Best True Crime

Nonfiction books about crime

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101	Female Serial Killers: How and Why Women Become Monsters by Peter Vronsky (Goodreads Author) 3.82 avg rating — 2,039 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
102	Cruel Doubt by Joe McGinniss really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2,740 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
103	A Stolen Life by Jaycee Dugard 3.97 avg rating — 142,801 ratings score: 1,203, 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
104	In Broad Daylight by Harry N. MacLean (Goodreads Author) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 3,486 ratings score: 1,188, 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
105	Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson 4.09 avg rating — 5,680 ratings score: 1,182, 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
106	The Road to Jonestown: Jim Jones and Peoples Temple by Jeff Guinn 4.16 avg rating — 19,007 ratings score: 1,176, 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
107	Perfect Victim: The True Story of "The Girl in the Box" by the D.A. Who Prosecuted Her Captor by Christine McGuire really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 5,549 ratings score: 1,175, 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
108	No Stone Unturned: The True Story of the World's Premier Forensic Investigators by Steve Jackson (Goodreads Author) 4.22 avg rating — 4,039 ratings score: 1,150, 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
109	Obsession by John E. Douglas 3.98 avg rating — 3,761 ratings score: 1,141, 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
110	Tears of Rage by John Walsh 4.26 avg rating — 4,176 ratings score: 1,116, 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
111	Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland by Patrick Radden Keefe 4.47 avg rating — 153,768 ratings score: 1,113, 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
112	Catch and Kill: Lies, Spies, and a Conspiracy to Protect Predators by Ronan Farrow 4.40 avg rating — 101,447 ratings score: 1,048, and 13 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
113	Dead Wrong: Straight Facts on the Country's Most Controversial Cover-Ups by Richard Belzer 3.66 avg rating — 737 ratings score: 1,018, and 11 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
114	The Hot House: Life Inside Leavenworth Prison by Pete Earley 4.13 avg rating — 1,954 ratings score: 1,014, 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
115	Forensics: What Bugs, Burns, Prints, DNA and More Tell Us About Crime by Val McDermid 4.10 avg rating — 12,319 ratings score: 991, 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
116	Bind, Torture, Kill: The Inside Story of the Serial Killer Next Door by Roy Wenzl 4.04 avg rating — 9,222 ratings score: 983, 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
117	Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson by Jeff Guinn 3.94 avg rating — 11,077 ratings score: 975, and 12 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
118	Lust Killer by Ann Rule 4.05 avg rating — 7,797 ratings score: 974, 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
119	Chasing the Scream: The First and Last Days of the War on Drugs by Johann Hari 4.50 avg rating — 21,272 ratings score: 966, 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
120	Perfect Murder, Perfect Town : The Uncensored Story of the JonBenet Murder and the Grand Jury's Search for the Final Truth by Lawrence Schiller 3.67 avg rating — 3,691 ratings score: 963, and 11 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
121	The Meaning of Matthew: My Son's Murder in Laramie, and a World Transformed by Judy Shepard 4.35 avg rating — 2,508 ratings score: 951, 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
122	Death in the City of Light: The Serial Killer of Nazi-Occupied Paris by David King 3.54 avg rating — 8,125 ratings score: 855, and 10 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
123	American Kingpin: The Epic Hunt for the Criminal Mastermind Behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 51,609 ratings score: 853, and 10 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
124	A Twisted Faith: A Minister's Obsession and the Murder That Destroyed a Church by Gregg Olsen (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 2,072 ratings score: 823, and 10 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
125	The Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Michael Newton 4.16 avg rating — 2,730 ratings score: 817, 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
126	Born to Kill: The Rise and Fall of America's Bloodiest Asian Gang by T.J. English (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 411 ratings score: 809, and 10 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
127	Bogeyman - He Was Every Parent's Nightmare by Steve Jackson (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 1,107 ratings score: 804, and 10 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
128	Death of Innocence: The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America by Mamie Till-Mobley 4.44 avg rating — 1,235 ratings score: 795, and 11 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
129	Murder in Italy: Amanda Knox, Meredith Kercher and the Murder Trial that Shocked the World by Candace Dempsey (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 662 ratings score: 785, and 9 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
130	Predator by Jack Olsen 4.02 avg rating — 971 ratings score: 760, 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
131	Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson 4.62 avg rating — 256,515 ratings score: 757, and 9 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
132	Stolen Innocence: My Story of Growing Up in a Polygamist Sect, Becoming a Teenage Bride, and Breaking Free of Warren Jeffs by Elissa Wall 3.95 avg rating — 31,335 ratings score: 749, and 9 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
133	The End of the Dream: The Golden Boy Who Never Grew Up (Crime Files, #5) by Ann Rule 4.16 avg rating — 4,570 ratings score: 747, and 12 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
134	Whatever Mother Says...: A True Story of a Mother, Madness and Murder by Wensley Clarkson 3.86 avg rating — 2,816 ratings score: 746, and 10 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
135	Adnan's Story: The Search for Truth and Justice After Serial by Rabia Chaudry 4.12 avg rating — 10,857 ratings score: 737, and 10 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
136	Actual Innocence: When Justice Goes Wrong and How to Make it Right by Barry Scheck 4.15 avg rating — 905 ratings score: 736, and 10 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
137	If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood by Gregg Olsen (Goodreads Author) 3.98 avg rating — 342,248 ratings score: 733, and 8 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
138	Dark Dreams: Sexual Violence, Homicide and the Criminal Mind by Roy Hazelwood 4.05 avg rating — 2,890 ratings score: 727, and 10 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
139	Conquest: Sexual Violence and American Indian Genocide by Andrea Lee Smith 4.33 avg rating — 1,363 ratings score: 717, 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
140	True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner (Goodreads Author) 3.66 avg rating — 8,433 ratings score: 703, and 10 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
141	The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre: Murder, Arson and the Crime of the Century by Geoff Plunkett (Goodreads Author) 4.39 avg rating — 66 ratings score: 682, and 7 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
142	Last Victim: A True-Life Journey into the Mind of a Serial Killer by Jason M. Moss 3.86 avg rating — 5,357 ratings score: 676, and 8 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
143	Fred & Rose by Howard Sounes (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 3,889 ratings score: 671, and 10 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
144	Midnight in Peking: How the Murder of a Young Englishwoman Haunted the Last Days of Old China by Paul French 3.86 avg rating — 7,318 ratings score: 669, and 8 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
145	Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal by Ann Rule 4.06 avg rating — 8,078 ratings score: 666, and 8 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
146	I: The Creation of a Serial Killer: The Creation of a Serial Killer by Jack Olsen 3.92 avg rating — 2,710 ratings score: 665, and 10 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
147	Cellar of Horror: The Story of Gary Heidnik by Ken Englade (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 2,341 ratings score: 658, and 13 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
148	At Any Cost: A Father's Betrayal, a Wife's Murder, and a Ten-Year War for Justice by Rebecca Rosenberg (Goodreads Author) 4.15 avg rating — 1,310 ratings score: 653, and 7 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
149	Vampire: The Richard Chase Murders by Kevin M. Sullivan 3.68 avg rating — 174 ratings score: 638, and 7 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
150	Smooth Talker: Trail of Death by Steve Jackson (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 335 ratings score: 637, and 7 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
151	The Ultimate Evil by Maury Terry 3.87 avg rating — 2,024 ratings score: 635, and 8 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
152	Shot in the Heart by Mikal Gilmore 4.18 avg rating — 3,867 ratings score: 622, and 7 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
153	The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder by Charles Graeber (Goodreads Author) 3.86 avg rating — 27,173 ratings score: 616, and 8 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
154	The Run of His Life: The People v. O.J. Simpson by Jeffrey Toobin 4.22 avg rating — 9,325 ratings score: 614, and 8 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
155	The Shrine of Jeffrey Dahmer by Brian Masters really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1,912 ratings score: 610, and 9 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
156	Cries Unheard: Why Children Kill: The Story of Mary Bell by Gitta Sereny 3.88 avg rating — 1,729 ratings score: 593, and 7 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
157	Criminal Minds: Sociopaths, Serial Killers, and Other Deviants by Jeffrey J. Mariotte (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 1,080 ratings score: 591, and 7 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
158	Serpico by Peter Maas 4.01 avg rating — 3,541 ratings score: 589, and 7 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
159	One of Your Own: The Life and Death of Myra Hindley by Carol Ann Lee (Goodreads Author) 4.20 avg rating — 1,418 ratings score: 576, and 10 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
160	Love Her to Death by M. William Phelps (Goodreads Author) 4.05 avg rating — 1,282 ratings score: 563, and 7 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
161	Murder in Brentwood by Mark Fuhrman 3.82 avg rating — 2,563 ratings score: 558, and 8 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
162	You Belong to Me and Other True Crime Cases (Crime Files, #2) by Ann Rule 4.14 avg rating — 5,495 ratings score: 554, and 7 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
163	Gator Country: Deception, Danger, and Alligators in the Everglades by Rebecca Renner (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 3,177 ratings score: 545, and 6 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
164	Anne Perry and the Murder of the Century by Peter Graham 3.52 avg rating — 4,615 ratings score: 538, and 6 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
165	On the Farm by Stevie Cameron 4.13 avg rating — 2,897 ratings score: 537, and 6 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
166	A Deadly Game: The Untold Story of the Scott Peterson Investigation by Catherine Crier (Goodreads Author) 4.07 avg rating — 3,022 ratings score: 522, and 9 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
167	Serpentine : A True Odyssey of Love and Murderous Evil by Thomas Thompson 4.21 avg rating — 1,648 ratings score: 516, and 6 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
168	The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir 3.87 avg rating — 7,656 ratings score: 513, and 9 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
169	Repeat Offender: Sin City's Most Prolific Criminal and the Cop Who Caught Him by Bradley Nickell 4.07 avg rating — 174 ratings score: 511, and 6 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
170	The True Crime Files of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle by Arthur Conan Doyle 3.70 avg rating — 132 ratings score: 509, and 6 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
171	Tulia: Race, Cocaine, and Corruption in a Small Texas Town by Nate Blakeslee 4.12 avg rating — 834 ratings score: 505, and 6 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
172	Heart Full of Lies by Ann Rule 3.96 avg rating — 5,758 ratings score: 502, and 6 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
173	Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder by Steve Hodel 3.71 avg rating — 4,282 ratings score: 501, and 8 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
174	Sun Goes Down: The True Story of the Harvey Family Murder, and an Inquiry into the True Crime Story, The Music Industry and the American Dream by Chris Orlet (Goodreads Author) 3.50 avg rating — 4 ratings score: 500, and 5 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
175	Sexual Homicide: Patterns and Motives by John E. Douglas 4.17 avg rating — 1,028 ratings score: 498, and 6 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
175	Empty Promises and Other True Cases (Crime Files, #7) by Ann Rule 3.99 avg rating — 3,111 ratings score: 498, and 6 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
177	The Blooding by Joseph Wambaugh 3.98 avg rating — 2,138 ratings score: 494, and 6 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
178	Eating Smoke: One Man's Descent Into Crystal Meth Psychosis in Hong Kong's Triad Heartland by Chris Thrall (Goodreads Author) 3.60 avg rating — 771 ratings score: 492, and 5 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
179	The Prosecution of George W. Bush for Murder by Vincent Bugliosi 3.74 avg rating — 846 ratings score: 491, and 5 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
179	Case Closed: Lee Harvey Oswald and the Assassination of JFK by Gerald Posner (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 2,233 ratings score: 491, and 6 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
181	Zebra by Clark Howard 4.04 avg rating — 204 ratings score: 489, and 5 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
182	The Killer Across the Table: Unlocking the Secrets of Serial Killers and Predators with the FBI's Original Mindhunter by John E. Douglas 4.15 avg rating — 23,115 ratings score: 487, and 7 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
183	The Skies Belong to Us: Love and Terror in the Golden Age of Hijacking (ALA Notable Books for Adults) by Brendan I. Koerner (Goodreads Author) 4.04 avg rating — 4,321 ratings score: 481, and 6 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
184	In a Child's Name: The Legacy of a Mother's Murder by Peter Maas 4.08 avg rating — 315 ratings score: 475, and 6 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
185	Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases by Paul Holes (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 28,859 ratings score: 472, and 6 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
186	Bestial: The Savage Trail of a True American Monster by Harold Schechter 3.82 avg rating — 1,449 ratings score: 469, and 6 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
187	Monster: My True Story by Aileen Wuornos 3.49 avg rating — 1,453 ratings score: 466, and 6 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
187	Before He Wakes by Jerry Bledsoe 4.05 avg rating — 2,816 ratings score: 466, and 6 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
189	Lords of Chaos by Michael Moynihan 3.68 avg rating — 8,702 ratings score: 464, and 5 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
190	Mob Star: The Story of John Gotti by Gene Mustain 3.70 avg rating — 564 ratings score: 463, and 5 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
191	Inside the Mind of BTK: The True Story Behind Thirty-Year of Hunt for the Notorious Wichita Serial Killer by John E. Douglas 3.94 avg rating — 5,171 ratings score: 461, and 6 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
192	The A to Z Encyclopedia of Serial Killers by Harold Schechter really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 2,453 ratings score: 456, and 8 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
192	The Want-Ad Killer by Ann Rule 3.92 avg rating — 7,012 ratings score: 456, and 6 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
194	The Jeffrey Dahmer Story: An American Nightmare by Don Davis 3.84 avg rating — 3,517 ratings score: 455, and 5 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
195	The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League by Jeff Hobbs (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 28,430 ratings score: 451, and 6 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
196	Beyond the Body Farm: A Legendary Bone Detective Explores Murders, Mysteries, and the Revolution in Forensic Science by William M. Bass 4.23 avg rating — 7,852 ratings score: 449, and 6 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
197	The Man With The Candy: The Story of The Houston Mass Murders by Jack Olsen 3.80 avg rating — 1,122 ratings score: 442, and 6 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
198	Kiss Me, Kill Me and Other True Cases (Crime Files, #9) by Ann Rule 3.94 avg rating — 3,447 ratings score: 440, and 5 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
198	Why Kids Kill: Inside the Minds of School Shooters by Peter Langman 3.84 avg rating — 1,487 ratings score: 440, and 5 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
200	The Devil & Sherlock Holmes: Tales of Murder, Madness & Obsession by David Grann (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 10,037 ratings score: 439, and 5 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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1,320 books · 1,862 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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message 32: by Liquidlasagna (new)

Apr 30, 2024 06:13PM