Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Special Ep 136: Shadow of the Bridge by Aine Cain and Kevin Greenlee of the Murder Sheet Podcast

In a lively conversation, Jill discussed the new true crime book by the hosts of the Murder Sheet podcast, Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee, titled Shadow of the Bridge: The Delphi Murders and the Dark Side of the American Heartland.  Áine Cain, the investigative journalist, and Kevin Greenlee, the renowned attorney, explore the tragic Delphi 2017 murders of young teens Libby German and Abby Williams, which they have intently followed for years. Then the podcasters examine the subsequent investigation, the positive and negative responses by social media, and the arrest and conviction of the perpetrator. Additionally, the state of the Delphi community in the aftermath and the darker aspects of true crime are discussed. Is this the new norm? How has social media influenced the public's perception of law enforcement and the trial? What evidence convinced the jurors? Join Jill in this discussion, and be sure to read Shadow of the Bridge, described as “the most comprehensive book on Delphi.”
 
And a big thank you for all the support and positivity at Crimecon Denver 2025! Going to Crimecon 2026 Las Vegas?  Use Jill’s code   murdershelf   and save 10%!
Sources and photographs information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com Sept 2025!
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
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Special Ep 134: Depraved Obsession- A Gripping True Story of Law Enforcement’s Hunt for a Sadistic Serial Killer by Rod Sadler

Retired law enforcement supervisor and accomplished author Rod Sadler joins Jill for an engaging discussion about his latest book, Depraved Obsession. Their conversation delves into the shocking murders of teenagers Kenny Myers and Shawn Moore, shedding light on the sadistic serial killer who terrorized the community and shattered countless lives. They explore the complex twists and turns of the investigations, highlighting the relentless pursuit of justice. Additionally, they discuss Rod's previous work, Killing Women, which examines the notorious serial killer Don Miller, as well as the unsolved 1960 murder on Mackinac Island. This crime disrupted the tranquility of what was an idyllic vacation spot, a story featured in Grim Paradise, one of Jill’s favorite true crime books. Discover your next true crime author and binge-read the riveting works of Rod Sadler!
It was SO AWESOME seeing all of you at Crimecon 2025 in Denver! Join me on Patreon! 
 
BUY ROD SADLER’S BOOKS ON AMAZON!
 
Sources, articles and photographs are found on Jill’s Blog August 2025!
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next true crime book!
Get your merch and support the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast!

Special Episode 135: Mass Shooters

On August 27, 2025, at 8:30 AM, Minneapolis, Minnesota, faced a tragic incident at the Annunciation Church and Catholic School in Minneapolis, with 2 killed and 17 injured as per the latest news report.  As we grapple with the pain and sorrow, taking the time to understand the facts may offer solace and support to someone in need. In her trilogy, "A Dark Night in Aurora," Jill addresses the latest facts and research surrounding these horrific mass shooting events.
 
Sources: www.murdershelfbookclub.com July 2025
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next true crime book!
Get your merch and support the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast!
 
 
 
 
 

Ep 133 2ndCast: Part 3 “Accentuate” on A Dark Night In Aurora by William H. Reid

Part 3: The trial of James Holmes unfolds with gripping tension as the jury deliberates whether he was insane during the tragic act that claimed 12 innocent lives and inflicted countless injuries. Should they find him sane, a critical question looms: Is the death penalty warranted? The atmosphere in the courtroom is charged with emotion as courageous survivors and grieving family members share their poignant stories, each one a testament to resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. As the community embarks on a heartfelt journey of healing, they are united in their determination to honor the memories of that Dark Night In Aurora by rebuilding their lives with hope and strength. This heart-wrenching scenario prompts profound and unsettling questions: Who are these mass shooters? What drives them to commit such dreadful acts? More importantly, what actionable steps can we take to prevent future tragedies? In her quest for understanding, Jill immerses herself in the research, seeking not only answers but solutions.
CRIMECON DENVER 2025: Friday, Sept 5, 2025, 9 PM MT- Murder Shelf Book Club Meetup- Embers Lounge Bar!
 
Buy A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the  Colorado Mass Shooting by Dr William H. Reid, MD
 
Buy AURORA: The Psychiatrist who treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story by Dr Lynne Fenton and Kerrie Droban.
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found Jill’s blog: www.murdershelfbookclub.com July 2025
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
Join Jill on Creators Row at CRIMECON DENVER 2025! Get your Murder Shelf Book Club merch!
 
 

Ep 132: Part 2 “Ultraception” - A Dark In Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the Colorado Mass Shooting by William H. Reid, MD.

Part 2: Neuroscience graduate student James Holmes is in therapy with psychiatrists Dr. Lynne Fenton and Dr. Robert Feinstein. He struggles with anxiety and intrusive, violent thoughts, but withholds crucial information from his psychiatrists, including his purchase of weapons. His lack of transparency leaves the psychiatrists concerned but unable to take action. After failing his preliminary exams, James withdraws from school and quits therapy.  Now, he focuses on his ‘mission’ to unleash carnage and commit mass murder. Enacted, the Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado erupts in bloodshed and death. Immediately arrested, the police begin the investigation, as a traumatized community struggles to cope with the horrific reality that has engulfed their community, pleading to understand ‘why’ 70 people were grievously wounded, and 12 murdered.
Note: While editing this episode, I realized that instead of saying "End Quote" as I have hundreds of times, this time, I said "End Twelve". It was entirely unconscious, a pure Freudian slip, and an all too grim example of the very unconscious factors that I've attempted to explain.  I didn't correct this, I left it, because it was all too accurate, my heartbreak bleeding through. 
Buy A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the  Colorado Mass Shooting by Dr William H. Reid, MD
 
Buy AURORA: The Psychiatrist Who Treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story by Dr Lynne Fenton and Kerrie Droban.
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found Jill’s blog: www.murdershelfbookclub.com July 2025
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
Join Jill on Creators Row at CRIMECON DENVER 2025! Get your Murder Shelf Book Club merch!

Special Ep 131: The Crack City Strangler- The Homicides of Serial Killer Benjamin Atkins with BR Bates

YAY! One of our favorite true crime authors, BR Bates, is back to discuss her new book with you, The Crack City Strangler- The Homicides of Serial Killer Benjamin Atkins. Jill and BR dive into the case, deconstructing Benjamin ‘Tony’ Atkins’s childhood, its impact on his life, which devolved into serial murder.  Possibly one of the fastest serial killer, 11 women were possibly killed in a 3-month period.  After numerous psychological evaluations, BR shares her insight with Jill on why Atkins killed, as they hash out the possible theories about his deadly behavior.  You have found your next summer read, look no futher!  NOTE: THE PHOTO ON THE BOOK -IS- BENJAMIN ATKINS! 
 
Jill will be on Creators Row at Crimecon 2025 Denver! The meetup in Sept. 5, 2025, Gaylord Rocky’s Hotel, Embers Lodge Bar at 8:30 pm MT!  Need your CC25 badge? Use Jill’s code    murdershelf  and say 10%.
 
Buy BR Bates book The Crack City Strangler- The Homicides of Serial Killer Benjamin Atkins
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –Feb. 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
Get your Murder Shelf Book Club merch!
 

Ep 130: Part 1 “Just Wanted To Keep It Private”- A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes & the Colorado Mass Shooting by Dr. William H. Reid, MD.

Part 1: Just in time for Crimecon Denver 2025~
July 20, 2012: The Century 16 Theater in Aurora, Colorado, transformed into a scene of unimaginable horror when a man donned in a gas mask and body armor unleashed gunfire upon the 400 men, women, and children immersed in the thrill of the new Batman movie. In mere moments, the aisles turned into rivers of blood as chaos erupted, with bullet casings strewn across the ground among the fallen and the wounded. James Holmes, in a chilling act of violence, claimed the lives of 12 innocent individuals and left 58 others grappling with injuries. Amidst the heart-wrenching cries of pain and sorrow, the universal question of “Why?” was cast heavenward, pleading for answers.
This compelling trilogy, inspired by the insights of psychiatrists who encountered and analyzed James Holmes, delves into the complexities of the shooter’s life, exploring his family dynamics, educational experiences, behavioral nuances, and psychological state. Insightful psychological theories and explanations seek to unravel the enigma surrounding a troubled mind. Part 1 introduces us to the shy boy who grows into a college student, grappling with the struggle to connect deeply with friends and professors, choosing instead to keep his innermost thoughts shrouded in silence, all because he “just wanted to keep it private.”
Buy A Dark Night in Aurora: Inside James Holmes and the  Colorado Mass Shooting by Dr William H. Reid, MD
Buy AURORA: The Psychiatrist who treated the Movie Theater Killer Tells Her Story by Dr Lynne Fenton and Kerrie Droban.
 
Our CRIMECON DENVER meetup is Friday, Sept. 5, 2025 in the Gaylord Rockies Hotel, Embers Lodge Bar at 9 pm MT.
CRIMECON IS COMING! GET your MURDER SHELF BOOKCLUB MERCH!
Sources, photographs, recipes, and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –July 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick the next true crime book to be featured on the podcast!
 

Episode 129 2ndCast Part 3- “A Rip in Time” on The Five by Hallie Rubenhold AND Naming Jack the Ripper – the Final Reveal by Russell Edwards

Part 3: History tells us that Mary Jane Kelly, a victim of Jack the Ripper, was a prostitute. Now, discover the details of her life and her loves. In 2ndcast, Jill examines several suspects and provides an analysis of the DNA testing conducted in 2014 on the shawl found at the crime scene of Catherine Eddowes. Does this evidence confirm the identity of Jack the Ripper? THEN listen as Jill follows the evidence where it leads, revealing the name of her prime suspect!  (Ep 123- Part 1;   Ep 127- Part 2)
 
ANNOUNCEMENT!   JILL WILL BE ON CREATORS ROW AT CRIMECON DENVER 2025, SEPT 5-7, 2025!  NEED TO BUY A BADGE?  USE JILL’S CODE  murdershelf  AND GET 10% OFF!  https://www.crimecon.com/CC25  SEE YOU IN DENVER MURDER BOOKIES!  
Sources, photographs, recipes, and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –June 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick the next true crime book to be featured on the podcast!
CRIMECON IS COMING!    GET your Murder Shelf Book Club merch !

Special Episode 128: Moonshine Over Georgia by Chris Skates

Western Georgia, 1946. Years after Prohibition ended, illegal stills are still in operation, fueled by vast amounts of money and corruption, far removed from the portrayal of good old boy exploits seen on TV and in movies. In this era of moonshine and deceit, it is the responsibility of the Georgia Revenue Agents to identify and shut down these illicit operations and to arrest those involved. As danger and fear escalate, a murder heightens the tension, igniting a pursuit of justice that drags women, children, and those sworn to uphold the law into the line of fire. 
Drawing on the stories told by his grandfather, a Revenue Agent, and his extensive research into the unfolding events and the lives impacted by this turmoil, Chris Skates speaks with Jill about his book, Moonshine Over Georgia- a perfect summer read by the pool or at the beach!
 
ANNOUNCEMENT!   JILL WILL BE ON CREATORS ROW AT CRIMECON DENVER 2025, SEPT 5-7, 2025!  NEED TO BUY A BADGE?  USE JILL’S CODE  murdershelf  AND GET 10% OFF!  https://www.crimecon.com/CC25  SEE YOU IN DENVER MURDER BOOKIES!   
BUY Moonshine Over Georgia by Chris Skates on AMAZON!
Sources, photographs, and news articles can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –July 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
Get your Murder Shelf Book Club merch! Crimecon is coming!
 
 

Ep 127: Part 2 ‘Women With No Voice’ – The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

Part 2: The exploration of the lives of Elizabeth Stride and Catherine 'Kate' Eddowes, who were murdered by Jack the Ripper in 1888, begins in earnest. The Ripper mythos labels them as 'unfortunates,' which tramples on their true stories. These women were beloved daughters, sisters, students, wives, mothers, and business owners, all struggling to navigate the harsh realities of life in the East End of London during Queen Victoria's reign. They were not just victims, as history often depicts. What twists of fate led Elizabeth and Kate to end up dead on the streets of Whitechapel? Don’t miss this compelling episode, the second part of the trilogy.
A BADGE?  USE JILL’S CODE  murdershelf  AND GET 10% OFF!  https://www.crimecon.com/CC25  SEE YOU IN DENVER MURDER BOOKIES!   
 
BUY- THE FIVE BY HALLIE RUBENHOLD ON AMAZON!
 
BUY- NAMING JACK THE RIPPER BY RUSSELL EDWARDS ON AMAZON
 
BUY- JACK THE RIPPER AND THE CASE FOR SCOTLAND YARD’S PRIME SUSPECT BY ROBERT HOUSE
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –June 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
CRIMECON IS COMING! Support Jill and the podcast!  Get your Murder Shelf Book Club merch!