Killer Book Club Podcast with Gillian Pachter cover art

Killer Book Club

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Killer Book Club

By: Gillian Pachter
Narrated by: Gillian Pachter
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Contains strong language and adult themes.

The idyllic quiet of a picture postcard English village is shattered when a book club member is murdered by his former student and lover.

But why would anyone kill a retired English teacher, a pillar of his community? Perhaps the answer lies in the trail of writing that he, and his killer, left behind: diaries, poems and novels.

Documentary maker Gillian Pachter lifts the lace curtain to reveal a secret wedding, sordid affairs, drug abuse and psychological torture. She enlists the help of James, a former student of the victim, to try and uncover the truth. Buried memories from James' school days provide the final piece of the puzzle, and unlock a dark episode from Gillian’s own past.

A Vespucci, Big Light and Dorothy Street production for Audible. Executive Producer: Frank Spotnitz.

This original podcast is 8 episodes in total, please begin with “Ep. 1: The Knot”.

©2021 Audible, Ltd (P)2021 Audible, Ltd Biographies & Memoirs Con Artists, Hoaxes & Deceptions Murder True Crime
Episodes
  • Ep. 1: The Knot

    Ep. 1: The Knot
    Sep 29 2021

    A tip-off from an old friend leads Gillian to seek the truth behind the murder of retired English teacher Peter Farquhar.
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    32 mins
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  • Ep. 2: The Dark Circle

    Ep. 2: The Dark Circle
    Sep 29 2021

    Accompanied by James, a new acquaintance who seems to harbour secrets about the case, Gillian learns that the victim Peter is far more complex than he was depicted at court.
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    34 mins
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  • Ep. 3: Truest Jest

    Ep. 3: Truest Jest
    Sep 29 2021

    New information leads Gillian to question the prosecution’s narrative about killer Ben Field. She decides to use literary tools to unlock his motives.
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    32 mins
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All stars
Most relevant
Really enjoyed this so descriptive and a great pace. Interesting and showed a view of middle England

Great

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Very good story telling. Interesting tale, well woven. I didn't care for the author's own story put in as a filler or connector. Listened to in 2 sittings.

Interesting Tale (Could be a BBC crime drama )

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Disclosure: I knew the victim of the murder described this podcast, I know the narrator/writer and I am briefly featured in a couple of episodes. So I am far from a casual listener and definitely bring my bias to this. Certainly, it was a very odd experience listening to it and suddenly hearing my voice, and the voices of old friends and teachers.

This is an absorbing, detailed and even handed account of a horrific crime, and the complex life of the victim, Peter Farquhar - teacher of literature, mentor, author and a man whose own long suppressed desires ultimately led to his own murder.

Pachter unravels a case that at the time was covered sensationally and superficially and tells the story of a life only partially understood even by those, like me, who thought we knew him well. There are times when you can feel the story-teller in her reach a little far, labor a little too hard to find meaning or draw conclusions where the truth is just messy and incomplete, but on the whole this does succeed in making a close reading of a man who, as a master of close reading himself, would have appreciated it.

Complex, Sad, Absorbing - non-objective review

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An ejoyable docustory. Woman on the street interviews, thorough research, interesting interviews, flowing narrative. Satisfying ending.

Twists and Turns

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This really happened. what a ride! Excellent from the first sentence. worth it. good listen.

i was immediately hooked

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