Read or Dead

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**Read or Dead**

Read or Dead is a bi-weekly show dedicated to the worlds of mystery and thriller literature.

Latest Episodes:

Murder Is A Walk In The Park May 21, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about reads set in the wilderness, particularly national parks.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This content contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Books Discussed

The Wild Inside (Glacier Park Mystery) by Christine Carbo

Track of the Cat by Nevada Barr

Even As We Breathe by Annette Saunooke Clapdoodle

Beneath the Mountain by Luca D’ Andrea

The Hunger by Alma Katsu

Descent by Tim Johnston

Wicked River by Jenny Milchman

Bearskin by James A. McLaughlin

New Releases

The Decagon House Murders by Yukito Ayatsuji

Version Zero by David Yoon

If you want to send an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find me on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dinner With A Side Of Death May 07, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about reads that feature dinner parties gone wrong.

Follow the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Edgar Award winners!

BOOKS DISCUSSED

The Eighth Detective by Alex Pavesi

The Dinner by Herman Koch

The Perfect Guests by Emma Rous

They All Fall Down by Rachel Howzell Hall

The Majesties by Tiffany Tsao

Hannibal by Thomas Harris

NEW RELEASES

Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manasala

Dead of Winter by Stephen Mack Jones

While Justice Sleeps by Stacey Abrams

If you want to send an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Celebrations, Nostalgia, and Questionable Fashion Apr 23, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah celebrate the 100th episode of Read or Dead, and talk about books that shaped them as mystery readers.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

News Links

ITW Thriller Awards Nominees

BOOKS DISCUSSED

Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton

Moonlight Becomes You by Mary Higgins Clark

The Silent Scream (Nightmare Hall #1) by Diane Hoh

Baltimore Blues by Laura Lippman

Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor

Evil Under the Sun by Agatha Christie

NEW RELEASES

The Forest of Stolen Girls by June Hur

Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto

If you want to send us an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Edgar Awards Season! Apr 09, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah discuss the Edgar Award Nominees and recommend books for you to prioritize from the list.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

Have a look at all the categories and nominees!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Books Discussed

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara

The Missing American by Kwei Quartey

These Women by Ivy Pochoda

Catherine House by Elisabeth Thomas

Darling Rose Gold by Stephanie Wrobel

Murder in Old Bombay by Nev March

When No One is Watching by Alyssa Cole

East of Hounslow by Khurrum Rahman

The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copely Eisenberg

Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Forgotten Woman Behind Hitchcock by Christina Lane

From the Desk of Zoe Washington by Janae Marks

The Companion by Katie Alender

The Cousins by Karen M. McManus

If you want to send us an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mystery and Suspense In A Land Far Away Mar 26, 2021

Show notes

This week Katie and Nusrah talk about mystery/thrillers that transport you to a particular time and place.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

Find some fantastic reads to combat AAPI racism and educate yourself on its long history in the US in our Audiobooks Newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Books Discussed

The Disaster Tourist by Yun Ko-eun

Disappearing Earth by Julia Phillips

The Split by Sharon Bolton

Overkill by Vanda Symon

Beneath the Mountain by Luca D’Andrea

Red Widow by Alma Katsu

The Lost Village by Camilla Stein

Currently Reading

Anxious People by Fredrick Backman

If you want to send us an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Revenge Of The Silenced Mar 12, 2021

Show notes

This week Katie and Nusrah talk about mystery/thrillers that feature revenge and serial killers, and how these narratives uncover stories that often go unheard.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Books mentioned in the news segment

Luckiest Girl Alive by Jessica Knoll

Gone Bamboo by Anthony Bourdain

The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne

We Begin at the End by Chris Whitaker

Books mentioned

Trigger warning: The books talked about do talk about sexual assault, violence towards women and children and murder.

America’s First Serial Killer by Mary Kay McBrayer

The Five by Hallie Rubenhold

They Never Learn by Layne Fargo

Out by Natsuo Kirino

New Releases

Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boully

The Jigsaw Man by Nadine Matheson

If you want to send us an email with feedback or show suggestions, you can reach us at readordead@bookriot.com

Otherwise you can:

Find Nusrah on Twitter @JavedNusrah

Find Katie on Twitter @ kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Never Too Late for Some Romantic Reckoning Feb 26, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about mystery and thriller reads featuring romance gone right, and romance gone very wrong.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

True Crime and Racial Injustice Feb 12, 2021

Show notes

Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about reads that feature true crime and social justice honoring Black History Month.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

Books Mentioned honoring Black History Month

A Knock at Midnight – Brittany K. Barnett

Beneath a Ruthless Sun: A True Story of Violence, Race, and Justice – Gilbert King

Leaving Atlanta – Tayari Jones

The Black and the Blue: A Cop Reveals the Crimes, Racism, and Injustice in America’s Law Enforcement – Matthew Horace & Ron Harris

NEW RELEASES

Blood Grove – Walter Mosley

The Kindest Lie – Nancy Johnson

Children of Chicago – Cynthia Pelayo

The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing – Sonia Faleiro

currently reading

Fortune Favors the Dead – Stephen Spotswood

Widows of Malabar Hill – Sujata Massey

The Lost Man – Jane Harper

Write to us with any feedback, requests, or recommendations at readordead@bookriot.com

Find us on social:

Nusrah: @JavedNusrah

Katie: @kt_librarylady

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Letters, Journals, and Intrigue Jan 29, 2021

Show notes

Katie and Nusrah talk about books that make use of unique formats to tell their story.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

Books Mentioned

Night Film by Marisha Pessl

American Spy by Lauren Wilkinson

Whisper Network by Chandler Baker

NEW RELEASES

If I Disappear by Eliza Jane Brazier

Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano

CURRENTLY READING

Fortune Favors the Dead by Stephen Sportswood

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Most Anticipated Releases of 2021 Jan 15, 2021

Show notes

Katie and Nusrah talk about their most anticipated releases of 2021 and only get to July before they are out of time.

This episode is sponsored by Book Riot Newsletters, A Mistake Incomplete by Lorenzo Petruzziello, and Bloodline by Jess Lourey.

Subscribe to the podcast via RSS, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or Stitcher.

To get even more mystery/thriller recs and news, sign up for our Unusual Suspects newsletter!

This post contains affiliate links. When you buy through these links, Book Riot may earn a commission.

BOOKS MENTIONED IN ANTICIPATED RELEASES

The House on Vesper Sands – Paraic O’ Donell
Girl A – Abigail Dean (January 25, 2021)
Children of Chicago – Cynthia Pelayo (February 9, 2021)
Quiet in Her Bones – Nalini Singh (February 23rd, 2021)
The Good Girls: An Ordinary Killing – Sonia Faleiro (February 23, 2021)
Dial A for Aunties – Jesse K Sutanto (April 27, 2021)
The Other Black Girl – Zakiya Dalila Harris (June 2021)
The Turnout – Megan Abbott (July 6, 2021)