For Episode 166, I had the incredible honor of hosting authors Nancy Grace and Benee Knauer to discuss their powerful new book, What Happened to Ellen: A Miscarriage of American Justice. Our conversation explored the heartbreaking case of Ellen Rae Greenberg, the authors’ remarkable collaboration, and their unwavering fight for justice. The authors share how this case first captured their attention and walk us through their meticulous collaborative process. The depth of research and the genuine care they poured into telling Ellen’s story are evident on every page. Nancy Grace and Benee Knauer’s passion and commitment to truth shine through every word—both in their book and in this interview. All proceeds from the sale of the book go to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Thank you, Nancy and Benee, for sharing this important story with us on the podcast!

Place your hold here for all Nancy Grace titles. Follow Nancy Grace right here! You can also follow Nancy at Crime Online. And don’t forget to follow Nancy Grace on most social media platforms!

Grab your copy of Benee Knauer’s terrific adaptation right here! Follow Benee Knauer on Instagram @beneeknauer2620.

Nancy also mentioned the fabulous author, Josh Sabarra! Check out his books here.

Celebrating my 165th episode with award-winning author Frederic S. Durbin! Fred joined me to talk about his brand new historical fiction novel, The Country Under Heaven. Set in the 1880s, this western follows former Civil War soldier Ovid Vesper as he travels across the country haunted by visions from the Battle of Antietam, encountering both the dangers of the Wild West and mysterious otherworldly forces. This terrific book is being touted as Louis L’Amour meets H.P. Lovecraft and I loved every page. For this conversation, we discuss how The Country Under Heaven evolved from a short story, his research process and inspirations, plus Fred shares great book recommendations and gives us an exciting sneak peek at his next project. Thank you for joining me Fred!

The Country Under Heaven by Frederic S. Durbin is such a special book – it’s one of my favorites of the year.

Place your holds here for all Frederic S. Durbin titles.

Frederic S. Durbin recommends: the work of Ray Bradbury; Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury; Ture Grit by Charles Portis; Enchanted Night by Steven Milhauser; The Knife Thrower and Other Stories by Steven Milhauser; the work of Steven Milhauser.

“James Wade’s newest novel, Hollow Out the Dark, is a masterpiece of atmospheric crime fiction; a worthy successor to the likes of William Gay and Cormac McCarthy. Set in East Texas, it is an epic, and age-old, story of greed and generational betrayal—where vengeance is swift and forgiveness a long time coming.” Kathleen Kent, NYT bestselling author of Black Wolf

I was thrilled to welcome back four-time guest James Wade of the podcast to talk about his gripping new release, Hollow Out the Dark – a Depression-era gothic crime thriller wrapped in a whiskey war. It’s edge-of-your-seat storytelling at its finest. We dive into the novel’s powerful themes of brotherhood, its echoes of Kane and Abel, James’s thoughtful use of epigraphs, his unique writing process, and his uncanny ability to craft complex, unforgettable villains. We even get a sneak peek at his upcoming summer 2025 release. We packed a lot into this episode, so don’t miss it. Thanks for joining me once again, James!

James Wade recommends: Turtle House by Amanda Churchill; Orbital by Samantha Harvey; the work of Lauren Groff; the work of Robert Gwaltney.

Place your hold here for all James Wade titles.