Design Crime

Lurking beneath the progressive activism and sex positivity in the 1970 to '80s, a dark undercurrent of violence rippled across the American landscape. With reported cases of sexual assault and homicide on the rise, the FBI created a specialized team - the “Mindhunters”, better known as the Behavioral Science Unit - to track down the country's most dangerous criminals. And yet narrowing down a seemingly infinite list of potential suspects seemed daunting at best and impossible at worst - until Dr. Ann Wolbert Burgess stepped on the scene.

The discovery of a corpse (artfully displayed as a sunbather relaxing on a Miami beach chair) naturally piques Dexter's curiosity and Miami’s finest realize they’ve got a terrifying new serial killer on the loose. And Dexter, of course, is back in business.

As acclaimed psychological researcher and author David Buss writes, "People are mesmerized by murder. It commands our attention like no other human phenomenon, and those touched by its ugly tendrils never forget." Though we may like to believe that murderers are pathological misfits and hardened criminals, the vast majority of murders are committed by people who, until the day they kill, would seem to be perfectly normal.

She was a beloved teacher. A trusted guardian. A monster hiding in plain sight. From 1988 to 2009, Emily Cannister—kindergarten teacher, community favorite, and secret killer—kidnapped and murdered fifteen children. To the outside world, she was kind and nurturing. But behind closed doors, she was consumed by obsession, delusion, and a twisted longing to claim the children she could never have. In 2012, during her third murder trial, Emily confessed. But her admission raised more questions than it answered.

The serial killer Gregg Thorton was introduced to you in my short story "Serial Family Man", giving you an insight to the man who spent 44 years murdering over 20 people. In this new story, Gregg Thorton will confess like he never has before.

For decades, when criminal cases of the most unprecedented nature went to trial, one woman took the stand to separate truth from fiction. Expert Witness is the extraordinary story of forensic and psychiatric pioneer Dr. Ann Burgess—inspiration for Hulu’s forthcoming docuseries Mastermind—and how she revolutionized what it means to be an expert witness in the American court system. Written through Burgess’ singular lens of compassion and lived experience, Expert Witness pulls back the curtain on some of the biggest cases in the last thirty years.

Versace. The very name conjures up images of outrageous glamour and bold sexuality, opulence and daring. All of course true, but only half the story. Versace is also the legacy of a great creative genius from a poor, backward part of southern Italy who transformed the fashion world through his intuitive understanding of both women and how a changing culture influenced the way they wanted to dress. House of Versace shows how Gianni Versace, with his flamboyant sister Donatella at his side, combined his virtuosic talent and extraordinary ambition to help create celebrity culture.

Being a blood-spatter analyst who hates the sight of blood has always made Dexter's work for the Miami PD tough. But it means he's very neat when it comes to his out-of-hours hobby: murder. Of course the fact Dexter kills only bad people helps, too. Now Dex is facing a disturbing situation. He's used to blood at work and blood when he's out with the dark passenger (the voice that guides him on his deadly outings). But he's not sure what to make of the man who says blood is art.

This murder mystery involves five friends that decide to go out for a long night of club hopping. But when the night comes to an end, only four friends make it home and a terrible fate was left for the fifth friend. The next morning a gruesome discovery is made and the police have a twisted case on their hands. The friends pin the blame on one another and it's left up to detective Neverson to uncover what truly happened that night. The story follows each friend's experience that night and many obstacles are awaiting the police.

As the Kiwi summer draws to a close, a family outing to the beach takes a deadly turn when a lifeless body washes up on shore. Grace is devastated to recognize the victim, Ricky, who worked in her friend’s bakery. But when the supposed drowning victim is rolled over, a shocking truth is revealed—he was murdered. Drawn into finding the murderer of the cheerful baker, Grace picks at the tangled web of secrets that surrounded Ricky.

Gregg Thorton was born with a dark mind and a disorder that would slowly take control over him as the years went on. His dark mind produced anger, he used that anger to inflict pain onto those who he felt weren't up to his standards. At just 6 years old Gregg took a life for the first time, his baby sister and for the next 35 years, Gregg claimed the lives of almost a dozen innocent people. Decades later Gregg is ready to completely confess and finally give families the closure they've been begging for...

A dangerous alliance. Love, revenge, and a hidden truth collide. Natalie's world is shattered. After witnessing her father's secret meeting with a known crime boss, she's torn between love and suspicion, and she solicits her handsome new co-worker's help to find the truth. Ryan Donatelli is driven by an unrelenting desire. He'll avenge his sister's death, even if it means using the boss's beautiful raven-haired daughter to do it. As Natalie seeks the truth, Ryan's thirst for revenge threatens her heart. Torn between duty and love, they're drawn together amidst danger. With the mafia's grip ...

Tired of staring at the blank page? Have you lost your way through your story's second act? Want a road-map for your Nanowrimo novel? Struggle no more. The Plot Machine: Crime builds on the story-design principles of The Plot Machine, focusing on the most popular crime genres: caper, revenge, thriller, investigation, and legal. The unique characteristics of each genre are described as well as a step-by-step approach to their plotting. All genres are not the same. Each has its own plotting requirements. Crank up The Plot Machine: Crime, and design better crimes faster.

Invited to stage a Mystery Night for the annual antebellum house tour of the Historical Preservation Society of Chastain, South Carolina, Annie Laurance instead finds herself the leading lady in a flesh-and blood drama. The play's the thing when the curtain falls on grande dame Corinne Webster. While jeweled fingers point, accusing Annie of murder, the perpetrator lurks among the cast and the murder weapon is one of the props. Now it will take all of her sleuthing skills to discover the real killer.

Dive into the thrilling world of true crime podcasts with "Echoes of Crime"! This revolutionary new eBook delves into the intricate elements of creating and managing successful true crime podcasts. Step by step, it guides you through the basics of understanding this genre, from its evolution to the vital role of storytelling and sound. "Echoes of Crime" takes you on an audio-centric journey where you'll uncover the secrets to capturing the perfect sound, whether you're in a studio atmosphere or a bustling outdoor location. From discussing the Sonic Identity of your podcast to the influences...

A museum guard stands convicted of mass murder, after a mysterious visitor calls upon the curator and asks to see some ancient, Egyptian bones. This tale of horror features a full cast of voice actors with sound effects and music.

Jogging through Chicago's Lincoln Park, Dr. John Caleb comes upon a group of fanatics setting a police car on fire - with the officer inside. Caleb rescues the man but as Chicago heats up in the most brutal summer on record, it becomes clear that this is the first of a series of deadly arsons. As Detective John Thinnes races to find the culprit and Dr. Caleb sets a trap for a murderer, both men are nearly incinerated in the killer's final act.

Dive into the gripping world of true crime with the eBook, "Expanding Horizons". This comprehensive masterpiece is your ultimate guide to understanding the intriguing landscape of true crime podcasts. You will learn about their evolution, discover popular podcasts, and grasp the current state of this riveting genre. Your journey further deepens into virtually creating your brand by identifying unique selling propositions. This eBook doesn’t just provide you with the answers, it guides you to asking the right questions – What are your strengths? What unique perspective can you present? ...

Hearkening back to classic series like Lux Radio Theatre and Mercury Theatre On the Air, The Mutual Stage presents all-new adaptations of films and stage plays sourced from the public domain. Director/producer Pete Lutz has assembled an Oscar-worthy cast to bring you his adaptation of the hit 1963 film Charade. Get set for comedy, adventure, and romance as we tell the story of a recent widow whose husband stole a quarter of a million dollars. Now his partners want that money back!

Based on a true story. An unsolved murder has stumped a small town Sheriff for years... But when young women start turning up dead, killed in the same grisly way as that previous crime, the Sheriff starts pointing the finger at Agent Houston, the new guy in town.