Yearly Archives: 2022

40 posts

Re-release: Agatha Christie (part 2)

While we take a short break for the holidays, we are re-releasing some of our earlier episodes. This week is the second of our Agatha Christie episodes where Brook and Sarah discuss some of the tropes she used and what rules of mysteries she created and broke. Resources Agatha Christie, […]

Re-release: Agatha Christie (part 1)

While we take a short break for the holidays, we are re-releasing some of our earlier episodes. Up first is our very first episode: Agatha Christie. Resources Agatha Christie, An Autobiography (1977) Agatha Christie Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making (2009) John Curran Agatha Christie’s […]

Winter 2022 TBR

In today’s episode, Sarah and Brook share what they’ll be reading and watching while Clued in Mystery takes a short break for the holidays. Clued in Mystery will be back in January with new episodes. Until we return, we will release some of our earliest episodes so new listeners can […]

Short Stories

Reading bite-sized stories are a great way to test out a new genre or author. This week, Sarah and Brook share some of their favorite short stories. Works and authors mentioned “The Three Apples” 1001 Nights Gongan Stories Monk CSI Bones “The Lottery” (1948) Shirley Jackson The Haunting of Hill […]

What Would You Do: Then She Was Gone

It’s time for another What Would You Do episode! This week, Brook and Sarah discuss Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell and share their thoughts on this domestic thriller. Books and authors mentioned Then She Was Gone (2017) Lisa Jewell For more information Instagram: @cluedinmystery Contact us: hello@cluedinmystery.com Music: […]

Celebrity Sleuths

Can you imagine a famous singer solving crimes? Or a former president and vice president? Brook and Sarah discuss this fun sub-genre of mystery fiction featuring real celebrities. Listen to find out who they would write as their own celebrity sleuths. Books and authors mentioned Hope Never Dies: An Obama […]

Mystery Lover’s Gift Guide (with Mystery Manon)

This week’s episode is a little different: If you are doing some holiday shopping, we have a treat for you. Manon Wogahn (also known as Mystery Manon) talks about mystery with Brook and Sarah and shares some of the gifts on her annual Cluesletter Holiday Gift List, including a Clued […]

Unreliable Narrators

Liar? Naïve? Or impaired? What if the narrator of the story isn’t telling the truth? In this week’s episode, Brook and Sarah discuss surprising twists and the cues that they’re coming. Works mentioned or discussed Gone Girl (2012) Gillian Flynn The Rhetoric of Fiction (1961) Wayne C. Booth The Woman […]

Continuing the Story (part 2 with Ann Claire)

Brook and Sarah continue their conversation about continuing the story. In this episode, they speak with Ann Claire about drawing inspiration from another author in her Christie Bookshop Mysteries. For more information about Ann Claire Ann at Penguin Random House Instagram: @annclaireauthor Facebook: Ann Claire Mysteries Ann’s website Books and […]

Continuing the Story

Brook and Sarah discuss the different ways an author’s world is continued after they stop creating it. We discuss Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Sue Grafton Dorothy L. Sayers Ian Fleming Anthony Horowitz Lee Child Agatha Christie Sophie Hannah Moneypenny Diaries series by Samantha Weinberg Young Bond series by Charlie Higson […]

Locked Room Mysteries (part 2)

Jane Kalmes, The Fiction Technician, joins Brook and Sarah to break down locked room mysteries and their solutions. Please note: This episode contains spoilers of two episodes of Monk and one of Murder She Wrote. We Discuss “Mr. Monk Goes to the Carnival” Monk “Death Casts a Spell” Murder She […]

Locked Room/Closed Circle Mysteries (part 1)

A group of friends on a holiday retreat. A crime nobody could have committed. Sarah and Brook discuss closed circle and locked room mysteries and the links between the two. Short stories, novels, authors, shows, and films discussed “The Murders in the Rue Morgue” (1841) Edgar Allan Poe “A Terribly […]

Authors as Sleuths

Have you ever read a mystery where the sleuth is an author? Sarah and Brook discuss mysteries with writers as the central characters. Authors, Books, and TV shows mentioned Hammett Unwritten (2013) Gordon McAlpine writing as Owen Fitzstephen Agatha Christie Series by Andrew Wilson Murder She Wrote Castle The Ghost […]

Mysteries Without Murder

What do you turn to when you’re looking for a mystery without murder? In this week’s episode, Brook and Sarah discuss some less violent, but very satisfying, mysteries. Books, films, and TV shows discussed Super Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of Story (2015) James Scott Bell Gaudy Night […]

Historical Mystery (part 2)

This week, USA Today best selling author Sara Rosett joins Brook and Sarah to discuss historical mystery. About Sara Sara Rosett is the USA Today bestselling author of over 30 cozy and historical mysteries as well as books and courses for writers including “How to Write a Series” and “How […]

Historical Mystery (part 1)

Whether set in ancient Egypt or the 1920s, readers are sure to find a historical mystery set in a period they love. In this episode, Brook and Sarah discuss the origins of historical mysteries and share some of their favourites. Books and authors mentioned William Shakespeare Leo Tolsoy Sir Walter […]

What Would You Do: The Woman in Cabin 10

In the first of an occasional series, “What Would You Do,” Brook and Sarah consider what they would do if they were in the same situation as the main character of a novel. This time, they discuss Ruth Ware’s The Woman in Cabin 10. We’d love to hear what you […]

Summer Reading Recap

After a short break, Clued in Mystery returns for Season 2 and Brook and Sarah recap their summer reading. Books discussed in order: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager The Science of Agatha Christie by Carla Valentine The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie Butcher, Baker, Candlestick […]

Summer TBR

In today’s episode, Sarah and Brook share what they’ll be reading while Clued in Mystery takes a short break for the summer. Clued in Mystery will be back in the autumn with new episodes about mysteries. Books discussed in order: The House Across the Lake by Riley Sager The Science […]

YA Mystery

Summer camp. Boarding school. A high school classroom. Classic settings for YA mystery. Brook and Sarah discuss the appeal of these mysteries, even though they are written for younger audiences. Books, shows, and series mentioned Anne of Green Gables (L.M. Montgomery) Little Women (Louisa May Alcott) Nancy Drew Hardy Boys […]

Modern Cozies

National best-selling cozy mystery author Melissa Bourbon joins Brook and Sarah to discuss what makes a mystery cozy and current trends in cozies. Authors discussed: Tonya Kappes Allison Brennan Books and television discussed Smile Beach Murder (Alicia Bessette) Flour in the Attic (Melissa Bourbon) The Closer (TV series) The Staircase […]

Political Thrillers

Brook and Sarah discuss international secrets, scandals, corruption, and other hallmarks of high stakes political thrillers. Authors, books and, films, and shows mentioned: Films All the President’s Men (1976) Argo (2012) The Manchurian Candidate (1962) JFK (1991) Wag the Dog (1997) TV shows 24 Designated Survivor Homeland House of Cards […]

Domestic Thrillers

The perfect family, friends on holiday, a woman unravelling, each of them with a secret. Brook and Sarah explore the themes of domestic thrillers and discuss a few books that don’t fall into the category. Authors mentioned: Elizabeth Haynes Erin Kelly Liane Moriarity Tom Vowler SJ Watson Books mentioned: And […]

Spy Thrillers

Espionage, intrigue, and excitement. Brook and Sarah explore spy fiction and its broad appeal to audiences. Our interview with Kings River Magazine. We read: Casino Royale, Ian Fleming Trigger Mortis, Anthony Horowitz Forever and a Day, Anthony Horowitz Agent Running in the Field, John le Carre Quoted: How to Write […]

Noir and Hardboiled Mysteries (Part 2)

Brook and Sarah continue to learn about noir and hardboiled detective fiction with special guest Frances from the Chronicles of Chrime online bookshop. Part 2 of 2. Reading list recommendations: Hardboiled Carroll John Daly, “Three Gun Terry” (Black Mask, May 1923) Carroll John Daly, “Knights of the Open Palm” (Black […]

Noir and Hardboiled (Part 1)

Dames, darkness, and detectives. Special guest Frances join Brook and Sarah to explain the origins and differences of hardboiled and noir fiction. Part 1 of 2. Instagram: @cluedinmysteryContact us: hello@cluedinmystery.comMusic: Signs To Nowhere by Shane Ivers – www.silvermansound.com

Agatha Christie’s Disappearance

Brook and Sarah discuss the many theories surrounding Agatha Christie’s eleven-day disappearance in December 1926. Was she seeking publicity, solving a mystery, or on an alien adventure? We’ll never know. Benedict, Marie (2020). The Mystery of Mrs. Christie. Sourcebooks Landmark. Cade, Jared (2013). Agatha Christie and the Eleven Missing Days. […]

Wilkie Collins

Wilkie Collins is credited with writing the first English detective novel. In this episode, Brook and Sarah discuss his remarkable life and his works. Works discussed: The Woman in White (1860) Moonstone (1868) References http://mikegrost.com/sensatio.htm https://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/booksf/mystery/early.html http://www.wilkiecollins.com https://victorianweb.org/authors/collins/bio.html https://wilkiecollinssociety.org/publications/ How he wrote Text of his first novel Ioláni; Or, Tahíti […]

Anna Katharine Green

In this episode, Brook and Sarah discuss Anna Katharine Green, whose writing inspired Agatha Christie. Green’s 1878 novel, The Leavenworth Case, is one of the first to include a detailed coroner’s inquest and ballistic evidence and set the stage for generations of future mystery authors. The Leavenworth Case, Anna Katharine […]

Edgar Allan Poe

Brook and Sarah discuss Edgar Allan Poe, the grandfather of American detective novels. Works mentioned in order of reference “The Raven,” (1845). Edgar Allan Poe. “Murders in the Rue Morgue,” (1841). Edgar Allan Poe. “The Mystery of Marie Rogêt,” (1842). Edgar Allan Poe. The Misadventures of Edgar and Allan Poe […]

The Detection Club

Cluesletter publisher Manon Wogahn joins Brook and Sarah to discuss the Detection Club, the oldest running society of mystery authors. Learn more about Manon at https://www.manonwogahn.com/. Books referenced (in order of reference) The Golden Age of Murder. (2015). Martin Edwards. Harper Collins. The Red House Mystery (1922) A.A. Milne. Howdunit: […]

Dorothy L. Sayers

Brook and Sarah discuss Dorothy L. Sayers, her life, her writing, and her advocacy for the mystery genre as a member of the Detection Club. Resources Women of Mystery: The Lives and Works of Notable Women Crime Novelists. (2000). Martha Hailey DuBose, St. Martins Press Whose Body. (1923) Dorothy L. […]

Arthur Conan Doyle (Part 3)

Canadian mystery novelist Vicki Delany, and author of the Sherlock Holmes Bookstore cozy mystery series, joins Brook and Sarah to discuss writing in the Sherlock Holmes space. Find Vicki at: http://vickidelany.com/ Other references: The Agency Mysteries Series by Y.S. Lee Brook’s Edgar and the Raven’s T-shirt For more information:Instagram: @cluedinmysteryContact […]

Arthur Conan Doyle (Part 2)

We continue our discussion about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, exploring how he wrote and how his works have been adapted. Mentions: Sherlock (BBC) Elementary (CBS) House (Fox) The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/How_I_Write_My_Books https://www.arthur-conan-doyle.com/index.php/Sir_Arthur_Conan_Doyle:Sherlock_Holmes For more information:Instagram: @cluedinmysteryContact us: hello@cluedinmystery.comMusic: Signs To Nowhere by Shane Ivers – www.silvermansound.com

Arthur Conan Doyle (Part 1)

In the first episode of the Doyle series, Sarah and Brook discuss Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous detective, and his contribution to popular culture (and forensics). We discuss: A Study in Scarlet (1886) Lost World (1912) “The Case of Lady Sannox” (1893) “The Five Orange Pips” (1891) “The […]

Doyle Preview (mini episode)

A short, bonus episode with some brief thoughts about Sherlock and Poirot to lead into our series of episodes about Sir Arthur Conan Doyle starting next week. For more information: cluedinmystery.com Instagram: @cluedinmystery Contact us: hello@cluedinmystery.com Music: Signs To Nowhere by Shane Ivers – //www.silvermansound.com

Agatha Christie: Part 3

In our final episode in our Agatha Christie series, we are joined by two guests who share their insights into her work. We discuss: The Mysterious Affair at Styles (1921) The Death of Roger Ackroyd (1926) The ABC Murders (1936) Five Little Pigs (1942) Curtain (1975) “Dressmaker’s Doll” “In a […]

Agatha Christie: Part 2

In the second episode of the Agatha series, Brook and Sarah discuss some of the tropes she used and what rules of mysteries she created and broke. RESOURCES Agatha Christie, An Autobiography Agatha Christie (1977) Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks: Fifty Years of Mysteries in the Making John Curran (2009) Agatha […]

Agatha Christie: Part 1

How could we start anywhere but with the queen of cozies, Dame Agatha Christie. In the first episode of the Agatha series, we discuss Agatha Christie’s contributions to the genre and a few of her popular sleuths.  RESOURCES Agatha Christie, An Autobiography Agatha Christie (1977) Agatha Christie’s Secret Notebooks: Fifty […]