Tonight, we descend into the shadows of early twentieth-century America — to a quiet farmhouse on the outskirts of La Porte, Indiana. Here, beneath the unassuming soil of cornfields and hog pens, a hidden horror festered and grew.

I'm your host for The True Crime Reader, and in this episode, we unearth one of the most mystifying and gruesome chapters in American true crime: the life and unsolved mystery of Belle Gunness.

Dubbed "Hell’s Princess" by author Harold Schechter, Belle Gunness was many things: a Norwegian immigrant, a wife, a mother, a hard-working farm owner. But she was also a monster hiding in plain sight, a woman whose acts shattered every expectation — and whose legacy continues to haunt a century later.

Join me as we unravel the strands of her life and crimes — from her lonely beginnings in Norway, through a trail of bodies and unanswered questions in Indiana, and to her chilling disappearance. We'll dive into her psychology, the violent ingenuity of her methods, the investigation that followed, and the public’s shocked reaction — all set against the turbulent backdrop of early 1900s America.

Welcome back, true crime aficionados, to another deep-dive with The True Crime Reader. I’m your host, and today we’re unwrapping an unusual new entry in the world of true crime literature: “50 States of Murder: An Atlas of American Crime” by Harold Schechter. If you ever wondered how geography—yes, the physical, cultural, even psychological landscapes of each state—can shape the crimes and criminals that haunt their history, this is the atlas you never knew you needed.

On a November afternoon in Oakland, California, a single reckless act aboard the 57 bus changed two lives forever. In this episode of The True Crime Reader, we dive into Dashka Slater’s acclaimed narrative nonfiction, The 57 Bus. The book traces the story of Sasha, a teenager who identifies as agender, and Richard, a Black teen from Oakland, whose impulsive decision to set fire to Sasha’s skirt sparked a criminal case that reverberated far beyond the city.

We’ll explore:

• The social and cultural divides that framed this tragedy

• How Slater weaves together themes of identity, justice, and empathy

• The broader questions the case raises about juvenile crime, bias, and forgiveness

This episode isn’t just about the crime—it’s about the human stories behind it, and the way one bus ride became a lens for examining race, gender, and the justice system in America.

In this episode of The True Crime Reader, we dive into Wayne Miller’s explosive account of the largest arson case in American history. Burn Boston Burn chronicles the terrifying string of fires that swept through Boston and its suburbs in the early 1980s, set by a group of men whose motives ranged from greed to revenge. With more than 260 fires ignited, the city was gripped by fear as investigators raced against time to uncover the perpetrators.

We’ll explore Miller’s insider perspective as a federal ATF agent, unravel the psychology of the arsonists, and examine how meticulous detective work finally brought the fire-setters to justice. This episode doesn’t just recount the flames—it illuminates the human cost, the resilience of Boston’s communities, and the chilling reminder of how quickly chaos can spread when destruction is deliberate.

Join me on this deep-dive into the lasting impact of In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. We'll look into the crime and why this problematic piece of literature is still hailed as a the first great true crime novel.

📖🔍 The first file is about to open.

Some crime stories you read once and forget. Others? They pull you into the evidence, keep you circling the timeline, and whisper their loose ends long after the last page.

🎙 The True Crime Reader is your safehouse for those books. Each episode: one case‑worthy read, one deep dive, and a trail we’ll follow together.

☕ Grab your coffee. Bring your curiosity. The investigation starts soon.