Unreliable Sources

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem.In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue celebrates Indie Bookstore Day, investigates the habits of people who read hundreds of books a year, and previews the stacked Theakston Crime Writing Festival lineup in Harrogate. On the adaptation front: talking sheep solve a murder (seriously), and Nicolas Cage goes noir as a 1930s Spider-Man P.I. He then breaks down how today's best thriller writers build suspense—and what readers can look for once they know the tricks, from the ticking clock to keeping the shark underwater.Books & topics mentioned:– Indie Bookstore Day & favorite mystery bookshops– Super-readers: the habits of people who read 100–600 books a year (Literary Hub)– Theakston Old Peculier Crime Writing Festival 2026 — Harrogate, July 23–26– The Sheep Detectives (Amazon MGM, May 8) — Hugh Jackman, Bryan Cranston, Julia Louis-Dreyfus– Spider-Noir (Prime Video, May 27) — Nicolas Cage– A Violent Masterpiece by Jordan Harper– How to Cheat Your Own Death by Kristen Perrin– A Murder Most Camp by Nicolas DiDomizio– Sanctuary by James Cleary– Suspense deep dive: Lee Child, Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, Tess Gerritsen & moreWhat I'm reading/watching: Welcome to Cottonmouth by Jay Bell, Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (audio), Apex (Netflix)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers the biggest author identity reveal in years, Norway's century-old Easter crime fiction obsession that will make you want to book a cabin immediately, and the London crime festival you should already have on your calendar. He then dives deep into the best crime and thriller sequels ever written—why book two is the hardest thing a series will ever do, and which ten sequels not only survived the test but redefined what their series was capable of being, from The Silence of the Lambs to Die Trying.Books & topics mentioned:– ⁠Freida McFadden identity reveal⁠– Norway's Påskekrim Easter crime fiction tradition⁠– ⁠Capital Crime Festival 2026, London⁠– ⁠Dalziel and Pascoe BritBox reboot⁠– ⁠Hope Rises by David Baldacci⁠– ⁠Last One Out by Jane Harper⁠– ⁠Spies and Other Gods by James Wolff⁠– ⁠The Children of Eve by John Connolly⁠– ⁠Best crime fiction sequels deep dive– What I'm reading/watching: ⁠Revenge Prey by John Sandford⁠, ⁠Kill For Me, Kill For You by Stuart MacBride (audio)⁠, ⁠Crime 101 (Amazon)⁠📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers the timeless appeal of Sherlock Holmes, Yale's fascinating new exhibition on five centuries of publishing typos (really), and the unlikely resurgence of Barnes & Noble. He then dives deep into the knight errant formula that makes Jack Reacher work—and spotlights five lone wolf thriller series that come closest to scratching that same itch.Books & topics mentioned:– The eternal appeal of Sherlock Holmes– Yale's errata exhibition and the Wicked Bible of 1631– Barnes & Noble's brick-and-mortar comeback– Film Noir quotes– The Keeper by Tana French (final Cal Hooper novel)– Sorry for Your Loss by Georgia McVeigh– Two Kinds of Stranger by Steve Cavanagh (Eddie Flynn #9)– The Survivor by Andrew Reid– Reacher deep dive: Peter Ash (Nick Petrie), Orphan X (Gregg Hurwitz), The Gray Man (Mark Greaney), Joe Pike (Robert Crais), Quinn Colson (Ace Atkins)– What I'm reading/watching: Dark Times (Nick Petrie), Don't Let Him In (Lisa Jewell — audio)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers the biggest news out of the London Book Fair—including Idris Elba's splashy new MI6 thriller series—a cautionary tale about scammers impersonating authors to target aspiring writers, and a BookRiot list worth bookmarking for your next TBR emergency. He then dives into the best thriller books of 2025 that flew completely under the radar—six hidden gems that deserve a second look before they hit paperback.Books & topics mentioned:London Book Fair 2026 wrap-up & Idris Elba's Exiles thriller dealA Head Full of Ghosts by Paul Tremblay — adaptation finally movingJohn Marrs on the author impersonation scam targeting writersBookRiot's Best Mystery & Thrillers of the Century So FarThe Hiding Season by Ava GlassEveryone in This Bank is a Thief by Benjamin StevensonFinlay Donovan Crosses the Line by Elle CosimanoHard Times by Jeff BoydMissed 2025 thrillers deep dive: Ruth, Run (Elizabeth Kaufman), The House on Buzzards Bay (Dwyer Murphy), Leverage (Amran Gowani), Crooks (Lou Berney), Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Ace Atkins), The Living and the Dead (Christoffer Carlsson)What I'm reading/watching: The Dark Time (Nick Petrie), The Guilty Sleep (Jeremy Baker — audio), War Machine (Netflix)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue celebrates the world's strangest bookstore, weighs in on the eternal book-to-film adaptation debate, warns aspiring authors about a growing wave of publishing scams, and pays tribute to the late Dan Simmons.He then dives deep into the amateur sleuth exploring why ordinary people solving crimes has never felt more culturally urgent, from Poe and Miss Marple to Gone Girl and Richard Osman's 15-million-copy empire.Books & topics mentioned:– Alabama Booksmith — The New Yorker's profile of America's strangest bookstore– The book-to-film adaptation debate — NPR & Cultured magazine– Publishing scams — New York Times investigation– 2026 Left Coast Crime Lefty Award winners– RIP Dan Simmons — Hyperion, The Terror, and the Joe Kurtz noir trilogy– The Tree of Light and Flowers by Thomas Perry– The Crossroads by C.J. Box– I Did Not Kill My Husband by Linda Keir– The Best Little Motel in Texas by Lyla Lane– Amateur sleuth deep dive — Poe, Christie, Flynn, Osman, and the psychology of institutional distrust– What I'm reading/watching: Wolf Hour (Jo Nesbø), Home Is Where the Bodies Are (Jeneva Rose — audio), Steal (Amazon Prime Video)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue digs into the controversy around Michael Connelly's true crime podcast Killer in the Code and why even the best crime fiction minds can fall into confirmation bias, covers Mike Flanagan's latest Stephen King adaptation announcement, and spotlights strong new releases from Don Winslow, Johnny Compton, and Nalini Singh. He then tackles a topic every reader knows too well—the reading slump—with ten specific thriller prescriptions matched to exactly where your brain is at.Books & topics mentioned:– Killer in the Code podcast controversy (Michael Connelly)– Mike Flanagan adapting Stephen King's The Mist– The Final Score by Don Winslow– Such a Perfect Family by Nalini Singh– Dead First by Johnny Compton– The Midnight Taxi by Yosha Gunasekera– Reading slump deep dive: The Crash (Freida McFadden), None of This Is True (Lisa Jewell), The Man Who Died Seven Times (Yasuhiko Nishizawa), The Silent Patient (Alex Michaelides)What I'm reading/watching: The Final Score (Don Winslow), Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers (Jesse Q. Sutanto — audio, narrated by Eunice Wong), Steal (Prime Video)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores the rise of absurdly long book titles dominating mystery shelves, shares a heartwarming story about a decade-old book club at Rikers Island, covers the boom in book retreat travel, and gets excited about Damon Lindelof adapting Adrian McKinty's The Chain for HBO. He spotlights new releases then dives deep into cold case thrillers, delivering five essential reads that prove justice delayed doesn't mean justice denied.Books & topics mentioned:– Genre trends: ⁠the mouthful mystery phenomenon⁠– ⁠Rikers Island women's book club⁠ (NYT feature)– ⁠Book retreats as travel trend⁠– ⁠The Chain adaptation⁠ (HBO series with Damon Lindelof)– ⁠The Exes by Leodora Darlington⁠– ⁠Jigsaw by Jonathan Kellerman⁠ (#49 Alex Delaware)– ⁠Dirty Metal by Allison LaMothe⁠– ⁠Double Trouble by Joyce Carol Oates⁠– ⁠Cold case thrillers deep dive⁠: ⁠The God of the Woods (Liz Moore)⁠, ⁠The Waiting (Michael Connelly)⁠, ⁠Listen for the Lie (Amy Tintera)⁠, ⁠The Book of Cold Cases (Simone St. James)⁠, ⁠Murder in the Family (Cara Hunter)⁠– What I'm reading/watching: ⁠Tell Me What You Did (Carter Wilson)⁠, ⁠Hide (Lisa Gardner — audio)⁠, ⁠The Rip (Netflix)⁠📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores the harsh economics of indie bookshops (and why we still dream of owning one), celebrates classic crime stories entering the public domain, and shares exciting adaptation news for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and Jonathan Kellerman's Alex Delaware novels. He spotlights new releases including Alice Feeney's mind-bending identity thriller and Matthew Quirk's action-packed espionage tale, then dives deep into the Boston-LA noir divide—comparing two giants of American crime fiction, Michael Connelly and Dennis Lehane, and revealing how geography shapes everything from detective archetypes to the darkness we fear.Books & topics mentioned:– Bookshop economics & the romantic dream of opening one (Financial Times)– The quest to digitize all human knowledge (Asterisk Magazine)– Nine classic crime stories entering public domain 2026 (CrimeReads)– The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo series adaptation (Sky)– Alex Delaware series development (Amazon)– The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski– My Husband's Wife by Alice Feeney– The Method by Matthew Quirk– Such a Clever Girl by Darby KaneMichael Connelly vs Dennis Lehane deep dive: Harry Bosch, Patrick Kenzie, and the geography of American noirWhat I'm reading/watching: Exit Strategy (Lee Child/Andrew Child), Alone by Lisa Gardner (audio), The Rip (Affleck-Damon), STEAL (Sophie Turner - Prime Video)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers encouraging reading habit data proving mysteries and thrillers still dominate, the most borrowed library books of 2025, and the massive wave of crime fiction adaptations hitting screens in 2026. He spotlights stormy new releases from Rachel Hawkins, Lucy Clarke, and Lori Rader-Day then dives deep into a problem plaguing modern thriller writers: has technology killed the MacGuffin? From dead phone batteries to cloud storage, Mike explores why Hitchcock's favorite plot device doesn't work anymore—and how the best writers are adapting to a world where everything is backed up, tracked, and instantly shareable.Books & topics mentioned:– ⁠American reading habits: mysteries & thrillers still winning⁠– ⁠Most borrowed library books of 2025 (NPR)⁠– 2026 adaptations: ⁠Crime 101 (Don Winslow/Chris Hemsworth)⁠, ⁠Scarpetta (Patricia Cornwell/Nicole Kidman/Amazon Prime)⁠, ⁠The Seven Dials Mystery (Agatha Christie/Netflix)⁠, ⁠His and Hers (Alice Feeney/Netflix)⁠– ⁠2026 Lefty Award nominees announced⁠– ⁠Wreck Your Heart by Lori Rader-Day⁠– ⁠Wildwood by Amy Pease⁠– ⁠The Storm by Rachel Hawkins⁠– ⁠The Castaways by Lucy Clarke⁠– ⁠The MacGuffin's death: technology vs. thriller plots⁠– What I'm reading/watching: ⁠The Puppet Show (M.W. Craven)⁠, ⁠Alone (Lisa Gardner — audio)⁠, ⁠Caught Stealing 📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores the slow death of mass market paperbacks, unpacks why certain books become overnight blockbusters, and celebrates the eclectic 2026 Tournament of Books shortlist that doesn't shy away from genre fiction.He spotlights new releases perfect for winter reading, then dives deep into holiday book gifting—breaking down five distinct reader types and exactly which thrillers to gift each one. Because the best gifts show you know the person, not just the bestseller lists.Books & topics mentioned:– ⁠Tournament of Books 2026 shortlist⁠ – ⁠The slow death of mass market paperbacks⁠ (Publishers Weekly)– ⁠Dungeon Crawler Carl phenomenon⁠: how books become blockbusters overnight (New York Times)– ⁠Why some books become blockbusters overnight⁠ (The Guardian)– ⁠Agatha Christie adaptation⁠ from The End of the F***ing World directorNew releases:– ⁠The Red Scare⁠ by Con Lehane– ⁠The Quiet Mother⁠ by Arnaldur Indridason (Detective Konrad #3)– ⁠Cape Fever⁠ by Nadia Davids– ⁠Murder in Manhattan⁠ by Julie MulhernHoliday book gifting deep dive:Five reader types and their perfect matches—⁠The Purist⁠ (Tana French, Mick Herron), ⁠The Speed Reader⁠ (Freida McFadden, Riley Sager), ⁠The Sophisticate⁠ (Louise Penny, Kate Atkinson), ⁠The Genre Tourist⁠ (Richard Osman, Ruth Ware), ⁠The Collector⁠ (special editions, signed copies). Plus: matching books to moments and the secret weapon that makes any book gift personal.What I'm reading/watching:⁠Black Summer⁠ (M.W. Craven), ⁠Nash Falls⁠ (David Baldacci), ⁠Pluribus⁠ (Vince Gilligan — Apple TV+), ⁠Knives Out 3: Wake Up Dead Man⁠ (Netflix)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue celebrates the enduring magic of used bookstores, profiles Manhattan's legendary Argosy Books (still run by three sisters in their 80s and 90s), explores the fascinating origins behind this year's Booker Prize shortlist, and pays tribute to country noir master Daniel Woodrell. He spotlights new releases from Ace Atkins and Val McDermid, then dives deep into why epic thrillers over 500 pages are worth the commitment.Books & topics mentioned:– Why used bookstores still matter (Reactor Magazine)– Argosy Book Store's 100th anniversary (New York Times)– Booker Prize 2025: the origins of the shortlisted novels– Kay Scarpetta series coming to Prime Video with Nicole KidmanNew releases:– Everybody Wants to Rule the World by Ace Atkins– Silent Bones by Val McDermid– The Library of Fates by Margot Harrison– Dead Ringer by Chris HautyEpic thrillers deep dive: The Secret History (Donna Tartt), The Alienist (Caleb Carr), The Power of the Dog (Don Winslow), The Given Day (Dennis Lehane), The Ink Black Heart (Robert Galbraith) — plus 11/22/63 (Stephen King), The Passage (Justin Cronin), American Tabloid (James Ellroy)What I'm reading/watching: Tripwire (Lee Child), Nash Falls (David Baldacci), This Book Will Bury Me (Ashley Winstead — audio), Stranger Things final season, Pluribus (Vince Gilligan)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue examines year-end "best of 2025" lists from Barnes & Noble, Publisher's Weekly, and Esquire, reports on the Baker & Taylor bankruptcy crisis threatening library book access nationwide, and explores the complicated ethics of posthumous manuscripts.He then dives deep into five forgotten mystery authors who deserve rediscovery—brilliant mid-century writers who dominated bestseller lists and won major awards but somehow vanished from literary memory.Books & topics mentioned:– Year-end lists: ⁠B&N Best Mystery & Thriller 2025⁠, ⁠Publisher's Weekly Best Books⁠, ⁠Esquire Best Books 2025⁠– ⁠Baker & Taylor bankruptcy and library impact (404 Media)⁠– ⁠Posthumous manuscripts ethics (Town & Country)⁠– ⁠Exit Strategy by Lee Child/Andrew Child⁠– ⁠Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker⁠– ⁠King's Ransom by Janet Evanovich⁠– ⁠The Sunshine Man by Emma Stonex⁠– Five forgotten mystery authors: ⁠Phantom Lady (Cornell Woolrich)⁠, ⁠Beast in View (Margaret Millar)⁠, ⁠The Blank Wall (Elisabeth Sanxay Holding)⁠, ⁠Home Sweet Homicide (Craig Rice)⁠, ⁠The Hours Before Dawn (Celia Fremlin)⁠– What I'm reading/watching: ⁠Shifty's Boys (Chris Offutt)⁠, ⁠Sleep No More (P.D. James — audio)⁠, ⁠Pluribus (Apple TV+)⁠📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers a real-life rare books heist that reads like fiction, updates on Miami Vice and Bosch adaptations, and spotlights massive fall releases from Joe Hill, Louise Penny, and John Grisham. He then dives deep into why horror mystery thriller mashups are so addictive—exploring the psychology behind books that make you think and scream simultaneously, from The Silence of the Lambs to Mexican Gothic.Books & topics mentioned:– The Pushkin Job: international rare books heist– 2025 Petrona Award winner: The Clues in the Fjord by Satu Rämö– Miami Vice feature film & Bosch prequel series Start of Watch– King Sorrow by Joe Hill– The Black Wolf by Louise Penny– The Last Death of the Year by Sophie Hannah (Hercule Poirot)– The Widow by John Grisham– Wild Animal by Joel Dicker– Horror mystery thriller deep dive– What I'm reading/watching: Proving Ground (Michael Connelly), The Wasp Trap (Mark Edwards — audio), A Man on the Inside Season 2 (Netflix)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers the latest crime-fiction headlines—including Vince Gilligan's mysterious new Pluribus series, casting updates for Netflix's All the Sinners Bleed, and the rise of book bikes bringing literature to communities. He spotlights compelling new releases ranging from psychological thrillers to horror-tinged mysteries, then takes a deep dive into the divide between American and European crime fiction—exploring how geography shapes our understanding of evil, justice, and what keeps us up at night.Books & topics mentioned:– Vince Gilligan's Pluribus (Apple TV+)– Book bikes expanding access (Publishers Weekly)– All the Sinners Bleed adaptation casting– Keep This For Me by Jennifer Fawcett– The Hitchhikers by Chevy Stevens– Darker Days by Thomas Olde Heuvelt (Out Oct 28)– Guilty by Definition by Susie Dent– Remain by Nicholas Sparks with M. Night ShyamalanBlog post about American and European crime fiction.What I'm reading/watching: To Catch a Storm (Mindy Mejia), Not Quite Dead Yet (Holly Jackson — audio), Play Dirty (Amazon Prime)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores why Boston makes the perfect crime fiction setting, celebrates major literary discoveries, and examines new books analyzing Hitchcock's thriller masterpieces. He spotlights fresh releases, then takes a deep dive into our complicated fascination with serial killer fiction—exploring the psychology, ethics, and evolution of the subgenre.Books & topics mentioned:– Unpublished Elmore Leonard novella "Picket Line" discovered in USC archives– Raymond Chandler's previously unseen story– Boston as crime fiction setting (Robert Parker, Dennis Lehane, Chuck Hogan)– New Hitchcock books: Criss-Cross (Stephen Rebello) Rear Window (Jennifer O'Callaghan)– The Librarians by Sherry Thomas– What About the Bodies by Ken Jaworowski– The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman (Thursday Murder Club #5)– The Killer Question by Janice Hallett– Serial killer fiction deep dive: Thomas Harris, Tana French, Chelsea Cain– Recommended reads: The Poet (Michael Connelly), My Sister, the Serial Killer (Oyinkan Braithwaite), In the Woods (Tana French), Alex North novels– Reading/watching: Hard as Nails (Dan Simmons), The Absent One (Jussi Adler-Olsen — audio), Slow Horses (Apple TV)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores the death of narrative podcasts (RIP Serial), examines the beautiful hellscape that is Goodreads, and covers Bouchercon 2025 highlights including Anthony Award winners. He also spotlights new fall releases, dives into how Hitchcock's suspense techniques still influence modern thriller writers, and shares what he's been reading and watching.Books & topics mentioned: Rolling Stone on narrative podcasts' demise – Slate's Goodreads deep dive – Bouchercon 2025 New Orleans recapThe God of the Woods (Liz Moore), You Know What You Did (K.T. Nguyen) – Barry Award winner: Ordinary Bear (C.B. Bernard) – The Whisper Place by Mindy Mejia – The Wasp Trap by Mark Edwards – Fiend by Alma Katsu – Fall adaptations: The Girlfriend (Amazon Prime), Highest 2 Lowest (Apple TV), The Man in My Basement (Hulu) – The Frozen People (Elly Griffiths), She Rides Shotgun (Jordan Harper — audio)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue explores the cozy crime revival led by Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club, checks out international award news from New Zealand's Ngaio Marsh Awards, and dives into the wild world of modern book clubs—from Bad Bitch Book Club summer camps to audiobook walking groups. He spotlights recent new releases including a massive Stephen King tribute anthology, takes a deep dive into thriller tropes we love to hate, and shares what he's been reading and watching.Books & topics mentioned: – 2025 Ngaio Marsh Awards finalists: Return To Blood (Michael Bennett), A Divine Fury (DV Bishop), Woman, Missing (Sherryl Clark) – Richard Osman's Thursday Murder Club Netflix adaptation – Bad Bitch Book Club summer camp & Book It Around D.C. walking club – The End of the World As We Know It – Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham – Apostle's Cove by William Kent Krueger – The Secret of Secrets by Dan Brown – Clown Town by Mick Herron What I'm reading/watching: Sheepdogs (Jordan Ackerman), With a Vengeance (Riley Sager — audio), None of This Is True (Lisa Jewell — audio), A Man on the Inside (Netflix)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue covers fall's most anticipated crime fiction releases, disappointing news from the AP, and international award recognition. He spotlights new releases including a time-loop Japanese mystery, takes a deep dive into Canadian crime fiction beyond Louise Penny, and shares what he's been reading and watching.Books & topics mentioned: Fall anticipations: Cursed Daughters by Oyinkan Braithwaite, The Intruder by Freida McFadden, Forget Me Not by Stacy Willingham, The Impossible Fortune by Richard Osman, The Widow by John Grisham – Five Found Dead by Sulari Gentill – Hatchet Girls by Joe Lansdale – The Diary of Lies by Philip Miller – The Man Who Died Seven Times by Yasuhiko Nishizawa Canadian crime fiction tour: Louise Penny, Linwood Barclay, Giles Blunt, Roxanne Bouchard, Maureen Jennings, Anthony Bidulka, Brenda Chapman, Scott Young.What I'm reading/watching: Fade Away (Harlan Coben), Don't Let the Devil Ride (Ace Atkins — audio), Dept Q Season 2 announcement.📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes. 🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue runs through the week’s crime-fiction headlines — from the Obamas’ Higher Ground picking up S.A. Cosby’s All the Sinners Bleed for Netflix and flags a slate of late-summer adaptations. He also spotlights new releases, dives into how 1970s crime fiction reshaped the genre (Travis McGee, Matthew Scudder, Spenser, and the 87th Precinct), and shares what he’s been reading and watching.Books & topics mentioned:– All the Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby – She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper– WSJ: 25 Best Mystery Novels of the Past 25 Years list– Sheepdogs by Jordan Snowden– Mississippi Blue 42 by Eli Cranor– Departure 37 by Michael Koryta (writing as Scott Carson)– Mrs. Christie at the Mystery Guild Library by Amanda Chapman– 1970s crime fiction primer & five essentials: The Deep Blue Good-by (John D. MacDonald), The Sins of the Fathers (Lawrence Block), Cotton Comes to Harlem (Chester Himes), Promised Land (Robert B. Parker), Ten Plus One (Ed McBain)– What I’m reading/watching: King of Ashes (S.A. Cosby), Joe Country (Mick Herron — audio), Smoke (Apple TV)📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don’t trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome back to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this in-between mini episode, thriller author Mike Donohue runs through the variety pack of crime fiction that he is planning to read during his August holidays.Books mentioned:- Killing Moon by Jo Nesbo- King of Ashes by S.A. Cosby- The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware- Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson- City of Dreams by Don Winslow- Death at the White Hart by Chris Chibnall- The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don’t trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome back to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this episode, thriller author Mike Donohue dives into the world of Elmore Leonard, spurred by a revealing New Yorker profile and the new biography Cooler Than Cool. Plus: new books to watch, adaptation buzz, and crime fiction news you might have missed.Books & topics mentioned:– Cooler Than Cool by C.M. Kushin– “Elmore Leonard's Perfect Pitch” by Anthony Lane (The New Yorker, July 2025)– Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Rum Punch, Glitz, LaBrava– Florida Palms by Joe Pan– Pariah by Dan Fesperman– The Bewitching by Silvia Moreno-Garcia– Killer on the Road / The Babysitter Lives by Stephen Graham Jones– Hard Town by Adam Plantinga– The Man Made of Smoke by Alex North– Murderbot on Apple TV📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, and don’t trust anyone who skips to the end.

Welcome to Unreliable Sources—a quick hit of mystery, murder, and mayhem. In this debut episode, thriller author Mike Donohue lays out what to expect from the show, covers the 2025 CWA Dagger Awards, hot new releases, and breaks down three gateway mysteries for new and seasoned fans alike.🕵️‍♂️ Books & topics mentioned:– The Book of Secrets by Anna Mazzola (CWA Gold Dagger Winner)– Dark Ride by Lou Berney and Nightwatching by Tracy Sierra– Gone Girl, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd, Bluebird, Bluebird, Blacktop Wasteland - The Frozen People by Elly Griffiths, What the Night Brings by Mark Billingham, The Woman in Suite 11 by Ruth Ware, Welcome to Cottonmouth by Jay Bell– The Thomas Crown Affair remake– Libby’s most popular mystery/thrillers📚 Like twisty books and tense shows? Subscribe for bi-weekly episodes packed with killer reads, news, and sharp takes.🌐 Learn more: https://mikedonohuebooks.comUntil next time—stay sharp, and don’t trust anyone who skips to the end.