There’s something extra unsettling about reading a crime novel and realizing—it’s based on something that actually happened. The suspense, the horror, and the psychological tension hit differently when you know the story has roots in reality. Some of the most gripping crime novels are drawn from real cases, transforming true horrors into unforgettable fiction.
Here are some books that take inspiration from shocking real-life crimes:
‘The Perfect Nanny’ – A Chilling Story Inspired by a Real Nanny Crime
In 2012, a horrifying crime shook parents to their core. Yoselyn Ortega, a nanny trusted by the Krim family, was found guilty of murdering two children in her care—Leo and Lucia. Their mother, Marina Krim, discovered the gruesome scene when she returned home, with Ortega standing among the devastation after trying to end her own life.
This case deeply affected Leïla Slimani, inspiring her novel The Perfect Nanny. Rather than focusing on the crime itself, Slimani explores the psychological unraveling of a nanny who seems perfect—until she’s not. The book is a slow burn, filled with creeping dread that makes you question just how much you really know about the people around you.
‘The Wicked Girls’ – Echoes of the James Bulger Murder
Some crimes haunt people for generations, and the 1993 murder of 2-year-old James Bulger is one of them. Two 10-year-old boys, Jon Venables and Robert Thompson, abducted James from a shopping mall, leading him away to a tragic fate that still disturbs the world today.
Alex Marwood’s novel The Wicked Girls doesn’t directly retell this case, but it explores similar themes—what happens when children commit an unspeakable crime, and how society treats them later in life. The story jumps between past and present, following two women whose childhood crime still looms over them. It’s gripping, thought-provoking, and uncomfortable in all the right ways.
‘Into the Forest and All the Way Through’ – A Poetic Tribute to Missing Women
Poetry and true crime don’t usually mix, but Cynthia Pelayo’s Into the Forest and All the Way Through proves otherwise. Instead of a traditional novel, this collection of poems serves as a haunting tribute to missing and murdered women in the U.S.
Each poem paints a vivid picture of a woman’s life, disappearance, and the grief left behind. Some explore the final moments of the victims, while others focus on the lingering pain of their families. It’s heartbreaking, raw, and a powerful way to remember those who were taken too soon.
‘The Girl Next Door’ – A Brutal Retelling of the Sylvia Likens Case
Jack Ketchum’s The Girl Next Door is one of the most disturbing horror novels ever written—and it’s even more horrifying when you realize it’s based on a real case.
In 1965, 16-year-old Sylvia Likens was left in the care of Gertrude Baniszewski. What followed was months of unthinkable abuse, with Baniszewski, her children, and other neighborhood kids taking part in her torture. Sylvia’s suffering only ended when she died from her injuries.
Ketchum’s novel follows a similar story, capturing the psychological and physical torment of a young girl in a way that many readers find almost unbearable. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it forces readers to confront the darkest depths of human cruelty.
‘Exquisite Corpse’ – A Disturbing Nod to Jeffrey Dahmer
Poppy Z. Brite’s Exquisite Corpse is a horror novel that pushes boundaries, following two serial killers who form a twisted connection. The book’s themes of necrophilia, cannibalism, and extreme violence have made it controversial—but its inspiration is even more unsettling.
The novel borrows elements from the crimes of Jeffrey Dahmer, one of history’s most infamous serial killers. From its eerie opening scene (where a killer is presumed dead but isn’t) to its deep dive into depravity, the book is a disturbing reflection of Dahmer’s real-life horrors. It also touches on the stigma faced by the LGBTQ+ community during the height of the HIV/AIDS crisis, adding another layer to its unsettling narrative.
‘Black Water’ – A Fictionalized Version of the Chappaquiddick Incident
Joyce Carol Oates is known for dark, unsettling fiction, and Black Water is no exception. While she never confirmed it’s based on the 1969 Chappaquiddick incident, the parallels are undeniable.
That year, Senator Ted Kennedy’s car went off a bridge with young political staffer Mary Jo Kopechne inside. Kennedy escaped, but Kopechne drowned, and he didn’t report the accident until the next morning.
In Oates’s novel, the story unfolds from the perspective of a young woman trapped in a sinking car after leaving a party with a powerful senator. As she struggles to survive, her panicked thoughts unravel, creating a gripping and tragic read.
‘The Mystery of Marie Rogêt’ – Edgar Allan Poe’s Take on a Real Murder
Even in the 1800s, real crimes inspired fiction. In 1841, Mary Cecilia Rogers—known as “The Beautiful Cigar Girl”—was found dead in the Hudson River. The case sparked intense speculation, with theories ranging from foul play to a botched abortion.
Edgar Allan Poe, fascinated by the mystery, used it as the basis for The Mystery of Marie Rogêt. He even claimed to have solved the case within his novel, though the real crime was never officially resolved. Some say Poe was paid to write the story to steer blame away from a wealthy suspect—making the mystery even more intriguing.
‘To Die For’ – A Twisted Take on the Pamela Smart Case
In 1990, a murder case shocked the nation: 16-year-old Billy Flynn killed Gregg Smart, allegedly under the influence of Gregg’s wife, Pamela Smart. Pamela, a school staff member, had been romantically involved with Flynn and was accused of manipulating him into committing murder.
Joyce Maynard’s novel To Die For reimagines this case with a fictional character, Suzanne Maretto—an ambitious woman who will stop at nothing to achieve fame, even if it means having her husband killed. The book satirizes media obsession with crime, but it also plays into the infamous image of Pamela Smart as a cold and calculating femme fatale.
When Reality Feeds Fiction
The books above prove that sometimes, truth is more terrifying than fiction. Whether inspired by unsolved mysteries, infamous murders, or horrifying tragedies, these novels blur the lines between reality and storytelling. They remind us that the darkest stories aren’t always made up—sometimes, they’re pulled straight from the real world.
