Assassinations Podcast

Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov died following an encounter on the streets of London - the so-called Umbrella Assassination. As the British media speculated as to what exactly caused his death, behind the scenes more strange and disturbing drama unfolded. In Part 2 of our episode, we investigate an attempted murder in Paris, which at first appeared to solve the case … but ended up raising more questions than answers.To learn more about Georgi Markov and the music used in this week’s episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.

In one of the most infamous moments of the Cold War, Bulgarian writer Georgi Markov died following a strange encounter on the streets of London. The incident came to be known as the "Umbrella Assassination", after the British press picked up on claims that Markov had been killed by a mysterious man carrying an umbrella. But the truth might be different - and even more shocking - than the lurid media tale. In the first part of our 3 part episode on his death, we meet Markov and learn about his assassination.For more information about Georgi Markov and the music used in this week’s episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.

Imperial Japan had overrun much of China by the end of the 1930s. The great city of Shanghai was ruled by a puppet government with its feared secret police. Amidst the horrors of war, a beautiful young woman must use her talents to lure a dangerous and corrupt official to his death.For more information about Zheng Pingru and the music used in this week’s episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.

In the world of espionage, truth can be stranger than fiction. The second season of our podcast will uncover the secret plots and deadly gadgets used by spies against their foes. 

Jörg Jenatsch murdered a rival during a period of turmoil in 17th Century Switzerland. Years later, Jenatsch would pay for his crime when he was attacked by a bear with an axe at a party in a pub. Who says Switzerland is boring?

Radama, the king of the island nation of Madagascar, wanted to open up his homeland to the modern world. Supposedly strangled to death by his own troops, a legend flourished that Radama survived - and that he would return some day to reclaim his throne.

Mary's own father, King James V of Scotland, predicted that his daughter and sole heir would bring calamity upon the royal House of Stuart. Though her reign was dramatic and tragic, with scheming and murder aplenty, it actually led to the greatest dynastic triumph for the Stuarts - winning the throne of the "Auld Enemy", England.

Princess Diana's death in a car crash stunned Britain and the world. It did not take long for critics of the official police investigation to ask the question: had Diana, with her boyfriend Dodi Fayed, been murdered by dark forces within the state?This episode contains explicit language. For more information about the people and music featured in this episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.

The most famous woman in the world died in a car crash on the streets of Paris in the summer of 1997. Diana's death caused unprecedented scenes of public mourning, with Britain stunned by the news that the "people's princess" had met such a shocking end. Conspiracies soon swirled - could it be that the death of Diana was no accident?For more information about the people and music featured in this episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.

Though the economy was on the ropes and there were angry protests against him, Allende retained a strong degree of support. Crucially, he had the backing of the head of the armed forces. But when that top general was forced to resign in 1973, Allende found himself at the mercy of General Pinochet. In Part Two of this episode we look at the US-backed coup against Allende, and examine the terrible consequences of military rule.For more information about the people and music featured in this episode, visit the Assassinations Podcast website.