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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Be the Detective Mystery Monthly Box
$85/3-months and up from Cratejoy Shop Now
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
$23 and up from Etsy Shop Now
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
$27 from Amazon Shop Now
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 Game
$49 from My Mystery Party Shop Now
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
$13 from Amazon Shop Now
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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True Crime 2023 Calendar
$15 from Amazon Shop Now
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.
‘The Crime Book’
$14 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$14 from Walmart Shop Now
This book offers 20 different “diabolical cases” that can be worked out using puzzle-solving skills.
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‘Murder Shows …’ Tee
$20 from Amazon Shop Now
This T-shirt advocating for “Murder Shows & Comfy Clothes” comes in men’s and women’s sizes and four colors.
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‘The True Crime Activity Book for Adults’
$13 from Amazon Shop Now
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.
True-Crime Mug
$13 from Look Human Shop Now
This mug will give them something to sip from as they’re engrossed in the very thing they love.
Related: Perk ‘Em Up with These Great Gifts for Coffee Lovers
‘All That Remains’ Book
$33 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$38 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$3 and up from Etsy Shop Now
This simple and inexpensive gift comes in three colors, or get a pack of all three.
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H. H. Holmes Murder Castle Puzzle
$35 from Etsy Shop Now
This 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle features a stylized illustration of serial killer H.H. Holmes’ 1886 Chicago-based “Murder Castle.”
Related: Gifts for People Who Love Jigsaw Puzzles
‘Unspeakable Acts’ Book
$11 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$15 from Amazon Shop Now
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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Death at the Dive Bar
$28 from Amazon Shop Now
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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‘Stay Sexy & Don’t Get Murdered’
$7 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$42 from Amazon Shop Now
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.
Crime Junkie Mug
$26 from Amazon Shop Now
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’
$9 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$70/month and up from Cratejoy Shop Now
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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True-Crime & Wine Glass Tumbler
$13 from Etsy Shop Now
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
$20 and up from Amazon Shop Now
For the person who loves their cat as much as they watching the horrible destinies of other peoples’ lives.
Related: The Best Gifts for Cat Lovers That Are the You-Know-Who’s Pajamas
She’s Birdie Personal Alarm
$30 from Amazon Shop Now
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
$15 from Amazon Shop Now
This PopSocket ironically and amusingly juxtaposes a pretty and colorful flower design with this statement: “My favorite podcasts are about murders.”
