True Crime Award Winners Collection (67 books)

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After the 2008 publication of my true crime memoir, Luggage By Kroger, I discovered the opportunity to compete in several major national book contests for independent and academic publishers with titles in the true crime genre. So, I entered every one I could find in an effort to gauge the book’s level of universal appeal. Gratified to emerge as a winner of medals in three of these so far in 2009 with one more contest scheduled to report later in the year, I decided to research other winners in past years and compile a list of recent small press true crime award-winning books. I have not been able to read all of these books, yet, and have not attempted to rank them in any fashion besides their numbers of awards. Although these books were published outside the mainstream, their recognition by judges in these contests should qualify them as titles worth a look for readers eager to find a good yarn off the beaten path. I would encourage readers to comment on the selections in this list or submit titles of other award-winning true crime titled I may have missed. These books collected true crime genre honors from four national contests: ForeWord Magazine’s National Book-of-the-Year Awards, the Independent Publisher Book Awards (IPPYs), the National Indie Excellence Awards and the USA Book News National Book Awards. Here are books recognized in recent years for these contests in the true crime genre.

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1	In Cold Blood by Truman Capote 4.09 avg rating — 746,766 ratings score: 2,383, and 24 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
2	Zodiac by Robert Graysmith (Goodreads Author) 3.91 avg rating — 28,238 ratings score: 1,790, and 18 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
3	Escaping the Arroyo by Joyce Nance (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 854 ratings score: 1,286, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
4	Killing Mr. Griffin by Lois Duncan 3.62 avg rating — 13,408 ratings score: 1,276, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
5	Gangsters of Harlem by Ron Chepesiuk 3.51 avg rating — 45 ratings score: 1,264, and 13 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
6	Shadows of Truth (Jake Scott Mystery Series, #4) by Barry Finlay (Goodreads Author) 4.41 avg rating — 39 ratings score: 1,200, and 12 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
7	The Law of Attraction (Lawyers in Love, #1) by N.M. Silber (Goodreads Author) 3.76 avg rating — 11,579 ratings score: 1,099, and 11 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
8	The Murder Room: The Heirs of Sherlock Holmes Gather to Solve the World's Most Perplexing Cold Cases by Michael Capuzzo 3.64 avg rating — 4,756 ratings score: 885, and 9 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
9	The Cases That Haunt Us by John E. Douglas 3.98 avg rating — 17,099 ratings score: 791, and 8 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
10	Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit by John E. Douglas 4.09 avg rating — 85,226 ratings score: 393, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
11	Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil by John Berendt 3.91 avg rating — 301,210 ratings score: 392, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
12	Death's Door: The Truth Behind Michigan's Largest Mass Murder by Steve Lehto 3.99 avg rating — 132 ratings score: 391, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
13	The Good-Bye Door: The Incredible True Story of America's First Female Serial Killer to Die in the Chair by Diana Franklin 3.59 avg rating — 164 ratings score: 385, and 4 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
14	Torso Murder: The Untold Story of Evelyn Dick by Brian Vallée 3.72 avg rating — 60 ratings score: 293, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	The Airman and the Carpenter The Lindbergh Kidnapping and the Framing of Richard Hauptman by Ludovic Kennedy 3.83 avg rating — 146 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
15	Journey Into Darkness (Mindhunter #2) by John E. Douglas 4.01 avg rating — 7,845 ratings score: 290, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
17	Sacco and Vanzetti by Eli Bortman 3.68 avg rating — 25 ratings score: 283, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
18	True Crime: An American Anthology by Harold Schechter 3.85 avg rating — 404 ratings score: 281, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
19	Witnesses To The Unsolved: Prominent Psychic Detectives and Mediums Explore Our Most Haunting Mysteries by Edward Olshaker really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 264, and 3 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
20	The Bubble Gum Thief by Jeff Miller (Goodreads Author) 3.95 avg rating — 1,841 ratings score: 198, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
21	Luggage By Kroger: A True Crime Memoir by Gary Taylor (Goodreads Author) 3.65 avg rating — 100 ratings score: 197, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	The Darkest Night: The Murder of Innocence in a Small Town by Ron Franscell (Goodreads Author) 3.94 avg rating — 2,662 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	Deadly Confidante by Nancy Whitmore Poore 3.95 avg rating — 19 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
22	A Child Called "It" (Dave Pelzer, #1) by Dave Pelzer (Goodreads Author) 4.14 avg rating — 465,325 ratings score: 196, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
25	Sister by Rosamund Lupton (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 56,059 ratings score: 194, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
26	Murder and Mayhem: 52 Crimes that Shocked Early California 1849-1949 by Michael Thomas Barry (Goodreads Author) 4.09 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 188, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Running with the Devil: The True Story Of The Atf's Infiltration Of The Hells Angels by Kerrie Droban (Goodreads Author) 3.79 avg rating — 245 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
27	Nameless Indignities: Unraveling the Mystery of One of Illinois's Most Infamous Crimes by Susan Elmore (Goodreads Author) 3.85 avg rating — 95 ratings score: 187, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
29	In Search of Sacco and Vanzetti: Double Lives, Troubled Times, and the Massachusetts Murder Case That Shook the World by Susan Tejada (Goodreads Author) (Brand) 3.82 avg rating — 107 ratings score: 186, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
30	Stolen Innocence: The True-life Terror I Experienced as a Child by Elaine Carole 3.67 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 185, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
31	Twentynine Palms: A True Story of Murder, Marines, and the Mojave by Deanne Stillman 3.65 avg rating — 251 ratings score: 184, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
32	Thief by J.D. Hylton really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 1 rating score: 181, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
33	The Case Against Lucky Luciano: New York's Most Sensational Vice Trial by Ellen Poulsen (Goodreads Author) 3.90 avg rating — 30 ratings score: 177, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Ripperology: A Study of the World's First Serial Killer and a Literary Phenomenon by Robin Odell 3.71 avg rating — 42 ratings score: 172, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
34	Badge 149: Shots Fired! by Gary P. Jones 4.29 avg rating — 7 ratings score: 172, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
36	The Rita Nitz Story: A Life Without Parole (Elmer H Johnson & Carol Holmes Johnson Series in Criminology) by Larry L. Franklin MFA 3.64 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 170, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
37	Texas Death Row: Executions in the Modern Era by Bill Crawford (Editor) 3.60 avg rating — 161 ratings score: 168, and 2 people voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Murder in Little Egypt by Darcy O'Brien 4.02 avg rating — 2,322 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The One That Got Away: My Life Living With Fred and Rose West by Caroline Roberts 3.70 avg rating — 258 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Lady on the Train by Gerry Burke (Goodreads Author) 3.77 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Life Minus 3 1/2 by Dennis Hart (Goodreads Author) 4.64 avg rating — 11 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Snowman (Harry Hole, #7) by Jo Nesbø (Goodreads Author) 4.03 avg rating — 154,676 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Riddle of the Labyrinth: The Quest to Crack an Ancient Code by Margalit Fox (Goodreads Author) 4.01 avg rating — 3,754 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Accidental Gangster: The Krays V The Fewtrells: Battle for Birmingham by David Keogh 4.01 avg rating — 87 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	The Whiskey Au Go Go Massacre: Murder, Arson and the Crime of the Century by Geoff Plunkett (Goodreads Author) 4.37 avg rating — 70 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Who Took Molly Bish? by Sarah L. Stein 2.89 avg rating — 35 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Agatha Christie The Murder of Roger Ackroyd I Clean Copy I An Annotated Classic with Commentary on Themes, Narrative Devices, and Criticism, The Classic Poirot Mystery by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
38	Guidance to Death (Frank Adams Detective series Book 1) by Daniel V. Meier Jr. (Goodreads Author) 4.69 avg rating — 266 ratings score: 100, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	The Boy in the Suitcase (Nina Borg, #1) by Lene Kaaberbøl 3.62 avg rating — 36,041 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
49	Agatha Christie ENHANCED Private Edition The Secret of Chimneys, KEY PRINT Clean, Annotated, illustrated, Explained, and Criticized Edition by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 99, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
51	The Secret Adversary Agatha Christie, Enhanced PRIVATE CLEAN EDITION, A KEY PRINT, Original, Annotated, Illustrated, Explained, and Criticized. by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 98, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
52	Agatha Christie ENHANCED Private Edition KEY PRINT The Mystery of The Blue Train, Clean, Annotated, illustrated, Explained, and Criticized Edition by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 97, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
53	Agatha Christie Annotated Enhanced PRIVATE EDITION KEY PRINT The Murder on the Links, Original, Clean, Illustrated, Explained, and Criticized. by Agatha Christie 4.14 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 96, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	Superthief: A Master Burglar, the Mafia, and the Biggest Bank Heist in U.S. History by Rick Porrello (Goodreads Author) 3.81 avg rating — 161 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
54	THE BIG FOUR Agatha Christie Enhanced PRIVATE CLEAN EDITION, Annotated, illustrated, Explained, and Criticized Edition Pigeon Gothic, Mystery by Agatha Christie 4.07 avg rating — 14 ratings score: 95, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	The Murder Of Mary Bean: And Other Stories by Elizabeth A. DeWolfe (Goodreads Author) 3.62 avg rating — 32 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
56	Agatha Christie Annotated Enhanced PRIVATE EDITION Poirot Investigates KEY PRINT Original Clean Edition, illustrated, explained, and criticized. by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 94, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
58	Agatha Christie Enhanced PRIVATE Edition The Man in The Brown Suit Original Clean Annotated, illustrated, Explained, and Criticized Edition Pigeon Series Gothic by Agatha Christie 4.08 avg rating — 13 ratings score: 93, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Three Boys Missing: The Tragedy That Exposed the Pedophilia Underworld by James A. Jack 3.41 avg rating — 59 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
59	Agatha Christie Enhanced Clean Edition, The Mysterious Affair at Styles Annotated, Explained and Criticized by Agatha Christie 4.33 avg rating — 6 ratings score: 92, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
61	Agatha Christie Enhanced Private Edition: The Seven Dials Mystery Annotated, Illustrated, Criticized and Explained by Agatha Christie 3.80 avg rating — 10 ratings score: 91, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
62	The Predator Next Door: Detect, Protect and Recover from Betrayal by Darlene Ellison 3.88 avg rating — 17 ratings score: 90, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
63	Forgiving Troy: The Art-O-Biography by Thom Bierdz 3.97 avg rating — 182 ratings score: 85, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
64	Fatal Identity by Gina Barton 3.67 avg rating — 9 ratings score: 82, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
65	Twisted Confessions: The True Story Behind the Kitty Genovese and Barbara Kralik Murder Trials by Charles E. Skoller 4.06 avg rating — 35 ratings score: 81, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
66	Murder at Green Springs: The True Story of the Hall Case, Firestorm of Prejudices by J.K. Brandau (Goodreads Author) 3.74 avg rating — 23 ratings score: 80, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
67	Hunting the American Terrorist: The FBI's War on Homegrown Terror by Terry Turchie 3.97 avg rating — 29 ratings score: 76, and 1 person voted	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars