These are the best true crime books for a gripping and gritty read
If binging on Netflix has achieved anything, it’s a love of true crime dramas. But what if we said you could get the same thrills (if not more) from reading about them instead? Often times, they’re so gripping to read that you can get lost in the story and for a moment forget that what you’re reading actually happened.
We’ve rounded up a varied list of true crimes: those that are buried deep in our past, others that cover huge and memorable events, some that have been adapted for the big and small screen, and a few that are just downright bizarre for good measure (such as this one about a man stealing feathers from a British museum). And of course, serial killer books for good measure too. Read them at home or around people (Covid permitting) for comfort.
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These are our top true crime picks for when real life isn’t scary enough.
Best True Crime Reads
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, £7.15, Amazon
In 1959 a Kansas farmer family were murdered – this is where the book takes us. While delving into the murders, Capote looks deeply at the family’s assassins too and even displays signs of empathy. It’s controversial, but has amassed a wealth of top ratings from reviewers for its bold exploration of this case.
Best Serial Killer Books
The Night Stalker by Philip Carlo, £4.49, Amazon
This one isn’t for the faint-hearted. The Night Stalker is about a man, known as The Night Stalker as he once dubbed himself to a victim, who went on a killing rampage one summer before finally being caught. Carlo goes back to The Night Stalker’s childhood and charts how he ended up where he did.
Best True Crime Reads
Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi, £8.98, Amazon
Everyone thinks they know about the Manson murders, but read this and you’ll think again. The writers drive into unpacking the murders and even try to fathom the motives.
Most Distrurbing True Crime Books
Columbine by Dave Cullen, £11.99, Amazon
Search for “best true crime” books and this will always come up. It’s regarded as one of the most important true crime books of its time. As the title suggests, it’s about the Columbine school killings – something that is etched into the memories of us all. It’s a multi award winning book for a reason.
True Crime Reads
The Suspicions of Mr Whicher, £7.37, Amazon
This book has been regarded as the original whodunit book as a young boy is murdered and his family are the prime suspects. In fact it’s seen as such an important book in the canon of true crime that it was made a Bloomsbury Modern Classic. If you also like a bit of history in your books, the Victorian landscape for this case will appeal.
Best True Crime Books
Hope by Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus, £8.18, Amazon
Hope is a different kind of true crime book that puts the victims first. Written partly by women that were held captive for years, raped and threatened. Eventually one escaped, after birthing the child of her captor. It’s undoubtedly a difficult yet incredible read that reveals human desire to survive above all else.
Best True Crime Books
The Skies Belong To Us by Brendan I. Koerner, £9.58, Amazon
We’re brought to 60s America in this book, while examining people that hijacked planes. The particular episode in focus is about Roger Holder and Cathy Kerkow who set a half-million dollar ransom on a flight and its passengers. It’s the longest-distance hijacking in American history. It’s also a break from all the true crime that looks at a man murdering countless women.
Best Serial Killer Books
Mindhunter by John Douglas and Mark Olshaker, £8.19, Amazon
If FBI focused stories are your thing, you’ll enjoy this true crime book that looks at how an underfunded two-piece crime team evolved and ended up working on major cases such as Charles Manson and Ted Bundy. Netflix have adapted this for their Mindhunter series.
Best Serial Killer Books
Zodiac by Robert Graysmith, £6.55, Amazon
The killer this book is based on was never actually caught. He sent police taunting notes, alluding to where his next crimes would take place. Knowing he was never caught makes this a frightening read. It’s also been made into a film.
Best True Crime Psychology
While the City Slept by Eli Sanders, £17, Amazon
This books examines crime from the angel of mental illness and how cracks in the system have contributed to acts of crime.
Best Serial Killer Books
The Pembrokeshire Murders by Steve Wilkins and Jonathan Hill, £7.37, Amazon
The Pembrokeshire Murders were also adapted for a recent TV series. Interestingly with this book, it’s written by the former detective who worked on the case at the time, allowing for an authentic perspective. Within this serial murder case, there’s a bizarre twist involving a quiz show. We won’t say anything more.
Best Serial Killer Books
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule, £9.01, Amazon
Everyone knows about Ted Bundy now, thanks to Netflix. What makes this read particularly gripping is that it’s written by a woman who knew the serial killer – she regarded him a friend and a colleague. Rule goes into her personal relationship with Bundy and goes to show that you never know people like you think you do.
Best True Crime Books
This book might look fun by the cover and be set in the New York 80s party scene, but let us assure you this details a mix of crimes – from murder to drug use.
Best True Crime Books
The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson, £7.39, Amazon
Maggie Nelson is better known for her fiction work, but this true crime story is linked to her own personal history: the murder of her aunt. Naturally, Maggie’s investigation of this unsolved crime is gripping and authentically told. She is truthful about the wave of emotions that come with being so closely connected to a brutal murder.
Best Serial Killer Books
Killing for Company by Brian Masters
In case you missed it, the story of Dennis Nilsen was adapted for TV and starred David Tennant. Dennis lured back several gay men to his home between the late 70s and early 80s. He’d murder them and sit with their bodies. The man who documents the crimes went to see Nilsen in prison and overtime they developed a working relationship as he divulged details of his serial killings. It’s chilling.
Best Serial Killer Books
The Five by Hallie Rubenhold, £12.65, Amazon
Victims, particularly when they're female sex workers, are often forgotten in the memory of a high-profile murderer. Do you know the names of Jack the Rippers victims? This fascinating read takes you into the lives of five women murdered in 1888: Polly, Annie, Elizabeth, Catherine and Mary-Jane.
Best True Crime Books
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum, £11.77, Amazon
If you have a keen interest in science, this book looking into the use of poison in 20th century New York. We like that it’s set in the Jazz era, as it feels like you’re getting a bit of history in with your true crime too.
Best Serial Killer Books
I'll Be Gone In The Dark by Michelle McNamara, £7.64, Amazon
This award-winning bestseller looks at the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who carried out his crimes in California for over a decade. It’s written by the late Michelle McNamara, which tbh, is refreshing to see as the true crime world is dominated by male voices.
Best True Crime Books
The Feather Thief by Kirk Wallace Johnson, £7.39, Amazon
So this one is a about a man breaking into the Natural History Museum to steal dead birds. Weirdly intrigued? Same. It’s definitely a different kind of true crime read.
Best True Crime Psychology
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, £8.85, Amazon
Dr H. H. Holmes lured many young women to their deaths, such a gas chamber disguised as a hotel and other torture devices. It’s a horrifying read that will leave you most likely feeling ill, so it’s definitely one for a more hard-core true crime fan.
Best True Crime Books
Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer, £9.99, Amazon
When we hear the word “extremist” oftentimes an image of Islam comes to mind – Western media has made sure of that. However, this book takes us into the world of extremism from an angle you might not have considered before. Looking at polygamy, violence and faith within Mormon Fundamentalist communities, this book is a shocking read.
Best True Crime Books
American Fire by Monica Hesse, £9.67, Amazon
A man pleads guilty to 67 counts of arson, and this is where we find ourselves placed in this book. His confession becomes increasingly convoluted and reveals of a girlfriend accomplice. Written by a Washington Post reported, you know this is going to be well-written and heavy on the facts and detail.
Best Killer Psychology Books
The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich, £6.99, Amazon
For the introspective readers among us, we think you’ll find this fascinating. A woman from a lawyer family is taken by the case of murdered Ricky Langley and she begins looking thoroughly into his case. She learns of his childhood and releases that her own personal history has coloured the way she sees him. If you’re ready to think deeply and start low-key questioning yourself, it’s a good one.
Best Killer Psychology Books
Sons of Cain by Peter Vronsky, £10.55, Amazon
Our obsession with serial killers partly comes from the attempt that writers make to explore their psychology and see how different it is to most other people. If that’s what draws you in when looking for true crime, you’ll like the depth at which that’s explored here.
Best True Crime Books
Midnight in Mexico by Alfredo Corchado, £19, Amazon
This kind of is two crime tales in one: first, a man investigating the violent and drug-fuelled side of Mexico, and second him trying to save his own life after receiving a tip-off that he’s going to be killed in the next 24 hours. It’ll get the heart pounding.
