What's Going On With True Crime?

From Read or Dead by Book Riot

March 23, 2026 · 54 min

About this episode

Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss the genre of true crime and its ethical implications.

Katie McLain Horner and Kendra Winchester discuss the genre of true crime, the ethics behind it, and what writers are tackling questions around the genre today. This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. Books Discussed “On True Crime” - Myriam Gurba Beth Is Dead - Katie Burnet Whidbey - T Kira Madden Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession - Sarah Weinman Creep - Myriam Gurba Everyone In This Bank Is a Thief - Benjamin Stevenson The Curse of Hester Gardens - Tamika Thompson If you want to send an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com. Otherwise you can: Find Katie on Twitter @kt_librarylady Find Kendra on Instagram and BlueSky @kdwinchester And we will talk to you all next time! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

People in this episode

Hosts: Katie McLain Horner, Kendra Winchester

Topics covered

true crime
ethics
writing
genre discussion
literature

Keywords

true crime
ethics
literature
books
writing

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: On True Crime, Beth Is Dead, Whidbey, Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession, Creep, Everyone In This Bank Is a Thief, The Curse of Hester Gardens