10 Best True Crime Audiobooks

True crime has long been a popular genre, and in these uncertain times, it can be a great escape. Studies have even shown that many people feel comforted when watching or listening to true crime. Though there is a wealth of true crime television, there are just as many — if not more — books written about real-life crimes.

While many people may feel they don’t have the time or attention span to sit and read a book, many of the most popular true crime books are available on audiobook. Here is a list of the top 10 true crime audiobooks for those looking to get their true crime fix.

10 Columbine

Written by Dave Cullen, Columbine is considered by many to be one of the most comprehensive deep dives into the 1999 Columbine school shooting.

The book provides insight into the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, and shatters some of the myths surrounding them. It also features a play-by-play of the events of that fateful day and covers the perspective of some of the school’s administration. Following the shooting, the book follows a handful of survivors as they deal with the aftermath of the event.

9 Killers Of The Flower Moon

This book follows the investigation of a series of murders in Osage County, Oklahoma. Occurring in the early 1920s, several members of the Osage people, who happened to have oil deposits beneath their land, were killed. Though there are 20 murders on record, the book’s writer David Grann posits the possibility of many more deaths.

In addition to covering the murders and unveiling the plot, the book also follows the formation of the FBI and how they covered the Osage murders, which was one of their first cases.

8 Black Klansman

This book recounts the tale of Colorado Springs police detective Ron Stallworth, who infiltrated a local Ku Klux Klan chapter with the help of his partner. Black Klansman offers an unflinching look at race relations in the late 1970s, and how Stallworth, who was Colorado Springs’ first black detective, concocted a plan to take the chapter down.

The book also has the distinction of being read by Stallworth himself, a fact that will pull readers further into the story. Black Klansman was made into a film by Spike Lee, which provides a visual aspect to the events of the book.

7 In Cold Blood

Thought by many to be the first non-fiction crime book, In Cold Blood recounts the 1959 murder of the Clutter family at the hands of Perry Smith and Richard Hickock, both of whom were found guilty of the murders and later executed.

The book was written by Truman Capote, an eccentric author who traveled to Kansas before Smith and Hickock were even arrested. Capote weaves information about the Clutter family, members of their community, and about Smith and Hickock’s lives and mindsets before and after the murders. The book was turned into a film and recounts Capote’s journey as he wrote the book.

6 Chase Darkness With Me

Written by true-crime journalist Billy Jensen, Chase Darkness With Me recounts Jensen’s trajectory from his love of crime as a child to his investigative work and use of social media and crowdsourcing to help identify victims and murderers.

Chase Darkness With Me is read by Jensen himself, and it features information about his work on several cold cases, including the techniques he used on social media and other platforms. It also includes information about Jensen’s collaboration with Michelle MacNamara, the author of I’ll Be Gone In The Dark, on the investigative non-fiction book about the Golden State Killer.

5 The Devil In The White City

This 2003 novel is a historical fiction book written by Erik Larsen. It chronicles the preparation for and the events surrounding Chicago’s World Columbian Exposition in 1893 and as well as the rise of serial killer H.H. Holmes. The book features events leading up to the World Columbian Exposition, from when it was announced Chicago would host the event through its design and to the event itself.

It also includes the events leading to H.H. Holmes’ murders, where he capitalized on the event to lure some of his first victims to their deaths in his hotel. The Devil In The White City is perfect for lovers of both true crime and historical fiction.

4 Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil

This 1994 non-fiction book is as much about murder as it is about the uniqueness of the city it takes place in, Savannah, Georgia. It follows the murder and the four trials of Jim Williams, a well-known antique dealer who was charged with murdering his employee and local sex worker, Danny Hansford.

The book features Williams’ perspective, who claims the murder was self-defense after Hansford shot at him. Also included is testimony from local Savannah socialites, musicians, and The Lady Chablis, the city’s famous night club performer.

3 Bad Blood

Journalist John Carreyrou began writing a series of articles about Silicon Valley tech startup, Theranos, a company that claimed to run a panel of blood tests with just the prick of a finger and a machine roughly the size of a printer. Carreyrou’s articles, which questioned Theranos’ business model and business practices, were turned into Bad Blood, which was published in 2018.

In addition to telling the rise and fall of the business, it chronicles the company’s CEO, Elizabeth Holmes, whose claim about blood testing netted the company a valuation of $9 billion. However, things began falling apart for Holmes and her company in 2016, and Bad Blood chronicles it all.

2 The Crime Of The Century

This book follows the lesser-known crimes of Richard Speck, who murdered eight nurses in a Chicago suburb in 1966. Only one nurse would survive Speck’s rampage, and her cries the morning after would resonate within the community.

The Crime Of The Century was written by Dennis L Breo, who covered the crime, and William J. Martin, the prosecutor involved in Speck’s case. The book includes a rundown of Speck’s life and the days leading up to the murder, as well as the events of the night itself. It also includes the investigation of the murders and the interesting way that Speck was arrested.

1 I’ll Be Gone In The Dark

This best-selling novel was written by the late Michelle McNamara, a true-crime writer who became determined to solve the case of the man she dubbed the Golden State Killer. The Golden State Killer, who was identified and arrested in early 2018, was a serial rapist and murderer who raped at least 50 women and killed at least 13 people throughout California.

The book not only includes insight into the crimes, but it also includes details about the killer, who committed his crimes in so many communities in the state that his crimes were not initially thought to be committed by the same person. In addition, the book includes McNamara’s own tale from when she encounters her first crime to her investigation with the help of Billy Jensen as well as retired police detective Paul Holes, who was integral in solving the crime.