True crime murder mystery novels are one of the most popular genres of all time. They often add so many more details than any documentary or podcast possibly could. The authors of these types of books do deep research into the topic and add any additional information they’re able to dig up themselves. True crime books focus on both the murder and psychology behind them. While we can never truly see inside the minds of murderers, these books are the closest we’ll ever get.

With that in mind, here are my top 10 true crime murder mystery novels that you’ll definitely enjoy.

1. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote – In 1959, the Clutter family – a farmer, his wife, and their 2 teenage children – were murdered in Holcomb, Kansas. Truman Capote read a brief newspaper account and then spent the next 6 years investigating the case. He eventually developed a close relationship with one of the two convicted killers, Perry Smith. This is that story, in chilling detail.

2. Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann – This novel is about the 1920s murders of the Osage Native Americans, who were killed for their oil-filled land. The author, David Grann, did a ton of research for this book and uncovered a conspiracy of greed and racism which eventually led to the FBI’s first major investigation. This novel was also adapted into a Martin Scorsese film starring Leonardo Dicaprio.

3. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule – This book is Ann Rule’s account of her unique relationship with the serial killer, Ted Bundy. It’s written as part memoir and part investigative reporting. She talks all about her shocking discovery that her good friend was one of America’s most notorious killers and the impact it had.

4. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara – This novel is all about McNamara’s search for the Golden State Killer. Her obsession with the case led to her creating a this book that combines her personal insights and deep research. Her dedication ultimately helped to identify of the killer, after her death.

5. Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi – This novel was written by the prosecutor of the Manson Family. It gives an inside look at the 1969 murders that were orchestrated by Charles Manson. Vincent Bugliosi goes into detail on all the twisted beliefs that Manson put forth, and the manipulation that led to these crimes.

6. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt – This novel follows the 1981 shooting of Danny Hansford by the antique dealer Jim Williams in Savannah, Georgia. Jim Williams claimed self-defense. He was tried four times. The author, John Berendt, moved to Savannah for several years to report the story and in the process documented the city’s extraordinary cast of eccentrics, including socialites, drag performers, con men, and old-money families.

7. Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith by Jon Krakauer – This book investigates the murders of Brenda Lafferty and her child, committed in 1984 by disturbed brothers. They believed that they were commanded to do it by their god. It’s a pretty controversial book. The LDS Church objected to it being published – but it’s essential reading as a deep look into how belief systems develop and how they can be weaponized.

8. Zodiac by Robert Graysmith – Graysmith’s book talks about his obsession with the Zodiac Killer – who is well-known for terrorizing California in the 1960s and 1970s. He look into the killer’s cryptic messages, his psychological profile, and the chilling lack of a resolution in one of America’s most infamous cold cases. The Zodica (2007) movie was loosely based on this book.

9. Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule – This is a tragic true crime book about Diane Downs, a mother who turned a gun on her own children in 1983. Ann Rule looks into the psychology and motivations behind this awful crime. It’s a story filled with manipulation and betrayal.

10. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson – This novel is set at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893. It’s a story of architect Daniel Burnham and serial killer H.H. Holmes – who used the fair as a way to lure in his victims. In it, he hid a gas chamber, dissection table, and crematory.

Top 10 True Crime Murder Mystery Novels

These true crime murder mystery novels look at the darkest of individuals and how many of them were eventually caught. They cover mental illness, psychology, courtroom drama, and cat-and-mouse chases. You’ll be reading about pure evil, and good detectives who do everything they have to to stop serial killers.

For the best true crime in podcast format, check out our top true crime murder podcasts. For fiction books, the top 10 murder mystery novels has everything you could ever want. For murder mystery comics, the top 10 murder mystery comics and graphic novels has our favorite picks. For a full list of various mystery entertainment, see our best murder mystery entertainment guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s the difference between true crime books and true crime documentaries?

Books spend 300 to 500 pages on details that a four-episode documentary would never be able to fit in. They go way deeper into details and leads than any other types of media. They’re also more likely to examine the systemic issues behind a case instead of just focusing on the crime.

Is In Cold Blood still considered accurate?

The core facts of the case are still accurate. Capote’s literary techniques, especially his construction of scenes he wasn’t actually present for – have been questioned over the years, and his relationship with Perry Smith has raised some questions about his objectivity. His depiction of the investigation has also been debated by some people involved in it. It’s best read as a hybrid story: rigorous reporting wrapped in some literary techniques that let Capote take some creative liberties. Read it for the writing and the atmosphere, as much as for the facts.