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Editors’ Picks: True Crime
Killer true crime books and podcasts that chronicle the worst of humanity.
Diterbitkan pada Rabu, 14 Juni 2023
People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo--and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up
People Who Eat Darkness: The True Story of a Young Woman Who Vanished from the Streets of Tokyo--and the Evil That Swallowed Her Up
Richard Lloyd ParryParry, a British journalist and writer, tells the true story of Lucie Blackman, a young British woman who went missing while working in Japan in 2000. Her case sparked a media frenzy in both Japan and England, eventually leading to the imprisonment of Joji Obara, a prolific rapist and murderer who had flown under the radar for years. “People Who Eat Darkness” keeps Lucie and the Blackman family at the center of the story and reveals the consequences of ignoring women who report violence. — Lanie P.
Casefile True Crime
327 episode podcast
Casefile True Crime
327 episode podcast“Casefile” was one of the first true crime podcasts I listened to years ago, and it remains my favorite for its thorough research and respectful tone. There’s no gimmick here, and no humor, just straight reporting by an anonymous narrator. It’s produced in Australia, so there’s a great blend of infamous and little-known (non-American) cases. — Lanie P.
The Five: The Untold Lives of the Women Killed by Jack the Ripper
Hallie RubenholdJack the Ripper’s story has been told over and over, again and again, in print and on screen. His victims’ stories, however, have been overlooked, ignored, or salaciously caricatured. “The Five” finally rectifies that. As the Washington Post puts it, Rubenhold “offer[s] a blistering counter-narrative to the ‘male, authoritarian, and middle class’ legend of a demonic superman preying on prostitutes.” In this deeply researched history, Rubenhold paints a rich portrait of each of the serial killer’s five known victims, proving three were not sex workers, and all five were victims of poverty, homelessness, and their gender. I can’t recommend this moving history enough. — Katie W.
The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery
Bill JamesWhat’s scarier than a horror novel about an ax murderer? A true story about an ax murderer. One of the deadliest serial killers in American history, the titular nameless psychopath vanished like a ghost from gory crime scenes, leaving few clues behind. A hundred years after the crimes, author James, a sabermetrics whiz, uses his baseball stats know-how to crack the case. — Katie W.
Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase for Lincoln's Killer
James L. SwansonSure, you know the story of how, just after the Civil War ended, actor John Wilkes Booth brazenly murdered President Abraham Lincoln during a play. But have you heard about the breathtaking chase that ensued to capture the assassin? Booth evaded the law for almost two weeks, crossing state lines and rough territory with a broken leg. Feel the thrill of the chase in this day-by-day account of the suspenseful manhunt. — Katie W.
Sharon Tate and the Manson Murders
Greg KingMany books have been written about the Manson Family case, but few have truly delved into the lives of the victims themselves. At 26, married to the renowned filmmaker Roman Polanski and just weeks away from giving birth, Hollywood actress Sharon Tate and her friends were murdered by a random group of teenage girls at her Cielo Drive mansion. Who were Tate and her guests? This book explores their lives, struggles, and aspirations before chronicling the crime and the events leading up to that notorious summer night of 1969. — Andrea B.
Breaking Free: How I Escaped Polygamy, the FLDS Cult, and My Father, Warren Jeffs
Rachel JeffsThe FLDS has made its way into the headlines on numerous occasions over the years thanks to the arrest of Warren Jeffs and the willingness of former cult members, like Rachel Jeffs, to speak out about their experiences. The daughter of the self-proclaimed prophet wasn’t exempt in any way from the psychological, physical, and emotional abuse that many suffered (especially young girls and women) and her heart wrenching memoir is both a testament to her bravery and a shocking and insightful look into a world previously shrouded in mystery. If you watched the Hulu mini series “Under the Banner of Heaven,” then this is a great follow-up read. — Emma C.