It seems that true crime is all the rage now in pop culture, from books and podcasts to movies and TV shows. This could very well be because a good whodunit is truly timeless, from Truman Capote’s classic and groundbreaking In Cold Blood (1966) to Thien Ho’s 2025 hit The People vs. the Golden State Killer.

But the genre does come with its own set of unique considerations that can often throw writers off before they even have a chance to get started. Avoid the common pitfalls with a few musts to keep in mind when trying your hand at true crime.

Be truthful
It’s not called true crime for nothing! The biggest draw for this genre is the fact that everything written in the book is just that: true. This means that, above all, you have to make sure all of the details surrounding the crime that you choose to write about are factual and accurate. Not only does this help you gain a sense of trust from your readers, but it is morally and legally the right thing to do in regards to the victims, their family and friends, the perpetrators, the law enforcement team that initially investigated the crime, and anyone else involved.

If you’re ever tempted to fudge a bit for embellishment, remember that defamation is a very serious legal charge that can be brought to someone who spreads harmful disinformation about another person. This means that you must be very clear and careful about what you posit as an opinion and what you put forth as actual fact.

Be respectful
True crime can be an emotionally fraught genre, filled with victims and victims’ loved ones who may still be coping with the events. If you’re at all uncomfortable with diving into a crime that can potentially affect those who experienced it, I highly recommend tackling an event that happened so far in the past that no one connected to it is still alive. Think Jack the Ripper–type periods of history.

If you’re bound and determined to write about something more modern, consider exploring a crime that didn’t actually result in anyone’s death. Perhaps bank robberies, Ponzi schemes, or other low-level conmen shenanigans. Regardless of what you decide to write about, keep in mind that everyone who makes it into your book is a real-life person who has undergone terrible things. Treat them—and your characterization of them in your book—with respect.

Research, research, research
It should come as no surprise that the very foundation of a good true crime book is the extent to which the author researches. Take a look at what’s out there before settling on a crime about which you feel passionate. Common places that writers tend to look for such events include newspaper articles, court papers, and police reports.

Once you’ve decided on a crime for your book, the deep research begins. If it’s an ongoing investigation, consider attending the trial. For investigations that have concluded fairly recently, you can try your luck at contacting any law enforcement or lawyers involved to see if they are willing to be interviewed. Reaching out to the family and friends of those directly affected is also a possibility, but this should only be done if it will not cause emotional harm.

Once you’ve concluded your research, it helps to organize it into a timeline of events that will mimic the overall framing structure of your book. Doing this in advance can save you a lot of time and headache once you actually sit down to write.

Craft an immersive experience
While what you write about will be true, keep in mind that you’re not producing a newspaper article or academic journal essay—you’re writing a book! That means using all of the storytelling techniques that you’ve been honing to create an immersive experience for your readers. Focus on establishing a vivid sense of the settings involved, with rich details that will transport your audience into the where and when.

Paint dynamic portraits of the people involved, from their physical features to more subtle attributes defined by their unique and particular personalities. When you build a world that readers can climb into, you’ll make the crime all the more impactful by having your audience already invested in the book’s community. Just avoid sensationalizing those involved, and especially the crime itself. Going into too much graphic detail—particularly when discussing more heinous crimes, like murder—simply comes across as tacky and lurid.

After all, you’re not writing a horror novel where blood and guts are the norm. The best test of a good true crime writer is the ability to portray sometimes horrific events with an overarching sense of empathy and human awareness.

Andrea Moran lives outside of Nashville with her husband and two kids. She’s a professional copywriter and editor who loves all things books. Find her on LinkedIn.