Proper Villains: Recent Episodes
Murrdogger Productions LLC
We love villains and books about them. Join hosts Robin & Caitlyn as they discuss mysteries, thrillers, spy novels, true crime & Gothic fiction. Let's get villainous.
This week on Proper Villains, Caitlyn is solo and diving into several of her recent and current reads.
Media mentioned in this episode:
The Yard by Alex Grecian
Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman
Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin
Hurdle by Emily Abbate
Welcome back to Season 3! On this episode, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li which is a heist book and then some. Digs into who are the real villains in art theft - sometimes it's the museums themselves. This is a must-read for fans of Leverage, White Collar & the Ocean's franchise.
Books & media mentioned in this episode:
Portrait of a Thief by Grace D. Li
Fevered Star by Rebecca Roan Horse (Second in the series, start with Black Sun)
The IT Girl by Ruth Ware
King of Scars duology by Leigh Bardugo
Leverage
White Collar
The Ocean's Franchise
The Fast and the Furious Franchise
It's the Season 2 Finale of Proper Villains! Join Robin and Caitlyn through Dante's Hell in 1860s Boston.
Media in this episode:
The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl
The Dante Chamber by Matthew Pearl
You Can't be Serious by Kal Penn
Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer
Enola Homes on Netlfix
Scott is back this week to talk about the second book in Scott Lynch's Locke Lamora series, Red Seas Under Red Skies. This book is a dream come true for readers who love their thieves...and their pirates.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch
Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
This week on the podcast Robin and Caitlyn discuss one of their favorite television shows, Leverage. From the crooked people the team takes down to the quirky tendencies of each individual team member, you will see why this show is beloved.
Media mentioned in this episode:
Leverage
Fake by Erica Katz
Leverage Redemption
Covert Affairs
White Collar
The Librarian
If you're looking for an interesting, complex series, we talk about The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan, the first in the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty series. Also, we have news about the sequel to Winter Counts from David Heska Wanbli Weiden himself!
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Vox by Christina Dalcher
The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont
The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
We have a great backlist title for you today as we discuss The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. And we have several other books we talk about too! Get your TBR ready!
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Rook by Daniel O'Malley
Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley
Gods of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
Velvet was the Night was Silvia Moreno Garcia (coming out in paperback in May!)
Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
Taste by Stanley Tucci
Happy Women's History Month! On this episode, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead by Elle Cosimano, Finlay is back!
Media discussed in this episode:
Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead by Elle Cosimano
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano
Who Thought This Was a Good Idea by Alyssa Mastromonaco
So Here's the Thing... by Alyssa Mastromonaco
The Dropout on Hulu
Caitlyn is back this week! She and Robin discuss Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden, an enrolled member of the Sicangu Lakota Nation. This book is primarily set on the Rosebud Reservation, which is close to home for our hosts.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden
Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon
If You Ask Me by Betty White
This week Robin and guest host Scott Chipman discuss The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Scott is married to the regular co-hosting villain, Caitlyn. This week's book is a heist novel set in a fantasy world, but not so fantastical that you won't recognize it. As Scott said, no dragons in this one. This is a backlist novel and the first in a series. We do mention that it's a good comp for the Shadow & Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo but unlike those novels, The Lies of Locke Lamora is NOT a young adult (YA) book, so please be aware of that.
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch
Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch
Shadow & Bone trilogy & Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo
Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett
Good Omens by Terry Pratchett
Matrix by Lauren Groff
We're back and still hanging out in the Holmes universe. This episode we explore Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz, who was chosen by the Arthur Conan Doyle estate to continue the Sherlock Holmes canon. This book is all about the "Napoleon of Crime," Professor Moriarty. This is a good episode if you like backlist books!
Books mentioned in this episode:
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz
House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz
Death in the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson
All Her Little Secrets by Wanda Morris
You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar
This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn dive into the world's favorite consulting detective, Sherlock Homes. We discuss is Irene Adler a villain, and Doyle's Proper Villain, Professor Moriarty.
Books discussed in this episode:
The Complete Stories of Sherlock Homes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
Run Fast Eat Slow: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes by Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky
Mrs. Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott
We are back with another minisode on the Elizabeth Holmes trial. The verdict is in, and Robin and Caitlyn discuss what charges Holmes was convicted on, acquitted on, and where a mistrial was ordered. Also, was this really the Silicon Valley wake-up call people claim?
Information from today's episode came from CNN Business, MSNBC, and the BBC.
Happy New Year Villains! This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss the Ocean's Franchise, 20 years of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Sandra Bullock. Then, what we are currently reading.
Media discussed in this episode:
Ocean's 11 (1960)
Ocean's 11 (2001)
Ocean's 12 (2004)
Ocean's 13 (2007)
Ocean's 8 (2018)
The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark
Death In the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson
Finlay Donovan is back for a second episode! Plus, Robin discusses her favorite seasonal Agatha Christie stories.
Books discussed in this episode:
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano - The sequel is available for pre-order!
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie - Due to this being a short story, the link is for the collection.
Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz
The Freedom Broker by K.J. Howe
We're jumping into your feed with more Theranos news! Elizabeth Holmes has been on the stand for 5 days, and is being cross-examined by the government. Spotify listeners, answer our poll on whether we should cover the trial of Sunny Balwani.
We're back! Welcome to Season 2 of Proper Villains! This week, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Lady Killers by Tori Telfer and American Predator by Maureen Callahan. We brought Season 2 in with a murderous bang!
Books/Podcasts Discussed In This Episode:
Lady Killers by Tori Telfer
Criminal Broads Podcast by Tori Telfer
American Predator by Maureen Callahan
Finding Freedom by Erin French
Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (paperback is coming out in January!)
Find us on Facebook & Instagram at @propervillainsbooks or send us an email at propervillainsbooks@gmail.com
Happy Thanksgiving Villains! We're back with a Bad Blood Minisode as the prosecution has rested. Robin and Caitlyn discuss who did and did not testify, the jury, and the defense's star witness.
To read up on the trial without a paywall, check out The New York Times, Business Insider, CNN Business, and CNET.
Also listen to: Bad Blood - The Final Chapter
Happy Halloween! We have a special Halloween episode today - we're talking about one of the creepiest authors in the American canon, Edgar Allan Poe. We talk about his (short) life and his problematic life and legacy as well as a selection of short stories and one poem. You know which poem - The Raven. We want to acknowledge our sources for the information on his bio: National Public Radio, Wikipedia, and Southeastern Louisiana University, in particular an English paper on racism in Poe's works by John Adam Shelton.
This is our last episode of Season One, but we'll be back in your ears on Dec. 2nd! We may drop in some minisodes on the Elizabeth Holmes trial in November, so keep an eye out. And our social media feeds on Instagram and Facebook (propervillainsbooks) will be active.
The Collected Work of Edgar Allan Poe
The First Whodunnit - Shedunnit Show by Caroline Crampton
Today we stay witchy with the Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston and get a little heisty with The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam! Nothing too spooky but so readable! And if you enjoy The Witch's Daughter, Paula Brackston has a big backlist! The sequel to the Witch's Daughter is Return of the Witch - it's just as good! And her book covers are gorgeous. Several of our books today are several years old so may be available at your library - check it out. We love our libraries!
Books mentioned today
The Witch's Daughter by Paula Brackston
The Good Thief's Guide to Amsterdam by Chris Ewan
Uncomfortable Conversations with a Black Man by Emmanuel Acho
These Toxic Things by Rachel Howzell Hall
Arsene Lupin - Gentleman Thief by Maurice Leblanc (keep in mind that there many printed editions & collections of this work, many are second-hand but with the popularity of the Netflix show, Lupin, the books are being reprinted now, often in paperback. Notice that this edition says Thief while earlier editions may say Burglar.)
Lupin on Netflix
The Witching Hour has arrived, this week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss the Witches of New York by Ami McKay and American Sherlock by Kate Winkler Dawson. As always, we include links to Bookshop.org but many of these titles may be available at your local library as well.
Books & podcasts mentioned in this episode
The Witches of New York by Ami McKay
Half Spent Was the Night by Ami McKay
American Sherlock by Kate Winkler Dawson
Cackle by Rachel Harrison
The Return by Rachel Harrison
The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Tenfold More Wicked Podcast
More updates on the Elizabeth Holmes trial! More testimony, a new juror, and thoughts about a possible defense. If you want to find the Bad Blood book, be sure to check the show notes in Episode 3.
We lean hard into spooky season this week with a couple of classics! Caitlyn and Robin talk about Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House & We Have Always Lived in the Castle. All of these books are backlist titles and should be easy to find in your library or in paperback.
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Haunting of Hill House & We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Who Killed these Girls? by Beverly Lowry
The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth
Welcome to spooky season! We discuss The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova and Dracula by Bram Stoker. It's a blood-thirsty episode.
Books mentioned in this episode:
The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
Dracula by Bram Stoker
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
The Haunting of Alma Fielding by Kate Summerscale
Robin's Dracula gloves are from Storiarts
We're dropping a minisode about the Elizabeth Holmes trial. Holmes was the founder and CEO of Theranos, and is standing trial for fraud. John Carreyrou has a new podcast about the trial, and there's a lot of news!
Bad Blood: The Final Chapter podcast
Bad Blood: Secrets & Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou
The Dropout podcast
Caitlyn is back and it is spooky season! This week Caitlyn and Robin discuss The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix, and the Ninja Daughter by Tori Eldridge.
The books discussed in today's episode:
The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires by Grady Hendrix
The Nina Daughter by Tori Eldrige
Code Name Madeleine by Arthur Magida
Case Histories by Kate Atkinson
Robin is solo this week so she discusses one of her favorite books, Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier, and then the subsequent retellings & adjacent novels that have followed in its wake.
Books mentioned in this episode:
Rebecca by Daphne DuMaurier
The Death of Mrs. Westaway by Ruth Ware
The Winters by Lisa Gabriele
Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
Her Dark Lies by JT Ellison
The Box in the Woods by Maureen Johnson
This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia and The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett.
Books and movies mentioned:
Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
- The Maltese Falcon movie
Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia
How to Find Love in a Bookshop by Veronica Henry
Blowout by Rachel Maddow
This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss TH1RT3EN by Steve Cavanagh and Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow.
Links to books, shows & podcasts mentioned in this episode:
TH1RT3EN by Steve Cavanagh
Catch & Kill by Ronan Farrow
- Catch & Kill podcast
The Disciple of Las Vegas by Ian Hamilton
The Subtle Art of Not Giving Fuck by Mark Manson
The Accountant
Leverage
Follow us on Instagram @propervillainsbooks & on Facebook @propervillainsbooks
This week, Robin and Caitlyn dive into a real-life villain Elizabeth Holmes with Bad Blood by John Carreyrou. Then, Robin dives into a classic with Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie.
Books/podcasts mentioned in this episode:
Bad Blood: Secrets & Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup
The Dropout - a podcast by ABC News & Rebecca Jarvis
The Inventor: Out for Blood in Silicon Valley (HBO documentary)
Murder on the Orient Express
TH1RT3EN (Thirteen)
Her Dark Lies
Welcome back! This week Caitlyn is very excited - it's serial killer time! Robin and Caitlyn discuss They Never Learn and UNSUB.
Books discussed in this episode:
They Never Learn by Layne Fargo
UNSUB by Meg Gardiner
Confident Women by Tori Telfer
Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Q. Sutanto
Unlikeable Female Characters podcast with Layne Fargo, Kristin Lepionka & Wendy Heard
Welcome to Proper Villains! Today on the podcast Caitlyn and Robin are discussing Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots and the Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith. You can find us on Instagram @propervillainsbooks.
Books discussed in this episode:
Hench by Natalie Zina Walschots
The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith
The Talented Mr. Ripley movie starring Matt Damon, Jude Law & Gwyneth Paltrow (2017)
Join us in discussing all the Proper Villains of the world from true crime, fiction, and everywhere in between. Episode 1 drops on June 10th. Follow us on Instagram @propervillainsbooks.