From the Lighthouse

Double Indemnity: THE Film Noir

Double Indemnity is THE film noir: the film noir that most people think about when they picture the genre. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy discuss twisted relationships, murder, and Barbara Stanwyck's fringe.

Milne's The Red House Mystery: A non-Pooh Bear Detective Story

Hang on, A.A. Milne wrote a crime novel? Is Winnie the Pooh the murderer or the detective? This week, Stephanie and Lee discuss a crime novel that does not feature Winnie the Pooh, but does feature all the best features of a cozy crime novel, complete with some digs at Australia.

Lois Austen-Leigh's The Incredible Crime aka the grossness of hunting

Lois Austen-Leigh was a descendant of Jane Austen but did you know she was also a crime novelist? This week, Stephanie is joined by Lee to discuss The Incredible Crime, Northanger Abbey, and the grossness of hunting.

Femme Fatales, Marlowe and Gangsters: The (slightly) Nonsensical Plots of Chandler's The Big Sleep

The Big Sleep is a classic of crime noir: the kind of fiction that transports you to a seedy LA gin joint in the 1940s. This week, Lee and Stephanie discuss femme fatales, Marlowe, gangsters, and slightly nonsensical plots.

I'll Be Gone in the Dark: or The Golden State Killer's Walk into the Light

If you follow true crime news, you'll know that the Golden State Killer was recently arrested, over forty years after his crime spree began. This week, Jimmy and Stephanie discuss the book that many people believe was responsible for renewed interest in this case: Michelle McNamara's posthumously published I'll Be Gone in the Dark. 

On Speedy Death and the Golden Age of Gladys Mitchell

Gladys Mitchell is one of the most entertaining of the Golden Age detective novelists. However, she's relatively little known today. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy discuss her first novel, Speedy Death, with Dr Lee O'Brien, and make the case that everybody should really be reading Gladys Mitchell. 

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A Killer Obsession: The Latest Adaptation of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express

Murder on the Orient Express is one of Agatha Christie's best-known mysteries, and a new film adaptation directed and starring Kenneth Branagh is in cinemas now. This week, Stephanie, Jimmy and Michelle discuss the novel, the film, and Jimmy's strange serial killer obsession.

For more info visit our website at: https://www.fromthelighthouse.org/

Murder, they Spoke: The Rise of True Crime Podcasts and Documentaries

Since the podcast Serial was released in 2014 (#freeAdnan), the public appetite for true crime documentaries and podcasts seems unquenchable. This week, Stephanie and Jimmy are joined by Dr Alys Moody to discuss the appeal of true crime, the role of the police, Making a Murderer and citizen detectives.

A Pain in the Neck: Celebrating 125 Years of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes

We can't stop talking about Sherlock. To celebrate 125 years since the publication of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, Stephanie and Jimmy are joined by Dr Lee O'Brien to discuss the continuing appeal of Conan Doyle's most famous creation. They discuss the lovable Watson, the beguiling Irene Adler, the surprising darkness of these stories, and why Sherlock can be such a pain in the neck. 

We Need to Talk About Eurus: A Critique/Defence of BBC's Sherlock

The fourth season of the BBC adaptation of Sherlock with Benedict Cumberbatch recently aired. So what did our hosts think? We join special guest Dr. Jimmy Van to discuss all things Holmesian.