Amy: My Search for Her Killer

Secrets and Suspects in the Unsolved Murder of Amy Mihaljevic

By: James Renner

Narrated by: James Renner

"I fell in love with Amy Mihaljevic not long before her body was discovered lying facedown in an Ashland County wheat field. I fell for her the first time I saw that school photo TV stations flashed at the beginning of every newscast in the weeks following her kidnapping in the autumn of 1989 - the photo with the side-saddle ponytail...."

So begins this strange and compelling memoir, which delves into the investigation of one of Northeast Ohio's most frustrating unsolved crimes. Ten-year-old Amy Mihaljevic disappeared from the comfortable Cleveland suburb of Bay Village in the fall of 1989. Thousands of volunteers, police officers, and FBI agents searched for the girl. Her picture was everywhere - anyone who watched the local TV news remembers the girl with the sideways ponytail. Tragically, Amy was found dead a few months later. Her killer was never found.

Now, 15 years later, journalist James Renner picks up the leads. Filled with mysterious riddles, incredible coincidences, and a cast of unusual but very real characters, his investigation quickly becomes a riveting journey in search of the truth.

Contains mature themes.

©2006 James Renner (P)2018 Tantor

Poor little girl.

it is so sad that this little girl was murdered and the murder has still to be found and brought to justice. This in depth investigation by the author was intense and impressive. it is my hope that the murderer comes forward soon.

A+

This is a story that grabs you by the throat with the first sentence and does not let go until the bitter end. Not true crime and not a simple memoir, it’s an odd juxtaposition of both that really highlighted the humanity of James Renner’s writing. It’s also a chilling reminder of how many unseen/unknown (or brushed aside) predators are circling.

One of the better true crime stories out there.

Renner prepared an outstanding work on this subject. The only drawback, and it certainly not Renner’s fault, is that there is no final resolution. That said, by the conclusion, a reader will have developed some pretty strong conclusions as to who they believe is responsible. It’s a sad event, but Renner does an excellent of presenting the facts and his investigation.
Not enough books like this.

A different approach to true crime; I enjoyed it

I really got into the author's dogged hunt from one interviewee to the next for direct testimony that could explain what became of the murdered girl. And at the end the narrative was well wrapped-up, in my opinion, in spite of the fact that the answer is still yet to be found. I felt some satisfaction to know what probably happened, and what kind of murderer was likely involved.

The author spoke with dozens of people who knew Amy, and a few people who witnessed something on the day of her disappearance, and managed to keep it interesting as his trek wound on. The story begins on the fringes of the investigation with people who know a little something about something, and gradually works its way into the circle of people who knew Amy, and finally to those who saw Amy on her last day, even her last moments, alive in her normal life.

The listener is rewarded in the end with more details and firmer evidence of what is known and what is probable about Amy's fate.

And it is gratifying that Amy herself is brought to life through the memories of those who loved her. She is no longer just one more tragic childish image in the gallery of child victims in the media today. Amy emerges as a bright, talented, creative and much-loved child, who did not like the school photo that represents her into posterity, and who would have enjoyed a life of love and accomplishment had she not been cut down by a human predator.

This time the author was the right narrator.

Gripping story of the abduction and murder

The narration was excellent. The story details the disturbing kidnapping and death of Amy, a young girl

Great listen!

The blogspot at the end should be removed as it is no longer valid, I wish I could have read it! I would love to know more!

Officially a James Renner Fan

I don't know what it is about James Renner, but after two of his books I'd say I'm a fan. His style of writing and reading is slow and earnest. He doesn't take the popular angle of shock and drama. Instead his story telling is driven by curiosity and sincerity. The result is that I feel like I'm sitting across the table from a friend while he confides a deeply personal story. I felt this way about True Crime Addict, too. You care about him, the people in his story, and you wish your time together didn't have to draw to a close. He's a uniquely talented writer and reader. I'd love to hear more from him.

Worth every penny

I have followed Amy's case and read every article/ blog and listened to Podcasts. Her story is one that never lets you go. James did an excellent job with this book and I hope they catch Amy's killer!

Great book

Such a great book by James Renner. This case is one I hope can be solved soon!

James Renner did his best

Though the author did his best investigating this 16; year old cold case, he didn’t get the answers he was looking for. I believe he did dig up more information for the authorities and brought Amy’s name back into the lime light at least for a while. It is a shame that Amy’s killer hasn’t but caught but he could very well be dead if Renner’s findings are true.