Detective Writer

True crime fanatic! Published author of psychological thriller novel, “The Doctor: The Toxic Combination of Love, Hatred, and Revenge is Served!” Come explore your deepest insights on real-life unsolved crimes, murder mysteries, & even a few stories of our own.

Detective Writer is a true crime podcast hosted by Sally Barrilla, with 219 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Sally Barrilla hosts Detective Writer, a true crime show with 219 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  Episode #2

  A Psychological Thriller

  Aug 17, 20262 minS9

  Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here, back with another short story! Last week, we stepped aboard a mysterious late-night train. This week, we're taking things somewhere a little darker with a psychological thriller called “The Woman in the Mirror.” Elena has been trying to move forward after a traumatic accident, but strange things begin happening when she looks into her bathroom mirror. Is it exhaustion? Her imagination? Or is there something much more disturbing hiding behind her reflection? Sometimes, the scariest mysteries aren't the ones happening around us. They're the ones happening inside our own minds. Let’s get into it! The Woman in the Mirror Every morning at exactly 7:15, Elena looked into the bathroom mirror. It had become a ritual. Brush her teeth. Wash her face. Look into the mirror. Smile. And remind herself: You're okay. She had been doing it for months. After the accident, everyone told her that she was lucky. Lucky to be alive. Lucky that she hadn't suffered serious physical injuries. But nobody talked about the memories. Especially the ones she couldn't explain. One morning, Elena stared into the mirror. Something felt different. She raised her right hand. Her reflection raised it's left. Elena froze. She slowly lowered her hand. The reflection did the same. She laughed nervously. "Okay," she whispered. "I'm tired." She turned away. Then she heard a voice behind her. "Don't turn around." Elena stopped breathing. It was her own voice. She slowly looked back at the mirror. Her reflection was smiling. Elena wasn't. "What do you want?" The reflection leaned closer to the glass. "You keep asking what happened that night." Elena's heart began pounding. "I don't remember." "You do." "No." The reflection's smile disappeared. "You remember the red car." Elena's breathing became shallow. "You remember the rain." She stepped backward. "You remember the woman." "Stop." "And you remember what you did." Elena shook her head violently. "No." The reflection placed its palm against the glass. "You didn't survive the accident." Elena stared at it. The room became completely silent. "What?" The reflection whispered: "You're the memory." The mirror cracked. Elena screamed. And somewhere in the apartment, a phone began ringing.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #1

  A Mystery Thriller

  Aug 10, 20263 minS9

  Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here! Since I’m taking a little break from my usual author interviews, I thought I’d switch things up and bring you a short story of my own. This week, we’re diving into a mystery thriller called “The Last Passenger.” Myra is traveling alone on a late-night train when a mysterious woman appears carrying something Myra never expected to see—a photograph of herself. What begins as an ordinary train ride quickly turns into a mystery involving a long-lost family member, a forgotten secret, and a message that could change everything Myra thought she knew. So, DETECTIVES, settle in and see if you can figure out the mystery before Myra does. The train was supposed to leave at 11:45 p.m. By 11:50, there were only three people left on the platform. Myra checked the station clock again. 11:51. She pulled her coat tighter around herself and glanced down the empty tracks. The station had been nearly deserted when she arrived, but now even the security guard had disappeared. Then she heard footsteps. A man stood at the opposite end of the platform. Black coat. Gray scarf. Watching her. Myra looked away. When she looked back, he was gone. The train finally arrived with a metallic screech. She stepped inside. Only one other passenger was aboard—a woman sitting alone at the far end of the car. Myra sat several rows away. The doors closed. The train began moving. For several minutes, neither woman spoke. Then Myra noticed something. The woman was holding a photograph. And Myra recognized the face in it. Her own. Myra's stomach tightened. She stood. "Where did you get that?" The woman slowly looked up. "You don't remember me?" Myra stared at her. "No." The woman smiled sadly. "You wouldn't." She turned the photograph around. On the back was a date. October 14, 2011. Myra froze. That was the night her older sister disappeared. A sister everyone had told her had run away. A sister Myra had spent years believing was dead. "Who are you?" Myra whispered. The woman stood. "I was the last person who saw your sister." The train suddenly went dark. Myra heard a scream. Then the lights returned. The woman was gone. So was the photograph. But on Myra's seat was a folded piece of paper. Three words were written across it: She never left.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #19

  Chat with Our Returning Guest: Fellow Author R.C. Hand!

  Aug 3, 202630 minS8

  Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here, excited to welcome back fellow author R.C. Hand! R.C. returns to the podcast for another inspiring conversation, where we dive deeper into the importance of writing authentically, staying true to yourself, and creating stories that come from personal experience. As the author of more than thirteen novels, R.C. shares his passion for storytelling, the dedication it takes to keep writing, and why following your dreams is always worth the journey. Whether you're an aspiring writer or simply enjoy hearing the stories behind the storytellers, this episode is filled with thoughtful insights, creativity, and encouragement. Please feel free to check out the links below! https://cowboyproductions52.com/ Facebook and Instagram: R.C. Hand

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #18

  Why Every Story Matters

  Jul 27, 20262 minS8

  Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here! One of the greatest lessons I've learned through Detective Writer is that everyone has a story worth telling. Some stories make us laugh. Others keep us on the edge of our seats. Some help us understand history, while others remind us that we're not alone in our own experiences. Every time I sit down to speak with an author, I'm reminded that behind every book is a person with a unique journey, a creative spark, and a message they hope to share with the world. Storytelling has the power to preserve memories, inspire new ideas, and connect people from all walks of life. Whether you're writing a novel, recording a podcast, or sharing your family's history, your story matters. Thank you for continuing to join me on this journey as we celebrate authors, creativity, and the incredible impact of storytelling.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #17

  5 Things Interviewing Authors Has Taught Me

  Jul 20, 20265 minS8

  Hey there, DETECTIVES! DETECTIVE WRITER here! After interviewing so many talented authors over the years, I've come to realize that every writing journey is unique—but there are a few lessons that seem to come up time and time again. Here are five things interviewing authors has taught me: 1. Every writer has their own process. There is no one "right" way to write. Every author approaches storytelling differently, and that's what makes each story unique. 2. Authenticity matters. The most memorable stories come from writers who aren't afraid to be honest and true to their voice. 3. Persistence is key. Success doesn't happen overnight. Every author has faced challenges, but they keep showing up and writing. 4. Curiosity inspires creativity. Whether it's research, personal experiences, or everyday observations, curiosity often sparks the best ideas. 5. Every story has the power to make a difference. Stories can entertain, educate, inspire, and help us see the world through someone else's perspective. Interviewing authors has been an incredible experience, and I'm grateful for every conversation that has inspired me both as a writer and as a podcast host.

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on Detective Writer. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.