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True Crime Addict: How I Lost Myself in the Mysterious Disappearance of Maura Murray by James Renner
ashley_nicole_bee's review against another edition
3.0
This was a pleasant read, at least as “pleasant” as a true crime novel can be. It focuses on the author’s investigation of a mysterious missing young woman. While the case was very interesting, I feel like the discoveries made in this in the case left more to be desired. The audience is left with more questions, but not really any new answers. The book made up for this in different ways though. We got an in-depth dive into the writer and investigator himself. Why did he decided to investigate and write about crimes? How has this decision affected him and his family? The writer is a complex person who seems, at times, to question his own intent and event his own sanity. This was very unique from this genre, and I found it incredibly interesting.
Teacher’s Guide:
Violence: The whole books discusses a missing persons case and talks about a series of other crimes including but not limited to rape and murder.
Substance Abuse: The narrator and the missing person he is investigating both deal with substance abuse issues including alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug abuse.
Sex: The narrator describes a strip club, sexual assault, and is mentioned in regards to the missing person
Other: I don’t think so
Teacher’s Guide:
Violence: The whole books discusses a missing persons case and talks about a series of other crimes including but not limited to rape and murder.
Substance Abuse: The narrator and the missing person he is investigating both deal with substance abuse issues including alcohol, marijuana, and prescription drug abuse.
Sex: The narrator describes a strip club, sexual assault, and is mentioned in regards to the missing person
Other: I don’t think so
angus_mckeogh's review
5.0
I burned through this book in about 36 hours. Has pretty much everything that makes a book great. A broken narrator with a checkered past trying to unlock an ineffable mystery which turns out to be way more than it seems. Just a great read. Definitely one of my most enjoyable reads of the year. Highly recommended.
ryantlabee's review
5.0
Title: A Riveting Journey into the Heart of True Crime: A 5-Star Review for "True Crime Addict" by James Renner
"True Crime Addict" by James Renner is an exhilarating ride through the labyrinthine world of obsession and investigation, leaving readers riveted from the very first page. Renner's masterful storytelling had me engrossed, devouring this gripping book in nearly one uninterrupted sitting, losing track of time as I delved deeper into its pages. It reads less like a conventional true crime account and more like a captivating memoir, drawing us into the author's tumultuous journey with its raw vulnerability.
Renner fearlessly opens up about his personal infatuation with true crime, a passion that took him to the precipice of self-destruction. His candid exploration of the toll that his fascination with missing women exacted on his life is both poignant and thought-provoking. Through his narrative, readers become associate investigators, walking alongside Renner as he passionately pursues the enigmatic disappearance of Maura Murray.
The allure of "True Crime Addict" lies in Renner's willingness to bare his thought processes and share every piece of collected data, transforming us into partners on this haunting quest. The revelations of coincidences and eerie synchronicities he encounters—what he terms as "fearful symmetry"—add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to the story. We are treated to an interweaving of details from other cases he investigated and even his own family's history, elevating the narrative to a multi-dimensional exploration of the human psyche.
While the book lacks a definitive conclusion, it adheres to the stark realities of true crime investigations, where neat resolutions are elusive at times. Renner's honesty about the complexities and uncertainties of his pursuit adds authenticity to the narrative, reinforcing the adage that truth can often be as elusive as the mysteries we seek to unravel.
As we traverse Renner's compelling account, we witness the darker side of public exposure, where threats and danger lurk menacingly. Despite the challenges, Renner's intelligence and courage keep him relatively balanced, though not without moments of emotional intensity.
Throughout "True Crime Addict," Renner's storytelling prowess is on full display, captivating readers with every turn of phrase. The enthralling narrative effortlessly ensnares our attention, leaving us neglecting everyday responsibilities and wholly consumed by this extraordinary tale.
Having experienced the depths of Renner's investigative journey, I am content to admire his brilliance from a distance. His ability to navigate the shadows and confront the darkness is commendable, but it's a realm best kept at arm's length. Still, the magnetic power of his prose beckons me to explore more of his literary offerings in the future.
In conclusion, "True Crime Addict" is an immersive and soul-stirring journey, transporting readers into the labyrinth of true crime's allure. Renner's memoir-like approach, coupled with the absence of a tidy resolution, may be different from everyone's liking. However, the book's authenticity, exceptional storytelling, and unflinching exploration of human complexity make it an absolute must-read for any true crime enthusiast. In the words of James Renner's own magnetic narrative, this book is a relentless pursuit of truth, a haunting exploration of obsession, and a captivating memoir that lingers long after the final page.
"True Crime Addict" by James Renner is an exhilarating ride through the labyrinthine world of obsession and investigation, leaving readers riveted from the very first page. Renner's masterful storytelling had me engrossed, devouring this gripping book in nearly one uninterrupted sitting, losing track of time as I delved deeper into its pages. It reads less like a conventional true crime account and more like a captivating memoir, drawing us into the author's tumultuous journey with its raw vulnerability.
Renner fearlessly opens up about his personal infatuation with true crime, a passion that took him to the precipice of self-destruction. His candid exploration of the toll that his fascination with missing women exacted on his life is both poignant and thought-provoking. Through his narrative, readers become associate investigators, walking alongside Renner as he passionately pursues the enigmatic disappearance of Maura Murray.
The allure of "True Crime Addict" lies in Renner's willingness to bare his thought processes and share every piece of collected data, transforming us into partners on this haunting quest. The revelations of coincidences and eerie synchronicities he encounters—what he terms as "fearful symmetry"—add an extra layer of intrigue and mystery to the story. We are treated to an interweaving of details from other cases he investigated and even his own family's history, elevating the narrative to a multi-dimensional exploration of the human psyche.
While the book lacks a definitive conclusion, it adheres to the stark realities of true crime investigations, where neat resolutions are elusive at times. Renner's honesty about the complexities and uncertainties of his pursuit adds authenticity to the narrative, reinforcing the adage that truth can often be as elusive as the mysteries we seek to unravel.
As we traverse Renner's compelling account, we witness the darker side of public exposure, where threats and danger lurk menacingly. Despite the challenges, Renner's intelligence and courage keep him relatively balanced, though not without moments of emotional intensity.
Throughout "True Crime Addict," Renner's storytelling prowess is on full display, captivating readers with every turn of phrase. The enthralling narrative effortlessly ensnares our attention, leaving us neglecting everyday responsibilities and wholly consumed by this extraordinary tale.
Having experienced the depths of Renner's investigative journey, I am content to admire his brilliance from a distance. His ability to navigate the shadows and confront the darkness is commendable, but it's a realm best kept at arm's length. Still, the magnetic power of his prose beckons me to explore more of his literary offerings in the future.
In conclusion, "True Crime Addict" is an immersive and soul-stirring journey, transporting readers into the labyrinth of true crime's allure. Renner's memoir-like approach, coupled with the absence of a tidy resolution, may be different from everyone's liking. However, the book's authenticity, exceptional storytelling, and unflinching exploration of human complexity make it an absolute must-read for any true crime enthusiast. In the words of James Renner's own magnetic narrative, this book is a relentless pursuit of truth, a haunting exploration of obsession, and a captivating memoir that lingers long after the final page.
violetviva's review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
3.25
inabsentialuci's review
4.0
I didn't realize the author was local, so I enjoyed the parts that mentioned Northeast Ohio, especially the Amy Mihajvec bits, but I was a little put off by the memoir-type chapters since this was supposed to be a book about Maura Murray.
macsny16's review
1.0
Listened to this as an audiobook since iTunes was having a sale on it, and now I know why. I’m bummed because I was so excited to read this, since true crime is right up my ally. The book ended up being more of an auto-biography of the author rather than his story of tackling the infamous Maura Murray case. You could probably go listen to a podcast about her case and learn more than you would reading this book.
affirmationchick's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
4.25
Is it really possible to just disappear in this technology-heavy age? An age where the phone in your pocket knows where you are at all times, cameras monitor your every move, and electronic banking tracks every penny? While it's gotten harder, there are plenty of stories that prove it's still a viable option if you put your mind to it.
Here enters the baffling case of Maura Murray, a college student who in 2004 traveled from Massachusetts to New Hampshire for reasons unknown, crashed her car in the sight of several houses, and vanished before police could arrive mere minutes later. No footprints in the heavy snow around her car. No one within range seeing or hearing anything. Nothing.
I first learned about this story while binge-watching the ID channel show <i>Disappeared</i> several years ago. I got so caught up in how this girl could have gone missing that I began scouring the internet for more information since the episode was fairly old by the time I watched it. That was when I stumbled onto James Renner's blog and spent days catching up on information. I still visit it and other sites regularly despite how convoluted this case has become.
After years of waiting for it, <i>True Crime Addict</i> did not disappoint. I read almost the entire thing in one sitting before life got in the way. The writing style is easy to get lost in, the facts amazing, and the premise of telling his life story around his investigations interesting. I commend him for not being afraid to put his personal issues out there for all to see and judge.
I did eventually learn after finding his blog that Renner has caused a lot of controversy. There are clear battle lines drawn between him and the Murray family, as some of the negative reviews have pointed out. Am I going to say he's a saint in this case? Nope, especially as I only know what he's said publicly. Do I think that he has made some very valid points about how the family has acted since those early days? You betcha. Can he be a little hard hitting? I'm sure even he will say as much. But I think there's enough unbiased evidence that warrants hard questions aimed at the Murray family. Their immediate defenses to him are one of the biggest red flags (because I see no evidence that he went to them in attack mode).
But, read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I think it's good to get a variety of perspectives, namely from the author's blog and Websleuths. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in this case, missing people in general, and a hard look at the toll obsessions can take.
Here enters the baffling case of Maura Murray, a college student who in 2004 traveled from Massachusetts to New Hampshire for reasons unknown, crashed her car in the sight of several houses, and vanished before police could arrive mere minutes later. No footprints in the heavy snow around her car. No one within range seeing or hearing anything. Nothing.
I first learned about this story while binge-watching the ID channel show <i>Disappeared</i> several years ago. I got so caught up in how this girl could have gone missing that I began scouring the internet for more information since the episode was fairly old by the time I watched it. That was when I stumbled onto James Renner's blog and spent days catching up on information. I still visit it and other sites regularly despite how convoluted this case has become.
After years of waiting for it, <i>True Crime Addict</i> did not disappoint. I read almost the entire thing in one sitting before life got in the way. The writing style is easy to get lost in, the facts amazing, and the premise of telling his life story around his investigations interesting. I commend him for not being afraid to put his personal issues out there for all to see and judge.
I did eventually learn after finding his blog that Renner has caused a lot of controversy. There are clear battle lines drawn between him and the Murray family, as some of the negative reviews have pointed out. Am I going to say he's a saint in this case? Nope, especially as I only know what he's said publicly. Do I think that he has made some very valid points about how the family has acted since those early days? You betcha. Can he be a little hard hitting? I'm sure even he will say as much. But I think there's enough unbiased evidence that warrants hard questions aimed at the Murray family. Their immediate defenses to him are one of the biggest red flags (because I see no evidence that he went to them in attack mode).
But, read it for yourself and draw your own conclusions. I think it's good to get a variety of perspectives, namely from the author's blog and Websleuths. Definitely recommended to anyone interested in this case, missing people in general, and a hard look at the toll obsessions can take.