Well-written true crime books have many of the same elements as crime fiction, but there are differences. True crime books are written to inform rather than entertain, and may not have the satisfying resolution that mysteries contain. Fiction relies on suspenseful pacing, whereas true crime offers a more documentary-style presentation.
Some mystery readers prefer police procedurals, while others like cozy mysteries. Likewise, in the true crime arena, some fans like to read about killers, and other fans enjoy reading about real crimes - but would rather avoid those messy bodies, thank you very much. Below you will find true crime books that are NOT about murder.
Theft and Robbery
Money Laundering and Hacking
Other Crimes
- Framed
- Operation Paperclip
- Can You Ever Forgive Me?
- News of a Kidnapping
- Bad Blood
- The Incorruptibles
True crime books of all kinds can be found in the nonfiction area with call numbers beginning with 364. See you at the library!
-Blog post by Senior Collection Development Librarian Beth Wood. This article was originally published as part of her weekly column, Check It Out, in The Columbian.
New at the Library
This is just a small sampling of the many new titles added each week to the Fort Vancouver Regional Library District collection. Visit the district’s 15 locations, our website at www.fvrl.org, or call (360) 906-5000 to reserve titles or find additional listings.
FICTION
“One & Only” by Maurene Goo
“Cross & Sampson” by James Patterson
“Axe and Grind” by Taylor Hutton
NONFICTION
“Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood” by William J. Mann
“Neptune’s Fortune: The Billion-dollar Shipwreck and the Ghosts of the Spanish Empire” by Julian Sancton
“Parenting Anxiety: Breaking the Cycle of Worry and Raising Resilient Kids” by Meredith Elkins
CHILDREN
“I’m So Happy You’re Here” by Mychal Threets
“The Colors of Nature” by Catherine Barr
“Saber-tooth” by Robin Gow
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