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I’ve always been a little obsessed with true crime—it’s just so intriguing to dig into stories that really happened and try to piece together the mysteries.
Whether it’s a deep dive into the psychology behind infamous crimes or untangling wild, unbelievable twists, true crime has a way of pulling you in.
This list is packed with incredible books that I’ve either read and loved or can’t wait to pick up.
Each one tells a gripping story, and some of them are so shocking you’ll need a moment to process what you just read.
If you’re like me and love a mix of suspense, jaw-dropping moments, and real-life drama, you’re going to find your next favorite read right here. Let’s get started!
1. The Road to Jonestown by Jeff Guinn
This book details the life of Jim Jones, the leader of the Peoples Temple, and the tragic Jonestown Massacre in 1978, where over 900 people died.
Guinn explores Jones’s rise to power, his manipulative actions, and the events leading to the mass suicide-murder in Guyana.
2. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
Ann Rule reveals the chilling true story of Ted Bundy, her coworker at a crisis hotline, who she discovered was one of the most notorious serial killers in America.
The book combines personal correspondence with Bundy and Rule’s investigative journey into his crimes.
3. The Most Dangerous Animal of All by Gary L. Stewart and Susan D. Mustafa
Gary Stewart uncovers the shocking truth that his biological father was the Zodiac Killer, a notorious serial murderer.
Through a decade-long investigation, Stewart and Mustafa provide new evidence and a psychological profile of the killer.
4. A Death in Belmont by Sebastian Junger
This book centers on the 1963 murder in Belmont, Massachusetts, which was initially thought to be the work of the Boston Strangler.
Junger explores how the case, involving two men—Roy Smith and Albert DeSalvo—intertwines in a controversial crime story.
5. Devil’s Knot by Mara Leveritt
The book recounts the wrongful conviction of three teenagers—the West Memphis Three—for the 1993 murders of three young boys.
Leveritt explores the trial’s flaws, the boys’ release after 18 years, and the case’s impact on the American legal system.
6. The Last Victim by Jason Moss
Jason Moss delves into his dangerous obsession with serial killers, particularly those like Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Dahmer, and John Wayne Gacy.
Posing as their ideal victims, Moss corresponded with them, leading to disturbing revelations and a chilling visit to Gacy’s prison.
7. Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic by Sam Quinones
Quinones chronicles the rise of black-tar heroin in rural America, connecting it to the opioid crisis fueled by Purdue Pharma’s OxyContin.
He details the impact of both the drug suppliers and the demand for heroin in small towns across the U.S.
8. Bind, Torture, Kill by Roy Wenzl
This book details the chilling story of Dennis Rader, the BTK killer, who terrorized Wichita, Kansas, for over three decades.
Four reporters trace his history, including his shocking double life as a respected member of the community, and his eventual capture.
9. The Ultimate Evil by Maury Terry
Terry investigates the “Son of Sam” murders, claiming that David Berkowitz was part of a Satanic cult called the Process Church of the Final Judgment.
Through evidence and new insights, he uncovers connections between Berkowitz and other ritualistic killings.
10. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
Capote examines the brutal 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Kansas, providing an in-depth look at the killers, the investigation, and the shocking execution.
His account combines detailed narrative and psychological insight into American violence.
11. Who Killed These Girls? The Yogurt Shop Murders by Beverly Lowry
The chilling story of the 1991 Yogurt Shop Murders in Austin, Texas, where four girls were found dead.
The investigation went awry, leading to wrongful convictions, but the case remains unsolved, exploring themes of justice and the complexities of crime.
12. Manson by Jeff Guinn
An in-depth look at Charles Manson’s life, from his troubled childhood to his manipulation of followers and the shocking murders he orchestrated.
The book explores Manson’s impact on the 1960s counterculture and presents new insights into his life and crimes.
13. Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
A captivating dual narrative set during the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.
The book alternates between the construction of the fair, led by architect Daniel Burnham, and the horrific crimes committed by H.H. Holmes, a serial killer operating nearby.
14. Lucky: A Memoir by Alice Sebold
A powerful memoir by Alice Sebold about surviving a brutal rape and her long journey toward healing.
The book recounts her emotional struggle and triumphs in securing justice for herself, shedding light on the trauma faced by victims.
15. People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry
A true-crime account of Lucie Blackman’s 2000 disappearance in Tokyo, her subsequent murder, and the investigation into her death.
The book offers insights into Japanese society, the legal system, and the mind of the killer, Joji Obara.
16. Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker
Investigative reporter Robert Kolker delves into the unsolved Long Island serial killings.
The book explores the world of online escorts, the dangers they faced, and the hunt for a killer still at large.
17. Scoundrel by Sarah Weinman
A true-crime tale about Edgar Smith, a man convicted of murder, who managed to deceive public figures into advocating for his freedom.
The book follows his release, later crimes, and the larger questions of innocence and manipulation in the American justice system.
18. We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
A gripping investigation into the unsolved 1969 murder of Harvard graduate student Jane Britton.
The book delves into Harvard’s culture, gender inequality, and the silencing of victims, while exploring the mysteries surrounding her death.
19. Last Call by Elon Green
The story of the Last Call Killer, who preyed on gay men in New York City in the ’80s and ’90s.
The book uncovers his crimes and explores how the murders were largely overlooked due to the victims’ sexuality, as well as the challenges of the investigation.
20. American Fire by Monica Hesse
An exploration of a five-month arson spree in rural Virginia, focusing on Charlie Smith and his accomplice, Tonya Bundick.
The book examines their relationship, the community’s struggles, and the broader context of rural America’s economic decline and crime.
21. The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale
This book dives into a real-life murder case that shocked England in 1860, where a three-year-old boy was found murdered.
The case led to the rise of modern detective fiction, and at the heart of it is Inspector Jonathan Whicher, Scotland Yard’s best detective.
He believed the killer was someone from the family, but without enough evidence, he was forced to let the case go.
The book explores Whicher’s journey and how this case influenced detective stories we love today.
22. The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
Alex Marzano-Lesnevich goes on an unexpected emotional journey while working at a law firm.
Initially against the death penalty, their views change when they dig into the case of Ricky Langley, a convicted murderer.
As they explore his past, they begin to confront their own buried family secrets.
This is a true-crime story that explores how personal history shapes our views on justice and redemption.
23. My Dark Places by James Ellroy
James Ellroy’s memoir takes us through the unsolved murder of his mother in 1958, a crime that haunted him and fueled his obsession with death and crime.
As he investigates his own past, Ellroy also writes about his career and his attempt to reclaim his mother’s story through fiction.
It’s a chilling, raw look at loss and the search for truth.
24. The Brothers by Masha Gessen
This book explores how two brothers, Tamerlan and Dzhokhar Tsarnaev, became involved in the Boston Marathon bombing.
Through their story, Gessen uncovers the roots of their tragic choices and how their backgrounds and struggles with identity led to the bombing.
A powerful, thought-provoking story about belonging, alienation, and the cost of radicalization.
25. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
This book tells the story of Michelle McNamara’s obsessive quest to find the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who terrorized California for over a decade.
McNamara’s determination to uncover the killer’s identity is gripping and heartbreaking, especially given that she tragically passed away before the case was solved.
Her investigation and the hunt for justice make this an unforgettable true-crime read.
26. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson
Bryan Stevenson’s memoir takes us through his journey to fight for justice, focusing on his work with the Equal Justice Initiative.
He highlights cases of wrongful convictions, mass incarceration, and racial injustice in the U.S., especially the story of Walter McMillian, a Black man wrongfully convicted of murder.
A powerful call for mercy and reform in America’s justice system.
27. The Dead Girl by Melanie Thernstrom
This book is a personal and painful account of the murder of the author’s best friend, Roberta Lee, by her boyfriend.
Thernstrom recounts the trial and tries to understand what went wrong in Roberta’s life and the tragedy that followed.
It’s a raw, intimate look at loss, trauma, and the consequences of violence.
28. Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch
When Lissa Yellow Bird, freshly released from prison, returns to her community on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation, she discovers how much things have changed with the oil boom.
She becomes obsessed with finding a missing oil worker, Kristopher Clarke, and her search for him is tied to her own journey for redemption.
It’s a compelling exploration of crime, community, and personal reckoning.
29. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
This book digs into the kidnapping and murder of Jean McConville, a mother of ten, during The Troubles in Northern Ireland.
Keefe uses this case as a lens to explore the violent history of the region and the long-lasting effects on the people who lived through it.
It’s a gripping narrative that mixes personal stories with historical analysis.
30. The Ratline by Philippe Sands
Philippe Sands tells the story of Otto Wächter, a high-ranking Nazi officer, and his flight after the war.
Wächter’s journey through the Austrian Alps, his time hiding in Rome, and his mysterious death are the heart of this book.
Sands uses family letters and diaries to paint a fascinating portrait of a man who was complicit in war crimes, and the family secrets that haunt his son to this day.
Have you read any of these? Or maybe you have a favorite true crime book that’s missing from the list?
Let me know in the comments—I’m always looking for new recommendations.
And if you know someone who loves true crime as much as we do, share this post with them.
Happy reading (and maybe double-check those locks tonight)!
