Episode · The Book Review · 2026-08-28
Books mentioned on Book Club: Let’s Talk About ‘London Falling’
At the center of Patrick Radden Keefe’s new book, “London Falling,” is a mystery: In 2019, a young man named Zac Brettler disappeared, and a few days later his body was found in the Thames River.
Books mentioned, in the order they came up
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London Falling
London Falling by Patrick Radden Keefe is a true-crime narrative and investigative work by the acclaimed New Yorker reporter.
Book club“And this week we are talking about Patrick Rat and Keith's latest book, London Falling.”
Where to get it
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Empire of Pain
Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe; Ricard Gil is a meticulous investigative non-fiction book that chronicles the rise of the Sackler family and their pharmaceutical company, Purdue Pharma, detailing their role in manufacturing OxyContin and fueling the devastating opioid epidemic in America.
Discussed“most recently Empire of Pain which is a book about the Sackler family which is the family behind Purdue Pharma which manufactured Oxycontton and of course as we know now played quite a role in the opioid epidemic.”
Where to get it
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Say Nothing
Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe is a gripping work of true crime and investigative journalism that explores a murder and memory during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Recommended“I would say definitely read Say Nothing if you haven't and if you liked it, I second that.”
Where to get it
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Reunion
Reunion by Fred Uhlman is a poignant and tightly crafted novella that explores the tragic friendship between two schoolboys in Germany as the Nazi party rises to power.
Recommended“Um, but to go in a slightly different direction, I I thought a few times about this novella, Reunion by Fredman.”
Where to get it
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Putin's People
Putin's People by Catherine Belton is a sweeping investigative non-fiction work that traces the rise of Vladimir Putin and the inner circle of former KGB operatives who seized control of Russia's economy and political apparatus.
Recommended“So, there's a uh non-fiction book. It's not specifically about London, but it's called Putin's People by Katherine Belton.”
Where to get it
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Strangers to Ourselves
Strangers to Ourselves by Rachel Aviv is a critically acclaimed exploration of mental illness and personal identity that examines real-life case studies.
Recommended“she really talks about the ways in which The stories that we tell ourselves, the stories that other people tell us about who we are, shape our understanding of who we are”
Where to get it
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Days of Love and Rage
Days of Love and Rage by Anand Gopal is a powerful work of reportage and a compelling portrait of the Syrian revolution.
Recommended“This is Days of Love and Rage by Nan Goal, also a New Yorker writer. This is a portrait of the Syrian revolution”
Where to get it
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Bad Blood
Bad Blood by John Carreyrou is an investigative non-fiction book that exposes the massive fraud behind Theranos, the high-profile Silicon Valley blood-testing startup founded by Elizabeth Holmes.
Recommended“One is Bad Blood by John Keroo, which is an investigation into Theronos, the scam blood testing company that Elizabeth Holmes founded.”
Where to get it
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Catch and Kill
Catch and Kill by Ronan Farrow is an investigative non-fiction book detailing the efforts to expose systemic sexual abuse allegations in Hollywood and the media industry.
Recommended“And then the other is Catch and Kill by Ronan Pharaoh.”
Where to get it
Other mentions in this episode (5) — ad reads, self-promotion and passing references, never counted
“I've read Say Nothing, Empire of Pain, and I actually profiled him for the times when Empire of Pain came out.”
“I've read Say Nothing, Empire of Pain, and I actually profiled him for the times when Empire of Pain came out.”
“I read Say Nothing. I read London Falling, and now I'm reading Empire of Pain.”
“I read Say Nothing. I read London Falling, and now I'm reading Empire of Pain.”
“I read Say Nothing. I read London Falling, and now I'm reading Empire of Pain.”