Hello everyone,

I haven't read many true crime stories, but my mission for 2009 was to expand my horizons when it came to what I read. I saw the category true crime and thought that this is one area I haven't touched on.

Well, since I'm new to the genre, I have no idea where to start. I don't know what I would like or where my tastes would run. Any recommendations would be appreciated.

Ann Rule has written several books.  You might give her a try.

Read the posts on this forum.  You will find a lot of recommendations.

I feel that I have read almost every true crime book written and ~In Cold Blood ~is still one of my favorites.  Even though it is an old book...it is riveting.  The Night Stalker by Carlo is another good one. 

Ann Rule has many good books and a lot of them have several different stories in them. I just finished reading "Perfect Victim" by Christine McGuire and Carla Norton that was a very good read.

Limb from Limb recently came out. On Amazon it has 5 star reviews and is in my TBR pile. I am planning on reading it soon.. It is about a terrible crime that took place in my home county.  I read the first book about this crime called A Slaying in the Suburbs and that was interesting as well. Look them both up in the search at the top of this page. I think you will enjoy them.

Anything by these authors:

Gregg Olsen

M. William Phelps

Kathryn Casey

Dianne Fanning

 I like Ann Rule, Corey Mitchell, Kathryn Casey & Jack Olsen.  You can't go wrong with any of them!

Classic Crimes by William Roughead is fantastic.  The Murder of Helen Jewett is really top notch for a look at early 19th century New York City.  Such a fascinating story.

Seconding the M. William Phelps recommendation.

The Zodiac By Robert Greysmith it's really good and I'd also try reading Helter Skelter Oh The Devil In The White City by Erik Larsen is good also!  I agree with In Cold Blood and The Night Stalker  Happy reading

John Douglas. He hasn't written anything lately, but I'd highly recommend him.

Mother's Day by Dennis McDougal.   Really sad book!!

Most people are going to say Ann Rule, and while I enjoy her shorter stories, her full-length stories go into too much background info. and I start losing interest.  So my recommendations would be:  Ann Rule's Crime Files (the shorter stories) Alva Busch, Don Davis, Carlton Stowers, John Douglas.   Some of my favorite books:  Innocent Victims, In a Father's Rage, An Hour to Kill, Careless Whispers, Death Cruise, Deadly Deception. 

Happy Reading!