Best true crime books on Reddit
246 reviews from r/suggestmeabook, r/booksuggestions, r/UnresolvedMysteries and 9 more subreddits
246 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ann Rule
4.9
(37)
"'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
Truman Capote
5.0
(14)
"Largely considered the first True Crime novel."
"* *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."
"{{Man In the Rockefeller Suit}} {{Devil in the White City}} {{Death in the City of Light}} {{In Cold Blood}}"
"I believe *In Cold Blood* by Truman Capote is Marcus’s favorite crime book."
"In Cold Blood is a great read."
"*In Cold Blood* by Truman Capote"
#3
Vincent Bugliosi
5.0
(13)
"The best selling True Crime novel of all time."
"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."
"I also personally recommend Helter Skelter just to understand the narrative that was built around Charlie."
"Helter Skelter, Columbine, The Family, Girls of Murder City."
#4
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"
#5
David Grann
5.0
(9)
"Oklahoma."
"Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann"
""Killers of the Flower Moon" by David Grann."
"Another vote for Devil in the White City and Killers of the Flower Moon."
"Killers of The Flower Moon by David Grann."
"{{Man In the Rockefeller Suit}} {{Devil in the White City}} {{Death in the City of Light}} {{In Cold Blood}}"
"Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann"
"It's about crimes committed on a Native American reservation."
#6
Erik Larson
5.0
(9)
"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."
"Another vote for Devil in the White City and Killers of the Flower Moon."
"{{Man In the Rockefeller Suit}} {{Devil in the White City}} {{Death in the City of Light}} {{In Cold Blood}}"
"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
Gregg Olsen
5.0
(6)
"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."
#9
N/A
4.7
(6)
"There’s a really great book by Michael Cuneo called “A Need To Kill: Confessions of a Teenage Killer”."
"The Man from the Train is my all-time favorite."
""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."
"Under and Alone popped into my head."
"I really loved Cain's Blood. It's fiction, but it had a really interesting concept."
#10
Richard Lloyd Parry
5.0
(5)
"“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."
"People Who Eat Darkness is one of my favorite books ever."
"A fascinating look at the culture."
"It's really a very engaging story."
#11
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."
#12
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."
#13
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."
#14
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)"
#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
John Douglas
5.0
(3)
"Essential reading in True Crime."
"Mindhunter by John Douglas."
"Mindhunter. John Douglas."
#18
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."
#19
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."
#20
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."
#21
Bill James
4.7
(3)
"Popular Crime by Bill James. Everyone ignores it and it’s a masterpiece."
"I just wanted to add *Popular Crime* by Bill James."
"Popular Crime by Bill James."
#22
Robert Graysmith
4.7
(3)
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith."
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith. It is the best overview of the Zodiac Killer."
"Creepy."
#23
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."
#24
Joe McGinniss
4.3
(3)
"Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss."
"For North Carolina."
#25
Douglas Preston
5.0
(2)
"THE MONSTER OF FLORENCE IS SO GOOD"
"Edited to add Douglas Preston's "The Monster of Florence," which is superb."
#26
Gary Provost
5.0
(2)
"* *Without Mercy* by Gary Provost."
"Without Mercy by Gary Provost."
#27
Joe Sharkey
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Sentence* by Joe Sharkey."
"Death Sentence by Joe Sharkey."
#28
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."
#29
Paul French
5.0
(2)
"I couldn't put it down."
"A fascinating look at the murder of a diplomats daughter."
#30
Mara Leveritt
5.0
(2)
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt"
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt."
#31
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."
#32
Gary Kinder
5.0
(2)
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
#33
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."
#34
Carreyrou
5.0
(2)
"Not about murder but I loved the book on Theranos called Bad Blood by Carreyrou."
"* Corporate crime: Bad Blood."
#35
Skip Hollandsworth
5.0
(2)
"The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth is very good."
"The Midnight Assassin by Skip Hollandsworth is very good."
#36
Don Davis
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Cruise* and *Death of an Angel* by Don Davis."
"Death Cruise by Don Davis."
#37
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."
#38
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."
#39
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."
#40
Deborah Blum
4.5
(2)
"Deborah Blum’s “Poisoners Handbook” is a great read for sure!"
"Is a really fun read."
#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
Maury Terry
4.5
(2)
"Covers Son of Sam and goes way, way beyond."
"Also...anything by Jack Olsen."
#43
David Simon
4.5
(2)
"{\[**Homicide** by *David Simon*}} is fantastic!"
"A great true crime book."
#44
Bella Stumbo
4.0
(2)
""Until The 12th Of Never" - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
"Until The 12th Of Never - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
#45
Norman Mailer
5.0
(1)
"Deserves its reputation imo."
#46
Paul Britton
5.0
(1)
"The Jigsaw Man by Paul Britton Amazing read for anyone interested in forensic psychology."
#47
Harold Schecter
5.0
(1)
"Everyone should read Harold Shecter. I recommend “Bestial” the story of Earle Nelson."
#48
Defending a Monster
5.0
(1)
"Defending a Monster is one of my favs."
#49
My Dark Places
5.0
(1)
"My Dark Places by James Ellroy was one of the most hauntingly powerful books that I’ve ever read."
#50
Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets
5.0
(1)
"“Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets” By David Simon of “The Wire” fame."
#51
If You Tell
5.0
(1)
"If You Tell by Gregg Olson"
#52
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."
#53
Death Cruise
5.0
(1)
"Death Cruise by Don Davis for Florida"
#54
Helen Garner
5.0
(1)
"Brilliantly researched and written."
#55
To Kill the Irishman
5.0
(1)
"Ohio: To Kill the Irishman by Rick Porrello"
#56
Final Truth - The Autobiography of a Serial Killer
5.0
(1)
"South Carolina: Final Truth - The Autobiography of a Serial Killer"
#57
Black Widow
5.0
(1)
"For Alabama — I recommend Black Widow by R. Robin MacDonald, true crime book about a woman in Anniston AL who poisoned family members for insurance proceeds."
#58
Evidence of Love
5.0
(1)
"Evidence of Love (Texas)"
#59
Thomas Thompson
5.0
(1)
"[Serpentine by Thomas Thompson]: A well written book about Charles Sobhraj."
#60
Starvations Heights
5.0
(1)
"Starvations Heights is very well written and terrifying."
#61
Scoundrel
5.0
(1)
"Scoundrel: How a Convicted Murderer Persuaded the Women Who Loved Him."
#62
John E. Douglas
5.0
(1)
"Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit — the real story behind the Netflix series."
#63
Lawrence Wright
5.0
(1)
"Lawrence Wright looming tower (about 9/11)"
#64
Sarah Miller
5.0
(1)
"There is a nonfiction book for teens about Lizzy Borden."
#65
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."
#66
John Barylick
5.0
(1)
"Killer Show by John Barylick: The 2003 Station Nightclub fire."
#67
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."
#68
High Hopes
5.0
(1)
"High Hopes is great. Pretty frightening to boot."
#69
Eric Powell
5.0
(1)
"There's a graphic novel that just came out by Eric Powell."
#70
Peter Meyer
5.0
(1)
"Death of Innocence by Peter Meyer."
#71
A Murder in Music City
5.0
(1)
"Tennessee- A Murder in Music City is so good. Read it in two days."
#72
Pilgrim’s Wilderness
4.0
(1)
"Alaska."
#73
Road out of Hell
4.0
(1)
"About the Winevillle Chicken Coop murders."
#74
Kate Kyriacou
4.0
(1)
"Brilliantly researched and written."
#75
God’ll Cut You Down
4.0
(1)
"Mississippi."
#76
Aphrodite Jones
4.0
(1)
"For Nebraska."
#77
Emma Partridge
4.0
(1)
"Brilliantly researched and written."
#78
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."
#79
David Kushner
4.0
(1)
"For Florida."
#80
Cheri Farnsworth
4.0
(1)
"Sad, because the victims were 10 and 11 year olds."
#81
Marion Collins
4.0
(1)
"For New York."
#82
John D. Voelker
4.0
(1)
"Michigan has to be."
#83
Dan Schultz
4.0
(1)
"For Colorado."
#84
Jack Olson
4.0
(1)
"For Wyoming."
Discover your audience
GummySearch is an audience research toolkit for 130,000 unique communities on Reddit.
If you are looking for startup problems to solve, want to validate your idea or find your first customers online, GummySearch is for you.
Sign up for free, get community insights in minutes.
Tell me more
Get started
