A Cold Case simply refers to an investigation that is as yet unsolved, some of them can stay that way for decades at a time. The following books go over the available evidence in an effort to solve these cold cases. In the mood for sleuthing? Have a look at these.
Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases by Paul Holes & Robin Gaby Fisher
From the detective who helped catch the Golden State Killer, this gripping memoir explores the emotional toll and moral complexity of solving America’s toughest cold cases. Haunted by nightmares and personal sacrifices, he reflects on a career driven by justice, obsession, and the promise he makes to every victim: to do his best to find the truth—no matter the cost.
The Betrayal of Anne Frank: A Cold Case Investigation by Rosemary Sullivan
Reveals the results of a groundbreaking cold case investigation into who betrayed the Frank family—and why. Led by a retired FBI agent, an international team used new technology and never-before-seen documents to piece together the mystery that has haunted generations. Rosemary Sullivan brings wartime Amsterdam to life while uncovering a chilling, long-buried truth.
Lay Them to Rest: On the Road with the Cold Case Investigators Who Identify the Nameless by Laurah Norton
Explores the evolving world of forensic science through the real-life mystery of “Ina Jane Doe,” whose identity has remained unknown since 1993. Written by The Fall Line podcast host Laurah Norton, the book traces the history of forensic techniques—from ancient death masks to modern 3D reconstructions—while highlighting the experts working to solve cold cases and give voice to the forgotten. It’s a compelling, emotional journey into how science, persistence, and advocacy are reshaping justice.
The Forever Witness: How Genetic Genealogy Solved a Cold Case Double Murder by Edward Humes
After 30 years, Detective Jim Scharf cracked the double murder of Tanya Van Cuylenborg and Jay Cook using forensic genealogy, partnering with DNA expert CeCe Moore to make history. The Forever Witness not only tells the gripping story of a long-cold case solved, but also explores the ethical battle between solving crimes and protecting genetic privacy. With thousands of unsolved murders still lingering, the book asks: how far should we go in the name of justice?
Submerged: How a Cold Case Condemned an Innocent Man to Hide a Family’s Darkest Secret by Hillel Levin
A powerful investigation into the wrongful conviction of Jason Tibbs for the 1993 murder of sixteen-year-old Rayna Rison, exposing how justice went astray in small-town Indiana. Hillel Levin reveals how politics, legal missteps, and ignored evidence led to an innocent man’s imprisonment while the real suspect walked free. Through meticulous research, the book sheds light on a tragic case of family abuse, systemic failure, and the urgent need for accountability.
The Forest City Killer: A Serial Murderer, a Cold-Case Sleuth, and a Search for Justice by Vanessa Brown
Revisits a chilling string of unsolved murders in 1960s London, Ontario, where a predator—or possibly multiple—terrorized the community. Researcher Vanessa Brown reopens the case using files from detective Dennis Alsop, uncovering new evidence and shocking revelations. Her investigation suggests the killer may still be alive—and that a single DNA test could finally bring justice.
The Lazarus Files: A Cold Case Investigation by Matthew McGough
Tells the gripping true story of Sherri Rasmussen’s 1986 murder, a case that went cold until DNA evidence exposed an unlikely killer: veteran LAPD detective Stephanie Lazarus, the victim’s husband’s ex-girlfriend. Journalist Matthew McGough unpacks the love triangle, the flawed investigation, and the troubling possibility of police protection and cover-up. It’s a chilling exploration of justice delayed—and the secrets that may still lie within the LAPD.
Murder in Canaryville: The True Story Behind a Cold Case and a Chicago Cover-Up by Jeff Coen
Follows Chicago Detective James Sherlock as he reopens the 1976 cold-case murder of John Hughes, a teen with ties to the Chicago Outfit. What begins as a routine file review unravels into a story of police corruption, mob influence, and political cover-up reaching as high as Mayor Richard J. Daley. Refusing to walk away, Sherlock risks his retirement to uncover the truth buried for over forty years.
The Princes in the Tower: How History’s Greatest Cold Case Was Solved by Philippa Langley
Presents Philippa Langley’s groundbreaking investigation into the centuries-old mystery of Edward V and his brother’s disappearance in 1483. Using cold-case methodology and newly uncovered archival evidence, Langley challenges the long-held belief that Richard III ordered their murder. Her findings offer a dramatic reassessment of one of England’s most enduring historical enigmas.
Cold Cases: A True Crime Collection: Unidentified Serial Killers, Unsolved Kidnappings, and Mysterious Murders by Cheyna Roth
Dives into some of the world’s most infamous unsolved crimes—from the Zodiac Killer and JonBenét Ramsey to the Gardner Museum heist and D.B. Cooper. Packed with case facts, chilling details, and popular theories, it’s perfect for true crime fans and armchair detectives eager to explore the mysteries that still haunt us. Each chapter reads like your favorite podcast, blending deep research with compelling storytelling.
The Lowcountry Murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle: A Cold Case Solved by Lt. Rita Y. Shuler
For decades, the 1978 murder of Gwendolyn Elaine Fogle remained Walterboro’s top cold case, haunting investigators like Lieutenant Rita Shuler even after her retirement. In 2015, Shuler and Corporal Gean Johnson uncovered overlooked evidence and, using modern forensic technology, solved the case in just four months. Shuler now recounts the chilling story behind the long-awaited justice.
Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infamous Cold Case by Lou Raguse
Based on hundreds of interviews, Vanished in Vermillion exposes the biggest law enforcement failure in South Dakota history. When teens Pam Jackson and Sherri Miller vanished in 1971, early investigators did too little—and decades later, others did far too much. As two families await answers, a third is drawn into a growing web of tragedy and missteps.
The Carpool Detectives: A True Story of Four Moms, Two Bodies, and One Mysterious Cold Case by Chuck Hogan
During the pandemic, four true-crime-loving moms reopen a cold case and uncover shocking new evidence. Their amateur sleuthing leads to a reopened investigation—and real danger. A gripping true story of unlikely heroes.
A Murder on Campus: The Professor, the Cop, and North Carolina’s Most Notorious Cold Case by Brian & Cameron Santana
Written by a cop and an English professor—brothers with very different backgrounds—A Murder on Campus unravels the brutal 1973 killing of 19-year-old Virginia Olson, one of North Carolina’s most infamous cold cases. Spanning 50 years and multiple investigations, the book reveals the shocking truth behind the murder that haunted a community for decades.
Murder on Easey Street: Melbourne’s Most Notorious Cold Case by Helen Thomas
In 1977, Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett were brutally murdered in their Collingwood home while a baby slept nearby—a crime that remains one of Melbourne’s most infamous unsolved cases. Over 40 years later, journalist Helen Thomas revisits the chilling Easey Street murders, uncovering new leads and long-buried contradictions in a case that still haunts the city.
Met Her on the Mountain: A Forty-year Quest to Solve the Appalachian Cold-Case Murder of Nancy Morgan by Mark I. Pinsky
In 1970, federal worker Nancy Morgan was found murdered in Madison County, NC—a case marred by a botched investigation and lingering questions. Decades later, journalist Mark Pinsky retraces the mystery, exploring local corruption, buried evidence, and his own decades-long pursuit of justice. Blends true crime with political history in a haunting tale of Appalachian noir.
The Napa Murder of Anita Fagiani: A Cold Case that Caught a Serial Killer by Raymond A Guadagni
In 1974, Anita Fagiani Andrews was brutally murdered in her Napa bar, a crime that remained unsolved for 37 years. Decades later, DNA evidence led to a shocking breakthrough—her killer, already imprisoned for another murder, was finally brought to justice. Retired judge Raymond A. Guadagni recounts the case and the trial he ultimately presided over.
True Identity: Cracking the Oldest Kidnapping Cold Case and Finding My Missing Twin by Paul Joseph Fronczak & Alex Tresniowski
As a child, Paul Fronczak discovered he wasn’t who he thought he was—decades after being returned to a family whose baby had been kidnapped in 1964. A DNA test confirmed the shocking truth, launching Paul into a search for the real kidnapped child, his missing twin sister, and his own true identity. A gripping journey through three intertwined mysteries and one man’s quest for answers.
Cold Case BC: The Stories Behind the Province’s Most Sensational Murder and Missing Persons Cases by Eve Lazarus
Crime historian Eve Lazarus investigates some of British Columbia’s most haunting unsolved murders and disappearances, from a teenage girl killed after a bus ride home to the long-mysterious identities of the “Babes in the Woods.” Drawing on interviews and new forensic insights, Lazarus sheds light on cold cases dating back to WWII, revealing the province’s dark and often forgotten criminal past.
Cold Case North: The Search for James Brady and Absolom Halkett by Michael Nest, Reder Deanna & Eric Bell
Tells the story of Métis activist James Brady and Cree leader Absolom Halkett, who vanished in 1967 amid rumors of political intrigue and murder. For decades, police missteps left the case cold, but a determined team, with help from the Indigenous community, uncovered new evidence and exposed investigative failures in one of Canada’s most enduring mysteries.
The Last Master Outlaw: How He Outfoxed the FBI Six Times — but Not a Cold Case Team by Thomas J. Colbert
In 1971, a skyjacker known as D.B. Cooper parachuted from a jet with $200,000 and vanished, sparking a decades-long mystery. A citizen sleuth and his forty-member cold case team—led by former FBI agents—believe they’ve finally unmasked the fugitive after a five-year investigation. The Last Master Outlaw traces the suspect’s astonishing double life, told through gripping accounts from six women who knew him best.
The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek by Blaine Lee Pardoe & Victoria Hester
On August 16, 1982, Maggie Hume was brutally murdered in her Battle Creek, Michigan apartment, a case that remains unsolved. Award-winning author Blaine Pardoe and his daughter Victoria Hester uncover decades of evidence, revealing long-buried secrets and political turmoil that plagued the investigation. Drawing from documents, interviews, and videos, they present the case’s full details to the public for the first time.
The Westside Park Murders: Muncie’s Most Notorious Cold Case by Keith Roysdon & Douglas Walker
On a September night in 1985, teenagers Kimberly Dowell and Ethan Dixon were murdered in Westside Park, Muncie, Indiana—a case that went cold for decades. Despite early suspicions and bizarre theories, the killer was never charged. Now, journalists Keith Roysdon and Douglas Walker reveal the full story, including the long-hidden prime suspect’s name, for the first time.
The Skeleton Crew: How Amateur Sleuths are Solving America’s Coldest Cases by Deborah Halber
Explores the strange, obsessive world of amateur web sleuths who race to match missing persons with unidentified remains. With over 40,000 unaccounted-for dead in the U.S., these DIY detectives scour online clues and facial reconstructions in a macabre quest to solve cold cases. It’s a deep dive into identity, obsession, and the power of the internet to turn ordinary people into digital crime solvers.
To Hunt a Killer: The gripping true crime story solving the Melanie Road cold case by Julie Mackay & Robert Murphy
In 1984, 17‑year‑old Melanie Road was murdered in Bath, and despite Britain’s largest manhunt, the case went cold. Twenty‑five years later, Detective Superintendent Julie Mackay—an overlooked single mother—reopened the file, pursued a rare blood‑type clue, and, with Melanie’s mother’s help, finally unmasked the killer. This award‑winning true‑crime account captures the investigative missteps, relentless determination, and ultimate justice that followed a 32‑year wait.
Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery by Robert Kolker
Investigates the true story of a Long Island serial killer and the lives of the online escorts he targeted. Blending true crime with social commentary, it explores unsolved murders, the hidden world of internet sex work, and the secrets society prefers to ignore.
The Cases That Haunt Us by John E. Douglas & Mark Olshaker
FBI profiling legend John Douglas and Mark Olshaker revisit history’s most infamous unsolved crimes—from Jack the Ripper to JonBenét Ramsey. Using cutting-edge profiling techniques, they challenge long-held beliefs, reexamine the evidence, and present compelling new theories. The result is a gripping, provocative look at the mysteries that continue to captivate and confound.
The Man from the Train: The Solving of a Century-Old Serial Killer Mystery by Bill James
Baseball statistician and true crime sleuth Bill James applies forensic-level data analysis to uncover the identity of a forgotten serial killer who bludgeoned families near train tracks across America between 1898 and 1912. Alongside his daughter Rachel, James connects dozens of unsolved murders—including the infamous Villisca case—and reveals how a flawed justice system and disconnected law enforcement allowed the killer to roam undetected. Their groundbreaking investigation rewrites a chilling chapter of American criminal history.
True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner
Follows investigative journalist James Renner as he dives into the baffling 2004 disappearance of college student Maura Murray—and his own unraveling along the way. What begins as a search for answers becomes a gripping, personal journey into obsession, trauma, and the darker side of true crime fandom. It’s both a chilling mystery and a raw memoir of a life consumed by the hunt for truth.
If I Can’t Have You: Susan Powell, Her Mysterious Disappearance, and the Murder of Her Children by Gregg Olsen & Rebecca Morris
Investigates the heartbreaking disappearance of Susan Powell and the horrific murder of her two sons by their father, Josh Powell. What began as a puzzling missing persons case in 2009 unraveled into a dark saga of obsession, family dysfunction, and unimaginable violence. With each revelation, the case exposed deeper horrors, making it one of the most disturbing true crimes of the 21st century.
Trailed: One Woman’s Quest to Solve the Shenandoah Murders by Kathryn Miles
Miles’s gripping investigation into the 1996 murders of Julie Williams and Lollie Winans, a young couple killed while backpacking in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park. As Miles digs into the cold case, she uncovers evidence of missteps, cover-ups, and a likely wrongful accusation—ultimately identifying a new suspect. Both a haunting true crime narrative and a searing look at how violence against women is mishandled in the American wilderness, this is a powerful quest for justice.
The Cold Vanish: Seeking the Missing in North America’s Wildlands by Jon Billman
Explores the haunting phenomenon of people who disappear without a trace in the wilderness—and the obsessive, often eccentric individuals who dedicate their lives to finding them. Centered on the search for Jacob Gray in Olympic National Park, the book weaves in other baffling cases and the colorful searchers who step in when official efforts fall short. It’s a gripping, poignant look at loss, obsession, and the mysteries that linger in America’s wild places.
Bone Deep: Untangling the Betsy Faria Murder Case by Charles Bosworth Jr & Joel J. Schwartz
Tells the shocking true story of Betsy Faria’s 2011 murder and the wrongful conviction of her husband, Russ, despite overwhelming evidence of his innocence. Defense attorney Joel Schwartz exposes how police and prosecutors ignored key facts while the real killer—Pamela Hupp, Betsy’s newly named life insurance beneficiary—walked free and killed again. Based on firsthand accounts and never-before-revealed details, this is a chilling look at a justice system gone wrong.
JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation by Steve Thomas
Former lead detective Steve Thomas offers a gripping, insider account of the infamous murder case that stunned the nation. Thomas examines how the investigation was mishandled from the start, raising serious questions about police missteps, overlooked evidence, and the Ramsey family’s suspicious behavior. Drawing on his firsthand experience, he presents a bold and controversial analysis of what really happened to JonBenét Ramsey.
Black Dahlia, Red Rose: The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America’s Greatest Unsolved Murder by Piu Marie Eatwell
A gripping, noir-style retelling of the infamous 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, whose brutal death became one of America’s most haunting cold cases. Drawing on newly unredacted FBI and LAPD files and exclusive interviews, Eatwell uncovers fresh evidence and identifies a compelling suspect, cutting through decades of myth and media distortion. With a lawyer’s precision and a storyteller’s flair, she brings new clarity to a mystery that has captivated the nation for over seventy years.
Murder in the Bayou: Who Killed the Women Known as the Jeff Davis 8? by Ethan Brown
Investigates the unsolved murders of eight women in Jennings, Louisiana, between 2005 and 2009—known as the Jeff Davis 8. Journalist Ethan Brown challenges the serial killer theory pushed by authorities, uncovering a web of police corruption, systemic failure, and overlooked truths about the victims’ lives. Through deep reporting and newly revealed case files, Brown exposes a chilling story of power, exploitation, and justice denied.
College Girl, Missing: The True Story of How a Young Woman Disappeared in Plain Sight by Shawn Cohen
The haunting true story of Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old Indiana University student who vanished without a trace after a night out with classmates. Despite eyewitness accounts, surveillance footage, and national media attention, the investigation stalled—surrounded by rumors, conflicting testimony, and powerful connections. With access to new evidence and Lauren’s family, this gripping account exposes the failures in the case and the lingering question: what really happened to Lauren Spierer?
Gone at Midnight: The Tragic True Story Behind the Unsolved Internet Sensation by Jake Anderson
Investigates the mysterious 2013 death of Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old student whose body was found in a water tank atop L.A.’s notorious Cecil Hotel after a disturbing viral video captured her final moments. Journalist Jake Anderson dives deep into the case—examining police missteps, internet speculation, and Elisa’s own writings—uncovering troubling evidence of a possible cover-up. Blending true crime with personal reflection, Anderson sheds new light on one of the internet’s most haunting mysteries.
In Light of All Darkness: Inside the Polly Klaas Kidnapping and the Search for America’s Child by Kim Cross
Recounts the harrowing 1993 kidnapping of 12-year-old Polly Klaas from her California home and the massive FBI manhunt that followed. With access to case files, confessions, and firsthand accounts, Kim Cross reveals how this landmark case transformed crime scene investigation and forever changed how the FBI handles abductions. Gripping and deeply human, it’s a behind-the-scenes look at one of the most pivotal true-crime stories in modern history.
While Idaho Slept: The Hunt for Answers in the Murders of Four College Students by J. Reuben Appelman
Explores the shocking 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students and the intense media, public, and online frenzy that followed. Author J. Reuben Appelman blends investigative insight with human empathy, delving into the victims’ lives, the mind of the accused, and the impact of citizen sleuths on modern homicide cases. More than a true-crime account, it’s a sobering reflection on our cultural obsession with murder in the digital age.
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