
As American Crime Story: The People v. O.J. Simpson comes to a close, true crime junkies everywhere will need to find a new well from which to tap their courtroom fodder (Judge Judy, anyone?). The Internet is already abuzz with second season rumors of everyone’s 2016 Netflix obsession Making a Murderer, but with the fates of its most integral figures still up in the air, there’s no telling how long the wait may be. Never fear — we’ve compiled a list of 10 new true crime books (released within the last year) that are filled with enough mystery and suspense to tide even the most clever of Nancy Drew-bies over in the interim. Better get crackin’ – these whodunits require some serious sleuthing!
1. Gitchie Girl by Phil and Sandy Hamman ($11): This harrowing tale of a Midwest campfire-gone-wrong in the 1970s is sure to send chills down your spine. Five teenagers, alone in the woods, at night? What on Earth could go wrong? Gulp.
2. Alligator Candy by David Kushner ($17): Alligator Candy is unique in the sense that it’s written from the perspective of a victim (the author’s missing brother is the subject of the book) and a renowned reporter — the terms are not mutually exclusive, as David Kushner proves here.
3. The Midnight Assassin: Panic, Scandal, and the Hunt for America’s First Serial Killer by Skip Hollandsworth ($19): Before H.H. Holmes was dubbed “America’s first serial killer,” an unknown assassin was making the rounds in Austin, Texas, where at least eight would lose their lives and eight more would be injured. Some say this may have even been the work of none other than London’s very own Jack the Ripper. Creepy much?
4. Then No One Can Have Her by Caitlin Rother ($8): If you’ve already used your super-sleuthing skills to deduce that this one miiiiiight be about a jealous boyfriend based on its title, you’d be correct, but not to worry — there’s still enough twists and turns in the plotline to keep you plenty invested in this dark tale of slayage — and for once, we don’t mean the term in a good way.
5. The Borden Murders: Lizzie Borden and the Trial of the Century by Sarah Miller ($14): Almost everyone has heard of the infamous Lizzie Borden murders (or, at the very least, watched Christina Ricci’s adaptation of them in the Lifetime movie-turned-series), but what really happened on that fateful day in Fall River, Massachusetts? That’s just what author Sarah Miller intends to find out.
6. While the City Slept: A Love Lost to Violence and a Young Man’s Descent into Madness by Eli Sanders ($19): Eli Sanders, a journalist who received a Pulitzer prize for his coverage of a shocking 2009 Seattle crime, relives the gruesome incidents all over again while shining a spotlight on important mental health issues avoided for too long.
7. A Murder Over a Girl: Justice, Gender, Junior High by Ken Corbett ($21): Those awkward teenage years were rough on all of us, no doubt, but they were especially brutal for young Leticia King — whose life was cut short as she was not only coming into her own as a young adult, but also as a transgendered woman.
8. Blind Rage: A True Story of Sin, Sex, and Murder in a Small Arkansas Town by Anita Paddock ($13): This tale of a small town scandal has it all: murder, wealth, family secrets, intrigue — unfortunately, the events that unfolded here were anything but scripted.
9. Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson ($10): Imagine, if you will, a tell-all written by the likes of Steven Avery’s former defense team —aka Internet heartthrobs Dean Strang and Jerry Buting — detailing their collective experiences representing a client they believed was innocent, and you more or less have the premise of Bryan Stevenson’s Just Mercy. Just like Strang and Buting, Stevenson was tasked with representing a man sentenced to die for a crime he swore he didn’t commit — or did he?
10. Without a Doubt by Marcia Clark ($13): If you still believe O.J.’s guilty, you’re not alone: This re-release by trial prosecutor Marcia Clark offers insight from the other flip of the coin.
Which one are you most excited to read? Let us know at @BritandCo!
(Feature image via Getty)
Your relationship with your finances is one of the most important relationships you'll ever have, and you can't avoid it. That said, for many of us, the pandemic only added to our financial stress. If you find yourself feeling frazzled, just remember that financial insecurity isn't a net-worth issue — it's a mindset issue. And, we happen to have plenty of advice on how to turn your money mindset around so you can take charge of your funds once and for all.
To start, feeling secure begins with a strong foundation, and there's no better time than now to get started stacking the bricks. It's easy to get swept up in the January "new year, new me" mentality, but really? Any time is the right time to get yourself in order. You don't need to wait for a new year, a new moon, the right moment, or a sign from above. You don't even have to start on the first day of the month — you just need to start.
Introducing NerdWallet: A Safe and Reliable Money App
To help with that, we've put together a list of the just-right-for-you ways that NerdWallet can help you monitor your financial outlook. Haven't heard of them yet? NerdWallet is a personal finance company that helps consumers make smarter financial decisions. Their website and app let you compare different financial products, find articles and tools to make financial decisions with confidence, and keep tabs on your finances (hey there, credit score, I see you!) all in one place. Plus, NerdWallet has over 75,000 glowing reviews in the App Store (and a 4.8 star rating) if you want to read up on any more testimonials.
Tim Chen, NerdWallet's CEO and co-founder, started this financial journey in 2009 after his sister needed help finding a credit card. Even with an economics degree and a Wall Street background, it took awhile for Tim to find the right recommendation (so don't feel too bad when it takes you a while, too). Their mission is to bring clarity to all of life's financial decisions.
So it's safe to say that NerdWallet is a pretty good sherpa for your journey, too.
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Did you know that the money you park in a savings account can lose value? Harsh, but true. If your money isn't earning interest that's on pace with inflation it will actually be worth less to you in the future. And if the bank charges fees? Forget about it. Make sure you're earning the interest you deserve and come out on top. NerdWallet has researched dozens of financial institutions to help consumers find the best options. The hard work has already been done for you, so you can just select the account that works best for you and your nest egg.
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Once everything is set up, tracking and managing your finances is what will keep the money machine running smoothly. You can create an account either through the site or the app and link your bank accounts, then keep tabs on all your finances in one place. Get a clear picture of your saving and spending, get insights into how to master your money, and even build your credit score all in one place.
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Do you have the best credit card for your lifestyle? Some cards give cash back on every purchase, ones with travel perks, and ones that charge way less interest than you're paying now. NerdWallet takes the guesswork out of choosing the right credit card with simple side-by-side comparisons of different credit cards so that you feel confident choosing the right one. Whatever you want to do, NerdWallet can help you find the best credit card to get it done.
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Mortgage rates are pretty low and it looks like they're going to stay that way for awhile, so buying a home might be the move sooner than you think. But there's so much more to a mortgage than just the interest rate! To help you choose a mortgage lender, NerdWallet has in-depth reviews on multiple lenders in a mixture of categories so you get the home loan with the mortgage rate, term, and fees that's right for you.
Settle an old score
NerdWallet helps you monitor your credit score for free and helps you see how little things (like raising the limit on your credit card or paying your bills on time) can increase your score. NerdWallet partners with TransUnion® to provide your VantageScore® 3.0, based on information in your TransUnion® credit report. Your score and credit report information are updated weekly. But that's not even close to all:
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When it comes to managing your money, safe and reliable is where it's at. Establishing a healthy relationship with your finances begins when you take control and practice habits that build wealth. Signing up just takes a few minutes. Set your intentions to build a solid financial foundation, it will only strengthen your relationship with your finances. And don't be afraid to get a little nerdy while you're at it.
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