Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Special Episode 126: Wildlife CSI with Sheryl 'Mac' McCollum

WILDLIFE CSI is an exciting new initiative! I had an incredible opportunity to spend time with majestic giraffes, striking zebras, powerful rhinos, elegant roan antelopes, graceful impalas, rare addaxes, sturdy bison, and even adorable puppies, all while joining forces with Sheryl ‘Mac’ McCollum, Dr. Laura Pettler, and the esteemed forensic pathologist, Dr. Priya Banerjee. Sheryl McCollum, who hosts the engaging "Zone 7 with Sheryl McCollum" podcast and serves as the Director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, extended a warm invitation to me to attend an unforgettable training weekend that has sparked enthusiasm and lively discussions among the participants.  Dive into the fascinating world of this pioneering law enforcement training academy, discover its vital importance, and learn how you can join in this mission. And, find out who dared to take the stage for karaoke? Don’t miss out—listen now to find out!
GET YOUR TICKET FOR THE OCTOBER 2-3, 2025 WILDLIFE CSI EVENT IN PENNSYLVANIA! 
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/wildlife-csi-training-and-wine-crime-with-sheryl-mccollum-tickets-1376795706019?aff=ebdssbdestsearch
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!  
 
Wildlife CSI photographs and event information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –June 2025.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
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Special Episode 125: Things Aren’t Right- The Disappearance of the Yuba County Five by Tony Wright!

In this exclusive interview, Jill speaks with author Tony Wright about the perplexing case of the Yuba County Five: Ted Weiher, Jack Madruga, Bill Sterling, Jackie Huett, and Gary Mathias. These five men disappeared in February 1978 while attending a basketball game and later vanished into the Plumas National Forest in California. As the search begins, eyewitnesses share strange stories, describing the case as “bizarre as hell.” When answers finally emerge, the mystery only deepens. Don't miss this special summer episode!
BUY Things Are Not Right by Tony Wright on Amazon!
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. 
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Episode 124 Part 8 - ‘Karma’- Russ Faria Update: Bone Deep UPDATE

Part 8: In 2022, Jill reported on the shocking miscarriage of justice in Betsy Faria's murder case, as detailed in Episodes 40-44, the August 2022 Update, and Episode 70 of "Bone Deep" by Charles Bosworth Jr. and Joel Schwartz. After finding Betsy’s body, her husband, Russ Faria, was arrested for murder and put on trial. Despite having an ironclad alibi, Russ was convicted and sentenced to prison. However, he was later granted a new trial and acquitted. Jill has continued to follow developments in the case, including Pam Hupp's arrest for murder and charges against a former police officer for stalking and harassment. In a new update titled "Karma," released on June 10, 2025, new charges have led to an arrest that could expose the individuals who have corrupted the legal system in Lincoln County, Missouri.
 
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: Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Bosworth, Jr. and Joel Schwartz on Amazon!
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –June 2022.
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube. 
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Ep 123: Part 1 ‘Never just a Prostitute” on The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed By Jack the Ripper by Hallie Rubenhold

Part I: Step into Victorian London, 1888. In the wake of Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee, a shadow looms over Whitechapel as a series of gruesome murders unfolds. Jack the Ripper, a figure of unimaginable horror, terrifies the East End with his shocking brutality, leaving a trail of mutilated bodies that haunt us still! But who were the five tragic victims: Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols, Annie Chapman, Elizabeth Stride, Catherine Eddowes, and Mary Jane Kelly? Hailing from diverse backgrounds, their lives and stories have been largely forgotten—until now. Join Jill as she delves into the chilling murders, the ensuing terror, and the compelling narratives of the women whom history has unjustly neglected. Meet Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols and Annie Chapman in this incredible first part of the series.
 
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- 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. 
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Special Episode 122: Vacations Can Be Murder Vol 1 NEW ENGLAND by Dawn M. Barclay

 
Just in time for summer vacation, Jill is thrilled to introduce you to a a must-have true crime book,  Vacations Can Be Murder! This book is the ultimate treasure trove for true crime enthusiasts who know that ‘seeing is believing’. Authored by the talented Dawn M. Barclay, it delves into gripping crime stories, intricate crime scenes, historic courthouses, infamous prisons, and eerie cemetery locations. It even includes fascinating true crime and ghost tours that tantalize the imagination with their paranormal elements. Volume 1 shines a spotlight on New England, while Volume 2 will take readers on a thrilling journey through the Mid-Atlantic states of New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, all set to hit the shelves in August 2025. Join Jill for a delightful conversation with the author —it’s an experience you won’t want to miss! And have a chance to be featured on Dawn’s blog!
And find Jill on PODCAST ROW AT CRIMECON 2025 DENVER!!!  So EXCITED! Use cod  murdershelf  and save 10% on your badge! 
www.crimecon.com/CC25 
 
Buy Vacations Can Be Murder By Dawn M. Barclay on Amazon
And find Jill on PODCAST ROW AT CRIMECON 2025 DENVER!!!  So EXCITED! Use cod  murdershelf  and save 10% on your badge! 
www.crimecon.com/CC25 
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!
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Ep 121: “The Exclusive Interview with Arson Prosecutor Diane Marger Moore” Author of 16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident or Murder? By Diane Marger Moore Pt 4

Part 4: This exclusive interview with Diane Marger Moore, author of 16 Minutes, is a highlight of Jill's podcast! In this heartfelt and honest discussion, Jill and Diane explore the Wise trials and the many obstacles that almost derailed justice. Diane reflects on her 47-year career as a female lawyer in a male-dominated field, discussing her experiences with colleagues who crossed professional boundaries, the challenges of deconstructing opposing experts, and her difficult death penalty trial involving Georgia inmate Jesse May Whittaker.  Do not miss the wisdom, humor, and lifetips from this stellar human being! 
 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 –Feb 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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Ep 120 2ndCast: Part 3 “27 seconds” -16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident or Murder? By Diane Marger Moore

Part 3: The defense of William Wise begins by questioning all the known facts about the night Matthew died; the use of an accelerants and the 16-minute timeframe of the fire itself!  Leading to a contentious back-and-forth filled with tension, Defense experts are challenged by the Prosecution. Ultimately, it will be up to the jurors to decide: Is there justice for Baby Matthew? Is William Wise guilty of his murder? Was Michelle Wise an accomplice? 
With the verdict in, Jill explores the mindset of the arsonist, applying criminal psychology to William Wise and delving into the "why" that continues to haunt us all, and the unsolved murder of Rae Ann Symons.
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 16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident of Murder by Diane Marger Moore on Amazon!
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!
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Ep 119: Part 2 “Justice Delayed is Justice Denied” - 16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident or Murder? By Diane Marger Moore

Part 2: Ready for trial in just three months, Marion County Arson Prosecutor Diane Marger Moore begins the case against William J. Wise for the murder of his 8-week-old son, Matthew Dean Wise. However, progress in the case is derailed by shocking twists and turns that hinder the pursuit of justice for the newborn. Tensions rise as the determination and grit of everyone involved are tested. Will they be able to secure a conviction and genuinely send a murderer to prison?
Be sure to listen to Pt 1 before this episode!
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 16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident of Murder by Diane Marger Moore on Amazon!
Sources, photographs, recipes and drink information can be found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com –April 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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Ep 118: Part 1 “Death of a Newborn” -16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident or Murder? By Diane Marger Moore

Part I: Tragically, 8-week-old Matthew Dean Wise perished in a house fire, which occurred when both parents were home.  Prosecutor Diane Marger Moore takes on the case 2 years later, with her team hurrying to locate witnesses, conduct interviews, find documents, and plan a murder trial. Digging into the horrific death, Diane and Detective Leslie VanBuskirk uncover truths that render them speechless in the face of cold-blooded premeditation and manipulation leading to the death of a baby boy.
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 16 MINUTES: Was the Death of Baby Matthew an Accident of Murder by Diane Marger Moore on Amazon!
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!

Special Episode 117: A Conversation With Dr. Katherine Ramsland

In this special episode, Dr. Katherine Ramsland, a distinguished Professor of Forensic Psychology at DeSales University and a prolific author of 74 influential books in the fields of crime, forensic science, and investigative crime fiction, engages in a conversation with Jill about her remarkable career. Dr. Ramsland has investigated fascinating cases and conducted significant research, resulting in her book on Wayne Henley, "The Serial Killer's Apprentice," and Dennis Rader, the notorious BTK killer. The discussion also covers a variety of other topics, such as CrimeCon and spree killers, which will captivate anyone passionate about the true crime genre. Don't miss this in-depth conversation with an icon and trailblazer!
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 Dr. Katherine Ramsland and Tracy Ullman’s book, The Serial Killer’s Apprentice, Confessions of a Serial Killer: The Untold Story of Dennis Rader, the BTK Killer, or any of her other 72 books here!
Join Jill on PATREON for $4 and help pick our next book!
Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X,  Facebook,  Instagram or YouTube.