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 Shyamalan

Blog 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)

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🌐 Learn more: ⁠https://mikedonohuebooks.com⁠

Until 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Books & topics mentioned:– Unpublished Elmore Leonard novella "Picket Line" discovered in USC archives– Raymond Chandler's previously unseen story– Boston as crime fiction setting (Robert Parker,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.com⁠

Until 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 recap

The 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.com⁠

Until next time—stay sharp, follow the clues, and don't trust anyone who skips to the end.