Gifts for True-Crime Fanatics That Will Slay — in a Good Way

True Crime Fan Gifts_cover

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True Crime Fan Gifts_cover
Cheapism

Gifts of Atrocity

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.


Related: Cool Gift Ideas for Women Who Don't Want Anything

Cratejoy Be the Detective Monthly Mystery Subscription
Cratejoy

Be the Detective Mystery Monthly Box

$85/3-months 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 an immersive mystery that unravels over the course of three months.


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True Crime and Chill Sweatshirt
Etsy

True-Crime and Chill Sweatshirt

$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.


Related: Warm and Fuzzy Gifts for Introverts

Unsolved Case Files
Amazon

Unsolved Case Files

$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."

The Noxhelm Murders: A Murder Mystery Game
My Mystery Party

The Noxhelm Murders Game

$49 from My 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.

Crime Scene Tape Socks
Amazon
A Year of True Crime Page-A-Day Calendar 2024: Poisonings, Con Artists, Incredible Survivors!
Amazon

True Crime 2023 Calendar

$15 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.

Book
Amazon

'The Crime Book'

$14 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.

Murder Mystery Puzzle Book
Walmart

Murder Mystery Puzzle Book

$14 from Walmart
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This book offers 20 different "diabolical cases" that can be worked out using puzzle-solving skills.

'Murder Shows ...' Tee
Amazon
'The True Crime Activity Book For Adults'
Amazon

'The True Crime Activity Book for Adults'

$13 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.

'I Like to Party and By Party I Mean Watch True Crime Documentaries' Coffee Mug
Look Human
'All That Remains' Book
Amazon

'All That Remains' Book

$33 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."

Crime Scene Forensic Detective Jacket
Amazon

Crime Scene Forensic Detective Jacket

$38 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.

True Crime Addict Vinyl Stickers
Etsy
H. H. Holmes Murder Castle Puzzle
Etsy
'Unspeakable Acts' Book
Amazon

'Unspeakable Acts' Book

$11 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."

'Serial Killer Trivia' Book
Amazon

'Serial Killer Trivia' Book

$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.


Related: Clever and Creative Gifts for Book Lovers

Hunt a Killer Death At the Dive Bar, Immersive Murder Mystery Game
Amazon
'Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered'
Amazon

'Stay Sexy & Don't Get Murdered'

$7 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.

Crime Scene Forensic Science Kit
Amazon

Crime Scene Forensic Science Kit

$42 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.

True Crime Podcast 'Be Weird Be Rude Stay Alive' Color Changing Mug
Amazon

Crime Junkie Mug

$26 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.

Brain Games' 'Cold Case Puzzles'
Amazon

Brain Games' 'Cold Case Puzzles'

$9 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.

Crime, Thriller, and Mystery Book Subscription
Cratejoy

Crime, Thriller, and Mystery Book Subscription

$70/month and up from Cratejoy
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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.


Related: Fun and Thoughtful Gifts for Women Who Love to Read

'True Crime Obsessed' Bloody Wine Tumbler Glass By MadeByNovae
Etsy

True-Crime & Wine Glass Tumbler

$13 from Etsy
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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).


Related: Unique Gift Ideas For Women Who Love Wine

Crazy Cat Lady and True Crime Pillow
Amazon
She's Birdie Personal Alarm
Amazon

She's Birdie Personal Alarm

$30 from Amazon
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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.

True Crime PopSocket
Amazon

True-Crime PopSocket

$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."