The sudden disappearance of a loved one is a nightmare that haunts the living. The unanswered questions, the chilling silence, the endless search for clues – it’s a mystery that captivates and terrifies us all. Yet, we’re drawn to these stories, hoping to understand the unexplainable and find some sense of closure.
Whether you’re a seasoned true crime aficionado or a curious newcomer to the genre, these books will keep you up at night, pondering the mysteries that lie hidden in the shadows.
10: "The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures" - Paul Fischer
One of the New York Times Best True Crime of 2022
A “spellbinding, thriller-like” (Shelf Awareness) history about the invention of the motion picture and the mysterious, forgotten man behind it—detailing his life, work, disappearance, and legacy.
Paul Fischer’s “The Man Who Invented Motion Pictures” challenges the conventional narrative of cinematic history, delving into the life and work of Louis Le Prince.
A pioneering inventor, Le Prince developed groundbreaking motion picture technology in the late 19th century, predating the achievements of more renowned figures like Thomas Edison and the Lumière Brothers. However, his contributions remain largely obscured, due in part to his sudden disappearance in 1890, just before he was set to unveil his inventions to the world.
Fischer meticulously reconstructs Le Prince’s story, highlighting his ingenuity, his relentless pursuit of innovation, and the perplexing circumstances surrounding his vanishing. This biography serves as a compelling exploration of a forgotten visionary, whose work fundamentally shaped the trajectory of modern cinema, and whose mysterious fate continues to intrigue and confound.
9: "Barrenjoey Road" - Neil Mercer
A gripping expose of a notorious cold case
1978. An idyllic beachside community. A series of abductions and rapes. So what happened to Trudie Adams?
Barrenjoey Road is a gripping true crime account that delves into the chilling disappearance of Trudie Adams in 1978, exposing the dark underbelly of Sydney’s seemingly idyllic Northern Beaches.
Neil Mercer’s meticulous research unveils a web of suspects, missed opportunities, and the potential miscarriage of justice in Trudie Adams’ case, highlighting the failures of law enforcement at the time. The book serves as a haunting reminder of the vulnerability of young women hitchhiking in the 1970s and the devastating impact on a community left grappling with grief, suspicion, and unanswered questions.
Mercer’s exploration of the botched police investigation and the enduring mystery surrounding Trudie’s fate leaves readers questioning the integrity of the justice system. Barrenjoey Road is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts, offering a disturbing glimpse into a time and place where danger lurked beneath the surface of paradise, raising broader questions about societal attitudes towards violence against women.
8: "The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America's Wilderness" - Jon Billman
FINALIST FOR THE KILLER NASHVILLE SILVER FALCHION AWARD
Perfect for readers of Jon Krakauer and Douglas Preston, this "authentic and encyclopedic" book examines real-life cases of those who vanish in the wilderness without a trace (Roman Dial)—and those eccentric, determined characters who try to find them.
Jon Billman’s “The Cold Vanish” delves into the unsettling reality of disappearances in North America’s wilderness areas.
The book explores the stories of individuals who have vanished without a trace, leaving behind grieving families and bewildered investigators. It examines the challenges faced by search and rescue teams as they navigate rugged terrains and harsh conditions. Billman also highlights the dedicated individuals who devote their lives to finding the missing, often driven by personal experiences of loss.
“The Cold Vanish” is a compelling and thought-provoking read that sheds light on a silent epidemic and raises questions about the mysterious forces at play in the wild.
7: "Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine" - Jon Billman
NATIONAL BESTSELLER
A gripping account of the unsolved death of an Indigenous teenager, and the detective determined to find her killer, set against the backdrop of a troubled city.
Red River Girl: The Life and Death of Tina Fontaine is a gripping true crime account that delves into the tragic story of fifteen-year-old Tina Fontaine, whose body was found in Winnipeg’s Red River in 2014.
The book follows the subsequent murder investigation, led by a determined detective, and the legal proceedings that ultimately resulted in an acquittal. Beyond the crime itself, the narrative paints a poignant portrait of the systemic issues and societal tensions faced by Indigenous women in Canada, highlighting their disproportionate vulnerability to violence and injustice.
Red River Girl is not only a compelling investigation but also a stark commentary on a community grappling with deep-rooted problems.
6: "The Forest City Killer: A Serial Murderer, a Cold-Case Sleuth, and a Search for Justice" - Vanessa Brown
Dig deep into the unsolved murder of Jackie English and join the hunt for a serial killer
The Forest City Killer: A Serial Murderer, a Cold-Case Sleuth, and a Search for Justice delves into the chilling unsolved murders that terrorized London, Ontario, in the 1960s and 70s. Author Vanessa Brown meticulously reconstructs the investigation, starting with the disappearance and murder of 15-year-old Jackie English in 1969.
Through access to Detective Dennis Alsop’s extensive case files, Brown unveils previously undisclosed witness statements, evidence details, and startling revelations. She examines the possibility of a serial killer or multiple perpetrators behind a string of horrific crimes targeting young women and boys. The book explores the relentless pursuit of justice by Detective Alsop, who dedicated his life to solving these cases until his death 40 years later.
Brown’s in-depth research not only sheds light on the victims’ lives but also raises questions about the potential for identifying the killer through DNA testing. This compelling true crime narrative keeps readers on the edge of their seats as they join the hunt for the Forest City Killer.
5: "Highway of Tears: A True Story of Racism, Indifference, and the Pursuit of Justice for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls" - Jessica McDiarmid
“These murder cases expose systemic problems... By examining each murder within the context of Indigenous identity and regional hardships, McDiarmid addresses these very issues, finding reasons to look for the deeper roots of each act of violence.” —The New York Times Book Review
In the vein of the bestsellers I’ll Be Gone in the Dark and The Line Becomes a River, a penetrating, deeply moving account of the missing and murdered indigenous women and girls of Highway 16, and a searing indictment of the society that failed them.
For decades, Indigenous women and girls have gone missing or been found murdered along an isolated stretch of highway in northwestern British Columbia. The corridor is known as the Highway of Tears, and it has come to symbolize a national crisis.
Journalist Jessica McDiarmid meticulously investigates the devastating effect these tragedies have had on the families of the victims and their communities, and how systemic racism and indifference have created a climate in which Indigenous women and girls are overpoliced yet underprotected. McDiarmid interviews those closest to the victims—mothers and fathers, siblings and friends—and provides an intimate firsthand account of their loss and unflagging fight for justice.
4: "Missing from the Village: The Story of Serial Killer Bruce McArthur, the Search for Justice, and the System That Failed Toronto's Queer Community" - Justin Ling
A Globe and Mail Top 100 Book
Shortlisted for the 2021 Toronto Book Awards
An Indigo Best Book of 2020
Winner of the Brass Knuckles Award for Best Nonfiction Crime Book (Crime Writers of Canada Awards of Excellence)
The tragic and resonant story of the disappearance of eight men--the victims of serial killer Bruce McArthur--from Toronto's queer community.
Missing from the Village: The Story of Serial Killer Bruce McArthur, the Search for Justice, and the System That Failed Toronto’s Queer Community is a gripping non-fiction book by Canadian journalist Justin Ling. It delves into the horrific case of Bruce McArthur, a seemingly ordinary landscaper who was convicted of murdering eight men from Toronto’s Gay Village between 2010 and 2017.
The book not only recounts the chilling details of McArthur’s crimes but also exposes the systemic failures that allowed him to operate undetected for so long. Ling meticulously examines the police investigation, highlighting the institutional biases—racism, homophobia, and transphobia—that hindered the search for the missing men and delayed McArthur’s capture. He also explores the vibrant and resilient Gay Village community, its response to the disappearances, and the grief and outrage that followed McArthur’s arrest.
3: "Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail" - Andrea Lankford
THE INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER
From an award-winning former law enforcement park ranger and investigator, this female-driven true crime adventure follows the author’s quest to find missing hikers along the Pacific Crest Trail by pairing up with an eclectic group of unlikely allies.
Trail of the Lost: The Relentless Search to Bring Home the Missing Hikers of the Pacific Crest Trail” is a gripping true crime narrative by Andrea Lankford, a former law enforcement park ranger. The book delves into the mysterious disappearances of three hikers on the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) within a short time frame, weaving a captivating story of investigation, determination, and the harsh realities of the wilderness.
Lankford, with her unique expertise and background, offers a compelling insider’s perspective on the intricacies of search and rescue operations, the challenges faced by investigators, and the emotional toll on the families and friends of the missing. The narrative explores the PCT’s allure and dangers, painting a vivid picture of hiker culture and the complex relationship between the online world and real-life adventures.
2: "Cold Case BC: The Stories Behind the Province’s Most Sensational Murder and Missing Persons Cases" - Eve Lazarus
Eve Lazarus (Cold Case Vancouver) investigates murder and missing persons cases that have perplexed and fascinated British Columbians for years.
Building on her investigative work in Cold Case Vancouver, Eve Lazarus expands her exploration of unsolved murders in Cold Case BC, delving into forgotten cases across British Columbia. She revisits the tragic murder of teenager Molly Justice and uncovers new details in the heartbreaking “Babes in the Woods” case. Lazarus also examines a gripping tale of corruption and violence involving four police officers whose crime spree ended in a mysterious murder-suicide. Or was it?
1: "Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod" - Casey Sherman
Soon to be an Amazon limited series directed by Academy Award winner Ed Berger from Robert Downey Jr.'s Team Downey
Before Charles Manson, there was Tony Costa―the serial killer of Cape Cod
In the heart of 1960s Cape Cod, a place known to some as “Helltown,” a charismatic young man named Tony Costa becomes the center of a dark and twisted tale. Helltown: The Untold Story of a Serial Killer on Cape Cod delves into the chilling true crime story of Costa, a charming figure in the local counterculture who harbors a horrifying secret.
As young women start to vanish, Costa’s good looks and magnetic personality initially shield him from suspicion. However, the discovery of their mutilated bodies in a desolate cemetery raises alarms, and the police zero in on him as their prime suspect.
Meanwhile, literary giants Kurt Vonnegut and Norman Mailer become entangled in the case. In a race to solidify their legacies, they see the Costa murders and the surrounding drug-fueled hippie culture as fodder for their next great work, leading to independent investigations that intensify the rivalry between these two iconic writers.
