Our golden age detective fiction recommendation line is at your service. Support the podcast by joining the Shedunnit Book Club and get extra Shedunnit episodes every month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Books mentioned in this episode:— The Lighthouse by Wilkie Collins— Deathblow Hill by Phoebe Atwood Taylor— The Murder Game by Tom Hindle— Sir John Magill's Last Journey by Freeman Wills Crofts— Man Overboard! by Freeman Wills Crofts— Fa...
Jun 11, 2025•26 min
Because sometimes, only a professional will do. Support the podcast by joining the Shedunnit Book Club and get extra Shedunnit episodes every month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Books mentioned in this episode:— The Murder on the Burrows by E.C.R. Lorac— Dishonour Among Thieves by E.C.R. Lorac— Crime Counter Crime by E.C.R. Lorac— Fell Murder by E.C.R. Lorac— Fire in the Thatch by E.C.R. Lorac— Death Came Softly by E.C.R. Lorac— Murder ...
May 28, 2025•25 min
Locked room mystery specialist Tom Mead joins Caroline to read Edgar Wallace’s sensational 1905 thriller. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 20:56. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. The next book discussed in this series will be The Man in the Dark by John Ferguson. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the mon...
May 14, 2025•44 min
Fact meets fiction in the work of this unjustly overlooked writer. Moonstone Press are very kindly running a special offer for the 30 days after this episode airs: if you buy the paperback set of Erskine Muir's three novels, you get three for the price of two and the podcast gets a little commission for referring you. Take advantage of the special offer at moonstonepress.co.uk. Click here to take part in the Shedunnit Audience Survey. Books mentioned in this episode:— In Muffled Night by Do...
Apr 30, 2025•34 min
Caroline dives deep into Brand’s work to find her favourite novel. Back in July of last year, I did an episode titled Christianna Brand's Impossible Crimes. During the research and preparation for that episode, I read quite a few Brand novels. Even though I haven't read every single work she published, I hope you enjoy this ranking of 15 books from Christianna Brand's canon. Click here to take part in the Shedunnit Audience Survey. Christianna Brand novels mentioned, in alphabetical order: — Ala...
Apr 16, 2025•24 min
Darryl Jones joins Caroline to discuss the first collection of Raffles stories. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 10:30. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. The next book discussed in this series will be The Four Just Men by Edgar Wallace. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and...
Apr 02, 2025•40 min
Why do these two historic university cities appear in so many murder mysteries? Books mentioned in this episode: — The Masters by C.P. Snow — Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis — Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh — Zuleika Dobson by Max Beerbohm — Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers — The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin — The Cambridge Murders by Dilwyn Rees — Death at the President’s Lodging by Michael Innes — An Oxford Tragedy by J.C. Masterman (£825.00) — Death on the Cherwell by Mavis Dorie...
Mar 19, 2025•25 min
A consideration of crime fiction’s more compact incarnation. Please be aware that there are spoilers in this episode for the two stories discussed here in detail: "Traitor's Hands" by Agatha Christie and "A Jury of Her Peers" by Susan Glaspell. Books mentioned in this episode: — Memories and Adventures by Arthur Conan Doyle — The Casebook of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle — A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle — "A Scandal in Bohemia" by Arthur Conan Doyle, collected in The Adventures...
Mar 05, 2025•40 min
She is beloved worldwide for her crime writing. But what did she like to read? Resources and articles mentioned in this episode: — Jamie Bernthal on Arthur Conan Doyle — Moira Redmond on Elizabeth Daly — Martin Edwards on My Brother's Killer — Gray Robert Brown on Muriel Spark Books mentioned in this episode: — Agatha Christie An Autobiography by Agatha Christie — The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle — The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie — The Hound of the Baske...
Feb 19, 2025•25 min
Moira Redmond joins Caroline to consider a surprising medical mystery from 1931. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 19:39. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. The next book discussed in this series will be Raffles by E.W. Hornung. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community...
Feb 05, 2025•51 min
Caroline goes deep on Dorothy L. Sayers’ 1935 masterpiece. At 18:58, there is a brief mention of attempted suicide. Books mentioned in this episode: — Gaudy Night by Dorothy L Sayers — Whose Body? by Dorothy L Sayers — Strong Poison by Dorothy L Sayers — Have His Carcase by Dorothy L Sayers — Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L Sayers — Lord Peter Wimsey Investigates series by Jill Paton Walsh Related Shedunnit episodes: — The Advertising Adventures of Dorothy L. Sayers — Dorothy L Sayers Solves Her...
Jan 22, 2025•39 min
Reading the mysteries of the past 100 years. Books mentioned in this episode: — 1925: The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode — 1935: Gaudy Night by Dorothy L Sayers — 1945: Coroner's Pidgin by Margery Allingham (also published as: Pearls Before Swine) — 1955: Tour de Force by Christianna Brand — 1965: At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie — 1975: Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters — 1985: B is for Burglar by Sue Grafton — 1995: The Mermaids Singing by Val McDermid — 2005: Still Life by ...
Jan 08, 2025•27 min
There’s always more to say about detective fiction. Books mentioned in this episode: — The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie — The Secret Place by Tana French — The Crozier Pharaohs by Gladys Mitchell — Postern of Fate by Agatha Christie — The Examiner by Janice Hallett — The Appeal by Janice Hallett — The Documents in the Case by Dorothy L Sayers and Robert Eustace — Three-A-Penny by Lucy Beatrice Malleson — Portrait of a Murderer by Portrait of a Murderer — Death in Fancy Dress by Antho...
Dec 25, 2024•24 min
The magical spirit of Christmas is the perfect cover for a murder mystery. Mentioned in this episode: — "The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle" by Arthur Conan Doyle, collected in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes — "The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding" by Agatha Christie, collected in The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding and a Selection of Entrées — "The Necklace of Pearls" by Dorothy L Sayers, collected in Silent Nights — Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie — Crime at Christmas by...
Dec 11, 2024•23 min
Caroline and Guy discuss The Box of Delights by John Masefield, a beloved children's book from 1935 that might actually be a golden age detective novel too. They also consider the beloved 1984 TV adaptation, which is returning to the BBC on 7th December 2024 for a special 40th anniversary showing. This episode was originally released in December 2023 as an exclusive bonus for the Shedunnit Book Club. If you'd like to hear more bonus episodes like this in the future, join the Shedunnit Book Club ...
Dec 04, 2024•43 min
The creator of amateur sleuth Gervase Fen loved to make fun of detective fiction. The 2024 Shedunnit Pledge Drive is underway! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get at least two bonus episodes a month by becoming a Shedunnit member now at shedunnitshow.com/pledgedrive. Mentioned in this episode: — The Crooked Hinge by John Dickson Carr — Bruce Montgomery/Edmund Crispin: A Life in Music and Books by David Whittle — The Case of the Gilded Fly by Edmund Crispin — Love Lies Bleeding by Edmun...
Nov 27, 2024•32 min
Kathryn Harkup is Caroline’s guest for a reconsideration of Agatha Christie’s very first detective novel. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 22:30. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. The next book discussed in this series will be The Missing Moneylender by W. Stanley Sykes. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to ...
Nov 13, 2024•54 min
Where did that dead body go? It was right here! The 2024 Shedunnit Pledge Drive is underway! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get at least two bonus episodes a month by becoming a Shedunnit member now at shedunnitshow.com/pledgedrive. Mentioned in this episode: —The Vanishing Corpse by Anthony Gilbert —The Vanishing Corpse by Ellery Queen —The Case of the Runaway Corpse by Erle Stanley Gardner —The Corpse Steps Out by Craig Rice —Case Without A Corpse by Leo Bruce —The Disappearing Corp...
Oct 30, 2024•27 min
How to weave the perfect murder mystery plot. Find out more about Kate Davies' work at katedaviesdesigns.com and browse all of her patterns at shopkdd.com. The Margery Allingham's Mysterious Knits book, which contains Caroline's essay about knitting and detective fiction, is available at shopkdd.com/summerofmystery. This episode marks the beginning of the 2024 Shedunnit Pledge Drive! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get at least two bonus episodes a month by becoming a Shedunnit member ...
Oct 16, 2024•27 min
Martin Edwards joins Caroline to revisit this iconic example of golden age detective fiction. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 11:06. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. The next book discussed in this series will be The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the m...
Oct 02, 2024•39 min
What connects a notorious 1827 murder case with the Detection Club’s cosy Soho clubrooms? There are minor spoilers for the books listed below in this episode. Also, please be aware that there are passing references (without description) in this episode to infant death. Support the podcast by joining the Shedunnit Book Club and get two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Mentioned or consulted in the making of ...
Sep 18, 2024•29 min
Open wide! Support the podcast by joining the Shedunnit Book Club and get two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join. There are spoilers in this episode for the titles listed below. Mentioned in this episode: — Death in the Dentist's Chair by Molly Thynne — The Uncertain Glory by Molly Thynne — "Death Sits in the Dentist's Chair" by Cornell Woolrich, collected in Darkness at Dawn: Early Suspense Classics — Murder ...
Sep 04, 2024•25 min
Beware the pipe organ. Support the podcast by joining the Shedunnit Book Club and get two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join. There are no major spoilers in this episode but some minor plot details for the titles listed below are discussed. Mentioned in this episode: — The Organ Speaks by E.C.R. Lorac — Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers — The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L. Sayers — The Nebuly Coat by J. Meade Falkn...
Aug 20, 2024•24 min
Dolores Gordon-Smith joins Caroline to read this short story collection by H.C. Bailey. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 21:34. After that, expect full spoilers. Caroline's new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is out now. To find out more and get your copy, visit her website carolinecrampton.com/abodymadeofglass. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. Join the Shedunnit B...
Aug 07, 2024•1 hr 1 min
Which matters more in a murder mystery, plot or character? Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join See Caroline in person at the Edinburgh International Book Festival on 13th August at 10.45am. Tickets here. There are no major spoilers in this episode but some minor plot details for the titles listed below are discussed. Mentioned in this episode: — Nurse Matilda by Christianna ...
Jul 24, 2024•23 min
During Prohibition, the cocktails are downright criminal. This episode was hosted by Leandra Griffith with guest (and usual host) Caroline Crampton. If you are interested in seeing more content from Leandra, you can find her on YouTube and Instagram. Caroline's new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is out now. To find out more and get your copy, visit her website carolinecrampton.com/abodymadeofglass. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus...
Jul 10, 2024•1 hr 5 min
CriminOlly joins Caroline to read this classic of American hardboiled crime fiction. No major plot spoilers until you hear Caroline say we are "entering the spoiler zone", at 26:30. After that, expect full spoilers. A full list of titles in the Penguin series can be found at penguinfirsteditions.com. Olly's YouTube channel can be found at youtube.com/@CriminOllyBlog. Tickets for Backlisted: Live on 17th July, at which Caroline will be talking about Agatha Christie's Endless Night, are available ...
Jun 26, 2024•51 min
There’s something sinister in the stacks. Thanks to my guest Harriet Evans, aka Harriet F. Townson, who is the author of D is for Death. My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is out now. To find out more and get your copy, visit my website carolinecrampton.com/abodymadeofglass. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join Mentioned in this episode: — The Body ...
Jun 19, 2024•24 min
The great Welsh poet Dylan Thomas had a passion for detective stories. This episode is hosted by Guy Cuthbertson. His guest is John Goodby, a Professor of Arts and Culture at Sheffield Hallam University, and an expert on Dylan Thomas. He edited The Collected Poems of Dylan Thomas and has co-authored a biography of Thomas. He is also a poet, translator and arts organiser. Members of the Shedunnit Book Club can hear more of Guy and John's conversation as they cover 1930s poets beyond Dylan Thomas ...
May 29, 2024•40 min
Why didn’t the creator of Winnie-the-Pooh write more detective fiction? My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is out now. To find out more and get your copy, visit my website carolinecrampton.com/abodymadeofglass. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions and community: shedunnitbookclub.com/join Mentioned in this episode: — When We Were Very Young by AA Milne — Winnie-the-Pooh by AA Milne — The Ho...
May 22, 2024•37 min
