In October 2017, serial killers took over people’s social media feeds. Ed Kemper, Jerry Brudos and Richard Speck were being regularly Tweeted about for likely the first time ever. The growing presence of these ‘70s-era murderers in normal conversations was for one reason: They’re all characters in the Netflix original show Mindhunter.
Mindhunter is just one recent release adjacent to a genre that is becoming increasingly popular: true crime. True crime is exactly what it sounds like. It’s stories of crimes that took place in real life. While the narratives that take place between Mindhunter’s Holden Ford and the other FBI agents may be dramatized, the crimes it documents are far from fictional.
Fans of mysteries or procedural crime shows will probably like true crime. If you’ve seen every episode of CSI or read Gone Girl cover to cover but aren’t sure how to introduce yourself to the world of true crime, here are some recommendations.
TV Shows
Making a Murderer: If you’re new to the true crime genre, this show is a good place to start. The Netflix series tells the life story of Steven Avery, a man who was in prison for 18 years following a wrongful murder conviction. Only a few years after his release, he was accused of the murder of Teresa Halbach. Avery claimed to be innocent. Is he guilty? Did Manitowoc County law enforcement tamper with evidence? What turned Avery into a murderer: his time in prison or the police’s manipulation? These are some of the questions Making a Murderer attempts to answer. The show became so popular that Netflix is releasing a second season about the case’s aftermath and what has happened to Brendan Dassey, Avery’s nephew who was convicted of Halbach’s murder as well. So, after you binge the first season, you’ll have something to look forward to watching.
Forensic Files: This show has it all. Science, drama and danger – and it’s all true. If you like CSI, you’ll love Forensic Files. Each episode follows the story of a crime that took place in real life. It features a mix of reenactments of the case’s events and interviews with the people involved. There are nine collections of Forensic Files available on Netflix, and each one is full of episodes that will both fascinate and terrify you. There’s “Strong Impressions,” a case involving a man who mailed invitations for his marriage to his second wife before his first one was even dead. If that’s not your true crime taste, try “Bad Medicine,” the tale of a plastic surgeon who tried to cover his crime up when he accidentally killed a patient on the operating table. Plus, some of hair and outfits in the older episodes are great for a dose of ‘90s nostalgia.
Books
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule: Ann Rule was a famous crime author. She wrote over 20 books about criminals and killers, but while working a crisis hotline in the ‘70s, she accidentally befriended one. The Stranger Beside Me is about Rule’s relationship with infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. When the two worked together at the hotline, Rule did not suspect that Bundy was a killer until later. They were just pals – Bundy even sent Rule a Christmas card. (Yikes!) Knowing that Bundy was a killer as you read about his relationship with Rule fills you with suspense. This is a drama-filled read that’ll keep you up all night.
Mrs. Sherlock Holmes: The True Story of New York City’s Greatest Female Detective and the 1917 Missing Girl Case That Captivated a Nation by Brad Ricca: This recent release is about the life of Grace Humiston, aka Mrs. Sherlock Holmes. Humiston was a lawyer and detective in New York City during the 20th century. She made a name for herself by taking on the cases of immigrants in low-income parts of the city. Humiston travelled all over the world to solve crimes, from Italy to D.C. She investigated murders and disappearances, all while becoming the NYPD’s first female consulting detective in the process. However, the book slowly stops being about the crimes Humiston solved and focuses on the ultimate crime: her own disappearance. This book reads like fiction, but it all really happened. That makes it a great first true-crime read.
Podcasts
My Favorite Murder: This is the true crime gateway for a lot of women. Why wouldn’t it be? Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark, the show’s hosts, are some of the funniest women you could ever listen to on your walk to class. The format of the show covers two cases each episode, one told by Kilgariff and one by Hardstark. It’s a perfect mix of crime drama from the case being read and humor from the commentary of the woman listening. These two bold, passionate ladies will make you gasp in shock and laugh out loud, all within the span of an episode.
Up and Vanished: Created by Payne Lindsay, Up and Vanished follows an actual missing-person case. High school teacher Tara Grinstead disappeared from her small-town Georgia home in 2005. The case went cold, but the investigation done by Lindsay drew so much attention to it that there were eventually two arrests. The show’s second season will focus on a different missing-person case. If you were obsessed with the disappearance of Alison DiLaurentis in Pretty Little Liars, this might be the show for you.
The recommendations here are only some examples of true crime media. There are countless shows and books out there, and more are being released as the genre becomes more popular. Grab some popcorn, sit down, and learn about some of the creepiest cases in history. Just make sure to do it with the lights on.