The Plot

from Criminal · host Vox Media Podcast Network

In 1864, a 41-year-old woman named Mary Surratt was running a boarding house in Washington, D.C. One of the most famous actors in the country began visiting her – which led to her becoming known as the woman who “kept the nest that hatched the egg." Kate Clifford Larson’s book is The Assassin’s Accomplice. Join our newsletter by 2/28/26 to be entered to win a free year of Criminal Plus: ⁠thisiscriminal.com/newsletter⁠. (Additional rules apply.) Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Feb 20, 2026

Embed this episode

Attribution link and audio player

Ready to play

The Plot

0:00 42:37

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

No similar episodes found.

Similar Podcasts

TrialEffort: Amber Guyger Full Trial Audio Trial Effort Listen to the full trial In September 2018, off-duty police officer Amber Guyger shot and killed Botham Jean, an unarmed Black man, in his own apartment. The shooting immediately sparked outrage and protests across the country, highlighting issues of police brutality and racial inequality in the criminal justice system.The trial, which took place in September 2019, lasted just over a week and featured emotional testimony from both sides. Guyger argued that she believed she was in her own apartment and that Jean was an intruder, while prosecutors argued that she acted recklessly and without regard for Jean's life. Listen to raw testimony, lawyer's arguements, and Judge Tamm Kemp's rulings. The Permanent Record The OAM Network The Permanent Record is a new podcast from Just City. It features conversations about the criminal justice system and how we can work together to make it smaller, fairer, and better for everyone.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Criminal?

This episode is 42 minutes long.

When was this Criminal episode published?

This episode was published on February 20, 2026.

Can I download this Criminal episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.

URL copied to clipboard!