Hi again!
Earlier this week, I began the first in a two-parter looking at some of the best recent crime-related long reads and upcoming books. If you missed it, you can catch up here. I have much more coming for you today, but I’m kicking things off with a few podcast recommendations.
This week’s Criminal is a must for true crime readers. “The Gatekeeper” tells the story of Marilyn Stasio, who has been writing her review of crime fiction for the New York Times Book Review for decades. Even if you’re not interested in the art and science of reviewing, it’s fascinating to hear another person talk about how and why they read what they read what the read, and the self-imposed rules of any bibliophile. (Marilyn gives each first-time author 50 pages to catch her interest, which is pretty generous.)
Earlier this week, I mentioned a fun episode of the new podcast Spooked, from Snap Judgment. Every episode I’ve listened to so far has been near as good. It’s not crime, but obviously we all like a good scare or we wouldn’t be here.
Now onto stories on the page:
- You would think someone who told you they were Hugo Chavez’s wife and the President of Egypt’s mistress would be trustworthy, but no.
- The U.K.’s got a knife problem. This is the story of one boy who killed despite his mother’s pleas for help.
- From David Gran in 2004, “The strange death of a Sherlock Holmes fanatic.”
- Last year, BuzzFeed reported on a “parallel legal universe.”
- At this West Virginian federal agency, the agents are in charge of keeping track of thousands and thousands of confiscated guns. But they’re not legally allowed to use computers to do it. How they’ve created their own vast system.
- Watching The Deuce? LitHub has some gritty NYC reading suggestions to complement your viewing.
- If fiction is more your thing, peruse this list of psychological thrillers from Publisher’s Weekly.
Happy reading! I’ll be back Tuesday.
Featured Image: HBO
