The Evolution of True Crime Writing: Old Books That Paved the Way

True crime writing has a long and fascinating history, with roots dating back to the 19th century. The evolution of true crime writing can be traced through the development of the genre and the changing styles of the authors. Here are some examples of old true crime books that paved the way for the genre:

1. "An Account of the Murders of Mary-Ann Milliner, Elizabeth Godfrey, and Sarah Milliner" by James Wentworth Day (1812): This is considered as one of the earliest examples of true crime writing in the English language. It is a detailed account of a triple murder that took place in London in 1811, written by a reporter who covered the trial. This book is considered as a pioneering work in true crime genre, it is a firsthand account of the crime and the trial, and it was one of the first to be written in the style of a novel.

2. "The Newgate Calendar" by Various authors (1774-1874): This was a series of biographies of notorious criminals, published in London from the 18th to the 19th century. The Newgate Calendar was a best-seller and it was widely read and discussed by the general public. It is considered as a significant work in the development of true crime writing and it is considered as one of the first examples of the genre.

3. "The Celebrated Criminal Cases of America" by Thomas S. Duke (1910) This book is a collection of true crime stories from the 19th century and early 20th century. it is considered as one of the first true crime books to be published in America and it is considered as a significant work in the development of the genre. The book was widely read and it was praised for its detailed account of the crimes and the criminal justice system.

4. "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote (1966): This book is considered as a seminal work in true crime writing. It is a nonfiction novel that tells the story of a brutal murder in Kansas in 1959. Capote's book was a bestseller and it was widely praised for its literary merit and its journalistic style. It is considered as one of the first examples of "new journalism" and it has had a major influence on the genre.