Bestselling author Peter Swanson stops by to talk about the brilliant mind games behind his latest thriller—and the despair (and delight) of writing a story backwards. We dig into why he calls his work “New England noir,” what makes the region such fertile ground for suspense, and how real-life people sneak into his novels. Plus, don’t miss hearing about the chilling scene he set in an infamous—and iconic—location.

Download and listen today for a masterclass in smart, sinister suspense.

TikTok sensation Kiersten Modglin joins us to talk about her latest twisty thriller, Do Not Open—a book one reviewer dubbed “Misery on Crack.” She shares how she draws from her own darkest places to create unforgettable characters, what it means to be vulnerable on the page and off, and how she maintains a jaw-dropping pace as one of the most prolific authors in the game.

Download and listen today—because when Kiersten says Do Not Open, you know you absolutely have to.

Clémence Michallon returns with Our Last Resort, a haunting thriller set against the eerie isolation of a remote Utah resort. She shares her deep research into cults (and her personal connection to the Nxivm cult), how a single haunting song sparked the idea for the novel, and what it takes to psych herself up to write in a language that isn’t her native tongue. This week’s episode is about resilience, reinvention, and the stories we’re compelled to tell.

Download and listen today—this is one luxury getaway you won’t soon forget.

Chris Bohjalian joins us to talk about his glitzy, twisty novel The Princess of Las Vegas, inspired by a real-life royal who flipped the script on a centuries-old monarchy. Chris shares why he set this story in the neon-lit world of gambling and grit as we dive into the underbelly of seedy casinos, the fascinating lives of tribute show performers, and—yes—Chris’s very own Las Vegas love story.

Download and listen today for royal intrigue, high-stakes drama, and Sin City secrets you won’t want to miss!

Julie Clark joins us to unravel the layers of her latest twist-filled novel, The Ghostwriter. We talk about striking the perfect balance between suspense and emotional depth, and how growing up in the 70s helped shape the atmosphere of the book’s haunting past timeline. Julie dives into using flawed—and fading—memory as both a plot device and a ticking clock, and shares how a real-life unsolved murder inspired the story’s chilling heart.

Download and listen today for a powerful, gripping conversation you won’t forget.

Lisa Gardner is back, and this time, it’s personal—and terrifying. In this episode, she takes us behind the scenes of Still See You Everywhere, sharing what it was like to travel to a remote island for research, weather monster storms, and face off with killer crabs bigger than dogs (yes, really). Plus, she dives into the dark and fascinating experience of visiting a real-life body farm to bring chilling authenticity to her work.

Download and listen today if you dare. This episode is not for the faint of heart.

This week, Killer Author Club co-host Heather Gudenkauf is joined by special guest co-hosts Emily and Ashley from The Creepy Book Club for a thrill-packed conversation with Killers Kimberly Belle and Kaira Rouda. We dig into why strangers and spouses with secrets make the perfect thriller fuel, how dual narrators can twist a story in unexpected ways, and the power of perception vs. reality. Plus, what one book lured our guests to the dark side of fiction.

Download and listen today—because every perfect couple has something to hide.

Debut sensation Matthew Blake joins us to talk about his breakout thriller Anna O, a chilling tale inspired by real cases of people committing murder while sleepwalking. We dive into the dark, fascinating research behind the story, why writing a novel is like assembling a jigsaw puzzle, and how AnnaO made a splash right out of the gate. Plus, some exciting TV news—and yes, we’re spilling the tea (the poisonous kind).

You don’t want to sleep on this one — download and listen today.