The Unpleasantness at the Bellona Club by Dorothy L. Sayers

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! ⛲ What would you do if you received an invitation to a weekend at a grand estate? Accept? Or, if you’re a mystery reader, you might check the guest list for someone with murderous intentions before you RSVP. 🏛️ Join me as I look at why this setting has worked for more than a century, how it differs from a village mystery, a locked room, and a closed circle, and which books to try first. 📚 I’ll walk through Golden Age country houses, downstairs det...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔎 What makes a crime seem truly impossible, and why can't mystery readers get enough of these types of stories? Join me as we unlock the irresistible appeal of locked room mysteries that have delighted readers for over 150 years. 🧐 I’ll break down the difference between a locked room mystery and a closed circle — and why readers get genuinely cranky when authors mix them up. 🗝️ Then I’ll give you some classic locked room stories starti...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🧶 What’s an amateur sleuth mystery? One of the most beloved subgenres in mystery fiction! They're stories of an ordinary person, not a professional detective, who solves a crime. 📚 If you love cozy mysteries, classic whodunits, or Golden Age detective fiction, this episode is your guide to the amateur sleuth. 🕵️ The amateur sleuth has a long, rich history that spans from Agatha Christie's Miss Marple to Dorothy L. Sayers' Lord Peter Wimsey t...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! 🔎 Ready for your next whodunit? Let’s talk about mysteries arriving in early 2026. Join me as I dive into the most exciting upcoming classic-style whodunits releasing from January to March 2026—think locked rooms, closed circles, clever clues, and satisfying reveals that echo the Golden Age greats. Get a curated preview of fresh releases and rediscovered gems, including debuts like The Murder at World’s End and A Field Guide to Murder, Briti...

Suggest a book for the podcast or say hello! ❣️ Valentine’s Day is coming up, so what better time to talk about romantic couples who just happen to solve mysteries. I explore the enduring appeal of romantic detective pairings, breaking down why mysteries with relationship arcs and witty banter keep fans turning the pages. You'll hear how opposites attract, expert/novice combos, and slice-of-life moments bring these stories to life. Get a curated tour through time, from Victorian Egypt ...