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How To Read True Crime and Still Sleep at Night

Welcome!

Who here reads True Crime? Why?

Here are some other opinions on why people read True Crime (and a study examining why many women do.)

Strategy 1: Read True Crime set in the past.

DevilHistorical True Crime is one of the most popular True Crime subgenres.

Devil in the White City, by Erik Larson (2003)

Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann (2017)

Jack the Ripper: A Journal of the Whitechapel Murders 1888-1889, by Rick Geary (2001)

Strategy 2: Call your True Crime "journalism" or "research."

These books are less about the gory details, more about the investigation/causes of crime.

GreenExtremely popular with those who read True Crime to discover tips and techniques for avoiding danger (which is one of the reasons many people read True Crime). Can also be important for helping readers see beyond stereotypes and assumptions.

Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery, by Robert Kolker (2013)

Green River, Running Red: The Real Story of the Green River Killer, by Ann Rule (2005)

The Restless Sleep: Inside New York City's Cold Case Squad, by Stacy Horn (2005)

 

Just how popular is True Crime? In 2018, BookScan reported 1.6 million TC books sold.

 

 Interlude: True Crime documentaries and programs

 

Strategy 3: Read True Crime that is also a journey of self-discovery.

EclipseSome of the most thoughtful nonfiction out there.

Can include aspects of coming of age, self-discovery, reflection, acceptance.

After the Eclipse: A Mother's Murder, A Daughter's Search, by Crystal Perry (2017)

My Friend Dahmer, by Derf Backderf (2012)

Dancing with the Octopus: A Memoir of a Crime, by Debora Harding (2020)

Strategy 4: Don't read these True Crime titles right before bed.

BtkAnything by Harold Schechter, Gregg Olsen, Ryan Green

Deranged: The Shocking True Story of America's Most Fiendish Killer, by Harold Schechter

The Night Stalker: The Life and Crimes of Richard Ramirez, by Philip Carlo

If You Tell: A True Story of Murder, Family Secrets, and the Unbreakable Bond of Sisterhood, by Gregg Olsen

Inside the Mind of BTK, by John Douglas

The Kentucky Cannibal, by Ryan Green

Even National Geographic has produced True Crime documentaries.

 

New True Crime for 2022

Novel Suspects: Most Anticipated True Crime of 2022

The Lineup: True Crime books To Be Excited About in 2022

Serial Killer Shop: The 21 Best New True Crime Books of 2022

Marie Claire: The 10 Best True Crime Books of 2022

2022 Is For True Crime Lovers

CrimeReads: The Best New Crime Nonfiction Books: February and March 2022

Harper's Bazaar: 30 True Crime Documentaries You Really Shouldn't Miss

Newsweek: Best True Crime Documentaries to Watch This Summer

Vogue: Best True-Crime Podcasts to Listen to Now

Esquire: 35 Best True-Crime Podcasts

Why I Read True Crime

Also important: What to do when you've been reading too much True Crime

Thanks for attending! And don't forget your handy True Crime Bibliography!

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