The best true crime books of 2025
There is nothing better than indulging in a bit of true crime, especially in a well-written and researched book. Non-fiction true crime books can be truly gripping, hooking the reader from the get-go with vivid imagery combined with compelling narratives. 2025 has so far been a great year for true crime literature, and there are still plenty of fantastic reads on the way.
Here at Crime+Investigation, we’re looking at four particularly noteworthy choices for true crime books released or set to be released in 2025.
These books make for great reading material this year. Whether you are looking for true crime literature to enjoy in summertime or want a new addition to your collection, you’re bound to find something that interests you.
Story of a Murder: The Wives, The Mistress, and Dr. Cr. Crippen by Hallie Rubenhold
Released in March 2025, this international bestseller examines one of the famous murder cases of the twentieth century. The book focuses on the case of Dr. Hawley Harvey Crippen and his murder victim, his wife Cora Crippen (also known by her stage name Belle Elmore).
Rubenhold has an empathetic style in her storytelling, challenging the way that Cora is often portrayed. Cora tends to be depicted as an airhead obsessed with fame who did not care for her husband the way she should have. Rubenhold instead shows Cora as a member of her community and a dedicated artist, humanising her as a person and a victim.
That Dark Spring: A True Story of Death and Desire in 1920s Provence by Susannah Stapleton
Releasing in late April, That Dark Spring focuses on the death of Olive Branson, an artist in Britain in 1929. Branson’s death was originally thought to be suicide, but at her family's insistence, the case was reopened again on suspicion of murder.
The book has been praised for its blending of historical mystery and fact, along with an empathetic tribute to Branson’s life. Branson is not just a victim in That Dark Spring, she is a talented artist whose life deserves celebration. For a book that manages to combine true crime with art history and biographical elements, this is a great option.
The Scientist and the Serial Killer: The Search for Houston’s Lost Boys by Lise Olsen
The Scientist and the Serial Killer is a well-researched true crime book that revolves around the infamous Candy Man case. The Candy Man, real name Dean Corll, kidnapped, tortured and killed at least 27 boys. He did so in Houston, Texas, between 1970 and 1973.
Olsen’s book – released at the beginning of April 2025 – centres on the work of Sharon Derrick, a forensic anthropologist who worked tirelessly to identify Corll’s victims. Many of these victims were unidentified for a long time, and Derrick worked hard to ensure that they had their identities and their dignity returned.
A lot of these boys, also known as the 'Lost Boys', were dismissed as runaways at the time that they went missing. Derrick ensured that they received some justice with her work, and Olsen tells her story in a heartfelt yet rigorous manner with her book.
The Secret History of the Rape Kit: A True Crime Story by Pagan Kennedy
The earliest release on this list, having been available since January 2025, this book is a fascinating look at the life of Martha Goddard. Goddard, known as Marty, was the woman who created the modern day rape kit.
Goddard was an advocate for victims of sexual assault, volunteering at a crisis hotline and counselling girls who had been molested. She eventually launched a campaign to push police departments and hospitals to collect sexual assault evidence while treating victims with dignity and respect. Her tireless work led her to design a rape kit as a forensic tool to collect evidence.
Journalist Pagan Kennedy offers an investigative narrative to tell Goddard’s incredible story while also discussing the broad challenges surrounding sexual assault evidence in forensic science.
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