True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray

True Crime isn't my thing. I finally got around to In Cold Blood last year because A) I live in Kansas, and B) it's considered a classic of the genre. Otherwise, I've altogether avoided the investigation of murders, kidnappings, and other sensationalized “true” crimes.

So why read a book called True Crime Addict? Great question. I read it because the title alone promised more than your typical journalistic tale of grisly murder. This is the story of the unsolved disappearance of Maura Murray, but it's also the story of the person who became obsessed with the case. I read it also because I am a fan of Renner's fiction, particularly his debut novel, The Man from Primrose Lane, a phenomenal genre-bending force. Ironically, The Man from show more Primrose Lane wasn't a novel I would've picked out of a line-up of potential reads. The only reason I got started with Renner in the first place was because I was searching for a literary agent and his agent at the time happened to be my top pick. Read the books, get to know the agent, right? And so, connect the pieces and you can say that I read Renner's latest, a book I wouldn't have even considered reading just two years ago, out of my initial desire to attract an agent.

Those investigating the disappearance of Murray have many more pieces to put together and frankly, her disappearance doesn't add up. There are so many distinguishing clues that likely mean nothing. There are so many possibilities yet only one can be true. It's easy to see how someone could either get lost in her case or give up altogether. Just reading about the possibilities and theorizing over the potential overcomes left me dizzy.

But for me, this book wasn't about Murray, not really. It was about the psychosis of obsession—the need to know. Now I know some readers, particularly those who are die-hard true crime readers, probably would prefer if the author cut himself out of this book. They'll say that this book shouldn't be about Renner. It's an understandable complaint; however, I would argue that without Renner's personal story about his investigation, it is unclear how fruitless the search has been. This is a case that will likely never be solved unless someone directly tied to Murray's disappearance steps forward. It is this sort of desperation that drives Renner to such dubious acts: invading the privacy of Murray's friends and family, driving drunk on state highways, etc. No doubt some of Renner's actions are questionable, but that's what makes this book so riveting. What drives a person to kill? What drives a person to sever all ties and disappear? And what drives a person to go to the ends of the earth searching for those answers? show less

I received an ARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This did not affect my opinion of the book or my review itself.

This is one of those books that when I received an ARC, I'm pretty sure I actually squealed out loud. I had been looking forward to reading this book since I first heard about it on the Missing Maura Murray podcast. I found the case fascinating, but the podcast rambled too much for me, and I was looking forward to reading a more straight forward account.

While Renner does ramble some in the book, it's all for a purpose. When he goes off on tangents about his family, they do all tie back to his obsession with the case. And that's what makes this book work. Renner admits right in the title that show more he is obsessed with this case. If he hadn't just laid that out right away, you might find yourself questioning his perspective throughout the book, but he states it up front and then both you and he can move on.

This is a fascinating case. There are so many twists and turns, so many possibilities, so many little clues to stumble upon. You can see why Renner would want to write about it, and why so many people on the internet would spend their time trying to solve it. I know there are a lot of people online who strongly dislike Renner and what he is doing, but I personally chose to avoid reading any threads online and just read the book for what it was.

The only thing I don't like is the "secret epilogue". Both at the end of my ARC copy and on his website, Renner states that there is a secret epilogue with 10 more pages of new revelations on the case, but that no reviewer copy has it. You have to buy the book when it comes out to read it. This bugs me, to be honest. If someone is taking the time to read and review your book, feature it on their blog, you shouldn't withhold a part of your book from them. It seems like a bit of a publicity stunt that I honestly don't appreciate.

That said, this is a fascinating gripping book that I couldn't put down. I would recommend it to anyone who is a fellow true crime addict. I was planning to buy this book anyway once it comes out (May 24th), so I'll get to read the secret epilogue then. show less

This book is so poorly researched and written that it makes me question the credentials of all true crime investigators. The writer takes at face value various rumors and speculations, sometimes by online commenters whom he has never met. It is more indolent journalism than investigative journalism.

As an example, various fictions presented as fact include:
1. A interaction with a psychic
2. A purported "psychopath test" that has been publicly debunked (just Snopes it, James!)
3. Judgment calls on the "aberrant" behavior of the victim's family and friends based on anecdotes of other people's behavior, not on scientific studies or wider surveys
4. A movie plot device presented as science

The most interesting part of the story is the writer's show more own family history, which is extremely disturbing. Learning about it elicited sympathy for the wild conclusions he reaches about the missing person here, yet ultimately it fails to make this book worthwhile. Not recommended. show less

This is not a run of the mill "true crime" book. It reads like biography, it reads like fiction. Fast paced, clever and compelling. Renner's journalism background shines, as does his ability to structure a story. There are some ghastly personal stories interwoven with the very strange Maura Murray case but it never goes into the realm of gruesome the way some true crime books do. I'd like to hire James Renner to teach me to write like this, but I suspect his brand of obsession can't really be taught.

I could not stop thinking about this book for a few days, and I couldn't put this down until I was done. I enjoy the puzzle of true crime stories, but Renner's personal narrative is almost more interesting than Murray's disappearance.

The thing that made this one so compulsively readable was that the author weaves his own personal struggles and dark family history into the story. He talks about the Murray case, but also delves into his dark desire to search for danger. It was hard to read at times, but I couldn’t put it down.

I can’t get enough of journalists writing long form. They’re succinct and definitely don’t let themselves get bogged down in pointless details and $.50 words when a $.10’ll do.

He further solidifies my belief about true crime writers — they all have to be a little mad to think like the killers do. Or in this case, “victim.” (FWIW, I’m on board with his conclusion.)

While I understand his need to stop chasing unsolved crimes, I hate, just a tiny bit, that he won’t be writing more absorbing books for me to greedily read.