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Lady Killers: True Crime Meets Literary Legends
16 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Show explores women killers who inspired famous authors.
- Edith Thompson's story influenced Sarah Waters' novel.
- Margaret Garner inspired Toni Morrison's Pulitzer-winning book.
The program 'Lady Killers with Lucy Worsley' returns, focusing on historical female criminals whose stories captivated literary giants. The initial episode, recorded live at the Hay Festival in 2025, features author Sarah Waters and historian Professor Rosalind Crone. They investigate how these infamous women influenced acclaimed writers to immortalize them in print.
Discussions include Edith Thompson, who was implicated in her husband's murder without direct involvement, and whose narrative significantly shaped Sarah Waters' thriller 'The Paying Guests,' set in the 1920s. Additionally, the series explores Maria Manning, whose life was re-envisioned by Charles Dickens as Hortense in 'Bleak House.'
The program also covers Margaret Garner, an escaped enslaved woman whose harrowing experiences formed the basis for Toni Morrison's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel 'Beloved.' Through compelling narratives, dramatic readings, and historical insights, 'Lady Killers: Murder by the Book' examines the enduring fascination with these women from a modern feminist viewpoint.
