Gifts for True-Crime Fanatics That Will Slay — in a Good Way
Most of us have someone in our lives who can't stop binging episodes of "Unsolved Mysteries," who's forever streaming the latest true-crime podcast from their phone, or just eagerly awaiting the latest Netflix documentary in that genre. If you're looking for a gift for the true-crime enthusiast in your life, you're likely to find the perfect choice among these options, which include books, games, cold case challenges, and plenty more.
Prices and availability are subject to change.
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$24/month and up from Cratejoy
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Give your true-crime fanatic the chance to solve his or her own mystery with this monthly box featuring "immersive scenarios, intriguing characters, and original compelling stories."
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$7 from Etsy
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This cute, clever, and creepy serial-killer themed tea towel features illustrations of some of history's most notorious murderers.
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$23 and up from Etsy
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Here's a comfy unisex sweatshirt for that special someone in your life who just can't get enough of the gritty world of true crime. It comes in a variety of different colors, too.
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$27 from Amazon
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Each of these unsolved crime files involves figuring out three mysteries in order to solve a cold case. The kit "includes over 50 evidence photos and documents for you to investigate including newspaper articles, crime scene photographs, evidence report, coroners report ... and much more."
$47 from Mystery Party
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Purchase of this game provides an instant PDF download that lets your true-crime fan host his or her own murder mystery party game. It includes invitations for 10 to 16 guests, three rounds of game play, instructions, and more.
$13 from Amazon
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These themed socks, which feature crime scene tape and murder victim outlines, make a great gift for a true-crime enthusiast.
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$17 from Amazon
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Each page in this calendar includes facts, details, survivor stories, and more info about some of history's most morbid and murderous tales. It'll likely lead your recipient to research some crimes they've never heard of before.
$15 from Amazon
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This 352-page book uses infographics, timelines, and detailed writing to help readers understand how crucial moments in history created opportunity for crime, how forensic methods have evolved, how sting operations played out, and more.
$12 from Target
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This book offers 20 different "diabolical cases" that can be worked out using puzzle-solving skills.
$20 from Amazon
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This T-shirt advocating for "Murder Shows & Comfy Clothes" comes in men's and women's sizes and four colors.
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$12 from Amazon
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This book will let the true-crime lover on your list test their "serial killer knowledge, complete puzzles, discover new podcasts, books, & documentaries, write out your unsolved theories," and much more.
$10 from Look Human
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This mug will give them something to sip from as they're engrossed in the very thing they love.
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$38 from Amazon
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Author Sue Black is a renowned forensic anthropologist and human anatomist. Publisher's Weekly called her book "a perceptive study of a subject both deeply uncomfortable and uncommonly engrossing."
$33 from Amazon
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This jacket might not make them a real detective, but it could make them feel more like one, especially if they're solving some of the challenges presented by other items in this gift guide.
$2 and up from Etsy
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This simple and inexpensive gift comes in three colors, or get a pack of all three.
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$35 from Etsy
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This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle features a stylized illustration of serial killer H.H. Holmes' 1886 Chicago-based "Murder Castle."
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$19 from Amazon
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Released earlier this year, this book by Sarah Weinman was hailed by NPR as "one of the best true-crime books of the year," and by Booklist as "essential reading for all true-crime fans."
$15 from Amazon
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This 312-page book is meant to "horrify and intrigue readers." It answers questions including which serial killer was captured because of a bloody footprint left on his victim and how one mass murderer was able to get away with selling his victims' skeletons to medical students.
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$30 from Target
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This game from Hunt a Killer will have them decoding ciphers, piecing together clues, and solving other problems to discover who the killer is.
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$25 from Amazon
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From the two women who brought true-crime fans the podcast "My Favorite Murder" comes this book, a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestseller.
$62 from Amazon
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For even more of a challenge for amateur sleuths, grab one of these kits inspired by a true crime. It includes more evidence than just fingerprints to discover, full access to the case file (internet required), and more.
$10 from Amazon
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Inspired by the tagline for the popular Crime Junkie podcast, here's another mug gift option for a true-crime fan.
$13 from Amazon
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This spiral-bound book of more than 100 brain teasers features mazes, logic puzzles, anagrams, cryptograms, DNA sequence matches, and more.
$55/month and up from Cratejoy
If your true-crime fan is more of a reader and less of a watcher or listener, he or she will love this subscription gift, which includes four books in each shipment that fall into the crime, thriller, or mystery genres.
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$17 from Amazon
Nothing goes with true crime quite like a glass of wine, right? This will give your true-crime junkie something to sip on as he or she ponders how to escape others' tragic fate (hint: lock your doors and windows).
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$20 and up from Amazon
For the person who loves their cat as much as they watching the horrible destinies of other peoples' lives.
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$10 from Etsy
An Etsy bestseller, this keychain includes a couple of true-crime truisms, including "Stay sexy don't get murdered" and "The husband definitely did it."
$30 from Amazon
No matter how much she loves them, true-crime shows are likely to make her feel a little less safe when she's out in the world. This personal safety alarm activates a loud siren and flashing strobe when activated — enough ruckus to scare off any potential threat and guarantee she's never the subject of a show in her favorite genre. Comes in five colors.
$15 from Amazon
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This PopSocket ironically and amusingly juxtaposes a pretty and colorful flower design with this statement: "My favorite podcasts are about murders."
$28 and up from Etsy
This sweatshirt, which comes in sizes small through 2XL and — appropriately — in black, proclaims a crime junkie life rule: "Be Weird. Be Rude. Stay Alive."
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