True Detective season 5 is already confirmed after the success of Night Country, but it’ll be a while before it arrives — and fans may be looking for books and shows like True Detective to consume in the meantime. There’s no shortage of thrillers and crime fiction out there, but HBO’s hit series strikes a distinct tone when it comes to the unusual cases it covers. This is true for all four seasons of True Detective, but the first and Night Country are especially successful at creating an eerie, atmospheric backdrop and tone over the course of their runs.
True Detective is also known for its leads, as the show tends to follow detectives with compelling dynamics that hook viewers from the jump. This can be less easy to find in thrillers and crime books, but it’s not impossible. There’s a book out there for every True Detective fan, but which they choose will depend on what they love about the series. From books tackling bizarre and brutal cases to novels set in a dark, frozen atmosphere like Night Country, there’s plenty of fiction to dive into until True Detective season 5 debuts.
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The Devil All The Time By Donald Ray Pollock
Why It’s Perfect For True Detective Fans: Its Southern Gothic Setting, Complex Characters, & Eerie Storylines
The Devil All the Time by Donald Ray Pollock has a southern gothic atmosphere that will appeal to fans of True Detective seasons 1 and 3. The 2011 novel is set in rural Ohio and West Virginia, and it follows a range of characters, all of whom offer a complexity on par with those in the HBO show — especially Arvin Eugene Russell, who’s trying to be a good man despite the violence constantly unfolding around and within him. There are quite a few eerie throughlines in The Devil All the Time, but the book is an exploration of religion at its core.
If the themes and setting aren’t enough to convince True Detective fans to read The Devil All the Time, they can also check out the Netflix adaptation of Pollock’s book. With Tom Holland in the lead, it makes for a solid watch. It’s not quite as compelling as True Detective itself, but it’ll hold fans over until the next outing arrives.
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All The White Spaces By Ally Wilkes
Why It’s Perfect For Fans Of True Detective: Its Icy & Eerie Backdrop, Allusions To The Supernatural
While The Devil All the Time is perfect for fans of True Detective‘s earlier seasons, Ally Wilkes’ All the White Spaces may be more suitable for those looking for stories like Night Country. Set on the heels of World War I, the novel follows Jonathan Morgan as he stows away on an explorers’ ship headed to the Antarctic. While Jonathan is hoping for a journey of self-discovery, during which he’ll be able to embrace his true gender identity, what he gets is far scarier. The expedition realizes something’s off about where they’ve landed, but they’re alone and increasingly on edge, leaving them at the mercy of whatever it is.
The eerie, icy vibes of All the White Spaces are perfect for anyone who enjoyed Night Country‘s backdrop and allusions to the supernatural. In fact, anyone wishing Night Country leaned further into horror would do well to pick Wilkes’ novel up. It will keep readers on edge from cover to cover, making it an ideal way to fill the time between seasons of True Detective.
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Bone White By Ronald Malfi
Why It’s Perfect For Fans Of True Detective: Set In Alaska, Features Spirituality & Local Superstition
Another great follow-up to True Detective: Night Country is Bone White by Ronald Malfi, a book that delivers on the eerie vibes of the HBO series and the Alaskan setting. Bone White is set in the town of Dread’s Hand, Alaska, where a killer has been leading law enforcement to his victims’ graves. The book’s lead, Paul, ventures to Dread’s Hand for closure, as the town is where his brother disappeared years ago. But while Paul expects to make peace with this tragedy during this trip, he’s in for a surprise. Local superstition gets him more wrapped up in the mystery, leading to a tense ride.
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Never Whistle At Night Edited By Shane Hawk and Theodore C. Van Alst
Why It’s Perfect For Fans Of True Detective: Its Exploration Of Indigenous Characters & Legends, Its Darker Themes
Never Whistle at Night is a collection of horror stories by Indigenous authors, and it’s the perfect read for anyone who enjoyed the Indigenous representation in True Detective: Night Country. Not every story within this collection is reminiscent of the HBO series. However, there are a few that will scratch that itch while waiting for True Detective season 5. Several tales, like “Kushtuka,” explore Indigenous legends, making them ideal for those who enjoy the supernatural teases of Night Country. And other stories, like “Quantum,” take a more grounded approach — but one that’s as harrowing as True Detective nonetheless.
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City Under One Roof By Iris Yamashita
Why It’s Perfect For Fans Of True Detective: Alaskan Setting, Small Town With Secrets, & A Detective Duo
Another thrilling mystery set in Alaska is City Under One Roof by Iris Yamashita, a novel that isn’t exactly like True Detective: Night Country but does have a similar feel. Yamashita’s story follows Detective Cara Kennedy as she attempts to uncover the truth behind a murder in a small Alaskan town. Everyone in this town resides in a single building, and they’re all tight-lipped when it comes to Cara’s investigation.
A small town full of secrets is the perfect setup for True Detective fans, and City Under One Roof also boasts a detective duo and mysterious severed limbs. The latter is reminiscent of Night Country, while the former is present in every season of the HBO show. Needless to say, Yamashita’s novel is worth reading, especially for those eager to get their hands on True Detective season 5.
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Dark Places By Gillian Flynn
Why It’s Perfect For Fans Of True Detective: A Gruesome Story, Rural Setting, & Focus On Satanic Rituals
Gillian Flynn is well known for Gone Girl, but Dark Places has a more fitting vibe for those who enjoy True Detective. The 2009 novel is set in rural America, and it’s got a thrilling mystery at its core — along with some fairly gruesome moments that could give the HBO series a run for its money. Dark Places follows Libby Day, whose testimony put her teenage brother in prison for killing their family. Decades later, Libby is forced to question whether she got it right — and whether there’s still a killer on the loose. The backdrop, brutality, and focus on satanic rituals will appeal to fans of True Detective.
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Razorblade Tears by S.A. Cosby
Why It’s Perfect For True Detective Fans: It’s Southern Noir, Contains Complex & Entertaining Character Dynamics
Razorblade Tears fits into the southern noir category, which already makes it a great choice for fans of True Detective‘s early seasons. S.A. Cosby’s novel sees two fathers from Virginia investigating the murders of their sons in the hopes of enacting revenge. Their quest for vengeance is made complicated by the racial divide between the two characters — one is a white man who’s never had to explore his own prejudice, while the other is a Black man who’s dealt with his share of racism living in the South — and their disapproval of their sons’ LGBTQ+ lifestyles.
Cosby’s story explores its social themes with impressive care, all while painting a narrative that’s action-packed and thrilling. For these reasons, Razorblade Tears is a must-read for anyone looking for incredible thriller books. However, the unlikely dynamic between its leads and its setting make it especially great for those missing True Detective.
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The Black Dahlia By James Ellroy
Why It’s Perfect For True Detective Fans: A Solid Pair Of Detectives & Gruesome Murder Investigation
James Ellroy’s work is great for True Detective fans generally, and The Black Dahlia is the perfect entry point to the author’s work. The novel takes on the real-life Black Dahlia case from 1947, which saw Elizabeth Short being gruesomely murdered by a killer who was never identified. Ellroy’s book fictionalizes the real case, setting a pair of detectives up to track down the person responsible for Elizabeth’s death. The brutality of the case alone makes The Black Dahlia an ideal follow-up to True Detective. However, Ellroy’s detectives, Lee and Bucky, also make a solid team reminiscent of Rust Cohle and Marty Hart or Liz Danvers and Evangeline Navarro.
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Broken Monsters By Lauren Beukes
Why It’s Perfect For True Detective Fans: Ghastly Crime Scenes, A Thrilling Narrative
Ghastly crime scenes are par for the course in True Detective, and the one in Lauren Beukes’ Broken Monsters is just as terrible as anything the HBO series has done. Set in Detroit, Broken Monsters follows Detective Gabriella Versado as she tries to solve the number of a boy whose body was found melded with that of a deer. This will no doubt bring back memories of True Detective season 1, though Broken Monsters’ gruesome murders don’t stop there. And as Gabriella tries to investigate, other characters’ storylines unfold, leading up to the book’s big reveal. This book is sure to hook fans of True Detective from start to finish.
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Galveston By Nic Pizzolatto
Why It’s Perfect For True Detective Fans: Written By The Show’s Creator, Is Very Atmospheric
Nic Pizzolatto has gotten a lot of heat for his criticisms of True Detective: Night Country, but those looking for the feeling of seasons 1-3 — all of which Pizzolatto was in charge of — can check out his own book, Galveston. Of course, they shouldn’t go into it expecting an identical story. While Galveston has the moody atmosphere of the HBO show, its plot centers Roy Cady, who’s forced to go on the run from his loan shark boss after he realizes the man wants him dead. His journey becomes intertwined with that of a girl named Rocky, who ends up joining him on his adventure.
Galveston will take True Detective fans from New Orleans to Texas, entertaining them with unlikely character dynamics, atmospheric backdrops, and plenty of thrills. Those missing Pizzolatto’s take on the show will no doubt find something to love about his book. It’s an ideal story to add to one’s TBR ahead of True Detective season 5.
