Best True Crime Documentaries Books (2026): 4 Compared

The best true crime documentaries books bring real cases to the page. We compared four books by what each Amazon listing states: pages, publication date, publisher and author, so you can pick the right one for your shelf.

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The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Zodiac	9.8/10	Buy
2	Love Lies	9.7/10	Buy
3	Killer Nurse	9.7/10	Buy
4	The Want-Ad Killer	9.7/10	Buy

1

Zodiac

Robert Graysmith·9.8/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A Zodiac account, 400 pages, 2007.

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Pros

• 400 pages stated
• 2007 edition stated
• Berkley stated

Cons

• Reissue edition
• Robert Graysmith
• Zodiac focus

2

Love Lies

Amanda Lamb·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A true crime book, 364 pages, 2015.

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Pros

• 364 pages stated
• 2015 edition stated
• True story stated

Cons

• Reprint edition
• Amanda Lamb
• Diversion Books

3

Killer Nurse

John Foxjohn·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A nurse spree story, 352 pages, 2013.

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Pros

• 352 pages stated
• 2013 edition stated
• True story stated

Cons

• Illustrated edition
• John Foxjohn
• Berkley

4

The Want-Ad Killer

Ann Rule·9.7/10 Shelf Score

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The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

A serial killer story, 312 pages, 1983.

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Pros

• 312 pages stated
• 1983 edition stated
• Ann Rule

Cons

• Updated edition
• Berkley
• 1983 focus

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More picks to compare

• True Crime CollectionSuits readers wanting a 5-in-1 collection, 437 pages.Check on Amazon
• A Hunger to KillSuits readers wanting a 2025 account, 352 pages.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Listing details as published, collected 17 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs true crime fit, story, depth, safety and warranty. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best true crime documentaries books

Pages

Pages run from 312 (The Want-Ad Killer) to 400 (Zodiac), with 352 and 364 in between. Pick the length that fits your shelf.

Published

Published from 1983 to 2015. Pick the edition that fits your shelf.

True stories

All four are true stories: Love Lies, Zodiac, The Want-Ad Killer and Killer Nurse. See our history biography books for more true stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is 400 pages?

Zodiac.

Which is 364 pages?

Love Lies.

Which is 352 pages?

Killer Nurse.

Which is 312 pages?

The Want-Ad Killer.

Still deciding? Our top pickZodiac

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Related lists

See every nonfiction list and all reading guides.

More lists: true crime books, true crime books about serial killers and true crime books about the mafia.