Best True Crime

Nonfiction books about crime

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1	In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 4.08 avg rating — 619,633 ratings score: 42,775, and 431 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi 4.06 avg rating — 140,344 ratings score: 32,706, and 331 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story by Ann Rule 4.13 avg rating — 93,028 ratings score: 26,396, and 269 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 637,146 ratings score: 24,603, and 251 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Columbine by Dave Cullen (Goodreads Author) 4.28 avg rating — 86,084 ratings score: 18,625, and 191 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt 3.92 avg rating — 256,456 ratings score: 15,357, and 158 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer by Michelle McNamara 4.12 avg rating — 217,172 ratings score: 14,854, and 153 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule 4.25 avg rating — 29,079 ratings score: 11,977, and 124 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	Mindhunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas 4.08 avg rating — 62,532 ratings score: 9,412, and 99 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss 4.11 avg rating — 23,703 ratings score: 9,079, and 96 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Zodiac by Robert Graysmith (Goodreads Author) 3.92 avg rating — 23,737 ratings score: 8,188, and 87 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	The Executioner's Song by Norman Mailer 4.06 avg rating — 20,732 ratings score: 8,176, and 87 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 194,533 ratings score: 7,828, and 83 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Lost in Yaba: Down and Out in Laos by Walt Gleeson (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 1,558 ratings score: 7,694, and 77 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 20,765 ratings score: 7,605, and 82 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
16	Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule 3.98 avg rating — 16,676 ratings score: 7,361, and 79 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 192,084 ratings score: 7,301, and 78 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon 4.35 avg rating — 18,162 ratings score: 6,834, and 72 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez by Philip Carlo 4.01 avg rating — 12,745 ratings score: 6,217, and 67 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	Lucky by Alice Sebold 3.77 avg rating — 98,449 ratings score: 6,020, and 66 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Killing Pablo: The Hunt for the World's Greatest Outlaw by Mark Bowden 3.97 avg rating — 17,211 ratings score: 5,318, and 58 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Devil's Knot: The True Story of the West Memphis Three (Justice Knot, #1) by Mara Leveritt (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 10,926 ratings score: 5,251, and 59 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
23	The Monster of Florence by Douglas Preston (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 32,732 ratings score: 5,207, and 56 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
24	The Innocent Man: Murder and Injustice in a Small Town by John Grisham (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 73,493 ratings score: 5,153, and 56 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi 4.22 avg rating — 17,037 ratings score: 5,066, and 56 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	All the President's Men by Carl Bernstein 4.17 avg rating — 52,855 ratings score: 4,982, and 55 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	The Cases That Haunt Us by John E. Douglas 3.99 avg rating — 13,765 ratings score: 4,622, and 51 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
28	Everything She Ever Wanted by Ann Rule 4.06 avg rating — 8,170 ratings score: 4,241, and 48 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	And the Sea Will Tell by Vincent Bugliosi 3.97 avg rating — 7,996 ratings score: 4,053, and 45 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Blind Faith by Joe McGinniss 4.10 avg rating — 6,154 ratings score: 3,887, and 45 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Dead By Sunset: Perfect Husband, Perfect Killer? by Ann Rule 4.11 avg rating — 7,728 ratings score: 3,778, and 44 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Deviant: The Shocking True Story of Ed Gein, the Original "Psycho" by Harold Schechter 3.92 avg rating — 7,930 ratings score: 3,749, and 43 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	Finding Me: A Decade of Darkness, a Life Reclaimed - A Memoir of the Cleveland Kidnappings by Michelle Knight 4.15 avg rating — 26,178 ratings score: 3,632, and 41 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	The Hillside Stranglers by Darcy O'Brien 3.97 avg rating — 4,458 ratings score: 3,573, and 44 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
35	The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher by Kate Summerscale 3.51 avg rating — 23,221 ratings score: 3,561, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	Cruel Sacrifice by Aphrodite Jones (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 5,089 ratings score: 3,495, and 42 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Bitter Harvest by Ann Rule 4.08 avg rating — 9,069 ratings score: 3,441, and 42 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	I Know My First Name is Steven: The True Story of the Steven Stayner Abduction Case by Mike Echols 4.16 avg rating — 5,983 ratings score: 3,437, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
39	Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI by Robert K. Ressler 4.06 avg rating — 10,563 ratings score: 3,342, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
40	If You Really Loved Me by Ann Rule 4.10 avg rating — 10,608 ratings score: 3,279, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
41	The I-5 Killer by Ann Rule 4.01 avg rating — 9,012 ratings score: 3,269, and 41 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
42	The Only Living Witness: The True Story of Serial Sex Killer Ted Bundy by Stephen G. Michaud 4.15 avg rating — 4,545 ratings score: 3,263, and 40 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
43	People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo--and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up by Richard Lloyd Parry (Goodreads Author) 3.78 avg rating — 21,109 ratings score: 3,253, and 38 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
44	Catch Me If You Can: The Film and the Filmmakers by Jeff Nathanson 4.03 avg rating — 1,125 ratings score: 3,204, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
45	The Poisoner's Handbook: Murder and the Birth of Forensic Medicine in Jazz Age New York by Deborah Blum 4.01 avg rating — 33,635 ratings score: 3,203, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
46	Thunderstruck by Erik Larson (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 47,176 ratings score: 3,123, and 34 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
47	Serial Killers: The Method and Madness of Monsters by Peter Vronsky (Goodreads Author) 4.13 avg rating — 5,326 ratings score: 3,036, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
48	Life After Death by Damien Echols 3.96 avg rating — 8,920 ratings score: 2,883, and 37 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Bitter Blood: A True Story of Southern Family Pride, Madness, and Multiple Murder by Jerry Bledsoe 4.03 avg rating — 8,928 ratings score: 2,870, and 36 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
50	And Never Let Her Go: Thomas Capano: The Deadly Seducer by Ann Rule 4.12 avg rating — 8,202 ratings score: 2,748, and 35 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	Donnie Brasco by Joseph D. Pistone 4.05 avg rating — 7,652 ratings score: 2,737, and 34 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer by Harold Schechter 3.94 avg rating — 2,870 ratings score: 2,723, and 33 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	In the Garden of Beasts: Love, Terror, and an American Family in Hitler's Berlin by Erik Larson (Goodreads Author) 3.87 avg rating — 191,899 ratings score: 2,668, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer by James L. Swanson 4.15 avg rating — 30,082 ratings score: 2,561, and 34 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
55	My Dark Places by James Ellroy 3.86 avg rating — 6,782 ratings score: 2,548, and 31 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Son by Jack Olsen really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,766 ratings score: 2,442, and 32 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
57	Paper Targets: Art Can Be Murder by Steve S. Saroff (Goodreads Author) 4.42 avg rating — 217 ratings score: 2,394, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	The Serial Killer Files: The Who, What, Where, How, and Why of the World's Most Terrifying Murderers by Harold Schechter 4.10 avg rating — 4,291 ratings score: 2,350, and 33 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Journey Into Darkness (Mindhunter #2) by John E. Douglas 4.03 avg rating — 6,129 ratings score: 2,336, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
60	American Predator: The Hunt for the Most Meticulous Serial Killer of the 21st Century by Maureen Callahan 4.09 avg rating — 32,519 ratings score: 2,250, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	The Westies: Inside New York's Irish Mob by T.J. English (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 3,250 ratings score: 2,190, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	Killer Clown: The John Wayne Gacy Murders by Terry Sullivan 3.95 avg rating — 5,992 ratings score: 2,112, and 30 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Murder in Greenwich: Who Killed Martha Moxley? by Dominick Dunne (Foreword) 3.91 avg rating — 5,842 ratings score: 2,048, and 29 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Missoula: Rape and the Justice System in a College Town by Jon Krakauer (Goodreads Author) 4.10 avg rating — 51,326 ratings score: 1,943, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Chase Darkness with Me: How One True-Crime Writer Started Solving Murders by Billy Jensen (Goodreads Author) 4.11 avg rating — 14,877 ratings score: 1,929, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	True Hollywood Noir: Filmland Mysteries and Murders by Dina Di Mambro (Goodreads Author) 3.52 avg rating — 416 ratings score: 1,916, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Depraved: The Definitive True Story of H.H. Holmes, Whose Grotesque Crimes Shattered Turn-Of-The-Century Chicago by Harold Schechter 3.97 avg rating — 2,256 ratings score: 1,907, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
68	Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper - Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell (Goodreads Author) 3.47 avg rating — 34,507 ratings score: 1,906, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
69	The Search for the Green River Killer by Carlton Smith 4.01 avg rating — 7,450 ratings score: 1,889, and 27 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
70	The Cuckoo's Egg: Tracking a Spy Through the Maze of Computer Espionage by Clifford Stoll 4.27 avg rating — 12,764 ratings score: 1,809, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
71	For Laci: A Mother's Story of Love, Loss, and Justice by Sharon Rocha 4.27 avg rating — 4,308 ratings score: 1,803, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
72	The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester 3.84 avg rating — 113,224 ratings score: 1,773, and 21 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
73	The Ice Man: Confessions of a Mafia Contract Killer by Philip Carlo 4.15 avg rating — 9,113 ratings score: 1,763, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
74	All She Wanted by Aphrodite Jones (Goodreads Author) 3.93 avg rating — 1,127 ratings score: 1,737, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
75	Under and Alone: The True Story of the Undercover Agent Who Infiltrated America's Most Violent Outlaw Motorcycle Gang by William Queen 4.15 avg rating — 4,919 ratings score: 1,720, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
76	Ted Bundy: Conversations with a Killer by Stephen G. Michaud 3.84 avg rating — 3,782 ratings score: 1,658, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
77	The Darkest Night: The Murder of Innocence in a Small Town by Ron Franscell (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 2,205 ratings score: 1,652, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
78	The Complete History of Jack the Ripper by Philip Sugden 4.09 avg rating — 2,944 ratings score: 1,642, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
79	Above Suspicion: An Undercover FBI Agent, an Illicit Affair, and a Murder of Passion by Joe Sharkey 4.02 avg rating — 3,285 ratings score: 1,610, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
80	Shattered by Kathryn Casey (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 2,884 ratings score: 1,605, and 26 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
81	Casino by Nicholas Pileggi 4.05 avg rating — 5,988 ratings score: 1,600, and 25 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
82	Pure Murder by Corey Mitchell (Goodreads Author) 3.96 avg rating — 1,275 ratings score: 1,596, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
83	The Complete Jack the Ripper by Donald Rumbelow 3.89 avg rating — 1,843 ratings score: 1,547, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
84	El Narco: Inside Mexico's Criminal Insurgency by Ioan Grillo 4.07 avg rating — 4,458 ratings score: 1,537, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
85	Starvation Heights: A True Story of Murder and Malice in the Woods of the Pacific Northwest by Gregg Olsen (Goodreads Author) 3.69 avg rating — 7,481 ratings score: 1,534, and 17 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
86	Written in Blood by Diane Fanning (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 1,175 ratings score: 1,467, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
87	Deadly Innocence by Scott Burnside 3.91 avg rating — 4,724 ratings score: 1,446, and 23 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
88	Black Mass by Dick Lehr 3.79 avg rating — 7,611 ratings score: 1,394, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
89	The Valachi Papers by Peter Maas 3.90 avg rating — 1,347 ratings score: 1,389, and 16 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
90	Doc: The Rape of the Town of Lovell by Jack Olsen 3.90 avg rating — 1,732 ratings score: 1,361, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
91	Underboss: Sammy the Bull Gravano's Story of Life in the Mafia by Peter Maas 3.83 avg rating — 3,598 ratings score: 1,338, and 15 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
92	The Killer of Little Shepherds: A True Crime Story and the Birth of Forensic Science by Douglas Starr 3.86 avg rating — 5,060 ratings score: 1,293, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
93	A Rage to Kill and Other True Cases (Crime Files, #6) by Ann Rule 3.98 avg rating — 3,531 ratings score: 1,283, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
94	The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women by Kate Moore (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 126,638 ratings score: 1,271, and 19 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
95	Bully: a True Story of High School Revenge by Jim Schutze 3.96 avg rating — 1,891 ratings score: 1,270, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
96	Murder in Little Egypt by Darcy O'Brien 3.98 avg rating — 1,859 ratings score: 1,249, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
97	Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters by Peter Vronsky (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 1,773 ratings score: 1,222, and 22 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
98	Abandoned Prayers: The Incredible True Story of Murder, Obsession and Amish Secrets by Gregg Olsen (Goodreads Author) 3.73 avg rating — 3,158 ratings score: 1,220, and 14 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
99	Cruel Doubt by Joe McGinniss really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2,571 ratings score: 1,212, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
100	In Broad Daylight by Harry N. MacLean (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,081 ratings score: 1,186, and 20 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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1,184 books · 1,855 voters · list created October 4th, 2008 by Sm (votes) .

Tags: best, crime, history, mafia, mob, murder, non-fiction, nonfiction, organized-crime, scandal, thriller, true, true-crime

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message 1: by Paul (new)

Feb 21, 2010 01:29AM

Some great picks there.

Here are my Top 10 True Crime Books. As a psychotherapist in private practice who deals with all sorts of human behavior, it is the behaviors of serial killers and cult leaders that fascinate me most in the realm of abnormal psychology.

Here we go:

1. Seductive Poision - Deborah Layton - It's not your typical true crime, but man is it ever one hell of a read. How did 900 San Franciscans move to the jungles of Jonestown, and why did they drink the Kool-Aid? Layton, who just narrowly defected in time to escape death, really allows us to see straight into the inner workings of Jim Jones and The Peoples Temple. This is one frightening read that you simply can't put down!!

2. Helter Skelter - Vincent Buglosi - First read it when I was 12, and well, let's just say that, as the preface said, the book scared the ever living hell out of me. Probably the most classic book in terms of its effects on how true crime novels were approached and formatted.

3. The Night Stalker - Not particularly well-written, but the horrific Satanic natures of the crimes as well as the sheer number which occurred in the LA area in a most random fashion makes this a much scarier read than it would have been otherwise. Richard Ramirez is just pure evil.

4. The Stranger Beside Me - Ann Rule. Bundy was among the smartest of our serial killers, and his cunning prowess makes his crimes all the more horrific.

5. Killer Clown - John Wayne Gacy kills 30something young boys and stashes them under his house. Because the police have no evidence (all the bodies are underneath Gacy's house): they shadow him for months on in and what develops is a bizarre relationship between killer and the detectives who were around him for months, waiting for a break in the case.

6. Devil In The White City - Erik Larsen - HH Holmes was a real sicko, and his creation of a house of terror is just downright freaky. Also ties in the Chicago's World Fair which is fund to read about as well.

7. The Crime of the Century - Richard Speck kills nine nurses in one night--or did he??? The fact that he was able to kill so many so fast is amazing, and the chase to find him is filled with suspense.

8. Small Sacrifices - Diane Downs kills her kids in her car and then claims that they were gunned down by a madman on the side of the road. Most disturbing that she could do this to her own kids as their mother.

9. Deranged - Albert Fish abducts and eats little kids. Really despicable stuff.

10. The Jeffrey Dahmer Story - Creepy of course, but somehow didn't affect me as strongly as the above 9.

Paul Voorhies
New Orleans

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message 2: by Kelsey (new)

Jun 16, 2010 08:45AM

Wow, I really love your list. Helter Skelter, Seductive Poison and The Stranger Beside me were amazing! I actually read them one after another. And I'm currently looking for most of the other books on your list. Great taste!

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message 3: by Cathy (new)

May 31, 2012 11:00AM

Ditto with Kelsey's comment. Read about half of the books on the list and your background added to the interest of the post. Great job.

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message 4: by John (new)

May 23, 2014 07:14PM

HI Paul, THE BTK killer is also a great read and if you like Harold Schecter, Deviant is a pretty good, yet extremely disturbing book as well. -JR

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message 5: by Rita (new)

Sep 14, 2014 07:16PM

I just finished Starvation Heights by Gregg Olsen. Quite compelling. I don't understand how people could agree to the treatment, and when they could see the impact on their lives, not try to leave. Perhaps they were no longer able. Always wonder about the makeup of those who come up with schemes like this.

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message 6: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 10:21AM

Ummmm...what is Cornered Coyote doing on this list?

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message 7: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 10:43AM

Miss M wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Ummmm...what is Cornered Coyote doing on this list?"

Huh. Isn't that by that author who got kicked off Goodreads for spamming?
;)"

I thought she sound familiar, but let's talk about author behavior and get ourselves banned :/

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message 8: by Cathy (new)

Feb 13, 2015 10:53AM

Misfit wrote: "Miss M wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Ummmm...what is Cornered Coyote doing on this list?"

Huh. Isn't that by that author who got kicked off Goodreads for spamming?
;)"

I thought she soun..."

Hey Guys...enjoying the conversation about something I never heard about.

Get you banned? You think so? I can ask someone who knows...should I or would it just draw unwanted attention? Be banned because we're talking about an author? Interesting. That too is new information!

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message 9: by Miss M (new)

Feb 13, 2015 10:54AM

You're right...I guess there are just 52 clueless list voters with reading comprehension issues. Sad, really.

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message 10: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:05AM

Miss M wrote: "You're right...I guess there are just 52 clueless list voters with reading comprehension issues. Sad, really."

I will remove it as it is a fictional novel and does not meet list criteria.

@ Cathy, apparently so .

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message 11: by Miss M (last edited Feb 13, 2015 11:10AM) (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:07AM

Cathy wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Miss M wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Ummmm...what is Cornered Coyote doing on this list?"

Huh. Isn't that by that author who got kicked off Goodreads for spamming?
;)"

I t..."

We-elll...difficult to know anything definitively since GR has never had the guts to actually update its TOS, instead relying on commentary in the Feedback Group to inform one very small part of the community that it revised policy towards review content. Reviews based on authors/author behavior are not permitted.

Anyway, within the last few days RUMINT has it that a Goodreads member was banned (without warning) for simply putting a book on a 'Nope' shelf she created--no review, no rating, simply shelved.. I don't know the member, but I've seen her blog on the issue on Booklikes where she posted the msg from Goodreads and she appears credible (to me.) People are now starting to assume that any discussion of author behavior may get one banned.

PS - I deleted my original comment.

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message 12: by Miss M (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:10AM

Ha- Misfit is much quicker and to the point! :)

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message 13: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:11AM

Sometimes I wonder if a member is targeted by excessive flags and this happens. I have a no-thank-you shelf, but I mix it up - I'll shelve a book I've decided not to read due to a review I've seen here, or even for the identical book art that I like to keep track of. Since some of those look alike covers are on my read or to-read shelves, I can't make book cover dejavu exclusive, hence them being on the no thank you shelf.

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message 14: by Cathy (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:13AM

Miss M wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Miss M wrote: "Misfit wrote: "Ummmm...what is Cornered Coyote doing on this list?"

Huh. Isn't that by that author who got kicked off Goodreads for spam..."

Thanks for that, Miss M. Makes me want to create a "Nope" shelf and put that book on it! Very interesting.

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message 15: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:14AM

Miss M wrote: "Ha- Misfit is much quicker and to the point! :)"

Prolly a good move.

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message 16: by Cathy (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:16AM

Misfit wrote: "Miss M wrote: "You're right...I guess there are just 52 clueless list voters with reading comprehension issues. Sad, really."

I will remove it as it is a fictional novel and does not meet list cri..."

Thanks for that. Will go back to site when I return but please keep the conversation going. :-)

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message 17: by Miss M (last edited Feb 13, 2015 11:26AM) (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:25AM

I actually deleted the one 'negative' shelf I had, on 1 January to make a fresh start - tired of having crappy books by crappy authors mixed in with my lovely book collections, even on an 'exclusive' shelf. :D Probably a good thing, since I did have private notes on why I wanted to avoid those in particular.

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message 18: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 11:34AM

Miss M wrote: "I actually deleted the one 'negative' shelf I had, on 1 January to make a fresh start - tired of having crappy books by crappy authors mixed in with my lovely book collections, even on an 'exclusiv..."

From the convo I glanced through, it may be the private notes that did some peeps in. I do have a due-to-author shelf, but IIRC only Mein Kamph is on it.

*clicks to take off feeds* (view spoiler)

*end rant*

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message 19: by Miss M (new)

Feb 13, 2015 12:01PM

@Misfit
It just keeps getting worse and worse...the fact that it could be Private Notes is really disturbing. I can understand there are reasons for monitoring even private groups,but notes are just for one individual's use.
Meh.

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message 20: by Misfit (new)

Feb 13, 2015 12:18PM

Miss M wrote: "@Misfit
It just keeps getting worse and worse...the fact that it could be Private Notes is really disturbing. I can understand there are reasons for monitoring even private groups,but notes are jus..."

I agree, although that's still just guessing by several members. If GR would just come out and set a policy and stick to it and announce it to all members so they all know...

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message 21: by Jlsimon (new)

May 18, 2015 05:11PM

Did anyone else think of adding "My Story" by Elizabeth Smart? I was surprised it wasn't in this list.

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message 22: by Jlsimon (new)

May 18, 2015 05:14PM

Paul wrote: "Some great picks there.

Here are my Top 10 True Crime Books. As a psychotherapist in private practice who deals with all sorts of human behavior, it is the behaviors of serial killers and cult le..."

Nice list. I've read a few of those, think I'll check out some of the others. Thank you for the recommendations.

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message 23: by Dina (new)

Nov 28, 2015 10:19AM

True Hollywood Noir: Filmland Mysteries and Murders

Please don't delete from list. Definitely nonfiction. Recent interview with Mickey Cohen's right hand man. Bugsy Siegel and mob stories. True Hollywood crime from the 20s to Robert Blake in 2001.

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message 24: by Donna (last edited Oct 24, 2016 06:44PM) (new)

Oct 24, 2016 05:47PM

Removed for being out of genre: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9... f Christian Atheists

And Great Britain at War: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Ashes and Blood:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Blood Red Desert Sand:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...

Viv and Geordie Volume 2
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...

Removed as fiction: Identity Crisis, #499
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...

How did multiple titles of British military history get dumped into this list? It's almost as if someone ran a search for books with the word "blood" in the title and decided to go for it.

The system found and removed 3 duplicates.

If you find a title that doesn't belong on this list and want someone else to remove it, please indicate what page it's on, and it will speed the process. If you want to add a book, just add it. Please don't use this thread to promote your own books, as those comments will be flagged.

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message 25: by Agnieszka (new)

Jul 01, 2017 12:24PM

The Shack by Young is fiction

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message 26: by Elizabeth (new)

Sep 15, 2017 07:29AM

This is a really good list except Amity Horror by Jay Anson is fiction.

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message 27: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 15, 2017 08:06AM) (new)

Sep 15, 2017 07:52AM

Although as a librarian I can, I'm not going to remove The Shack (#186) and The Amityville Horror (#98). I don't know either of the books. Sorry... The last one sounds to me like fiction though, but as I said, I don't know either.

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message 28: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 16, 2017 12:24AM) (new)

Sep 15, 2017 08:06AM

Agnieszka wrote: "The Shack by Young is fiction"

You're a librarian, why don't you remove the title you mentioned ? If you're sure it is fiction, feel free to do so, as fictional titles do not fit the description ("Nonfiction books about crime") of this Listopia.

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message 29: by Elizabeth (new)

Sep 15, 2017 05:03PM

Elizabeth wrote: "This is a really good list except Amity Horror by Jay Anson is fiction."
I have read the book and know it's fiction.

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message 30: by BookLovingLady (deceased Jan. 25, 2023...) (last edited Sep 16, 2017 12:28AM) (new)

Sep 16, 2017 12:19AM

Elizabeth wrote: "This is a really good list except Amity Horror by Jay Anson is fiction."

Elizabeth wrote:
"I have read the book and know it's fiction."

I was a bit loath to do so, but as you've read the book and are certain, it has been removed from the list.

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message 31: by Eliza (last edited Dec 28, 2017 08:27PM) (new)

Dec 28, 2017 08:24PM

Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil isn't a true crime book it was never written with the intent to talk about the murder the author was in the middle of writing about Savannah GA when the murder happened just thought i'd clear that up

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