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Books For Crime Connoisseurs
10 mystery and true crime titles on forensic science, deadly plants and serial-killer profilers / BY Nathalie Atkinson / December 14th, 2023
Books on deadly plants, forensic techniques, breezy mystery puzzles and landmark true crimes make the case that murder most foul can also be highly entertaining.
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1Crime Novels of the 1960s Library of America’s new slipcase box of nine thrillers from the decade is a showcase for, as the series editor puts it, “every variety of madness and malevolence,” which includes tales by Dorothy B. Hughes, Patricia Highsmith and Chester Himes.
Library of America’s new slipcase box of nine thrillers from the decade is a showcase for, as the series editor puts it, “every variety of madness and malevolence,” which includes tales by Dorothy B. Hughes, Patricia Highsmith and Chester Himes.
2Starkweather MacLean recounts the eight-day Nebraska rampage of killer Charles Starkweather and eighth-grader Caril Ann Fugate in 1958 Nebraska. MacLean contends Fugate was innocent and considers how the trial (carried daily on prime-time national television for 18 months) not only created a pop-culture appetite for violent crime, but also presumed her guilt.
MacLean recounts the eight-day Nebraska rampage of killer Charles Starkweather and eighth-grader Caril Ann Fugate in 1958 Nebraska. MacLean contends Fugate was innocent and considers how the trial (carried daily on prime-time national television for 18 months) not only created a pop-culture appetite for violent crime, but also presumed her guilt.
3Recipes for Murder A Canadian Agatha Christie superfan and foodie, Pierce presents 66 dishes inspired by the Queen of Crime’s work – food and drink either mentioned directly, or inspired by it, such as Sad Cypress’s crab and salmon sandwiches or caramel custard for The Hollow. The entertaining homage forms a well-researched social history of 20th-century British cuisine. Per the bold cover-line disclaimer, it’s un-authorized by the author’s estate, but Christie Ltd. probably wishes they had thought of it.
A Canadian Agatha Christie superfan and foodie, Pierce presents 66 dishes inspired by the Queen of Crime’s work – food and drink either mentioned directly, or inspired by it, such as Sad Cypress’s crab and salmon sandwiches or caramel custard for The Hollow. The entertaining homage forms a well-researched social history of 20th-century British cuisine. Per the bold cover-line disclaimer, it’s un-authorized by the author’s estate, but Christie Ltd. probably wishes they had thought of it.
4Someone You KnowTwelve unforgettable (and harrowing) tales of true crime rounded up by the Story Hunter podcast host feature modern and historical cases (dating back to the ’50s) with a Canadian connection. The stories are divided into four sections: friends, family, fans and lovers, highlighting the fact that, more often than not, violent crime is perpetrated by people known to their victims.
Twelve unforgettable (and harrowing) tales of true crime rounded up by the Story Hunter podcast host feature modern and historical cases (dating back to the ’50s) with a Canadian connection. The stories are divided into four sections: friends, family, fans and lovers, highlighting the fact that, more often than not, violent crime is perpetrated by people known to their victims.
5In Cold Blood, The Manuscript This landmark reportage about the brutal 1959 slaying of the Clutter family at their Kansas farmhouse is as riveting as ever, and gets an introduction by Ebs Burnough, the filmmaker behind the documentary The Capote Tapes. This new limited-edition volume handsomely reproduces the manuscript of Capote’s 1966 masterpiece, complete with the annotations, sketches and revisions that show his thought process.
This landmark reportage about the brutal 1959 slaying of the Clutter family at their Kansas farmhouse is as riveting as ever, and gets an introduction by Ebs Burnough, the filmmaker behind the documentary The Capote Tapes. This new limited-edition volume handsomely reproduces the manuscript of Capote’s 1966 masterpiece, complete with the annotations, sketches and revisions that show his thought process.
6Murdle Volume 1 Combining the impulse to keep one’s brain limber and the (correct) assumption that we all think we’re amateur sleuths, this addictive online whodunnit game created by T. Karber has become a sensation. For the uninitiated, Murdle – rhymes with Wordle – is a quick daily murder-mystery logic puzzle that’s been described as “Clue meets Solitaire.” The online version is free ,but those who revel in the analog will appreciate this collection of 100 original puzzles.
Combining the impulse to keep one’s brain limber and the (correct) assumption that we all think we’re amateur sleuths, this addictive online whodunnit game created by T. Karber has become a sensation. For the uninitiated, Murdle – rhymes with Wordle – is a quick daily murder-mystery logic puzzle that’s been described as “Clue meets Solitaire.” The online version is free ,but those who revel in the analog will appreciate this collection of 100 original puzzles.
7Lay Them to Rest This engrossing book about forensic science re-affirms why the most interesting character in a crime procedural series is usually the medical examiner. The Atlanta-based writer and host of the cold-case podcast One Strange Thing reports on techniques and creative tools used by experts like anthropologists and odontologists to assess human remains in cold cases, where investigators are trying to identify John and Jane Does (as the bodies of the nameless are called).
This engrossing book about forensic science re-affirms why the most interesting character in a crime procedural series is usually the medical examiner. The Atlanta-based writer and host of the cold-case podcast One Strange Thing reports on techniques and creative tools used by experts like anthropologists and odontologists to assess human remains in cold cases, where investigators are trying to identify John and Jane Does (as the bodies of the nameless are called).
8Hearts of DarknessCriminal Minds and Mindhunter could learn a few things from Monroe, a cop who became one of the first analysts (and, at the time, the only female agent) in the world-renowned FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit at Quantico, Virginia, where they profile serial killers. Before retiring, she was the real-life inspiration for Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs.
Criminal Minds and Mindhunter could learn a few things from Monroe, a cop who became one of the first analysts (and, at the time, the only female agent) in the world-renowned FBI Behavioral Sciences Unit at Quantico, Virginia, where they profile serial killers. Before retiring, she was the real-life inspiration for Clarice Starling in The Silence of the Lambs.
9Gardening Can Be Murder It’s well known that Agatha Christie’s wartime service as a pharmacy nurse later informed her mystery writing, as she used her knowledge of toxic plants for fictional agricultural homicides. This compendium probes the horticultural connections between other historic crime writers (Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle) and contemporary ones, like Ruth Ware, whose garden crime scenes and fatal tinctures have been similarly inspired by deadly and poisonous plants.
It’s well known that Agatha Christie’s wartime service as a pharmacy nurse later informed her mystery writing, as she used her knowledge of toxic plants for fictional agricultural homicides. This compendium probes the horticultural connections between other historic crime writers (Edgar Allen Poe, Arthur Conan Doyle) and contemporary ones, like Ruth Ware, whose garden crime scenes and fatal tinctures have been similarly inspired by deadly and poisonous plants.
10Broadway Butterfly Of the many books excavating historical true crime in 2023, this yarn about a lurid Roaring Twenties case that captivated Manhattan 100 years ago is a highlight. The investigative journalist recounts the unsolved murder of flapper and actress Dot King, who was discovered dead in bed by Ella, her Black maid, from multiple perspectives. It explores the implications of race and class, and includes a postscript on the subsequent lives of the main players and suspects.
Of the many books excavating historical true crime in 2023, this yarn about a lurid Roaring Twenties case that captivated Manhattan 100 years ago is a highlight. The investigative journalist recounts the unsolved murder of flapper and actress Dot King, who was discovered dead in bed by Ella, her Black maid, from multiple perspectives. It explores the implications of race and class, and includes a postscript on the subsequent lives of the main players and suspects.