Top 5 Underrated True Crime Books
By: Sm Sommer
Tags: Book Recommendations, Books, Nonfiction, True Crime, True Crime Books

Because who doesn’t want to know more about true crime? Let’s dive into it!

Photo by Christin Hume on Unsplash

Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

If you have heard of the serial killer H.H. Holmes, you should read this book. Larson delves into the world of 1893 Chicago and shares the story of two men: Daniel Burnham, an architect, and H.H. Holmes, a serial killer. Even the two never met, the book brings their story together in a fascinating way. Larson paints an engrossing, historical picture of Victorian Chicago and the first known American serial killer.

Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker

A heartbreaking story about each of the known murder victims of the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK). As heartbreaking it was, I couldn’t put it down. Kolker paints the lives of each of the victims — talking about their childhoods, their struggles, their loved ones. It reads more like a mystery novel than a nonfictional book and it was incredibly thorough and organized — delving deep in their lives. Kolker did a great job bringing awareness to the LISK case as well, this unidentified killer needs to be stopped and this case needs to be solved.

I’ll Be Gone in The Dark by Michelle McNamara

Just published in 2018 after years of research and looking, McNamara’s book is heartstopping. McNamara, a true-crime journalist, examines the Golden State Killer (her moniker) and her obsession to solve who exactly this serial killer is. Unfortunately, she passed away in 2016 and did not see the day where law enforcement finally caught him. Nonetheless, her research and writing were relentless: she did not leave any rock overturned. McNamara did not sensualize the Golden State Killer or his victims and survivors: she told it how it was. Such an impressive book and woman who wrote it!

Portrait of a Killer: Jack the Ripper — Case Closed by Patricia Cornwell

Everyone knows the story of Jack the Ripper, right? There are so many books, resources, theories out there about this serial killer — everyone wants it solved to have answers. Cornwell claims to have solved it and shares who Jack the Ripper is. My thoughts — I don’t believe she solved it but it is an interesting take on who Jack the Ripper is. Cornwell provides only circumstantial evidence by combining forensic techniques and looking into documents, pictures, files. While she goes into a lot of detail that some may not find so intriguing, I found it an interesting perspective.

Small Sacrifices by Ann Rule

Ann Rule is best known for her book, The Stranger Beside Me, which was about Ted Bundy. However, this book is just as intriguing! Rule examines what drove Diane Downs to shoot her children. Rule presents the story and facts through the eyes of law enforcement and professionals surrounding the case. She states the facts within the wild tale of Diane Downs and the lives she impacted. Rule also shares information about mental illness and psychological thinking of what drove Diane Downs down the road she took. While this book is upsetting and disturbing, Rule paints a picture that you can’t turn away from.