Best Non-Fiction Unsolved Murder Mysteries

Even with advances in modern forensics, there are still some cases that continue to baffle investigators. Some are murders that date back to historical times, while others are more recent. Thanks to the internet, it is easy to find information about these cold cases and share new theories or observations with others intrigued by the mysteries. However, many cases will most likely continue to remain unsolved as no further evidence is found or public interest dies down. For murders that range from the mysterious to the baffling, here are some of the best books for fans of unsolved cold cases.

Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery

by Robert Kolker

Lost Girls by Robert Kolker is the true story of Shannan Gilbert, a twenty-four-year-old who vanished in 2010. She was last seen running through the oceanfront community of Oak Beach screaming for her life on a late spring evening, but nobody knew who or what she was fleeing from. Shannan was a Craigslist escort, and nobody paid much attention to her disappearance until seven months later, when four bodies were uncovered alongside a nearby highway. Although none of the victims, who were wrapped in burlap, were Shannan, they were all escorts who advertised on Craigslist. Lost Girls examines this unsolved crime and, through interviews with the friends and families, shows how they ended up on the path that ultimately led to their deaths.

Has it Come to This: The Mysterious, Unsolved Murder of Frank Richardson

by Kimberly Tilley

Has it Come to This by Kimberly Tilley examines an unsolved murder that occurred on Christmas Eve of 1900 in Savannah, Missouri. The title refers to the last words uttered by the victim, Frank Richardson before he died. Frank was a wealthy merchant who was shot dead in his home by a killer who was never found. During the investigation, Frank's secret life was exposed to the world, and the list of suspects included everyone from his former paramour to his charming wife and a young clerk, of whom Frank was known to be insanely jealous. In this book, Tilley presents all the facts and examines the murder, investigation, prosecution as well as court case. Readers will also appreciate the author sharing her own conclusions about the case and looking at the different theories that have emerged over the years.

Frankie - A Life Cut Short

by Ronald Evans

Frankie - ALife Cut Short by Ronald Evans is a look at the life and unsolved murder mystery of Frances S. Bullock. Frankie was a widow who, at age 40, was brutally stabbed to death at her home. The crime happened in July of 1963 in the small mountain town of Franklin, North Carolina, and continues to remain unsolved. The author, who is a native of Franklin and shares the same ancestral background as the victim, has followed the investigative events of this murder for decades and presents all of the known facts about the case. This book also looks into the family history of the victim and events that could have led to her death.

The DC Dead Girls Club: A Vintage True Crime Story of Four Unsolved Murders in Washington DC

by Jason Lucky Morrow

The DC Dead Girls Club by Jason Lucky Morrow is the true story of four unsolved murders that occurred in the nation's capital between 1929 and 1935. While none of the deaths appeared to have any connection to each other, the four women shared similar headlines in the newspapers, and the crimes remain unsolved to this day. The murders occurred between 1929 and 1935, with each of the four women murdered violently and brutally. Morrow presents all four cases in an easy-to-read manner and examines the lives of the victims along with evidence turned up by the investigations. This book also highlights how different police work was conducted back when all the modern advances taken for granted these days were not yet available.

A Lingering Evil: The Unsolved Murder of Buford Lolley

by K Smith, Jeffrey

A Lingering Evil by Jeffrey K. Smith deals with the unsolved murder of Buford Lolley. This 51-year-old Enterprise, Alabama, resident was brutally murdered early in January 1968. Afterward, it took almost nine years before a suspect was arrested, but he was later acquitted of the murder charges. Smith, a native of Enterprise, Alabama, conducted personal interviews with the town residents about the case. A Lingering Evil reexamines the crime and its aftermath in an objective light and tells the story of the man who was almost certainly falsely accused of murder.

The North Country Murder of Irene Izak: Stained by Her Blood

by Dave Shampine

The North Country Murder of Irene Izak by Dave Shampine takes a look at the death of a young French teacher. Irene Izak was making her way from Scranton, Pennsylvania, to Quebec in June of 1968 with the promise of a new life. Unfortunately, the last time she was seen alive was at two in the morning by a toll collector at Thousand Island Bridge. According to the witness, Irene seemed to be visibly afraid, and less than thirty minutes later, she was found bludgeoned to death in a ravine. Nobody knew why she had pulled off the interstate and abandoned her car before she was bludgeoned to death. With no signs of robbery or sexual assault, the motives for her murder were also a mystery. This book offers some insights into what might have happened and how some evidence might have been covered up during the investigation.