Maximum Sentence: What We're Watching, Reading and Listening to

(Source: https://www.hulu.com/the-good-wife)

What I'm watching: The Good Wife 

by Inmate Ella

I’m about 10 years behind the rest of the world but I’ve finally started The Good Wife. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring ER-alumni and Emmy winner Julianna Margulies, it follows the tumultuous life of Defense Attorney Alicia Florrick. When a very public sex and political-corruption scandal lands her husband, Peter, in prison, Alicia must get past the humiliation and betrayal and assume responsibility for her family. She resumes her career as a defense attorney, shedding her persona as the embarrassed wife of a politician, and takes charge of her life.

It’s smart, topical, explores deeply personal and political plot lines and is lined with excellent wit. Alan Cumming and Christine Baranski are particularly good at delivering devastatingly hilarious one-liners. I’m on to the sixth season, there are seven in total, and I’m far from bored of it. There are a couple of slow episodes here and there, and yes some of the characters lead wildly unrealistic lives, particularly Kalinda - the investigator/hit woman who is irresistible to every person she encounters – but on the whole, it’s entertaining and oh-so-slick.

I’ve always been impressed how Ridley brings secondary characters into the foreground. The judges, in particular, have carved out their own personalities and bring something fresh to the episodes they star in.

A new spin-off has just been released, The Good Fight, starring one of my favourite characters from the show, the formidable Dianne Lockheart played by the talented Christine Baranski. Reports suggest it’s as good, if not better than The Good Wife. As soon as I’m finished with this I know exactly what show I’ll be lining up next.

You can currently watch The Good Wife on Netflix

(Source: https://australiantruecrimepodcast.com/)

What I’m Listening to: Australian True Crime Podcast

By Inmate Kelly

I write this in a flurry of excitement. Why? There is a new episode up of Australian True Crime that has just been posted. When I first found this podcast, I binged. I binged HARD. Now, when I see a new episode, I save it. I save it for when I know I will have time to give it my full attention.

I am a true crime enthusiast. I have always been interested in the ‘why’ and ‘how’ when it comes to human behavior. Which, in all honestly, it does not quite make sense, as I am squeamish as all hell and faint at the sight of blood.

What I love most about this podcast is the dignity and respect hosts Meshel Laurie and Emily Webb give to the people giving their time and sharing stories. The way people can find their way through trauma. Or sadly sometimes not. I think there can be catharsis found in sharing. 

In a world of Dirty Johns, and Serial (which I of course also devoured) this podcast is keeping a record of Australia’s darker history and it is completely fascinating. I cannot recommend it enough. Give it a listen.

You can listen to Australian True Crime podcast on iTunes or Online.

(Source: https://stephenkingbooks.co.uk/2018/02/09/cover-reveal-outsider-stephen-king/)

What I’m Reading: The Outsider by Stephen King

by Inmate Tonile

I read a lot of crime fiction and I use many words to describe what I’ve read (words like gripping, chilling, thrilling, and twisty) but it’s been a very long time since I’ve read a book that has left me genuinely breathless. As soon as it was published The Outsider by Stephen King jumped to the top of the fiction book charts in Australia and as soon as you start reading it you’ll understand why. After all, he’s King for a reason!

Beyond leaving me breathless, I struggled to put The Outsider down. If you’re brave enough to start reading it during the week then prepare yourself for some sleepless nights because the premise of the novel is instantly intriguing: a young boy is brutally murdered and the crime scene is covered with fingerprints (and later DNA) that are unmistakably those of the town’s popular and well-respected baseball coach Terry Maitland, who happens to have an iron-clad alibi and proof that he was out of town when the murder occurred… So, how can one man be in two places at the same time?

The Outsider starts at a cracking pace (the first 200 pages, in particular, are the most frenetic, suspenseful pages of a book I’ve read in many years) and doesn’t let up until the stunning conclusion. As a long time King fan, for me, it’s easily his best novel since Under the Dome but happily with a much better ending. It’s gritty, brutal, confronting, and as only King can it deftly blurs the line between crime and supernatural, leaving readers to question who the real monsters in the world are.

I’m excited for those fellow inmates who are yet to read this brilliant book. You’re in for a treat!