“My fingers just itch when I see something that says “murder” ”, Marilyn Stazio

My love of podcasts means that when I am not at work, I almost always have one going: in the car, while working out or cleaning the house. Podcasts can be found on a multitude of topics and there really is something for everyone. One of my favorites is “Criminal,” hosted by Phoebe Judge. Each episode of “Criminal” talks about a crime, however loosely related. What I especially love about “Criminal,” is that it is done in a very non-judgmental way. One episode might be about creating and using counterfeit money from the criminal’s perspective while another could be about a stranger coexisting in a person’s home–without their knowledge. Phoebe Judge has a way of introducing each episode and its players in a way that leads you to empathize with them and think of their role in the crime from a different point of view.

When I stumbled upon the “Criminal” episode, “The Gatekeeper,” I knew I had to share it. As a librarian, this episode was a treasure trove of vetted mystery novels. “The Gatekeeper” features Marilyn Stasio, The Times Book Review’s Crime Columnist. Interviewer Phoebe Judge leads Marilyn to talk about her first experiences with books, the book review process and the difference between mystery books of the past and the mystery books of today. Marilyn seems to prefer the older style of crime novels which feature detectives and mysteries that are solved by the end of the book. She distinguishes these from the newer novels which focus more on the characters. With conviction, Stasio gives insight into what makes crime novels great and what sets them apart from other types of fiction. Marilyn Stasio even provides her opinions on her favorite mysteries, and different mysteries popular through the ages.

I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I did and give some of the books a try as well!

Noteworthy Criminal Podcast Episodes:

The Gatekeeper

A Bump in the Night

The Buck Stops Here

Try these books mentioned in the Gatekeeper:

	“The Mysterious Affair at Styles : The First Hercule Poirot Mystery” by Agatha Christie Captain Arthur Hastings, invalided in the Great War, is recuperating as a guest of John Cavendish at Styles Court, the ‘country-place’ of John’s autocratic old aunt, Emily Inglethorpe—she of a sizeable fortune, and so recently remarried to a man twenty years her junior. When Emily’s sudden heart attack is found to be attributable to strychnine, Hastings recruits an old friend, now retired, to aid in the local investigation. With impeccable timing, Hercule Poirot, the famous Belgian detective, makes his dramatic entrance into the pages of crime literature. Also available in Pocket Audio, eBook, eAudio and DVD.
	“The Talented Mr. Ripley” by Patricia Highsmith Three classic crime novels by the award-winning mistress of suspense fiction chronicle the deadly adventures and sinister exploits of the inimitable Tom Ripley, a psychopath and genius who will do anything to achieve his goals. This edition also includes “Ripley Under Ground and “Ripley’s Game.” Also available in eBook.
	“Misery” by Stephen King Paul Sheldon. He’s a bestselling novelist who has finally met his biggest fan. Her name is Annie Wilkes and she is more than a rabid reader—she is Paul’s nurse, tending his shattered body after an automobile accident. But she is also his captor, keeping him prisoner in her isolated house. Now Annie wants Paul to write his greatest work—just for her. She has a lot of ways to spur him on. One is a needle. Another is an ax. And if they don’t work, she can get really nasty. Also available in Audio, eBook, eAudio and DVD.
	“The Godfather” by Mario Puzo With its brilliant and brutal portrayal of the Corleone family, The Godfather burned its way into our national consciousness. This unforgettable saga of crime and corruption, passion and loyalty continues to stand the test of time, as the definitive novel of the Mafia underworld. Also available in eBook.
	“The Girl with Dragon Tattoo” by Stieg Larsson Forty years after the disappearance of Harriet Vanger from the secluded island owned and inhabited by her powerful family, her uncle, convinced that she had been murdered by someone from her own deeply dysfunctional clan, hires journalist Mikael Blomqvist and Lisbeth Salander, an unconventional young hacker, to investigate. Also available in Large Print, Audio, Pocket Audio, eBook, eAudio and DVD.
	“The Moonstone” by Wilkie Collins English police Sergeant Cuff tries to locate a fabulous diamond that might have been stolen by a group of Hindus who regard it as a sacred stone. Also available in eBook, eAudio and DVD.

Mystery lovers unite at this Mystery Book Club!

Booked for Murder: Mystery Book Club

Second Monday of the month | 7 p.m. | Sanger Branch Library

Check the events calendar for up-to-date information or call the Sanger Branch Library @ 419.259.5370.

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