Crime Writers On...

Get ready for the best discussion and analysis of the Serial podcast. Sarah Koenig is back for season 3 (finally!) - Along with Emmanuel Dzotsi, Sarah gives us a year in the life of the Cleveland Justice Center.For episode one, "A Bar Fight Walks into the Justice Center," the crime writers discuss whether the lesson is about prosecutorial discretion...or about race?In episode two, "You've Got Some Gauls," we can't even with Judge Gaul. But does he have a point? (Spoiler alert - he does not.)Also, we give our take on the Curtiss Flowers update episode of "In the Dark." The more things change, the more they stay the same.In crime of the week: whale fail. See the dumpster snafu here and the classic exploding whale incident here.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Weekly episodes of "Crime Writers On" have returned! And so has "Serial!" For season 3, Sarah K and Co. will look at the justice system from the inside: embedding themselves in a criminal courthouse in Cleveland. Note: for the duration of Serial's run, episodes of CWO will drop on Mondays instead of Fridays. Netflix’s hit crime show "Ozark" is back with a second season. The drama starring Jason Bateman and Laura Linney combines white collar crime and redneck gothic. Is it as good as its debut season? TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF OZARK, SKIP AHEAD TO 31:44 The panel digs into the new hit "Dr. Death" from Wondery. Billed as the successor to "Dirty John," reporter Laura Beil recalls the case of a doctor who performed a string of botched surgeries while the system was unable - or unwilling - to stop him. TO JUMP AHEAD TO OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF DR. DEATH, FAST-FORWARD TO 56:45 Then in crime of the week: felonious food fight. Click here to get the Crime Writers On After Show, plus more exclusive conte

Wow, we've got more true crime than you can shake a stick at! This time out we talk about Kim Kardashian's new-found love of "Serial," the latest court filings in Adnan Syed's appeal, and the Facebook meltdown over "My Favorite Murder." The panel give first takes and final thoughts on shows like "Sharp Objects," "Up and Vanished," and "Fatal Voyage." And there's cool stuff to look forward to with TV debuts of "My Dad Wrote a Porno" and "American Vandal" season two.TO AVOID SPOILERS FOR "SHARP OBJECTS," JUMP TO TIME CODE 35:42The crime writers look at the new miniseries from Investigation Discovery, "Pamela Smart: An American Murder Mystery." As NH-based writers & journalists, there's not a lot about the case the panel doesn't already know. Does the show add anything for those who've seen one of the movies or read one of the many books on this case?FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "PAMELA SMART: AMERICAN MURDER MYSTERY," GO TO 1:06:33.In Crime of the Week, felony bang bang!  For exclusive podcasts and more,

In the world of true crime updates, Irish authorities have issued a new report on police conduct in the West Cork case. Speaking of podcasts from Audible, what's happened to their podcast division? Rebecca gives a plug for her new project, Bear Brook, which will be debuting from NHPR next month. Also, has horror author Joe Hill solved the 1974 mystery of the "Woman in the Dunes" by watching "Jaws"?Speaking of Joe Hill, his father (Stephen King) has a new show on Hulu. Castle Rock is the creepy tale of a unidentified inmate discovered in an old prison, and of the lawyer with a haunted past returning to his hometown in Maine where evil lurks. It's the most Stephen King thing to ever Stephen King.FOR A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "CASTLE ROCK," GO TO 35:05.The sophomore season of Slow Burn is out, this time focusing on the impeachment of President Clinton. Slate's podcast attempts to tell the story of the building crisis and how it affected the lives of the scandal’s supporting characters. As Leon Neyfawk says, it's

On our off week, the Crime Writers got together face-to-face for the first time in ages. We're back with lots to talk about. This includes the latest "In the Dark"-related court filings in the Curtis Flowers case, the passing of a troubled ex-prosecutor featured in "The Staircase," and one of the panelists gets called for jury duty.We go globetrotting on the new Netflix series, "Dark Tourist." Journalist David Farrier, who wowed us with his documentary “Tickled,” shows us some of the most bizarre, macabre, and dangerous travel destinations around.Moving on...the new podcast "Bundyville" examines the story-behind-the-story of Cliven Bundy and his anti-government standoff that transfixed the nation. The seven-part series explores the seeds of Bundy’s discontent as sewn by federal grazing rights, court cases, nuclear testing, Mormon oppression, and a religious prophecy.FOR A SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF "BUNDYVILLE," JUMP TO 59:30In Crime of the Week: Bigfoot whips it out. (And in this week's outtake - so does one of

While Toby broadcasts from a beautiful island lake house, the rest of the panel sweats it out to bring you another episode of Crime Writers On with a brand new logo!There are true crime updates galore:We talk about the MD Court of Appeals granting cert in the continuing post-conviction struggles of Serial's Adnan Syed.Curtis Flower's mother passed away and we reflect on the meaning of injustice within injustice.Plus, the "estate" of John McLemore is suing "S-town" for violating his privacy. Legally, morally, ethically - do they have a leg to stand on?We talk about HBO's new prestige drama "Sharp Objects." As much a character study as it is a crime mystery, will the star-driven adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel thrill fans like “Gone Girl” or leave them disappointed like “True Detective" season 2?Plus, we give the Granite State some summer tourism plugs this week with shout-outs to Story Land, Santa's Village, and Clark's Trading Post (with the dancing bears and the Wolfman who shoots a gun at you).TO HEAR O

Kevin is recording in his underwear and Stephen King has come to live at Lara's house. It must be time for the summer edition of Crime Writers On.In the first part of the podcast we'll review The RFK Tapes from the team behind Crimetown. Robert Kennedy was assassinated at point blank range in a room full of people...so why do some believe there was another shooter? We're not buying the conspiracy, but the tale isn't so bad.FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF THE RFK TAPES, FAST-FOWARD TO 33:12.Then we'll muster up as much rage and praise as possible for the season finale of In The Dark. An undisclosed alternate suspect! An uncatalogued gun! A hidden-in-plain-sight tunnel! The debate isn't about whether In The Dark gets a thumbs up - it's about whether it's the best podcast of all time.Then in crime of the week: I'm not dead yet. For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about ou

Is In The Dark a better podcast than Serial season one? Or would it not even exist were it not for Serial?The Crime Writers take on that debate as we check in with the latest installment of In The Dark's investigation into the investigation that left Curtiss Flowers stranded on death row.Plus, Adnan Syed gets a new timeline for a legal decision, Brendan Dassey's case maybe gets a SCOTUS look, and in the biggest crime of all, Rebecca and Kevin make jokes about their sex life. Also, Toby WINS the Candace from The Staircase debate.The crew then digs into Flint Town, a fascinating Netflix docu-series that gives an inside look at one of the most challenged police forces (and cities) in the country. What do cops in Flint think about policing, race relations, politics, and what it means to be a community?WANT TO SKIP TO THE THUMBS UP OR DOWN REVIEW OF FLINT TOWN? SKIP TO 1:06:33Then in Crime of the Week, taco libre!SPONSORS THIS EPISODEKind Snacks - enjoy 50% off and free shipping on your first Snack Pack at kindsna

What a bad week for Lara. First she loses the chowder contest, then she had to listen to that enraging interview with DA Doug Evans from "In the Dark" (of which Rebecca genuinely worried for Lara's health). Everyone has thoughts about a proposed "S-town" movie. And Kevin makes some Canadian friends.The panel runs up and down "The Staircase's" three new episodes. The original true crime doc about Michael Peterson was a seminal work. Does this final coda contain the same power?TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF THE FINAL THREE EPISODES OF "THE STAIRCASE," FAST FORWARD TO 1:13:41.This episode's Crime of the Week is truly eye-popping. For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lara hits the roof after hearing the latest installment of "In the Dark." We knew the court was rough on the defendant - but the jurors too?!Kevin gives a plug for the June 8-9 Toronto True Crime Film Festival. He'll be there Saturday for a panel discussion. More at torontotruecrimefilmfestival.com.Toby gets another chance to roll his eyes about "The Staircase" owl theory.Rebecca leads the discussion on Killing Eve. An American-bred Brit goes from desk jockey to head of a secret unit tracking a skilled assassin striking throughout Europe. This cat-and-mouse thriller that bounces around the continent is both suspenseful and playful, with compelling characters and crackling dialogue.TO HERE OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "KILLING EVE," JUMP AHEAD TO 1:00:49In Crime in Week: dangerous moves.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data

More paper pasted this week in the Adnan Syed case. The defense has filed its conditional cross-petition. It basically says, "Hey state supreme court, don't take this case. But if you do, we got some stuff over here we want to talk about."This week's "In the Dark" buries the needle on the Brickter-scale. Listen how Cookie's story crumbles.The crime writers break out the leotards and sweatbands for the hot hot-yoga docu-pod "30 for 30: Bikram." Julia Lowrey Henderson tells the rise of Bikram Choudhury, peels back the veneer of his self-created myth, and gets into the many allegations of sexual misconduct.TO HEAR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF BIKRAM, FAST-FOWARD TO 58:17.In Crime of the Week: done and dusted. For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Could it be? Could the next Baltimore State's Attorney be willing to drop charges against Adnan Syed? Well..he's gotta win first. How about them Handmaids - the feel-bad tv show of the year? Lara's Rage-o-meter buries the needle when she hears this week's episode of In the Dark (oh Cookie!),TO SKIP OUR TALK ABOUT "IN THE DARK," JUMP AHEAD TO 29:50.Then from Australia we’ll review “The Teacher’s Pet”: a podcast about a professional athlete, his missing wife, and his teenage lover. Does this cold case story from Down Under stack up against the best podcasts out there?TO JUMP PAST OUR DISCUSSION ON "THE TEACHER'S PET," GO TO OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW AT 51:26.Then in Crime of the Week: I could read it all over your face.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

There are TWO true crime updates this week in the Adnan Syed case. First, prosecutors have decided to ask Maryland's highest court to review the previous rulings granting Adnan a new trial. Second, HBO has announced a documentary about the case is in the works. They promise new information and the first interviews with Adnan since "Serial."We discuss episode four of "In the Dark." Something's fishy about those jailhouse confessions, and Lara's head might explode.Speaking of confessions, Kevin admits he's always wanted to try the tangy taste of Miracle Whip. With three naysayers listening on, he takes his first bites.Moving on...the crime writers go over the Netflix documentary "Evil Genius." A man robs a bank with a bomb locked around his neck. Who was the mastermind beyond the elaborate plot? Does the series give short shrift to the characters' mental illnesses? And does the story maintain the momentum of it's compelling beginning?FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW, GO TO 1:02:26.Then a vintage crime of the week: s

This week the Crime Writers look at the second season of "In the Dark" from APM Reports. Madeline Baron and her team investigate the case of Curtis Flowers, a man who’s been tried six times for the same crime. Is the sophomore season of the Peabody Award winning pod delivering the goods?TO JUMP TO THE SPOILER-FREE REVIEW, FAST-FORWARD TO 1:00:00.Kevin announces his appearance at the Toronto True Crime Film Festival June 8-9, Lara gets a fan mail slap down, and Toby gets sexually harassed.In Crime of the Week: Rescue vs. room service.Also mentioned: the Omni Mount Washington Resort and the More Perfect podcast episode Object Anyway.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Lara makes her triumphant return, promising to bring her A game.We give an update on the COSA appeal in favor of Adnan Syed: why the next 15 days are important. Speaking of triumphant returns, John David Booter is back with season two of Done Disappeared. It seems crimes against water fowl are more common than John David Booter realized. (With John David Booter.) Plus, a fake astronaut claps back on The Habitat, the podcast from Gimlet we reviewed last week.Next, we take a close look at the New York Times podcast Caliphate. Journalist Rukmimi Callimachi pulls back the curtain on how the terror group draws people to the cause, and life as a war correspondent, all in an attempt to answer the question, “Who are we fighting?”FOR A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF CALIPHATE, GO TO 48:28:40In Crime of the Week: if it bleeds, it leads.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our co

Lara picked the wrong week to go on vacation...The panel gives their reaction to the capture of the alleged Golden State Killer. Did Michelle McNamara's I'll Be Gone in the Dark play a role in the arrest or is it too soon to tell?Rebecca provides Toby an abridged update on Death In Ice Valley. Then the team offers their first impressions of season two of HBO's "Westworld."The main event: Gimlet’s new hit podcast The Habitat. This series follows six volunteers simulating a Mars mission by being cooped up together in one small shelter for a year. Is the podcast a look at the human failings inherent in a long-term space mission? Or is it NASA's version of "The Real World"?FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW, JUMP TO 58:05.In Crime of the Week: frugivorous felons.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Internet fame is bestowed upon one of the crime writers (thanks to The Daily podcast and interpretive dancing). News from West Cork...Ian Bailey is going to have to pay a lot of money. And the panel wants to know more about what a "taint team" is.The crime writers give their first impressions of a new podcast collaboration from the BBC World Service and NRK called, “Death in Ice Valley.” The colder the rain, the colder the case.Masterpiece on PBS is now airing the limited British crime series, “Unforgotten.” The show follows police as they try to solve the decade’s old mystery of a skeleton found in a clay basement. The investigation involves a diverse group of characters who may have had a hand in the crime, then went on with their lives. Is "Unforgotten" worth remembering?FOR A SPOILER-FREE REVIEW, FAST FORWARD TO 52:30.The crime of the week - breaking balls.  For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See p

This episode Toby announces the title and guest panel for his next Patreon book club podcast (name of podcast still TBD). The Peabody Award nominations are out, and true crime is well represented. And Rebecca reveals her new (sort of) friendship with Alison Sweeney from Days of Our Lives and The Biggest Loser, who turns out to be a HUGE fan of true crime podcasts.The panel talks about the new A&E series “Marcia Clark Investigates the First 48.” This new show (and companion podcast) is a mashup of the First 48’s format of highlighting the importance of the first 48 hours of an investigation, along with the OJ prosecutor taking a second look at a famous case.Then the crime writers discuss ”Felonious Florida,” the new podcast from Wondery and the South Florida Sun Sentinel. Can this newspaper-sources and -staffed pod achieve the success of its predecessors? Or will it just make Rebecca's head explode?OUR DISCUSSION IS SPOILER-FREE, BUT TO SKIP AHEAD TO THE REVIEW GO TO 57:13.In Crime of the Week: blow.  For

This episode we breakdown the recent COSA decision affirming Adnan Syed's right to a new trial. Kevin asks Undisclosed's Colin Miller (aka Legal Siri) about how the winning and losing arguments were flipped, Adnan's chances on bail, and the local politics infused into the appeals process.Toby talks about his new Patreon-exclusive book club podcast. He, Rebecca, Rabia Chaudry, and Patrick Hines discussed Michelle McNamara's I'll be Gone in the Dark. Also, there's some news about the TV adaptation of Dirty John (they have their John).Moving on, Panoply is out with a seven-part podcast called Empire on Blood. It’s magazine writer Steve Fishman’s seven-year relationship with crack dealer Calvin Buari, in jail for more than twenty years for a double homicide. To tell the story of Cal’s search for justice, Fishman meets Cal’s drug dealing frienamy; a prosecutor who rescues turtles; a cop who’s too good at getting confessions; and a private eye who carries a Bible, a gun, and a bottle of wine.TO SKIP PAST THE SPOILE

We said we had to win the whole damn thing - and we did! THANKS TO LISTENERS LIKE YOU we won Podcast Madness, vanquishing This American Life in the championship bracket. Now we take a victory lap!We return to normal programming with news from the Dirty John TV show. Plus, there's a "cheeky" news story out of Albuquerque that must win all the awards."Wild Wild Country" is the topic of a wild wild panel discussion. It's the Netflix documentary about the times, town, and troubles created by a group of Rajneeshee followers who flocked to Oregon in the 1980s. The material covered is a mile wide and an inch deep. For the original Oregonian expose on the Rajneeshees, click here.TO GET OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF WILD WILD COUNTRY, SKIP AHEAD TO 1:01:52.And in Crime of the Week - rotten eggs. For exclusive podcasts and more, sign up at Patreon.Sign up for our newsletter at crimewriterson.com. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for