I am drawn to works based on actual criminal experience because of the intriguing ambiguity of real crimes. There is uncertainty often as to guilt or innocence, and uncertainty even oftener as to the motivations of the criminal and other participants in the drama. The appeal of such literature seems to me to be just the opposite of that of the classic detective story, where all doubts and suspense are finally resolved by the ingenious detective and the evil are firmly separated from the innocent. The ambiguity of historical crime is closer to the state of constant suspense in which we live. In the detective novel the puzzle is solved at the end, but in the study of crime, as in life, the puzzle goes on forever.
-- Albert Borowitz, Innocence and Arsenic: Studies in Crime and Literature
Last week Clews posted a list of all-time great true crime books and got some interesting feedback. (Curiously, most people responded via email. For some reason, most folks strongly prefer to talk to me that way and not leave comments on the site. Which is fine.)
Since so many people had such interesting titles to suggest from “this difficult and delightful genre” (Ross Macdonald), I thought it worthwhile to repeat all the reading suggestions I received from sources I trust. So here’s the list of worthy books recommended to us by our fellow true crime fanatics, in the order I received them:
- Strange Piece of Paradise by Terri Jenze
- The Onion Field by Joseph Wambaugh
- The Boston Strangler by Gerald Frank
- Blood and Money by Thomas Thompson
- Abandoned Prayers by Gregg Olsen
- Killing For Company by Brian Masters
- White Mischief by James Fox
- A Private Disgrace: Lizzie Borden by Daylight by Victoria Lincoln (I have to agree that this is the best Borden title)
- Until the Twelfth of Never by Bella Stumbo
- Careless Whispers by Carlton Stowers
- And Never Let Her Go by Ann Rule
- Blind Faith by Joe McGinniss
- Fatal Vision by Joe McGinniss
- Exit the Rain Maker by Jonathan Carsey
- Butcher Baker by Walter Gilmour and Leland Hale
- Circle of Fire by Joyce Eggington
- Victim by Gary Kinder
- The Night Stalker by Philip Carlo
I’m pleased to relay that one of the authors on this list also contributed a suggestion. Gregg Olsen says that Two of a Kind by Darcy O'Brien is “horrific, yes, but not a wasted word. Fantastic writing. Check it out.” Which is quite the endorsement, so I intend to follow that advice. And thanks to Mr. Olsen for flattering Clews with a link on his new blog.
The Library Journal also published an interesting article that represents a list of the greatest true crime books. “At its best, true crime is both emotionally riveting and intellectually intriguing,” the reviewer remarks. “This nonfiction genre allows readers to share the sorrow, bewilderment, and frustration so closely related to crime and the struggle for justice.”
Here’s the Library Journal list:
- Arc of Justice by Kevin Boyle (2004 National Book Award) – A look at the legendary murder case against a black doctor who was forced to defend his home when he moved into a white neighborhood in Detroit.
- The Devil in the White City by Erik Larsen
- Kiss Me, Kill Me and Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- The Executioner’s Song by Norman Mailer (Pulitzer)
- Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi
- American Taboo by Philip Weiss (I also liked this book a lot).
- Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
I’ll be taking a lot of these titles to the beach this summer. If you read anything terrific, as always, please do leave a comment. (Oh, okay — send me an email.)
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