Today, we’re talking about crime and mystery novels from Japan. We’ll start with the development of the crime and mystery genre in the English-speaking world. We’ll move on to Japanese crime and mystery writing—how it was inspired by Anglo-American crime and mystery writing and how it evolved in its own way. And we’ll end with the life and work of writer Sei ... Show More
Jun 25
Aum Anxiety in Japanese Fiction
In this episode, we examine the history of the Aum Affair and its lasting impact on Japanese fiction.We'll start out with the history of new religions in Japan, including Aum Shinrikyo. We'll take a look at Haruki Murakami's non-fiction book, Underground: The Tokyo Gas Attack and ... Show More
59m 51s
Feb 2026
Japanese Monster Stories on the Big Screen
In this episode, we look at the writers behind two of Japan's greatest movie monsters—Godzilla and Mothra.We'll start out by looking at Godzilla—its context, author, and story—before we turn to Mothra. We'll close with a reflection on why the stories behind the movies are importa ... Show More
1h 3m
Jun 2021
Fiction Just As Strange As Reality
Tune in as Katie and Nusrah talk about books that will appeal to readers of true crime, podcasts and everything in between.
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52m 49s
Oct 2021
Ep. 119 | She Writes Crime
In this week’s episode, Kendra and Sumaiyya, with special guest, Abby, discuss crime fiction for October’s theme She Writes Crime.
Thanks to Our Sponsor!
For a limited time, our listeners can use promo code – Funjet75 – for $75 off your next Funjet vacation to RIU hotels and reso ... Show More
50m 27s
Jan 2020
A Thing Happens and Then More Things Happen
Katie and Rincey talk about the Edgar Award nominees and some genre-crossing SFF mysteries.
This episode is sponsored by Book Riot’s Read Harder 2020 Challengeand Lost Hills by Lee Goldberg.
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To get even ... Show More
46m 58s
Nov 2024
Mimi Okabe, "Manga, Murder and Mystery: The Boy Detectives of Japan’s Lost Generation" (Bloomsbury, 2023)
Little is known about the boy detective in Japanese detective fiction despite his popularity. Who is he, and what mysteries does he unveil about cultural understandings of youth in Japanese society?
Manga, Murder and Mystery: The Boy Detectives of Japan’s Lost Generation (Bloomsb ... Show More
23m 22s
Apr 2022
403 The Wonderful World of Mysteries (A Best-of-HOL Episode)
Mysteries! In this best-of episode, Jacke revisits conversations with three guests for three different angles on this popular and enduring literary genre. First, Jonah Lehrer (Mystery: A Seduction, A Strategy, A Solution) discusses what exactly makes mysteries so compelling. Then ... Show More
1 h
Oct 2024
How do you plot the perfect murder mystery? with Kate Atkinson
<p>Join us as we dive into the world of crime, thrillers, and mysteries! We answer your listener questions with award-winning author Kate Atkinson and publicist Alison Barrow. Plus, Kate discusses her brand-new Jackson Brodie novel, <em>Death at the Sign of the Rook</em>. Ge ... Show More
24m 40s
