Books have the power to inspire, educate, and entertain—but sometimes, they can also push people toward dark and dangerous actions. Throughout history, certain books have been linked to real-life crimes, from murders to cult suicides. Whether through twisted interpretations, obsessive fandom, or direct influence, these cases prove that literature can have deadly consequences.
Here are 10 real crimes sparked by books—some infamous, others lesser-known—that show the terrifying power of the written word.
Table of Contents
- The Catcher in the Rye and the Murder of John Lennon
- Helter Skelter: The Manson Family Murders
- The Satanic Verses and the Fatwa Against Salman Rushdie
- The Anarchist Cookbook and Domestic Terrorism
- Rage by Stephen King and School Shootings
- The Turner Diaries and the Oklahoma City Bombing
- The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Anti-Semitic Violence
- The Celestine Prophecy and a Murderous Cult
- The Stranger by Albert Camus and a Chilling Murder
- The Necronomicon and Occult Killings
1. The Catcher in the Rye and the Murder of John Lennon
Book: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger Crime: The assassination of John Lennon
Mark David Chapman, the man who murdered John Lennon in 1980, was obsessed with The Catcher in the Rye. He saw himself as the book’s protagonist, Holden Caulfield, and believed killing Lennon would fulfill a mission against “phonies.”
After the shooting, Chapman calmly sat down and read the book while waiting for police. He later claimed the novel “programmed” him to commit the crime.
2. Helter Skelter: The Manson Family Murders
Book: Helter Skelter by Vincent Bugliosi Crime: The Manson Family murders
While Helter Skelter is actually about the Manson Family’s crimes, Charles Manson himself was influenced by another book—The Beatles’ White Album. He interpreted songs like “Helter Skelter” as a prophecy of a race war.
However, Helter Skelter (the book) later inspired copycat crimes, with killers referencing Manson’s twisted ideology.
3. The Satanic Verses and the Fatwa Against Salman Rushdie
Book: The Satanic Verses by Salman Rushdie Crime: Attempted murder and terrorist threats
In 1989, Iran’s Ayatollah Khomeini issued a fatwa (death sentence) against Rushdie for allegedly blaspheming Islam in The Satanic Verses. The book led to riots, bombings, and multiple assassination attempts—including a 2022 attack where Rushdie was stabbed on stage.
Publishers and translators were also targeted, with one Japanese translator murdered in 1991.
4. The Anarchist Cookbook and Domestic Terrorism
Book: The Anarchist Cookbook by William Powell Crime: Bombings and violent attacks
This infamous DIY manual for explosives, drugs, and sabotage has been linked to numerous crimes, including:
- The 1995 Oklahoma City bombing (Timothy McVeigh reportedly owned a copy).
- The 2013 Boston Marathon bombers referenced it.
- Multiple school shooters and domestic terrorists have used its instructions.
Powell later disavowed the book, but it remains a dark influence.
5. Rage by Stephen King and School Shootings
Book: Rage by Stephen King (written as Richard Bachman) Crime: School shootings
Rage tells the story of a high school student who takes his class hostage. Disturbingly, several real-life shooters were inspired by it:
- The 1988 Kentucky school shooter carried a copy.
- The 1997 Alaska school shooter referenced the book.
King allowed Rage to go out of print, fearing its influence.
6. The Turner Diaries and the Oklahoma City Bombing
Book: The Turner Diaries by William Luther Pierce Crime: The Oklahoma City bombing
This white supremacist novel depicts a violent race war and government overthrow. Timothy McVeigh, who bombed the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in 1995 (killing 168 people), was deeply influenced by it.
The book has also been linked to other far-right terrorist attacks.
7. The Protocols of the Elders of Zion and Anti-Semitic Violence
Book: The Protocols of the Elders of Zion (fraudulent anti-Semitic text) Crime: Pogroms, the Holocaust, and hate crimes
This fabricated text claims Jews secretly control the world. Despite being debunked, it fueled:
- The Russian pogroms (early 1900s).
- Nazi propaganda during the Holocaust.
- Modern anti-Semitic attacks.
Henry Ford even funded its distribution in the U.S.
8. The Celestine Prophecy and a Murderous Cult
Book: The Celestine Prophecy by James Redfield Crime: The 1997 Heaven’s Gate mass suicide
While not directly responsible, this New Age spiritual book influenced the Heaven’s Gate cult. Their leader, Marshall Applewhite, mixed its ideas with sci-fi beliefs, leading 39 members to commit suicide to reach a “higher plane.”
9. The Stranger by Albert Camus and a Chilling Murder
Book: The Stranger by Albert Camus Crime: A 1981 French murder case
Jean-Claude Romand, a French fraudster who killed his family in 1993, claimed The Stranger’s detached protagonist, Meursault, influenced his lack of remorse.
Another killer, Richard Ramirez (the Night Stalker), also reportedly admired the book’s nihilism.
10. The Necronomicon and Occult Killings
Book: The Necronomicon (a fictional grimoire popularized by H.P. Lovecraft) Crime: Occult-related murders
Though Lovecraft invented the Necronomicon, real killers have used “occult” versions of it:
- The 1989 Matamoros cult murders involved a drug cartel using a Necronomicon-style ritual.
- Multiple killers have cited it in their motives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can books really make people commit crimes?
While books can influence unstable individuals, most readers don’t act violently. These cases involve people who were already disturbed and latched onto extreme ideas.
Has any book been banned because of crimes?
Yes. The Anarchist Cookbook and Rage have been restricted due to their links to violence.
Do authors feel responsible for crimes inspired by their books?
Some do. Stephen King stopped publishing Rage, and William Powell regretted The Anarchist Cookbook.
What’s the most dangerous book ever written?
The Turner Diaries and The Protocols of the Elders of Zion have caused the most real-world harm.
Are there any positive cases of books inspiring action?
Absolutely—Uncle Tom’s Cabin helped end slavery, and The Jungle led to food safety laws.
Final Thoughts
Books hold immense power—for good and evil. While most inspire creativity and knowledge, these cases remind us that words can sometimes lead to tragedy. The responsibility lies not in censorship, but in understanding how vulnerable minds interpret dangerous ideas.
Would you ban a book to prevent violence, or is freedom of speech more important? Let us know in the comments.
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