Murder Made Fiction

Our month of John List titles begins with the original The Stepfather (1987).

Starring a magnetic Terry O'Quinn, this Reagan-era slasher film is the perfect takedown of outdated "father knows best" patriarchal beliefs.

Plus: a debate about 'teenage' nudity; appreciating the production design; a gory opening; and a film where the dog doesn't die.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for full-length primer and episode by episode coverage of Ryan Murphy and Ian Brennan's The Watcher.

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

Here's a sneak peek at our all new Patreon episode on Episodes 1-2 of Ryan Murphy's The Watcher limited series.

Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today! 

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

In November, 1971 mild-mannered accountant John List murdered his entire family. He then fled town and started a brand-new life in a whole new State. How long did he get away with his crimes? Tune in to find out.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media  (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/MurderMadeFiction) for full-length primer and a month of  The Westfield Watcher coverage

Writer/director Matt Ruskin's Boston Strangler (2023) stars Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon as the Record American reporters who covered the infamous case.

Too bad this one is such a snooze! In addition to being too long and drab, the film fudges plenty of facts and has no perspective other than "being a lady reporter is hard". It's a miss!

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for full-length primer and our episode by episode coverage of Hulu's The Girl From Plainville.

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

Four years after the last fictional adaptation, Compulsion director Richard Fleischer delivered a new fresh take on the case with 1968's The Boston Strangler.

While Edward Anhalt's script uses the same tired pop psychology to excuse DeSalvo's crimes, cinematographer Richard H. Kline and editor Marion Rothman use split screens and transitions in an incredibly exciting way.

Plus: charismatic Tony Curtis and interrogating queerness (with a bisexual-coded Bottomly?)

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for full-length primer and episodic coverage of The Girl From Plainville

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

Our coverage of The Boston Strangler kicks off with Burt Topper's The Strangler (1964).

We've got 60s pop psychology, indistinguishable cops, and a leading performance from Victor Buono that steals the movie.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media  (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/c/MurderMadeFiction) for full-length primer on this case and a month of The Girl from Plainville

Amanda and Joe begin their coverage of Hulu's limited series The Girl from Plainville.

Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

Amanda and Joe begin a new month dedicated to the murder spree that gripped Boston in 1963 as 13 women were strangled to death in their own homes. This month we're discussing Albert DeSalvo, The Boston Strangler.

If you want to hear the full story, join us on Patreon (⁠patreon.com/murdermadefiction⁠) for the full-length primer as well as episodic coverage of the Hulu miniseries, The Girl From Plainsville, starring Elle Fanning.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers

Amanda and Joe look back at their coverage of Leopold and Loeb and discuss their favorite adaptations, least favorite adaptations, and possible new ways to adapt the story today.

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media  (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for full-length primer and a month of Leopold and Loeb titles, including Rope, Swoon, Scream, and Funny Games (2007)

After using his work extensively to fact check texts throughout the month, Amanda and Joe sit down with author and archivist Erik Rebain to discuss his fascination with the case, his favorite fictional adaptations and why Ryan Murphy should (or shouldn't) make a TV series.

Erik's website: The Lives and Legends of Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold

Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: [email protected]

> Amanda: @amandajanestern

> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)

Wanna support the show? Join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for full-length primer and a month of Leopold and Loeb titles, including Rope, Swoon, Scream, and Funny Games (2007)

Theme Music: Conrad Chambers