If you enjoy reading books by Thomas Thompson then you might also like the following authors:
Vincent Bugliosi was a prosecutor and writer known for his true crime books. In “Helter Skelter,” he recounts the Manson Family murders and his role as the prosecutor in the case.
The book goes into how Charles Manson manipulated his followers and the shocking violence that unfolded. Bugliosi explains how the evidence came together during the trial and what it took to secure convictions.
It’s an intense look at one of the most infamous cases in American history.
Ann Rule was a true crime author who had a knack for turning real-life cases into gripping narratives. In her book “The Stranger Beside Me,” she tells the story of Ted Bundy, one of America’s most infamous serial killers.
What’s chilling is that Ann knew Bundy personally before discovering the truth about him. She worked alongside him at a crisis hotline center, never suspecting the darkness behind his charming exterior.
The book captures how someone so seemingly normal could hide such horrors, and it offers a close-up look at how the case unfolded.
Truman Capote was a writer known for his vivid storytelling and attention to human behavior. One of his most famous works, “In Cold Blood”, tells the story of a brutal family murder in Kansas. Capote follows the lives of the killers, the victims, and the investigation.
The book weaves together real events with a narrative style that feels almost like fiction, offering a deep look into the crime’s impact on everyone involved. Fans of true crime might find it fascinating.
Joe McGinniss was an author known for exploring real-life events with a narrative style that pulls readers into the story.
One of his most well-known books, “Fatal Vision,” tells the chilling true story of Jeffrey MacDonald, a Green Beret doctor accused of murdering his wife and two daughters.
The book goes deep into MacDonald’s life, showing his charm and outward success, but also uncovering the darker truths behind the case. McGinniss spent time with MacDonald during the trial, offering an up-close look at his personality and the shocking crime.
Fans of Thomas Thompson might enjoy the same mix of crime, drama, and human focus.
Jon Krakauer is an author who explores true stories with a sharp eye for detail. In his book “Into the Wild,” he tells the story of Chris McCandless, a young man who left behind his comfortable life to wander across America and live in the wilderness of Alaska.
Through interviews and Chris’s own journal entries, Krakauer pieces together his journey and the choices that led him to an abandoned bus in the wild. The book gives a vivid look at adventure, isolation, and the search for meaning, making it unforgettable.
Dominick Dunne wrote novels that mix wealth, scandal, and the darker sides of privilege.
One of his most famous books, “An Inconvenient Woman,” tells the story of a rich and powerful man in Los Angeles whose secret affair with a cocktail waitress begins to unravel his carefully constructed life.
The book shows the divide between social classes and explores the lengths people will go to protect their reputations. With sharp dialogue and vivid characters, it feels like stepping inside the world of the elite, where every move has a hidden cost.
James Patterson is known for writing a wide range of stories that keep readers hooked from start to finish. In his nonfiction book “Filthy Rich,” Patterson explores the shocking rise and fall of Jeffrey Epstein.
The book recounts Epstein’s wealth, power, and the dark secrets he kept, showing how he manipulated others to evade justice for years. It’s an eye-opening look into a life built on lies and exploitation, revealing the lengths some will go to maintain control and influence.
Fans of true crime and investigative writing, like the style in Thomas Thompson’s works, will find this fascinating.
Norman Mailer was an American writer known for his bold storytelling and exploration of human nature.
One of his notable books, “The Executioner’s Song,” tells the true story of Gary Gilmore, a man who gained national attention after being convicted of two murders in Utah during the 1970s. Mailer digs into Gilmore’s life, the crimes, and the societal reactions to them.
The book also portrays the personal struggles of those connected to Gilmore, including his family and his girlfriend, Nicole. The almost documentary-like style makes the events feel raw and immediate, pulling readers into a real-life tragedy and its aftermath.
Jeff Guinn is an author who dives into true crime with a sharp eye for detail and a knack for storytelling that pulls you right into real events.
In his book “Manson: The Life and Times of Charles Manson,” Guinn explores Manson’s life from his troubled childhood to the creation of his infamous cult.
He reveals what shaped Manson’s manipulative traits and paints a vivid picture of how he gained such dangerous influence over his followers. If you’re drawn to deeply researched stories about real people, this could grab your attention.
Robert Graysmith is an author who dives into real-life mysteries and lays out the details piece by piece. One of his most well-known works is “Zodiac,” where he examines the Zodiac Killer case that terrorized California in the 1960s and 1970s.
The book gives an account of the murders, the taunting letters sent to newspapers, and the frustrating search for the person behind it all. Graysmith, who worked as a cartoonist at one of the newspapers targeted by the killer, shares his own experiences as well.
The storytelling is fact-based and draws from police files, interviews, and those cryptic messages that became such a chilling hallmark of the case.
Gregg Olsen writes books that pull readers into dark and true stories about crime. If you like Thomas Thompson, you might enjoy Olsen’s work. One of his most noted books, “If You Tell,” focuses on three sisters who endure their mother’s twisted cruelty.
The story follows how they grow up under her control, hold onto their bond, and find the strength to break free. The book brings the family’s secrets to light in a way that feels raw and unforgettable.
M. William Phelps is known for writing true crime stories that dig into the lives of both the criminals and their victims. One of his books, “Perfect Poison,” tells the story of Kristen Gilbert, a nurse who worked at a Veterans Affairs hospital.
Gilbert was charming and respected but had a dark secret. Patients under her care started dying unexpectedly, and alarming patterns began to emerge. As investigators pieced the truth together, her chilling motives came to light.
Phelps brings the details of the case forward in a way that pulls you into the lives impacted by her actions.
Kathryn Casey is a true crime author who writes narratives that feel close to the lives of both the victims and the people who investigate these cases.
In her book “Deadly Secrets,” she tells the story of a small-town nurse whose life seems perfect, but when her husband is killed in a supposed robbery, shocking layers of deceit and betrayal begin to surface.
Casey masterfully uncovers the lies and hidden motives, making you feel as though you’re right there alongside the investigators piecing it all together. Readers who enjoy Thomas Thompson’s focus on human drama and tragedy may find her work equally engrossing.
Diane Fanning writes true crime books that dive into the darker sides of humanity. If you’re into authors like Thomas Thompson, you might want to check out her book “Written in Blood.”
It follows the case of Michael Peterson, a novelist accused of killing his wife after she was found at the bottom of a staircase in their home. The story uncovers strange twists, such as the discovery that another woman in Michael’s past died under similar circumstances.
Fanning pieces together court testimonies, interviews, and evidence to paint a vivid picture of the events leading up to the trial and its aftermath.
Carlton Smith was a journalist who wrote true crime books that are hard to put down. One of his most well-known works, “Fatal Charm,” tells the story of a man named Randy Woodfield. He was a star athlete who led a double life as a dangerous predator.
Smith goes deep into the investigation, showing how law enforcement unraveled a case that shocked everyone involved. The way the book moves through the eerie twists of Randy’s life makes it easy to get lost in the story.
It’s a chilling reminder that appearances can be deceiving.