The Plot

The Plot

From Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network

February 20, 2026 · 43 min · Episode 353

About this episode

The episode explores the life of Mary Surratt, a woman involved in a significant historical crime in 1864.

In 1864, a 41-year-old woman named Mary Surratt was running a boarding house in Washington, D.C. One of the most famous actors in the country began visiting her – which led to her becoming known as the woman who “kept the nest that hatched the egg." Kate Clifford Larson’s book is The Assassin’s Accomplice. Join our newsletter by 2/28/26 to be entered to win a free year of Criminal Plus: ⁠thisiscriminal.com/newsletter⁠. (Additional rules apply.) Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Topics covered

  • Mary Surratt
  • boarding house
  • assassination
  • historical crime
  • true crime
  • American history

Keywords

  • Mary Surratt
  • Kate Clifford Larson
  • The Assassin’s Accomplice
  • boarding house
  • Washington D.C.
  • assassination
  • true crime

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Vox Media Podcast Network

Books & works: The Assassin’s Accomplice

Places: Washington, D.C.

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