Shedunnit

Wouldn’t sleuthing be so much easier if the dead could speak to the living? This episode was first released on 18th September 2019. Be aware: there are no major (ending!) spoilers in this episode but there are plot descriptions given of the books listed below. Books mentioned: — Strong Poison  by Dorothy L. Sayers — Peril at End House  by Agatha Christie — Murder Most Unladylike  by Robin Stevens...

What's in the true detective fiction fan's library? Be aware: there are no major (ending!) spoilers in this episode but there are plot descriptions given of the books listed below. Books recommended: — Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell — The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley — Murder in the Basement by Anthony Berkeley — The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley — The Hound of the Baskervilles by A...

Murder does like to be beside the seaside. Thanks very much to my guests. Dr Allan Brodie is a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University and the author of books including England's Seaside Heritage from the Air. Dr Kathryn Ferry is a historian of the British seaside and the author of books including The British Seaside Holiday, more information available at kathrynferry.co.uk. Be aware: there is a...

When the temperature rises, don't lose your cool. Thanks to my guest Cecily Gayford — you can find more information about Murder in a Heatwave and all the other anthologies she has edited via the website for Profile Books. Be aware: there are spoilers in this episode for the the story "The Vindictive Story of the Footsteps That Ran" by Dorothy L. Sayers. There are non-spoiler details given about t...

Why are crime writers so bowled over by the game? Thank you to my guests, Dr. Andrew Green and cricket statistician Andy Zaltzman. You can find more cricket-related content and news from Andy by listening to Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5, or via his podcast, The Bugle Ashes Urncast. Be aware: there are spoilers in this episode for the plot of Murder Must Advertise and non-spoiler details given...

How do we approach offensive language in texts from previous times? Be aware that this episode includes discussion of prejudice, slurs and "of its time" attitudes and language. Thank you to my guest, Subhadra Das. You can find more information about her work at her website subhadradas.com and her book (Un)Civilised: Ten Lies That Made the West is available for pre-order. Mentioned in this episode:...

What happens when a couple of socialists decide to write mysteries? Thanks to my guest, Curtis Evans. If you are interested in his book, The Spectrum of the English Murder, it is available through Blackwell's and other booksellers.  Join Caroline and guest Teresa Peschel for a free live episode of Shedunnit on YouTube on 15th July at 7pm UK time. More details: shedunnitshow.com/liveepisode Mention...

A feminist take on the gossiping busybody of St Mary Mead. Thanks to my guest, Leandra Griffith. As well as being Shedunnit's production assistant, she posts about mysteries on her Instagram @leandra_thetbrzero and her YouTube channel. Become a member of the Shedunnit book club and get bonus audio, listen to ad free episodes and join a book-loving community at shedunnitshow.com/membership. Mention...

The tragic tale of Alma Rattenbury.  Become a member of the Shedunnit book club and get bonus audio, listen to ad free episodes and join a book-loving community at shedunnitshow.com/membership. Mentioned in the episode: — The Anatomy of Murder by The Detection Club — Stay of Execution by Eliot Crawshay-Williams — The Fatal Passions of Alma Rattenbury by Sean O'Connor — Cause Célèbre by Terence Rat...

The parallel lives of a writer and her detective. Thanks to my guest, Julia Jones. Her biography of Margery Allingham is available now through all good bookshops. Mentioned in the episode: — Margery Allingham: A Biography by Julia Jones — The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham — Blackkerchief Dick by Margery Allingham — Mystery Mile by Margery Allingham — Dancers in Mourning by Margery All...

If you need a golden age detective fiction recommendation, we are at your service. To take part in future interactive episodes, become a member of the Shedunnit Book Club now at shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Books mentioned in the episode: — A Grave Mistake by Ngaio Marsh — Common or Garden Crime by Sheila Pim — Unholy Dying by RT Campbell — The Death Cap by RT Campbell — Black Orchids by Rex Stout...

Golf and murder have been close companions for a whole century. To support the podcast, be part of a superb bookish community, and get two bonus episodes a month, become a member of the Shedunnit Book Club now at shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Mentioned in the episode: — The Murder on the Links (1923) by Agatha Christie — “The Murder on the Golf Links” (1907) by Matthias McDonnell Bodkin, featured in...

Step inside the mortuary. Thanks to my guest, Carla Valentine, for joining me. Her book, Murder Isn't Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, has lots more on this subject, as does her previous appearance on Shedunnit, Murder Isn't Easy. Mentioned in the episode: — Murder Isn't Easy by Carla Valentine — The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie — The Body in the Library by Agatha Christie — 4....

Come with me on a tour of Greenway. Special thanks to Clive and everyone at the National Trust for making me and my microphone welcome at Greenway, and to Sarah Thrift for arranging it. I'm also grateful to my friend Elizabeth Minkel, who spent the afternoon doing this even though she has only read one Christie novel in her whole life. She has her own podcast, Fansplaining, which I highly recommen...

What if you are found neither innocent nor guilty? Books mentioned in this episode — The Law and the Lady by Wilkie Collins — The House in Queen Anne Square by William Darling Lyell — Madeleine Smith: A Tragi-Comedy in Two Acts by Winifred Duke — Trial of Madeleine Smith (Notable British Trials), appraisal by F. Tennyson Jesse — Murder and Morality in Victorian Britain by Eleanor Gordon and Gwynet...

A most golden age murder. Books mentioned in this episode — Lady Chatterley's Lover by DH Lawrence — The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame — Peril at End House by Agatha Christie — The Crime at Black Dudley by Margery Allingham — There Came Both Mist and Snow by Michael Innes — Sad Cypress by Agatha Christie — Too Soon to Die by Henry Wade — The Stately Home Murder by Catherine Aird — Strange...

How do you say goodbye to a long-running character? Many thanks to my guest, Elly Griffiths. Her latest book is The Last Remains. There are no spoilers in this episode for the contents of the book, beyond the fact that it is the last "for now", which Elly has already announced. Books mentioned in this episode — Cat Among The Pigeons by Agatha Christie — The Clocks by Agatha Christie — Curtain by A...

She wrote five successful murder mysteries and then vanished without a trace. Mentioned in this episode:  — Postscript to Poison by Dorothy Bowers — Shadows Before by Dorothy Bowers — A Deed Without A Name by Dorothy Bowers — Fear For Miss Betony by Dorothy Bowers — The Bells at Old Bailey by Dorothy Bowers NB: Links to Blackwell's are affiliate links, meaning that the podcast receives a small com...

She created Lord Peter Wimsey — and also some excellent slogans about mustard. Mentioned in this episode: — The Mutual Admiration Society by Mo Moulton — Dorothy L. Sayers: Her Life And Soul by Barbara Reynolds — Dorothy L. Sayers: A Careless Rage for Life by David Coomes — Dorothy L. Sayers: A Companion to the Mystery Fiction by Eric Sandberg — Dorothy L. Sayers: A Biography by James Brabazon — W...

Snow is a very powerful tool for a detective novelist. It can create a sinister atmosphere, keep suspects and murderer stormbound, and preserve the footprints of anyone who dares to escape. What could be more seasonal or festive than that? This episode of Shedunnit first aired on 11th December 2019. Caroline is currently recovering from Covid; the next new episode will be in January 2023. Mentione...

Invert everything you know about murder mysteries. Mentioned in this episode: — "The Case of Oscar Brodski” by R. Austin Freeman — The Mystery of 31, New Inn by R. Austin Freeman — The Red Thumb Mark by R. Austin Freeman — John Thorndyke's Cases by R. Austin Freeman — "A Wastrel's Romance” by R. Austin Freeman — “The Art of the Detective Story” by R. Austin Freeman — The Adventures of Romney Pring...

Why do murder mysteries contain so many vicars? Mentioned in this episode: — Measuring religious affiliation in Great Britain by Clive D. Field — The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers — Death in Holy Orders by P.D. James — The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie — Unnatural Death by Dorothy L. Sayers — Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death by James Runcie — “The Blue Cross” by G.K. Chester...

In which Caroline is the guest, not the host. Caroline Crampton is the host of Shedunnit. You can find out what she does when she’s not hosting this podcast at carolinecrampton.com or on Instagram @cacrampton. Guy Cuthbertson is her husband. His website is guycuthbertson.com and he tweets @guywjc. Mentioned in this episode: — The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis — Howards’ Way (TV...

There’s a dark story connecting this 18th century abduction with a 20th century crime novel. Thanks to my guest, Tana French. The new Penguin edition of The Franchise Affair, which includes her introduction, is available now. And Tana's own latest novel is The Searcher, now available in paperback. This episode contains minor spoilers for The Franchise Affair. Mentioned in this episode: — The Franc...

What if everything we thought about murder mysteries was wrong? Thanks to my guest, Benedict Morrison. Among his many publications, you can read him on Agatha Christie's theatrical work in the Bloomsbury Handbook to Agatha Christie. Mentioned in this episode: — The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie — A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie — The “Queer Clues” episode of Shedunnit — Towards Zero by Aga...