It is a long, sad story, but the bottom line is I need some book recommendations for a 20-year-old family member who is in a faith-based rehab center for a prescription pain addiction.  It is a "gadget-free" environment, so basically all she can do in her free time in the evenings is read.  Thankfully, she loves to read and they have asked for the family to send her some books.  I asked what type of books she likes, and this is what her mother said:

For this week, she has "My Story" by Elizabeth Smart and the sequel to The Devil Wears Prada.  Her favorite TV shows are Law & Order SVU and Monk.  Her major is criminology.  So detective type books, especially if they are based on historical events would be great if you can think of something that fits that description.

When she says "historical" I don't think she means 50-year-rule historical like we do.  I think she more means based on real events. I was thinking of getting the book by Jaycee Dugard (similar to Elizabeth Smart).  What else would you historical mystery buffs recommend that isn't "ancient history"?

I think she would probably enjoy "true crime" books, so anything by Ann Rule, or as you thought, Jaycee Dugard or some other current, high-profile legal case.

She might also enjoy mysteries that feature profiling or police procedurals: I would recommend books by Lisa Gardner (she writes series, but they can be read as stand-alones), Tess Gerritson (she writes a series, but also has stand-alones) or Meg Gardiner's Evan Delaney series. Patricia Cornwell's Scarpetta books are good (the earlier ones, anyway!).  

Maybe some lighter series fiction--Sue Grafton, Janet Evanovich, or Lisa Lutz.

She is to be commended for getting help for her addiction!  I hope all goes well...

Prayers for her indeed.

I also thought of Ann Rule.  I also suspect she'd like mysteries. I'm pretty much just going to say, "yeah, what Vicky said"

Colleen Coble's Rock Harbor series are faith based mysteries and even though I go in for more "hard boiled" mysteries, these are pretty good!

Ted Dekker writes some good mystery series which are faith based - I've read a couple and they are good.

Steven James has a Patrick Bowers series out which many people like. I'm not sure if it's faith based but apparently they contain no foul language, graphic sex, etc.

Lee Goldberg writes the "Mr. Monk" novels. These are a hoot!

How about Rennie Airth's books? Or Colin Cotterill's?

I'm gonna quit now.........

I would second nod the rec on Anne Rule, she rocks. Her book on Diane Downs, just wow. Small Sacrifices I think is the title.

I had not heard if Anne Rule, so I will check that out. And I have read all of the Steven James series so that one is perfect too. Thanks!

Does she have any interest in reading about addiction? If so, I'd recommend the 12-steps AA book. In addition, anything by Melody Beattie. (She also writes from a Christian perspective.) There's a good list here and here.

There's also good fiction and memoirs for recovering addicts. Go Ask Alice, Tweak (Nic Sheff) and Beautiful Boy (by Nic's dad, David Sheff).

It takes a lot of courage to get clean. My thoughts and prayers go with her and her family.

Christa, Anne Rule is like the queen of true crime. When I has reading that genre she was my go-to author and she picks some interesting subjects. She also wrote on Ted Bundy - whom she had known as a co-worker before the girls started disappearing. She's also written on The Green River Killer, a case she followed for years since the killings were happening close to where she lives (most of the bodies were found south of Seattle, she lives in Des Moines which is just to the west). Everything She Ever Wanted is one of her better books, and Dead by Sunset will chill you to the bones - I'm pretty sure that was made for a TV movie.

Christa, I have Dead by Sunset...my dd read it and gave it to me.  I'm running out the door, but if it's on my shelf, just request it and I'll refund your credit. ;)