True Crime: Key Themes and Perspectives

Ian Cummins*, Martin King, Louise Wattis

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Book/ReportBookpeer-review

Abstract

True crime is a huge cultural industry: media organisations use crime stories to push sales and clicks. Yet behind this phenomenon lies the real-life victims and a disconnect between the representation of violent crime and its reality. This book is a go-to guide for students and researchers in understanding the development of this phenomenon and its social and cultural impacts. Through case studies including Lucy Letby, the Yorkshire Ripper and Fred and Rosemary West, the book considers true crime's ethical implications and its wider influence on crime and punishment.

Original languageEnglish
Place of PublicationBristol, United Kingdom
PublisherBristol University Press
Number of pages198
ISBN (Electronic)9781529238204, 9781529238211
ISBN (Print)9781529238150, 9781529238198
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 21 Oct 2025

Keywords

  • true crime
  • mediated murder
  • serial killers
  • bricolage

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