The most recommended books about Serial killers

Who picked these books? Meet our 399 experts.

399 authors created a book list connected to serial killers, and here are their favorite serial killers books.
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Book cover of The Marlow Murder Club

Susan McBride Author Of To Helen Back

From my list on small town mysteries with sleuths who arenā€™t Spring chickens.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™ve loved mysteries since I gobbled up Nancy Drew and the Encyclopedia Brown books in grade school. As I grew older, I got hooked on Agatha Christieā€™s Miss Marple, Sue Graftonā€™s Kinsey Milhone, and Sara Paretskyā€™s VI Warshawski. Besides being a diehard fan of female sleuths, I have a B.S. in Journalism, which drummed the importance of ā€œwho-what-when-where-and-whyā€ into my brain. I definitely take a reporterā€™s mindset into my story-telling, particularly when it comes to the ā€œwho.ā€ Breathing life into characters is crucial. Maybe thatā€™s why I used bits and pieces of my grandma Helen in order to create my fictional Helen. Plus, it gives me a chance to spend time with her again, if only in my imagination.

Susan's book list on small town mysteries with sleuths who arenā€™t Spring chickens

Susan McBride Why did Susan love this book?

When I think of small-town sleuths of a certain age, thereā€™s no better example than crossword-puzzle writer Judith Potts who lives in the village of Marlow. Sheā€™s 77-years-old and physically active (she routinely swims nude in the river behind her house).

In my humble opinion, Judith has all the makings of a great amateur detective: sheā€™s nosy, observant, and not afraid to ask questions of perfect strangers (qualities I quite admire!). I enjoyed this tale even more when Judith roped the vicarā€™s wife and a dog-walker into her investigation of not one murder but two. More nosy Nellies only adds to the fun! 

By Robert Thorogood,

Why should I read it?

4 authors picked The Marlow Murder Club as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

The first in a stunning new series introducing the Marlow Murder Club!

'A hugely enjoyable murder mystery written with wonderful verve, humour and compassion. Utterly delightful' Robert Webb

'I love Robert Thorogood's writing' Peter James

From the creator of the BBC One hit TV series, Death in Paradise

To solve an impossible murder, you need an impossible hero...

Judith Potts is seventy-seven years old and blissfully happy. She lives on her own in a faded mansion just outside Marlow, there's no man in her life to tell her what to do or how much whisky to drink, and to keepā€¦


Book cover of A Case of Duplicity in Dorset

Lynn Ferguson Author Of Notes From The Valley

From my list on cozy mystery audiobooks with serial killers.

Why am I passionate about this?

The greatest mystery I face in life is, how is it that when I've just packed the dishwasher, I have to pack it yet again? But I love stories. Thereā€™s nothing more healing than a well-told story with characters and jokes and twists and turns. Each of these books contains some form of fictionalized domestic world where murders happen, but marriages and babies and falling in love do, too. We live in a time when the world is hard to navigate. All of these writers bring a mystery, the best of company, and the idea that even in the darkest of times, everything can turn out quite spiffingly.

Lynn's book list on cozy mystery audiobooks with serial killers

Lynn Ferguson Why did Lynn love this book?

I don't know if writer Clara Benson and narrator Gethyn Edwards are best pals, but they're matched so perfectly in this book; they should be. Anyway, here's a tip. If you're invited to a party in a rambling old country mansion with secret passages and dark histories, don't be a jerk. Because then you might find yourself dead in the library like Professor Coddington. Nobody is particularly upset at a killer being on the loose, except that sort of thing can ruin a party and a reputation.

Luckily, Freddie Pilkington Soames is on handā€”the most ramshackle, thoroughly reprehensible, fabulous chap one could meetā€”to save the day. Clara Benson really knows how to write a great character. This book made me laugh out loud.  

By Clara Benson,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked A Case of Duplicity in Dorset as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

When the Duke of Purbeck throws a house party to celebrate his daughter's twenty-first birthday and present her with a family heirloom, nobody expects that the weekend will end in murder. The fabled Belsingham pearls have a history steeped in blood and slaughter dating back more than a centuryā€”and now it seems they've claimed another life, when the interfering and opinionated Professor Coddington is found dead in the library with the pearls clutched in his hand. It looks like a robbery gone wrong, but then why didn't the thief take the necklace? And how did he escape unnoticed, given thatā€¦


Book cover of Secrets Typed in Blood

Kris Bock Author Of Something Shady at Sunshine Haven

From Kris' 3 favorite reads in 2023.

Why am I passionate about this?

Author Animal lover Devoted reader Southwestern hiker Taker of cloud photos

Kris' 3 favorite reads in 2023

Kris Bock Why did Kris love this book?

The Pentecost and Parker Mystery series has great characters, a strong voice, and an interesting era.

The setup ā€“ a famous detective who needs help with the physical side of the job, paired with a young and active assistant ā€“ is reminiscent of the Nero Wolfe mysteries, only this time both detective and assistant are female. Little details bring the time period (1940s Manhattan) to life.

A complicated mystery makes this book another strong entry. This is book 3, so readers may want to start with book 1, but this title may be my favorite.

By Stephen Spotswood,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Secrets Typed in Blood as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

A NEW YORK TIMES BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR ā€¢ In the newest entry into the Nero Award-winning Pentecost & Parker Mystery series, Lillian and Will are hot on the trail of a serial killer whose murders are stranger than fiction.

The Pentecost & Parker series "takes gritty 40s noir, shakes it up, gives it a charming twist, and serves it up with unforgettable style" (Deanna Raybourn, author of the Veronica Speedwell Mysteries). From the author of Fortune Favors the Dead and Murder Under Her Skin.

New York City, 1947: For years, Holly Quick has made a good livingā€¦


Book cover of Witch Is When It All Began

Sorchia DuBois Author Of Zoraida Grey and the Family Stones

From my list on to read on a full moon night.

Why am I passionate about this?

Iā€™m a paranormal writer living on the buckle of the Bible Belt, but the hills are alive with witches and Magic, even here. People tend to say that witches donā€™t existā€”until you ask for a strand of their hair. Iā€™ve been on the witchā€™s side since I was young. If kids persist in eating bits of your house or stealing your rampion, whatā€™s a wiā€“erā€“ lady to do? Urban fantasy and magic realism in modern literature, take a more sympathetic view of witches. My book selections offer witches in all their gloryā€”Some are good, some are bad, and some havenā€™t made up their minds yet. 

Sorchia's book list on to read on a full moon night

Sorchia DuBois Why did Sorchia love this book?

Iā€™m cheating again and giving you a recommendation for forty-four books instead of just one. This series takes the main character on a journey of discovery into her witchy heritage and solves murders along the way. Iā€™ve read several, but not all, of the series and I find them funny and engaging. Nothing earth-shaking here, but lots of magical fun. Very pleasant to read by the light of the moon after youā€™ve cast your spells and put away your potions.

By Adele Abbott,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Witch Is When It All Began as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

(Suitable for teens and seniors and all ages in-between)

What would you do if you discovered you were a witch?

That's exactly what happens to Private investigator, Jill Gooder. And as if that wasn't enough, she has a serial killer to catch. More magic, mystery and laughs than you can shake a stick at.


Book cover of Bury the Lead

Jill Brock Author Of Pennywise

From my list on humorous mysteries to make you smile.

Why am I passionate about this?

Born and raised in New York City, my plans to become an artist got sidetracked by an interest in psychology. While in school, I graduated college, majoring in Fine Arts and Psychology, combining my two interests. I continued my education as a Graphic Designer at The School of Visual Arts. I worked as a freelance graphic artist for a while before starting a career in the creative arts therapies. While I enjoy a dark, brooding, suspenseful mystery, sometimes I need a little humor to round out those dark edges. Despite some bad things happening in the world, most people do silly, goofy, and often stupid things and you have to laugh.

Jill's book list on humorous mysteries to make you smile

Jill Brock Why did Jill love this book?

The first time I read David Rosenfeltā€™s Andy Carpenter series, I immediately thought that Groucho Marx had moved to North Jersey, gone into law, and adopted a rescue dog. Rosenfeltā€™s reluctant lawyer hero goes at his oddball cases with a collection of even odder associates. Dry, witty, and a little self-effacing, Rosenfeltā€™s style brings to life a cast of characters that made me reluctant to put his books down. I started the series with the third book, Bury the Lead, first but quickly caught up. The first book in the series is Open and Shut. Mystery and animal lovers will find a place in their heart and funny bone.

By David Rosenfelt,

Why should I read it?

1 author picked Bury the Lead as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it.

What is this book about?

Defence attorney Andy Carpenter has been successfully avoiding taking on new cases until his sometime friend and newspaper owner, Vince Sanders, calls and asks him for a favour. Daniel Cummings, Vince's star reporter, is being used as the mouthpiece for a serial killer. He has been cooperating with the police but Vince wants to make sure both the newspaper and Daniel are protected. Andy thinks the case be a piece of cake...until Daniel is found unconscious in park next to the killer's latest victim. Daniel claims he intended to stop the murder but the police arrest him. Now, with theā€¦


Book cover of The Marlow Murder Club
Book cover of A Case of Duplicity in Dorset
Book cover of Secrets Typed in Blood

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