Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast

Trials are over, as Fred Kray begins his investigation into the suspicious death of Alydar, tracking down reluctant witnesses even as doors slam in his face. Persistent, determined, Fred continues to connect the dots, that may exonerate an innocent man while providing answers to the many questions surrounded the death of the beloved, magnificent race horse, Alydar.   Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com. Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or on X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube!

Jill welcomes guest, Christine Dana, an ‘all things’ Long Island Serial Killer expert! A resident of Long Island, Christine has witnessed Rex Heuermann in court, visited his home, Gilgo Beach, Oak Beach- and she shares all of her insights in the case, including his recent court appearance! This is an important update since The Lost Girls, Ep 24, 25 & 26, plus mini-case episode- “Let the Games Begin” (9/27/21)! #LISK #Gilgo Rex Heuermann Bail Application – click! Listen to Christine Dana’s podcast, My True Crime Obsession on Youtube!   LISTEN TO JILL HERE! Contact: jill@murdershelfbookclub.com Find Jill at X,   Facebook, Instagram, YouTube! Jill’s Blog, with sources, photos, recipes and drink information!! www.murdershelfbookclub.com Listen! https://linktr.ee/murdershelfbookclub

Broken- the story for horse lovers continues! Alton Stone’s trial continues and proves to be a revelation for what happened in Alydar’s stall that chilly night at Calumet’s stallion barn, in 1990. Verdict in, federal prosecutors are not done, as the trials of disgraced former President of Calumet Farm, JT Lundy, and former Calumet CFO Gary Matthews takes an unconventional turn, as Jill delves into assumptions, lies, and conspiracy theories in the search of the truth!   If you enjoyed the episode, leave a 5 star review! Share with a friend! Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com. Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Suspicions that Alydar had been killed for the insurance money have surfaced, as the Blue Grass Kentucky rumor mill churns. By 1998, the feds have a grand jury investigating, with watchman Alton Stone indicted for perjury. As his trial begins, it's clear Prosecutor Julia Tomala isn’t gunning for Stone, but squeezing him to get to the true bad guy.  (Happy 4th America!)   Leave a 5-star review if you support the Murder Shelf Book Club podcast wherever you listen! Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com. Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube.

Nov. 13, 1990: It was a quiet autumn night at Calumet Farm, of Blue Grass Kentucky, home to some of the most valuable thoroughbred racehorses in the USA.  One, Alydar, had settled into his stall, only to be discovered by a nightwatchman, to have broken his leg.  What on Earth had happened? Investigations begin, leading to over 30 years of inquiry, examination, and suspicions, as Jill delves into the oldest cold case in American thoroughbred racing- Was it an accident or where nepharious forces at work, conspiring to kill the horse, and why?   Please leave a 5 star review if you enjoy this episode!  Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com. Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com, or X, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube or join Patreon for $4.

The anticipation gave way to enthusiastic energy as Crimecon began in Nashville, May 31- June 2, 2024. These are Jill's "Reflections" on an amazing true crime weekend, rooted in ethics, decency and remembering the victims.  Speakers, experts, law enforcement, victims, and family members who represent every aspect of true crime spoke, shared, and educated. The 3 Johns: John Douglas, the original "Mindhunter", John Walsh, honored for founding the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children after his son, Adam's murder, and John Ramsey, on a mission to get the DNA from his daughter, JonBenet's murder, to a reputable LAB AND TESTED were the cornerstone of Jill's Crimecon.  Exhibits, podcasters, authors (who simply made Jill's day), were among the VAST numbers that never disappointed. And, most importantly, meeting and speaking with Murder Bookies simply was a mind-blowing experience, leaving Jill humbled.  Thank you to Kevin Balfe, Kelly McLear, Alyse, Tiffany and all of you who make Crimecon possible. See you in Denver!

Bestselling author and true crime superstar, Aphrodite Jones, discusses her new book, Levi’s Eyes with Jill in this exclusive interview! The ladies leave no stone unturned! What did convicted killer, Karl Karlsen tell Aphrodite over two long years!?  What kind of monster IS Karl Karlsen?  AND from deep within the Karlsen homestead, her conversations with Cindy Karlsen, whose story has never been told before. “The depth of this interview is amazing…glimpsing the evil hidden deep within” – Murder Bookie Patreon Danielle      Crimecon 2024 in Nashville was a few days ago!  Aphrodite and I connected in person- which was spectacular! I’ll be dropping a whole CC24 Nashville review next week or so—and holy moly!  There is just so much to say.  So- be on the look out for my bonus episode on Crimecon 2024 Nashville!   Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com.  Contact:  jill@murdershelfbookclub.com or find Jill on X, Facebook or Instagram!    

Look for Jill on Creators Row at Crimecon in Nashville, May 31-June 2, 2024! Check out new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop!  Memorial Day 2024 sale- 25% off!   Part 3: As Cindy and Karl separate, suspicions about Karl’s involvement in son Levi’s death grow, leading Cindy to resort to very dangerous methods to stay safe while getting to the truth. Arrested, a murder trial looms over Karl, who protests his innocence.  And while justice is delayed, its bittersweet arrival provides solace even as the love of money proves to be the source of all evil. Please leave a 5-star review! It really does matter! Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.  

Part 2: Karl and 2nd wife, Cindy, settle into married life, with son, Alex joining the family. But the bad luck that follows Karl strikes again and again, with more trauma and deaths occurring, leaving soot and sorrow in their wake. Growing pains abound, life presents twists and turns, but tragedy is never far behind, as Cindy begins to wonder- Is all coincidence?  (Listen to Part 1- Ep 87- first, this story is complex!)   Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com  Look for Jill on Podcast Row at Crimecon in Nashville, May 31-June 2, 2024! Check out new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop!  Memorial Day 2024 sale- 25% off! Contact: jill@murdershelfbookclub.com  

In 2ndCast: Cecilia’s Curse, Jill wonders if Cecilia Ludwig cursed Mishawaka, Indiana with her dying breath.  Explore the bizarre and twisted legacy of Cecilia Ludwig’s murder by husband, Albin Ludwig, the prosecutor, Joseph Talbot and his family, neighbors and friends alike, following the ripples from the stone tossed in the pond across the century. Did Cecilia get justice? Listen and find out!   Not suitable for the faint-hearted! Sources and show notes for the Potato Masher Murder trilogy are found at www.murdershelfbookclub.com. All Rights reserved. 

Crimecon Nashville 2024 is happening in one month! Come meet Jill, yack about true crime and delve into our books & cases at Crimeon! 11:15ish PM after John Douglas on Friday May 31, 2024, Falls Bar at the hotel! AND, Jill is currently featuring the true crime book, Levi’s Eyes by Aphrodite Jones—the bestselling author and true crime maven, who is ALSO at Crimecon. Listen to series and catch Jill’s interview with Aphrodite too!  Listen! https://linktr.ee/murdershelfbookclub.com Shop! https://murder-shelf-book-club.myspreadshop.com/ Blog! www.murdershelfbookclub.com Contact! jill@murdershelfbookclub.com

Meet the Karlsens, Christina, Karl and their 3 small children. Living in Murphys, California, Christmas 1990 was filled with mistletoe, ribbons and home-made cookies. But the joy was cut short, with tragedy striking. Grieving, the Karlsens move across the country to Romulus, NY, trying to settle into a new life. But back in California, investigators dig into the events of New Year’s Day 1991, where Christina Karlsen lost her life in a devastating fire. With question unanswered, suspicions rise, as Karl moves forward with his life. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com  Use Jill’s code  murdershelf to save 10% on your Crimecon 2024 badges at https://www.crimecon.com/CC24   Look for Jill on Podcast Row! Check out the new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop! 

Charged with 1st degree murder, Byron Smith’s trial beings for shooting Nicholas Brady and Haile Kifer to death in his basement on Thanksgiving 2012. Armed with damning evidence, the Prosecution presents its case of calculated revenge, as the Defense presents the Defendant as a fearful man, who only wanted to defend himself against violent intruders.  The wheels of justice turn, with some stunning decisions, as debates erupt over the Castle Doctrine vs homicide, with very real consequences for lead investigator, Jeremy L. Luberts. Where is Byron Smith today? Jill updates the case since publication, filling you in on his appeals. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com  CRIMECON is coming- check out the new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop- free shipping April 11-April 15, 2024!  Use Jill’s code   murdershelf   to save 10% on your Crimecon badges at https://www.crimecon.com/CC24

In Pt 2, with two teenagers dead, the Byron Smith investigation heats up, focusing on the rash of burglaries that had occurred recently, including those at Smith’s previously, with damning conclusions.  Accomplices and witnesses are interviewed, arrests are made, and another search warrant unearths the ‘mother lode’ of evidence that turns this case upside down, causing huge media surge and dividing the town, state and country in this divisive, emotional case of self-defense vs homicidal rage. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com . Check out the new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop- make your favorite Murder Bookies SMILE. CRIMECON is COMING!  Use Jill’s code   murdershelf  to save 10% on your Crimecon badges at https://www.crimecon.com/CC24

Enjoying a day with the family, Lead Investigator Jeremy Luberts is called into work at the Morrison County Sheriff’s Office to look into a concerning call. Arriving at the Elm Street residence, a retired Byron Smith meets him, telling him two burglars had broken into his house, and he’d defended himself, shooting them.  With 2 dead bodies, Jeremy Luberts begins an investigation that would change the small town of Little Falls, Minnesota and spark contentious debate across the country, changing his life forever. Sources, photos, diagrams, snack & wine pairing information is found on Jill’s blog at www.murdershelfbookclub.com  CRIMECON 24 is coming- check out the new designs on Jill’s Spreadshop.  Use Jill’s code   murdershelf  to save 10% on your Crimecon badges at https://www.crimecon.com/CC24