“Any of us who have raised children know, as John F. Kennedy once said, that “to have children is to give hostages to fate.”
True crime memoirs offer a tantalising, firsthand look into some of the most disturbing real-life crime stories. Unlike traditional true crime books, these gripping accounts directly from survivors, detectives, and even those close to the criminals themselves. If you’re looking for the most chilling true crime books, ones that promise to haunt you long after you turn the last page, this list has you covered. From memoirs about serial killers to true crime books written by survivors, these dark stories reveal the realities behind the headlines. Whether you want a true crime book that reads like a thriller or a guidebook into the mind of a killer, join us at What We Reading as we present the best true crime memoirs that bring real-life horror to the page.
A Stolen Life – Jaycee Dugard
First up on our list of the best true crime memoirs is Jaycee Dugard’s harrowing work, A Stolen Life. In this deeply personal account, Jaycee recounts the day in 1991 when, aged eleven years old, Phillip and Nancy Garrido kidnapped her whilst she walking to school. Locked away in a backyard compound for the next eighteen years, she endured psychological and physical abuse, eventually giving birth to two daughters while still a teenager.
Despite her suffering, Jaycee’s memoir is not just a story of trauma but also resilience. She chronicles how she survived under the control of her captors, her longing for freedom, and the moment she was finally rescued in 2009. Told in her own words, A Stolen Life is raw, emotional and deeply affecting. It offers an intimate look at survival, the long road to healing, and the strength of the human spirit.
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest To Solve The Shenandoah Murders – Kathryn Miles
In Trailed, journalist and investigator Kathryn Miles revisits the brutal 1996 murders of Lollie Winans and Julie Williams, a couple who were killed whilst camping in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. Though a suspect was identified, the case remains officially unsolved.
Miles pulled to the case on the back of her own love for the outdoors and frustration with the lack of justice, sets out on a meticulous reexamination of the investigation. She uncovers disturbing oversights, possible wrongful accusations, and the wider issue of violence against women in national parks. Through interviews with law enforcement, forensic experts and those close to the victims, this real-life crime story offers a thought-provoking look at systemic failures in law enforcement and new theories about what really happened in this unsolved mystery that continues to haunt the Appalachian wilderness.
The Last Victim – Jason M. Moss
The Last Victim is a chilling true crime memoir by Jason Moss, a college student whose fascination with serial killers led him to develop dangerous relationships with some of the most notorious criminals in history. As part of a psychological experiment for his senior thesis, Moss began correspondence with serial killers including John Wayne Gacy, Jeffrey Dahmer, Charles Manson, and Richard Ramirez.
What began as an academic pursuit quickly spiralled into something far more disturbing. Gacy, in particular, manipulated Moss into a game of power and control, leading to an in-person encounter that pushed the author to the limit. Through his letters and interactions, Moss presents a terrifying lens into the minds of killers, whilst also revealing the psychological toll these encounters had on him. Both a gripping psychological study and a cautionary tale, The Last Victim explores the dangerous allure of evil and the devastating consequences of getting too close.
Why Did You Stay?: A Memoir About Self-Worth – Rebecca Humphries
Why Did You Stay? is a powerful memoir by actor and writer Rebecca Humphries, documenting her experience in a toxic and emotionally abusive relationship. The book gained widespread attention after Humphries publically revealed that her then-boyfriend, comedian Seann Walsh, had been unfaithful to her while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. However, her story is much more than just about the infidelity, it’s an exploration of gaslighting, coercive control and the erosion of self-worth in an unhealthy relationship.
With wit, candour and sharp insight, Humphries discusses the subtle yet damaging ways she was manipulated, how she lost her sense of self, and – most crucially – how she found the strength to leave. Blending personal experience with cultural commentary, this memoir remains an invaluable resource on why so many people stay in harmful relationships and how they can break free.
Inside The Mind Of BTK: The True Story Behind The Thirty-Year Hunt For The Notorious Wichita Serial Killer – John E. Douglas
In Inside the Mind of BTK, legendary FBI profiler John Douglas delves into the disturbing case of Dennis Rader, the infamous ‘Bind, Torture, Kill’ (BTK) murderer, who terrorised Wichita, Kansas, for decades. Rader swerved capture for over three decades, taunting the authorities with cryptic messages whilst returning home to a seemingly ordinary life as a family man and church leader.
Douglas, a pioneering force in criminal profiling, examines Rader’s psychology, his need for control, and the chilling duality that allowed him to blend into society while committing his heinous crimes. Through in-depth analysis, firsthand interviews and his own expertise in tracking serial killers, Douglas unveils how BTK was finally brought to justice.
Check Out These True Crime Books That Inspired Film And TV
If You Tell: A True Story Of Murder, Family Secrets And The Unbreakable Bond Of Sisterhood – Gregg Olsen
Gregg Olsen’s If You Tell is one of the most gripping true crime memoirs that documents the horrifying story of Shelly Knotek, a manipulative and sadistic woman whose reign of terror left a trail of abuse, torture, and murder. Penned by the bestselling true crime author, the book follows the harrowing experiences endured by Shelly’s three daughters – Nikki, Sam, and Tori – who endured years of torment at the hands of their mother in rural Washington State.
As Shelly subjected her children, friends and even her own husband to unspeakable cruelty, the sisters formed a secret pact to survive. Eventually, they found the courage to expose their mother’s crimes, leading to her arrest and conviction. Told through the voices of the survivors, If You Tell is a deeply unsettling yet ultimately inspiring tale of resilience, sisterhood and justice for those who refuse to be silenced.
The Stranger Beside Me: Ted Bundy: The Shocking Inside Story – Ann Rule
The Stranger Beside Me is a haunting true crime memoir by Ann Rule, recounting her chilling relationship with one of America’s most infamous serial killers, Ted Bundy. At the time she first met him, Bundy was a budding law student and charismatic young man – qualities that led Rule to believe he was a kind and trustworthy person. Unbeknownst to her, Bundy was already living a double life, hiding his dark and violent nature.
As Rule works alongside Bundy in a crisis hotline centre and forms a friendship with him, she gradually becomes aware of his involvement in a series of brutal murders across several states. When Bundy is eventually arrested and convicted, Rule is forced to confront the terrifying reality that the man she once considered to be a friend was one of the most infamous serial killers in American history. Blending personal recollections with details of Bundy’s crimes, The Stranger Beside Me is an exploration of the shocking realisation that evil can exist behind a seemingly normal facade.
Lost Girls: An Unsolved Mystery – Robert Kolker
Robert Kolker’s Lost Girls is a deeply moving and investigative true crime account that delves into the mysterious murders of several women whose bodies were discovered on a long remote stretch of highway on Long Island, New York. The victims, all involved in the world of online escort services, were dubbed the ‘Gilgo Beach Murders’, after the area where their remains were discovered.
In this real-life memoir, Kolker focuses not only on the investigation but also on the lives of the victims and their families. Through a combination of personal stories, interviews and meticulous research, he paints a touching picture of the women who were lost, humanising them beyond their tragic end. The book also offers invaluable looks at the wider societal issues surrounding the stigma of sex work, the failure of law enforcement to prioritise the case and the relentless pursuit of justice by the victims’ families.
Confessions Of A Sociopath: A Life Spent Hiding In Plain Sight – M.E. Thomas
Confessions of a Sociopath is a fascinating memoir by M.E. Thomas, a self-identified sociopath who provides a unique and candid glimpse into the mind of someone with antisocial personality disorder. Written from the perspective of someone who has spent years grappling with her own lack of empathy and manipulative behaviours, Thomas immerses readers through her childhood, relationships and career, shedding light on the traits and thought processes that define sociopathy.
Throughout the book, Thomas explores the nuances of her condition, debunking common myths and misconceptions about sociopathy while presenting insights into how she has successfully navigated a world that has traditionally viewed people like her as dangerous or unpredictable. She also discusses her struggles, including difficulty forming meaningful connections and internal wrestling over her actions.
The Red Parts – Maggie Nelson
In The Red Parts, Maggie Nelson offers readers a poignant and thought-provoking memoir that blends personal narrative with the investigation into an unsolved crime – the 1969 murder of her aunt, Jane, a case that went cold for decades. Nelson, both a niece and a writer, recounts her own emotional journey as she navigates the reopening of the case and the subsequent trial of the man accused of Jane’s murder, an individual who had long been a suspect, yet never convicted.
The book chronicles not only the details of the case but also the complex layers of grief, memory and how trauma and loss reverberate across generations. Nelson’s reflections on feminism, the legal system and the intersection of personal history with public crime make for a compelling meditation on justice and a redemptive true crime memoir into the power of storytelling.
Check Out The Best True Crime Books From The 2010s
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
