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2 episodes with london falling
2 episodes with london falling
3 episodes with london falling
In this interview, I chat with Janice Hallett about The Silent Appeal, returning to the Fairway Players, why she selected The Hollow by Agatha Christie for the play in the book, amateur theatre communities, not revealing who died until close to the end, weaving humor into the story, her writing process, the title and cover, and much more. Janice's recommended reads are: London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe Dead Fashion Girl by Fred Vermorel Looking for some great summer reads? Check out my printable 18-page Summer Reading Guide here for a tip of your choice or for a set price here via credit card with over 45 new titles vetted by me that will provide great entertainment this summer - a number of books you will not see on other guides. So many fabulous books are coming out in 2026, and you can learn about a bunch of them in my guide. Thanks so much to those of you who have donated to the show. Donate to the podcast here or on Venmo. Want to know which new titles are publishing in June - October of 2026? Check out our sixth Literary Lookbook which contains a comprehensive but not exhaustive list all in one place so you can plan ahead, and we color-code by genre in this one! Looking for something new to read? Here is my monthly Buzz Reads column with five new recommendations each month. Connect with me on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Threads. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Join us | AD | https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf2hJchEuPfWmfKZpJ9U8F7ijlBfuqTOtkPMZITx-pzE6ctkA/viewformAre influencers ruining live events? This week on the SheerLuxe Podcast, Charlotte is joined by Billie Bhatia and Kasia Chinery to unpack the debate surrounding content creators at Wimbledon – plus, the autumn fashion buys, TV shows and cultural moments everyone's talking about right now.First, the team shares what they're loving, including the books worth adding to your reading list, London hotel and restaurant recommendations, reformer Pilates and ‘Adults' – the Gen Z sitcom that's finally cracked how to bring TikTok culture to TV without the cringe. Plus, they discuss Alix Earle's new reality show and whether the age of genuinely unfiltered reality shows is officially over.Elsewhere, expect plenty of autumn fashion – from leather coats and viral bags to the M&S shoes giving designer styles a run for their money. Finally, the team get into Wimbledon's influencer crackdown, debating whether content creators are ruining live events, before sharing their thoughts on the new Oasis documentary and the extraordinary Elizabeth Holmes story everyone's talking about.Get SheerLuxe Straight To Your Inbox, Daily | http://sheerluxe.com/signup PANELCharlotte Collins | https://www.instagram.com/charlotteleahcollins/ASOS DESIGN Biker Jacket (Similar) | https://www.asos.com/asos-design/asos-design-motorsport-leather-look-biker-jacket-in-black/prd/209814346#colourWayId-209814349 Zara Sleeveless Top | https://www.zara.com/uk/en/ribbed-sleeveless-top-p03253301.html Billie Bhatia | https://www.instagram.com/billie_bhatia/Dala Sling Jeans | https://weardala.com/collections/jeans/products/sling-jeans-hurricane ASOS ARRANGE Oversized T-Shirt | https://www.asos.com/arrange/arrange-oversized-premium-heavy-weight-t-shirt-in-black/prd/211281131#colourWayId-211281138 Kasia Chinery | https://www.instagram.com/kasiachin/Reformation Rowan Crew Tee | https://www.thereformation.com/products/rowan-crew-tee/1316467DWB.htmlZara Satin Midi Skirt | https://www.zara.com/uk/en/satin-midi-skirt-p08338537.html?v1=583454848&v2=2420430Mango Heeled Ballet Flats | https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/shoes/flat-shoes/heeled-ballet-flats-with-leather-bow/37034092/78/00 THINGS WE LOVEGloria Studio | https://www.instagram.com/gloria__studio/Ducie Serpa Jacket | https://ducie.co.uk/products/serpa-grained-leather-jacket-aw24-black ‘London Falling' By Patrick Radden Keefe | https://www.waterstones.com/book/london-falling/patrick-radden-keefe/9781035056279 ‘Fruit Fly' By Josh Silver | https://www.waterstones.com/book/fruit-fly/josh-silver/9781836431473 Zetter Townhouse | https://thezetter.com/bloomsbury/ Amp Reform | https://www.ampreformstudio.com/‘Adults' | https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-09794373-fbd3-44fb-9f3b-869a2e976094‘The Dropout' (Podcast) | https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-dropout/id1449500734 ‘The Dropout' (TV Show) | https://www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/browse/entity-13988f84-f1c8-40dd-a73c-4e71ab4bbe63 FASHION FINDSCall It By Your Name Cabas Tote | https://www.callitbyyourname.fr/en/collections/cabas-tote ICONIC London Prep-Set-Glow | https://www.lookfantastic.com/p/iconic-london-prep-set-glow-glow/12539381/Mountain Jacket Fiori Embroidery | https://weardala.com/collections/jackets/products/mountain-jacket-salt-embroidery H&M Studio Oversized Shirt | https://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.1349603003.htmlM&S Suede Flat Ballet Pumps | https://www.marksandspencer.com/suede-flat-ballet-pumps/p/clp61225686 M&S Leather High Vamp Flat Ballet Pumps | https://www.marksandspencer.com/leather-high-vamp-flat-ballet-pumps/p/clp61266906 M&S Polished Chisel Toe Wedge Ankle Boots | https://www.marksandspencer.com/polished-chisel-toe-wedge-ankle-boots/p/clp61226337 Zara Obi Belt | https://www.zara.com/uk/en/pleated-sash-belt-p09082940.html
Episode 38 of On The Record with Brian Wise and Michael Mackenzie begins with welcome news for Australian audiences: Gillian Welch and David Rawlings will return in 2027, making it three visits in as many years. For a duo whose shows can feel like a form of secular communion, it is a remarkably generous run. The episode also pauses to honour Dolly Parton, whose death at 80 has prompted an extraordinary outpouring of affection. Show Notes The Wallflowers One Headlight Dolly Parton Train, Train (from The Grass Is Blue) Dolly Parton - Long As I Can See The Light (feat. John Fogerty) (Official Audio) RN Music Show Tribute To Dolly Harris, Parton, Ronstadt on Late Show, March 24, 1999 (full, stereo) Robert Plant's Nonesuch Selects Robert Plant's Nonesuch Selects LE_MYSTERE_DES_VOIX_BULGARES_VOL.1 - PILENTSE PEE Suspicion — Official Trailer | Apple TV Patrick Radden Keefe discusses his new book LONDON FALLING
The new book “London Falling” tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a 19-year-old Londoner who falls to his death in the Thames after living a double life pretending to be the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. We speak with bestselling author Patrick Radden Keefe about mystery, money and police inaction as he searches for answers about Zac's death.
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe: An audiobook summary and review by StoryShots. A luxury illusion fooled elites until one lethal fall. This book summary reveals what London hidden networks protected.
【聊了什么The What】 四个人的大脑里只剩下三件事：尼克斯夺冠、世界杯，以及成年人死不要脸非要过的暑假。 这期依旧没有大纲、没有知识、没有准备，只有氛围。 Only three things left in our four smooth brains: the Knicks winning it all, the World Cup, and the summer break four grown adults shamelessly insisted on taking. Still no outline, no knowledge, no prep, vibes only. 【时间轴 The When】 00:17 开场：这期一毛钱大纲都没有，vibe check 的核心就是没有核心 03:13 尼克斯夺冠：纽约漫长的冬天终于结束了 12:31 纽约的亲儿子和亲女儿，Spike Lee 的场边人生 17:54 世界杯：中国队没进，于是我自由了 34:16 外行提问：守门员为什么跑出来？任意球时谁躺在地上？ 39:56 世界杯里的移民美国：移民社区、办公室的两台电视、两国小吃，和破防的同事 51:23 ESPN《30 for 30》之《Bad Boys》与罗德曼 53:38 Olivia Wilde 的黑色喜剧：四个人、一间屋子、一场摇摇欲坠的婚姻 59:05 Patrick Radden Keefe 新书《London Falling》 60:09 一部会让所有人哗哗大哭的羊侦探电影 62:59 纳博科夫《普宁》与《微暗的火》：不可靠叙述者的迷宫 00:17 Opening: not a shred of an outline this time — the whole point of a vibe check is that there is no point 03:13 The Knicks take the title: New York's long winter is finally over 12:31 New York's real son and real daughter, and Spike Lee's life at courtside 17:54 The World Cup: China didn't qualify, so I was free 34:16 Questions from the clueless: why does the goalkeeper run upfield? Who has to lie down during a free kick? 39:56 Immigrant America at the World Cup: the neighborhoods, two TVs in the office, snacks from both countries, and colleagues coming undone 51:23 ESPN's 30 for 30: Bad Boys, and the Rodman one 53:38 Olivia Wilde's black comedy: four people, one room, one marriage falling apart 59:05 Patrick Radden Keefe's new book, London Falling 60:09 The sheep-detective movie that makes absolutely everyone sob 62:59 Nabokov's Pnin and Pale Fire: a labyrinth of unreliable narrators 【拓展链接 The Links】 影视 《The Invite》(2026) 《The Drama》(2026) 《The Sheep Detectives》(2026) ESPN《30 for 30》之《Bad Boys》(2014) ESPN《30 for 30》之《Rodman: For Better or Worse》(2019) 书 Patrick Radden Keefe《London Falling》(2026) — 副标题 A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth，围绕 19 岁的 Zac Brettler 之死展开。（Goodreads） 纳博科夫《普宁 Pnin》(1957) 纳博科夫《微暗的火 Pale Fire》(1962) Hernan Diaz《Trust》(2022) Anne Helen Petersen 的 newsletter《Culture Study》 — 同名播客在 culturestudypod.substack.com 【买咖啡 Please Support Us】 如果喜欢这期节目并愿意想要给我们买杯咖啡： 海外用户：https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm 海内用户：https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm 商务合作邮箱：cyberpinkfm@gmail.com 商务合作微信：CyberPink2022 If you like our show and want to support us, please consider the following: Those Abroad: https://www.patreon.com/cyberpinkfm Those in China: https://afdian.com/a/cyberpinkfm Business Inquiries Email: cyberpinkfm@gmail.com Business Inquiries WeChat: CyberPink2022
At the center of Patrick Radden Keefe's new book, “London Falling,” is a mystery: In 2019, a young man named Zac Brettler disappeared, and a few days later his body was found in the Thames River. Surveillance footage showed what appeared to be Zac jumping off the balcony of a nearby luxury tower, leading some to speculate that he had taken his own life. His family, though, didn't quite believe that theory; though troubled, Zac, in their view, hadn't seemed suicidal. Then the Brettlers learn that before his death, Zac had pretended to be the rich son of a Russian oligarch, and fallen in with a dangerous crowd in London's criminal scene. So what happened? That's what Keefe attempts to answer in “London Falling.” On this episode of the Book Review Book Club, the host MJ Franklin discusses the book with his colleagues Jennifer Szalai and Sadie Stein. You can follow along and add your own comments to the discussion here. Books discussed on this episode: “Say Nothing” and “Empire of Pain,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “Reunion,” by Fred Uhlman “Putin's People,” by Catherine Belton “Strangers to Ourselves,” by Rachel Aviv “Days of Love and Rage,” by Anand Gopal “Bad Blood,” by John Carreyrou “Catch and Kill,” by Ronan Farrow Listen to and Follow ‘The Book Review' Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Hello EICriminals! Today, we're taking a stroll down bonkers alley to answer the question that you've all been asking… when is a shoe not a shoe? We're really living in a foot guy's world rn… We share our heartache following the death of Dolly Parton and reflect on the incredible legacy she's left behind. Keep your ears peeled for Beth's *very* special tribute. Are you kinda sick of kinda chic? The trend that we've all been seeing ALL over our feeds this summer has got us wondering… is there any room for creativity online when creators are rewarded for replicating content? We also discuss Amanda Knox and her Edinburgh Fringe show. Why has her show sparked such a debate? Does she have the right to tell her story and what moral obligations does she have? We discuss the case and details of the trial in the second segment, if this is something you may not wish to hear please do skip that segment.Meanwhile: is Marc Jacobs going to style Luigi Mangione for his upcoming New York State murder trial? We discuss our favourite courtroom style moments. And lastly… Megxit is over and YouGov is asking “do you care?”. Meghan, if you're listening… you're very welcome to come on the podcast. Enjoy the ep! Love O, R, B x Beth's been loving: Dolly Parton Imagination Library , Furious, Stamptown Oenone's been loving: Fisk Ruchira's been loving: London Falling, Kaynan - Spawn Point Margaret Qualley Barefoot Sandals Is "Kinda Chic" Kinda Cringe? Marc Jacobs says he'd dress ‘trendsetter' Luigi Mangione for courtAmanda Knox Has Turned Her Trauma Into Comedy – But Should She?Why are Harry and Meghan returning to the UK? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In the words of the Los Angeles Times, “A new book by (Patrick Radden) Keefe means drop everything and close the blinds; you'll be turning pages for hours.” Keefe is an award-winning investigative journalist, a staff writer at the New Yorker, the creator of a popular podcast, and the author of six books, including the bestsellers Rogues, Empire of Pain, and Say Nothing. “When I go out looking for a good story,” says Keefe, “I almost never find one. Instead, the really good ones tend to fall in my lap.” Say Nothing was prompted by reading an obituary. A wild-seeming rumor about the 90's heavy metal band The Scorpions led to the podcast Wind of Change, a sweeping tale of government secrets, Soviet spies, propaganda, and 90's power ballads. To call his research “meticulous” is an understatement. Keefe's book, Snakehead, required over 300 interviews to complete. Say Nothing found him speaking to thousands of sources. While writing about the opioid epidemic in EMPIRE OF PAIN, Keefe was blocked from speaking to the Sackler family, so instead, he amassed thousands of correspondences from personal emails to Bar Mitzvah announcements. Though Keefe's doggedness recalls the detective stories that inspired him early on, he is perhaps more hopeful than hardboiled. By approaching those forces that appear too vast to unravel, he proves that even institutions and systems that seem unassailable can, in fact, be broken down and examined—one interview, one receipt, one wedding invitation at a time. Like all the great whodunnits, his books contain breathtaking plot twists. Though he has, on at least one occasion, solved a murder mystery, Keefe is less interested in pointing to a perpetrator and more interested in holding up a mirror. The question at the heart of his work is one that pertains to everyone: What does it mean to be human? His newest book, London Falling, is an investigation into the mysterious death of 19-year-old Zach Brettler and its connection to both London's criminal underworld and its elite circles. The author Katherine Rundell says, “Nobody writes like Patrick Radden Keefe; nobody makes achieving something so powerfully complex and difficult look so easy. It's a form of intellectual generosity and, I think, a form of genius.” Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of the New York Times bestsellers Rogues, Empire of Pain, and Say Nothing, which received the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, was selected as one of the ten best books of 2019 by The New York Times Book Review, The Washington Post, Chicago Tribune and The Wall Street Journal, and was named one of the top ten nonfiction books of the decade by Entertainment Weekly. His previous books are The Snakehead and Chatter. His work has been recognized with a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Magazine Award for Feature Writing and the Orwell Prize for Political Writing. He is also the creator and host of the eight-part podcast Wind of Change.
John Maytham speaks to Patrick Radden Keefe, author of London Falling, about the mysterious death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler, his secret life and the criminal underworld he became entangled in. Presenter John Maytham is an actor and author-turned-talk radio veteran and seasoned journalist. His show serves a round-up of local and international news coupled with the latest in business, sport, traffic and weather. The host’s eclectic interests mean the program often surprises the audience with intriguing book reviews and inspiring interviews profiling artists. A daily highlight is Rapid Fire, just after 5:30pm. CapeTalk fans call in, to stump the presenter with their general knowledge questions. Another firm favourite is the humorous Thursday crossing with award-winning journalist Rebecca Davis, called “Plan B”. Thank you for listening to a podcast from Afternoon Drive with John Maytham Listen live on Primedia+ weekdays from 15:00 and 18:00 (SA Time) to Afternoon Drive with John Maytham broadcast on CapeTalk https://buff.ly/NnFM3Nk For more from the show go to https://buff.ly/BSFy4Cn or find all the catch-up podcasts here https://buff.ly/n8nWt4x Subscribe to the CapeTalk Daily and Weekly Newsletters https://buff.ly/sbvVZD5 Follow us on social media: CapeTalk on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@capetalk CapeTalk on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ CapeTalk on X: https://x.com/CapeTalk CapeTalk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CapeTalk567 See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nara Smith came on Call Her Daddy to rebuke her status as “poster girl” for the tradwife movement, but do we buy her rebrand? We discuss whether her content glamourising hyper-feminine domesticity causes real-world harm or whether she's being held to unfair standards. Plus, rave reviews of masterpiece non-fiction thriller London Falling, the epic third season of House of the Dragon, and Epstein-coded serial killer drama Furious.Tickets for our book club on Wed 2 September are on sale now! Get yours at via Ticket Tailor and order Where Are the Kings here Join us on Patreon for exclusive bonus episodes plus early access and ad-free listening at patreon.com/straightuppodcastTry the adaptogenic coffee that changed our lives with 20% off using code straightup at londonnootropics.comFollow us on IG @straightuppod and TikTok @straightuppodFind us on YouTube @straightupmediapodEmail at hello@straightuppodcast.co.ukRecs/reviewsLondon Falling by Patrick Radden-Keefe Patrick Radden-Keefe on How to FailWhere Are The Kings, Donal RyanHouse of the Dragon, NOWTV The House That Dragons Built, HBO Furious, Disney Plus“Furious” Is a Crime Drama for a Post-Epstein World, New YorkerCape Fear, AppleTVNara Smith: Stop Calling Me a Tradwife, Call Her DaddyYesteryear, Caro Claire Burke The Tradwife Illusion Meets the Anti-Trump Reality, New York Times“You Can't Just Be Showing Matcha-Pilates-Alo”, VultureInfluencers Are Being Paid to Spread the Mormon Church's Gospel, BloombergEmilie Kiser: The Loss That Changed Her Forever, On Purpose with Jay ShettySpider-Man: Brand New Day, in cinemasGary Stevenson: “I was obsessed with making money”, The Louis Theroux PodcastWe Call Her Emma, Tortoise Investigates . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Malebná dedinka na Záhorí s takmer 1100 obyvateľmi. Aj tak by sa dala opísať Petrova Ves. Obec, v ktorej by mali v blízkej budúcnosti vyrásť veterné elektrárne. Samozrejme, ak projekt prejde posúdením vplyvov na životné prostredie a získa súhlasné stanovisko. Časť miestnych však s niečím podobným vehementne nesúhlasí. V lokálnom podniku či v obchode sa hovorí najmä o tom, ako turbíny ublížia vtáctvu, vode, pôde a ako ľudia nebudú môcť pre infrazvuk spávať. Čo za projekt sa to v Petrovej Vsi vlastne chystá, v akom je štádiu, a kde vznikajú všetky tieto obavy Petrovčanov a kto komunikuje celú vec chabo? Štát či samotná obec? Eva Frantová sa v podcaste Dobré ráno pýta Mareka Moravčíka z domácej redakcie denníka SME, ktorý Petrovu Ves spolu s kolegom Martinom Mlynárom navštívil osobne. Zdroje zvukov: SME Odporúčanie Ak ešte nemáte dosť mojich knižných odporúčaní, skúste si prečítať London Falling od Patricka Keefeho. Ide o investigatívu záhadnej smrti britského tínedžera, ktorý bezdôvodne vyskočí z balkóna a utopí sa v Temži. Jeho rodičia nechápu, čo sa stalo, a až postupne zisťujú, že ich 19-ročný syn sa vydával za ruského oligarchu a zaplietol sa s ľuďmi z londýnskeho podsvetia. Keefe je môj obľúbený autor. Má za sebou aj knihy ako Impérium bolesti alebo Nič nehovor, ktoré som tu už odporúčala a ani tentoraz nesklamal! – Všetky podcasty denníka SME nájdete na sme.sk/podcasty – Odoberajte aj audio verziu denného newslettra SME.sk s najdôležitejšími správami na sme.sk/brifingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week, Alan and Lionel are joined by Patrick Radden Keefe, journalist and bestselling author.Patrick discusses the real-life story behind his book London Falling, which explored the mysterious death of a teenage boy in London. He explains the process behind investigative non-fiction, navigating ethical and legal obstacles, and how he gained the trust of his sources—including two grieving parents. Plus, is reporting in Britain is harder than in the United States? And how young journalists can take on tough stories without the backing of big institutions?To read a profile of Patrick Radden Keefe, click here: https://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/views/people/73417/patrick-radden-keefe-interview Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
This week we delve into a tennis documentary, a viral book and a musical and a brilliant musician. As always, please send your ideas to our instagram @makingthecutpodcast.Rafa - https://www.imdb.com/title/tt35052852/Jon Hopkins with Ram Dass, East Forest - Sit Around The Fire - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3G4kCi_ldr8London Falling - https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/238226991-london-fallingGlen Hansard - https://open.spotify.com/artist/3Caot8EtHX6wLpNF2wRzS0?autoplay=trueI'm Every Woman - https://www.imeverywomanthemusical.com/Yorkshire Heather Honey - https://rosebudpreserves.co.uk/products/yorkshire-heather-honey?variant=47352431051087&country=GB¤cy=GBP&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23995884709&gbraid=0AAAAACRNDtbS4NrMks_wxI90vsDjxbu9T&gclid=CjwKCAjw4dDTBhAqEiwAkHYmSmJU2vkG6QyDXFSa2TmA_sP9F9UvW_CaI9cVwf5kQG0neK0YSSQtABoCmYAQAvD_BwEOrange & Triple Sec Marmalade - https://nicholspickles.co.uk/product/orange-triple-sec-marmalade/?srsltid=AfmBOoq2GaNeHQz7Sr03oE2Hvq3WXuLm_NCsiam_kmYb3Hl9y2iHogQa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
tkIn 2019, a 19-year-old man named Zac Brettler died after jumping off the balcony of a luxury apartment in London near the River Thames. Police never came to a conclusion about what led to Brettler’s death. But soon after, it was revealed that Brettler was living a double-life, filled with lies and organized crime in a city changed by extreme wealth. Patrick Radden Keefe dives into this story in his newest book, “London Falling,” focused on Brettler’s death and the people around him. He joined us in front of a live audience of students at Portland's Lincoln High School in Portland on April 23, 2026 to share more on his newest book.
In Episode 231, Al Woodworth (Amazon Senior Editor) returns to the show to discuss Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far. They break down this year's list, discuss the books that rose to the top, and explore how the Amazon Books editorial team selected, debated, and ultimately ranked this year's Top 20. Plus, Al shares her personal book recommendations! This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Al shares the defining characteristics of Amazon's Best Books of 2026 So Far list. How the Amazon Books editorial team selected and ranked this year's Top 20. Whether this year's list sparked debate and how disagreements were resolved. Why Kin was chosen as Amazon's #1 book of the year so far. The genres that have stood out (and the ones that haven't) in 2026. A look at how books are assigned to Amazon's genre-specific lists. Why some books rank differently on genre lists than on the overall Top 20 list. Under-the-radar books from the list that deserve more attention. Al's personal favorites that didn't quite make the Top 20. Al's Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves Migrations by Charlotte McConaghy (2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:54] Almond by Won-Pyung Sohn (US Release: 2020) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[39:22] Other Books Mentioned Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy (2025) [35:56] Two NEW Books She Loves The Nightingales by Emil Wilson (Aug 4) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [41:32] American Hagwon by Min Jin Lee (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:07] Other Books Mentioned Pachinko by Min Jin Lee (2017) [44:12] One Book She DIDN'T Love Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:05] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About The Vanishing Family by Robert Kolker (Sep 29) | Amazon | Bookshop.org[50:10] Other Books Mentioned Hidden Valley Road by Robert Kolker (2020) [50:42] Books From the Discussion Kin by Tayari Jones (Feb 24) [2:06] London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Apr 7) [3:07] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) [6:43] Strangers by Belle Burden (Jan 13) [6:50] Night Objects by Eli Raphael (May 26) [6:57] The Secret History by Donna Tartt (1992) [7:51] The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [7:54] Land by Maggie O'Farrell (Jun 2) [11:14] Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell (2020) [12:15] Nothing Tastes as Good by Luke Dumas (Mar 31) [12:56] Famesick by Lena Dunham (Apr 14) [13:04] Transcription by Ben Lerner (Apr 7) [13:48] John of John by Douglas Stuart (May 5) [15:23] Shuggie Bain by Douglas Stuart (2020) [15:27] Young Mungo by Douglas Stuart (2022) [15:28] Homebound by Portia Elan (May 5) [16:15] The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5) [17:16] The Help by Kathryn Stockett (2009) [17:23] Educated by Tara Westover (2018) [18:52] James by Percival Everett (2024) [19:00] The Boys of Riverside by Thomas Fuller (2024) [19:09] No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (Mar 3) [23:43] American Men by Jordan Ritter Conn (Apr 21) [25:29] A Far-Flung Life by M. L. Stedman (Mar 3) [28:25] Whistler by Ann Patchett (Jun 2) [28:38] Into the Blue by Emma Brodie (Apr 7) [32:12] Cherry Baby by Rainbow Rowell (Apr 14) [32:14] Slow Dance by Rainbow Rowell (2024) [32:19] How to Rule the World by Theo Baker (May 19) [33:16]
Philippa sits down with Ellery Lloyd — the husband and wife writing duo of Colette and Paul — to talk about their brilliant new novel Time to Burn, their Radio 2 Book Club selection, and what it's really like to write a book with the person you live with. Plus listener questions from the Quick Book Reviews Facebook group, and a biscuit answer that connects beautifully with a very recent episode.
Philippa sits down with Robert Peston — ITV political editor, bestselling author, and reluctant biscuit convert — to talk about The Kill Switch, the third and final book in his Gil Peck thriller trilogy, and why he felt compelled to put artificial intelligence and the fragility of democracy at its heart.
In today's ep we're assigning reading syllabi to some of our favorite celebrities and telling them what we think they should be reading! And if you didn't already guess, we took the assignment VERY seriously. Becca's Celebs Glen Powell - Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey, The Guncle by Steven Rowley, The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown Tree Paine - The Boys' Club by Erica Katz, Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan Anne Hathaway - All Fours by Miranda July, Famesick by Lena Dunham, The Force of Such Beauty by Barbara Bourland, Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino Olivia's Celebs Alicia Carmody - Strangers by Belle Burden, The Alice Network by Kate Quinn, Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed, Little Women by Louisa May Alcott Noah Kahan - The Road to Tender Hearts by Annie Hartnett, The Wedding People by Alison Espach, Good Material by Dolly Alderton Pedro Pascal - Shark Heart by Emily Habeck, John of John by Douglas Stuart, Bonus Travis Kelce Pick - Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano July's Book Club Pick - The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff Summer of Sol Bonus Book Club Picks 8/20 - One and Only by Maurene Goo 9/17 - The Parisian Heist by Jo Piazza What we read this week Olivia - The Children by Melissa Albert, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe Becca - Dolly All The Time by Annabel Monaghan, Once, Again, Always by Amanda Gayle (out Oct 6) Obsessions Becca - MapTap.gg Sponsors Skims - Shop our favorites at SKIMS.com. Let them know we sent selecting "podcast" in the survey and select our show in the dropdown menu that follows. Caraway Home - Visit Carawayhome.com/BOP or use code BOP at checkout to take an additional 10% off your next purchase. Join our Facebook group for amazing book recs & more! Buy our Merch! Join our BFF Group! Order Olivia's Books, Little One, and Such a Bad Influence! Subscribe to Olivia's Newsletter! Order Becca's Book, The Christmas Orphans Club, and preorder Back Where We Started! Subscribe to Becca's Newsletter! Follow us on Instagram @badonpaperpodcast. Follow Olivia on Instagram @oliviamuenter and Becca @beccamfreeman.
Philippa sits down with the brilliant Jo Spain — 13 bestselling thrillers already published, translated into 17 languages, TV writer and producer — to talk about her extraordinary new novel Never to Be Found, which sparked a bidding war from some of the biggest names in television before it was even published.
Een raadselachtige dood, ontstelde ouders op zoek naar de toedracht, een ongekend spannend verhaal vol onthullingen over oligarchen en de Londense onderwereld. Uitgegeven door Nieuw Amsterdam Spreker: Frans van Deursen
Jane's back in Times Towers, but she's just missed Fi, who's off jet-setting for the week. Jane and Eve chat about flat feet, bedside tables, and powerful forehands. Plus, Robbie Millen, literary editor of The Times and The Sunday Times, stops by to share his book picks for the week. He recommends: The Family Man by James Lasdun, London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, Waterland by Graham Swift, Murder in Paris '68 by Edward Chisholm, The Great Dictator by Matthew Sweet You can buy tickets for Fringe by the Sea: https://www.fringebythesea.com/off-air-with-jane-fi-and-special-guest-jan-ravens/Our next book club pick will be a collection of short stories! 'Interpreter of Maladies' is by Jhumpa Lahiri. You can check out our YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@OffAirWithJaneAndFiOur new playlist 'Coiled Spring' is up and running: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4tmoCpbp42ae7R1UY8ofzaOur most asked about book is called 'The Later Years' by Peter Thornton.If you want to contact the show to ask a question and get involved in the conversation then please email us: janeandfi@times.radioFollow us on Instagram! @janeandfiPodcast Producer: Eve SalusburyExecutive Producer: Rosie Cutler Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A British teen falls to his death from an apartment in London. Was it an accident? Suicide? Murder? His grieving parents seek answers. WSHU's Book Critic Joan Baum read The New Yorker Staff Writer Patrick Radden Keefe's latest work, London Falling. Here's her review.
A special episode of A Good Read, recorded live at the Hay Festival. The books are:London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe, chosen by psychotherapist and artist Philippa Perry All Quiet on the Orient Express by Magnus Mills, chosen by presenter and writer Stuart Maconie Luka and the Fire of Life by Salman Rushdie, chosen by presenter Harriett GilbertProduced for BBC Audio in Bristol by Maggie Ayre Join us over on Instagram @agoodreadbbcPhoto credit: Pal Hansen
Join Bina007 and Michal/Inkasrain as they discuss the wildly successful new true crime / state of the nation book London Falling by New Yorker investigative journalist Patrick Radden Keefe. [MP3] Download or play this episode directly[Archive] View this episode's page … Continue reading →
“Narrative remains a pretty unbeatable delivery device for information.” — Patrick Radden Keefe Has London really fallen? That's the question Patrick Radden Keefe — staff writer at The New Yorker and bestselling author of Empire of Pain and Say Nothing — addressed in his new book, London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth. One thing for sure is that Keefe himself hasn't fallen. He's been surprised by the book's success. “I thought the antibodies would get up because I'm an interloper,” the American confesses about writing about Britain. Antibodies or not, the book has been a #1 bestseller in both the UK and US. And we can look forward to an A24 and Brightstar TV adaptation soon. On London, the story is murkier. London Falling begins on November 29, 2019, when nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler falls to his death from a luxury apartment above the Thames. Every parent's ultimate nightmare. As it happens, I've known Zac's dad, Matthew, for many years. But what appeared to be a tragic accident or a suicide turned out to be something far more sinister — a story of double lives, dirty money, a dishonest businessman named Akbar Shamji, and a terrifyingly violent gangster known as Indian Dave. Lurking behind the Brettler death is what Keefe presents as the greatest deceit of all — London's cruel descent into what he sees as the moneyed miasma of post-Thatcherite neo-liberalism. London is, in Keefe's compelling narrative, the most invisible of cities — where power lies with criminals like Indian Dave, where the police are at best bystanders, and where a teenage fantasist from a comfortable middle-class family can become fatally entangled in a fallen world he barely understood. Five Takeaways • Zac Brettler: The Double Life That Led to His Death: Zac Brettler was nineteen years old. He fell — or was pushed, or was forced to jump — from a luxury apartment balcony above the Thames on November 29, 2019. He had been living a double life: to London's criminal underworld, he was Zac Ismailov, the son of a Russian oligarch, heir to a great fortune. He had even fabricated bank statements showing a personal account holding $1 million. Under this guise, he became entangled with Akbar Shamji, a slippery businessman, and a man known as Indian Dave, a violent extortionist. Keefe's reporting suggests Zac jumped to escape from one of these men. Scotland Yard's passivity in investigating the case is, in Keefe's word, bizarre. • London as a Twenty-Four-Hour Laundromat for Dirty Money: Keefe's portrait of London is the book's macro argument: a global city that has been hollowed out by decades of financial deregulation, whose financial sector is stacked with professional facilitators eager to help protect or conceal a dubious fortune, where posh mansions and private nightclubs serve as the visible surface of a hidden economy of criminal money. Zac Brettler was not rich. He was a boy from a comfortably off family who became fixated on the glitzy, mercenary, aspirational culture embodied by foreign billionaires who had bought mansions and football clubs in his city. London, in Keefe's telling, did this to him. • The Brettlers' Consent: A Long Haul With the Family: Keefe had written 15,000 words for The New Yorker when he knew there was a book. He went to Matthew and Rochelle Brettler and their surviving son Joe and told them: I will only do this with your blessing. They read the finished piece, talked amongst themselves, and came back with a yes. Keefe's method: he is an open book; he invites sources to read his previous work. It took him an LSE graduate who became one of the most trusted journalists in the world to persuade a devastated family to trust him with their son's story. They made the right decision. • Narrative as Delivery Device: Keefe's Method: Keefe on why he writes the way he writes: everyone has a phone in their pocket making claims on their attention. Narrative — true stories about real people, told with enough seductive propulsive energy — remains the most powerful way to convey information, to make someone who would not otherwise read nonfiction want to keep turning pages. He is looking, always, for inherently dramatic stories. London Falling is that: a whodunit, a parental love story, a portrait of a corrupted city, and a thriller, all in one book. The New York Times described the whole book as one of the best of 2026 so far. • The Television Adaptation: A24, Brightstar, and the Lessons of Say Nothing: A24 and Brightstar are producing the television adaptation of London Falling. Five production companies had to audition for the Brettlers over Zoom. The family is involved. Keefe knows from Say Nothing — which took five years from book to screen and won awards as an FX series — that this cannot go on autopilot. The aim: something sophisticated, sensitive, and just to the family's story. The first word on the Mill Hill School website is “integrity.” Whether that word will survive contact with a television adaptation remains to be seen. About the Guest Patrick Radden Keefe is a staff writer at The New Yorker and the author of London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth (Doubleday, April 7, 2026; #1 New York Times bestseller), Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty (winner of the Baillie Gifford Prize), Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland (National Book Critics Circle Award; named one of the twenty best books of the 21st century by the New York Times), Rogues, and Chatter. He is the recipient of a Guggenheim Fellowship, the National Magazine Award, and the Orwell Prize. He served as executive producer on the award-winning FX series Say Nothing and is the creator and host of the podcast Wind of Change. References: • London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City and a Family's Search for Truth by Patrick Radden Keefe (Doubleday, April 7, 2026). • Empire of Pain: The Secret History of the Sackler Dynasty by Patrick Radden Keefe — referenced at the opening. • Say Nothing (FX series, executive produced by Keefe) — referenced in the closing section. • Andrew O'Hagan, Caledonian Road — referenced as covering similar London territory in fiction. • A24 and Brightstar — the production companies making the London Falling television adaptatio...
In Episode 228, Sarah, Catherine (@GilmoreGuide), and Chrissie (@ChrissieWhitley) take stock of the reading year so far, discussing the books, publishing trends, and industry chatter that have defined the first half of 2026. They dive into the biggest publishing stories of the year, the rise of "cozy everything," the continued influence of self-publishing and book-to-screen success stories, and whether it's possible to tap a Book of the Year before the second half of the publishing calendar arrives. Then, they share their Top 5 Books of 2026 So Far and a few disappointing reads that didn't quite live up to expectations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights How our 2026 reading has been so far How 2026 compares to this point in 2025 Each person's current Book of the Year pick Whether it's too early to crown a Book of the Year Midyear reading stats and surprise wins Each of our Top 5 books of 2026 so far Their biggest disappointments of the year so far Top 5 Books of 2026 So Far Sarah No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (Mar 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [32:42] A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot (Feb 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:36] Whistler by Ann Patchett (Jun 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:44] London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (Apr 7) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:55] The Burning Side by Sarah Damoff (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [52:55] Catherine The Poet Empress by Shen Tao (Jan 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [35:11] A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot (Feb 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:36] Land by Maggie O'Farrell (Jun 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:55] Lady Tremaine by Rachel Hochhauser (Mar 3) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:42] Ruins by Lily Brooks-Dalton (March 31) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [56:09] Chrissie A Hymn to Life by Gisèle Pelicot (Feb 17) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [36:36] Whistler by Ann Patchett (Jun 2) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [39:44] The Infamous Gilberts by Angela Tomaski (Jan 20) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:44] Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell (Mar 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [51:10] Seek the Traitor's Son (The Burning Empire, 1) by Veronica Roth (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [58:55] Other Books Mentioned The Heart's Invisible Furies by John Boyne (2017) [41:31] Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2020) [42:14] The Bright Years by Sarah Damoff (2025) [53:03] Dune (Dune, 1) by Frank Herbert (1965) [59:38] Some Disappointing Books So Far Sarah Kin by Tayari Jones (Feb 24) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:33] Go Gentle by Maria Semple (Apr 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:00:55] Leave Your Mess At Home by Tolani Akinola (Apr 14) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:01:35] Catherine The Last Mandarin by Louise Penny and Mellissa Fung (May 12) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:03] The Calamity Club by Kathryn Stockett (May 5) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:02:31] Chrissie Artifacts by Natalie Lemle (May 19) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:03:39] Hell's Heart by Alexis Hall (Mar 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:04:13] Fatherland by Victoria Shorr (Mar 10) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [1:04:54] Other Books Mentioned Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple (2012) [1:01:01] Moby-Dick; or, The Whale by Herman Melville (1851) [1:04:19] Books From the Opening Discussion Onyx Storm (The Empyrean, 3) by Rebecca Yarros (2025) [2:39] Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) [3:18] Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, 1) by Matt Dinniman (2024)* [3:22] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (Apr 7) [4:34] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (2025)* [4:41] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [5:03] The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins (2024) [5:57] Game Changer (Game Changers: Heated Rivalry, 1) by Rachel Reid (2024) [6:09] KPop Demon Hunters (Junior Novelization) by Jessica Yoon (Mar 31) [6:13] KPop Demon Hunters (Screen Comic Boxed Set) by Netflix (Nov 3, 2026) [6:13] The Martian by Andy Weir (2014)* [6:48] The Names by Florence Knapp (2025) [11:17] Trad Wife by Michelle Brandon (Aug 4, 2026) [16:57] Trad Wife by Saratoga Schaefer (Feb 10) [16:59] Too Blessed to Stress by Alli Hoff Kosik (Mar 3) [17:02] The Midnight Show by Lee Kelly and Jennifer Thorne (Apr 7) [17:29] Good People by Patmeena Sabit (Feb 3) [17:35] So Old, So Young by Grant Ginder (Feb 17) [17:40] No Friend to This House by Natalie Haynes (Mar 10) [18:00] Upward Bound by Woody Brown (Mar 31) [18:33] This Is Not About Us by Allegra Goodman (Feb 10) [18:35] The Reservation by Rebecca Kauffman (Feb 24) [18:38] Brawler by Lauren Groff (Feb 24) [18:43] My Dear You by Rachel Khong (Apr 7) [18:46] All the World Can Hold by Jung Yun (Mar 10) [19:16] The Shippers by Katherine Center (May 19) [19:18] American Fantasy by Emma Straub (Apr 7) [19:32] Man Overboard by Kathleen Rooney (Jul 7, 2026) [19:37] Swept Away by Beth O'Leary (2025) [19:47] The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. 1) by Beth Brower (2019) [22:45] *Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition. These titles were originally self-published. Additional Links The New Yorker | Glowworms by Ann Patchett (Sep 29, 2025)
The Buddies take a detour from sword and sorcery for their first nonfiction read in a while with Patrick Radden Keefe's "London Falling: A Mysterious Death in a Gilded City, and a Family's Search for Truth." By the way, it's ‘London Falling' and not ‘London is Falling' the Gerard Butler action movie, although the Buddies may have stated that as the title on multiple occasions. The Buddies got to talking about whether Zac Brettler deserves our sympathy or was just a 19-year-old con man who got in over his head, how the British government basically rolled out the red carpet for Russian oligarchs and then acted surprised when people started dying, and whether this whole story could have been wrapped up with a simple Google search. This one got a bit contentious (sorry we're used to arguing about fiction, not real people). So, brush up on your shell company law, don your investigative hat, and join us we jump into the underground world of London (unfortunately we're not talking Knockturn Alley from Harry Potter). Intro (0:00-2:38)Stock Up/Down (2:39-49:27)Love/Hate (50:30-59:44)Conclusion (59:45-1:02:42) NEXT BOOK: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
This week on the SL Man Podcast, Harvey is joined by tennis legend Tim Henman and SLMan contributor, Hector Lopez-Valido for a conversation ahead of Wimbledon.Tim reflects on the moments that shaped his career – from watching Björn Borg on Centre Court as a six-year-old to beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon and becoming one of Britain's most beloved sporting figures. He shares stories from inside the locker room, reveals what life on the ATP Tour is really like and explains why camaraderie is what he misses most about professional tennis.The trio also discuss the evolution of the game, the unique atmosphere of Wimbledon, Tim's role with the Laver Cup and the players he considers the greatest of all time. Plus, they talk London life, pub ownership, Lime bikes, favourite books and restaurants and there's even a quick-fire round covering everything from Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams to Melbourne, backgammon and darts.Get SheerLuxe Straight To Your Inbox, Daily | http://sheerluxe.com/signup PANELTim Henman |The Laver Cup | https://lavercup.com/Harvey James |@harvjam | https://www.instagram.com/harvjam/?hl=enLacoste Linen Blend Polo | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66327474MOSS Tweed Trousers | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66332659ALOHAS Brown Leather Sneakers | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66332853Hector Lopez-Valido | @hecchatswhips | https://www.instagram.com/hecchatswhips/?hl=enUniversal Works Waistcoat | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66330559Uniqlo Crew Neck T-Shirt | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66330739Maison Margiela Replica Sneakers | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66333413Nico II Sunglasses | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66333657THINGS WE'RE LOVINGClarkson's Farm | https://www.primevideo.com/detail/0OT6JCWNTHGSU7KAL5EBV7UJ5PFowl | https://fowlrestaurant.com/Serrica Ref. 7505-1 | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66331301Wordle | https://www.nytimes.com/games/wordle/index.htmlOlivier At The Chequers | https://www.olivieratthechequers.co.uk/‘London Falling' By Patrick Radden Keefe | https://go.shopmy.us/p-66334738Merienda Bakery | https://www.merienda.uk/Rafa | https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81785900
What draws an award-winning writer to the darkest corners of human behaviour? Patrick Radden-Keefe is a New York Times bestselling author and staff writer at The New Yorker. He is known for his acclaimed books, including Empire of Pain and Say Nothing - the latter was adapted into a BAFTA and Emmy-nominated drama series. Radden Keefe's latest book, London Falling, investigates the life and untimely death of Zac Brettler, a North London teenager drawn into the criminal underworld. In this conversation, Patrick reflects on why he is so fascinated by “the bad guys”, how the extraordinary story behind London Falling unfolded and his unconventional writing process. Patrick also talks about the years of rejection that preceded his success and how it has shaped him. I hope you enjoy this conversation with one of the world's finest narrative journalists (oh, and Patrick). JUST KIDDING. ✨ IN THIS EPISODE: 03:25 Why He Writes Bad Guys 05:12 London Falling Origin Story 08:01 Reinvention and Secret Lives 10:06 Holocaust Legacy and Lying 14:58 Carrying Grief and First Failure 31:47 Parents Read First Drafts 33:13 Family Themes And Fixations 34:22 Chasing The New Yorker Dream 36:49 Rejection Resentment And Drive 41:14 What To Leave Out 43:28 Research Outline 48:13 Screenplays That Never Get Made 50:51 Growth Outside Comfort Zone
The new book “London Falling” tells the true story of Zac Brettler, a 19-year-old Londoner who falls to his death in the Thames after living a double life pretending to be the son of a wealthy Russian oligarch. We speak with bestselling author Patrick Radden Keefe about mystery, money and police inaction as he searched for answers about Zac's death.
Philippa reviews four very different books — from Tintin to Elizabeth Strout — before sitting down with TV wine expert and debut crime novelist Olly Smith to talk about his joyful new book Death by Noir, and the sub-genre he's invented: wine crime.
In November 2019, nineteen-year-old Zac Brettler went missing. When his parents began looking for him, they discovered that Zac had been living a double life. Patrick Radden Keefe's book is London Falling. Say hello on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. Sign up for our occasional newsletter. Follow the show and review us on Apple Podcasts. Sign up for Criminal Plus to get behind-the-scenes bonus episodes of Criminal, ad-free listening of all of our shows, invitations to virtual events, special merch deals, and more. We also make This is Love and Phoebe Reads a Mystery. Artwork by Julienne Alexander. Check out our online shop. Episode transcripts are posted on our website. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
RHLSTP Book Club #183 - Bad Deeds - Richard talks to novelist and former QI Elf Andrew Hunter Murray about his funny page-turner Bad Deeds. They chat about him no longer being like John Wyndham, how to break into BAFTA, how Richard broke into Buckingham Palace and the much repeated truth about what Michael Fagan got up to in the Queen's bedroom, giving up on a novel after 30,000 words, planning plots, writing in Costa, the parallels with this book and the brilliant London Falling and why breaking into posh houses is acceptable behaviour.Buy the book here - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/bad-deeds-andrew-hunter-murray/8ac69edc4570ebc2SUPPORT THE SHOW!See details of the RHLSTP LIVE DATES Watch our TWITCH CHANNELBecome a badger and see extra content at our WEBSITE Buy DVDs and books from GO FASTER STRIPEAudio mix by Ben Evans (NTO)Thanks to Chris Evans (NTO)Recorded at the Podcast Room Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As you may have heard in last week's episode, the Culture Gabfest is hanging up its microphones after 18 years of cultural commentary. But before our final episode, we've still got much to discuss!On this special guest-packed show, Steve, Dana, and Nadira Goffe have the power! That is the power to get into it with VSFOP Jamelle Bouie about Masters of the Universe, the latest attempt by Mattel to launch their own cinematic universe. They assess the state of IP-driven superhero movies and whether this newest entry—starring Nicholas Galitzine, as the buff, loin cloth-wearing He-Man, and Jared Leto, as the slightly lascivious Skeletor—is more than brand management.Next, they turn to the wild, surreal revenge thriller Is God Is, written and directed by Aleshea Harris based on her stageplay. They talk about how this tale of twin sisters seeking vengeance fits into the growing pantheon of Black horror as well as the ancient canon of revenge tragedies.Finally, and for the final time, it's time to talk about Taylor Swift. In the wake of her newest release, the song “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, the gang assembles one more time to take up the long-simmering Tay debate. Jody Rosen and Julia jump on the call/enter the Thunderdome for this, of course. In a bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, the panel pours one out for the recently shuttered Hampshire College and reflects on the changing landscape of the liberal arts.EndorsementsDana: The interactive, Jazz-playing, transit-obsessed, single purpose website Train Jazz. (Hat tip once more to Rusty Foster's Today in Tabs.)Nadira: The Black Film Archive which showcases Black films made from 1898 to 1999 currently streaming. Also, the year 2016 in music. Jody: For some Gabfest replacement therapy, watching academic lectures on YouTube such as the lectures of art historian John Walsh at Yale Art Galleries—including ones on Vincent Van Gogh and Dutch masters— and cultural historian Eric Lott on Racial Masquerade in America and Philippe Petit's legendary tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. Julia: Patrick Radden Keefe's new book London Falling and the song "Come Tomorrow" by Patti Scialfa.Steve: Following up on last week's endorsement, Steve can confirm that Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee is, in fact, good. Also recommended: Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald. --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Episode 227, Sarah talks with book industry analyst Brenna Connor about the behind-the-scenes world of book sales, bestseller lists, and publishing trends. Brenna shares insight into how sales data is gathered and used across the publishing industry, from tracking pre-orders and audiobooks to measuring the impact of celebrity book clubs and award recognition. They also discuss what makes a book commercially "successful," what current reading trends are revealing about 2026 so far, and what Brenna is watching for in the second half of the year. Plus, Brenna shares her own book recommendations. This post contains affiliate links through which I make a small commission when you make a purchase (at no cost to you!). CLICK HERE for the full episode Show Notes on the blog. Highlights Why tracking book sales is far more complicated than most readers realize — including what Circana can and can't actually measure. A behind-the-scenes look at bestseller lists and the role Circana data plays in lists like the New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly. The famously secretive methodology behind the New York Times Bestseller List. The impact celebrity book clubs and reading lists from Reese, Oprah, and Obama have on book sales. What current sales data is revealing about 2026 reading trends — and how the economy may be shaping book buying habits. Brenna shares the books she recommends — and the trends she's watching for the rest of the year. Brenna's Book Recommendations Two OLD Books She Loves The Unseen World by Liz Moore (2016) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [40:13] Bog Myrtle by Sid Sharp (2024) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [42:00] Other Books Mentioned The God of the Woods by Liz Moore (2024) [40:22] Long Bright River by Liz Moore (2020) [40:23] Two NEW Books She Loves Whale Harbor by Mary Beth Keane (November 3, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [44:07] Joyride by Susan Orlean (2025) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [46:01] Other Books Mentioned Ask Again, Yes by Mary Beth Keane (2019) [45:12] The Half Moon by Mary Beth Keane (2023) [45:14] The Library Book by Susan Orlean (2018) [46:12] One Book She DIDN'T Love Tom Lake by Ann Patchett (2023) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [47:29] Other Books Mentioned The Dutch House by Ann Patchett (2019) [47:51] These Precious Days by Ann Patchett (2021) [47:57] Whistler by Ann Patchett (2026) [48:55] One NEW RELEASE She's Excited About Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) | Amazon | Bookshop.org [49:25] Other Books Mentioned The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger (2003) [49:37] Books From the Discussion Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 6) by Sarah J. Maas (October 27, 2026) [9:38] Untitled (A Court of Thorns and Roses, 7) by Sarah J. Maas (January 12, 2027) [9:38] Strangers by Belle Burden (2026) [11:54] Becoming by Michelle Obama (2018) [15:35] The Many Lives of Mama Love by Lara Love Hardin (2023) [15:45] Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver (2022) [15:53] The Correspondent by Virginia Evans (2025) [25:52] No One's Coming by Kevin Hazzard (2026) [31:38] London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe (2026) [31:53] Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (2021) [33:35] Dungeon Crawler Carl (Dungeon Crawler Carl, 1) by Matt Dinniman (2024)* [33:40] Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke (2026) [36:58] Life Out of Order (The Time Traveler's Wife, 2) by Audrey Niffenegger (October 6, 2026) [37:00] Theo of Golden by Allen Levi (2025)* [38:39] *Publication year reflects the later traditionally published edition. These titles were originally self-published. Other Links Publishing Confidential, on Substack | "A Tale of Three Bestseller Lists" by Kathleen Schmidt
As you may have heard in last week's episode, the Culture Gabfest is hanging up its microphones after 18 years of cultural commentary. But before our final episode, we've still got much to discuss!On this special guest-packed show, Steve, Dana, and Nadira Goffe have the power! That is the power to get into it with VSFOP Jamelle Bouie about Masters of the Universe, the latest attempt by Mattel to launch their own cinematic universe. They assess the state of IP-driven superhero movies and whether this newest entry—starring Nicholas Galitzine, as the buff, loin cloth-wearing He-Man, and Jared Leto, as the slightly lascivious Skeletor—is more than brand management.Next, they turn to the wild, surreal revenge thriller Is God Is, written and directed by Aleshea Harris based on her stageplay. They talk about how this tale of twin sisters seeking vengeance fits into the growing pantheon of Black horror as well as the ancient canon of revenge tragedies.Finally, and for the final time, it's time to talk about Taylor Swift. In the wake of her newest release, the song “I Knew It, I Knew You” for the Toy Story 5 soundtrack, the gang assembles one more time to take up the long-simmering Tay debate. Jody Rosen and Julia jump on the call/enter the Thunderdome for this, of course. In a bonus episode for Slate Plus subscribers, the panel pours one out for the recently shuttered Hampshire College and reflects on the changing landscape of the liberal arts.EndorsementsDana: The interactive, Jazz-playing, transit-obsessed, single purpose website Train Jazz. (Hat tip once more to Rusty Foster's Today in Tabs.)Nadira: The Black Film Archive which showcases Black films made from 1898 to 1999 currently streaming. Also, the year 2016 in music. Jody: For some Gabfest replacement therapy, watching academic lectures on YouTube such as the lectures of art historian John Walsh at Yale Art Galleries—including ones on Vincent Van Gogh and Dutch masters— and cultural historian Eric Lott on Racial Masquerade in America and Philippe Petit's legendary tightrope walk between the Twin Towers. Julia: Patrick Radden Keefe's new book London Falling and the song "Come Tomorrow" by Patti Scialfa.Steve: Following up on last week's endorsement, Steve can confirm that Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee is, in fact, good. Also recommended: Offshore by Penelope Fitzgerald. --Email us your thoughts at culturefest@slate.com. Podcast production by Benjamin Frisch. Production assistance by Daniel Hirsch. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Anna and Geoff discuss the 2026 Stella Prize winner, CANNON by Lee Lai and the 2026 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction shortlist. We also react to the Guardian list of 100 best books of all time. Is there a difference between your 10 favourite novels and your top 10 best books of all time? Our book of the week is LONDON FALLING by Patrick Radden Keefe. This is Keefe's latest book, after his widely acclaimed EMPIRE OF PAIN. It explores the death of 19 year old Zac Brettler, who had been posing as a Russian oligarch's son and became entangled with the London underworld. LONDON FALLING was a Most Anticipated book of 2026 and is a New York Times Best Book of the Year So Far. There are twists and turns aplenty and much to discuss: Were the Met police incompetent or was there more to it? If your teenager has £850,000 in their bank account, is this a red flag? What did we think of the ending? Coming up: JOHN OF JOHN by Douglas Stuart Follow us! Email: Booksonthegopodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @abailliekaras Substack: Books On The Go Credits Artwork: Sascha Wilkosz
A teenager hurtles from the balcony of a luxury apartment complex into the Thames. That unexplained death animates the newest book from one of America's great nonfiction writers, Patrick Radden Keefe. Patrick joins Harry to unspool the story's web of shady characters, complacent police, and desperate parents. The two delve into the transformation of London into a playground for the extremely and unscrupulously wealthy—like Russian oligarchs—that made the fatal fall possible and draw out the way Trump is overseeing a similar shift in the United States. And Harry digs into Patrick's approach to writing, including how his law degree informs his precise, almost prosecutorial reporting. Mentioned in this episode: London Falling: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/704979/london-falling-by-patrick-radden-keefe/ Patrick's reporting: https://www.newyorker.com/contributors/patrick-radden-keefe Patrick's story about Trump, Mark Burnett, and the Apprentice: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/07/how-mark-burnett-resurrected-donald-trump-as-an-icon-of-american-success Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Patrick Radden Keefe is an award winning writer known for his ability to tell complex stories in ways that are compelling and revealing. Author of the bestsellers Empire of Pain—a shocking exposé of the Sackler family and their involvement in the opioid crisis—and Say Nothing, his award-winning account of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and the murder of Jean McConville by the IRA, Keefe has built a global reputation for meticulous reporting, moral clarity, and gripping storytelling.In May 2026 he joined Emily Maitlis live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the investigation that has led to his new book London Falling. At its centre is a teenager who mysteriously fell to his death from a Thames-side luxury apartment in London, and his grieving family's determination to get to the truth of what really happened. Keefe also discussed the broader themes of how money laundering, crime and corruption function today in London's underbelly. --- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Journalist, author and podcaster Patrick Radden Keefe is renowned for writing stories about crime and corruption that expose deeper societal truths. His latest book, “London Falling,” explores the mysterious circumstances around the death of 19-year-old Zac Brettler. While London police ruled Zac's death a suicide, his parents soon learn he'd been living a double life as the fake son of a Russian oligarch and gotten entangled in the city's criminal underworld. Kara and Patrick talk about the book, how London changed after it became a hotspot for foreign money laundering, and how he gains the trust of sources who might not otherwise talk to journalists. They also get updates on some of Patrick's previous stories and talk about where he draws the line when it comes to using AI in his work. Questions? Comments? Email us at on@voxmedia.com or find us on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Threads, and Bluesky @onwithkaraswisher. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Patrick Radden Keefe is an award winning writer known for his ability to tell complex stories in ways that are compelling and revealing. Author of the bestsellers Empire of Pain—a shocking exposé of the Sackler family and their involvement in the opioid crisis—and Say Nothing, his award-winning account of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and the murder of Jean McConville by the IRA, Keefe has built a global reputation for meticulous reporting, moral clarity, and gripping storytelling.In May 2026 he joined Emily Maitlis live on the Intelligence Squared stage to discuss the investigation that has led to his new book London Falling. At its centre is a teenager who mysteriously fell to his death from a Thames-side luxury apartment in London, and his grieving family's determination to get to the truth of what really happened. Keefe also discussed the broader themes of how money laundering, crime and corruption function today in London's underbelly. --- This is the first instalment of a two-part episode. If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. https://www.intelligencesquared.com/newsletter-signup/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Patrick Radden Keefe (London Falling, Empire of Pain, Say Nothing) is an award-winning investigative journalist, bestselling author, and staff writer for The New Yorker. Patrick joins Armchair Expert to discuss growing up in a deeply intellectual household, developing a childhood obsession with writing for The New Yorker, and navigating a winding academic path through Columbia, Cambridge, and Yale Law. Patrick and Dax talk about the years-long reporting process behind London Falling, how a chance encounter led him to the story of Zac Brettler, and the challenges of investigating a mysterious death tied to hidden identities and extreme wealth in modern London. Patrick explains how proximity to oligarch culture and social media can warp ambition, why digression can be the soul of storytelling, and how to hold empathy for people navigating unknowable circumstances.Sign up now in the app or at grubhub.com/plus/golddays to unlock exclusive Gold Days deals.Check Allstate first for a quote that could save you hundreds: https://www.allstate.com/See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Patrick Radden Keefe, a staff writer at the New Yorker and the author of “Say Nothing” and “Empire of Pain,” sits down with Lawfare Associate Editor Peter Beck to discuss his most recent book, “London Falling.” The two talk about Radden Keefe's investigation of a London teenager's fatal plunge into the Thames, the United Kingdom's acquiescence to foreign influence, and his process in writing about the book.To receive ad-free podcasts, become a Lawfare Material Supporter at www.patreon.com/lawfare. You can also support Lawfare by making a one-time donation at https://givebutter.com/lawfare-institute.Support this show http://supporter.acast.com/lawfare. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
When Patrick Radden Keefe was living in London while shooting the TV adaptation of his book “Say Nothing,” he heard about a teen-ager who fell from a luxurious apartment tower in mysterious circumstances. As he looked into it, he learned that the boy, Zac Brettler, had assumed an alternate identity as the son of a Russian oligarch, and had connected with dangerous people—just as mysterious. His story in The New Yorker, “A Teen's Fatal Plunge into the London Underworld,” became the basis of his new book “London Falling.” “It's not crime, per se, that interests me,” Radden Keefe tells David Remnick, “but the intermingling of the licit and illicit worlds, and the ways in which people deviate from a kind of conventional morality by degrees—and then the stories that they tell themselves about doing that.” He shares recordings from Brettler's parents of conversations that they had as they sought to uncover what had happened to their son. Further reading: “London Falling,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “A Teen's Fatal Plunge Into the London Underworld,” by Patrick Radden Keefe New episodes of The New Yorker Radio Hour drop every Tuesday and Friday. Join host David Remnick as he discusses the latest in politics, news, and current events in conversation with political leaders, newsmakers, innovators, New Yorker staff writers, authors, actors, and musicians. New Yorker Radio Hour listeners, we want to hear from you. We have a few questions about the show and how you listen to it. The survey takes about twenty minutes, and your feedback will help us make our podcast better. Take the survey here.
Today on the show, with the US-Iran ceasefire set to expire on Wednesday, the shaky ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon, and continued chaos in the Strait of Hormuz, Vali Nasr joins to discuss what might come next in the Middle East. Then, in a stunning defeat Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán lost his reelection campaign after more than a decade in power. Fareed speaks with Atlantic staff writer Anne Applebaum about what this might mean for populism in Europe. Finally, New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe joins the show to discuss his new book, “London Falling,” about a teenager's mysterious death in London, and the city's shadowy underworld that it revealed. GUESTS: Vali Nasr (@vali_nasr), Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum), Patrick Radden Keefe (@praddenkeefe) Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Patrick Radden Keefe joins “The Book Review” to discuss his new book, “London Falling,” which begins when a family loses a 19-year-old son, Zac Brettler, under mysterious circumstances. His parents eventually discover he had been living a secret life, posing as the son of a Russian oligarch. Speaking with the host Gilbert Cruz, Keefe describes the moment he first heard the story and how he immediately knew it would become his next major project. He talks about gaining the trust of the young man's parents, Matthew and Rachelle Brettler, and following the threads of their son's life into a world of wealth, influence and deception in London. The conversation also explores how the book moves beyond the night of Zac's death and into a broader story about ambition, reinvention and the uneasy question at its center: How well can we ever know the people closest to us? Books discussed on this episode: “Say Nothing,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “Seasons of Fury,” by Rozina Ali “The Emperor's Children,” by Claire Messud “Out of Sheer Rage,” by Geoff Dyer “Middlemarch,” by George Eliot “In Cold Blood,” by Truman Capote “The Power Broker,” by Robert A. Caro “Far From the Tree,” by Andrew Solomon “Chatter,” by Patrick Radden Keefe “The Last Samurai,” by Helen DeWitt Listen to and Follow ‘The Book Review' Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | YouTube | iHeartRadio Unlock full access to New York Times podcasts and explore everything from politics to pop culture. Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. We Want to Hear From You We would love to hear your thoughts about this episode, and about the Book Review's podcast in general. You can send them to thebookreview@nytimes.com. Credits “The Book Review” podcast is hosted by Gilbert Cruz and produced by Amy Pearl and Sarah Diamond. The show is edited by Larissa Anderson and mixed by Pedro Rosado. Special thanks to MJ Franklin, Dahlia Haddad and Brooke Minters. Illustration by The New York Times; Photo: Erik Tanner for The New York Times Subscribe today at nytimes.com/podcasts or on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. You can also subscribe via your favorite podcast app here https://www.nytimes.com/activate-access/audio?source=podcatcher. For more podcasts and narrated articles, download The New York Times app at nytimes.com/app. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Award-winning New Yorker staff writer Patrick Radden Keefe is the author behind best sellers like "Say Nothing" and "Empire of Pain." His latest book, "London Falling," is a deep dive into the mysterious death of a teenager – and the secret life that came to light after he was gone. PBS News is supported by - https://www.pbs.org/newshour/about/funders. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
This week, Liberty and Vanessa discuss London Falling, Against Breaking, American Fantasy, and more great books! Subscribe to All the Books! using RSS, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify and never miss a beat book. Sign up for the weekly New Books! newsletter for even more new book news. Keep track of new releases with Book Riot's New Release Index, now included with an All Access membership. Click here to get started today! For a complete list of books discussed in this episode, visit our website https://bookriot.com/listen/new-releases-and-more-for-april-7-2026/. Use code THEBOOKS for 20% off at Cozy Earth Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Patrick has a new book coming out April 7, a true story about Zac Brettler, a London teenager who died under mysterious circumstances in 2019. After Zac's death, his parents, Rachelle and Matthew, made a shocking discovery: Zac had been leading a secret double life, posing as the son of a Russian oligarch. "London Falling" is the story of two grieving parents who set out to investigate their own son's death, a journey that pulled them into a side of their city they had never known before, a murky underworld of power, money, danger, and deceit. This exclusive preview for "Wind of Change" listeners is the prologue from the Penguin Random House audiobook, read by Patrick. "London Falling" is available for pre-order wherever books are sold. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
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