The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told: 20 Unforgettable and Twisted True Crime Cases That Will Haunt You

by Jack Rosewood

Are you a hardcore true crime fan?

Do you know all the ins and outs of popular cases and killers?

Are you kind of sick of hearing the same old stories over and over?

Do you long to be truly disturbed by strange and scary details that just don’t happen every day?

Then you are sure to enjoy The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told!

Inside you’ll

Tales of the Did a dead woman really solve her own murder? Have dreams helped investigators track down killers? Did a demon possess a man and force him to kill?Terrifying What was happening in the Soka Forest of Horrors? How can authorities have stacks of DNA evidence and still not be able to track down such a careless killer? How many innocent people have been killed because they knew too much?The strangest details of any true crime How many murder attempts can one man survive? How long can someone live with a corpse in their house? How did a cannibal who committed a horrific crime not only walk free, but become a celebrity?Bizarre true crime stories you’ve never heard before!

As horrifying as the details of well-known cases can be, real true crime fanatics are looking for something more than the run of the mill murders they’ve heard about a thousand times. They’re looking for mysteries, twists and turns, and seemingly-impossible circumstances that take a case from lacklustre to legendary.

The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told delivers the horrifying, interesting, weird, and disturbing tales that really get true crime connoisseurs excited. Lock your doors, close your blinds, and get ready to read about some of the strangest, and most bone-chilling true crime cases the word has ever seen.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime, Ebooks, Audiobook

131 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2023

About the author

I live in one of the most beautiful places in Florida, Jupiter, with my wife, two kids and our golden retriever, Vincent. I've been a full time author for the last 15 years and I wouldn't trade it against anything in the world!

My father was a journalist and wrote about some of the worst crimes you could ever imagine, and that's where my big interest from serial killers and other horrible crimes comes from. Just to hear my father talk about the evil acts of Ted Bundy as we were out fishing as a kid are some of my best memories.

Reviews

[Lucy Scott · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this, love a bit of true crime! It was a dead quick easy read - each chapter was the story of a different crime, and some of them were MENTAL. Having said that some of the later ones got a bit boring and unmemorable

[Steph ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 stars.

This was really good. There were some really fascinating stories. I think the ones that got to me the most were:

-Teresita Basa, The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder
-Issei Sagawa, The Celebrity Cannibal
-Daniel LaPlante, The Ghost in the Walls
-Kevin Ives and Don Henry, The Boys on the Tracks

[Josephine Jarman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively short collection of true crime. Some if them I didn't see them as being bizarre. Told from a factual point of view this is an enjoyable read with just enough detail to entertain. Perfdct gor any true crime reader who enjoys hearing a little about cases rgat don't make the headlines.
Thank you to netgallery, publisher and author for my 4 star arc

[Gayle (OutsmartYourShelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of 20 strange but true crimes ranging from the late 1800s to the modern day. Some of them were downright bizarre whilst others were grisly to say the least. The chapters are short & to the point, detailed without being ghoulish. At the end, the author muses as to why true crime is such a popular genre & argues that it is a way for us to safely confront our fears of death which does makes sense. Overall it was an interesting read even if it did leave me feeling a little unsettled. 3.5 stars (rounded up)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Little, Brown Book Group UK/Sphere, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

[♡Heather✩Brown♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wtfff. Wild. Insane. Loved it. People are fking crazy. CRAZY! I won’t forget these crimes - ever!

[sri · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up at an airport book store expecting it to be a deep dive on interesting cases but it was more like a bunch of summaries. There were a few very interesting cases but maybe its because i listen to a lot of true crime podcasts, a lot of them were the ones I already knew about and had more knowledge about than what the book had to offer. It can be an interesting read for people who are just curious to read about certain bizarre real life cases but for people who listen or read a lot of true crime might find it not enough.

[CJ Vis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fast read. Interesting if you like true crime

[Danni The Girl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks Netgallt for my copy in return for an honest review

I do enjoy books like this but this type of book has been done many times before. This book allows small snippets of what crimes have happened and sometimes why. I enjoyed it because it got right the point and gave the information I wanted, but then if I want more I would need to do further reading. Most of the crimes in this book I had not heard of before, so it made an interesting read for me.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very quick read and true there are some very bizarre crimes indeed featured,the one sticks in my mind is the Compoumd murders
Well researched and written to be accessible for everyone without jargon etc

[Amelia Oliver · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scary. Disturbing. Recommend for emos, detectives and vampires. No one else would like it.

[Gracie H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just gives a quick summary not really interesting

[Steff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Don’t bother

[Kat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty good book with some crazy stories

[Linnea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting stories (and extremely awful).
A quick read perfect for those who are “interested” in true crime!

[Always Reading Between The Wines · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told by Jack Rosewood ⭐️⭐️⭐️ stars/ 5

True crime is a genre currently taking most elements of media by storm. Recently, some of the top rated shows on streaming services have been documentaries or dramatisation of shocking true crimes (Dahmer, Bundy etc) and many real crimes have formed the basis for bestselling books and movies for decades (from Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, to Scorsese's recent box office hit Killers of the Flower Moon).

With that in mind, you'd be hard pushed to find someone who doesn't at least have some knowledge of history's most horrific crimes. I bet if I mentioned the Yorkshire Ripper, Fred and Rose West, John Wayne Gacy, the Boston Strangler or the Zodiac Killer, most people would know who I'm referring to. So, in this book, Rosewood has tried to focus on those crimes that share just as much shock factor as those more known stories, but less of their familiarity.

I will start by saying that the premise of this book had me hooked. I've always been interested in true crime, not from a morbid point of view but from a forensic and psychological one. I studied Law, Forensic Science and Forensic Psychology at University and am fascinated by the process of studying a crime and how this helps those involved to profile a killer, as well as the psychology of those who commit crimes. Often, bizarre crimes are where you get the most intriguing or unusual answers.

Some of the true crime events profiled in the book do live up to this hype. I'd never heard of the atrocious events in the Ibadan Forest in 2014 and had only a fleeting knowledge of the Circleville Letter Writer. However, I think there's a large number of these events (of which there are only 20) which are fairly widely known by many true crime fans: Armen Meiwes, Carl Tanzler and Issei Sagawa for example. Some, such as the horrific crimes committed by Daniel LaPlante, have even been covered in recent TV series.

Overall, I wouldnt say that knowing about a lot of the crimes ruined the premise of the book for me, it just lowered my expectations from my initial reaction. Great for true crime fans and fans of non-fiction, but not for those with a fragile disposition.

[Sharmin Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a minute to get thru this book because most I already have heard of. There are a few new to me stories that I found interesting. I like short stories at times, it helps me decide what stories I’d like to dig into further.
At the end of the book, I really liked this section:
Psychiatrist Dr David Henderson says, “Witnessing violence and destruction, whether it is a novel, a movie, on TV or a real-life scene playing out in front of us in real time, gives us the opportunity to confront our fears of death, pain, despair, degradation and annihilation while still feeling some level of safety.” I think I must agree with that…

[Shannon Bavister · Rating 5 out of 5]

My thoughts: Anyone who knows me, knows I am a true crime nerd, nothing gives me greater pleasure than a night in watching serial killer documentaries to my hearts content.

There was a great mix of tales, ranging from the 1800s to now. Each story was a basic overview of the crime and the investigation - some with conclusions and others left open as they have never been solved…

For true crime fans; this is a recommended read 🖤

[Amy Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a short but sweet book, I knew about some of the true crime cases but overall was an enjoyable book and an interesting one.

[Eden Morley · Rating 4 out of 5]

My kind of writing. Short, snappy and straight to the point with some dark humour in places. Some stories were slightly shorter than others but overall a good read!

[Simply Sienna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this for Christmas and basically read it instantly. Although I was a little hesitant because most True Crime stories are repeats as I've read a lot of them, especially the famous ones. However, this wasn't the case with this book, and I have to say it never disappointed and definitely lived up to its name of being bizarre. Some of the stories in here were absolutely bonkers and sound too wild to be true.

I enjoyed the style of the book. Each story is split into a different chapter. They didn't seem long-winded and got straight to the point, too, and didn't filter it with opinions. I also liked how the author left the chapter on an attention intriguing sentence. Such as, "They still have never been found to this day" or a humorous one "he hasn't been reported hiding in anyones attics again, though."

I was genuinely shocked at some of the people and stories included, which I haven't for a while as I know most popular stories or Serial Killers. So it's good to read something new. However, the only improvement I can recommend is if there were images included? It would've helped me to visualise who was being spoken about. I've read his other 2 books also, recognised his name almost immediately and I wasn't disappointed! I do have to say that this is definitely an advanced level of true crime. I'd suggest not to read this if you're thinking of testing the waters to see if you enjoy true crime or have a weak stomach. Quite graphically described at times, and if I remember correctly, no trigger warnings.

[Bethany Bessant · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told definitely lives up to its title in terms of content, but I’m not sure it completely delivered on the experience I was expecting. The book promises to take true crime fans beyond the usual big-name cases, offering stories so strange they’ll make you question reality. From the idea of a dead woman solving her own murder to a man claiming he was possessed by a demon when he killed, to the horrors hiding in the Soka Forest, it’s packed with odd, creepy, and sometimes unbelievable tales that are meant to shock even the most seasoned true crime reader.

I actually liked how Jack Rosewood summarised each case quickly and even threw in a bit of humour when things got truly ridiculous. It made for an easy, fast-paced read and kept things from getting too heavy. But because each story was told so briefly, I never felt completely satisfied. Just as I’d start to get into one case, it would end and move straight into another. There were also so many names and dates that it was hard to keep track of what was going on sometimes. For a book about bizarre crimes, I expected a bit more drama and entertainment, something that would really stick with me once I finished each chapter.

Overall, it was an interesting read and I can see the appeal if you like short, quick-hit summaries of weird crimes from around the world. But I don’t think I’ll come back to Jack Rosewood or try reading true crime in book form again. It just didn’t grab me the way I hoped it would.

[Ashley Hedden · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told: 20 Unforgettable and Twisted True Crime Cases That Will Haunt You was another great by Jack Rosewood. This collections consisted of stories about; Armin Meiwes, The Rotenburg Cannibal; Missy Bevers and the SWAT Murderer; Carl Tanzler and His Eternal Love Story; Teresita Basa, The Woman Who Solved Her Own Murder; Michael Malloy, The Man Who Wouldn’t Die; Issei Sagawa, The Celebrity Cannibal; Daniel LaPlante, The Ghost in the Walls; The Miyazawa Murders; Kevin Ives and Don Henry, The Boys on the Tracks; Christina Kettlewell, The Eight-Day Bride; Murder at the Red Barn; Otto in the Attic: The Bat Man of Milwaukee; Arne Cheyenne Johnson, The ‘Devil Made Me Do It’ Case; The Circleville Letter Writer; Katarzyna Zowada and the Buffalo Bill Murderer; The Greenbrier Ghost; Charles C. Morgan and the Ecclesiastes Mystery; The Axeman of New Orleans; The Ibadan Forest of Horror; and Ahmad Suradji, The Killer Shaman. These are bizarre and unforgettable true crime stories that any fan of true crime will enjoy reading. I can’t wait to read more by the author.

[Dayne Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told by Jack Rosewood offers a compelling collection of unusual and intriguing cases from the world of true crime. The book begins with strong and gripping stories that immediately capture the reader's attention. Rosewood's writing style is engaging, making it easy to become immersed in the bizarre details and shocking twists of these real-life tales.

However, as the book progresses, some of the stories in the middle section may cause readers to lose interest. While still strange and unique, these cases lack the same intensity and narrative drive as the earlier stories. This shift in pacing might lead some readers to find their attention wavering.

Despite this, the book remains an interesting read for fans of true crime, offering a diverse array of cases that range from the macabre to the downright perplexing. Rosewood's research is thorough, and his ability to present complex cases in an accessible manner is commendable. Overall, while not every story hits the mark, the book provides enough intrigue and variety to satisfy most true crime enthusiasts.

[Jackie Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jack Rosewood has compiled an engrossing collection of true crime stories in *The Most Bizarre True Crime Stories Ever Told*. This book delves into 20 strange and twisted cases that are as fascinating as they are unsettling.

Rosewood's writing is concise and engaging, making each case a quick yet impactful read. He has a knack for selecting the most bizarre and little-known cases, ensuring that even seasoned true crime enthusiasts will find something new and intriguing. What stands out in this collection is Rosewood's ability to present the facts clearly while maintaining a narrative style that keeps the reader hooked. Each story is well-researched and offers just enough detail to paint a vivid picture without becoming overwhelming.

However, the brevity of the book means that some cases might leave you wanting more information. While this makes it an excellent introduction to some of the most bizarre true crime cases, those looking for in-depth analysis might find it lacking.

[Jemma Morris · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and I do love true crime and it was such an easy read, each chapter was a story of a different crime and some were crazily disturbing but some other ones were a bit boring, however I didn’t know that half of these crimes happened! Which is mental, overall the book was really good and if you like true crime then I recommend this book.

3 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️

The Rotenburg cannibal Chapter

“One man said Brandes had offered him all his belongings and money for him to bite his penis off”

“Meowed had constructed a ‘slaughter room’ complete with a bed, a butchery table, and a meat hook”.

“The wishes, the fantasises you have can never, ever be fulfilled, and everything that you dream about will always remain a dream”

Katarzyna Zowada and the buffalo bill Murderer Chapter

“In the horror film ‘The silence of the lambs’ a murderer nicknamed ‘Buffalo Bill’ kidnaps women, starves them in a pit until their skin is loose, then removes their flesh and wears it as a costume.”

[Theediscerning · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent selection of true crime mysteries and creepier case files, written in a very accessible, light and possibly almost insalubrious manner. I liked the spread of cases – here we cover Germany, Japan, Nigeria and the US, many decades over the last century and a half, cold cases as well as ones where every intimate detail is waiting in a Nutflux slush pile, and so on. There are nasty break-ins, expensive smear campaigns by post, poltergeist-ish activity and more. The short chapters are done in friendly style, certainly more than readable, and while not slathering on the grand guignol or the spooky still allow for some frissons of something or other to cross from the page to the reader. For all the tendency to be a touch tabloidish and disrespectful (a common frailty of this genre, I guess) it felt to be the book one would expect from the title and cover, and gets four stars.

[Natalie Gardner · Rating 3 out of 5]

As a hardcore true crime fan who listens to a lot of true crime podcasts, I had heard of most of these cases. Many have been covered on one of my favourite true crime podcasts, Morbid.

I still enjoyed the read, however, but as the podcasts went into much more detail, I felt this was more of an overview of each case. It was well written, an easy and pretty quick read, and those less involved with true crime books and podcasts already, will like it.

I enjoyed reading about the couple of cases I hadn’t come across before and felt the author picked some different cases that were certainly more strange and bizarre than most you see covered in true crime books. I was clearly just slightly too true crime hardcore for this one!

[Danielle Farrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

True Crime Lover

I love true crime. I’m fascinated by why someone would commit such horrid acts and what makes them want to do it. I want to know what they are thinking when they decide that is the life they want. Reading, watching and listening to true crime has made me more careful and definitely more cautious. I don’t trust people because I’ve read enough horror stories about what humans are truly capable of.
This book delivered some stories I’ve never heard before with some sprinkled in that I’ve heard. All still terrifying and truly unbelievable!

[BlaireReadsTheThings · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC on this fun little number. I have rounded 2.5 stars up to 3.

This book contains lots of little short descriptions of crimes from the past. Some of the stories are quite well-known while others are more obscure. The book was interesting and quick to read. Am I going to remember it forever? No. Will I reference some of the cases in the forensic science class I teach? Perhaps.

[Lauren Crofts · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m a sucker for a true crime book with lots of different cases.

This book keeps things interesting with the short chapters about each case and doesn’t drone on, giving the reader enough information to understand what happened.

Could each chapter be a bit longer to get the full extent of these cases? possibly - especially with the last few chapters seeming a little rushed, otherwise this would absolutely be a 5 star book.