The best true crime books that you won’t be able to put down

Arguably the best known true crime book, In Cold Blood recounts the brutal 1959 murders of the Clutter family in Kansas. I think it’s a combination of Truman Capote’s meticulous research and storytelling – which weaves together to form a gripping narrative that explores the lives of both the victims and the killers – that made this book such a classic.

This book explores the controversial death of an Aboriginal man, Cameron Doomadgee, in police custody on Palm Island in 2004. Chloe Hooper delves into the ensuing trial, racial tensions, and the stark reality of Australia’s justice system, making it a must-read for true crime lovers.

Ann Rule’s chilling memoir tells of her personal connection with Ted Bundy, a charming coworker who turned out to be a notorious serial killer. The Stranger Beside Me offers a unique insider perspective on a killer’s psyche as well as the terrifying duality of Bundy’s personality.

This chilling collection profiles some of Australia’s most notorious killers sentenced to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Providing detailed accounts of their crimes, the investigations, and the legal battles that followed, Never To Be Released offers interesting insights into Australia’s darkest criminal minds.

This posthumously published work details McNamara’s obsessive quest to unmask the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who terrorised California in the 1970s and 80s. The book is a compelling blend of investigative journalism, memoir, and true crime writing.