If you can’t get enough of true crime lately, it’s time to delve into the life story of a person who was or maybe still is incredibly deranged. there is a frightening prosperity of best serial killer books 2022 both fiction and non-fiction.
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the best serial killer novels to read
There is one of us, people with such jagged heads and such perverse goals that there is hardly an iota of humanity left. however, the evil that lurks within is usually hidden behind a charismatic smile and a charming character. yes, the serial killer is a dangerous monster and the ideal subject for a terrifying book that will horrify and intrigue readers.
If you’re looking for a book to keep you up late at night, these best serial killer books will do the trick.
american predator by maureen callahan
(serial killer true story books)
When journalist Maureen Callahan first discovered Israel Keyes in 2012, she was fascinated by how the killer of size could go unnoticed by law enforcement for over a decade.
And so began a project that consumed her for years to come uncovering the true story behind the fbi finally capturing israel keyes and trying to understand what it means to make a serial killer like keyes exist. a murderer who left in his wake a series of monstrous crimes committed intentionally, many things remain unsolved to this day.
vulgar favors from maureen orth
On July 15, 1997, Gianni Versace was shot to death at his Miami Beach mansion with serial killer Andrew Cunanan. But months before Versace’s murder, award-winning journalist Maureen Orth was investigating a major story about Cunan for Vanity Fair.
Selected from interviews with over four hundred people and opinions gleaned from tens of thousands of pages of police reports, Vulgar Favors tells the full story of Andrew Cuannan, his unwitting victims, and the wealthy world where they lived and died.
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in cold blood by truman capote
if you prefer to have a scary story with a literary bent, then there is no chance to read or reread in cold blood.
In this masterpiece of literary nonfiction, Truman Capote dives into the quadruple murder of four members of the Clutter family who were murdered in their Kansas home in 1959. He expresses the utter brutality of serial killers while demonstrating a Unexpected sympathy for those serial killers. .
However, Bonnet’s careful study and one-on-one interviews tell the true story of two real-life guys who committed an unthinkable real crime. this is one of the best serial killer non-fiction books to read.
the devil in the white city by erik larson
This new york times bestseller weaves together the true story of the 1893 world’s fair and the cunning serial killer who used the fair to lure his victims to their deaths.
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This novel is non-fiction and tells the story of two men: Daniel Burnham, an architect, and H.H. Holmes, the serial killer who preyed on fairgoers. Combining meticulous research with gripping storytelling, Erik Larson has crafted a narrative with all the wonder of newfound history and the thrill of best fiction.
Although this novel is easy to read, Larson did a lot of research so you can fully experience Chicago life in the 1890s.
the devil in the white city will blow you away with its depictions of evil human nature, deceit, scandal and the excitement of the days when the people of chicago were preparing for their first world’s fair. Erik Larson has a pretty sizable library of books if you’ve never read his work.
zodiac by robert graysmith
robert graysmith was on staff at the san francisco chronicle in 1969 when the zodiac first appeared, provoking the determined reporter with an unrelenting obsession with seeing the hooded killer brought to justice.
In this gripping account of the zodiac’s eleven-month reign of terror, Graysmith reveals hundreds of previously unseen facts, including the full text of this killer’s letters.
the good nurse by charles graeber
He was a father, best friend, husband, and the most prolific serial killer in US history. In December 2003, RN Charlie Cullen was arrested for the deaths of more than 300 patients.
And if it wasn’t for the devotion of 2 hardened detectives and a nurse who risked everything to prevent it, he could still be free now.
Breathlessly composed, this portrait of madness is a thriller in every sense of the term. You’ll never look at hospitals and medications the same way again (new york times).
death in the air by kate winkler dawson
It was only after the second world war that a struggling london began to breathe when another tragedy occurred. Even as a serial killer smog gripped the city, hidden criminals roamed the highways, kidnapping victims in the shadows.
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forgotten girls were getting lost and they had something in common: they had met a quiet and unassuming boy, a boy who escaped a murder trial.
At the same time, a potentially innocent man was handed over to the gallows. Crackling with tragedy, this historical true-crime narrative is an intriguing tale of London’s pain and resilience (Douglas Preston, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author).
judas by astrid holleeder
astrid holleeder is currently in hiding ever since she had the guts to write this novel. Known for his involvement in the kidnapping of the CEO and Chairman of Heineken, his brother Willem is among the most infamous criminals in history. him for decades he was in command of the house, threatening to kill anyone who murdered him.
When she was forced to become his confidant, Astrid used her law practice to turn the tables on him. Due to her sharp abilities, she gained enough information to lock him up for life. Staggering and deeply personal, this is a terrifying and accurate account of the criminal underground.
the last victim of jason moss
It started out as an assignment from a college course, but it quickly turned into a dangerous obsession. Eighteen-year-old honor student Jason Moss wrote to four men whose body counts had led to criminal records: Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, Richard Ramirez, and John Wayne Gacy.
Pretending to be the ideal victim, Moss set up the serial killers, but trouble immediately spiraled out of control once John Wayne Gacy invited him on a prison trip, an offer he couldn’t refuse.
Fascinating, shocking and terrifying, The Last Victim is a stark and revealing look at the dark side of human character from a writer who dared to look closely at exactly what we all fear.
angel of darkness by dennis mcdougal
randy kraft was an intelligent, sexually active and faithful man who committed the murder spree of this century. Called the Scorecard Killer, Kraft was famous for putting his victims on the lists and leaving their bodies on freeways. In total, he killed more than 67 people.
A harrowing peephole into hell, this novel is an educational and well-written peek inside the darkened head of a living creature (Associated Press).
the stranger by my side by ann rule
ann rule has written over a thousand true crime books, but none as crazy as the stranger next to me.
The non-fiction story focuses on the beginning because it informs a narrative about a terrible mass murderer without realizing that among her close friends, ted bundy, was the person she had been looking for. Ted Bundy murdered at least 30 girls between 1974 and 1978 and had met the ruler on a Seattle suicide hotline.
This is just one of the most authoritative biographies of all time, made all the more terrifying by the simple fact that she got it.
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi
charles manson is a name you’ve probably heard a lot if you’re American. He was both a criminal mastermind and a cult leader in California. This true story is told through the eyes of Vincent Bugliosi, Charles Manson’s attorney. he explains how he put together his case against the serial killer.
Helter Skelter is a New York Times bestseller!
This chilling story captures every step chronologically, from witness statements to documentary evidence to physical evidence, and includes both frightening and vivid details.
this documentary paints a vivid picture of charles manson, the charismatic madman. It’s a moving tribute to anyone who grew up during the Manson era of prime-time television.
home sweet murder by james patterson
This collection from James Patterson combines two true crime thrillers into one. Home Sweet Murder is about a husband and wife enjoying a quiet Sunday dinner.
but they are interrupted by a security agent. By the end of the night, two people will have been shot, stabbed, and tortured.
In Murder on the Run, a determined detective vows to catch his son’s serial killer. these true stories, as seen on discovery id’s murder is forever, is surprisingly honest and riveting.
read more: james patterson’s best books of all time, 2022 review
I’ll Go In The Dark: One Woman’s Obsessive Search For The Golden State Killer By Michelle Mcnamara
The tragic death of the writer and the recent capture of the theme of this book make this an incredibly compelling and catastrophic read. Michelle Mcnamara ran her own true crime site, exploring cases with conviction and care.
The scope of this golden state assassin’s offenses and the absence of clues made this event a natural match; Since he stumbled over every detail and pursued the most subtle perspectives, he earned the respect and help of local researchers.
Spending long hours enveloped in this amount of terror eventually wears down your body and your human head, but michelle’s commendable attempts largely contributed to the identification of the killer and his eventual capture.
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Sadly, she did not live to see him captured, however, with I’ll Go in the Dark, we were able to witness his trial and adventures, and understand the terror this killer brought to those communities.
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chasing the devil by sheriff david reichert
sheriff david reichert dedicated eight years of his life to the capture of the green river killer. in 1982, he was the first to investigate the case. he persevered in the search for clues as the number of bodies increased to 49.
became the most notorious cold case in america. Sheriff Reichert was brave enough to contact the families of the victims and put his own safety at risk to find the killer. but it would take him 11 more years to prove his case. this is a fantastic suspense story of heroism and fascination.
perfume: the story of a murderer by patrick süskind
classic true crime book
süskind’s cult classic around jean baptiste grenouille, born with the gift of perfect scent, is bigger than just a perfumer turned serial killer. A story of obsession, the book follows Grenouille as he pursues the desperate act of achieving the perfect scent and in doing so claims countless corpses.
The book has a menacing arc, above and beyond the murderous perfumer theory: it investigates the degree of genius and how being gifted with perfection could actually be a gift, let alone a curse.
the monster of florence by douglas preston with mario spezi
This true crime story is told by Preston Child’s Pendergast, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lost City of the Monkey God and celebrated co-author of the Preston and Child’s Pendergast series tells a powerful story.
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Douglas Preston discovered that the serial killer behind one of Italy’s most infamous serial killers was hiding in an olive grove near his home in Florence.
preston quickly found a target in his search for the truth and was the subject of a police investigation. The Florence Monster is a shocking true story of murder and mayhem and a bizarre vendetta.
last breath by robert bryndza
This novel is a fascinating read that will hold your attention. Erika Foster is the detective trying to solve a case that leads to a series of young women being tortured and killed.
The killer is an intelligent and wise man who takes advantage of beautiful young women by creating a false identity. Worse yet, Erika is not the victim in this case and has a hard time finding the information he needs.
Despite this, the detective is forced to confront the serial killer.
my friend dahmer by derf backderf
Jeffrey Dahmer’s high school friend derf backderf shares a graphic depiction of this young serial killer in My Friend Dahmer.
This book is different from the others because it is told through the eyes of a friend who has a sympathetic view of Jeffrey Dahmer, the serial killer. Describes what Dahmer was like before he began his killing spree and the signs of his mental illness.
You’ll feel for jeffery in this raw and unorthodox view. Backderf gives insight into Jeffery’s struggles with alcoholism and sexuality, as well as her complicated relationship with her parents.
we all know that jeffrey dahmer is a monster. but the details of this novel will give you insights that will stay with you forever. tells the true story of a lonely boy who didn’t fit in and leads him down a dark and graphic path.
nobody’s wives by steve miller
investigative journalist steve miller, nobody’s wives, a sexy story about a cleveland-based ex-marine and registered sex offender who murdered women and lived among their bodies.
miller shares the stories of the women who were killed, primarily prostitutes or drug addicts, and explains the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
ed sanders family
two bloody nights shattered the dreams of the love generation in this classic true crime masterpiece (new york times book review).
In 1969, Charles Manson and his associates murdered nine people, including Sharon Tate (a young actress and wife of Roman Polanski). The family reveals everything you need to know about one of the most horrific serial killer stories in American history.
other best serial killer books:
- gosnell: the untold story of america’s most prolific serial killer
- mindhunter by john e. douglas
- the silence of the lambs by thomas harris
- the alienist by caleb carr
- the night stalker by philip carlo
conclusion
If you’re looking for a good serial killer read, any of these books would be a great choice. each provides a different perspective on why these killers do what they do and how they’ve been able to get away with it for so long. If you’re interested in learning more about the minds of serial killers, these are the best books to start with. thanks for reading!
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