True Crime Week - Podcasts For True Crime Fans

Podcasts have been the biggest addition to my media consumption this year and many of them have been true crime related. When figuring out the details of this theme week I knew I wanted to have a post about all of the true crime podcasts that I have been loving. This morphed into the idea of giving a list of the podcasts I think true crime fans should try.

There will be some obvious choices on here, but I hope people will discover some new ones as well. I am offering a list that is a mix of ones I have personally listened to and loved, and a few that I haven't gotten to just yet, but are on my list.

1. My Favorite Murder

I figure this one comes as no surprise. I am pretty much obsessed with this podcast. The two hosts, Karen and Georgia, immediately make you want to be best friends with them. The podcast offers up a relatable perspective on true crime, mental health, and self reflection. They infuse just the right amount of humour in each episode, and ensure that the victims of the horrific crimes they feature are treated with respect. They've also personally helped me embrace being imperfect by showing their own personal struggles. It's, as strange as it may sound, like a weekly therapy session.

2. Disgraceland 

This is one of the more unique true crime podcasts I've discovered. It blends a rock and roll vibe, impeccable research, and strong writing to create a podcast that fully engrosses you into the story being told. This is more storytelling than conversational and it quickly becomes addictive. It also manages to tell stories you're familiar with in a new way. It finds a unique element of the story to focus on which makes it feel fresh. The host also happens to posses one of the most amazing speaking voices I've ever heard. If you love true crime and music I highly recommend this one.

3. Hollywood And Crime

This podcast, which soon starts its third season, is all about the dark side of Hollywood. The first season focuses on the murder of Elizabeth Short, the second focuses on Charles Manson. The third, which hasn't officially been announced, seems to be focusing on the Wonderland murders. The podcast uses a storytelling format and is incredibly well produced. Every element is meticulous and the research they do shows in every episode.

4. Crime Writers On

This is a podcast for those wanting to keep up on all things hot in true crime. They discuss books, movies, TV shows, other podcasts (and much more) which offers up an never ending supply of recommendations to add to your growing list of things to read/watch/binge/etc. It is a fun way to keep up to date on all the true crime happenings in media  while also getting updates on high profile cases that are currently in the news. 

5. Serial

I am probably the only person who hasn't listened to this yet, but I am hoping to change that soon. 

6. Dirty John

This podcast came on my radar thanks to the television show that is currently in the works. Connie Britton and Eric Bana are set to star in the series, and I figure I should listen before it airs.

7. Someone Knows Something

This is, again, one I feel so many people have listened to already and I just very late in discovering it. I am hoping to get to this one soon. It's format is digging deep into a murder/disappearance over the course of an entire season of the podcast. 

I am, of course, always looking for more recommendations for new podcasts to add to my growing list. If there are any you feel I must check out please let me know in the comments. What podcasts are your favourite (both true crime and non)?

True Crime Week - Jenni L Walsh Guest Post

True Crime Week continues with a guest post from Jenni L Walsh. Her novel, Becoming Bonnie, is inspired by the infamous Bonnie and Clyde. It's a must read for fans of novels inspired by true crime and offers up a grounded, humanizing look at the women who would become one half of the most infamous crime duo in history.

It also happens that Becoming Bonnie is on sale. It is currently on sale at many ebook retails for $2.99! That's less than your daily coffee order, and such a steal for this amazing book. You can read the first half of Bonnie's story before the companion novel, Side by Side, released on June 5th.

Limited Time! #BecomingBonnie—story of Bonnie before Clyde—is $2.99

"Rollicking narrative will have readers rooting for Bonnelyn-turned-Bonnie every (dance) step of the way."-Shelf Awareness

Amazon https://t.co/oAK9Ia7A9F
BN https://t.co/WsmS8fN2iK
Kobo https://t.co/T4FoxJVHee pic.twitter.com/JqZ834IOni

— Jenni L. Walsh (@jennilwalsh) March 21, 2018

The sale ends April 16th! Be sure to snag your copy from your favourite ebook retailer and have an amazing beach read for the upcoming summer season!

Amazon // Barnes and Noble // Kobo

Jenni is also offering up a special pre-order incentive for Side By Side. If you pre-order and follow the instructions on her website you can get a package of goodies that includes temporary tattoos, bookmarks and  a signed book plate.

Amazing right? I definitely need to submit my own pre-order to snag these goodies. However, there is also the chance to win an amazing prize pack when you submit your pre-order. One lucky winner will receive  a tee shirt, Bonnie and Clyde wine glasses, custom Bonnie and Clyde magnetic bookmarks , and an amazing mug. 

I am personally keeping my fingers crossed that I get selected for this amazing prize pack. Those wine glasses are amazing. I love them!

Be sure to pre-order your copy from the retailer of your choice and take advantage of this incentive!

Amazon // Chapters // Barnes and Noble 

Jenni was kind enough to share a guest post with me about the allure of Bonnie and Clyde that exists even after all of these years. It's a fantastic read and I am so thrilled to be sharing it with you. A huge thank you to Jenni for taking the time to write it. 

Bonnie and Clyde: America’s Outlaws

Often when thinking about criminals or outlaws, Bonnie and Clyde come to mind. While the duo found themselves in various headlines throughout their twenty-seven month crime spree, it wasn’t until their deaths in May of 1934 that “Bonnie and Clyde” became fixtures in American history.

To this day, Bonnie and Clyde remain polarizing figures, their names frequently in the media. The phrase “modern-day Bonnie and Clyde” is often given to male/female criminal partnerships, especially when the couple is romantic. Two capybaras—quickly given the names Bonnie and Clyde—made headlines after the rodents escaped a Canadian zoo. Like it or not, Bonnie and Clyde are infamous.

I asked a group of individuals what the names “Bonnie and Clyde” were synonymous with for them. As expected, their answers varied.

Some reiterated history’s portrayal: criminal duo, bank robbers, gangsters, outlaws, doomed lovers.

Others attributed nouns, such as guns, death, dangerous, violence.

A few individuals responded with how Bonnie and Clyde exhibited sociopathic or psychotic behaviors and how their relationship was toxic. This answer didn’t come as a surprise; hybristophilia—when a female is attracted to a person who has committed an outrage or a gruesome crime—is called the “Bonnie and Clyde Syndrome.”

Adversely, a responder said, “I’ve always wondered what the love connection must’ve felt like between them… Bonnie entered a life of crime because she loved him so fiercely.” Another said, “I think of their close relationship first.” A third said, “dangerously in love.” These responders are not alone in their reactions. A quick scan of #BonnieandClyde on Twitter is littered with phrases of solidarity between couples, such as “I got your back gurl” and “partner in crime.” Sometimes the hashtag is accompanied by additional sentiments like #MyBestFriend #LoveHim

I’ll admit my own interest in Bonnie and Clyde was originally sparked by their loyalty and devotion to one another. I had been brainstorming a historical topic for my novel, when “Bonnie and Clyde” surfaced. I had seen the film, but over a decade prior, and it was their partnership I recalled the strongest in that moment. Curiosity filled me and I began to dig into their story. Bonnie was a church-going, straight-A girl with big dreams for herself. Clyde made multiple attempts at an honest life, before turning to violence. These interesting tidbits strengthened my desire to understand who they were at the core. So I set out to tell their tale, in Bonnie Parker’s voice, beginning before she ever met Clyde Barrow, before their crime spree, before any victims.

In my novel, Becoming Bonnie, I gave her a fictional name—Bonnelyn—and sought to show her evolution from a wholesome young woman to a gun-wielding gal—Bonnie—who was willing to risk it all for a fella named Clyde. In the companion novel, Side by Side, releasing on June 5, 2018, I explore their ultimate fate: death, danger, and violence. Ultimately, there’s much more than expected behind the infamous Bonnie and Clyde.

Begin Bonnie’s story with Becoming Bonnie, which is on sale for $2.99 until April 16th!

True Crime Week Announcement

I am super into true crime right now (as you may have guessed from my Weekly Obsessions posts recently) and recently decided to celebrate this love with a feature on the blog. 

Kicking off April 9th I am going to feature true crime reads and some reads that are inspired by true crime. I am hoping to have some author guest posts and interviews to share along with some reviews.

I encourage any authors who would like to take part to get in touch as I would love to feature you and your book!