10 crimes that were adopted into books
Helter Skelter: The True Story of the Manson Murders by Vincent Bugliosi and Curt Gentry (1974) This book tells the story of the Manson Family murders, which occurred in Los Angeles in 1969. The book was written by Vincent Bugliosi, the lead prosecutor in the case, and Curt Gentry, a journalist. It was a bestseller and was adapted into a CBS television miniseries in 1976.
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (1966) This book tells the story of the Clutter family murders, which occurred in Holcomb, Kansas, in 1959. The book was written by Truman Capote, who spent six years researching the case and interviewing the perpetrators. It was a bestseller and was adapted into a movie in 1967.
The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair That Changed America by Erik Larson (2003) This book tells the story of Daniel H. Burnham, the architect of the World's Columbian Exposition, and H. H. Holmes, a serial killer who operated a hotel near the fairgrounds. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a Hulu miniseries in 2019.
The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule (1980) This book tells the story of Ted Bundy, a serial killer who murdered at least 30 women in the 1970s. The book was written by Ann Rule, a true crime writer and friend of Bundy's. It was a bestseller and was adapted into a CBS television miniseries in 1986.
The Night of the Hunter by Davis Grubb (1953) This book tells the story of a convicted murderer who is released from prison and marries a widow in order to steal her children's inheritance. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a movie in 1955.
The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris (1988) This book tells the story of Clarice Starling, an FBI trainee who seeks the help of imprisoned serial killer Hannibal Lecter to catch another serial killer. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a movie in 1991.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon (2003) This book tells the story of Christopher Boone, a 15-year-old boy with autism spectrum disorder who investigates the murder of his neighbor's dog. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a play and a movie in 2005.
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson (2005) This book tells the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a disgraced journalist, and Lisbeth Salander, a young woman with a troubled past, who investigate the disappearance of a young woman 40 years ago. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a movie in 2009.
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (2012) This book tells the story of Nick Dunne, a man whose wife, Amy, goes missing on their fifth wedding anniversary. Nick becomes the prime suspect in her disappearance, but he claims that he is innocent. The book was a bestseller and was adapted into a movie in 2014.
