Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast
Murder Shelf Book Club, Murder Shelf Book Club Podcast, True Crime, Serial Killers, Non-Fiction, Discussion, Crime, Victims, Podcast, Entertainment, podcast
Sunday, May 24, 2026
Ep 167: Joseph Scott Morgan Joins Jill
Monday, May 18, 2026
Ep 166-170: Alessandro Gallici Prosecco with a delicious Tex-Mex Queso Recipe!
Laithwaite Wine Club's Alessandro Gallici Prosecco
Dallas's CLASSIC TEX-MEX QUESO
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ medium onion chopped, about ½ cup
2 jalapeƱos fresh, seeded and chopped (removing the seeds and ribs decreases the heat significantly)
3 cloves garlic minced
1 tablespoon Serrano chiles pickled, (optional)
1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
1 13 oz. can evaporated milk
2 tablespoon corn starch
1 cup water
½ lb American cheese yellow, grated
½ lb American cheese white, grated
1 teaspoon ground cumin
¼ teaspoon onion powder
¼ teaspoon black pepper freshly ground
½ teaspoon Kosher salt
1 4.5 oz can green chiles
1 tablespoon cilantro fresh, chopped
Pico de Gallo for garnish
Tortilla chips for dipping
1. Heat the unsalted butter in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the onion, jalapeƱos, and garlic and cook until softened, about 3 minutes.
3. Add the pickled Serrano peppers (if using) and tomatoes, and cook just until tomatoes begin to break down, about 3 more minutes.
4. In a medium bowl, add the corn starch to the evaporated milk and whisk until dissolved and incorporated. Whisk in the water and add it to the veggies in the skillet.
5. Stir with a wooden spoon until just starting to thicken.
6. Add in the cheese and stir until completely melted.
7. Stir in the cumin, onion powder, pepper, salt, green chilies, and cilantro. Bring to just a simmer and let cook for a couple of minutes.
8. Transfer to a warmed bowl or small slow-cooker and top with Fresh Pico de Gallo and warmed tortilla chips.
Thank you, Kris Longwell and HowTOFeedALoon.com for this incredible recipe!
Ep 166-170: The Caregiver's Game: Unraveling Financial Deceit in the Shadows of Dementia by Charles E. Wallace
Buy The Caregiver's Game on Amazon!
SOURCES
Charles E Wallace Jr., The Caregiver's Game: Unraveling Financial Deceit in the Shadows of Dementia, Nov 22, 2025.
22 Clues to Dementia, The Dementia Society of America, Dec 20, 2021.
Charles E Wallace Jr, The Caregiver's Game, 2025.
Elizabeth Greenwood, Playing Dead: A Journey Through the World of Death Fraud, Aug. 15, 2017.
Emmit Pierce, Playing a risky game: People who fake death for big money, MoneyTalksNews, CBSNews.com, Sept. 5, 2017.
Former caregiver accused of stealing from senior living patient, 81, charged with 20 felonies, WSB, Feb. 27, 2025.
Former Ohio caregiver accused of stealing from elderly woman, selling her vehicle, WKRC.com, Nov. 2, 2025.
Ivan Taylor, Neighbors' vigilance exposes caretaker's alleged scheme to drain Plantation man's life savings, CBSNews.com, Sept. 2, 2025.
Joell Fleming Obituary, Dallas Morning News, 2022.
Joey Swanson, Florida caregiver accused of stealing nearly $100K from elderly patient, Fox 13 News, March 3, 2026.
Kris Longwell, Classic Tex-Mex Queso, HowToFeedALoon.com, Jan. 3, 2023.
What to know about dementia and setting up a power of attorney for healthcare, Medical News Today, 2026.
Whitney Ray, Caregiver exploiting Senior for Thousands, Office of the Attorney-General, Florida, Feb. 23, 2023.
Friday, May 15, 2026
SWANS DON'T SWIM IN A SEWER CHANGES THE TRUE CRIME NARRATIVE ~ BOOK REVIEW
Buy Swans Don't Swim In A Sewer on AMAZON and BARNES AND NOBLE!
EP 145: Listen to Sheryl 'Mac' McCollum and Jill discuss Swans Don't Swim In A Sewer
Book Review
Melissa Wolfenbarger was murdered, and it took years for this tragedy to be acknowledged. When her family sought help, cold case investigator Sheryl "Mac" McCollum stepped in to assist them in uncovering the truth about what happened to their daughter, who happened to be the child of a serial killer serving a life sentence.
I have read many true crime books, most of which are written by lawyers, investigators, authors, or journalists. These works typically explore the evidence, interrogations, forensics, and the journey through the court system to achieve justice. This particular book follows that pattern but differs in a significant way.
From the very beginning, it centers on the family, focusing on Melissa Wolfenbarger's parents and sister. Sheryl encourages readers to look beyond the two-dimensional portrayal of Carl Patton, a serial killer who is also a grieving father of a murdered child. Presenting this perspective is a remarkable achievement and exemplifies the magic of good storytelling. A critical thread throughout the narrative is that Carl Patton committed multiple murders and faced the consequences of his actions. Equally important is the focused effort to gather facts, conduct interviews, and collect evidence to bring Melissa Wolfenbarger’s murderer to justice, all while treating her family with compassion.
Cold cases are inherently challenging, and this book emphasizes that sharing information with the families at the center of the story is crucial. A simple 20-second update from an investigator or assistant district attorney can have a profound impact on the lives of a victim’s family and dramatically alter their world—a truth that carries significant weight. "Swans Don’t Swim in a Sewer" is a standout piece of literature and deserves a place on the shelves of every true crime enthusiast.
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
Ep 165: Dark Tide- Growing Up With Ted Bundy by Edna Cowell Martin and Megan Atkinson
Buy Dark Tide- Growing Up With Ted Bundy at Amazon and
Barnes and Noble!
Monday, May 4, 2026
EP 164 Dog 'O War by Aphrodite Jones
Listen to Ep 164 on Dog O'War by Aphrodite Jones
Buy Aphrodite Jones's Dog O'War on Amazon!
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SOURCES
Aphrodite Jones, Dog O'War, April 7, 2026.
David Barry, Descent into Darkness, Southern Poverty Law Center, June 18, 2002.
Jaxon VanDerbeken, S.F. Lawyers Adopt Con Who Bred Killer Dog/Action by animal's keepers stuns state correction officials, SFGate.com, Jan. 31, 2001.
Jaxon VanDerbeken, Prison Gang Duo Linked to Dog that Killed Woman, SFgate.com, Jan. 30, 2001.
Katie Dowd, Woman whose dogs killed Diane Whipple denied parole, Sfgate.com, Feb. 15, 2026.
Kim Curtis, Evidence Unsealed in Dog-Mauling case, ABCNews.com, March 29, 2001.
Kim Curtis, Judge Oks bail cut for woman who figures in fatal dog attack, Venture County Star, Sept. 1, 2001.
Lawyer for Knoller asks court to overturn dog-maul murder conviction, Fox2 WKVU, Nov 16, 2015.
Lucia Graves, Two Dogs, a Death, and the Trial that made Kimberly Guilfoyle a Television Star, Medium.com, Nov. 3, 2020.
Man Tied to attack adopted, The Californian, Jan 31, 2001.
Parole denied to attorney serving life sentence in San Francisco dog mauling, Los Angeles Times, Feb 8, 2019.
Ron Harris, Court Hearing Goes to Court, Venture County Star, March, 8, 2001.
The Diane Whipple Case, Dog Bite Law.com, 2026.
Woman gets at least 15 years for fatal dog attack, NBCNews.com, Sept 22, 2008.
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
EP 163: Shadows in Fire by Judith A. Yates


































