Meth and murder in rural America

When Chris Kraus became fixated on a murder case in a Minnesotan town, she decided to try her hand at a true crime novel ... but the project soon evolved into something much bigger. The Four Spent The Day Together weaves together the stories of an impulsive murder carried out by three teens, a marriage torn apart by addiction and the reality of life in working class America. Much like Chris’s hit novel I Love Dick , the story and its protagonist draw heavily from her own life experiences. This week, Chris tells Mattea Roach about her interest in the crime, how addiction can shape a relationship and why she’s finally exploring her childhood in fiction. Liked this conversation? Keep listening: When young men murder, what can we learn? Buffoon or genius? What makes a cult leader? Check us out on Instagram @cbcbooks and tiktok @cbcbooks

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Meth and murder in rural America is an episode from Writers and Company from CBC Radio by CBC.

This episode is 00:35:54 long.

This episode was published on Feb 25, 2026.

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