5 True Crime Books That Inspired Me to Write
(And One I Wrote That Nearly Broke Me)
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True crime isn’t just a genre — it’s a way of looking at the world. It challenges our assumptions, shakes our comfort zones, and demands we look into the darkest corners of human behavior.
These five books didn’t just influence me — they changed how I write, how I research, and how I understand the people behind the headlines.
1. TINY TIARA, SHATTERED HOUSE
This is the book I’m most proud of — and the one that cost me the most emotionally. Using AI-driven research tools, I uncovered that someone else likely committed the crime, but the mother wrote the note. This case redefined the line between victim and villain — and nearly broke me in the process.
2. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
Ann Rule’s account of her real-life friendship with Ted Bundy is iconic. It taught me that evil doesn’t always wear a mask — sometimes it wears a smile. Her calm, restrained storytelling inspired the tone I strive for.
3. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
This groundbreaking book merged journalism and narrative in a way that still inspires me. Capote raised the bar for every true crime writer who came after.
4. Mindhunter by John Douglas & Mark Olshaker
This book gave me a framework for understanding criminal minds. It taught me to ask deeper questions about motive, background, and behavior — lessons I now use in every book I write.
5. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
McNamara’s relentless pursuit of the Golden State Killer reminds me that true crime is about justice — and the people left behind. Her work blends obsession and empathy in a way that’s rare and powerful.
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