A podcast about crime - both real and fictitious
# WINNER: Outstanding Indie Podcast @ True Crime Awards 2024 #
Crime is one of the biggest genres in books and on TV: both true crime and fiction.
Why?
What makes a criminal? What drives a person to ignore the laws and conventions of normal society and pushes them to perform truly dark acts?
Sex? Money? Revenge? Love? Humiliation?
And why do so many creative people drawn to crime as a fertile ground for stories?
Award-winning TV crime correspondent Robert Murphy speaks with writers, directors, police and experts about their work.
Which true crimes inspired some of our favourite books, shows and films?
And why do we as a society find crime so compelling?
In this series, Rob speaks with creatives including Lee Child, David Baldacci, Lynda La Plante, Jackie Kabler, Mark Gatiss, George Kay and many, many others about their true crime inspiration.
For video interviews, evidence from each case, articles and more, go to https://robertmurphy.substack.com/about
robertmurphy.substack.com (https://robertmurphy.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)
From Defence Barrister to Crime Writer: Olly Jarvis
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As a child, Olly Jarvis went to court to watch his actor father prepare for a role as a barrister.
Fast forward to 1985, and as a young man he was at the Battle of the Beanfield at Stonehenge as police clashed with New Age Travellers.
Since being called to the bar in the 1990s, he has defended thousands of suspects, including those whose encrypted phones were hacked by detectives in the Encrochat investigation.
And he crossed swords in the courtroom with a barrister who would go on to become Prime Minister.
In this chat, he describes what it's like to stand in court to defend a suspect who you think may have committed an atrocious crime, yet how being a lawyer should never replace the job of the jury.
His latest (and fifth) novel, Language of Angels, is a fast-paced thriller featuring his lawyer-hero Ella Blake. Called to defend a young prodigy, it sets her on the hunt for ancient manuscripts as agents from foreign forces close-in.
You can learn more about Olly here:
https://ollyjarvis.com/#books
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe (https://robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
16 Sept 2026
Agatha Christie’s Disappearance - her greatest mystery - a century on.
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Her disappearance lasted eleven days. But for the last century, the trail of speculation has never entirely disappeared.
Laura Thompson, who has been writing about Christie for two decades, has revisited the episode in her new book, ‘Eleven Days.’
Why was the author - a new mother - in extremis? What had her husband done to drive her to this state? And what impact did the recent death of Christie’s mother have?
With new research - including re-enacting the journey Christie made in December 1926, Laura’s book provides a wonderful insight into this fascinating chapter of the writer’s life - and reveals so much more about her psyche.
You can learn more about Laura and her writing here: https://substack.com/@laurathompsonwriter
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe (https://robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
29 Jul 2026
From Sherlock Holmes to George Cross: Tim Sullivan on Creating Crime's Most Unusual Detective
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Award-winning crime author Tim Sullivan joins us to discuss The Tailor, the latest novel in his award-winning George Cross series, which begins with a murder aboard the 10 o’clock train from Bristol Temple Meads to London Paddington.
Tim discusses why he never knows who the killer is when he starts writing, how commissioning a bespoke suit became essential research, and why Bristol continues to provide the perfect backdrop for his mysteries.
We also explore his remarkable career directing Sherlock Holmes, writing Hollywood films, and the lessons storytelling on screen taught him about pacing, character and suspense.
George Cross has connected so well with readers, the series has just landed Tim with a prestigious CWA Dagger in the Library Award.
Learn more about Tim here:
https://timsullivan.co.uk/
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe (https://robertmurphy.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
9 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
105 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
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