What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation

by Kate Crane

A dazzlingly crafted, addictively readable blend of memoir and true crime that calls to mind David Carr’s The Night of the Gun, Michael Hainey’s After Visiting Friends and Becky Cooper’s We Keep the Dead Close.

One September night in 1987, Eddy Crane called to say he was on his way home from his trucking business in industrial Baltimore. He never showed up. Initially, detectives figured he must have taken off. But Kate, 12 years old and a new eighth grader, felt certain he was dead. She and her family were shocked and adrift, with no explanation or resolution on the horizon.

Twenty years later, now a journalist in New York City, Kate is determined to seek out answers. She reopens the investigation with Baltimore’s Cold Case Unit, tracks down the retired detectives who’d worked Eddy’s case, and chases leads with old friends through her hometown’s dark alleys.

Part memoir, part true crime, part psychological suspense, What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation is a brilliantly written, deeply felt account of unfathomable loss and blazing resilience, of Baltimore, of family ghosts, and the bravery required to confront the past.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Memoir, Audiobook, Crime, Biography Memoir, Mystery

304 pages, Hardcover

Published April 7, 2026

About the author

I grew up in Baltimore, in a tight-knit family of German and Czech immigrants. I got an education in the D.C. punk scene and Riot Grrrl, and I earned a bachelor’s degree at Towson State in the Baltimore suburbs, where I studied Virginia Woolf, Black feminism, art history and French.

In the first part of my career, I did journalism in NYC for both Wall Street Journal publications and an alt weekly. I copy-chiefed for almost every magazine that ever existed, and I loved laboring over page proofs. I covered music regularly for Time Out New York and Brooklyn Rail ​for about a decade... a joy.

I’ve read all 72 Nero Wolfe books. McNally Jackson Books on Prince and Housing Works on Crosby are holy places. NYC is home, and I also spent a decade in Silicon Valley. There, I saw coyotes, bobcats and rattlesnakes on the regular. We’ll see what comes next.

I began work on What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?, my first book, in 2007. The book will be published by Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins, on April 7, 2026.

bluesky: katecrane
IG: katecrane.books

Reviews

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

"I used to resent Baltimore for wronging me. I pictured the city as a sea monster and accused: 'You stole my childhood, you took my father, and you hid him where I can't find him.' I stand by [the place] as a sea monster, but she's not to blame for my father's death or the lurch my young life took in 1987. Terrible things happen. If it exists at all, justice is rare." -- on page 282

It can be a dicey thing to review (or dissect) a person's memoir - especially when it involves exposing much personal trauma and depression - but Ms Crane's What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? was a very arresting (no pun intended) true crime tale mixed heavily with family pathos. Ms Crane - an accomplished journalist and Baltimore, Maryland native - recalls the day in September 1987 when, during the waning months of her preadolescence, her businessman father never returned home after a seemingly typical day at his workplace. Initially classified as a missing persons case by Baltimore PD but remaining an open investigation, Ms Crane decides to follow up with the agency's then-fairly new cold case unit on the twentieth anniversary of the disappearance. What she then discovers - and what eventually transpires - simultaneously answers questions that she has had for years but also prompts many new ones. For fans of David Simon - that former newspaper reporter-turned-screenwriter of acclaimed Baltimore-set crime dramas - several of the hard-working detectives that were shadowed in his outstanding 1991 bestseller Homicide: A Year on the Killing Streets (one of my absolute favorite books, ever) are also involved in supporting roles. There was certainly a jolt of recognition upon the mention of the names Donald Kincaid and Ed Brown (the initial investigators from 1987) and later Roger Nolan and Donald 'Big Man' Worden (the aging cold case men in post-retirement gigs, who pleasingly treat Ms Crane very well and are a helpful as possible in her quest for information - it was very satisfying to see said duo depicted as consummate police veterans). As Ms Crane tirelessly toils through the book's third and final act, I could not help but think of that famous closing quote from the play / film I Never Sang for My Father, which intones "Death ends a life, but it does not end a relationship, which struggles on in the survivor's mind toward some resolution, which it may never find", and seems like a perfect coda of sorts for her involving and intimate story.

[Valleri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane? is a memoir as well as a murder investigation. It's written by Kate Crane, whose father disappeared when she was 12 years old.

Eddy was known as a loving husband and father, who worked hard to support his family. He and his partner, Augie, owned E & M Machinery and were close friends. Then, Eddy and his Rottweiler, Sherlock, disappeared one night in 1987. The car was located at the airport, and Sherlock was rescued by a Good Samaritan. At first, investigators refused to do much, as Eddy was considered to be a missing person rather than a victim of homicide.

Years passed, and the crime was an ache that never eased for Kate. She decided to do her OWN investigation, and she also pushed the original detectives of the case, as well as Cold Case detectives, to reopen THEIR investigations.

In addition, the book covers some of Kate's life, too. There were parts that were unbearably sad. There were also parts that were infuriating. (There was one particular character I wanted to kick to the curb!) My heart hurt for Kate.

Thank you, #HanoverSquarePress, for providing this book for review and consideration via #NetGalley. All opinions are my own. Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane? has an expected publication date of April 7, 2026.

#KateCrane #Mystery #Crime #Family #Memoir #TrueCrime

[Addie Lovell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Remarkable! Very proud to know Kate

[Umar Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm not sure if this is a trend but it feels like half these reviews were written by ChatGPT.

Book started a little weak for me but the second half was really strong. Baltimore is a lot like my hometown of St. Louis and I'm from a family of multiple homicide victims so I empathize with the author in many ways (I also couldn't wait to move to NYC, but was unable to stay).

If you need a simplistic and tidy ending this isn't for you.

[Collyn Bradley · Rating 3 out of 5]

read if you like:
📖 non-fiction
🥶 cold cases
👯 father-daughter relationships

summary:
This book is a non-fiction story of Eddy Crane, father and co-founder of a trucking company, who never returns home from work in September of 1987. It hooked me right from the start, as Eddy’s daughter, who writes the book, remembers the impact his disappearance had on her family and especially her mother. She describes how the investigation played out, and all of the unanswered questions the family had as everyone moved on from their loss. Cut to present day, his daughter Kate decides to revisit those involved in her fathers disappearance and ultimate investigation, and uncovers secrets many would have rather stayed hidden.

What I loved most is how the story blends Kate’s nostalgia with the suspense of the cold case. On the surface, it’s a puzzle about what happened to Eddy, but underneath, it’s also about memory, reputation, and the way people cope after loss. The dual timelines keep the pace moving, and I found myself equally invested in the “then” and the “now.”

The characters are very well outlined — flawed, messy, and real. I especially appreciated how Kate didn’t just focus on Eddy himself, but on the people in his orbit, whose lives were shaped by his disappearance. She puts in a few red herrings but the book ends on a satisfying note of peace, acceptance and grace. If you enjoy true crime mysteries with a nostalgic feel, family drama, and a touch of organized crime, this is a great pick.

Thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing, Hanover Square Press and NetGalley for this advanced copy. If you’re from Baltimore or love a good cold case mystery, check out this book when it releases on April 6.

[Melodi | booksandchicks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5
This was a mix of memoir/true crime all about the mysterious disappearance of Kate Crane's father, Eddy Crane. Her father went missing one day in the 1980's and his disappearance with no information about what or who or how or why being revealed in many years led Kate to her own investigation.

This book is a mixture of how his disappearance hurt her in a variety of ways to her discovery of what happened and who was behind the scenes. I found the story interesting and quite sad. Not wanting to spoil anything, I'm withholding information, but I found her story compelling and happy she did this for herself, and her family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC.

[Robin Loves Reading · Rating 4 out of 5]

The blurb describes this book as blend of memoir and true crime. Had it strictly been a true crime story, it is unlikely that I would have been interested in it. The memoir aspect of the story is very intriguing. In fact, the more Kate Crane is determined to find out why her father Eddy Crane simply disappeared off the face of the earth the more the story drew me in. It had been twenty years since he disappeared and Kate intends on using her contacts as a journalist to find out what happened to her father once and for all.

With the elements of a well-written psychological thriller, it is easy to fully fall into this story and how readable it is. But, never forget that Eddy Crane had gone missing and that his family members are deserving of answers. The circumstances behind his disappearance just don’t make sense to Kate, and the fact that the case was never solved increases the intensity of this story.

This book deeply resonated with me. My heart broke for Kate throughout the story. Closure is essential for everyone, and Kate embodied that perfectly. The captivating narrative, brought to life by Vivienne Lehany’s exceptional narration, made this story even more enjoyable.

Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @htpbooks @htp_hive for the free book 💖.

This one was part memoir, part true crime, and part psychological suspense, and it captivated me from the start. I felt so sad for Kate, having to go through all that she did at such a young age and then essentially relive it as an adult while uncovering everything that was and was not done in the effort to find the truth about her dad’s disappearance.

Totally engaging and nicely written, this story kept my attention and made me root for Kate all the way to the end. I wish the end result of all her hard work had been a lot more fruitful, but I feel Kate’s father would be so proud of the lengths she went to, the effort she put in, and the dots she was able to connect. And though her findings may not have been exactly all that she hoped for, I believe this journey gave her the reassurance that she did everything she could with what she had available, and with that some kind of closure and a better understanding of who her dad was.

One night in 1987, 12-year-old Kate’s father, Eddy Crane, disappears on his way home from work. While police think he may have simply left, Kate believes something worse happened, and her family is left without answers.

Twenty years later, now a journalist, Kate reopens the cold case and returns to Baltimore to investigate what really happened, chasing old leads and long-buried secrets to uncover the truth.

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Read if you like:
🔍Baltimore setting
🔍A search for answers
🔍True crime
🔍Loss and resilience
🔍Memoirs

⚠️CW: Death of a parent

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to the publisher and to NetGalley for the advance digital copy of this incredible book!

[Cindy(groundedinreads) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating books like these are always hard for me because this is a true story about someone’s life and aftermath of a traumatic experience. This book is part coming of age, part memoir, and part true crime analysis. Katy Crane was a child when her dad didn’t come home from work in 1987. For decades she didn’t want to believe that he wasn’t ever coming home so didn’t want to have any type of service for him. As an adult, she started asking more questions, meeting with investigators and speaking with friends, family, and acquaintances who could offer insight into her father’s life. When she revisited places where her father ran into to trouble, her body had a visceral reaction. Nearly 40 years later, she has an idea about what happened but Eddy Crane is still missing. Her life is forever altered and I cannot imagine the pain she endures every day.

[Meagan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've always been fascinated by cold cases, so when I came across this book and looked up his name, I knew I had to read it. The way the author structured the book was captivating—sharing her memories in the first part and then diving into the case in the latter half. I can't imagine what she and her family endured, and her persistence was truly remarkable. It seems like she devoted her entire life to uncovering the truth about her dad's disappearance, and when she mentioned how her life seemed to pass her by, it really struck a chord with me. I hope she finds peace, as it's clear this book brought her a sense of healing that words might never fully convey.

I’ll definitely be recommending this book to others. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

[Aleesha Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw Vivienne Leheny’s name and immediately requested this… didn’t even read what it was about 😭

This was my first time hearing her outside of Charlie Donlea books and yeah, she still is a STAR. She honestly carried this audiobook for me. I’m not even sure I would’ve finished it without her on the mic. The story itself is a mix of memoir and journalism. The memoir part in the first half was a little harder for me to get through, but I do respect how raw and vulnerable it was.

Once it started leaning more into the investigative side, I was way more into it.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

ARC from NetGalley
Audiobook publishing April 7, 2026

Thanks to NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the advance listening copy of “What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation” in exchange for my honest review.

"Live or die, but don't poison everything." - Anne Sexton

In 1987, Eddy Crane failed to return home to his wife and two daughters after work. He was never seen or heard from again. One of his daughters, Kate Crane, reopens the investigation into her father’s disappearance twenty years later. She writes about her experience investigating and includes stories from her own life after her father’s disappearance profoundly changed her.

If I were rating the first 40% of this book, I’d probably give it two stars. I almost stopped reading several times. The memoir portion was sad, but not particularly compelling. The author talks about her personal life and the time she fell into a deep depression as an adult, years after her father’s disappearance. I always appreciate acknowledgment of mental health, so I’m glad she included this disposition. However, I felt that the details of her first period and her relationships were wholly unnecessary to the overall narrative. I started to lose focus and interest until she talked about the night she saw her father’s disappearance/murder play out on a popular crime television show. From that point on, I decided to stick with it to see what happened.

While the memoir portion was not well done, the investigative journalism was fascinating. There were a couple of twists at the end that surprised me. I admire Kate Crane’s tenacity and persistence in uncovering the truth about what happened to her father, despite her family's lack of support and, at times, outright hostility.

I think the book overall would have been better if the author had focused primarily on her investigative journalism and her childhood with her father before his disappearance. I think that would have kept the narrative more concise and helped readers better understand her relationship with her father. She kept saying that she was a “daddy’s girl,” but never really convinced me, as a reader, that she had a particularly close relationship with her father. I had the fact that her father was a 300-pound man (a detail that was often repeated) in my head more than anything about his character.

The audiobook narrator wasn’t my favorite. She was at times too monotone and other times too dramatic. She didn’t quite have the right balance figured out for this book, in my opinion.

I’m not sure if I’d wholeheartedly recommend this book; some parts were well done, others were not, but if the premise at all compels you, it might be worth the read.

Content Warning: Occasional moderate swearing, references to murder and violence. References to sex and LGBTQ+ relationships. Nothing overly descriptive.

[callistoscalling · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to the publisher for a gifted copy of this book; all thoughts are my own.

📖 Book Review 📖 Baltimore is near and dear to my heart and my family’s; it’s a city full of history, art, and culture. But with any major city it carries its stories of sadness and grief. My husband lost two friends to murder in his undergraduate days in the city, one which is still a cold case and it deeply impacted his life. And with any event in life, it created a sliding doors effect.

Kate Crane writes a gripping personal account of her own journey through her father’s disappearance when she was twelve years old that unfolds in a raw and riveting manner. Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane? is a beautifully written yet absolutely gut-wrenching story that is perfectly told through the lens of the daughter who lived through it. Through the layers of heartbreak and unknown, the reader accompanies Kate on the perpetual swing of the pendulum moving between grief and healing. While this is no easy read, it’s a powerful memoir that captivates a decades long journey on a quest for truth.

[Shaundra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC copy.

Started out great and caught my attention right away. This story is written from the oldest daughter's perspective. I enjoyed hearing parts where author described events that occurred behind the eyes of a teenager and getting a different perspective after finding details that she didn't know.
I didn't enjoy how much the author depicts  thoughts of being bad, not worthy etc. She carried on and focused on that element to much in the first half.
The second half was more focused on the case and detailed events from parties involved. I enjoyed the second half much better than the first half.
The True Crime portion of this book was intriguing and that was what kept me reading to the end. There are multiple twists and turns and some that were not predictable.
I am always reluctant to criticize a book written by the people involved as it is their story to tell. I just had a real difficult time with the negativity carrying on and on and on with relation to her emotions. It felt like her mom and sister potentially felt the same way which caused issues in their relationships.

That being said I can't even imagine what it feels like to have your father disappear just as you're entering your teen years.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one is a mixture of memoir and murder mystery. It was a mixture of intrigue, sadness, and family loss and grief. It follows how the author handled her father’s disappearance, and how she later investigated his disappearance. There is a lot of family trauma and it shows how everyone processes grief differently. It also shows how incompetent some police departments can be. Just really disappointed in them. I was sad by the conclusion and the last sentence by the author really undid me. The narrator, Vivienne Leheny did a good job portraying the author and the variety of characters that appear in the book. She kept me engaged till the very end.

A very special thanks to Harlequin Audio + Netgalley for the gifted ALC.
-------
Aww damn. That last sentence completely undid me. 😭

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Goodreads subtitle for this book is inaccurate and does not appear on the book itself. The author Kate Crane expresses her disdain for the voyeuristic nature of the true crime genre and it's unfortunate that this book, which is a memoir of her life after her father's murder in 1987 when she was 12, is being categorized as part of that genre. Her years-long investigation of what happened to her father was not to solve the crime -- everyone had known from the beginning who had done it and, for the most part, why -- but rather as an effort to understand what happened, honor her dad, and say goodbye. It's beautifully written but overwhelmingly sad.

[Deanna (she_reads_truth_365)]

This book focused more on the author’s life before and after her father’s mysterious disappearance. I wanted to know more about the mystery surrounding what happened to her dad, which the author probably didn’t have the answers as to why. I lost interest 30% in and decided this story was not for me.

[Tina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part memoir, part true crime. Kate’s dad didn’t come home from work one night in 1987 and life moved on with no real resolution. Decades later Kate is still dealing with this loss and begins trying to find out what actually happened that night.

[Eliza Cooper · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enthralled from start to finish. Everything about this book -- I was drooling over the descriptions, the engaging of all the five senses, the emotion. Everything. Gorgeous book.

[Angel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Non-fiction crime stories are a staple in my reading. I l read these books for several reasons. They make me feel understood, because so much of trauma is universal regardless of the underpinnings. I also read to understand investigative process, cheer for successful prosecution, and celebrate the resilience and strength of survivors and secondary-victims of crime. I requested this book from NetGalley and Hanover, and I was glad to receive it for review.

If I could review the book beginning at around 40% I would have given it 4 stars, but the beginning was almost like a separate book. In the author’s note Kate Crane notes that she purposefully worked as on a memoir for the beginning and with journalism in mind for the end. That tracks, but it felt inconsistent as I read.

The first half of the book was predominantly the memoir of a troubled young woman whose physical and mental health is collapsing under the weight of loss. Somehow, in spite of that, it was not emotive. It also wasn’t what I was expecting based on the book’s blurb.

This line may have been the moment I started to feel invested: “Justice? Unlikely! That my activist friends were oblivious to this fact embittered me.”

Once the author decided to work on her father’s disappearance the shift is abrupt. Even though this is the piece written journalistically, it is emotionally impactful and conveys the dynamic relationships of everyone in the story.

There isn’t a shiny ending here; there rarely is in this genre. However, I get the impression that Kate Crane is doing well, and she states that working on this contributed to saving her life. I am glad for that!

In an unusual twist, some of my favorite lines in this book came from the epilogue. Here’s one of them:
“But the reality is messier and more authentic: Kate does not solve the mystery of her father’s disappearance and, quite possibly, lives happily ever after. The questions weigh less now after the years I devoted to exploring them.” This resonates with me so strongly. Sometimes we just need to know we’ve done something, to know we’ve been heard, to know we’ve spoken something aloud. I hope Kate Crane DOES get her happily ever after!

[JennaJustReading · Rating 3 out of 5]

A True Crime Memoir Wrapped in Family Mystery

Rating ⭐⭐⭐ 3/5
Plot / Story ⭐⭐⭐
Characters ⭐⭐⭐
Writing Style ⭐⭐⭐
Atmosphere/Vibes ⭐⭐⭐
Spice 🫑

If you’re someone who loves a story that blurs the line between memoir and mystery, What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? by Kate Crane is one that will definitely catch your attention. This is one of those books that isn’t just about uncovering a mystery. It’s about unpacking a life, a family, and the long shadow a parent can cast.
At the heart of the story is Kate’s search to understand her father, Eddy Crane, a man she grew up seeing as charismatic, larger-than-life, and almost mythic. But who one day simply disappeared, leaving behind more questions than answers. As an adult, Kate sets out to piece together who he really was, and what she uncovers is a complicated history involving crime and cover ups.
What makes this book work is how personal and reflective it feels. While there is a true crime thread running through the story, this is very much a character-driven memoir. It’s less about solving the mystery in a traditional sense and more about understanding how that mystery shaped Kate, her identity, her memories, and her relationship with both of her parents.
The setting shifts between the gritty, vibrant energy of 1970s and 80s New York City - full of nightlife, risk, and underground dealings - and the present-day lens of Kate’s investigation. That contrast works well and adds texture to the story, especially as past and present begin to collide.
In terms of writing, I found it to be compelling and evocative. Kate has a way of pulling you into her memories and thought process, and there’s an emotional honesty here that keeps you engaged. The pacing is steady. It doesn’t read like a fast-paced thriller, but there’s still a quiet momentum because you’re uncovering pieces of the story alongside her.
That said, the biggest thing to know going in is this: there isn’t a clean resolution.
And whether that works for you will really depend on what you’re looking for as a reader.
For me, that was both a strength and a slight frustration. On one hand, it feels very real, because life doesn’t always give us neat answers, especially when it comes to family and the past. On the other hand, if you’re coming in expecting a fully resolved mystery, you may feel a bit unsatisfied.
But I do think that ambiguity is kind of the point. This book leans into the idea that some stories remain unfinished, and that part of growing up is learning how to live with those unanswered questions.
If you enjoy books that explore:
complex parent-child relationships
family secrets and identity
true crime woven into personal narrative
and memoirs that feel introspective rather than plot-heavy
…this is one worth picking up.
It reminded me in some ways of The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls and Inheritance by Dani Shapiro, stories that dig into who our parents really are versus who we thought they were.
Overall, I enjoyed this one. It didn’t completely blow me away, but I appreciated the writing, the emotional depth, and the honesty of the story. It’s a quieter, more reflective read, but one that stays with you.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for the alc. #NetGalley #

[Julie Maleski (juliereads_alot) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Harlequin Audio for the gifted ALC of this audiobook, to Hanover Square Press & HTP Books @htphive for the e-ARC, and Netgalley for both...this is my honest review.

🎧📱 What Ever Happened To Eddy Crane?📱🎧
Author: Kate Crane
Pub Date: April 7, 2026
Audiobook Publisher: Harlequin Audio
Narrator: Vivienne Leheny
Length: 8 hours, 59 minutes
Publisher: Hanover Square Press | HTP

MY RATING: 4.5/5⭐
(Rounded Up To 5⭐)

What Ever Happened To Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation, is written by Kate Crane, Eddy's daughter. This book is part memoir and part true crime murder investigation -- but all so very personal. On September 10, 1987, Kate's father called his wife to say he was headed home from work -- but never arrived at home. Though this case was referenced in such shows as Homicide and The Wire, Eddy Crane's disappearance is likely a cold case you've never heard of. And Eddy's disappearance forever changed the trajectory of Kate's life, as well as the lives of everyone in her family.

This book is written in short chapters and is a pretty fast-paced read that both captivated my attention and broke my heart. The first part of the book is a memoir that includes moments of Kate's life: her childhood, her teenage years after her father's disappearance, and her entry into adulthood.

The second part of the book shifts and includes more of a true crime focus; though stories about Kate's life are still prevalent, there is a true crime storyline that emerges as she decides to use her skills as a journalist to dig into her father's disappearance. At that time, the case has been cold for nearly twenty years, and Kate wants to know more.

I did an immersive read of this book with both the e-ARC and the audiobook. I thought Vivienne Leheny did a wonderful job conveying the emotions of the book when called for, while balancing the story-telling with a fact-focused and journalistic style of narration.

This book was a perfect mix of memoir and true crime, but Kate's very personal connection to the cold case made this read so much more than a factual outline of the facts. There is an undercurrent of grief throughout these pages in a very raw and authentic way, and the reader gets to be a part of Kate's emotional journey to try and uncover the truth about what might have happened to her father.

If you're a fan of true crime, this book will likely serve as a powerful reminder that these cold cases aren't just about an unsolved crime or a case to dig into. This book is a reminder that these cases involve real people, families, friends, and loved ones who are forever changed by their grief. And that what might be a 'cold case' to the rest of the world includes a whole host of unanswered questions and unresolved grief to that person's loved ones. What Ever Happened To Eddy Crane? is a must-read for fans of true crime, fans of memoirs, and fans of character-driven non-fiction.

#WhatEverHappenedToEddyCrane #KateCrane #HarlequinAudio #audiobook #HanoverSquarePress #HTPBooks #htphive #Netgalley #truecrimereads #memoir #unsolvedcoldcase #booklover #bookreviews #bookrecs #bookrecommendations

[Lori L (She Treads Softly) · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? by Kate Crane is a recommended half memoir/half true crime investigation.

When Kate Crane was twelve her father Eddy called to say he was on his way home. He never came home and his family had no resolution. Although it was clear something happened to him, Baltimore cops had it filed as a missing-person cold case rather than a homicide cold cases. The case remained cold until twenty years later when Kate Crane, now a journalist in New York City, began to dig for answers, including contracting retired detectives and Baltimore’s Cold Case Unit.

The first half of the book is a very personal memoir which open and honestly covers Kate's mental state in detail as she deals with the grief of losing her father, teenage angst, and the toxic mix of the two in her life. Honestly, while I sympathize with her need to share the turmoil and pain along with the feeling of isolation and post-traumatic dysfunctionality she experienced, I wasn't expecting such a detailed, deep-dive memoir covering her formative years leading into into adulthood and beyond. On the other hand, she is very open and honest about everything.

Once she begins to look into her father's disappearance as a journalist, and all the individuals and facts tangentially involved in various ways to his case, the narrative becomes more interesting. Justice may never be found, but actually investigating it on her own and asking the questions she needed answered, helped her find some closure for her own life, if not for her father's case.

Although Crane purposefully chose to start her story as a personal memoir and then switch to the viewpoint of a journalist/crime investigator, this choice didn't work well for me. While the book was described as a blend between a memoir and true crime, the focus on the memoir for almost half of the book was too much. Perhaps it would have helped to start the narrative when, as an adult, she began to her look into her father's disappearance while also including some personal struggles she experienced while growing up.

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? will be best appreciated by those who enjoy memoirs. Thanks to Hanover Square Press for providing me with an advance reader's copy via Edelweiss. My review is voluntary and expresses my honest opinion.
http://www.shetreadssoftly.com/2026/0...

[Lexi · Rating 4 out of 5]

(3.75*)

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane is a deeply heartfelt read genre-blended between a true crime investigation and a literary memoir, that highlights loss, painful memories, resilience, and the long shadow of unanswered questions.

When Kate Crane was just twelve years old, her father Eddy, never came back home one night after work. No body was ever recovered and the case quickly disappeared from the eyes of the public. Around two decades later, Kate (who is now a journalist in NYC) returns to Baltimore area where this occurred with her father, determined to find answers.

As the reader, we get to be a part of this as Kate interviews retired detectives, digs through old police files, navigates potential people linked, and recalls personal memories that continue to haunt her and her family for years until she can get more answers. The biggest strength here is how well Kate Crane shifts between both memoir and investigative journalism when explaining details of this case. It truly allows us, with all the evidence and information we now have, to understand not only WHAT happened but also HOW it felt to have unanswered questions for so many years. She does a great job with writing this not just as the disappearance of her father, but the lifelong impact of never knowing. “Not knowing becomes it’s own kind of truth”

With that said, it’s important to note that this book does not provide a clear answer or resolution to Eddy Crane’s disappearance. It is truly sad to say that there is not any leading evidence, confirmed suspects, or tidy conclusion to this disappearance that happened in 1987… almost 40 years ago. It is cases like this one, with unanswered questions or unsolved cases that truly made me want to go back to school for administration of justice, for investigation work.

Overall, I think Kate Crane wrote a vulnerable, deeply human book that shows the reality of these situations sometimes. The story ends the way many do in real life —- without any certainty, but with truth of another kind.
Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC!

[Bethany Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you @hanoversquarepress @htpbooks @htphive #partner for the gifted copy of this book.

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane just tugged at my heartstrings. This memoir centers around the aftermath of one life altering moment. Kate’s father went to work one night and never came home. He was a man of habit and they knew instantly something was wrong. The book basically explores how that single terrible event rippled through every part of Kate's life. It affected her relationship with her mother and sister, her future relationships with partners, her career and even her sense of self. Ugh, seriously sad.

What really stood out to me while reading was just how honest this story felt about grief without closure. Losing a parent is difficult on a good day but when its something tragic like this and there are NO answers it just feels THAT much more traumatic. The ripple effect of how this affected her literally stretched across decades (understandably). Kate does a powerful job showing how her unresolved loss shaped her decisions, her relationships with everyone and even her own identity.

I also found this memoir incredibly hard to look away from. Mainly because she spells out her lifelong search for answers. I just wanted her family to be more understanding of her own grief. Grief comes in all packages and they didn't seem to consider hers.

The parts that hit me the hardest were the effects this disappearance had on her relationship with her sister. Grief and uncertainty impacted their bond in such a horrible way. It was truly heartbreaking because my sister is my BFF and it just hurt my heart to see how this played out. Also, without giving too much away, there’s a moment when Kate discovers that someone close to her had been holding onto important information for years…and I just felt so deeply frustrated on her behalf. She spent YEARS digging for someone to say "oh yeah, I could have told you that".

While there is no perfectly tied bow of what happened, I do feel like she came closer to understanding what likely happened to her father. More than anything though I found myself hoping that Kate could eventually find a deeper sense of peace and continue healing the relationships in her life that still can be mended.

This was an emotional and frustrating look at loss and family. After finishing, I couldn’t help but feel that her father would be incredibly proud of the strength and resilience she’s shown in telling this story.

[Kirsten Voris · Rating 4 out of 5]

What if your father vanished when you were 12? What if family members were tight lipped about the past? What if interviews with cold case detectives produced speculation, hints of a cover up, but no satisfying conclusions after 20 painful years of digging for answers? How would you turn this into a compelling memoir? I’m still trying to figure out how Kate Crane did it.

In What Ever Happened To Eddy Crane, a married father of two, the author’s father, fails to come home from work one night in 1987. A disappearance that looks like a murder becomes a cold case, and a plot point on The Wire. Years later Kate Crane, now a journalist, feels impelled to uncover the story of what happened to her father to heal herself.

This is not a true crime novel. The author is clear about her dislike of the genre. Despite her reluctance to go there, she acknowledges that in the course of telling her story of loss and transformation, she’s provided plenty to keep true crime fans visualizing gruesome scenarios and speculating about her father’s end.

What’s missing for me is greater integration of the theme of memory, which Crane touches on at the end of her book. She has lived more years without her father than with him. Her memories are precious and limited. In acknowledging that memory itself is unreliable, Crane interrogates the accuracy of her own. And what of the meaning we make of our memories? What purpose does a recollection serve at age 13, as opposed to 50? I would have loved to see Crane wrestle with these fascinating ideas throughout, rather than reserving them for a coda.

If you’re in the mood for informants, corrupt politicians, Baltimore, and what was, for this reader, a highly disturbing look at the way families of crime victims are treated by some public servants, this beautifully written memoir is thought-provoking page turner and a very real look at the reality of closure—we usually have to provide it for ourselves.

[Andrea- The Shelf Life Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? Was written by Kate, Eddy’s daughter and her story of trying to find justice for her father that went missing when she was only 12 years old.

Eddy Crane was a loving husband and father, who worked hard to support his family. Eddy and his partner, Augie, who were close friends, owned E & M Machinery. Late one night in September of 1987, Eddy called his wife to tell her that he and their dog, Sherlock, were on their way home. Eddy was never heard from again. His car was located days later at the airport, and Sherlock was rescued. At first, investigators refused to do much, as Eddy was considered to be a missing person rather than a victim of homicide.

Years passed and there were no leads, so it became a cold case. That was never enough for Kate who was now an adult. She decided to find her own answers. Kate brought this to the attention to the Cold Case Detectives and the original Detectives on Eddy’s case to reopen the investigation.

I've always been fascinated by cold cases, so when I came across this book and looked up his name, I knew I had to read it. The authors structured the book kept me invested all the way to the end. I did appreciate hearing from Kate herself on how she coped with this life altering event. It was heart wrenching to hear her memories of her dad and the days following his disappearance.

I’ll definitely be recommending this book to others especially True Crime/ Mystery lovers. I had the honor of reading this ARC thanks to Netgalley, the Publisher Harlequin Trade Publishing, and a special thanks to Kate Crane for sharing your story with us.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Kate Crane was 12 years old, her daddy called to say that he was headed home … but was never seen or heard from again. Twenty years after his disappearance, Kate decides to search for her own answers. This is her story.

I had not heard of this missing person’s case before & was very interested to learn about Eddy Crane, his family & the circumstances surrounding his disappearance. People just vanishing from existence always gets my attention & I absolutely wanted to know more!

This book mixes memoir with true crime investigative journalism & being written by the daughter of the actual missing person gave it an intriguing personal edge. It’s real, raw, gritty, emotional, frustrating & just plain sad.

However, the layout of the story was a little unbalanced for me. Although I appreciate that the memoir portion in the first half was necessary to set the tone for what it was like for Kate to experience the fallout of life as someone whose father suddenly disappears … those sections didn’t captivate me or compel me as much as the investigative journalism sections. The second half, where we got back to the meat of the true crime mystery & all of Kate’s discoveries really had me glued to the pages!

Overall, the story was fascinating & mysterious & left me with such eerie feelings. Especially as more & more shocking truths came to the surface.

Although there was no absolute resolution or definite answers for this mysterious case, I do hope that this project has brought Kate some closure & peace.

Thank you to NetGalley, HTP & Hanover Square Press for the arc!

[Darcia Helle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love memoirs and true crime, so I expected this combination to be a perfect fit. But for the most part, it was just okay for me.

I want to make it clear that this is just my opinion of the book’s structure, not the author, her life, or anything else. We get a whole lot of information about the author’s youth, but oddly, not much about her relationship with her father. Or rather, she tells us that she was a daddy’s girl, he was her world, etc., but we don’t see it. I wanted to experience those moments with her, when being with her father made her happy. I wanted to experience the love in order to better understand the loss.

The author chose to keep her remaining family members on the periphery of her story. I understand and respect that choice, but their absence also creates a void in the story.

Most of what we learn about Eddy came at the end, when the author spoke to someone who knew him well and that person shared stories.

The biggest takeaway for me with this book was the psychological damage caused by silence within a family. Though I confess I’m still unclear on the reasons for the emotional distancing and outright hostility between this author and her mother and sister.

I switched between reading the ebook and listening to the audiobook. Vivienne Leheny’s narration is fine and easy to listen to. It’s straightforward, but like the content, short on emotions.

*Thanks to HTP Books and Harlequin Audio (#HiveInfluencer) for the free ebook and audiobook downloads!*