9 Thrilling Novels Evoking the Ambiance of Real-Life Criminal Events
New Fiction Books That Read Like True Crime Stories
In the world of literature, a new trend is emerging where authors are blending the immediacy and authenticity of true crime stories with the narrative techniques of fiction. These novels offer gripping, psychologically rich reading experiences, delving into the dark recesses of crime and its impact on individuals and society.
One such book is The Devil’s Advocate by Steve Cavanagh, published in 2025. This high-octane legal thriller follows a lawyer with a deadly secret trying to save an innocent man facing the death penalty in a corrupt system. The novel seamlessly blends courtroom drama with a suspenseful, true-crime-like intensity.
Brandy Schillace's The Dead Come to Stay, also from 2025, presents a haunting and intimate true-crime style story focusing on a notorious criminal case in American history and a woman’s journey in its aftermath.
Abigail Dean's The Death of Us explores the long-term impact of a violent crime on survivors and their relationships, offering a psychological depth that is both compelling and sensitive. The novel mixes crime storytelling with a careful avoidance of sensationalizing trauma.
August 2025's Book of the Month features an unnamed title that tells the story of Katie Cole, accused of murdering four men, through multiple male perspectives. This novel challenges narrative reliability while exploring gender bias and conspiracy, all within the context of a courtroom drama with true crime themes.
Mary Kubica, author of Local Woman Missing (2021), is known for her suspenseful, twisty missing-person mysteries. Her stories are often praised for their realistic portrayal of crime and its effects, making them feel like true crime fiction.
For those who find real crime stories too disturbing or are waiting for their favorite podcast, these fictional stories offer a compelling alternative. For instance, Laura Lee Bahr's Who Is the Liar is a fantastically creepy tale about a child-killer set in the 1980s Midwest.
In a future of space exploration, Mason Coile's Exiles presents a locked-room mystery set on Mars, exploring the potential future of podcasts. On the other hand, Carter Wilson's Tell Me What You Did is a fictional true crime story where a podcast episode is being broadcast live and under duress.
First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston is a story that feels like a two-hour Dateline episode, making the reader yell at the TV and Google for more information. Jill Is Not Happy by Kaira Rouda is a suspenseful story about a seemingly perfect marriage with hidden secrets and potential danger.
Victoria Helen Stone, a Wall Street Journal bestselling author, has written several suspense novels, with her latest being Bald-Faced Liar. This book follows the life of Elizabeth May, a woman who lies to protect herself after a Satanic panic trial, and deals with a potential stalker.
These novels, along with Audrey J. Cole's Missing in Flight, Kellye Garrett's Missing White Woman, and numerous other suspense novels by Victoria Helen Stone, offer a captivating blend of crime and fiction that will keep readers on the edge of their seats.
In this evolving literary landscape, these new fiction books continue to push boundaries, merging the tension-filled elements of true crime with the captivating narratives of books, providing a unique brand of entertainment that combines suspense and psychological depth. For readers seeking a chilling, true-crime-like reading experience yet avoiding the harsh realities of real-life crime stories, books like Laura Lee Bahr's Who Is the Liar serve as enthralling alternatives, offering a blend of crime and fiction without compromising on suspense.
