The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns

Small Town Charm With Deadly Consequences

We’ve been told that nothing bad happens in small towns. You can leave your doors unlocked and your windows wide open. We picture peaceful hamlets with a strong sense of community, where everyone knows each other. But what if this wholesome, idyllic image doesn’t always square with reality? Small towns might look and feel safe, but statistics show this isn’t really true.

The real monsters aren’t hiding in the woods—they’re in our towns.

Featuring murder stories, criminal case studies, and more, The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns offers all-new accounts from today’s finest writers of true crime, crime fiction, and beyond. What’s more, these entries are not based on a true story—they are true stories. Edited by acclaimed author and anthologist Mitzi Szereto, the stories in this volume span the globe. Discover how murders, shooting sprees, violent robberies, and other bad things can and do happen in small towns all over the world. This highly gripping, must-read collection contains an international list of contributors including Alexandra Burt, Christian Cipollini, Edward Butts, Paul Williams, and many more. If you enjoyed Mitzi Szereto’s first book in the series, The Best New True Crime Stories: Serial Killers, you’ll love The Best New True Crime Stories: Small Towns!

“Remember the saying ‘The devil is in the details’? Well, it’s small towns that deal in details as they unfold in scary, thrilling, and sometimes gruesome fashion. Mitzi Szereto’s new true crime anthology is filled with the devil and the details—great stories and fantastic writing. After reading this book, you will look at your neighbors in a whole new way…. Or, perhaps never again!”—Bob Batchelor, cultural historian and author of The Bourbon King: The Life and Crimes of George Remus, Prohibition’s Evil Genius

“An eye-opening excursion into the world of murder, often committed by the neighbors and friends of those who live in these small towns. Without question, it’s a book you won’t soon forget!”—Kevin M. Sullivan, author of Through an Unlocked Door: In Walks Murder