True Crime Books reviews from Reddit
Summary
We analyzed 270 Reddit reviews across 14 subreddits and 31 posts to rank the best True Crime Books brands recommended by redditors, including communities like r/suggestmeabook, r/booksuggestions, r/TrueCrimeDiscussion, r/TrueCrime, r/UnresolvedMysteries. Top-rated brands include Ann Rule (4.9/5), Truman Capote (5.0/5), Vincent Bugliosi (5.0/5).
Stats
Reviews270
Subreddits14
Posts31
Brands82
Products88
270 reviews from
and
By Brand
/By Product
#1
Ann Rule
4.9
(41)
"'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
(17)
"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}}"
"In Cold Blood is a must if you haven’t read it yet."
"In Cold Blood by Truman Capote, often considered to be the first true crime book"
"Also In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (the movie stars Robert Blake) which is perhaps the classic of the genre."
#3
Vincent Bugliosi
5.0
(15)
"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."
"Helter Skelter about Manson family by the prosecutor Vincent Bugliosi"
"Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi"
#4
Michelle McNamara
4.9
(14)
"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 absolutely loved ‘ill be gone in the dark’. her writing is so compelling and it really made me feel like i was there with her."
#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
4.8
(8)
"Columbine by Dave Cullen."
"Columbine by Dave Cullen!"
"Columbine by Dave Cullen. Difficult subject matter, but he handles it extremely well."
"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
4.6
(8)
"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."
"I like Gregg Olsen and he wrote a book called Abandoned Prayers that is about an Amish serial killer. It is fascinating."
"Abandoned Prayers and Starvation Heights were two Gregg Olsen books that I enjoyed more recently."
"If You Tell by Gregg Olsen"
#9
Robert Graysmith
4.3
(6)
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith."
"Zodiac by Robert Graysmith. It is the best overview of the Zodiac Killer."
"Robert Graysmith’s books tend to really divide the true crime community. I find them a great read though so recommend Zodiac"
"Robert Graysmith’s books tend to really divide the true crime community. I find them a great read though so recommend The Sleeping Lady"
"Robert Graysmith’s books tend to really divide the true crime community. I find them a great read though so recommend Zodiac Unmasked"
"Creepy."
#10
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."
#11
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."
#12
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."
#13
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."
#14
Harold Schechter
5.0
(4)
"I don't remember the titles off the top of my head, but he definitely has books on Belle Gunness, Albert Fish, and Dahmer."
"True Crime: An American Anthology by Harold Schechter."
"The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Harold Schechter."
"I like everything by Harold Schecter."
#15
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)"
#16
Bill James
4.5
(4)
"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"
"Popular Crime by Bill James."
#17
Jon Krakauer
4.5
(4)
"Under the banner of heaven by Jon Krakauer."
"I enjoy religious/cult murder stories. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer is excellent."
"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."
#18
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."
#19
Joe McGinniss
4.3
(4)
"Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss."
"For New Jersey."
"For North Carolina."
#20
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!"
#21
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."
#22
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."
#23
Mara Leveritt
4.7
(3)
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt"
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt."
"Devils Knot by Mara Leveritt"
#24
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."
#25
Gary Provost
4.3
(3)
"* *Without Mercy* by Gary Provost."
"Without Mercy by Gary Provost."
"For Florida."
#26
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."
#27
Carreyrou
5.0
(2)
"Not about murder but I loved the book on Theranos called Bad Blood by Carreyrou."
"* Corporate crime: Bad Blood."
#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
Paul French
5.0
(2)
"I couldn't put it down."
"A fascinating look at the murder of a diplomats daughter."
#30
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."
#31
Joe Sharkey
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Sentence* by Joe Sharkey."
"Death Sentence by Joe Sharkey."
#32
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."
#33
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."
#34
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."
#35
Jerry Bledsoe
5.0
(2)
"Bitter Blood by Jerry Bledsoe . It is not to be missed."
"Bitter Blood by Jerry Bledsoe."
#36
Don Davis
5.0
(2)
"* *Death Cruise* and *Death of an Angel* by Don Davis."
"Death Cruise by Don Davis."
#37
John Douglas
5.0
(2)
"Mindhunter by John Douglas."
"Mindhunter. John Douglas."
#38
Norman Mailer
5.0
(2)
"Deserves its reputation imo."
"The executioner's song by norman mailer. this is a BIG book."
#39
Gary Kinder
5.0
(2)
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
"Victim by Gary Kinder."
#40
Helen Garner
5.0
(2)
"Brilliantly researched and written."
"She’s a brilliant investigative/court room writer."
#41
Selwyn Raab
5.0
(2)
"The Five Families by Selwyn Raab"
"Most young people have no idea of how the Mob had a strangle hold New York City… and a lot of other large cities in the U.S."
#42
Deborah Blum
4.5
(2)
"Deborah Blum’s “Poisoners Handbook” is a great read for sure!"
"Is a really fun read."
#43
Maggie Nelson
4.5
(2)
"The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson"
"The Red Parts by Maggie Nelson"
#44
Maury Terry
4.5
(2)
"Covers Son of Sam and goes way, way beyond."
"Also...anything by Jack Olsen."
#45
Hallie Rubenhold
4.5
(2)
"The Five by Hallie Rubenhold"
"The Five by Hallie Rubenhold is the story of the lives of the victims of Jack the Ripper."
#46
Nick Bilton
4.5
(2)
"My favorite true crime book is American Kingpin."
"American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton"
#47
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."
#48
Emlyn Williams
4.5
(2)
"Some true crime books about UK serial killers: - Beyond Belief - by Emlyn Williams, about the Moors Murderers"
"Beyond Belief by Emlyn Williams is an old but good book on the Moors Murderers"
#49
Ron Franscell
4.0
(2)
"The Darkest Night by Ron Franscell"
"The Darkest Night by Ron Franscell."
#50
Bella Stumbo
4.0
(2)
""Until The 12th Of Never" - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
"Until The 12th Of Never - Bella Stumbo (Betty Broderick)"
#51
Peter Maas
4.0
(2)
"For Tennessee."
"Underboss by Peter Maas"
#52
John Carreyrou
5.0
(1)
"Bad Blood (John Carreyrou; also industrial crime and fraud) is an excellent book."
#53
John Krakauer
5.0
(1)
"Under the Banner of Heaven by John Krakauer"
#54
Sondra London
5.0
(1)
"True Vampires by Sondra London."
#55
Trailed
5.0
(1)
"And Trailed: One Woman's Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders."
#56
Robin Odell
5.0
(1)
"The Mammoth Book of Bizarre Crimes by Robin Odell."
#57
Jason Moss
5.0
(1)
"*[The Last Victim]* by Jason Moss."
#58
Mary Ryzuk
5.0
(1)
"The Gainesville Ripper by Mary Ryzuk."
#59
Kirk Johnson
5.0
(1)
"The Feather Thief by Kirk Johnson."
#60
Ulrich Boser
4.0
(1)
"The Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser"
#61
Zero at the Bone
4.0
(1)
"About a spree killer."
#62
Ronald Maxwell
4.0
(1)
"The Jersey Monster by Ronald Maxwell is also a fascinating read"
#63
Pilgrim’s Wilderness
4.0
(1)
"Alaska."
#64
Road out of Hell
4.0
(1)
"About the Winevillle Chicken Coop murders."
#65
God’ll Cut You Down
4.0
(1)
"Mississippi."
#66
Aphrodite Jones
4.0
(1)
"For Nebraska."
#67
Anthony Flacco
4.0
(1)
"The Road Out of Hell by Anthony Flacco"
#68
David Kushner
4.0
(1)
"For Florida."
#69
Cheri Farnsworth
4.0
(1)
"Sad, because the victims were 10 and 11 year olds."
#70
Lionel Dahmer
4.0
(1)
"I enjoyed A Father's Story by Lionel Dahmer."
#71
John D. Voelker
4.0
(1)
"Michigan has to be."
#72
Dan Schultz
4.0
(1)
"For Colorado."
#73
Errol Morris
4.0
(1)
"If you’re going to recommend Fatal Vision, you have to recommend A Wilderness of Errors by Errol Morris."
#74
Jack Olson
4.0
(1)
"For Wyoming."
#75
David Simon
4.0
(1)
"A great true crime book."
#76
Frank Abagnale
4.0
(1)
"Catch Me if You Can by Frank Abagnale"
#77
Jack Olsen
4.0
(1)
"Wrote a few great true crime books years ago."
#78
Bruce Mowday
4.0
(1)
"Pennsylvania."
#79
Karen Blumenthal
4.0
(1)
"It’s well researched and I’m enjoying it so far."
#80
Jeff Blackstock
4.0
(1)
#81
Torture at the Back forty
3.0
(1)
"Wisconsin."
#82
Glenda Yarborough
3.0
(1)
"It’s about a guy who murdered his wife."
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