Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Emily and Ashley discuss the book "Ask For Andrea" by Noelle Ihli.

They both loved the book, which they think is the author's best work yet. The book follows a group of women who have been murdered by a serial killer, and how they find each other in the afterlife and seek justice for their murders. 

They also talk about how the killer relies on charm and normalcy, and why it's dangerous to think we can easily spot dangerous people. 

A psychopath is someone who has certain characteristics including lack of empathy, manipulation, and grandiose sense of self-worth. They can be successful and highly functioning, and can be found in various professions. However, not everyone who is selfish is a psychopath, and it is not our place to diagnose others. They noted that the book deals with heavy themes, including assault and trauma, and praised the author for handling them sensitively.  They discuss the different characters in the book, including protagonist Andrea and her relationships with the women from "beyond".  

The hosts discuss a book club selection, talk about an author's new release, and chat about psychopaths. 

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send a text

Today we remind you of what to read to be ready for next weeks chat. Head to https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reconsidered-unsolved/id1841954874 to hear the rest of  Rachel Hansen episode 2. 

Mary interview: pateron.com/thecreepybookclub

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reconsidered-unsolved/id1841954874

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

Find our new True Crime Podcast at: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/reconsidered-unsolved/id1841954874

We’ve been a little MIA… but for the best reason ever — we were busy planning and hosting our Thriller Retreat! From diving into the Rachel Hansen case (episode one will be released early to you TODAY) to fangirling over expo authors and soaking up wisdom from our incredible guest speakers, this weekend was everything we dreamed of and more.

We’re spilling all the behind-the-scenes tea from the retreat — our favorite moments, the unforgettable highlights, and what it was like finally bringing this event to life. Plus, we’re recapping the recent Creepy Book Club retreat in arizona where we hung out with the best readers, moderated author panels, and basically lived our spooky little bookish dreams.

Of course, we’re also catching up on what we’re currently reading and watching (because when are we not?). We’re gearing up for upcoming discussions on Ask for Andrea and Ashley is obsessed with listening to Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir on audiobook (and yes, she will tell you why). 👀

And just wait… we’re teasing even more thrillers coming your way soon. Trust us — you’re going to want to add to that TBR.

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

Hi besties! This week we’re diving into The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers. If you haven’t read it yet—pause here, grab the book (with your eyes or your ears), and come back when you’re ready.

Spoiler Alert: This episode contains full spoilers for The Missing Half 

Overall Ratings

• Ashley: 3.5 out of 5
• Emily: Solid 4 out of 5

We both found the book engaging and entertaining, especially as a standalone thriller. Like Flowers’ first novel, All Good People Here, this story draws inspiration from a real unsolved case—but takes its own fictional turn.

 Real-Life Inspiration: The Maura Murray Case

We couldn’t talk about The Missing Half without discussing its strong parallels to the disappearance of Maura Murray, a 21-year-old college student who vanished in 2004 after her car was found abandoned on a rural road.

Key similarities discussed:

• A young woman disappears after a car incident
• No clear signs of foul play
• A sister left behind searching for answers
• Lingering questions, suspicious behavior beforehand, and no closure

We also dig into theories around Maura’s disappearance, including:

• Mental health crisis
• Exposure to the elements
• Accepting a ride from someone else
• Why her case is classified as a “suspicious missing person with criminal overtones”

This conversation spirals (in the best way) into whether this is a case we should cover in a future episode 👀.

Plot & Themes Discussion

• The book leans more toward solving an unsolved mystery than a traditional whodunit
• Internet sleuthing and community involvement mirror modern true-crime culture
• Nearly every character feels suspicious—which we loved

We also talk about:

• Being (or not being) surprised by twists
• Loving messy, flawed characters like Nick
• Trauma, grief, addiction, and bad decision-making
• How secrets compound and destroy lives

 The Gross Stuff (Because Yes, We’re Talking About It)

• Brad is the worst. Full stop.
• The affair between a teenage girl and her dad’s best friend is deeply disturbing and rooted in power imbalance and grooming
• The fact that his wife knew? Horrifying and complicated
• We unpack how this plotline effectively builds suspicion—but is still incredibly upsetting

 Moments That Stuck With Us

• The creepy anonymous note delivered by a child on a playground
• The CD with handwritten notes (a nostalgic gut punch)
• The reveal about what really happened the night Jules died
• The moral breaking point of covering up another death

Heartbreaking, messy, and tragic across the board.

 Big Questions We Asked

• Could someone really disappear and live just one town over?
• Why choose hiding over accountability for a drunk-driving death?
• How far can trauma push someone before every choice becomes the wrong one?
• And ultimately: What do you think really happened?

Find Ashley here - htt

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

"You're frozen"

"No, I was just done talking."

Welcome to another unhinged 30 minutes with us. 

OKKKKKKAYYY, Ashley was wrong (per usual), Emily was right - A locked room mystery is a subgenre of crime fiction in which a crime, often a murder, is committed in a location that is seemingly impossible to access. The puzzle lies in figuring out how the crime was committed, despite the room being sealed from the inside with no apparent way in or out. Unlike typical whodunits, these stories heavily feature the "howdunit" aspect, requiring a logical and plausible explanation that doesn't rely on supernatural or impossible.

Yes, the spooky kid in a book is a very common trope, often referred to as the "creepy child". This trope plays on the contrast between a child's supposed innocence and their unsettling, often malevolent, behavior, which is considered terrifying because it goes against our expectations of what is innocent and vulnerable.

For Next Week Read The Missing Half by Ashley Flowers 

https://ruthware.com/books/the-turn-of-the-key/

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Ashley and Emily discuss 'The Breakdown' by B.A. Paris, exploring its themes of gaslighting, emotional abuse, and the impact of infidelity on relationships. They delve into real-life cases of deception, including the Chris Watts case, and reflect on the cultural perspectives surrounding affairs. The conversation emphasizes the importance of accountability and the emotional trauma caused by betrayal in relationships.

takeaways

• The Breakdown is a domestic thriller about infidelity.
• Gaslighting is a prevalent theme in the book.
• Affairs can lead to extreme emotional turmoil.
• Cultural perspectives on infidelity vary significantly.
• Real-life cases like Chris Watts highlight the dangers of deception.
• Emotional abuse can be subtle and insidious.
• Trust is hard to rebuild after infidelity.
• The impact of affairs extends beyond the couple involved.
• Accountability is crucial in relationships.
• Friendship boundaries are tested in cases of infidelity.

Sound Bites

• "The book was way better, of course."
• "What kind of best friend does that?"
• "It's a cultural thing."

Chapters00:00Introduction to The Breakdown

01:41 Themes of Infidelity and Betrayal

07:18 Gaslighting and Emotional Manipulation

13:58 Consequences of Affairs

18:50 Real-Life Parallels: Chris Watts and Other Cases

23:30 Conclusion and Reflections on Relationships

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

Whelp, we decided to go there and talk about one of the most polarizing books in the past 5 years. 

00:00 Introduction and Technical Difficulties

01:13 Controversial Book Discussion: Verity by Colleen Hoover

07:31 Cultural Impact and Reception of Verity

14:20 Themes and Twists in Verity

21:12 Controversies Surrounding Colleen Hoover

26:06 Lighthearted Anecdotes and Conclusion

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/59344312-verity

https://www.colleenhoover.com/products/verity-hardcover

https://www.glamour.com/story/colleen-hoover-controversy-explained

https://www.vulture.com/article/colleen-hoover-controversy-timeline.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9477187/

https://bookriot.com/hating-popular-books/

https://sjdm.org/dmidi/Need_for_Uniqueness.html

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

Party of Liars, Kelsey Cox, book review, true crime, postpartum depression, character analysis, podcast updates, relationships, manipulation, twists

In this episode, Emily and Ashley discuss the book 'Party of Liars' by Kelsey Cox, sharing their thoughts on the characters, plot twists, and themes such as manipulation and postpartum depression. They also announce the launch of their new true crime podcast, which will alternate weeks with their book discussions.

Takeaways and updates!

• The podcast will now be bi-weekly, alternating between book discussions and true crime episodes.
• 'Party of Liars' received positive reviews for its engaging twists and character development.
• The complexity of characters adds depth to the story, making them essential to the plot.
• Postpartum themes are explored, emphasizing the importance of understanding mental health.
• Manipulation in relationships is a central theme, particularly with the character Ethan.
• The hosts enjoyed discussing the connections between the book and real-life true crime cases.
• Character analysis revealed the necessity of each character in understanding the story's motivations.
• The importance of paying attention while reading or listening to complex narratives was highlighted.
• The hosts expressed a desire for more visual aids in books to help track characters.
• The upcoming true crime podcast promises to deliver shocking and engaging content.

Sound Bites

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to True Crime and Podcast Updates

00:00 Book Discussion: Party of Liars

01:47 Character Connections and Complexity

05:59 Twists and Turns in the Narrative

07:32 Postpartum Perspectives and Mental Health

10:50 Complex Characters and Their Motivations

12:43 Reveals and Shocking Moments

14:56 The Illusion of Perception

20:15 Looking Ahead: True Crime Cases

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/9312-postpartum-depression

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.

Send us Fan Mail

PHEW - That is all we can say about this discussion. We get personal, we chat regrets and we chat about what could have been. 

In this conversation, Emily Reeder and Ashley DeSanno discuss the book 'Dark Matter' by Blake Crouch, exploring its themes of choices, regret, and the impact of environment on character. They share their initial impressions, ratings, and delve into the deeper meanings behind the narrative, including the nature of success, relationships, and the importance of forgiveness. The discussion also touches on parenting and the influences of friends, as well as the role of memory in shaping our perceptions of regret. The conversation concludes with thoughts on future reads and adaptations of the book.

takeaways

• Dark Matter blends psychological thriller with sci-fi elements.
• The book prompts deep reflection on personal choices and regrets.
• Characters are shaped significantly by their environments.
• Success can lead to selfishness and moral compromise.
• Forgiveness is essential for moving forward in relationships.
• Parenting involves allowing children to learn from their choices.
• Memory plays a crucial role in how we perceive our past.
• The narrative encourages gratitude for current life circumstances.
• Surrounding oneself with positive influences is vital.
• The book's ending offers a hopeful resolution.

Sound Bites

Chapters 

00:00 Introduction to Dark Matter

02:34 Book Ratings and Genre Exploration

05:21 Themes of Choices and Regrets

07:56 The Impact of Environment on Character

r10:21 Relationships and Forgiveness

12:55 The Role of Company in Personal Growth

15:30 Reflections on Parenting and Influence1

8:03 Memory, Regret, and Happiness

20:23 Violence and Unexpected Twists in the Story

23:26 Conclusion and Future Reads

Support the show

Subscribe on our patreon for weekly content, early access to episodes, one true crime episode per month and behind the scenes content at https://www.patreon.com/thecreepybookclub

Follow us on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/thecreepybookclub and https://www.instagram.com/bookswithyourbesties/

Follow us on TikTok at https://www.tiktok.com/@thecreepybookclub

Music is Ur Karma (Instrumental Version) by Craig Reever.

The opinions expressed in this podcast are those of Emily and Ashley of The Creepy Book Club alone.