These days, true crime can be found everywhere. It is practically present in the air we inhale, from podcasts to movies, television shows, conventions, and other media. We're all just living in the world of true crime.
But why do we have such a strong desire for these stories? Why are we willing to devote hours of our lives to them, regardless of whether they are presented on paper or screen? These tales hold our attention like none other when it comes to literary true crime. There are real-life stories that make suspense novels appear tame and predictable for everyone that awes and shocks readers.
The genre of true crime is diverse: The best authors provide context and depth to the crimes they examine rather than sensationalizing violence or human suffering. Numerous of them draw attention to the flaws of the legal system and the destructive forces of ingrained racism and misogyny.
We are reminded in these excellent books that true crime doesn't just consist of a well-written story about a criminal mastermind, heroic detectives, and ideal victims. Crime and life are so much more complicated than that. We've compiled a list of our favourites, which cover a wide range of crimes and their societal roots and repercussions.