Mary Ellen Pleasant, the Millionaire Murderess

A particular caper in 1965 brought Doris uncomfortably close to law enforcement and the media. With her face now easily recognizable in the U.S., she turned her attention to Europe, eager to prove just how good she really was. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

28 Apr 202145min

Born in 1930, Doris Payne realized early on that she had a taste for the finer things in life. She also realized she had a knack for putting people at ease — and it was a skill she could use to get exactly what she wanted. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

21 Apr 202146min

After abducting Elizabeth Smart in 2002, Barzee and Mitchell — known to each other as Hephzibah and Immanuel — fashioned her into a sister-wife, systematically abusing her into submission. It would be nine months before Elizabeth was rescued by police in Utah. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

14 Apr 202146min

All Wanda Barzee wanted in life was for someone to take care of her, and in return she promised complete devotion. So when her paramour, self-styled prophet Brian David Mitchell, demanded she help him find a child bride, Wanda aided and abetted the kidnapping of 14-year-old Elizabeth Smart.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

7 Apr 202146min

She's perhaps the most famous femme fatale of the 20th century. And yet, Mata Hari's supposed crimes are shrouded in mystery. Who was this woman who captivated all of Europe? How did she become embroiled in the espionage of WWI? And who masterminded her ultimate fate? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

31 Mars 202150min

In espionage terms, honeytraps are the stuff of legend: a beautiful temptress so seductive that she can convince even the most cunning of men to reveal state secrets. But in the case of Shi Pei Pu and the affair known as M. Butterfly, seduction would turn to love, and a decades-long deception which would ultimately expose a very different kind of secret. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

24 Mars 202149min

The beautiful Soviet seductress is a well-known figure of femme fatale lore. She's patriotic, irresistible, and deadly. But how much of that is true? Did the KGB really train women to seduce and kill men? Or were the "sparrows" just women desperate for a better life? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

17 Mars 202151min

A cunning puppetmaster, Catherine de Medici is most vividly remembered as a one-time queen of France who dispatched beautiful women in her court to manipulate the men of France. Except… that’s not really the case. But hidden in the spectacular legends lie kernels of truth about Catherine and her Flying Squadron. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

10 Mars 202149min