True Crime Fiction Menu: March 2024 Edition
What I've been consuming lately in the true crime and crime fiction universes
Could it be? Yes! There are hints of Spring in the Northeast corridor! The longer days and pleasant nights are perfect for . . . that’s right, staying inside on the couch with one’s cat and checking out some new true crime and crime fiction properties. Let’s grab our allergy meds and dive in!
Give it a click!
Who doesn’t love a good body-snatching story? And this has a fun and unexpected Instagram crossover angle.
Those of you who know that all the “why are we suddenly so obsessed with true crime” takes show a profound lack of historical imagination will enjoy this rundown of nine modern murder ballads.
Continuing my latest obsession with tracing the complicated and contradictory relationship The New York Times has with coverage of the true crime industrial complex, here’s one for the “it’s not that bad!” column (gift link).
A friend of the ‘stack alerted me to this sobering and devastating study that shows Black women are murdered at a rate six times that of white women. The only hopeful takeaway from the article is that it alerted me to the essential work of lead researcher Dr. Bernadine Waller, a former journalist who has dedicated her career to filling in the woeful gaps in studies of how violence, particularly domestic violence, disproportionately impacts Black women. Here’s a TEDx Talk she gave on the subject:
Give it a listen!
The recent conviction of the 2021 Michigan school shooter’s father for manslaughter reminded me of this episode of The Daily from last month that, in covering the conviction of his mother, discussed the history and implications of cases like this.
And now recommendations for two prestige properties that don’t need my recommendation. The third season of Stolen from Connie Walker has two episodes out, and, as usual, her reporting is insightful, respectful, and oriented towards justice. Check out this recent profile of Walker for more about how and why she rules. And if you’re at all a member true crime podcast nation, you’ve no doubt heard Serial is coming back this month (TEN SOLAR YEARS after season 1 premiered, my God I am old) with Sarah, Dana, and the whole gang covering the history of Guantanamo. Guess it’ll soon be time to update my rankings!
Give it a stream!
I’ve so far only watched the first episode of Netflix’s The Program, the latest docuseries to investigate the hideous history of the troubled teen industry, but I think it’s doing important work. These texts have a real danger of exploiting and re-traumatizing victims, but this series is written and directed by a former “student” (inmate) at one of the “schools” (detention facilities). She conducts interviews and films footage with an empathy and intimacy borne from her shared history of abuse. This is also the latest addition to the “they filmed their crimes” genre of documentary, so watch with care and caution.
Give it a read!
I finished Casey Cep’s Furious Hours this month, and loved every page. It’s not so much a “true crime” book as an Adaptation-style “someone failed to write a true crime book” book. And that someone is Harper Lee.
Crime Fiction Corner
This fun overview of the link between gardening and detective fiction reminded me of one of my favorite veddy British cozy mystery series, Rosemary & Thyme. It’s a gentle and less sordid antidote to my current least favorite but nonetheless compulsively scrollable British mystery: #WhereIsKate (I know how to pronounce “Cholmondeley.” I’m not proud)
And lastly, Give it a ‘Stack! If you like funny takes on historical crimes and misdemeanors throughout history, I can’t recommend Dirtbags Through the Ages highly enough. Here’s Allison Epstein’s latest to whet your appetite: