Kristen Barenthaler
Bio
Curious adventurer. Crazed reader. Librarian. Archery instructor. True crime addict.
Instagram: @kristenbarenthaler
Facebook: @kbarenthaler
Stories (361)
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Flames of Deception: Boston’s Arson Epidemic. Content Warning.
Welcome to The True Crime Reader, the podcast that goes deep into the world of true crime literature, bringing you the stories behind today’s most gripping investigative works and in this episode, we take you to a city under siege—not by an outside force, but from within.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in Criminal
Postcard from Bangor
Welcome to “Postcards Between Pages,” where we journey to places where stories come alive, and the landscape speaks with the echoes of literary giants. Today, we’re mailing you an audio postcard straight from Bangor, Maine—home to SK Tours of Bangor and the heart of Stephen King’s legendary world. Together, we’ll traverse the eerie streets and storied landmarks that inspired the King of Horror, listen to tales and whispers from beyond the page, and unravel how Bangor’s soul has shaped the nightmares and dreams of readers across the globe.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in Wander
Two Teens, One Bus, and a Nation Watching. Content Warning.
Hello, and welcome to “The True Crime Reader,” where we dig beneath the headlines to unravel the stories that shape our understanding of crime, justice, and society. Today’s episode takes us to Oakland, California, for the story behind Dashka Slater’s powerful nonfiction book, “The 57 Bus”—a case that stunned the Bay Area and reverberated across the country.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in Criminal
In Cold Blood: Anatomy of a True Crime Classic. Content Warning.
The True Crime Reader: Truman Capote’s 'In Cold Blood' Welcome to The True Crime Reader, the podcast where literature meets real life—and the line between truth and narrative blurs. I’m your host, and today we’re journeying into the heart of rural 1950s America to examine Truman Capote’s genre-defining work, In Cold Blood. This episode, we’ll peel back the layers of a book that didn’t just recount a murder—it transformed journalism, challenged the ethics of true crime, and left a profound mark on how we tell stories about violence, psychology, and the American Dream.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in Criminal
Alphabet Soup & Snowflakes: My 2025 A–Z Reading List
Welcome back, booklovers, to The Chapter Café—where the cocoa is hot, the snow is falling, and every story feels like a warm blanket on a cold day. I’m Kristen, your host, and today’s episode is a special one. We’re curling up with a literary tradition I’ve come to adore: the A to Z reading challenge.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Christmas Crackers and Coming Home
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re unwrapping a festive, emotionally rich holiday tale that’s as cozy as a wool blanket and as sparkly as a Christmas cracker. On today’s menu? I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Jenny Bayliss—a story about coming home, facing old wounds, and finding your place in the world, one snow-dusted step at a time.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Come As You Are & the Art of Starting Over
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re unpacking a story about heartbreak, reinvention, and the unexpected ways we find our people. On today’s menu? Come As You Are by Dahlia Adler—a YA romance that’s equal parts sharp, swoony, and soul-searching.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Cursed Pages & Candlelight
Welcome, brave souls, to The Chapter Cafe—where stories steep like tea and mysteries simmer in the shadows. Tonight, under the flicker of candlelight and the watchful gaze of a harvest moon, we invite you to pull up a chair and sip from our Halloween Mystery Brew.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Feast & Folklore: Autumn Recipes with a Story
Welcome to The Chapter Café, where stories simmer, flavors mingle, and every book is served with a side of imagination. Today’s menu? Cookbooks—the kind that leave grease stains on the margins and breadcrumbs in the binding. You know the ones: well-loved, well-used, and maybe even a little chewed on by time (or a curious pet).
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Espresso Shots & Espionage: The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and today we’re trading in our cozy cardigans for leather jackets and encrypted burner phones. On today’s menu? The Blonde Who Came in From the Cold by Ally Carter—a second-chance spy romance that’s equal parts adrenaline and heart.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Lights Out & Love in the Dark
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories are always on the menu and comfort is served by the chapter. I’m your host, Kristen, and tonight we’re dimming the lights, pouring something strong, and stepping into the shadows with a dark romance that’s as twisted as it is tender. On today’s menu? Lights Out by Navessa Allen—a story of trauma, obsession, and the strange, electric pull between two broken souls.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
Once Upon a Heartbeat: Romance & Reimagined Fairy Tales
Welcome back to The Chapter Café, where stories steep like tea and imagination flows like espresso. Today, we're opening the pages of love and legend with an episode that blends romance and reimagined fairy tales. From glass slippers that don’t fit to enchanted forests with modern twists, we’re diving into tales where happily-ever-afters come with a dash of realism and a whole lot of heart.
By Kristen Barenthaler18 days ago in BookClub
