In this bonus episode of Crime Writers On, here is Rebecca's exclusive interview with Madeleine Baran, host of "In The Dark," with her reactions to news the state has dropped charges against Curtis Flowers. Additional resources: APM Reports: It's Over: Charges against Curtis Flowers are dropped New York Times: After 6 Murder Trials and Nearly 24 Years, Charges Dropped Against Curtis Flowers Motion to Dismiss SCOTUS decision Transcript of SCOTUS oral arguments Click here to get the Crime Writers ...
Sep 09, 2020•34 min
Kevin kicks off the discussion with some excellent medical news. In season two of " The Sneak: The Murders at Whiskey Creek ," Jack Murphy was a champion surfer who captured headlines in 1964 as a cool jewel thief for stealing the world’s largest sapphire from a New York museum. But was the charming thief known as "Murph the Surf" more violent than his legacy portrays? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE SNEAK," GO TO 33:00 The relationship between a murderer and a journalist resulted in Fatal V...
Sep 07, 2020•1 hr 9 min
With Kevin taking a sick day, the rest of the panel gets to hear about Lara's new profession: pet detective. Plus, Toby's killer cat Little Foot is at it again. In the podcast “ Relative Unknown ," host Jackee Taylor learns the man at the center of a double murder/homicide was actually her father, a former Hells Angel who took his family into Witness Protection and later disappeared from her life. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "RELATIVE UNKNOWN" GO TO MINUTE 23:00 In the 70s and 80s, the FBI wa...
Aug 31, 2020•51 min
Leading off...“ The Orange Tree ” revisits a crime which resonates with college students in Austin years later. What makes "The Orange Tree" different is the seven-part series is not the work of a major publishing house. It’s written and produced by students at the University of Texas. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE ORANGE TREE," GO TO 35:00 Then, from Serial Productions comes “ Nice White Parents .” Host Chana Joffe-Walt looks at one Brooklyn majority-minority school where a new batch of w...
Aug 17, 2020•1 hr 13 min
They thought they were on a vision quest retreat with a leading self-help teacher. In the end, three were killed in a make-shift sweat lodge. We learn what happened in Wondery’s new hit, “ Guru .” FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "GURU" GO TO 34:00 The new 30 for 30 podcast “ Heavy Medals ” looks at the story of Bela and Martha Karolyi, who made champions through motivation, manipulation, and masochism. The famed coaches elevated American women’s gymnastics, then created the situation which has ne...
Aug 03, 2020•1 hr 13 min
HBO is out with a reboot of “Perry Mason.” But this time, Mason is not a 1950s defense attorney. Instead, he’s a 1930s private eye, working for a lawyer and investigating the case of a kidnapping-gone-wrong. Will Mason find the answers in Hollywood’s underbelly...and will he get the case-clearing confession the character is known for? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "PERRY MASON" GO TO THE 29th MINUTE. In 2012, Gelareh Bagherzadeh was shot in her car outside her home. Police were stumped not only...
Jul 20, 2020•1 hr 3 min
On this episode we introduce our podcast audience to our new Facebook Watch audience. Be sure to tune in and be a part of both CWO families. His alibi was solid and the case went cold...until investigators put together a prosecution with bad evidence and dodgy witnesses. He was exonerated after two decades, but if Glen Assoun isn't Brenda Way's killer...was it the serial killer living a block away? We’re talking about season 7 of the CBC podcast " Uncover: Dead Wrong ." FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVI...
Jul 06, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Here's a big announcement from the team. "Crime Writers On..." is now a video show on FACEBOOK WATCH. Just search for "Crime Writers On..." on Facebook Watch or on Facebook to see video from the podcast. DEBUTS JULY 7. In the latest season of “ Slow Burn ” from Slate, host Josh Levin chronicles white supremacist David Duke’s methodical journey from fringe figure to mainstream politician, a journey not fully appreciated by the establishment until it was too late. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "S...
Jun 29, 2020•1 hr 6 min
We begin with season three of the highly-acclaimed and much-loved comic-espionage drama " Killing Eve ." Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer return as the rivals driven by equal measures of dangerous obsession and fatal attraction. Can Eve root out the spies and what will happen when she finally crosses paths with Villanelle? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "KILLING EVE" SEASON THREE GO TO 27:00. Then, it's an important time to revisit Ava DuVerney's Oscar nominated "13th." The Netflix doc is timely and tr...
Jun 22, 2020•53 min
It's the summer of Betty Broderick! First, The LA Times is out with a four-part podcast called " It Was Simple: The Betty Broderick Murders ." The series is more of a retrospective of the crime and its cultural effects. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "IT WAS SIMPLE" GO TO 33:00 Then season two of the "Dirty John" TV series (also with LA Times roots) is an eight-part television melodrama. " Dirty John 2: The Betty Broderick Story " features Amanda Peet as Betty, a woman unable to come to grips wi...
Jun 15, 2020•1 hr 9 min
He was the billionaire investor who hosted celebrities, politicians, and royalty. He was also a pedophile who used his enormous wealth to traffic young girls. Netflix’s four-part series “ Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich ,” goes deep into the people and events around his life and provides a platform for his many victims, who are not afraid to name names. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "FILTHY RICH" GO TO 32:00 The Atlanta Journal Constitution is out with a multi-media investigation into a 1985 doubl...
Jun 08, 2020•57 min
Why did 16 year old Daniel Yuen walk away from a school for "troubled teens" and where did he go? The podcast “ The Lost Kids ” explores the under-regulated industry of “tough love” programs and, in particular, the Southern California facility known as CEDU and its historical connections to a dangerous cult. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE LOST KIDS" GO TO :34 A woman wakes up in a canoe with no memory of how she got there. The trail leads her to the Geist corporation, the mysterious company...
Jun 01, 2020•1 hr 5 min
In this episode: two investigations that touch on spycraft and show business. First, he was a professional gambler in-and-out of trouble with the law. He was also the father of future-actor Woody Harrelson. But in 1979, Charles Harrelson was charged with slaying a federal judge. The new podcast “ Son of a Hitman ,” explores Harrelson’s life of crime with the help of his son, Brett. Was he involved in the most famous assassination in history? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "SON OF A HITMAN," GO T...
May 25, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Sweat pants? Has Kevin finally given up? Plus, does Toby know who anybody is? And why does it sound like he's recording this week's show in a public toilet? The crime writers discuss “ Trial by Media ,” from Netflix. The six part series looks at a group of high-profile cases and how press coverage influenced their outcomes. Sometimes the intense media coverage and live television broadcasts were major factors. Sometimes, public opinion shifted and turned one-time heroes into villains. And in oth...
May 18, 2020•1 hr 8 min
A murder in London sparks a gang war in Tokyo among rival Yakuza. Detective Kenzo Mori is told his brother, thought to be dead, may be living in the UK and central to the conflict. “ Giri/Haji ,” from BBC-2 and Netflix. is a bilingual drama that bends genres...plus it has an ending unlike anything we’ve seen. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEWS OF "GIRI/HAJI" GO TO 25:00 Then we talk about the re-release of the Paramount Network’s miniseries “ Waco .” It features a sanitized version of David Koresh as ...
May 11, 2020•54 min
After a rage-inducing opening act, the crime writers discuss the final two sections of Netflix's The Innocence Files. Each story is good on its own; how do they work stacked side-by-side? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE INNOCENCE FILES" EP 4-9, GO TO 33:00. Then the panel hits the rails for HBO's romantic comedy, Run . Starring Emmy-winner Merritt Wever, we’re left to wonder where the reunited couple are going and what they’re leaving behind. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "RUN," GO TO 57:00...
May 04, 2020•1 hr 3 min
School’s in! We’re looking at HBO’s new movie, “ Bad Education .” Based on a true story, school superintendent Frank Tassone is on top of the world, but things begin to unravel when a high school journalist is assigned a story about the budget. Does it get a passing grade? (Note: Bad Education is based on this outstanding New York Magazine article by Bob Kolker.) FOR OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “BAD EDUCATION,” GO TO 28:00 Then, a look at episodes 1-3 of Netflix’s ambitious series, “ The Innocenc...
Apr 27, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Are the crime writers eating well? Some of them are. Leading off: A woman dies under mysterious circumstances with a list of names in her shoe. Are they in danger? And does it have anything to do with a coven of witches in an English village? The two-part adaptation of “ The Pale Horse ” from BBC One and Amazon Prime veers from Agatha Christie’s novel, keeping its supernatural overtones but leaning more on domestic suspense than its murder-for-hire origins. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE PA...
Apr 20, 2020•57 min
When Massachusetts State Police discover a chemist has been tampering with evidence at the drug lab, it opens a legal Pandora's box. Netflix’s four-part “ How to Fix a Drug Scandal ” follows the lawyers seeking answers, the prosecutors who tried to cover it up, and the troubled life of one of the chemists whose personal addiction up-ended the scales of justice. FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “HOW TO FIX A DRUG SCANDAL,” GO TO 29:00 In season three of Netflix’s “ Ozark ,” a drug war in Mexico has...
Apr 13, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Our first review is “ Cool Mules ” from Canadaland. Vice Canada music editor Slava Pastukhov believed the only way to advance at the gonzo news outlet was through more extreme journalism. A mix of greed and ambition led him to orchestrate a drug trafficking ring to Australia. OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “COOL MULES” BEGINS IN MINUTE 34 Next is a look at Netflix’s foreign-language series, “ The Valhalla Murders .” This police procedural is the latest in the growing number of shows set in Iceland w...
Apr 06, 2020•1 hr 5 min
The panel discusses the much-buzzed about documentary, " Tiger King ." Expanding on the characters and themes of the recent "Joe Exotic" podcast, this Netflix doc dives even deeper into the world of big cats and the shady people who love them. No doubt it's entertaining, but does it handle the people and issues in a responsible way? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "TIGER KING" GO TO 1:03 PLUS: A big announcement from Toby! His new 10-part podcast, " Strange Arrivals ," is out March 31. Subscribe ...
Mar 30, 2020•1 hr 9 min
The crime writers check in with updates on how they're dealing with self-isolation and ponder the world confronted by the coronavirus. In the first review, the panel discusses " The Dating Game Killer " from Wondery and Hollywood & Crime. The docu-drama recalls the tale of serial killer/game show contestant Rodney Alcala. How will the team react to the podcast's style and substance? FOR OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE DATING GAME KILLER," GO TO 29:00 Then the group gets into Netflix's film a...
Mar 23, 2020•59 min
This week, Lara's son takes a very bad fall and Kevin has some professional news. Leading off, the crime writers discuss the new podcast from HLN, “ Down the Hill: The Delphi Murders .” The reporters attempt to shed light on a double killing with few publicly known facts. Can they advance the story? OUR SPOILER FREE REVIEW OF “DOWN THE HILL” BEGINS IN MINUTE 33 Then, they jet to Italy for “ Verified ” from Witness Docs and Stitcher. This ten-part series looks at a group of women and their search...
Mar 16, 2020•1 hr 8 min
After a week of reeling in the years, the Crime Writers are back discussing the hard-hitting Netflix documentary, “The Trials of Gabriel Fernandez.” Viewers learn the long trail of physical and emotional abuse suffered by Gabriel and the many missed opportunities to save his life. And it dives into the issues around the failings of law enforcement, social services, elected officials, and the System’s desire to protect itself at the expense of the children it’s supposed to help. OUR SPOILER FREE ...
Mar 09, 2020•1 hr 13 min
This is our 200th episode, and to mark the occasion we’re going to look back at some of our favorite moments from Crime Writers On. We’ll revisit reviews from classic podcasts, games, milestones, things that made us cry with laughter, and shed other kinds of tears. For exclusive podcasts and more, go to patreon.com/partnersincrimemedia. This week's special episode cover art: Top row Millie Bobby Brown from “Stranger Things” David Rudolf from “The Staircase” Bowe Bergdahl from “Serial” Michael Pe...
Mar 02, 2020•1 hr 15 min
As the crime writers prepare for their 200th episode special, Rebecca and Kevin have an invitation to London-based listeners. First off, in “The Other Latif,” Latif Nasser learns a Moroccan native who shares his name has been held for years at Guantanamo accused of being a top military adviser to Osama bin Laden. This miniseries from RadioLab explores whether his namesake is as dangerous as the US says he is. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “RADIOLAB: THE OTHER LATIF” BEGINS IN THE 31st MINUTE. Then:...
Feb 24, 2020•1 hr 6 min
After casting their votes in the New Hampshire Primary, the panel is ready to vote on two new true crime titles. First, the crime writers discuss the new season of Uncover: Satanic Panic . Host Lisa Rundle brings us to a Saskatchewan town rocked in the 90s by an alleged pedophilia ring run by devil worshipers. The podcast recalls the mass hysteria and the lives forever changed by the charges. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “UNCOVER: SATANIC PANIC” STARTS IN THE 28 MINUTE OF THE SHOW. Then, Netflix’s...
Feb 17, 2020•1 hr 2 min
Greetings from New Hampshire, where the Crime Writers will be among those casting their First in the Nation primary ballots. Hear them discuss the new text technology campaigns will be using to get your vote. Leading off, USAToday Sports and For the Win is out with a podcast covering an unusual bank Heist. “ The Sneak ” tells us of a bizarre armored car holdup where a man disguised as a landscaper escaped down river on an inner tube. Host Nate Scott says there’s much more to the story. OUR SPOIL...
Feb 10, 2020•1 hr 4 min
Mixed reviews this week from the crime writers. First, they explore " The Officer's Wife " from Vault Studios. Just as you think the story will be a typical by-the-numbers true crime tale...it offers a real plot twist. But does it leave too many listener questions unanswered? OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF "THE OFFICER'S WIFE" BEGINS AROUND THE 34 MINUTE MARK. Then, Netflix has a new documentary tackling the life and crimes of the late NFL star Aaron Hernandez. Much like the 2018 podcast "Gladiator,...
Feb 03, 2020•1 hr 4 min
The panel takes a moment to reflect on the premature demise of two of their favorite shows, HBO’s “Watchmen” and Netflix’s “Mindhunter.” The Crime Writers follow BBC Radio to County Donegal for a look at Ireland’s longest unsolved missing child case. In season one of “ No Body Recovered ,” host Kevin Connolly explores the 1977 story of Mary Boyle, through the eyes of the family torn apart by her disappearance. OUR SPOILER-FREE REVIEW OF “NO BODY RECOVERED” BEGINS AROUND THE 36 MINUTE MARK. Then,...
Jan 27, 2020•1 hr 13 min
