From Fact To Fiction: Thrilling Book Reviews

From Fact To Fiction with Author L M Whitaker
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Unpacking the Facts behind the Fiction with Author L M Whitaker facttofiction.substack.com

  1. May 19

    Cult Fiction, Cult Life

    Cult Fiction, Cult Life. Most of us think we’d never join a cult. Never. But never say never. In this episode of From Fact to Fiction, I talk with author T.O. Paine about his real-life experience living inside a cult—and how those experiences shaped his thriller The Teaching. From Fact To Fiction: Thrilling Book Reviews is a podcast and Substack site devoted to reviewing great specialty thrillers. In each review, I pair up with an expert and/or author and we talk about why we loved the book, uncover the facts that inspired the story, and separate fiction from reality. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    24 min

  2. Apr 22

    Guns Don’t Work Like That!

    Guns show up in almost every thriller, but how accurately are they depicted? In this episode of From Fact to Fiction, I sit down with Special Forces veteran and firearms expert Chris Grall to break down the biggest mistakes writers and filmmakers make—and how to avoid them. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    23 min

  3. Mar 30

    Could a Fungus Control the Human Mind?

    A mysterious sleepwalking epidemic spreads across America. A deadly fungal infection jumps from bat to human with near total lethality. In this episode of From Fact to Fiction, microbiologist Dr. Michael San Francisco and I unpack the facts behind Chuck Wendig’s apocalyptic saga, Wanderers. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com If you have an idea for a book we should review, or you want to be an author/expert on the show, contact me at substack.com/@lmwhitaker or lmwhitaker.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    20 min
  4. A Twisty Ride Through Silicon Valley

    Mar 10

    A Twisty Ride Through Silicon Valley

    A tech billionaire is murdered. His will freezes billions in stock until someone is charged with the crime. Could it Happen? Fact or Fiction? In this episode of From Fact to Fiction, host LM Whitaker and tech executive Vicki Raport unpack the facts behind Jacob Kerr’s best-selling Dead Money. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com If you have an idea for a book we should review, or you want to be an author/expert on the show, contact me at substack.com/@lmwhitaker or lmwhitaker.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    26 min

  5. Feb 9

    Hidden Light of Mexico City

    In this episode of From Fact to Fiction, host L M Whitaker is joined by former CIA intelligence officer and author Carmen Amato to explore The Hidden Light of Mexico City. Drawing on Carmen’s years living and working in Mexico, they unpack the real-world forces behind her political thriller — from the powerful drug cartels and government corruption to Mexico’s entrenched class system and the human cost of inequality. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    26 min

  6. Jan 20 ·  Bonus

    The Iconic Mrs. Ivanova's Charm School

    Meet Mrs. Ivanona and her Charm School. On this bonus episode, I introduce a fantastic spy thriller I wanted to share with you. It’s an oldie but a goodie … Nelson DeMille’s The Charm School. Read Full Review HERE If you have an idea for a book we should review, or you want to be an author/expert, contact me at substack.com/@lmwhitaker or lmwhitaker.com. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    1 min
  7. Don't Miss Out! - Final Reading and Listening Guide (Part 3)

    Jan 4 ·  Bonus

    Don't Miss Out! - Final Reading and Listening Guide (Part 3)

    I started From Fact to Fiction earlier in 2025 to share my love of specialty thrillers. Together, we explored an amazing range of great novels: techno-thrillers, science and medical, espionage and national-security, and historical. In this special end-of-year episode (Part 3 of 3), we revisit the historical and espionage/national security thrillers that captivated us in 2025. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    7 min

  8. 12/23/2025

    Don't Miss Out! - Reading and Listening Guide (Part 2)

    I started From Fact to Fiction earlier in 2025 to share my love of specialty thrillers — and what a fun year it’s been! Together, we explored an amazing range of great novels: techno-thrillers, science and medical, espionage and national-security, and historical. In this special end-of-year episode (Part 2 of 3), we revisit the medical and science thrillers that scarried us through 2025 on From Fact to Fiction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit facttofiction.substack.com

    5 min
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Unpacking the Facts behind the Fiction with Author L M Whitaker facttofiction.substack.com

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