Psychologists say true crime books are 'best coping mechanism' as genre tops reading trends

New research suggests that the undeniable appetite for is expanding from podcasts and into books. Newspaper and magazine subscription platforms are reinvesting in the genre, expecting a particular boost ahead of summer.

According to a recent survey from digital magazine and subscription app , two-thirds of Brits said they will read true crime this summer. The platform shares that interest in true crime is high, with 74% of people choosing to read the category as it records the highest average reading times across several genres on its app.

The pervasive interest is no surprise considering how expansive the genre is, covering everything from high-profile robberies, serial and domestic murders to playful portraits of .

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According to Readly’s survey, when it comes to the nature of crimes people follow, 47% read high-profile crimes with major twists, 41% chose to read about unmasked serial killers and 35% are interested in criminals who lead double lives.

“Interest in reading around crime past and present has grown in recent years and true crime themed lifestyle, history and celebrity magazines are amongst some of the most read on the Readly app in terms of reading time,” says Chris Couchman, head of content at Readly.

Part of the reason that interest may be spiking ahead of summer could have to do with the high-profile criminal cases that have dominated news coverage this year. 2025 has seen some major A-list court proceedings, including the , the beginning of ’s in Paris and the .

But beyond the non-stop courthouse coverage putting crime on the brain, the fascination with the genre can also be a response to a destabilising . Professor Donna Youngs, criminal and investigative psychologist says that reading true crime can be a way for people to cope or come to grips with some scary realities.

“For some people, when they solve a ‘whodunnit’, they are actually reassuring themselves that they are clever enough that they would never get caught out. Other people want to know every detail of how a particularly notorious serial killer operated as their way of dealing with the fear these crimes generate," Youngs said.

The Readly survey also revealed that 61% of people said they read true crime to understand criminal minds and the psychological aspect and 40% read for the desire for justice and exposing wrongful convictions.

The reason many may be picking up true crime books instead of plugging into their favourite influencer detective series or podcast may have to do with the growing backlash against “”.

To monopolise on the growing and consistent interest in the genre, Readly has launched a true crime retro series with The Evening Standard, featuring some of the most well known crimes across history such as Jack the Ripper, The Great Train Robbery, Serial killer Fred West House of Horrors and The Pearl Robbery.