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...
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.
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.
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.
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 ...
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.
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.
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...