The Art of Crime

Pierre Beaumarchais made a name for himself as a watchmaker, working for none other than Louis XV. But Beaumarchais was a man of many talents, including espionage, and when Louis found himself blackmailed by a rogue pamphleteer, the king dispatched Beaumarchais on a secret mission to find the blackmailer and stop him. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.

Mata Hari rose to fame as an exotic dancer in Paris before beocming a double agent in World War One, spying for both the French and the Germans. Mata Hari is often remembered as a super spy, but how much of that was true? Today, we're joined by Julie Wheelwright, author of The Fatal Lover, a book about Mata Hari, who can help us separate fact from fiction. If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com.

In the late eighteenth century, Grace Elliott became a royal courtesan, famously sharing a bed with the Prince of Wales, later to reign as King George IV, and the Duke of Orléans in Paris. When the French Revolution broke out, she sided with the royalists and risked her life to sneak aristocrats out of the country. For show notes and full transcripts, please visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Today, I'm releasing episode 1 of my new podcast, Raven. Please subscribe on your podcasting platform of choice so you don't miss forthcoming episodes. Hope you enjoy! If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

This week, I'm sharing the trailer for my brand-new podcast, Raven! Go check it out and make sure to subscribe, so you don't miss any episodes.

Today, I'm re-releasing episode 1 of Queen of Crime: Madame Tussaud and the Chamber of Horrors. More information--plus some very exciting updates--in the intro to the episode. I hope you enjoy, and if you haven't already, go back and listen to Queen of Crime--it's season 3 of this podcast! For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Why did the Nazis commit their atrocities? After the end of World War II, American psychiatrist Douglas Kelley tried to answer this question at Nuremberg prison. During his time as chief psychiatrist there, Kelley examined high-ranking Nazis, including Hermann Göring, as they waited to stand trial for war crimes. Today, we're joined by Jack El-Hai, author of The Nazi and the Psychiatrist, a book about what Kelley learned from his conversations with Göring. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

In the early seventeenth century, Atto Melani gained international renown as a castrato singer, used his stature to spy on French courtiers, and even played a role in electing a new pope. Today, we're tjoined by Dr. Roger Freitas to talk about this remarkable figure. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Having scored a trove of top-secret intelligence, Eppler and company desperately try to radio their findings to the German military. Unfortunately, their efforts explode in their face, to spectacular effect. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.com.

Having made it to Cairo and forged an alliance with megastar belly dancer Hekmet Fahmy, Nazi spy Johannes Eppler began snooping around for intelligence that could be of use to the Germans. Thanks to Hekmet, Eppler got his first major breakthrough in the case. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com If you'd like to support the show, please consider beocming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

From an early age, Johannes Eppler yearned for adventure. It was for that reason more than any other that he agreed to spy for the Nazis. In 1942, he embarked on a dangerous mission to enter Egypt by way of the Western Desert, hoping to gather intelligence for the German military. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

In the 1930s, singer and actress Asmahan became one of the most beloved performers in the Arabic-speaking world. After the outbreak of World War II, she embarked on a secret mission to Syria to aid in the fight against Hitler. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to suppor the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Today, we're joined by Michelle Young, author of a the brand-new nonfiction book, The Art Spy. It tells the amazing true story of Rose Valland, a museum professional who spied on the Nazis as they looted priceless artworks. To learn more about The Art Spy and the rest of Michelle's work, visit www.michelleyoungwriter.com . If you'd like to supprt the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

After the Nazis invaded France in 1940, Josephine Baker joined the French Resistance as a spy. That year, she planned and took part in a top-secret mission to Lisbon, Portugal, in an effort to thwart Hitler. Show notes and full transcripts available at www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Josephine Baker grew up in severe poverty. In 1925, she traveled to Paris, where she sang, danced, and acted, becoming an overnight sensation and winning riches she had never dreamed of. On the eve of World War II, French intelligence agents recruited her as a volunteer spy in the fight against Hitler. For show notes and full transcripts, visit www.artofcrimepodcast.com. If you'd like to support the show, please consider becoming a patron at www.patreon.com/artofcrimepodcast.

Introducing season 6 . . .

Today, I'm sharing an episode of History Daily, where they do history, daily. Every weekday, host Lindsay Graham (American Scandal, American History Tellers) takes you back in time to explore a momentous event that happened 'on this day' in history. In this episode:At the height of the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union conduct a spy exchange. If you like what you hear, make sure to follow History Daily wherever you get your podcasts.