Best Criminology Books

This gripping nonfiction book explores the brutal murder of a Kansas family and the subsequent investigation, trial, and execution of the killers. With meticulous detail and astounding empathy, Truman Capote reconstructs the events and personalities surrounding the crime, including the truly chilling young killers. In Cold Blood is a masterful example of literary journalism that will leave readers breathless.

This comprehensive introduction to criminology covers theory, method, and criminal behavior, with a focus on crime typologies. Topics include organized crime, white collar crime, political crime, and environmental crime. The book features new content on relevant topics such as the #MeToo movement, opioid crisis, and cyberbullying. It includes application exercises, updated crime and media sections, and new learning check questions to aid comprehension.

This groundbreaking book has had a massive impact on the criminal justice reform movement. Written by Michelle Alexander, it argues that America has simply redesigned racial caste instead of ending it. With citations in judicial decisions, adoption in community-wide reads, and the inspiration for the creation of the Marshall Project and the Art for Justice Fund, this book has won prestigious prizes and spent over 250 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. A new 10th-anniversary edition includes a preface by the author discussing the book's impact and the state of criminal justice reform today.

Explore the themes, theories, and methods of criminology through Tim Newburn's comprehensive and accessible book. Perfect for undergraduate courses, this bestselling edition covers everything from politics to historic child abuse, using real crime data and analysis of trends. With a fully updated companion website featuring exam questions and a live Twitter feed from the author, this authoritative text is essential for students of criminology and criminal justice.