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.

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.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 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.com⁠

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