True crime fans, this one’s for you. There's nothing more satisfying than diving into a gripping true crime story, one that has you gasping, rewinding, and maybe side-eyeing your neighbors just a little bit. Whether it's cold cases, courtroom drama, or uncovering the darkest corners of the human mind, true crime audiobooks bring it all to life in a way that’s both chilling and totally addictive.
From iconic cases that shaped the genre to hidden gems that deserve way more attention, this list covers 20 of the absolute best true crime audiobooks out there. Some are hauntingly personal. Others read like thrillers. And a few will leave you wondering how they’re not already blockbuster movies.
Let’s dive into the stories you won’t be able to stop thinking about.
Best True Crime Audiobooks Right Now
1. I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
This chilling audiobook chronicles McNamara’s obsessive search for the Golden State Killer, blending poetic writing with meticulous investigation. Her deep empathy for the victims and vivid recounting of terrifying break-ins make it unforgettable. The chapter “Monsters Recede but Never Vanish” hits especially hard, as her voice fades and the case finally breaks, years after her passing. It’s haunting, heartbreaking brilliance.
2. Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
Ever wondered how the FBI profiles serial killers? This audiobook is your answer. John Douglas recounts chilling interviews with Ed Kemper, Charles Manson, and BTK, offering insight into how patterns were discovered. The sections covering the Atlanta child murders are especially gripping. It’s a fascinating, behind-the-scenes look at how modern criminal profiling came to be, and it’s anything but dry.
3. The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
Forget Jack the Ripper, this audiobook centers on the five women he murdered. Rubenhold brings their voices back, telling rich, detailed stories of their lives before they were reduced to headlines. The chapter “Mary Jane Kelly” is especially emotional, dismantling the myth that all the victims were sex workers. This feminist true crime masterpiece will leave you emotional, angry, and enlightened.
4. Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
Set during the political chaos of 1970s Northern Ireland, this audiobook unfolds like a spy thriller. Keefe investigates the abduction of Jean McConville, a mother of ten, and the secrets that followed. The chapters about Dolours Price, an IRA volunteer turned whistleblower, are mind-blowing. It’s a powerful blend of true crime, history, and haunting human complexity.
5. American Predator by Maureen Callahan
Israel Keyes is one of the most terrifying serial killers you’ve likely never heard of, and this audiobook explains why. Callahan reveals how he traveled undetected for years, stashing “kill kits” across the U.S. The chapter on Samantha Koenig’s kidnapping and the chilling ATM footage will stick with you forever. This one’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s unmissable.
6. Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
In the 1920s, members of the Osage Nation were murdered for their oil wealth until the newly formed FBI stepped in. Grann unpacks a chilling conspiracy involving local authorities and family betrayals. The chapter detailing Mollie Burkhart’s slow realization of who’s behind the killings is heart-stopping. It’s devastating, beautifully researched, and essential listening before (or after) watching the Scorsese film.
7. In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
This true crime classic reconstructs the brutal 1959 murder of the Clutter family in rural Kansas. Capote’s cinematic narration and rich character detail make it read like fiction, but it’s all terrifyingly real. The buildup to Perry Smith and Dick Hickock’s execution is especially intense. Atmospheric and eerily calm, it’s the book that basically created the modern true crime genre.
8. The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
Imagine working with someone and later discovering he’s a serial killer - yep, that’s what happened to Ann Rule and Ted Bundy. This audiobook blends Rule’s personal reflections with chilling investigative detail. The chapters where she starts connecting the dots are especially haunting. It’s as much a psychological deep dive as it is a terrifying cautionary tale. You’ll be hooked (and horrified).
9. Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
Theranos promised to revolutionize medicine until Carreyrou exposed it all as a dangerous scam. This audiobook feels like a corporate thriller, complete with Silicon Valley egos, cult-like loyalty, and jaw-dropping lies. The chapter where Elizabeth Holmes forces employees to keep secrets (under threat of lawsuits) is mind-blowing. It’s white-collar crime at its most bizarre and totally binge-worthy.
10. Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule
Ann Rule takes on Gary Ridgway, the Green River Killer, in this heartbreaking and horrifying deep dive. She gives voice to the many forgotten victims while unmasking a monster who evaded justice for decades. The chapter where DNA evidence finally cracks the case is incredibly satisfying. Rule’s empathy and sharp detail make this one of her most powerful works.
11. The Cold Vanish by Jon Billman
This isn't your typical murder mystery. Billman investigates the growing number of people who vanish in the wilderness, without a trace. Focusing on one father’s obsessive search for his missing son, this audiobook dives into disappearances, survivalists, and the haunting silence of the wild. It’s gripping, emotional, and perfect if you love crime with a twist of the unknown.
12. If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
Shelly Knotek is one of the most sadistic figures in true crime, and she’s a mom. This harrowing audiobook tells how her daughters endured years of abuse, torture, and manipulation in silence. The details are deeply disturbing, especially in the chapters describing her cruelty toward family “friends.” It’s a hard listen, but a powerful story of survival and justice.
13. We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
When Becky Cooper uncovers an unsolved 1969 murder at Harvard, she dives headfirst into academia’s secrets, misogyny, and silence. This audiobook blends investigative journalism with personal memoir and feminist critique. The slow-building tension and eerie campus atmosphere make it feel like a gothic novel. Perfect for listeners who love cerebral mysteries with a powerful emotional undercurrent.
14. Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
Two brutal murders, one radical religious sect. Krakauer explores the roots of Mormon fundamentalism and its darkest consequences. This audiobook balances the true crime story with a deeper dive into faith, violence, and extremism. The chapter detailing Ron and Dan Lafferty’s “divine” motives is especially chilling. It's intense, thought-provoking, and impossible to forget once you press play.
15. The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber
Charles Cullen was supposed to save lives, but he quietly murdered patients across hospitals for years. This audiobook uncovers the terrifying truth of America’s most prolific serial killer and the flawed system that let it happen. The turning point? A brave nurse who risked it all to stop him. Shocking and suspenseful, it’s true crime meets medical thriller.
16. Unmasked by Paul Holes
Ever wonder what it’s like to catch one of the most elusive serial killers in history? Paul Holes takes you behind the scenes of the Golden State Killer case, revealing both the forensic brilliance and the emotional toll. The chapters where he connects with Michelle McNamara’s work are especially powerful. Equal parts manhunt and memoir, this one hits hard.
17. The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg
Two young women are murdered in rural Appalachia in 1980, sparking decades of whispers, suspicion, and trauma. Eisenberg weaves true crime with personal narrative, showing how violence reshapes entire communities. The audiobook’s slow, lyrical pacing makes every chapter feel intimate. Quietly devastating, this is a haunting story of place, prejudice, and the echoes of unsolved crimes.
18. The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
What starts as a law student’s review of a death penalty case unravels into a deeply personal reckoning. Marzano-Lesnevich’s own childhood trauma intertwines with the story of convicted murderer Ricky Langley in this beautifully written audiobook. The emotional layering here is unmatched; each revelation hits like a gut punch. Raw, vulnerable, and unlike any other true crime you’ve heard.
19. A Death in the Rainforest by Don Kulick
Set deep in Papua New Guinea, this audiobook explores a mysterious death in a remote village, but it’s also a fascinating dive into culture, colonialism, and anthropology. Kulick brings humor, humanity, and curiosity to every chapter. While not a classic whodunit, the crime at its core raises big questions. It’s eye-opening, immersive, and weirdly unforgettable.
20. Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
White-collar crime doesn’t get more devastating than this. Keefe exposes the Sackler family’s role in America’s opioid epidemic with brutal clarity and precision. From pharmaceutical boardrooms to addiction clinics, every chapter builds a damning case. The audiobook’s final sections, detailing legal battles and public outrage, are especially powerful. Greed, corruption, and deadly consequences, all told with Keefe’s signature journalistic fire.
It's a wrap! Crime, Chills, and Thrilling Moments
There’s nothing quite like a gripping true crime audiobook, whether you're unraveling cold cases, diving into psychological profiles, or peeling back layers of systemic corruption. These 20 audiobooks bring you unforgettable storytelling, haunting mysteries, and mind-blowing investigations that’ll stick with you long after you’ve hit pause. Some are deeply emotional. Others will have your jaw on the floor. All of them? Totally binge-worthy.
So whether you're into old-school classics, slow-burn investigative journeys, or crimes that challenge what “justice” even means, this list has something for every kind of true crime junkie. Plug in your headphones and prepare to spiral (in the best way possible).
Recap: 20 of the Best True Crime Audiobooks
- I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara
- Mindhunter by John E. Douglas and Mark Olshaker
- The Five by Hallie Rubenhold
- Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe
- American Predator by Maureen Callahan
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann
- In Cold Blood by Truman Capote
- The Stranger Beside Me by Ann Rule
- Bad Blood by John Carreyrou
- Green River, Running Red by Ann Rule
- The Cold Vanish by Jon Billman
- If You Tell by Gregg Olsen
- We Keep the Dead Close by Becky Cooper
- Under the Banner of Heaven by Jon Krakauer
- The Good Nurse by Charles Graeber
- Unmasked by Paul Holes
- The Third Rainbow Girl by Emma Copley Eisenberg
- The Fact of a Body by Alexandria Marzano-Lesnevich
- A Death in the Rainforest by Don Kulick
- Empire of Pain by Patrick Radden Keefe
