The Shedunnit podcast

[mightymads]

Last week, in a discussion of the book A is for Arsenic, smallhobbit mentioned a podcast called Shedunnit, saying that this book was referenced there. I got curious and found this podcast on Google Podcasts.

The very first topic covered in that show, the aftermath of WWI and ‘surplus women’, caught my attention immediately. I enjoyed how the topic was presented, in an easy to understand way, and yet with in-depth research and interviews with experts. Basically, the balance of the educational and entertaining elements was ideal. No wonder I ended up binge-listening to the entire series (50 episodes) within the next three days or so.

Shedunnit is a podcast dedicated to the Golden Age crime fiction (roughly 1920s-1930s), although it references earlier works and characters like Sherlock Holmes and touches upon those which came much later, like Miss Fisher. But the main focus is on the interwar era, real-life cases which took place during that time, and the Detection Club, a literary circle of crime writers, members of which included Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers.

It was fascinating to hear about lives of creative women in the interwar era, how they shaped the literary landscape and were breaking stereotypes, doing what they felt was right and not what was expected from them from a conservative point of view.

The Shedunnit podcast is hosted by Caroline Crampton, a British freelance writer with a lovely voice. An average episode is about twenty minutes—a convenient format—and there’s also bonus content in the Shedunnit Book Club where premium subscribers and the host read various crime novels and discuss them. I’m really glad to have learned about this show! Looking forward to the next episode on November 11.

Comments

[smallhobbit]

I can thoroughly recommend Shedunnit too. Unlike mightymads I am not binge-listening, but enjoying taking my time and listening to an episode a day. However you choose to follow this podcast, I'd definitely say 'give it a go'.

[mightymads]

What’s great about podcasts is that everyone can enjoy them at their own pace. For me it was pleasant to do daily chores while listening about crime fiction. Just couldn’t stop until that was it :)

[language_escapes]

I've been listening to this podcast for over a year now, and it's amazing. I can also say that I'm a member of the book club, and it is great fun - access to the forums is really nice, and I enjoy chatting with other folks who love mysteries, too! Caroline is running a member drive right now; if she gets enough new members, she'll be able to expand the podcast further - more episodes, watchalongs, looking at adaptations... and the membership is actually relatively cheap, if you're able to do it! Just had to pitch it, since I've been a member for about a year as well.

[mightymads]

Being a member of the Book Club must be such fun! Unfortunately, I don’t have the means at the moment to join, but I really enjoy the show and thought that at least I could leave a review on apple podcasts and here.

[earthspirits]

Thank you for this very interesting rec and links.

[mightymads]

You're very welcome!

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

I listened to about 5 of them today while cleaning and I like them! All subjects relevant to my interests, as they say.

[mightymads]

Same! I found everything so relevant to things I'm interested in that I went about my day listening, and the chores weren't too boring anymore :)

[dorinda]

Thanks for the recommendation! I look forward to giving it a listen.

[mightymads]

You're very welcome! Hope you'll enjoy 😄

[dustbunny105]

Thanks for the rec! This sounds like it'll be right up my alley.

[mightymads]

You're very welcome 😊

[recently_folded]

Yeah, I guess I should give it a listen, too. I'm working on a tricky piece of knitting right now that requires really good light and concentration (hello lace in dark yarn on dark-colored needles!), so trying to watch tv at the same time is right out. But this might be just the thing to keep my mind entertained while my eyes and fingers are working. Thanks for the rec!

[mightymads]

For me it worked exactly that way: I was listening while cooking or cleaning or going to the grocery store, and it was really fun. I especially liked that episodes were interesting enough that I didn’t need to skip parts as it happened with other podcasts. Hope you’ll enjoy!

[rhysiana]

That sounds fascinating! I don't usually do podcasts, but I'm currently out of English-language TV to semi-ignore while crafting, so this might be just the thing.

[mightymads]

Hope you’ll enjoy :)