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For a very long time, I avoided reading non-fiction books because I felt they were so boring.
And really, if you think about it, non-fiction books often get a bad rap for being monotonous and dreary to get through.
But I’ve read some truly amazing ones that I’ll be telling you about in this article.
Now, I’ve written about some of the best narrative fiction books ever.
In this post, I’ll tell you about some non-fiction books that were just as scary as the best horror books out there.
While there’s a good selection of true crime books, several others on this list simply delve into very difficult topics.
So, be sure to check the trigger warnings and make sure you’re comfortable with the content before you start reading any of them.
If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen
This is a painful but powerful story about three sisters—Nikki, Sami, and Tori—who survived years of terrifying abuse at the hands of their mother, Shelly Knotek.
She was cruel, manipulative, controlling, and dangerous.
What’s even more horrifying is that she didn’t just hurt her own family—she lured others into her twisted world, leading to multiple murders.
But here’s the amazing part: despite everything, these sisters stayed strong, found their voices, and broke free.
Their bond saved them.
This book is hard to read at times, but it’s also about bravery and survival.
It shows that even in the worst situations, love and resilience can shine through.
Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family by Robert Kolker
This book tells the shocking and heartbreaking story of the Galvin family, who seemed to have the perfect life until six of their twelve children were diagnosed with schizophrenia.
Imagine trying to keep a family together while dealing with something no one fully understood at the time.
Their struggles helped scientists study the illness and search for better treatments.
It’s a sad but deeply important story about mental illness, family bonds, and how understanding one family’s pain could help so many others.
Zodiac: The Shocking True Story of the Hunt for the Nation’s Most Elusive Serial Killer by Robert Graysmith
The Zodiac Killer is one of the most terrifying criminals in American history—mainly because he was never caught.
He taunted police with creepy letters, left coded messages that people are still trying to solve today, and claimed to have killed 37 people.
His identity remains a mystery, which is what makes this case so unsettling.
This book is written by Robert Graysmith, a journalist who became obsessed with finding the truth.
If you love true crime stories that feel like a real-life detective mystery, this one will keep you hooked.
But be warned—it’s chilling to realize that the Zodiac could still be out there.
We Keep the Dead Close: A Murder at Harvard and a Half Century of Silence by Becky Cooper
In 1969, Jane Britton, a bright anthropology student at Harvard, was murdered in her apartment.
Over the years, people whispered about the case, speculating that a professor might have been involved. But no one seemed to have real answers.
Decades later, Becky Cooper, a curious writer, became obsessed with uncovering the truth.
What she found was bigger than just one crime—it was a story about power, secrets, and how institutions can silence victims.
This book is haunting, but it’s also beautifully written and will make you feel like you’re solving the case alongside Cooper.
Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America’s Greatest Unsolved Murder by Piu Eatwell
The Black Dahlia case is one of Hollywood’s most famous unsolved murders.
Elizabeth Short, a young woman with dreams of stardom, was found murdered in 1947, and her story became legendary.
But as the media focused on scandalous rumors, the real Elizabeth got lost in the noise.
This book digs into the truth, and it reveals new clues, corruption in the investigation, and even a possible answer to who killed her.
It’s a gripping look at a case that still fascinates people today.
A Slow Death: 83 Days of Radiation Sickness by NHK TV Crew
This book is devastating.
It follows the story of Hiroshi Ouchi, a worker who was exposed to extreme radiation during a nuclear accident in Japan in 1999.
At first, he seemed okay—he could talk and even walked into the hospital.
But radiation doesn’t work like normal injuries. Slowly, it broke down his body in ways that are hard to even imagine.
Doctors tried everything to save him, but there was no real cure. He fought for 83 days before passing away.
This book is not an easy read, but it’s an important one—it shows the dangers of nuclear power, the limits of medicine, and the incredible strength of a man who endured unthinkable pain.
Hell’s Princess: The Mystery of Belle Gunness, Butcher of Men by Harold Schechter
Belle Gunness looked like an ordinary farm woman in Indiana, but in reality, she was one of history’s most terrifying serial killers.
Between 1902 and 1908, she lured men to her farm with personal ads and promised love and marriage.
Instead, they met gruesome deaths.
When authorities finally searched her property, they found dozens of bodies buried in her yard.
This book is a wild, creepy, and fascinating look at how Belle got away with her crimes for so long and how she may have faked her own death to escape justice.
If you like true crime stories with a shocking twist, this one is unforgettable.
The Stranger Beside Me: The Shocking Inside Story of Serial Killer Ted Bundy by Ann Rule
What if one of the most notorious serial killers of all time was someone you knew personally? That’s exactly what happened to Ann Rule.
She was a crime writer, working on a case about a mysterious killer targeting young women—only to later realize that her friend, Ted Bundy, was the man responsible.
This book is terrifying because it makes you realize how normal Bundy seemed on the outside.
He was smart, charming, and even volunteered at a crisis hotline with Ann.
But beneath that friendly persona, he was a monster.
Ann’s perspective is so unique because she knew him before and after the truth came out, which makes this one of the most personal and chilling true crime books ever written.
Unspeakable Acts: True Tales of Crime, Murder, Deceit, and Obsession by Edited by Sarah Weinman
This is a collection of modern true crime stories, each one different but all equally gripping.
Some are about shocking murders, others about strange mysteries, and some focus on how the justice system fails victims.
If you love crime podcasts and documentaries, you’ll love this.
Plus, since each story is written by a different journalist, it never feels repetitive or overwhelming.
Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt
This one is a little different from the others—it’s true crime, but it’s also a portrait of a strange, beautiful Southern town full of eccentric characters.
The book centers on a real murder trial in Savannah, Georgia, but it’s just as much about the city itself, with its ghost stories, social circles, and hidden scandals.
The writing is so rich and atmospheric that you feel like you’re wandering through Savannah’s historic streets, eavesdropping on its most intriguing residents.
If you love true crime that’s a little more literary and full of unforgettable personalities, this is a must-read.
Aren’t these amazing non-fiction books just the best?
Let me know which ones you’re planning to read in the comments below!
And if you want even more amazing book recommendations, be sure to check out the related posts.
