Whodunnit Dinners Podcast

Whodunnit Dinners

Whodunnit Dinners podcast is a cosy crime UK podcast where murder mystery dinner party game writers Helen Barbour and Katie McLaughlin discuss whodunnits...and food inspired by the fiction! Whether you favour cozy murder mysteries, classics of the golden age, gritty detective reads, or left-field literary murder mysteries, the meandering conversation touches on everything from author biographies, quality of the writing, menopause brain and celebrity stand-ins. It's like book club, with food!

  1. 11/17/2025

    Ellis Peters: Murderous monks, Benedictine banquets and Medieval matchmaking

    In this episode of Whodunnit Dinners, hosts Helen Barbour and Katie McLaughlin delve into the world of murder mysteries in the 12th Century. We explore the intricacies of 12th-century monastic life, focusing on the food and social customs of the time. The discussion transitions to the book 'A Morbid Taste for Bones' by Ellis Peters, introducing the character of Brother Cadfael and the historical context of the story. We analyze the writing style, character development, and the murder mystery's unfolding, while also sharing insights into the author's background. We discuss whether anyone could be better than Derek Jacobi as Cadfael and finish on the next food challenge! 00:00 Introduction to Whodunnit Dinners 01:07 Exploring 12th Century Food and Monastic Life 06:32 Introducing Brother Cadfael and His World 09:41 The Historical Context of the Cadfael Series 14:46 The Plot Thickens: The Quest for St. Winifred's Relics 19:10 Murder and Intrigue in the Monastery 22:12 Writing Style and Legacy of Ellis Peters 22:39 The Influence of Television on Writing 23:36 Plausibility in Murder Mysteries 24:33 Character Development and Series Structure 26:41 Exploring Earlier Works in Series 27:35 Casting Choices for Adaptations 29:33 Monastic Diets and Culinary Traditions 32:21 Historical Recipes and Modern Adaptations 39:18 Creating a Festive Culinary Experience Music composed by Dan McCullough http://www.whodunnitdinners.com

    41 min

About

Whodunnit Dinners podcast is a cosy crime UK podcast where murder mystery dinner party game writers Helen Barbour and Katie McLaughlin discuss whodunnits...and food inspired by the fiction! Whether you favour cozy murder mysteries, classics of the golden age, gritty detective reads, or left-field literary murder mysteries, the meandering conversation touches on everything from author biographies, quality of the writing, menopause brain and celebrity stand-ins. It's like book club, with food!