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… Continue reading…
Episodes
On Gaudy Night
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… Continue reading…
Whodunnit Centenary: 1925
Reading the mysteries of the past 100 years. Books mentioned in this episode: — 1925: The Paddington Mystery by John Rhode — The Secret of Chimneys by Agatha Christie — 1935: Gaudy Night by Dorothy L Sayers — The Omnibus of Crime: Great Short Stories of Detection — The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha… Continue reading…
Notes & Queries
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… Continue reading…
Father Christmas
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… Continue reading…
Bonus: The Box of Delights
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… Continue reading…
Edmund Crispin’s Inside Jokes
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… Continue reading…
The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Green Penguin Book Club 6)
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… Continue reading…
Vanishing Corpses
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… Continue reading…
Mysterious Knitting
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 to order here. This episode marks the beginning of the 2024 Shedunnit Pledge… Continue reading…
The Poisoned Chocolates Case (Green Penguin Book Club 5)
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… Continue reading…
The Red Barn Murder
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… Continue reading…
In the Dentist’s Chair
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… Continue reading…
Instrument of Death
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:… Continue reading…
Mr Fortune, Please (Green Penguin Book Club 4)
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… Continue reading…
Christianna Brand’s Impossible Crimes
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… Continue reading…
Death at the Speakeasy
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… Continue reading…
The Thin Man (Green Penguin Book Club 3)
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… Continue reading…
Murder in the Library
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… Continue reading…
Dylan’s Whodunnits
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.… Continue reading…
The Mystery of A.A. Milne
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… Continue reading…
The Murder on the Links (Green Penguin Book Club 2)
John Curran joins Caroline to read Christie’s third novel, her first (sort of?) to appear as a green penguin. 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… Continue reading…
Agatha Christie’s Many Houses
A portrait of a writer via her addresses. 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… Continue reading…
You Probably Imagined It!
Meet the hypochondriacs of golden age detective fiction. My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is out now in the UK and published on 24th April in North America. To find out more and get your copy, visit my website carolinecrampton.com/abodymadeofglass. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit… Continue reading…
The Tea Leaf
A scientific murder mystery. My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is published in April. To find out more and register for the exclusive pre-order bonus material, visit my website carolinecrampton.com. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a month plus access to the monthly reading discussions… Continue reading…
Lucy, Anthony and Anne
The crime fiction of Lucy Beatrice Malleson deserves to be better known. My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is published in April. To find out more and register for the exclusive pre-order bonus material, visit my website carolinecrampton.com. Join the Shedunnit Book Club for two extra Shedunnit episodes a… Continue reading…
The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club (Green Penguin Book Club 1)
Helen Zaltzman is the guest for this dissection of the first green penguin. Until 26:43, the discussion is free of major spoilers. At that point, as you will hear us say, we enter the spoiler zone and you can expect spoilers until the end. Helen’s podcast The Allusionist is available wherever you are listening to… Continue reading…
The Green Penguin
One visit to Agatha Christie changed everything. Thank you to my guest, Jules Burt, for sharing his book-collecting experiences and knowledge with us. You can learn more about his collection on his YouTube channel, Jules Burt Collections and Unboxings at youtube.com/@JulesBurt. My new book, A Body Made of Glass: A History of Hypochondria, is published… Continue reading…
A Reading Life
A conversation about how Shedunnit is made. Mentioned in this episode: — Death and the Sisters by Heather Redmond — Murder of a Lady by Anthony Wynne — The Birthday Murder by Lange Lewis — Enter Sir John by Clemence Dane and Helen Simpson Authors Mentioned: — Richard and Frances Lockridge — Rudolph Fisher Mentioned… Continue reading…
Whodunnit Centenary: 1924
Time travelling, murder mystery style. Mentioned in this episode: — The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie — The Plague Court Murders by John Dickson Carr — Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie — The Nine Tailors by Dorothy L Sayers — A Man Lay Dead by Ngaio Marsh — Death… Continue reading…
The Lifelong Fan (Replay)
Renée read her first detective novel in the 1930s. She hasn’t stopped since. Special thanks to my guest Renée. Her first crime novel is The Wild Card. This archive episode of Shedunnit (my personal favourite of all the ones I’ve ever made) was first published on 2nd September 2020. Become a member of the Shedunnit… Continue reading…
The Murderless Christmas Mystery
Not every mystery needs a murder. There are minor details shared for all the novels and stories listed below, but no major plot revelations in this episode. Mentioned in this episode: — “The Flying Stars” by G.K. Chesterton, collected in The Innocence of Father Brown — A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens — The Pickwick… Continue reading…
Who Was Robert Eustace?
A riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma. The 2023 Shedunnit Pledge Drive is underway! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get your hands on some exclusive audio perks by becoming a Shedunnit member now at shedunnitshow.com/pledgedrive. Spoilers: there will be minor details shared for all the novels and stories listed below,… Continue reading…
Death at the Club
Private members’ clubs are surprisingly popular with corpses. The 2023 Shedunnit Pledge Drive is underway! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get your hands on some exclusive audio perks by becoming a Shedunnit member now at shedunnitshow.com/pledgedrive. Mentioned in this episode: — The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L Sayers —… Continue reading…
The Pimlico Poisoning Mystery
How Adelaide Bartlett got away with murder. The 2023 Shedunnit Pledge Drive and we’re already three quarters of the way to our goal! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get your hands on some exclusive audio perks by becoming a Shedunnit member now at shedunnitshow.com/pledgedrive. Mentioned in this episode: — The Anatomy of… Continue reading…
Spooky Sleuthing
The supernatural and the rational come together in the murder mystery. Thank you to my returning guest, Carla Valentine, for joining me. This episode marks the beginning of the 2023 Shedunnit Pledge Drive! Help ensure the future of the podcast and get your hands on some exclusive audio perks by becoming a Shedunnit member now… Continue reading…
Agatha and Plum
Agatha Christie and P.G. Wodehouse had a lot in common. Thank you to my guest, Eliza Easton, for joining me. Mentioned in this episode:— The Code of the Woosters by PG Wodehouse— Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie— The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie— Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie— Murder on the… Continue reading…
Knock Knock (Replay)
Wouldn’t sleuthing be so much easier if the dead could speak to the living? This episode was first released on 18th September 2019. Be aware: there are no major (ending!) spoilers in this episode but there are plot descriptions given of the books listed below. Books mentioned: — Strong Poison by Dorothy L. Sayers — Peril at End… Continue reading…
Shedunnit Recommends
What’s in the true detective fiction fan’s library? Be aware: there are no major (ending!) spoilers in this episode but there are plot descriptions given of the books listed below. Books recommended: — Speedy Death by Gladys Mitchell — The Poisoned Chocolates Case by Anthony Berkeley — Murder in the Basement by Anthony Berkeley… Continue reading…
Murder-on-Sea
Murder does like to be beside the seaside. Thanks very much to my guests. Dr Allan Brodie is a visiting fellow at Bournemouth University and the author of books including England’s Seaside Heritage from the Air. Dr Kathryn Ferry is a historian of the British seaside and the author of books including The British Seaside Holiday, more… Continue reading…
Murder in a Heatwave
When the temperature rises, don’t lose your cool. Thanks to my guest Cecily Gayford — you can find more information about Murder in a Heatwave and all the other anthologies she has edited via the website for Profile Books. Be aware: there are spoilers in this episode for the the story “The Vindictive Story of… Continue reading…
Cricket and Crime
Why are crime writers so bowled over by the game? Thank you to my guests, Dr. Andrew Green and cricket statistician Andy Zaltzman. You can find more cricket-related content and news from Andy by listening to Test Match Special on BBC Radio 5, or via his podcast, The Bugle Ashes Urncast. You can find Dr.… Continue reading…
Editing Agatha Christie
How do we approach offensive language in texts from previous times? Be aware that this episode includes discussion of prejudice, slurs and “of its time” attitudes and language. Thank you to my guest, Subhadra Das. You can find more information about her work at her website subhadradas.com and her book (Un)Civilised: Ten Lies That Made… Continue reading…
Meet The Coles
What happens when a couple of socialists decide to write mysteries? Thanks to my guest, Curtis Evans. His blog is The Passing Tramp and his book, The Spectrum of the English Murder, it is available through all good booksellers. Join Caroline and guest Teresa Peschel for a free live episode of Shedunnit on YouTube on… Continue reading…
Miss Marple, Spinster Sleuth
A feminist take on the gossiping busybody of St Mary Mead. Thanks to my guest, Leandra Griffith. As well as being Shedunnit’s production assistant, she posts about mysteries on her Instagram @leandra_thetbrzero and her YouTube channel. Become a member of the Shedunnit book club and get bonus audio, listen to ad free episodes and join… Continue reading…
The Villa Murder
The tragic tale of Alma Rattenbury. Content warning: this episode includes mention of suicide. Become a member of the Shedunnit book club and get bonus audio, listen to ad free episodes and join a book-loving community at shedunnitshow.com/membership. Mentioned in the episode:— The Anatomy of Murder by The Detection Club— Stay of Execution by Eliot… Continue reading…
Death Under Par
Golf and murder have been close companions for a whole century. To support the podcast, be part of a superb bookish community, and get two bonus episodes a month, become a member of the Shedunnit Book Club now at shedunnitbookclub.com/join. Mentioned in the episode:— The Murder on the Links (1923) by Agatha Christie— “The Murder on… Continue reading…
The Golden Age Autopsy
Step inside the mortuary. Thanks to my guest, Carla Valentine, for joining me. Her book, Murder Isn’t Easy: The Forensics of Agatha Christie, has lots more on this subject, as does her previous appearance on Shedunnit, Murder Isn’t Easy. Mentioned in the episode: — Murder Isn’t Easy by Carla Valentine— The Murder at the Vicarage… Continue reading…
At Home With Agatha Christie
Come with me on a tour of Greenway. Special thanks to Clive and everyone at the National Trust for making me and my microphone welcome at Greenway, and to Sarah Thrift for arranging it. I’m also grateful to my friend Elizabeth Minkel, who spent the afternoon doing this even though she has only read one… Continue reading…
