I've read all three of Renner's true crime books, and I'd have to say that this was my favorite. I appreciate his honesty, and I like his writing style. It's not sensationalist. If you like true crime, you'll love it.

It’s 1990, in a small affluent suburb of Ohio named Shaker Heights. Sixteen year old Lisa Pruett is found stabbed to death just yards away from her boyfriend’s home.

Almost immediately a suspect is in the police department’s sight, and he’s tried in the court of public opinion before it even goes to trial.

It’s very well researched and through interviews and court transcripts, you get an in-depth view of the tragedy, not only of Lisa’s death, but how it affected the accused.

Sadly it’s not a story we haven’t heard before. A devastating murder happens, the investigation is severely flawed, and the case goes cold and unsolved. I do hope James Renner is able to finally shed enough light on the case to revive it and get closure for everyone involved.

Engrossing story that feels like it was written for a drama-loving YA crowd. You'll have to remind yourself while reading that this is a true story, and that this did happen here in Smalltown, USA. Information is straightforward, use of court transcripts to bring the story along as well as author's own personal interviews with persons from the event.

I had heard of James Renner though podcasts and I love true crime so I definitely wanted to read this book. I wasn't expecting much from the book though and why you may ask. I am not totally sure for some reason I had it in my head that James was not the best guy. I can't pin point why I thought that though.
I was thoroughly surprised though as I really enjoyed this book. I definitely felt like I got a lot of info on this case that I knew a little about but could not remember all the details. James really laid out all he knew and I think did a great job in showing us how messed up this case became.
The chapters here were short and fast reads making the book feel like it was moving very quickly. It was well written and not only did you get the case itself but also how James felt and did things as he wrote it.
I am definitely going to check out more true crime books now but also I may check out some of James Renner's other books as well.

James Renner jumps directly into Lisa Pruett’s murder with chapter one. He slowly starts introducing you to the culture and people as each chapter progresses. His writing does an excellent job of placing you directly in Shaker Heights so you’re immediately familiar with how the people operate. Renner doesn’t add unnecessary fluff to his story telling; he’s best to provide you with the facts. The writing and flow of the book is fast; easily something that’s compelling enough to finish in a few days.

Renner does an incredible job providing you with the transcripts of the police department and their inherent bias against the accused Kevin Young. It really is sickening to read how they have no physical evidence, that they recognize the friend group and families of the friend group can be “crazy”, yet they are still trying to manipulate Kevin Young to be Lisa’s murderer. It’s certainly not the first time we’ve seen this scenario played out in true crime especially against the odd ball teen but the book does a great job illustrating this trope. The second part of the book documents the trial which is supported by court transcripts. To read how the prosecution tried a boy with no physical evidence and how the defense team turned each witness around was fascinating.

The third part ties it all together bringing in Renner’s theories and an update on where every one stands today. It puts the lasting effect of this trial into perspective. The only thing I didn’t need in this book were Renner’s personal opinions on the state of the country and the pandemic. While subtle, they didn’t add anything to the story he was telling. Each time, it took me out of the narrative. It seemed out of place and used as a dig to those who may disagree with him. But it’s Renner’s passion for Kevin Young and Lisa Pruett that makes this book so compelling. He gives us all the information, takes us on his journey and it’s easy to come to the same conclusions. I find a lot of books written about unsolved cases miss the landing but this book leaves you satisfied even with an unresolved case.

Thank you to Kensington Books & Citadel for this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I will never not rate a true crime novel (or any non fiction) 5 stars. It’s a true story and someone is doing the victim(s) justice by telling their story. Huge fan of True Crime Addict as that case has eaten away at me about as much as it did this author. I’d never heard of this crime before but knowing the authors writing direction, I knew this would be one of the most informative

I requested this one because it might be an upcoming title I would like to review on my Youtube Channel. However, after reading the first several chapters I have determined that this book does not suit my tastes. So I decided to DNF this one.

I have always considered myself a True Crime fan of sorts. The fascination started when I was a child watching Lifetime movies based on true stories and then progressed into binging shows, documentaries, podcasts, watching court tv, reading news articles, but I had never attempted to read a full-length true crime book. Crime fiction sure but true crime books, I was worried they would be too technical, dry. I struggle with reading non-fiction and didn't want to fail.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'll be honest, I went in blind and was shocked that it followed a crime and trial that occurred only an hour from my home. Granted I was in kindergarten when it happened, I'm still shocked I had little to no knowledge of this.

James did a fantastic job keeping your attention. I can't believe how many connections in the true crime reporting world that I am familiar with that are connected to this investigation in someway.

I really liked the third part where the author provides insight on how he came to right this book, his own personal investigation and findings, and how he kept the memory of Lisa alive. At no point did we ever forget that she was a victim and her loss was deeply felt.

I will definitely be reading more of his books.

Renner wastes no time getting right into the crime itself by detailing the location, the potential culprits and the circumstances surrounding Lisa's unfortunate demise. The narrative then moves at a breakneck pace from the moment the police arrive and the detective's work begins. Sourcing countless documents along with his dogged determination, Renner exposes the state's belief only one suspect could have possibly committed the crime - Kevin Young.

Renner builds a compelling case for other suspects and blames the prosecution's tunnel vision for ignoring other avenues. As the case moves along and doubt is seeded in the jurors relating to Kevin's potential for such an act, the danger arises that the wrong man may be facing a lifetime in prison.. This was an expertly written true crime story. What I really appreciated was that the author doesn't force us to his conclusions. Instead, he presents a wealth of information, including court documents, and trusts the intelligence of the audience to come to their own findings. This was a dark and gripping true story and I couldn't read it fast enough.

The first half of this book was so well-researched and written. James Renner pulled so much content from case notes, court documents, and personal interviews with those that knew Lisa Pruett in the unsolved 1990 murder case. Her acquaintance and classmate, Kevin Young, was many things, a racist, entitled, troubled, and unpopular, but it remains unclear whether or not he murdered Lisa. However, the community of Shaker Heights seemed to fixate on Kevin as the prime murder suspect. While Renner does not totally exonerate Kevin, he does highlight the complexity of this case and how the evidence seemed to demonstrate that Kevin may not have been the killer.

I was engaged throughout the first half when Renner presented concrete evidence, but he lost me in the last portion. Renner talks about personal anecdotes, his motivations for writing the book, and disjointedly what happened to some of the people involved in this case. Perhaps most strange is that Renner introduces a potential suspect within the book's last three chapters, with very little follow-up. If the book had continued with the same cadence as it had in the beginning this would have been a solid 5-star read, but the end really brought down the book as a whole.

Another fantastic true crime book written by James Renner! Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Kensington Books for an ARC. Pub date: 6/27, the perfect true crime poolside read.

Briefly: During the early 90s in Cleveland, OH, teenager Lisa Pruitt was brutally murdered. Everyone has a different theory, and that becomes dangerous and problematic when “everyone” includes the local police. Bad things happen when police decide their main suspect before the evidence tells its story.

This book was a true page-turner for me. James Renner is one of those true crime authors who makes a story come alive. It was fascinating to read about this case that happened so close to where I live, and I actually recognized the names of the streets where the murder took place. Creepy!

Lots of focus on investigations and court proceedings (which I love). This one is not too heavy on the gory details of a murder scene. Definitely recommended for two audiences: anyone looking to give the true crime genre a try, and those of us who are avid true crime readers already.

As a True Crime lover, this is a great detailed account of an unsolved murder, that I had never heard of before. I also enjoy the ability to connect the facts and draw my own conclusion to who the killer is!

Lisa Pruett was a smart, kind, typical teenager in the affluent Cleveland suburb of Shaker Heights.

Until one night in 1990, when her boyfriend found her bike on the sidewalk, and the police found her body just yards away.

The investigation that followed uncovered the secret lives of Lisa and her friends, the promising kids of Shaker Heights. From fights with parents, to drugs, psych wards, jealousy and murder, the case was splashed across front pages for months.

In this true crime account, James Renner revisits the case and sheds new light on possible suspects.

Renner’s writing has an easy flow, and even though this is non-fiction, it follows the story arc of any good novel. He takes us through the murder, the investigation, the trial, and the aftermath.

By interviewing the attorneys, jurors, witnesses, and suspects involved, Renner paints a picture of an insular community that looks perfect on the outside, but is rotting underneath.

He captures the intensity of the turbulent teenage years, and provides a peek into how those feelings created a perfect storm of suspicion, accusation, and distrust.

It’s an interesting story of a senseless crime, and a girl taken too violently, too soon.

Thanks to @netgalley and @kensingtonbooks for the eARC.

Little, Crazy Children will be released on June 27, 2023.

Check out this book if you like true crime and examinations of the small town communities it affects.

I am absolutely obsessed with all thing's true crime. This story may be a new favorite to look into. I had never heard of this case and was so intrigued by it that I stayed up late just to keep reading it. I like how the author comes at you from multiple sides of the crime and explains them very well. It so sad that something every teen goes out to do ultimately led to her death, It really shows the difference in law enforcement in the 1990s. The evidence was hard to decipher for the detectives and ultimately the boyfriend she was meeting became main suspect with absolutely no evidence against him.
I love reading about crimes before technology really took off and the ways police assumed a suspect and went after them with no proof. Such an interesting read.

Renner is back with another informative true crime novel. Renner’s writing is concise and provides the reader with the necessary information via interviews, history of the locations and people, court reports, and crime details. I may be a little bias because I am local to Renner and his work, connecting with details and references to things he mentions but he is still an author whose work I would recommend to true crime fans.

Pub Date: 27 Jun 2023

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Shaker Heights, Ohio, 1990 - Sixteen-year-old Lisa Pruett is stabbed 21 times on her way to her boyfriend’s house. Eighteen-year-old Kevin Young is accused of her murder and declared guilty only in the court of public opinion.

It starts out focused primarily on the crime and investigation, but the book progressively focuses more on Kevin and the impact the trial had on his life. I thought going into this the crazy, little children would be the murderer, but instead they’re the teenagers who accused a now acquitted fellow schoolmate for the crime.

The police appear to ignore facts based on their assumption they’ve gotten their guy, but hindsight is 20/20 and I’m no police officer, detective, or lawyer.

It’s so difficult to see crimes go seemingly unsolved, especially when it involves such brutality. It’s even worse when children are involved as victim, accused, and witnesses.

Little, Crazy Children by James Renner is a well-researched, painfully devastating murder of a young woman and the character of the man acquitted for the crime.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Citadel Press for the e-ARC!

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for allowing me to read this book!

I've known Renner since the Missing Maura Murray podcast. At times he can be controversial with some of his theories and the lengths he takes to get the information he needs. That being said, I have always appreciated his perseverance with these unsolved cases. If anything, maybe it will draw more attention to the forgotten.

Summary: The setting is September 1990 in Shaker Heights, a wealthy community in Ohio. In the middle of the night, police meet up with a teenage boy, Dan Dreifort, outside his home. Dan states that he and his father had heard a few screams while they were inside the house. They went outside to look around but didn't find anything, so they returned inside. A little bit later, Dan remembered his girlfriend Lisa Pruett was supposed to sneak over around 12:30 am. He runs back outside and finds her bike in some bushes. After the police look around, they find Lisa's body in the backyard of another house close by.

This was a sad and frustrating story, but one we hear all the time. A person is tragically murdered, the investigation gets botched, the media misconstrues stories to sway the audience, and the case goes left unsolved. The wrong people get tried and the victim and the victim's family never get closure.

This is a hard story to rate since it is true crime. I will rate this based on the information gathered and how Renner presented the story. The story was told in a linear timeline. Renner kept the story as neutral as possible, sticking with the facts that he has uncovered along the way. He did well writing this story. A little bit in the end, I felt as though it could have been condensed, yet I understand he was trying to put as much information connected to this case out there. I appreciated the history of each person and of Ohio in general, it was very interesting how he connected everything together.

I give this book 4 stars. I really hope something Renner has found will cause a ball to begin rolling and get Lisa's case back in the limelight. I would read more from Renner.

16 year old high school Lisa Pruett sneaks out around midnight to meet up with her boyfriend, Dan, who had just been released from the institution. Dan and his father hear a scream around that timeframe, call the police, and Lisa’s body is found within 40 feet of Dan’s house. With the help of Lisa’s lying friends and some shoddy police work, Kevin, the “weirdo” of Shaker Heights (also you get the history of the town which was interesting and reminded me of why I am NOT a religious person) was quickly called the murderer and arrested. Thankfully, a defense attorney was able to prove beyond the shadow of a doubt that Kevin did not do this. The very smart jury also was quick to see that Kevin did not do this and he was acquitted. However, that didn’t matter to the Shaker Heights residents who still believed the lies. Kevin didn’t deserve to live under the cloud of suspicion for the rest of his short life. My heart goes out to him and his family. Since Kevin didn’t do this, who did? Secretly, I was hoping it would point towards someone with initials of RB (you manipulative heifer) but as the evidence was placed in front of me, I was like wow okay. I can see this.

If you have not read anything by this author, I suggest you do. His True Crime books are all well researched, well written, clearly laid out and presented to the readers. I’m a James Renner fan and will read any of this true crime books any time, anywhere. His podcasts are also really good. It’s like sitting across the table from a friend who has the same passion for true crime that you do.

Thank you #netgalley and #jamesrenner for the advanced reader copy of Little, Crazy Children! I read this book much faster that I have from all the other ones I have been provided. I cannot explain how big my eyes got when I saw this was available for review and then how much I danced around my home office when I received the “Your request has been approved” WOOT WOOT!!

Favorite Quote: “I understood that routine provides the momentum when things would otherwise grind to a half. Routine separates us from the fear and emotion of a traumatic event – from the rising tally of the sick and the dead on Twitter. When you are faced with life-altering events, it’s best to rely on routine to get you to the next day, and the next, until you find your footing again.” This is exactly how I get through the rough times.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the Kindle ARC. This was the first book I've read by James Renner and what a true crime tale it is. The story is written with intricate details of the murder of high school student Lisa Pruett in the Shaker Heights community in 1990. James Renner's mastery of the crime and its fallout are superb. The first suspect is Lisa's boyfriend, Dan, who she was on her way to meet late at night at his house. The investigation spins out of control, due to mishandling by the local police department and a young man, who had grievances against Dan, is indicted and stands trial for the murder. This case is one of many in which more than one life is destroyed and the fall-out continues for years. At the end of the book, Mr. Renner presents several other more likely suspects and describes the devastation of a tragedy of a young woman's death.

Another great true crime novel by James Renner. A truly fascinating and heartbreaking (on many levels) case.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62927917