The 5 Best L.A. Crime Novels: Nonfiction
By Ryan Gattis
September 27, 2018Read Part II of Ryan Gattis's top L.A. crime novels, then make sure you're signed in and comment below for a chance to win a paperback copy of his gritty thriller Safe!
Always Running
Luis J. Rodriguez
This book is L.A. canon as far as I’m concerned. A thrilling, moving, poetic, and ultimately human memoir of redemption from a young gang member growing up in East L.A. In fact, this was actually one of the books recommended to me by a former gang member I met in Lynwood while researching All Involved. He looked incredulous when I said I’d not read it and refused to speak to me again until I had. I read it the next day.
Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America
Jill Leovy
Few books are capable of illustrating the macro and micro views of a problem at the same time—the scope and the human story—but Ghettoside does both ably and in an almost bludgeoning fashion. The facts of murder disproportionately affecting young black men in America is, at times, difficult to read, but the reader is carried through by the thriller-esque, step-by-step investigation into the murder of Bryan Tennelle. It’s a truly incredible work of journalism that everyone should read.
Vice: One Cop’s Story of Patrolling America’s Most Dangerous City
Sgt. John R. Baker with Stephen J. Rivele
Deep, insightful memoir about the complicated history of the city of Compton and how it changed through the decades—from a semi-rural suburb of Los Angeles to an outpost for the Black Panthers, the birth of the Crips and Bloods, and the beginning of gangsta rap. What most helps this book is that it is told from the point of view of a local who grew up to be a member of the consistently outmanned Compton Police Department and knew many of the career criminals simply by growing up with them. I remain surprised that this has yet to be adapted into a TV series. It has the potential to be an amazing one.
A Burglar’s Guide to the City
Geoff Manaugh
I suppose this could be considered cheating, as merely one-third of this book pertains to Los Angeles, but what it contains is mightily fascinating in the way it illuminates how city architecture not just contributes to but actually creates the very circumstances necessary for Los Angeles to be the bank robbery capital of the world. With its fascinating use of detail and anecdotes, this book truly made me look at Los Angeles in an entirely new way.
Locks and the City: Reviewing A Burglar’s Guide to the City by Geoff Manaugh
Torchered Minds: Case Histories of Notorious Serial Arsonists
Ed Nordskog
I’m a big believer in reading non-fiction to bolster the believability, authenticity, and even sheer scariness of my fiction, and this one is packed with enough case histories and character details to fuel a few books. I first learned of it after taking a Forensic Science Seminar with the author at the LAPD Crime Lab (thanks to the brilliant folks at LAVA). Nordskog has worked as a detective in the LASD Arson/Bomb Unit. His insight into the topic is unmatched.
Check out Ryan Gattis’s Top 5 Fictional L.A. Crime Novels!
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Comments are closed.
Interesting.
sounds like a fun one
Interesting article
So interesting. Sounds like it will make a good read.
I love the cover and theme to “A Burglar’s Guide To the City”!
Sounds good!
Thanks for the opportunity to win!
Would love to read “Safe”. Sounds like a great book!
I’d love to win.
Please enter me in this sweepstakes.
Thanks!
Count me in, please!
This book sounds so interesting. I have put it on my TBR list
Always Running has been in my TBR pile a long time. I’m going to have to dig it out. And I love Ghettoside. I’m adding Vice to my list. Thanks for the great recommendations.
I would love to win a copy of the book Safe!! It’s sounds very interesting and intriguing. Thanks for the chance to win. It’s greatly appreciated by this self proclaimed bookworm 😊
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Love reading crime dramas, and Safe sounds like a good one!
I will read it by my fireplace!
I love crime dramas and Safe seems very gripping! Thanks for the chance =)
A great list of crime novels taking place in L.A. ! Thanks for the list!!
That’s a great list of books, I’m saving all those titles for later. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Safe!
True crime helps me plan mine!
As a non-Angeleno, I appreciate these recommendations to discover a side of the city I hope never to experience!
Thank you for the opportunity to win!
Sounds very interesting.
Great list. Wonderful giveaway. Thanks.
Intriguing and captivating. Love this feature.
I used to read true crime and detective magazines. Once I decided I’d read all I wanted to of human depravity, I stopped. Those books are still in my library.
Sounds like a great read.
Sounds great! Would love to win.
Will have to read ‘Torchered Minds’. Fire and arson has always fascinated me. Looking forward to reading ‘Safe’. Thanks for the chance to win!!
Would love to read the book
I love when authors do thorough research of true crime to be able to write their own fiction crime novels. This shows to have huge promise.
I am always looking for new authors to read and I think I would like this book.
Thanks for the list of books
Great giveaway, thanks for the chance to win.
I’m glad my job is behind a desk.
I would love to read the book.
These all sound great!
Love a good book!
Love to read about crimes, mysteries, and catching the bad guy/gal.
There’s nothing like a good torch!
Count me in!
cool
Interesting list of books.
Great list for the TBR. Would love to win Safe.
Love a good crime story!
Sounds like a great read.
Thanks for the list and the giveaway
Great list. I want to check them all out
This sounds like an exciting story. I love the cover.
From MerriamWebster.com :
Novel (noun):
an invented prose narrative that is usually long and complex and deals especially with human experience through a usually connected sequence of events,
In other words, if it’s non-fiction, then it’s NOT a novel.