Proper Villains

This week on Proper Villains, Caitlyn is solo and diving into several of her recent and current reads.  Media mentioned in this episode: The Yard by Alex Grecian Whisper Down the Lane by Clay McLeod Chapman Speak: Find Your Voice, Trust Your Gut, and Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be by Tunde Oyeneyin  Hurdle by Emily Abbate 

It's the Season 2 Finale of Proper Villains! Join Robin and Caitlyn through Dante's Hell in 1860s Boston.  Media in this episode: The Dante Club by Matthew Pearl The Dante Chamber by Matthew Pearl You Can't be Serious by Kal Penn Enola Holmes: The Case of the Missing Marquess by Nancy Springer Enola Homes on Netlfix

Scott is back this week to talk about the second book in Scott Lynch's Locke Lamora series, Red Seas Under Red Skies. This book is a dream come true for readers who love their thieves...and their pirates.  Books mentioned in this episode: Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch Storm Front (Dresden Files #1) by Jim Butcher The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd

This week on the podcast Robin and Caitlyn discuss one of their favorite television shows, Leverage. From the crooked people the team takes down to the quirky tendencies of each individual team member, you will see why this show is beloved.  Media mentioned in this episode: Leverage Fake by Erica Katz Leverage Redemption Covert Affairs White Collar The Librarian 

If you're looking for an interesting, complex series, we talk about The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan, the first in the Esa Khattak/Rachel Getty series. Also, we have news about the sequel to Winter Counts from David Heska Wanbli Weiden himself!  Books mentioned in this episode: The Unquiet Dead by Ausma Zehanat Khan Winter Counts by David Heska Wanbli Weiden Vox by Christina Dalcher The Christie Affair by Nina de Gramont The Mystery of Mrs. Christie by Marie Benedict The Rook by Daniel O'Malley

We have a great backlist title for you today as we discuss The Rook by Daniel O'Malley. And we have several other books we talk about too! Get your TBR ready! Books mentioned in this episode: The Rook by Daniel O'Malley Stiletto by Daniel O'Malley Gods of Jade & Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia Velvet was the Night was Silvia Moreno Garcia (coming out in paperback in May!) Untamed Shore by Silvia Moreno-Garcia The Secret History by Donna Tartt Taste by Stanley Tucci

Happy Women's History Month! On this episode, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead by Elle Cosimano, Finlay is back! Media discussed in this episode: Finlay Donovan Knocks 'em Dead by Elle Cosimano Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano Who Thought This Was a Good Idea by Alyssa Mastromonaco So Here's the Thing... by Alyssa Mastromonaco The Dropout on Hulu

This week Robin and guest host Scott Chipman discuss The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch. Scott is married to the regular co-hosting villain, Caitlyn. This week's book is a heist novel set in a fantasy world, but not so fantastical that you won't recognize it. As Scott said, no dragons in this one. This is a backlist novel and the first in a series. We do mention that it's a good comp for the Shadow & Bone trilogy and Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo but unlike those novels, The Lies of Locke Lamora is NOT a young adult (YA) book, so please be aware of that.  Books mentioned in this episode: The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch Shadow & Bone trilogy & Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett Good Omens by Terry Pratchett Matrix by Lauren Groff

We're back and still hanging out in the Holmes universe. This episode we explore Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz, who was chosen by the Arthur Conan Doyle estate to continue the Sherlock Holmes canon. This book is all about the "Napoleon of Crime," Professor Moriarty. This is a good episode if you like backlist books! Books mentioned in this episode: Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz Death in the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson All Her Little Secrets by Wanda Morris You'll Never Believe What Happened to Lacey by Amber Ruffin & Lacey Lamar

This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn dive into the world's favorite consulting detective, Sherlock Homes. We discuss is Irene Adler a villain, and Doyle's Proper Villain, Professor Moriarty.  Books discussed in this episode: The Complete Stories of Sherlock Homes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas Run Fast Eat Slow: Nourishing Recipes for Athletes by Shalane Flanagan & Elyse Kopecky Mrs. Rochester's Ghost by Lindsay Marcott

We are back with another minisode on the Elizabeth Holmes trial. The verdict is in, and Robin and Caitlyn discuss what charges Holmes was convicted on, acquitted on, and where a mistrial was ordered. Also, was this really the Silicon Valley wake-up call people claim?  Information from today's episode came from CNN Business, MSNBC, and the BBC. 

Happy New Year Villains! This week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss the Ocean's Franchise, 20 years of George Clooney, Brad Pitt, and Sandra Bullock. Then, what we are currently reading.  Media discussed in this episode: Ocean's 11 (1960) Ocean's 11 (2001) Ocean's 12 (2004) Ocean's 13 (2007) Ocean's 8 (2018) The Black God's Drums by P. Djèlí Clark Death In the Air by Kate Winkler Dawson

Finlay Donovan is back for a second episode! Plus, Robin discusses her favorite seasonal Agatha Christie stories.  Books discussed in this episode: Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano - The sequel is available for pre-order! Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie The Adventure of the Christmas Pudding by Agatha Christie - Due to this being a short story, the link is for the collection. Moriarty by Anthony Horowitz The Freedom Broker by K.J. Howe

We're back! Welcome to Season 2 of Proper Villains! This week, Robin and Caitlyn discuss Lady Killers by Tori Telfer and American Predator by Maureen Callahan. We brought Season 2 in with a murderous bang! Books/Podcasts Discussed In This Episode: Lady Killers by Tori Telfer Criminal Broads Podcast by Tori Telfer American Predator by Maureen Callahan Finding Freedom by Erin French Finlay Donovan is Killing It by Elle Cosimano (paperback is coming out in January!) Find us on Facebook & Instagram at @propervillainsbooks or send us an email at propervillainsbooks@gmail.com

We're jumping into your feed with more Theranos news! Elizabeth Holmes has been on the stand for 5 days, and is being cross-examined by the government. Spotify listeners, answer our poll on whether we should cover the trial of Sunny Balwani. 

Happy Thanksgiving Villains! We're back with a Bad Blood Minisode as the prosecution has rested. Robin and Caitlyn discuss who did and did not testify, the jury, and the defense's star witness.  To read up on the trial without a paywall, check out The New York Times, Business Insider, CNN Business, and CNET.  Also listen to: Bad Blood - The Final Chapter

Happy Halloween! We have a special Halloween episode today - we're talking about one of the creepiest authors in the American canon, Edgar Allan Poe. We talk about his (short) life and his problematic life and legacy as well as a selection of short stories and one poem. You know which poem - The Raven. We want to acknowledge our sources for the information on his bio: National Public Radio, Wikipedia, and Southeastern Louisiana University, in particular an English paper on racism in Poe's works by John Adam Shelton.  This is our last episode of Season One, but we'll be back in your ears on Dec. 2nd! We may drop in some minisodes on the Elizabeth Holmes trial in November, so keep an eye out. And our social media feeds on Instagram and Facebook (propervillainsbooks) will be active.  The Collected Work of Edgar Allan Poe The First Whodunnit - Shedunnit Show by Caroline Crampton

The Witching Hour has arrived, this week on the podcast, Robin and Caitlyn discuss the Witches of New York by Ami McKay and American Sherlock by Kate Winkler Dawson. As always, we include links to Bookshop.org but many of these titles may be available at your local library as well.  Books & podcasts mentioned in this episode The Witches of New York by Ami McKay Half Spent Was the Night by Ami McKay American Sherlock by Kate Winkler Dawson Cackle by Rachel Harrison The Return by Rachel Harrison The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward Tenfold More Wicked Podcast

More updates on the Elizabeth Holmes trial! More testimony, a new juror, and thoughts about a possible defense. If you want to find the Bad Blood book, be sure to check the show notes in Episode 3. 

We lean hard into spooky season this week with a couple of classics! Caitlyn and Robin talk about Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House & We Have Always Lived in the Castle. All of these books are backlist titles and should be easy to find in your library or in paperback.  Books mentioned in this episode: The Haunting of Hill House & We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson Who Killed these Girls? by Beverly Lowry The Mother-in-Law by Sally Hepworth