A Funeral Home Murder Mystery: Joe Pulizzi’s Bold Leap into Crime Writing

A Funeral Home Murder Mystery: Joe Pulizzi’s Bold Leap into Crime Writing

Author: Robert Riggs August 13, 2024 Duration: 36:19

Joe Pulizzi, the Godfather of Content Marketing, takes an audacious leap into crime fiction, delivering a story that is as mesmerizing as it is chilling. 

Set within the haunting confines of a funeral home, “The Will To Die” unravels a dark and twisted narrative brimming with suspense, secrets, and a touch of macabre.

Pulizzi’s protagonist, a marketing professional, finds himself entangled in a web of deceit and danger. He is compelled to uncover the mysteries buried deep within the family-run funeral home he unexpectedly inherits.

Since I grew up in East Texas, I was drawn to Pulizzi’s crime novel because of the real-life case of Bernie Tiede.

The chubby-cheeked mortician befriended the widow of a wealthy oilman at his funeral. 

Bernie became her personal assistant and sole heir to her multi-million dollar estate.

And in 1996, he carried out one of the most bizarre murders in Texas history. 

Pulizzi is on to something by incorporating the morticians and embalmers into his story.

They are typically seen as caretakers of the dead, but their presence confronts the unnerving possibility that death has taken on a new, more sinister dimension within their midst.


JOE PULIZZI – LINKS

“The Will To Die”

“The Content Entrepreneur”

The Orange Effect Foundation – Help children with speech disorders receive the speech therapy and technology they need.


FOLLOW the True Crime Reporter® Podcast 

SIGN UP FOR my True Crime Newsletter

THANK YOU FOR THE FIVE-STAR REVIEWS ON APPLEPlease leave one – it really helps.

TELL ME about a STORY OR SUBJECT  that you want to hear more about

Read The Story


Robert Riggs has spent decades as an investigative reporter, and in True Crime Reporter, he applies that relentless, document-driven approach to the stories that haunt us. This isn't just a retelling of grim headlines; it's a meticulous walk through active case files, historical injustices, and the societal undercurrents that allow crime to flourish. Each episode feels like you're sitting across from Riggs as he lays out his notes, connecting dots between evidence, witness accounts, and the often-overlooked details that change a narrative. You'll hear the tension in the pursuit of truth, the weight of unresolved questions, and the quiet impact on communities and families left in the wake of violence. The podcast moves beyond the sensational to examine the cultural and systemic factors at play, offering a sober, deeply researched perspective. Listen for long-form narratives that build like a detective's board, where every piece of audio, every interview, and every document serves a purpose. It’s for those who want to understand the 'why' and the 'how' as much as the 'who,' presented with the clarity and authority of a seasoned journalist who knows the terrain. This is a journey into real stories, handled with the care they demand, and it naturally becomes an essential listen for anyone fascinated by the intersection of human behavior, justice, and the news.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

True Crime Reporter
Podcast Episodes
Blood Pacts and Breaking Bad: The Rise and Fall of the Devil Lovers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:51
In the shadow of Texas’ heartland, a clandestine cult flourished under the guise of dark rituals and methamphetamine production. Known as the Devil Lovers, this group of middle-aged men and women from prominent Waco fami…
A Case Of Pure Evil Haunts Dallas FBI Agent [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Genaro “Geno” Ruiz Camacho’s drug empire thrived on violence. In the late 1980s in Dallas, he ruled with an iron fist and displayed an almost unimaginable cruelty towards those who crossed his path. This story is about v…
Better Be On Your Best Behavior When Police Wear Body Cameras [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
If Minneapolis police officers had been wearing body cameras, would it have prevented the excessive force that led to the murder of 46-year-old George Floyd? Dr. Jennifer Matthews says Body-Worn Cameras are reshaping Pol…
Beneath the Charm: Unveiling The Black Widow Part 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:36
Sandra Bridewell has fallen from grace in Dallas Society. Shunned by neighbors and most friends in the posh Highland Park community that is home to oil and real estate barons. In Parts 1 & 2 Beneath the Charm: Unveiling…