Today, I have a review of J. Warner Wallace’s new book, The Truth in True Crime, which is pretty hot off the press (May 7th, 2024). I have read a few of Wallace’s books at this juncture and can say at the outset of this review that Wallace continues to be an excellent writer with captivating stories and relevant applications.

Unlike Wallace’s other works, this book is not focused on Christian Apologetics (though it does incorporate some). Instead, Wallace offers wisdom, insights, and applications concerning human nature and the human experience learned from his years as a homicide detective. The Truth in True Crime’s subtitle captures this well, “what investigating death teaches us about the meaning of life.”

The book is made up of 15 chapters (not including the preface and post-script), each with a life lesson and a scenario Wallace faced as a detective to illuminate that lesson. For example one of my favorite chapters in the book is titled “Santa Claus and Misplaced Devotion,” and it recounts the murder of a man, ‘Santa Claus,’ and how the killer’s object of devotion led to that particular event. The subtitle for the chapter is “How to be more careful about Your object(s) of worship,” with the pertinent lesson of “You were created to worship.”

Here is an excerpt from the description of the book:

“Join Wallace as he investigates life lessons he learned as a detective, so that you can:

• Better understand your own identity and the identity of your Creator.
• Rethink the nature of death so you can live a better life.
• Uncover life-truths gleaned from both contemporary murder investigations and ancient biblical wisdom.
• Discover profound attributes of human beings that will guide you down the path of true self-discovery.

Each chapter introduces you to an investigation of a death as Wallace and his partner Rick chase down leads and, along the way, learn guiding principles to help you thrive and flourish as a human being created in the image of God.”

Each chapter opens with a situation from Wallace’s experience and moves into modern and relevant connections with personal applications. The “chase the lead” section in each chapter especially facilitates self-reflection, with chapters 5-7 being heavy hitters (in my book, anyway). Throughout this book, Wallace masterfully weaves quotes and research into a smooth and intriguing narrative.

By the end of the book, Wallace has actually impacted or challenged an individual’s worldview, and chapters 11-15 cleverly conclude the work by moving into the Gospel. Chapter 11 teaches that we are created for redemption, 12 for restoration, 13 for a heavenly Father, 14 for eternity, and 15 to be saved. In a way, Wallace’s book on wisdom, in fact, turns into an apologetic by necessity as he moves through a proper view of humanity through scripture.

This is just a great and enjoyable read. If you have an interest in life lessons, reflecting a Biblical worldview, derived from a homicide detective’s experience on the force, this is for you, absolutely. Just be warned you might find yourself smacked in the face by conviction at points of self-reflection.

Check out the book here. Also, see the related website here.