Cold cases are unsolved crimes that have been dormant for an extended period. They can be frustrating for both law enforcement and victims’ families, but they can also be incredibly fascinating. True crime books about cold cases offer a unique perspective on these crimes, and they can help to keep the public aware of them in the hopes that they will eventually be solved. Here are 4 of The Best True Crime Books About Cold Cases to read in 2024:
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I’ll Be Gone in the Dark, by Michelle McNamara
One Woman’s Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer
I’ll Be Gone in the Dark tells the story of the Golden State Killer, a serial rapist and murderer who terrorized California in the 1970s and 1980s. McNamara spent years researching the case, and her book is a comprehensive and well-written account of the crimes and the investigation.
Published in 2018 by Harper Collins
Lost Girls, by Robert Kolker
An Unsolved American Mystery
Lost Girls by Robert Kolker tells the story of the Long Island Serial Killer, who murdered at least 10 women in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Kolker’s book does an excellent job of telling the stories of the victims and their families, and he provides a disturbing look at the failure of the police to solve the case for so many years.
Published in 2013 by Harper
Zodiac, by Robert Graysmith
The Identity of America’s Most Elusive Serial Killer Revealed
This classic true crime book tells the story of one of the most notorious unsolved serial killer cases in American history. Graysmith was a crime reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle who covered the Zodiac Killer case extensively. His book is a comprehensive and well-written account of the crimes and the investigation.
Published in 1986 by Berkley Books
The Cases That Haunt Us, by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
This collection of essays by Douglas, a former FBI agent who pioneered the use of criminal profiling in the investigation of serial crimes, explores some of the most notorious cold cases in American history, including the Zodiac Killer case. Douglas also provides insights into the minds of serial killers and how the FBI uses profiling to track them down.
Published in 2000 by Pocket Books a division of Simon & Schuster
These 4 books are all well-written, informative, and engaging. They provide unique perspectives on some of American history’s most notorious cold cases. I highly recommend reading these books as they’re some of the best true crime books about cold cases to read in 2024.
If you’re interested in the latest true crime books check out our post on 11 of The Best New True Crime Released in 2023
