Supporters get every Best Evidence article in their inbox, while free subscribers can click through to read at Reality Blurred.

We're starting this week of Best Evidence's Year in Review (our fourth annual!) by looking back on the genre with our favorite vintage and old true crime documentaries, books, podcasts, and more we discovered this year. (Feeling like something more recent? Then check out our lists of the best documentaries, longreads, podcasts, books, and dramatic adaptations for 2024.)

True crime is one of those genres that doesn't always age well. (Sarah, who runs a true crime bookstore specalizing in classic titles, knows this better than any of us.) But there are always properties that stand the test of time, while still others obsess and attract by just how out of time they are. Either way, we had a blast with the vintage true crime we listed below.

But how about you? What non-2024 true crime were you glued to or telling folks about this year? As always, the comments are ready for your answers.

Note: When a book mentioned below is available at Sarah's Exhibit B bookstore, I have linked to it in the entry. That's not why we do this, but we do appreciate your support of her small business!