Agatha Christie and the Kidnapping That Inspired Her Greatest Mystery

In this episode, Shilo sits down with veteran journalist Joe Nocera for a deep dive into the world’s best-selling novelist, Agatha Christie.  Nocera’s new investigative podcast is all about the Charles Lindbergh, Jr., kidnapping, one of history’s most infamous crimes, and a key inspiration behind Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express.  They dig into why mystery fiction matters so deeply, the puzzle-like satisfaction of solving the crime, the bloodless elegance of Christie’s plots, and the rare comfort of a story that always resolves with true justice. They break down how Christie drew directly from the Lindbergh kidnapping to craft her most famous work and examine what the Lindbergh case reveals about a society so hungry for retribution that it may have sent the wrong man to the electric chair. Old School is proudly brought to you by the Jack Miller Center. If you believe in the importance of civic education and want to help prepare the next generation to carry on our democracy, join us at JackMillerCenter.org. Become a paid subscriber to The Free Press today to enjoy exclusive bonus episodes and reduced ads. Click here to subscribe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices