# Best true crime book **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123 "2017-01-14T17:03:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/1 "2017-01-14T17:03:18Z")
2017 is the 50th anniversary of the release of “In Cold Blood” (the movie; the book’s 50th anniversary was in 2016), so an up-to-date poll of Doper true crime preferences is in order. There have been a lot of good ones and a sea of ordinary dreck, both of which populate a sizable percentage of my bookshelves. As for my own pick for #1, the first paragraph of this post contains a subtle hint. ---
**Author:** ![Annie-Xmas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecc23a/32.png) [@Annie-Xmas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Annie-Xmas)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 5:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/2 "2017-01-14T17:08:26Z")
The Stranger Beside Me - Ann Rule’s jump into the foray. You get a contract to maybe write a book about the disappearance and murder of several young women, despite the fact that you’ve never done a true crime book before and you’re not even sure there is a story, as there are no suspects. Then you realize the killer is someone you know. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/3 "2017-01-14T17:44:32Z")
A couple explanatory notes: I included just one option per author, although several represented on the list have written multiple good true crime books ("Echoes in the Darkness (Wambaugh) and “Small Sacrifice” (Rule) could easily have made the ballot). And obviously I’m partial to books about murder. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![madsircool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/madsircool/32/3432_2.png) [@madsircool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/madsircool)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/4 "2017-01-14T18:23:37Z")
Serpintine by Tommy Thompson > **[Serpentine: Thompson, Thomas: 9780786707492: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Serpentine-Thomas-Thompson/dp/0786707496)** > > Serpentine \[Thompson, Thomas\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Serpentine ---
**Author:** ![Periwinkle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Periwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Periwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 7:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/5 "2017-01-14T19:01:17Z")
I voted for In Cold Blood because it is stunning and I understand that it created the genre of literary true crime. But you have listed many great ones. In addition to the one you chose for Joe McGinniss, his “Blind Faith” was excellent, as you likely know. I think I have missed one or two that you listed and will check those out. ---
**Author:** ![Patx2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/73ab20/32.png) [@Patx2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patx2)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/6 "2017-01-14T19:07:09Z")
> [@Periwinkle](#): > > I voted for In Cold Blood because it is stunning and I understand that it created the genre of literary true crime. But you have listed many great ones. In addition to the one you chose for Joe McGinniss, his “Blind Faith” was excellent, as you likely know. I think I have missed one or two that you listed and will check those out. The OP’s list is excellent and I agree with your addition of Blind Faith. ---
**Author:** ![BrassyPhrase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ea666f/32.png) [@BrassyPhrase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrassyPhrase)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 7:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/7 "2017-01-14T19:47:10Z")
> [@Jackmannii](#): > > A couple explanatory notes: > And obviously I’m partial to books about murder. 🙂 Partial to books about murder, and you didn’t have Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets by David Simon? :eek: Tsk! (I voted the ‘it’s criminal!’ ) HisThe Corner is also great. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Richard\_John\_Marcej](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_John_Marcej)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 10:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/8 "2017-01-14T22:00:25Z")
It was between In Cold Blood and Helter Skelter for me. I went with HS because I was reading the paperback at the same time that I was given The Beatles White Album as a gift. It made quite an impact on me and put me in full Manson Mode at the time!:eek: Creeped me out! ---
**Author:** ![terentii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/terentii/32/212_2.png) [@terentii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/terentii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2017, 10:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/9 "2017-01-14T22:44:49Z")
Obvious choice:\*\*\* Contract Killer:\*\*\* _ **The Explosive Story of Donald “Tony the Greek” Frankos** _. Followed by _ **Doc** _, _ **In Cold Blood** _, and _ **Fatal Vision** _. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/10 "2017-01-15T03:44:41Z")
My personal favourite is David Collier’s comic book “Surviving Saskatoon” about David Milgaard. ---
**Author:** ![astorian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ad7895/32.png) [@astorian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/astorian)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 3:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/11 "2017-01-15T03:51:00Z")
I haven’t read many true crime books. Of the ones on the list, Wambaugh’s “The Onion Field” was my favorite. ---
**Author:** ![nearwildheaven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90db22/32.png) [@nearwildheaven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/nearwildheaven)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/12 "2017-01-15T04:55:57Z")
Here’s an old one that I found fascinating - especially because the case wasn’t closed at the time the book was published. > **[Beyond Belief : Moors Murders: Williams, Emlyn: 9780330020886: Amazon.com: Books](https://www.amazon.com/Beyond-Belief-Murders-Emlyn-Williams/dp/0330020889)** > > Beyond Belief : Moors Murders \[Williams, Emlyn\] on Amazon.com. \*FREE\* shipping on qualifying offers. Beyond Belief : Moors Murders ---
**Author:** ![Made\_in\_Macau](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/eada6e/32.png) [@Made\_in\_Macau](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Made_in_Macau)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/13 "2017-01-15T20:51:53Z")
Happy Like Murderers by Gordon Burn is hypnotic and repulsive. It is the story of Fred and Rose West, who killed an unknown number of girls and women mainly in their home in Gloucester over a period of approximately twenty years. While the crimes are notorious here in the UK, it’s the writing rather than the crimes that really stayed with me from this book. The repetition of certain words still bothers me almost 20 years later. > **[Happy Like Murderers: Amazon.co.uk: Burn, Gordon: 9780571279135: Books](https://www.amazon.co.uk/Happy-Like-Murderers-Gordon-Burn/dp/0571279139)** > > Buy Happy Like Murderers Main by Burn, Gordon (ISBN: 9780571279135) from Amazon's Book Store. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. MiM ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2017, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/14 "2017-01-15T22:46:14Z")
My favorite, despite its flaws, is **The Valachi Papers**. ---
**Author:** ![Hocus\_Pocus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/41988e/32.png) [@Hocus\_Pocus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hocus_Pocus)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2017, 7:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/15 "2017-01-16T19:00:47Z")
Ann Rule’s _Small Sacrifices_ Harry MacLean’s _In Broad Daylight_ ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/16 "2017-01-17T16:50:01Z")
I’m gonna go with _All the Presiden’t Men_, though it’s not about murder. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2017, 5:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/17 "2017-01-17T17:55:51Z")
> [@Boyo\_Jim](#): > > I’m gonna go with _All the Presiden’t Men_, though it’s not about murder. Definitely about crime, though. Excellent suggestion. I voted for _Under the Banner of Heaven_ by Jon Krakauer, which I’ve recommended to many people. A great crime book and also a fascinating look at Mormon fundamentalism. Capote’s _In Cold Blood_ is very good, but was fictionalized to an extent that arguably removes it from the realm of “true crime.” ---
**Author:** ![puddleglum](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puddleglum/32/137_2.png) [@puddleglum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puddleglum)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/18 "2017-01-18T16:13:00Z")
I loved In Cold Blood but I think Helter Skelter just has more going on. In retrospect I think Bugliosi really did not understand as much as he thought he did about the murders because he does not really go into the black panthers angle. One thing I never could decide about In Cold Blood was whether Capote never actually understood why Perry shot the Clutters or whether he did and just implied it instead of saying it. Devil in the White City is overrated. Homicide is great but I am not sure it is comparable since it is not about one crime but about police work. Under the Banner of Heaven is really interesting and has lots of other stuff in it, but the crime itself is not that interesting. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 4:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/19 "2017-01-18T16:45:14Z")
> [@puddleglum](#): > > … In retrospect I think Bugliosi really did not understand as much as he thought he did about the murders because he does not really go into the black panthers angle. … I thought there was a lot Bugliosi never revealed and I assumed it was because he was still a prosecutor and was concerned about the legal ramifications of mouthing off all the little details of the case, as if something he revealed might end up being the basis for a later appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Amateur\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/59ef9b/32.png) [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2017, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123/20 "2017-01-18T16:58:54Z")
Hard to beat _Helter Skelter_ on all points. Flaws and age aside, I think it’s the model true-crime writers should strive to emulate. It’s not quite “true crime” and it’s so massive it causes local gravitational disturbances and it pissed a lot of people off, but Bugliosi’s other masterwork is _Reclaiming History_, the absolutely definitive and complete history of the JFK assassination. Any further attempts at conspiracy theories are going to have to go through it, and dismiss meticulously referenced facts to build any kind of alternate case. Good luck. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-true-crime-book/777123.md?page=2)