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The best true-crime books are so creepy, but you can’t stop reading! These stories about real murders are crazy things people actually did. It makes you wonder what was going on in their heads. These nine books will scare you and make you think.
Each one has a mystery you’ll want to figure out before turning the page. Get ready for surprises and sleepless nights!
The Allure of True Crime
True crime books have a unique appeal. Unlike fiction, these stories are based on real events, which makes them even more chilling. They often delve into the details of heinous crimes, the psychology of the perpetrators, and the impact on victims and their families.
The genre has gained immense popularity, with many books becoming bestsellers and even being adapted into films and documentaries. What makes these books, so compelling is their ability to provide a window into the human condition, exploring themes of morality, justice, and the complexities of the human psyche.
9. In Cold Blood
- Cost: $16.00
- Publisher: Penguin Random House
- Originally published in 1965
- Quote: “The village of Holcomb stands on the high wheat plains of western Kansas, a lonesome area that other Kansans call ‘out there.'”
Truman Capote’s In Cold Blood is a seminal work in the true crime genre. It meticulously details the 1959 murder of the Clutter family in Kansas and the subsequent investigation that led to the capture of the killers. Capote’s narrative style and deep psychological insights make this book a must-read.
In Cold Blood has had two banning issues in its time: Savannah, GA (2001) – A parent did not like that the book contained so much violence, sex, and language. Although banned briefly, the ban was then overturned and placed back on the reading list for Windsor Forest High School’s advanced English course.
8. Helter Skelter
- Cost: $18.00
- Publisher: W.W. Norton
- Originally published in 1974
- Quote: “It was the kind of night when bad things happened.”
Written by Vincent Bugliosi, the prosecutor in the Manson Family murders trial, Helter Skelter offers an in-depth look at one of the most notorious cults in history. Bugliosi details the horrifying crimes and the twisted ideology of Charles Manson, providing a chilling narrative that has captivated readers for decades.
In the summer of 1969, in Los Angeles, a series of brutal, seemingly random murders captured headlines across America. A famous actress (and her unborn child), a heiress to a coffee fortune, a supermarket owner, and his wife were among the seven victims.
A thin trail of circumstances eventually tied the Tate-LeBianca murders to Charles Manson, a would-be pop singer of small talent living in the desert with his “family” of devoted young women and men. What was his hold over them?
And what was the motivation behind such savagery? In the public imagination, over time, the case assumed the proportions of myth. The murders marked the end of the sixties and became an immediate symbol of the dark underside of that era.
7. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark
- Cost: $17.99
- Publisher: HarperCollins
- Published in 2018
- Quote: “One day soon you’ll hear a car pull up to your curb, an engine cut out. You’ll hear footsteps coming up your front walk.”
Michelle McNamara‘s I’ll Be Gone in the Dark is a riveting account of the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who terrorized California. The haunting true story of the elusive serial rapist turned murderer who terrorized California during the 70s and 80s, and of the gifted journalist who died tragically while investigating the case—which was solved in April 2018.
6. The Devil in the White City
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- Cost: $16.95
- Publisher: Penguin Random House
- Published in 2003
- Quote: “Beneath the stars, the long black train of the dead makes its way through the streets.”
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America is a 2003 historical non-fiction book by Erik Larson presented in a novelistic style.
Set in Chicago during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition, it tells the story of World’s Fair architect Daniel Burnham and of H. H. Holmes, a criminal figure widely considered the first serial killer in the United States
5. If You Tell
- Cost: $15.95
- Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
- Published in 2019
- Quote: “The Knotek house was a place where secrets were kept and lies were the rule.”
Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell recounts the harrowing story of three sisters who survived years of abuse at the hands of their mother, Shelly Knotek. The book is a powerful exploration of trauma, survival, and the resilience of the human spirit.
4. Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders
- Cost: $28.00
- Publisher: Hachette Books
- Published in 2023
- Quote: “The mountains hold their secrets close, and the truth about what happened in Shenandoah National Park is buried deep within them.”
Kathryn Miles investigates the unsolved 1996 murders of two women in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park in Trailed. The book delves into the author’s journey to uncover the truth, highlighting the challenges and complexities of solving cold cases.
3. Mindhunter
- Cost: $19.99
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster
- Originally published in 1995
- Quote: “To understand the artist, you must study his art.”
Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker provides a fascinating look at the development of criminal profiling within the FBI. The book recounts Douglas’s experiences interviewing notorious serial killers and his pioneering work in understanding their minds.
2. The Stranger Beside Me
- Cost: $18.95
- Publisher: W.W. Norton
- Originally published in 1980
- Quote: “Ted Bundy was a very clever man. There is no doubt that he was a genius in a lot of ways.”
Ann Rule’s The Stranger Beside Me is a unique true-crime book, as Rule personally knew Ted Bundy before he was revealed as a serial killer. The book explores Rule’s shock and horror at discovering that her friend was capable of such heinous acts.
1. The Complete History of Jack the Ripper
- Cost: $21.00
- Publisher: Little, Brown
- Originally published in 1994
- Quote: “No one knew, no one could guess, the identity of the man who committed these terrible crimes.”
Philip Sugden’s The Complete History of Jack the Ripper is an exhaustive examination of one of the most famous unsolved cases in history. The book meticulously details the evidence and theories surrounding the Jack the Ripper murders, offering a comprehensive overview of the case.
Conclusion
These best true-crime books were fascinating, but also scary to think about. You learn a lot about how crimes happen and what the cops have to go through to catch the bad guys. It shows how strong the victims were to make it through such horrible things. These stories prove that even if something bad happens, good people will keep trying to find the truth.
They work hard to solve mysteries, even when it’s not easy. True crime will always be popular because it’s thrilling to read about real mysteries. If you want chills and to learn cool facts, check out one of these creepy books tonight! Just remember to leave your light on while you read.
