Murder Made Fiction
A podcast that analyzes fictionalized adaptations of true crimes. Hosted by Amanda Jane Stern and Joe Lipsett. Part of the Bloody FM podcast network.
Episodes
August 11, 2026 • 47 mins
Our month of John List titles begins with the original The Stepfather (1987).
Starring a magnetic Terry O'Quinn, this Reagan-era slasher film is the perfect takedown of outdated "father knows best" patriarchal beliefs.
Plus: a debate about 'teenage' nudity; appreciating the production design; a gory opening; and a film where the dog doesn't die.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky &...
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August 7, 2026 • 3 mins
Here's a sneak peek at our all new Patreon episode on Episodes 1-2 of Ryan Murphy's The Watcher limited series.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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August 4, 2026 • 14 mins
In November, 1971 mild-mannered accountant John List murdered his entire family. He then fled town and started a brand-new life in a whole new State. How long did he get away with his crimes? Tune in to find out.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: murdermadefiction@gmail.com
> Amanda: @amandajanestern
> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky...
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July 28, 2026 • 51 mins
Writer/director Matt Ruskin's Boston Strangler (2023) stars Keira Knightley and Carrie Coon as the Record American reporters who covered the infamous case.
Too bad this one is such a snooze! In addition to being too long and drab, the film fudges plenty of facts and has no perspective other than "being a lady reporter is hard". It's a miss!
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Inst...
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July 21, 2026 • 50 mins
Four years after the last fictional adaptation, Compulsion director Richard Fleischer delivered a new fresh take on the case with 1968's The Boston Strangler.
While Edward Anhalt's script uses the same tired pop psychology to excuse DeSalvo's crimes, cinematographer Richard H. Kline and editor Marion Rothman use split screens and transitions in an incredibly exciting way.
Plus: charismatic Tony Curtis and interrogating queerness ...
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July 14, 2026 • 53 mins
Our coverage of The Boston Strangler kicks off with Burt Topper's The Strangler (1964).
We've got 60s pop psychology, indistinguishable cops, and a leading performance from Victor Buono that steals the movie.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: murdermadefiction@gmail.com
> Amanda: @amandajanestern
> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)
...
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July 10, 2026 • 5 mins
Amanda and Joe begin their coverage of Hulu's limited series The Girl from Plainville.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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July 7, 2026 • 17 mins
Amanda and Joe begin a new month dedicated to the murder spree that gripped Boston in 1963 as 13 women were strangled to death in their own homes. This month we're discussing Albert DeSalvo, The Boston Strangler.
If you want to hear the full story, join us on Patreon (patreon.com/murdermadefiction) for the full-length primer as well as episodic coverage of the Hulu miniseries, The Girl From Plainsville, starring Elle Fanning.
W...
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June 30, 2026 • 21 mins
Amanda and Joe look back at their coverage of Leopold and Loeb and discuss their favorite adaptations, least favorite adaptations, and possible new ways to adapt the story today.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: murdermadefiction@gmail.com
> Amanda: @amandajanestern
> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)
Wanna support the show? Join us...
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June 29, 2026 • 28 mins
After using his work extensively to fact check texts throughout the month, Amanda and Joe sit down with author and archivist Erik Rebain to discuss his fascination with the case, his favorite fictional adaptations and why Ryan Murphy should (or shouldn't) make a TV series.
Erik's website: The Lives and Legends of Richard Loeb and Nathan Leopold
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky &...
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June 26, 2026 • 5 mins
Here's a sneak peek at our all new Patreon episode on Funny Games (2007), that's right, the English-language remake.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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June 23, 2026 • 47 mins
Our coverage of Leopold and Loeb wraps up on the main feed with Barbet Schroeder's Murder By Numbers (2002), which consists of two different films smashed together into one.
On one side, we have a police procedural involving Sandy B's detective and her traumatic past. On the other side, we have a pair of queer-coded teen boys (Ryan Gosling and Michael Pitt) obsessed with executing the perfect murder.
It doesn't take much math to...
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June 19, 2026 • 5 mins
Here's a sneak peek at our all new Patreon episode on Scream (1996), the Wes Craven meta-slasher.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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June 12, 2026 • 7 mins
Here's a sneak peek at our all new Patreon episode on Swoon (1992), the only queer-directed text in our Leopold and Loeb coverage.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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June 9, 2026 • 53 mins
The first title in our Leopold and Loeb coverage is Compulsion, written by Richard Murphy and based on Meyer Levin's 1956 novel.
Richard Fleischer's film is notable for casting Orson Welles, who delivers an impassioned speech against the death penalty in the finale.
Plus: a weakened Hays Code; beautiful Dean Stockwell; and the decision to keep the murder offscreen.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermf...
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June 5, 2026 • 3 mins
Here's a sneak peek at our all new full length Patreon episode on Alfred Hitchcock's Rope (1948)
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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June 2, 2026 • 19 mins
In Chicago 1924, Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb attempted to commit "the perfect murder" by killing 14-year-old Bobby Franks. They were caught almost immediately in what became known as "the trial of the century."
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: murdermadefiction@gmail.com
> Amanda: @amandajanestern
> Joe: @bstolemyr...
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June 1, 2026 • 26 mins
Joe welcomes new co-host Amanda Jane Stern with an interview to explore her background, her history with true crime, her likes and dislikes, and recent titles that have caught her attention.
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murdermfiction (BlueSky & Instagram) or send us an email: murdermadefiction@gmail.com
> Amanda: @amandajanestern
> Joe: @bstolemyremote / @joelipsett (BlueSky)
Wanna support ...
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May 29, 2026 • 5 mins
Jenn and Joe wrap up coverage of Netflix's limited series, Unbelievable, with the cathartic final episode.
Like what you hear? Head on over to www.patreon.com/murdermadefiction and become a Patron for more exclusive bonus content today!
Theme Music: Conrad Chambers
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May 26, 2026 • 37 mins
In twelve seasons of his anthology show, Ryan Murphy has tackled his share of true crime. To conclude our coverage of the murder of Elizabeth Short, we’re revisiting a pair of episodes featuring Mena Suvari as the famous young woman: Murder House - S1 Episode 9: “Spooky Little Girl” and Apocalypse - S8 Episode 6: “Return to Murder House.”
Wanna connect with the show? Follow us on social media @murde...
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