Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

murdershelfbookclub

YOUR true crime book club podcast.Jill tells the true crime book stories in 3 parts. Dive deep into the criminal psyche, updates, and outcomes with the greatest respect for accuracy, victims and families!

  1. 2d ago

    Ep 179: Pt 4 Killer in the House- Reporter/Author Kathryn Canavan Speaks!

    Part 4:  In this fourth installment of KILLER IN THE HOUSE,  Jill chats with reporter and true crime author Katherine Canavan about her book, exploring the 1976 murders of the Abt family in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Canavan shares insights from her in-depth research, including her personal eyewitness account. The conversation highlights looking back on the case after 50 years, the devastating impact on survivors, the community's fear during the manhunt, and the troubled background of convicted killer George Geschwendt. She discusses the investigative efforts leading to his confession despite the limitations of 1970s policing. Additionally, Canavan emphasizes the importance of honoring victims and survivors. This episode is essential listening for true crime fans and those interested in the human stories behind these tragic events.  Anyone with information on the double homicide of Ed and Marguerite Vogenberger can call the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354.   Buy Kathryn Canavan's book, Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in the Pennsylvania Suburbs on AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE. Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge! Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for free, or $2- $4 and help pick our next book and talk true crime!      www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub Sources, photographs, and information can be found on Jill's Blog July 2026! https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

    Ep 179: Pt 4 Killer in the House- Reporter/Author Kathryn Canavan Speaks!
  2. Aug 5

    Ep 177: Pt 3 2ndCast Killer in the House by Kathryn Canavan 'Solved & Unsolved'

    Part 3: March 1976- From the first, reporter Kathryn Canavan had covered the harrowing murder of Gary Engle and the Abt family, Jack, Peggy, Margie, Johnny, and Kathy, an event that instilled deep fear in the suburban community of Trevose, Bucks County, Pennsylvania.  After a lucky break, Bensalem investigators make an arrest just ten days after the brutal murder spree, with George Geschwendt, a neighbor living directly across the street from the Abts, emerging as the prime suspect. The news of this arrest sent ripples of disbelief and horror through the Abt family survivors, the entire community, and beyond. George Geschwendt's confession reveals a chilling perspective as he blamed the Abts, who had tormented him, alleging that their laughter and pranks pushed him to an unimaginable breaking point. As District Attorney Ken Biehn and Defense Attorney Richard Fink prepare for the inevitable trial, the stakes could not be higher. Both sides rely on psychiatric experts to dissect George Geschwendt's psyche—an essential task that raises pressing questions: What drove him to commit such an atrocious act? Can he truly be held accountable, or did his perceived victimization cloud his judgment? What would the jury decide? Freedom or conviction? If found guilty, a life sentence or the death penalty?  Meanwhile, within the shadows of this tragedy, Clifford and Michael Abt grapple with the insufferable weight of loss, striving to carve out a new normal.  And in Langhorne, P.A., detectives faced growing frustration as the investigation into the horrible dual homicide of Ed and Marguerite Vogenberger as it went cold. As time passes, the urgency to seek justice for them remains. Despite the circumstances, the Vogenbergers' legacy remains one of warmth, nurturing the community that they loved. Anyone with information on the double homicide of Ed and Marguerite Vogenberger can call the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354.   Buy Kathryn Canavan's book, Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in the Pennsylvania Suburbs on AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE.   Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge! Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for $2- $4 and help pick our next book and enjoy Jill's SERIAL KILLER Case Studies!     www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub Sources, diagrams, photographs, articles, and other information can be found on Jill's Blog July 2026! https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

  3. Jul 29

    Special Ep 176: Ancestry: Protecting Criminals, Denying Justice: Jennifer Bucholtz joins Jill!

    Who wouldn't want to help identify unknown human remains and restore the names of the deceased? Who wouldn't want to solve a cold case? Would anyone act to prevent this?  Evidently, yes!  Effective November 2025, Ancestry.com's new policy prohibits anyone from using its databases for investigative purposes. While Ancestry has long banned law enforcement's use of genetic genealogy for identifying suspects, this policy expands the ban to all investigations. This change has had a devastating impact on cold-case and missing-persons investigations. Furthermore, this policy also applies to Newspapers.com and Find-A-Grave.com, both of which are critical resources for various types of investigations, not just those conducted by law enforcement. Jennifer Bucholtz and Jill discuss the devastating impact this policy change has had on solving cold cases and identifying unknown human remains.  Please listen and share your thoughts- jill@murdershelfbookclub.com   Read Jennifer Bucholtz's article- IGG and the Crippling Effects of Ancestry's Legal Changes https://amuedge.com/author/jbucholtz/ Ancestry's Position on Law Enforcement and Your Privacy https://www.ancestry.com/c/ancestry-blog/ancestry-news/ancestry-position-law-enforcement-your-privacy   Listen to Jennifer Bucholtz's Break the Case! Buy Silent Silhouette by George Jared and Jennifer Bucholtz on Amazon.   Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge! Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for $2- $4 and help pick our next book and enjoy Jill's SERIAL KILLER Case Studies!     www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub  Sources, photographs, information, and links to Jennifer Bucholtz's article and Ancestry.com are found on Jill's Blog July 2026! https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

  4. Jul 22

    Ep 175: Pt 2 Killer in the House by Kathryn Canavan- 'Let's Be Careful Out There'

    Part 2:  On March 12, 1976, a wave of violence struck Pennsylvania, claiming eight lives in two brutal incidents. In Trevose, the Abt family—Jack, Peggy, their children Margie, Johnny, and Kathy, along with Margie's boyfriend, Gary Engle, and their dog, Heidi—were ambushed. Just four miles away in Langhorne, Ed and Marguerite Vogenberger were found murdered in their farmhouse, which had been turned into a torture chamber. Investigators worked tirelessly to solve the case as anxious residents feared a merciless killer or cult was lurking just beyond their doorsteps. Stunned investigators, grappling with the enormity of the tragedy, tirelessly searched for clues, combing through the neighborhoods. Survivors Clifford and Michael Abt faced a nightmarish reality during a time without modern technology and communication. As dark clouds loomed overhead, three somber funerals unfolded, filled with heart-wrenching sorrow for the eight slain victims.  Amid the escalating media frenzy, where rumors ran rampant, a police officer's intuition led to a significant breakthrough, igniting a glimmer of hope. However, while law enforcement is confident they know the identity of the killer, the daunting challenge of collecting evidence to prove it looms before them, complicating their pursuit of justice in this tragic saga.    Buy Kathryn Canavan's book, Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in the Pennsylvania Suburbs on AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE. (Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge!) Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for $2- $4 and help pick our next book and enjoy Jill's SERIAL KILLER Case Studies!     www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub Sources, photographs, and information can be found on Jill's Blog July 2026! https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

  5. Jul 15

    Special Ep 174: Tell Me Everything by Brad Beeler

    Twelve hours before a presidential candidate is set to speak, a startling threat is received. How did Secret Service Special Agent Brad Beeler and his partner swiftly identify the caller and ensure the candidate's safety? In a riveting conversation, Brad Beeler, with 25 years of experience in high-stakes investigations as a top polygraph examiner, joins Jill to tackle this pressing issue. He also shares insights from his compelling book, Tell Me Everything, which is relevant in numerous arenas of life—including police interrogations, dating, communication, parenting, job interviews, and even climbing the corporate ladder.  By diving into real-world case files, from interrogation settings to presidential security details, Brad unveils the science and psychology of human behavior. He illustrates the importance of recognizing subtle nonverbal signals and verbal inconsistencies, building rapport, and empowering listeners to effectively distinguish truth from deception, with concrete examples anyone can use! He stresses the vital skill of active listening and respect for others in communication. This engaging conversation equips you with practical tools to enhance your personal and professional interactions.  If you've just graduated from college or are preparing for job interviews, consider listening, and then- buying Brad Beeler's book for a comprehensive guide on how to create the best impression!   Buy Brad Beeler's Tell Me Everything on AMAZON and BARNES AND NOBLE! (Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge!) Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for free, or $2- $4 a month! Help pick our next book, enjoy Jill's exclusive content, and serial killer case studies!    www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub Sources, photographs, and information can be found on Jill's Blog July 2026! https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

  6. Jul 8

    Ep 173: Pt. 1- KILLER IN THE HOUSE, 'Lying in Wait' -by Kathryn Canavan

    Part 1: Trevose, Pennsylvania, 1976—a safe, middle-class suburb where children slept under the stars and front doors remained unlocked. This idyllic peace was shattered when a brutal massacre claimed the lives of the Abt family, marking one of the most horrific crimes in the state's history. The killer meticulously planned the deaths of six people, leaving the community paralyzed with fear and demanding answers. Enter Kathryn Canavan, a determined young journalist thrust into the heart of a chaotic media storm. In a landscape devoid of cell phones and the internet, the Bensalem Police Department had to rely on old-fashioned grit to piece together a slow-burning mystery before the killer—or killers—could strike again.  Subscribe so you do not miss Part 2, 3, and Jill's exclusive interview with author, Kathryn Canavan!   Buy Kathryn Canavan's book, Killer in the House: Ten Days of Terror in the Pennsylvania Suburbs on AMAZON or BARNES and NOBLE. (Thinking about going to Crimecon 2027? Use Jill's code   murdershelf    and save 10% on your badge!) Jill's Merch shop is open! https://www.jusaskjan.com/murder-shelf-book-club Join Jill on PATREON for $2- $4 and help pick our next book, enjoy exclusive content, and Jill's serial killer case studies.      www.patreon.com/murdershelfbookclub  All sources, photographs, articles, diagrams, recipes, and drink pairing information are found on Jill's Blog July 2026!      https://www.murdershelfbookclub.com/2026/07/

4.6
out of 5
74 Ratings

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YOUR true crime book club podcast.Jill tells the true crime book stories in 3 parts. Dive deep into the criminal psyche, updates, and outcomes with the greatest respect for accuracy, victims and families!

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