The Secret History is a novel by Donna Tartt, published in 1992. It is a work of fiction and is not considered a crime. The novel tells the story of a group of elite students at a small Vermont college who become involved in a mysterious and ultimately deadly scheme.


The book has been well-received by critics, with many praising Tartt's writing style and the novel's atmosphere of tension and intrigue. The Secret History has been compared to works by F. Scott Fitzgerald and J.D. Salinger, and has been called a "modern classic" by some reviewers.

However, it is not a true crime novel and it is not based on any real life crime. The novel is a work of fiction, and the events and characters are products of the author's imagination.


The story of The Secret History is largely centered around the main character Richard Papen and his friendship with a group of classics students. The group becomes obsessed with the idea of living a life of beauty and transcendence and ultimately this leads them to commit a murder.

The novel explores the concepts of morality and responsibility, as well as the idea that people can be driven to commit terrible acts by their own desires and beliefs. It also examines the darker side of human nature and the idea that people are capable of great evil as well as great good.


Overall, The Secret History is a thought-provoking and gripping novel that delves into the complexities of human nature. While it is not a true crime story, it is a powerful exploration of the darker aspects of the human psyche.