Killer Author Club

James L’Etoile joins us to talk about River of Lies, a gripping mystery that blends page-turning suspense with real-world social issues. He shares his fiery research into arson, how he crafts twists that are as ironic as they are iconic, and the challenge of weaving relevance into riveting storytelling. We also shine a light on James’s work as a tireless volunteer in the crime writing community—and how giving back fuels his creative life.

Download and listen today for a smart, twisty ride through mystery, meaning, and murder.

Hannah Mary McKinnon is back with Only One Survives, a tense, twisty thriller about fame, friendship, and the dark side of all-female bands. She takes us behind the scenes of writing original lyrics, weaving music into the storyline, and the technical challenge of crafting a timeline full of flashbacks. Oh—and the six little words that started it all.

Download and listen today—because fame may be fleeting... but secrets can be killer.

The legendary Anthony Horowitz returns to the Killer Author Club to talk about Marble Hall Murders, the latest entry in his wildly clever Susan Ryeland/Atticus Pünd series. He shares the challenge of weaving stories within stories, his inspiration for creating crime fiction that’s both clever and self-aware, and why his writing process—though deeply rewarding—is far from easy or fast. Plus, we get exciting updates on book-to-screen adaptations and Anthony’s unexpected answer to the Killer Question: How Do You Kill?

Download and listen today for a sharp, smart dive into the craft of one of crime fiction’s biggest superstars.

J.T. Ellison joins us to talk about her gripping thriller It’s One of Us, a story that tackles a zeitgeisty—and deeply personal—topic with her signature twisty flair. We explore why marriage is the perfect pressure cooker for suspense, the surprising (and shady) world of sperm banks, and how setting her stories in Nashville and beyond adds layers of atmosphere and danger.

Download and listen today—because in J.T.’s world, family secrets don’t stay buried for long.

Bestselling author Peter Swanson stops by to talk about the brilliant mind games behind his latest thriller—and the despair (and delight) of writing a story backwards. We dig into why he calls his work “New England noir,” what makes the region such fertile ground for suspense, and how real-life people sneak into his novels. Plus, don’t miss hearing about the chilling scene he set in an infamous—and iconic—location.

Download and listen today for a masterclass in smart, sinister suspense.

TikTok sensation Kiersten Modglin joins us to talk about her latest twisty thriller, Do Not Open—a book one reviewer dubbed “Misery on Crack.” She shares how she draws from her own darkest places to create unforgettable characters, what it means to be vulnerable on the page and off, and how she maintains a jaw-dropping pace as one of the most prolific authors in the game.

Download and listen today—because when Kiersten says Do Not Open, you know you absolutely have to.

Clémence Michallon returns with Our Last Resort, a haunting thriller set against the eerie isolation of a remote Utah resort. She shares her deep research into cults (and her personal connection to the Nxivm cult), how a single haunting song sparked the idea for the novel, and what it takes to psych herself up to write in a language that isn’t her native tongue. This week’s episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the stories we’re compelled to tell.

Download and listen today—this is one luxury getaway you won’t soon forget.

Chris Bohjalian joins us to talk about his glitzy, twisty novel The Princess of Las Vegas, inspired by a real-life royal who flipped the script on a centuries-old monarchy. Chris shares why he set this story in the neon-lit world of gambling and grit as we dive into the underbelly of seedy casinos, the fascinating lives of tribute show performers, and—yes—Chris’s very own Las Vegas love story.

Download and listen today for royal intrigue, high-stakes drama, and Sin City secrets you won’t want to miss!

Julie Clark joins us to unravel the layers of her latest twist-filled novel, The Ghostwriter. We talk about striking the perfect balance between suspense and emotional depth, and how growing up in the 70s helped shape the atmosphere of the book’s haunting past timeline. Julie dives into using flawed—and fading—memory as both a plot device and a ticking clock, and shares how a real-life unsolved murder inspired the story’s chilling heart.

Download and listen today for a powerful, gripping conversation you won’t forget.

Lisa Gardner is back, and this time, it’s personal—and terrifying. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of Still See You Everywhere, sharing what it was like to travel to a remote island for research, weather monster storms, and face off with killer crabs bigger than dogs (yes, really). Plus, she dives into the dark and fascinating experience of visiting a real-life body farm to bring chilling authenticity to her work.

Download and listen today if you dare. This episode is not for the faint of heart.