Historical Mystery Episodes
574
March 23, 2026
Ross Montgomery - MURDER AT WORLD'S END
In this interview, I chat with Ross Montgomery about Murder at World's End, weaving Halley's Comet into his story, the late Edwardian period, conspiracy theories and how they have always existed, how hard it was to write a locked room mystery, creating a strong sense of place and time, and much more. Ross's recommended read is Strange Houses by Uketsu. Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page Winter Reading Guide here for a tip o...
511
April 8, 2025
Belinda Bauer - THE IMPOSSIBLE THING
In this interview, I chat with Belinda Bauer about The Impossible Thing, the world of rare bird egg collecting, how hard it was to find information on this subject matter and why, how she characterizes the book, the title and cover, what surprised her the most when writing this one, and much more. Belinda's recommended reads are: There Are Rivers in the Sky by Elif Shafuk Tommy the Bruce by James Yorkston Looking for some great winter reads? Check out my printable 17-page 2025 Winter Reading...
Guest: Belinda Bauer
462
May 22, 2024
Susan Elia MacNeal - THE LAST HOPE
In this interview, I chat with Susan Elia MacNeal about The Last Hope, ending the series, what she plans to do next, how this installment is based on actual events, including Coco Chanel and Kim Philby, the title of the book, and much more. Susan's recommended reads are: American Daughters by Piper Huguley Do What Godmother Says by L.S. Stratton Missing White Woman by Kelley Garrett Want to know which new titles are publishing in May - October of 2024? Check out our second Literary Lookbook...
Guest: Susan Elia MacNeal
430
Jan. 16, 2024
Karl Marlantes - COLD VICTORY
In this interview, I chat with Karl Marlantes about Cold Victory, how he came up with the idea for this story, why the Cold War enthralls people even today, his title and cover, educating people about the past because it informs the present, and much more.
Guest: Karl Marlantes
413
Nov. 14, 2023
Celeste Connally - ACT LIKE A LADY, THINK LIKE A LORD
In this interview, I chat with Celeste Connally about Act Like a Lady, Think Like a Lord, her new pseudonym and how she selected it, writing historical books instead of contemporary, what it was like for women to live in the Regency Era, setting the stage for a new series, and much more.
Guest: Celeste Connally
402
Oct. 11, 2023
Interview with Julia Kelly - A TRAITOR IN WHITEHALL
In this interview, Julia Kelly and I discuss A Traitor in Whitehall, writing an historical mystery, choosing the books her character loves to read, setting a story in the Churchill War Rooms, the inspiration for Evelyne's early years, and much more.
Guest: Julia Kelly
391
Sept. 5, 2023
Interview with William Kent Krueger - THE RIVER WE REMEMBER
In this interview, Kent and I discuss The River We Remember, creating a strong sense of place in his stories, how his father was changed by fighting in World War 2, the time period following this war in the U.S., the genre of domestica exotica, his title and cover, and much more.
Guest: William Kent Krueger
382
Aug. 1, 2023
Interview with Sara DiVello - BROADWAY BUTTERFLY
In this interview, Sara and I discuss Broadway Butterfly, how it took her nine years to research this book, deciding what to include and what not to include, building the tension as the story progresses, her stunning cover, Mystery & Thriller Mavens, and much more.
Guest: Sara DiVello
336
March 24, 2023
Interview with Jacqueline Winspear - THE WHITE LADY
In this interview, Jacqueline and I discuss The White Lady, the woman who inspired Elinor, the emotional impact writing this book had on her, what surprised her the most when drafting The White Lady, writing a standalone, and much more. Jacqueline's recommended reads are: Lessons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus A World of Curiosities by Louise Penny The Song of the Cell by Siddharta Mukherjee Support the podcast by becoming a Page Turner on Patreon. Other ways to support the podcast ...
Guest: Jacqueline Winspear
331
March 10, 2023
Interview with Deanna Raybourn - A SINISTER REVENGE
In this interview, Deanna and I discuss A Sinister Revenge, her Veronica Speedwell title generator, Killers of a Certain Age and its success, weaving prominent people from history into her stories, her book covers, Stoker's brothers, and much more.
Guest: Deanna Raybourn
280
Sept. 16, 2022
Interview with Mark Pryor - DIE AROUND SUNDOWN
In this interview, Mark and I discuss Die Around Sundown, his fascination with World Wars 1 and 2, why he sets his books in Paris, his own experiences with misophonia, the easiest and hardest characters to write in this book, including Pablo Picasso in Die Around Sundown, and much more.
Guest: Mark Pryor
203
Feb. 16, 2022
Deanna Raybourn - THE IMPOSSIBLE IMPOSTER
Deanna and I discuss The Impossible Imposter, the inspiration for Veronica and Stoker, crowdsourcing information about her previous books on her Twitter feed, how much fun it is to create this series, her beautiful covers and the Easter eggs hidden within them, and much more.
Guest: Deanna Raybourn
77
Feb. 23, 2021
Bella Ellis - THE DIABOLICAL BONES
Bella and I discuss The Diabolical Bones, the Brontë novels that inspire the books in this series, the Brontë sister who influenced her pen name, the joy she feels writing these books, how she came up with the word detectors, and much mo
42
Oct. 26, 2020
Rhys Bowen- THE LAST MRS. SUMMER
Rhys discusses her latest novel The Last Mrs. Summers, creating an homage to Rebecca, writing two books a year, reading historical fiction during these stressful times, advice for aspiring authors, and much more.The Last Mrs. Summers can be purchased at...