Best true crime books on Reddit
229 reviews from r/suggestmeabook, r/booksuggestions, r/UnresolvedMysteries and 9 more subreddits
229 reviews from
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By Brand
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#1
Ann Rule
5.0
(34)
"'stranger beside me' by Anne Rule is about Ted Bundy."
"I borrowed it from my grandma on a whim and couldn't put it down."
"I'd list small sacrifices at the top."
"Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule."
"Anything Ann Rule as mentioned by so many other comments."
"Anything Ann Rule as mentioned by so many other comments."
"* *The Stranger Beside Me* by Ann Rule."
"Anything by Ann Rule, Small Sacrifices was the first I read and I went on to read most of her books."
""The Stranger Beside Me" by Ann Rule."
"The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule."
#2
Michelle McNamara
4.9
(12)
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara"
"Michelle McNamara I'll be gone in the dark"
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara is terrific."
"I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara."
""I'll Be Gone in the Dark" by Michelle McNamara."
"Such an obvious one but I’ll Be Gone In The Dark."
"I’ll be gone in the dark - Michelle Macnamara."
"I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, by Michele McNamara."
"“I’ll Be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara."
"I’ll be Gone in the Dark - Michelle McNamara"
#3
Truman Capote
5.0
(11)
"* *In Cold Blood* by Truman Capote."
""In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote."
"My husband just finished In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, another classic that he would highly recommend."
"Truman Capote “In Cold Blood”."
"In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is a classic."
"In Cold Blood is a great read."
"*In Cold Blood* by Truman Capote"
"In Cold Blood is a masterpiece imo"
"In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. A true classic."
"Can't go wrong with In Cold Blood."
#4
Vincent Bugliosi
5.0
(10)
"Helter-skelter and stranger beside me, true crime classics."
"Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry."
"* *Helter Skelter* by Vincent Bugliosi."
""Helter Skelter" by Vincent Bugliosi."
"I loved Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi, about Charles Manson & the Manson crime family."
"Great choices! Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi (about the Manson murders, written by the prosecutor)"
"Heater Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi."
"Helter Skelter, Columbine, The Family, Girls of Murder City."
"'Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders'."
#5
Gregg Olsen
4.7
(9)
"If You Tell by Gregg Olsen."
"If You Tell - Gregg Olsen."
"If You Tell by Gregg Olsen."
"If You Tell: Gregg Olsen."
"If You Tell by Gregg Olsen."
"You might be interested in 'If Loving You is Wrong' by Gregg Olsen."
"There’s also Predator about Israel Keyes that is very interesting in a disturbing way."
"I: The Creation of a Serial Killer by Gregg Olsen."
"Abandoned Prayers and Starvation Heights were two Gregg Olsen books that I enjoyed more recently."
#6
Erik Larson
5.0
(7)
"Erik Larson devil in the white city"
"Devil in the White City! Probably my favorite ever nonfiction book."
""The Devil in the White City" by Erik Larson."
"Erik Larson's Devil in the White City is definitely required reading too."
"The Devil in The White City, about H. H. Holmes."
"Devil in the White City, the HH Holmes book."
"Is a fantastic book about Dr. H.H. Holmes."
#7
Dave Cullen
4.7
(7)
"Columbine by Dave Cullen."
"Columbine by Dave Cullen!"
"Absolutely fantastic and does a good job dispelling some of the myths around the shooting."
"Columbine by Dave Cullen."
"Is one of the best books I've ever read, period."
"Columbine by Dave Cullen."
"I recommend reading Columbine by Dave Cullen."
#8
David Grann
5.0
(6)
"Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann"
""Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann."
"Killers of The Flower Moon by David Grann."
"Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann"
"It's about crimes committed on a Native American reservation."
#9
In Cold Blood
5.0
(5)
"In Cold Blood by Truman Capote is really great."
"*In Cold Blood* by Truman Capote"
"In Cold Blood widely considered to be the first true-crime book"
"In Cold Blood by Truman Capote."
"Truman Capote.. In cold blood."
#10
Maureen Callahan
5.0
(4)
"I personally really enjoyed American Predator by Maureen Callahan."
""American Predator" by Maureen Callahan."
"American Predator by Maureen Callahan - it’s about Israel Keyes."
"I recommend ‘American Predator’ by Maureen Callahan."
#11
Robert Kolker
5.0
(4)
"Kolker really humanizes the victims and their families."
"Fabulous write up on the LISK and the victims’ backgrounds."
"I read it 3 times."
"Is about the Long Island serial killer."
#12
Richard Lloyd Parry
5.0
(4)
"“People Who Eat Darkness” by Richard Lloyd Parry is my absolute favorite true crime book."
"Another book that I couldn’t put down is People Who Eat Darkness by Richard Lloyd Parry."
"A fascinating look at the culture."
"It's really a very engaging story."
#13
Philip Carlo
4.8
(4)
"The Nightstalker by Philip Carlo is absolutely incredible."
"The Iceman by Philip Carlo."
"The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo."
""The Night Stalker " - Philip Carlo (Richard Ramirez)"
#14
N/A
4.8
(4)
"A Wilderness of Error. People Who Eat Darkness."
""Serpentine" about serial killer Charles Sobhraj, who operated out of Southeast Asia in the 70's."
"Would highly recommend *In Cold Blood* for anyone not too familiar with but looking to get into true-crime books."
"I really loved Cain's Blood. It's fiction, but it had a really interesting concept."
#15
John Berendt
4.5
(4)
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt"
""Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" by John Berendt."
"Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt."
#16
The Stranger Beside Me
5.0
(3)
"The Stranger Beside Me is about the author's relationship with Ted Bundy"
"The stranger beside me is possibly the most intimate portrayal of a serial killer ever written."
"I’ve read The Stranger Beside Me and I’ll Be Gone In the Dark this year, and they are both amazing!"
#17
Douglas Preston
5.0
(3)
"Monster of Florence — written by a journalist about a hunt for a serial killer active in the hills of Tuscany."
"THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE IS SO GOOD"
"Edited to add Douglas Preston's "The Monster of Florence," which is superb."
#18
Joe McGinnis
4.7
(3)
"Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis one of the very best true crime."
"* *Fatal Vision* & *Blind Faith* by Joe McGinnis."
"A few of my favourites are Fatal Vision by Joe McGinnis."
#19
Helter Skelter
4.7
(3)
"Helter Skelter about the Manson family murders"
"My favourite by far is *Helter Skelter* by Vincent Bugliosi, an account of the Charles Manson murders by the prosecutor of the case."
"I still have nightmares from reading Helter Skelter."
#20
The Onion Field
4.7
(3)
"The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh. Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi."
"I've been meaning to read The Onion Field, it's supposed to be really good."
"The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh was a good read."
#21
Robert Graysmith
4.7
(3)
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith."
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith. It is the best overview of the Zodiac Killer."
"Creepy."
#22
Jon Krakauer
4.3
(3)
"Under the banner of heaven by Jon Krakauer."
"Under the Banner of Heaven — Jon Krakauer."
"I remember reading Under The Banner of Heaven, Devil in the White City, and Lost Girls shortly after."
#23
Bill James
4.3
(3)
"Popular Crime by Bill James. Everyone ignores it and it’s a masterpiece."
"Popular Crime by Bill James."
"The later parts of Perfect Victims by Bill James covers your time period up to 2011."
#24
Harold Schechter
5.0
(2)
"I don't remember the titles off the top of my head, but he definitely has books on Belle Gunness, Albert Fish, and Dahmer."
"I like everything by Harold Schecter."
#25
Joe Sharkey
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Sentence* by Joe Sharkey."
"Death Sentence by Joe Sharkey."
#26
John Douglas
5.0
(2)
"Mindhunter by John Douglas."
"Mindhunter. John Douglas."
#27
Rusty Young
5.0
(2)
"The ones I’d recommend are: Marching Powder - by Rusty Young."
"Marching powder by Rusty Young. Well worth the read."
#28
Skip Hollandsworth
5.0
(2)
"The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth is very good."
"The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth is very good."
#29
Matt Birkbeck
5.0
(2)
"It's about the (now solved) case of Sharon Marshall's strange death."
"I'd highly recommend "A Beautiful Child" by Matt Birkbeck, which is a really powerful story."
#30
Carreyrou
5.0
(2)
"Not about murder but I loved the book on Theranos called Bad Blood by Carreyrou."
"* Corporate crime: Bad Blood."
#31
Charles Graeber
5.0
(2)
""The Good Nurse" by Charles Graeber."
"It’s about an angel of death serial killer and it was very well written and engaging."
#32
Gary Kinder
5.0
(2)
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
#33
Paul French
5.0
(2)
"I couldn't put it down."
"A fascinating look at the murder of a diplomats daughter."
#34
Paul Holes
5.0
(2)
"I couldn't put 'Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases' by Paul Holes down."
"Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes is really good."
#35
Don Davis
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Cruise* and *Death of an Angel* by Don Davis."
"Death Cruise by Don Davis."
#36
Gary Provost
5.0
(2)
"* *Without Mercy* by Gary Provost."
"Without Mercy by Gary Provost."
#37
Mara Leveritt
5.0
(2)
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt"
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt."
#38
Jack Olsen
5.0
(2)
"Salt of the Earth by Jack Olsen is the best I’ve ever read."
""Son" by Jack Olsen about a serial rapist was riveting."
#39
Deborah Blum
4.5
(2)
"Deborah Blum’s “Poisoners Handbook” is a great read for sure!"
"Is a really fun read."
#40
Maury Terry
4.5
(2)
"Covers Son of Sam and goes way, way beyond."
"Also...anything by Jack Olsen."
#41
Patrick Radden Keefe
4.5
(2)
"Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe"
"Say nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe, and then follow up with Empire of Pain."
#42
Bella Stumbo
4.0
(2)
""Until The 12th Of Never" - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
"Until The 12th Of Never - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
#43
If You Tell
5.0
(1)
"If You Tell by Gregg Olson"
#44
Gordon Burn
5.0
(1)
"Couldn’t put them down!"
#45
I'll Be Gone in the Dark
5.0
(1)
"I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara - it’s about the author’s investigation into finding the identity of the Golden State Killer."
#46
Devil in the White City
5.0
(1)
"IL: Devil in the White City."
#47
John E. Douglas
5.0
(1)
"Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit — the real story behind the Netflix series."
#48
Lawrence Wright
5.0
(1)
"Lawrence Wright looming tower (about 9/11)"
#49
Sarah Miller
5.0
(1)
"There is a nonfiction book for teens about Lizzy Borden."
#50
True Crime Podcaster
5.0
(1)
"Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless was written by a true crime podcaster."
#51
John Barylick
5.0
(1)
"Killer Show by John Barylick: The 2003 Station Nightclub fire."
#52
I Know Who You Are
5.0
(1)
"My personal favorites are I Know Who You Are: How an Amateur DNA Sleuth Unmasked the Golden State Killer."
#53
David Simon
5.0
(1)
"{\[**Homicide** by *David Simon*}} is fantastic!"
#54
High Hopes
5.0
(1)
"High Hopes is great. Pretty frightening to boot."
#55
Harold Schecter
5.0
(1)
"Everyone should read Harold Shecter. I recommend “Bestial” the story of Earle Nelson."
#56
Scoundrel
5.0
(1)
"Scoundrel: How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him."
#57
Thomas Thompson
5.0
(1)
"[Serpentine by Thomas Thompson]: A well written book about Charles Sobhraj."
#58
Death Cruise
5.0
(1)
"Death Cruise by Don Davis for Florida"
#59
Starvations Heights
5.0
(1)
"Starvations Heights is very well written and terrifying."
#60
Mary Roach
5.0
(1)
"I’m a fan of Mary Roach’s books. They’re true crime adjacent. Stiff is incredible."
#61
John Glatt
5.0
(1)
"Tangled Vines: Power, Privilege, and the Murdaugh Family Murders by John Glatt."
#62
Sarah Perry
5.0
(1)
"After the Eclipse by Sarah Perry is beautifully written and heartwrenchingly sad."
#63
Chris Blatchford
5.0
(1)
"If you’re interested in prison gangs/street gangs The Black Hand by Chris Blatchford is a great book."
#64
Paul Britton
5.0
(1)
"The Jigsaw Man by Paul Britton Amazing read for anyone interested in forensic psychology."
#65
To Kill the Irishman
5.0
(1)
"Ohio: To Kill the Irishman by Rick Porrello"
#66
CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties
5.0
(1)
"CA: CHAOS: Charles Manson, the CIA, and the Secret History of the Sixties."
#67
Michael Newton
5.0
(1)
"The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton."
#68
Kirk Johnson
5.0
(1)
"The Feather Thief by Kirk Johnson."
#69
Selwyn Raab
5.0
(1)
"The Five Families by Selwyn Raab"
#70
Mary Ryzuk
5.0
(1)
"The Gainesville Ripper by Mary Ryzuk."
#71
Final Truth - The Autobiography of a Serial Killer
5.0
(1)
"South Carolina: Final Truth - The Autobiography of a Serial Killer"
#72
Jason Moss
5.0
(1)
"*[The Last Victim]* by Jason Moss."
#73
Cara Robertson
5.0
(1)
"I just finished The Trial of Lizzie Borden by Cara Robertson and thought it was great!"
#74
Robin Odell
5.0
(1)
"The Mammoth Book of Bizarre Crimes by Robin Odell."
#75
Tom Rob Smith
5.0
(1)
"Child 44 by Tom Rob Smith is really good and based on a true story!"
#76
James L. Swanson
5.0
(1)
"I have always loved James L. Swanson. He wrote Chasing Lincoln's Killer."
#77
Emlyn Williams
5.0
(1)
"Some true crime books about UK serial killers: - Beyond Belief - by Emlyn Williams, about the Moors Murderers"
#78
Zachary Ryan
5.0
(1)
"American Predator details the crimes of serial killer Israel Keyes."
#79
Trailed
5.0
(1)
"And Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders."
#80
James Renner
4.0
(1)
"Also, I recommend."
#81
Beverly Lowry
4.0
(1)
"I recommend."
#82
Mark Fuhrman
4.0
(1)
""Murder in Greenwich" by Mark Fuhrman is the story of a lovely girl who had the misfortune of living right next door."
#83
Jana Bommersbach
4.0
(1)
"I personally liked 'The Trunk Murderess: Winnie Ruth Judd Case' by Jana Bommersbach."
#84
Jack V Olsen
4.0
(1)
"The Man With the Candy: The Story of Dean Corll and the Houston Mass Murders by Jack V Olsen"
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