8 Real Murder Cases That Inspired Classic Mystery Novels

Sometimes reality and fiction are intertwined.

By Harry Pearson | Published Jun 23, 2021
murder mysteries inspired by real case
    camera-icon
  • Peter Manuel enters a courtroom.Photo Credit: Murderpedia

Edith Thompson and Freddy Bywaters

edith thompson (center) the inspiration for the documents in the case (left) and finnegans wake (right)
    camera-icon
  • Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Neville Heath

Hawley Harvey Crippen

murder mysteries inspired by real case
    camera-icon

  • A disguised Crippen after his arrest. 

    Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

John Haigh

Francis Rattenbury

francis rattenbury, inspiration for the paying guests
    camera-icon
  • Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

William Palmer

Herbert Rowse Armstrong

murder mysteries inspired by real case
    camera-icon
  • Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

The "Beast of Birkenshaw"

Mystery Books
Detective Mysteries
classic mysteries


Get our most mysterious stories and thrilling book deals delivered to your inbox.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter

More fromOR/M

A LOVE SO TRUE
THE ARCHIVE
EARLY BIRD BOOKS
THE LINEUP
THE PORTALIST
OPEN ROAD MEDIA CATALOG

Corporate

Advertise with Us
Terms of Use
Privacy Policy
OR/M

© 2021 OPEN ROAD MEDIA