Our March 2025 pick was “Gory Details: Adventures from the Dark Side of Science" by Erika Engelhaupt!

Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.com

Early and ad-free for Patreon members! Get reading vlogs, an exclusive fiction book club, and more: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheMorbidlyCuriousBookClub

Join us for the live show discussion of Gory Details on the Morbidly Curious Book Club's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube page 3/30 at 7pm EST!

Check out the Archives episode of 18 Tiny Deaths with the author Bruce Goldfarb: https://redcircle.com/shows/17f819be-161a-4326-b504-f9fe87e6dad2/episodes/aaf8ad8f-567c-4a0d-9dce-1c5dc693e877

About the book: "Using humor and real science in the tradition of Mary Roach, this narrative illuminates the gross, strange, morbid, and outright absurd realities of our bodies, our earth, and our universe. Filled to the brim with far-out facts, this wickedly informative narrative from the author of National Geographic's popular Gory Details blog takes us on a fascinating journey through an astonishing new reality. Blending humor and journalism in the tradition of Mary Roach, acclaimed science reporter Erika Engelhaupt investigates the gross, strange, and morbid absurdities of our bodies and our universe. From the research biologist who stung himself with every conceivable insect to the world's most murderous mammals, this entertaining book explores oft-ignored but alluring facets of biology, anatomy, space exploration, nature, and more. Featuring interviews with leading researchers in the field and a large dose of wit, this provocative book reveals the most intriguing real-world applications of science in all their glory."

Erika Engelhaupt is a freelance science writer and editor based in Knoxville, Tenn. She began her blog, Gory Details, while she was an editor at Science News. She continues the blog at National Geographic, where she was online science editor and managed the Phenomena science blog network. Her work has also appeared at NPR, the Philadelphia Inquirer, the Story Collider podcast, and in other newspapers and magazines.

Enjoy the episode!

Welcome to the Archives bonus episodes!

In 2024, I launched this podcast to delve deeper into our book club's nonfiction selections by engaging directly with the authors—the experts behind these compelling works.

Over the years, our club has explored some exceptional books, and today, I got the chance to speak with Bruce Goldfarb on his book, "18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of the Woman Who Invented Modern Forensics" that the book club read in March 2022!

This episode is being released on March 25th, which was Frances Glessner Lee's birthday.

About the book: "An enthralling journey into the remarkable life and groundbreaking contributions of a pioneering woman in the field of forensics: In 18 Tiny Deaths, readers are transported to a time when forensic science was in its infancy, and a woman named Frances Glessner Lee emerged as a force to be reckoned with. Through meticulous recreations of crime scenes, Lee revolutionized the way investigators approached criminal investigations, forever changing the face of modern forensics. Bruce Goldfarb's impeccable attention to detail brings Lee's compelling story to life, weaving together elements of history, science, and true crime. Discover how Lee's determination and unwavering passion defied the norms of her era, paving the way for future generations of forensic scientists. With a masterful blend of suspense and historical narrative, 18 Tiny Deaths captivates readers from the first page. Uncover Lee's groundbreaking contributions to forensic science, from her creation of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death―intricate dioramas that challenged investigators' skills―to her influential role in establishing the Department of Legal Medicine at Harvard University. This gripping account showcases Lee's enduring legacy, shedding light on her profound impact on modern crime-solving techniques. Whether you're a true crime enthusiast, a history buff, or simply intrigued by the remarkable accomplishments of extraordinary women, 18 Tiny Deaths is a must-read."

Bruce Goldfarb is an award-winning writer whose work has appeared in the Baltimore Sun, Washington Post, USA Today, Baltimore magazine, American Archaeology, American Health, and many other publications. For ten years, Bruce has served as executive assistant to the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland. He was a public information officer for the OCME and curator of the Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death. His first book of popular nonfiction, 18 TINY DEATHS, was released by Sourcebooks in February 2020. Bruce’s next book, OCME, which was released by Steerforth Press in February 2023.

Like Bruce mentions in the episode, here are the incredible VR images he has on YouTube. You can pause the video and use the cursor on the top right to look around:

Living Room: https://youtu.be/uqr52qQ1i5A

Bathroom: https://youtu.be/kGVH2MaupU0

Kitchen: https://youtu.be/dnpa-vxWMRg

Here are the Smithsonian VR images: https://americanart.si.edu/exhibitions/nutshells

Enjoy the episode!

Our February 2025 pick was “Tremors in the Blood: Murder, Obsession, and the Birth of the Lie Detector" by Amit Katwala!

Join us if you're curious: themorbidlycuriousbookclub.com

Early and ad-free for Patreon members! Get reading vlogs, an exclusive fiction book club, and more: https://www.patreon.com/c/TheMorbidlyCuriousBookClub

Join us for the live show discussion of Tremors in the Blood on the Morbidly Curious Book Club's Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube page 2/23 at 7pm EST!

About the book: "Late one evening in the summer of 1922, Henry Wilkens burst through the doors of the emergency room covered in his wife’s blood. But was he a grieving husband, or a ruthless killer who conspired with bandits to have her murdered? To find out, the San Francisco police turned to technology and a new machine that had just been invented in Berkeley by a rookie detective, a visionary police chief, and a teenage magician with a showman’s touch. John Larson, Gus Vollmer and Leonarde Keeler hoped the lie detector would make the justice system fairer – but the flawed device soon grew too powerful for them to control. It poisoned their lives, turned fast friends into bitter enemies, and as it conquered America and the world, it transformed our relationship with the truth in ways that are still being felt. As new forms of lie detection gain momentum in the present day, Tremors in the Blood reveals the incredible truth behind the creation of the polygraph, through gripping true crime cases featuring explosive gunfights, shocking twists and high-stakes courtroom drama. Touching on psychology, technology and the science of the truth, Tremors in the Blood is a vibrant, atmospheric thriller, and a warning from history: beware what you believe."

Amit Katwala is an editor and writer at WIRED, based in London. He works across the UK print magazine and on features, science, and culture. He graduated from the University of Oxford with a degree in experimental psychology.

https://www.wired.com/author/amit-katwala/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjoxLjQB9no