Kidnapped, Forgotten, Fictionalized

21 and Counting: How Math Beat the House

Pull up a seat and shuffle the deck—this is The True Crime Reader, where we deal out the secrets behind the world’s most audacious, intricate true crime stories. Today’s episode dives into Bringing Down the House: The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions by Ben Mezrich, the book that inspired a major motion picture and introduced millions to a heist like none before. But how much of this tale is fact, and how much is legend?

A School of Secrets

A school where children disappear may seem like a fantasy novel, but it was real life for the boys at the Dozier School...

Kidnapped, Forgotten, Fictionalized

Sally Horner's kidnapping inspired one of the most well-known books ever. Is this ethical journalism?

Mindhunters

The legendary life of Dr. Ann Burgess and the Mindhunters she inspired.

Morbidly Curious

Why do we slow down at a car accident? Why are horror movies so engaging? Why are we down another true crime rabbit hole?