyramids: learn how I researched 1920s Egypt during 2020, and created a heroine who was one of the original travel influencers. 📸 Meet Blix, my intrepid lady photographer who captures foreign locations on film and then entertains lecture halls full of curious Brits with tales of her adventures. 🌴 In this bonus episode,...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! From "giggle water" to "the bee's knees," I explore the unique expressions that defined a generation in this episode. Hear how I incorporated this snazzy lingo into my High Society Lady Detective series, including Murder at Archly Manor. Discover the differences between American and British slang of the era and find out how thes...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! High Society Hijinks:   Discover the elaborate jokes that shocked and amused the London elite! From fake art exhibits to outrageous social stunts, the Bright Young People of the era knew how to make a statement. 😎 We'll take a closer look at the infamous Bruno Hat hoax, where a group of pranksters fooled the art world with a fictional artist and h...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Step into the world of luxurious London living and intriguing mystery 🏢 These upscale apartments offered a new level of comfort and convenience for the affluent, with amenities like maid service, meal delivery, and even squash courts! 🎾 Discover the real-life inspiration behind fictional service flats like Hercule Poirot's swanky Whitehaven Mansi...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Ring! Ring! Join me this episode for a look at the history of the red telephone box, a quintessential symbol of British culture.  I’ll trace the evolution of this iconic kiosk and delve into the controversies surrounding the telephone box's appearance, the public's reaction to proposed changes, and the innovative ways these classic kiosks have...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Step back in time and explore the fascinating world of forensic investigation during the Golden Age of detective fiction.  I’ll dive into the real-life CSI methods used by detectives in the 1920s and how they compare to the techniques employed by fictional sleuths like Sherlock Holmes. I’ll also take a closer look at a true crime case from 1923 that led...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Servant Life: it wasn’t all elegance and extravagance in the 1920s Join me for a deep dive into life "downstairs” in a country house. From the servant hierarchy to the grueling work to the lack of personal freedom, the staff had a completely different experience from those “upstairs.” We also take a little detour into the history of household appli...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Creative genius and chaotic influence: how a society photographer inspired a character This episode delves into the character of  Sebastian Blakely, a vibrant and unconventional photographer who brings his own unique form of turmoil to the High Society Lady series. Inspired by real-life society photographer Cecil Beaton, Blakely's cheeky wit and pe...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🪩 They knew how to throw a killer party in the 1920s!   Join me as I explore the opulence and extravagance of the themed parties of the Bright Young People and their over-the-top gatherings. From the circus party with wolves and horses to the bath and bottle parties that drew the attention of the police, the era's lavish soirées inspired the Silve...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Why set a book in the 1920s? Because a time of great change makes for an interesting setting. The phrase "may you live in interesting times," certainly applies to the tumultuous post-World War I period. Find out how motorcars, bobbed hair, short hemlines, and makeup compacts play into the changing social mores in this “Story Behind the Story”...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! ⛲️ Love an English stately home? Then come with me on a tour of Chatsworth House and find out how the English country home inspired not one, but two book series in this “Story Behind the Story” of Chapter 4 of Murder at Archly Manor, a 1920s historical mystery. Plus reading recommendations for Sherlock Holmes fans! 🕵️‍♀️ Recent read: The Missing Maid b...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! Family tensions and inspiration from Agatha Christie are the “Story Behind the Story” of Chapter 3 of Murder at Archly Manor , a 1920s historical mystery.  Recent read: A Report of Murder by F.L. Everett (Affiliate link) Mentioned: The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie (Affiliate link) Next chapter in the next episode!  If you want the rest of the myster...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! We’re traveling back to the 1920s in this season of Mystery Books Podcast with a chapter by chapter deep dive into Murder at Archly Manor , the first book in the High Society Lady Detective series.  What inspired the location of Murder at Archly Manor ? Was I intimidated to write historical fiction? (You bet I was!) How did I take the first step to writ...