Read or Dead

By Book Riot

Read or Dead is a bi-weekly show dedicated to the worlds of mystery and thriller literature.... more

4.2

213213 ratings

Download on the App Store

Download on the App Store

Get it on Google Play

FAQs about Read or Dead:

How many episodes does Read or Dead have?

The podcast currently has 217 episodes available.

Read or Dead episodes:

September 19, 2025Women Writers for Latine Heritage Month
Latine Heritage Month! Be sure to join us for our first book club to discuss The Fiend by Alma Katsu on October 31st. (Apologies—we said the 24th in the episode.)
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!

Things Discussed
Anthony Awards

Latine Heritage Month (PRH)

Tomes and Textiles
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Fiend - Alma Katsu

The House in the Pines - Ana Reyes

More Than You’ll Ever Know - Katie Gutierrez

The Vampires of El Norte - Isabel Cañas

Liliana's Invincible Summer: A Sister's Search for Justice - Cristina Rivera Garza

You Are the Detective: The Creeping Hand Murder - Maureen Johnson, Jay Cooper

The Librarians - Sherry Thomas
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
47min
September 05, 2025Dark Academia Strikes Back!
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss dark academia novels.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Ready for a cozy, bookish autumn? Let Tailored Book Recommendations help you find your next favorite read with handpicked suggestions from professional book nerds. Get started today from just $18!
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Things Mentioned:
Obama’s Summer Reading List 2025

Books Discussed:
The Fiend - Alma Katsu

White Ivy - Susie Yang

They Never Learn - Layne Fargo

The Library at Hellebore - Cassandra Khaw

Bunny - Mona Awad

Sisters in the Wind - Angeline Boulley

The Belles - Lacey N. Dunham
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
52min
August 22, 2025Historical Crime and Horror Novels
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss historical crime and horror novels!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.
News
Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù To Lead Netflix Series ‘All The Sinners Bleed’

Noir at the Bar Kentucky Tour
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Burn Baby Burn - Meg Medina

Mrs. Poe - Lynn Cullen

The Possession of Alba Díaz - Isabel Cañas

Little Deaths - Emma Flint

Your Favorite Scary Movie: How the Scream Films Rewrote the Rules of Horror - Ashley Cullins

Five Found Dead - Sulari Gentill
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
We will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
51min
August 08, 2025Let's Celebrate Women in Translation Month!
Month!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Book Riot is hiring a digital content specialist! If you love books and know the ins and outs of social media strategy, and especially social video, consider joining the team. Find details and apply by August 22, 2025, at riotnewmedia.com/careers.

Things Mentioned
Murder, She Wrote is getting a film adaptation with Jamie Lee Curtis starring as Jessica Fletcher

Women in Translation Month
Books Discussed
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Woman in the Purple Skirt - Natsuko Imamura; transl. by Lucy North

I Remember You - Yrsa Sigurdardottir; transl. by Philip Roughton

Thing We Lost in the Fire - Mariana Enriquez, transl. by Megan McDowell

Death Takes Me - Cristina Rivera Garza, transl. by Sarah Booker and Robin Myers

The Faceless Thing We Adore - Hester Steel

The Dead Husband Cookbook - Danielle Valentine
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
48min
July 25, 2025Books That Have Been on Our TBRs for Far Too Long
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss books that they’ve been meaning to get to for far too long. No time like the present!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!
The CWA Dagger Awards

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
The Good Daughter - Karin Slaughter

While Justice Sleeps - Stacey Abrams

Kala - Colin Walsh

Natural Beauty - Ling Ling Huang

The Confessions - Paul Bradley Carr

A Twist of Fate - Se-Ah Jang, Trans. S. L. Park

The Hunger - Alma Katsu
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!
Books Discussed

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
44min
July 11, 2025Our Most Anticipated Mysteries and Thrillers of 2025 Pt. 2
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss their most anticipated book for the second half of 2025.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!

Crime Reads Most Anticipated Books of Summer 2025
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission
An Evil Premise - T. Marie Vandelly (August 12th)

The Possession of Alba Díaz - Isabel Cañas (August 19)

You Weren’t Meant to Be Human - Andrew Joseph White (September 9)

Fiend - Alma Katsu (September 16th)

We Love You, Bunny - Mona Awad (September 23rd)

Dead Man Blues - S.D. House (October 14th)
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!
Books Discussed

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
40min
June 27, 2025Mysteries and Thrillers for Audiobook Month
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester recommend some of their favorite mystery and thriller audiobooks.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Looking to elevate your reading life? Tailored Book Recommendations is here to help! TBR delivers reading recommendations hand-picked just for you by real human book nerds. You can get your recommendations via email, or receive hardcovers or paperbacks in the mail. And with quarterly or annual plans available, TBR has something for every budget. Plans start at just $18!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission
The Outsider - Stephen King, narrated by Will Patton

Red Widow - Alma Katsu, narrated by Mozhan Marnò

King of Ashes - S.A. Cosby, performed by Adam Lazarre-White

Murder at Gulls Nest - Jess Kidd, performed by Siobhan McSweeney

Fog & Fury - Rachel Howzell Hall

Do Not Disturb - Freida McFadden
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!
Books Discussed

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
47min
June 13, 2025Mysteries and Thrillers for Pride Month!
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester recommend mysteries and thrillers for Pride Month.
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Stumped on a great gift this Father's Day? Tailored Book Recommendations brings a personalized touch to any reading list with books hand-picked by professional book nerds. With over 150,000 book recommendations under our belt, we’ve got the chops to find the right read for your loved one this Father’s Day. Plus, with a simple checkout process and the ability to schedule the welcome email, gift-giving has never been easier. Gift TBR today starting at just $18!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Murder in the Dressing Room - Holly Stars

Nothing But Blackened Teeth - Cassandra Khaw

Scorched Grace - Margot Douaihy

Model Home - Rivers Solomon

Murderland: Crime and Bloodlust in the Time of Serial Killers - Caroline Fraser

A Murder for Miss Hortense: A Mystery - Mel Pennant
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and BlueSky @kdwinchester and on TikTok @kendrawinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!
Books Discussed

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
43min
May 30, 2025Summer Reads from Real People
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester recommend summer reads!
Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.
To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!
Ready to level up your reading life? Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing! Join Book Riot All Access to level up your reading life and claim your free copy of Automatic Noodle.
News
AI Summer Reading List with the Chicago Sun Times

All the Sinners Bleed coming to Netflix

Crime Reads Summer Reading List

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Books Discussed
Victorian Psycho - Virginia Feito

#FashionVictim - Amina Akhtar

Murder at Gull’s Nest - Jess Kidd

King of Ashes - S.A. Cosby

Be Gay, Do Crime - edited by Kristel Buckley and Molly Llewellyn

Welcome to Murder Week - Karen Dukess
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and BlueSky @kdwinchester and on TikTok @kendrawinchester
Find Katie on Bluesky @kt-librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
50min
May 16, 2025The 2025 Edgar Awards!
Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester recommend books from this year's Edgar Awards finalists!

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

Ready to level up your reading life? Become a Book Riot All Access member and explore our full library of members-only content, including must-reads, deep dives, and reading challenge recommendations. For a limited time, the first 50 new All Access annual members get a FREE copy of Automatic Noodle by Annalee Newitz courtesy of Tor Publishing! Join Book Riot All Access to level up your reading life and claim your free copy of Automatic Noodle.

News
A master class in writing taught by an AI version of Agatha Christie?

An Unsettling AI Agatha Christie Is Here to Teach You How to Write

2025 Edgar Awards

Books Discussed
This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
They All Fall the Same - Wes Browne

Cold to the Touch - Kerri Hakoda

The Amish Wife: Unraveling the Lies, Secrets, and Conspiracy that Let a Killer Go Free - Gregg Olsen

Find Her - Ginger Reno

God of the Woods - Liz Moore

The Man Made of Smoke - Alex North

The Dark Maestro - Brendan Slocumb
Otherwise you can:
Find Kendra on Instagram and Twitter @kdwinchester
Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady
And we will talk to you all next time!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
...more
48min

FAQs about Read or Dead:

How many episodes does Read or Dead have?

The podcast currently has 217 episodes available.