Behind the Crimes with Robert Murphy

Robert Murphy

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

  1. Nov 4

    Tom Bradby: Espionage thrillers, real-life spies and how news shapes his novels

    Subscribe for free: robertmurphy.substack.com Red Scorpion is the eleventh - and latest - thriller by journalist-turned-writer Tom Bradby. It’s the story of a struggling London doctor, Laura Strong, who is made an offer which is too good to be true. Her destiny is then tied to a second-generation Colombian who is trying to stay away from his family’s dark business. While the story is a thrilling work of fiction - it has its roots in Tom’s extensive network of contacts built through years of being a foreign, home affairs and political correspondent. As well as writing books - and for ITV’s News at Ten - he has also penned screenplays for film and TV. The latest being the ITV hit Secret Service, starring Gemma Arterton and Rafe Spall. Tom developed his own novel of the same name for the five-part drama which aired on the channel - and is still available on ITVX. In this interview, Tom describes his contacts with the security services, how he finds inspiration in real moments of drama - including when he was shot while posted in Jakarta - and how he juggles three competing, but also complimentary careers. 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

  2. Oct 7

    From Defence Barrister to Crime Writer: Olly Jarvis

    Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com 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

  3. Sep 16

    Agatha Christie’s Disappearance - her greatest mystery - a century on.

    Subscribe for FREE - robertmurphy.substack.com 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

  4. Jul 29

    From Sherlock Holmes to George Cross: Tim Sullivan on creating crime's most distinctive detective

    Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com 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

  5. Jul 8

    Mark Billingham: Inside the Mind of Diamond Dagger Winner

    Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com Mark Billingham has just been received the Crime Writers Association’s Diamond Dagger - perhaps the biggest prize in the genre. In this wide-ranging interview he tells me about his a near-attack whoel walking his dog inspired his latest DS Declan Miller novel, The Shadow Step. Mark describes why he believes humour and serious storytelling belong together, and how the irreverent detective DS Miller has given him a fresh creative freedom after more than two decades writing the Tom Thorne series. We also discuss his journey from actor and comedian to one of Britain’s most successful crime novelists, his instinctive approach to plotting (or not plotting), the influence of real crimes on his work, and the advice he’d give to aspiring writers. A funny, thoughtful and fascinating conversation with one of the masters of modern crime writing. You can find out more about Mark, his new releases and his extensive back-catalogue here: https://markbillingham.com/ 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

  6. Jun 24

    John Marrs on Death, Unreliable Memories & Crime Fiction: The Story Behind Dead in the Water

    Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com John Marrs is the award-winning author who has sold more than five million books, including What Lies Between Us and You Killed Me First. In this fascinating interview, John reveals how he went from rejected, self-published author to being a global best-seller. Dead in the Water is his latest best-seller, about a man who when resuscitated after drowning, suddenly recalls a dark chapter of his childhood. He talks about the inspiration behind Dead in the Water, his writing process, the success of The One, and the Netflix adaptation of his work, his legendary ‘Chapter 39’, and the secrets behind creating addictive crime fiction.And John and Rob talk about their shared history (and terrifying news editor) working for the same newspaper decades ago.Subscribe for more conversations with leading crime writers, detectives, investigators, and true crime experts. You can find out much more about John Marrs here: https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/ #JohnMarrs #DeadInTheWater #CrimeFiction #PsychologicalThriller #AuthorInterview #TheOne #Netflix #WritingTips #BookTube #CrimeBooks 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

  7. Jun 3

    Money, Morals and Murder: TM Logan on the dark heart of 'The Weekend'

    Subscribe for FREE: www.robertmurphy.substack.com Bestselling crime writer T.M. Logan joins the show to discuss his gripping thriller The Weekend — a tense moral drama about six friends who discover a hidden stash of cash in a cave on the North Yorkshire moors. What begins as an ordinary New Year’s getaway spirals into suspicion, secrets and betrayal, as the group wrestles with the impossible question: what would you do if you found a life-changing amount of money? TM Logan talks about the inspiration behind the novel and explains how ordinary, relatable characters are at the heart of his fiction. The interview also explores TM Logan’s journey from local newspaper reporter to one of Britain’s biggest thriller writers. He reflects on his years in journalism at the Nottingham Evening Post and the Daily Mail, the lessons he learned from hard-nosed subeditors, and how newsroom discipline shaped his fast-paced, twist-filled writing style. TM Logan shares insights into adapting books for television, including seeing The Holiday and The Catch brought to the screen, and reveals how real-life crimes and true-crime documentaries have influenced some of his most compelling ideas. To learn more about TM Logan - click here: https://www.tmlogan.com/ Podcast transcripts - New Feature: Not a podcast listener but want to read the interview instead? Just click below 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

  8. May 13

    Val McDermid: The Stories Too Dark for Fiction

    Val McDermid is one of the world’s most celebrated crime writers. She’s sold more than 20 million books with her series which include Karen Pirie, Tony Hill and Kate Brannigan. But before becoming a literary powerhouse, she spent years as a newspaper journalist covering some of Britain’s most notorious cases. Subscribe for FREE: robertmurphy.substack.com In this episode of Behind the Crimes, Val reflects on her path from newsroom reporter to bestselling novelist. Val speaks candidly about her years in journalism, which included covering stories such as Lockerbie, Hillsborough and the Peter Sutcliffe investigation. She describes the emotional toll of witnessing tragedy at close quarters and the difficult balance reporters must strike between empathy and professional distance. Her reflections offer a fascinating insight into what crime reporting was like in Britain during the 1970s and 80s. The conversation also explores how those experiences shaped her fiction. Val explains why she avoids directly “ripping stories from the headlines”, arguing that real cases carry consequences for victims, families and even ongoing investigations. We discuss her latest novel, Silent Bones, the newest instalment in the Karen Pirie series. Val reveals how the story emerged from an unusual book club, Scottish political history, and her long fascination with cold cases. She also shares her thoughts on pacing, plotting and how she builds the intricate multi-strand narratives that have become her trademark. As always with Val McDermid, forensics is never far away. She talks about her deep friendships with leading scientists, the research behind her acclaimed non-fiction book Forensics, and some of the real-life cases and scientific discoveries that have most fascinated her over the years. https://www.valmcdermid.com/ 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

    Val McDermid: The Stories Too Dark for Fiction
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

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

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