Taxonomy of the Modern Mystery Story

Taxonomy of the Modern Mystery Story

Author: Pushkin Industries July 27, 2023 Duration: 46:35

Today, another episode from the Revisionist History Live universe. It's an old fashioned lecture, recorded at the New Orleans Book Festival at Tulane University. Malcolm talks about a totally real thing he made up—a taxonomy of the modern mystery story—with a focus on murder mysteries and police procedurals. From Dragnet, to John Grisham, to Sherlock Holmes, it's all in there...and all connected to how we view real policing. 

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell's journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every episode re-examines something from the past—an event, a person, an idea, even a song—and asks whether we got it right the first time. From Pushkin Industries. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance. To get early access to ad-free episodes and extra content, subscribe to Pushkin+ in Apple Podcasts or at pushkin.fm/plus. iHeartMedia is the exclusive podcast partner of Pushkin Industries.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Revisionist History
Podcast Episodes
Christmas in Connecticut [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:18
Today, we bring you our holiday epic from last year.When Arnold Schwarzenegger decided he wanted to direct a feature film, the choice of material was obvious: He would remake a 1945 holiday classic. Easier said than done…
Twas the Night Before Christmas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:40
For nearly 200 years, we have credited the most famous poem of the Christmas season to Clement Clarke Moore. But what if we got the wrong man? This holiday season: A centuries old family feud, a bold claim from an Englis…
The Alabama Murders - Part 7: The Second Warrant [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:06
Holman Correctional Facility. January 2024. Over three decades after the murder of Elizabeth Sennett, the failure cascade comes to an end, but not before claiming one more life. Get early, ad-free access to the full seas…
The Alabama Murders - Part 6: The Porterfield Sessions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:53
Manhattan, NY December. 2022. What do you do, after the state has tried to execute you, but failed? Kenny Smith’s legal team calls Kate Porterfield. A psychologist who specializes in trauma. Get early, ad-free access to…
The Alabama Murders - Part 5: Cruel and Unusual [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:12
Holman Correctional Facility. November 2022. The State of Alabama tries to execute Kenneth Smith. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing to Pushkin+ on Apple Podcasts or Pushki…
The Alabama Murders - Part 4: The Protocol [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:32
Holman Correctional Facility. June 2010. John Forrest Parker is put to death by lethal injection. He didn’t appear to suffer. But did he? Get early, ad-free access to the full season of The Alabama Murders by subscribing…
The Alabama Murders - Part 3: A Peculiar Institution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:11
Colbert County. May 1989. One of the men charged with Elizabeth Sennett’s murder stands trial. But the prosecution’s case has problematic inconsistencies. His fate comes down to the jury’s decision –– at least at first.…
The Alabama Murders - Part 2: Coon Dog Cemetery Road [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:21
Florence, Alabama. 1988. After a horrifying murder takes place, an anonymous caller names three young men as suspects. But speculation swirls about the victim’s husband. Get early, ad-free access to the full season of Th…