Goodreads Choice Awards Finalists 2025

Ask the Author: James Renner

“Ask me your questions, I'll tell you no lies.” James Renner

Answered Questions (30)

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I am looking forward to FINALLY knowing what happened. My mom first heard the case on the Investigation 🫆 Discovery show Disappeared. Speaking of the show, why do you think they left out so much??
James Renner They had a narrative they wanted to push that was sexier than the truth.
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As soon as I asked that question. I knew immediately that there would be one than one suspect {unfortunately} Do you think we will get answers publically??
James Renner I do. absolutely.
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Wow! I can’t believe it 🤯 Do you think he is the only suspect??
James Renner Definitely not, but he's a good one in my opinion.
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hey James! by chance; are there any new updates on the Maura Murray case??
James Renner Actually, yes. Former West Point cadet Steffen Baldwin's fingerprints were discovered inside her abandoned car. Possibly on a CD. He's in prison in Ohio on unrelated charges.
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Maybe they could use genetic genealogy ?
James Renner I think they could and should.
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Why do you think that Amy Mihaljevic's case has never been solved?? *fellow Ohioan
James Renner The DNA found at the crime scene was degraded but I think advances in genetic genealogy will eventually solve it.
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Any DNA updates on the Pruett case??? I just read your book in a 3-1/2 hour sitting. I gave it five stars here. I also read the Murray book and The Serial Killer's Apprentice. Gilgo Beach is big news here in NY. https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5738196579
James Renner Thank you for reading my stuff! No updates on Pruett yet. Hopefully Shaker Heights police will test the evidence in that case and the double-homicide of the Porters.
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Hi Mr Renner, I got the hard cover book Crazy Little Children. My question for you is while doing your research for this book did you find it hard not get confirmation bias against Kevin ? Thanks Jen Roy
James Renner Hi Jen, yes, indeed! Practically all the police reports were written as if Kevin was the only viable suspect.
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Hello James! Loved Little Crazy Children! You mention that Mr. & Mrs. Pruett lost another child at a young age - how many kids did they have in total? Also, after reading this book, I felt so badly that I EVER thought Kevin Young committed this crime.
James Renner Hi Denise, that's wonderful to hear. Thank you. I hope it's changing the minds of many people in Shaker Heights. The Pruetts had three children. Lisa has another brother who is doing well.
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Hello, what's the holdup with Copperhead Island?
James Renner There's a couple books in the queue to come out before it. I love the story and hope to complete it with a trilogy but the universe must align first.
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I just finished reading your book True Crime addict. It was amazing! Do you have any suggestions for similar books?
James Renner Thank you very much! I really liked Couple Found Slain and what it had to say. It's very different from your average true crime book. Anything by M. William Phelps and Gregg Olsen is always great too.
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I just finished The Great Forgetting. Dude, what were you smoking!?
James Renner Ha! I plead the fifth.
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Hello, is there any news on a release date for Curse of the Man from Primrose Lane? I understand that it is finished and ready for publication. Thanks.
James Renner It has a new title, Copperhead Island, but no publication date, yet. I have another novel that may come out first.
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Enjoyed True Crime Addict and emphasize with your obsession about this case. Well-researched and thought-provoking! My question - In your book I don't recall mention of a time gap during Maura's journey to New Hampshire which was mentioned in the ID documentary. Were you able to account for missing time during your investigation?
James Renner Hi Patricia! I was not able to account for that time. It seemed to be around 45 minutes. So perhaps she stopped to eat. Or perhaps she had friends with her and they stopped at a grocery story.
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What was the tough question you asked Tim regarding Fred in True Crime Addict?
James Renner Not ready to reveal that one yet.
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I want to thank you for such a great book. Did you find yourself obsessing over Maura Murray whereabouts,? Were the people in New Hampshire helpful when asking them for their help? I'm from CT and born in NH and I know they don't take kindly to outsiders.
James Renner Thank you very much! Of course I obsessed over it and for a long time. Less so these days. I've come to believe she likely was murdered later in the week by one of the men in her life. The people of NH were helpful mostly. Massachusetts people, not so much. :)
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omg squee! you liked my review of your book. i'm a book nerd and this has made my day! :) they say this has to contain a ?
James Renner :) Well a good review always makes my day so it's only fair.
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Hey James, I read "True Crime Addict" and have been down and back from the MM rabbit hole many times. In terms of the your tandem driver theory, who are your "most likely the 2nd driver" candidates?
James Renner I hesitate to name them publicly but surely someone close to her.
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Hey there! Any updates on the Primrose movie? It’s one of my favorite books and I’m anxious to see how it turns out on screen.
James Renner It was set up at Fox as a TV show. I've written the pilot and episode 2. With any luck, we could see it in about a year or so. Also, I've finished writing the sequel book, called Copperhead Island. No idea when that comes out. Hopefully 2019/2020.
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Hey James -- I just finished reading your research on the Maura Murray case. I own a large true crime related website, and have followed her case quite closely. Just wanted to say it was a very good read, and appreciate the time and effort you took in your research. Anyway, I just wanted to suggest, that if you are every looking for ideas, you might want to look into the Brianna Maitland disappearance. Puzzling?
James Renner Hi Chris! Thanks for the kind words. I have looked at that case a bit. I don't think it's connected. But it is also a very odd case. Probably drug related to some extent.
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