11 Best True Crime Books to Read

True crime books have been around for decades and have captured the attention of millions with details of cases and theories that didn’t make it to the newspapers. That is why we will be looking at the 11 best true crime books to read. Keep reading to see which books made the list!

Something about true crime books draws us in. Whether it is a chilling case or makes us question how evil some people are, we can’t help but read on. And we know that these books don’t have happy endings. But we can try to figure out who the killer is if the case hasn’t already been solved.

True crime books are usually nonfiction with some exceptions. They rely on true facts of a crime and retell the story and go in-depth with research and theories to figure out who the murderer is. From famous serial killers to cold blooded murders, these books have it all. You can see the full list below!

Best True Crime Books to Read

• The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
• In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
• Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
• Yellow Bird: Oil, Murder, and a Woman’s Search for Justice in Indian Country by Sierra Crane Murdoch
• Midnight in Mexico: A Reporter’s Journey Through a Country’s Descent into Darkness by Alfredo Corchado
• I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
• Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry
• The Stranger Beside Me: The Shocking Inside Story of Serial Killer Ted Bundy by Ann Rule
• The Complete History of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden
• The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez by Philip Carlo
• The Red Parts: A Memoir by Maggie Nelson

The Devil in the White Dress

A true crime book that everyone that loves this genre needs to read is The Devil in the White Dress by Eric Larson. The Edger Allen Poe Award winning book tells the story of America’s supposed first serial killer. He killed many of his victims during the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. This book will most likely send chills down your spine like it has done for many readers.

In Cold Blood

The book that is credited with launching the true crime genre is In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. The story tells the story of a cold-blooded murder in Kansas in 1959. Truman traveled to Halcomb, Kansas with author Harper Lee to tell this story. But Capote is said to have added some fictional accounts in the book. Nonetheless, this book has become the face of the true crime genre.

Killers of the Flower Moon

Many people have watched Killers of the Flower Moon because of the Martin Scorsese movie but the book is worth reading too. The true story of the mysterious deaths of rich Osage tribe members is unknown to many but is part of American history that needs to be known. David Grann’s book gives this horrendous event in time the spotlight that it rightfully deserves.

Yellow Bird

Chosen as one of the best books of 2020 by National Public Radio, Yellow Bird by Sierra Crane Murdoch tells the story of a white male oiler who disappeared during the oil boom on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation. This book also deals with generational trauma as Murdoch revisits this forgotten mystery.

Conclusion

These are the 11 best true crime books to read. There are many classic true crime books such as In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter. But there are also lesser-known titles as well as books about some of the most infamous serial killers. If you like true crime books, then there is definitely something here for you to read here!

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