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

Not yet published
Expected 7 Apr 26
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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.

304 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication April 7, 2026

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About the author

Kate Crane

1 book13 followers
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

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
Profile Image for Valleri.
1,030 reviews49 followers
November 30, 2025
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
Profile Image for Collyn Bradley.
343 reviews8 followers
August 24, 2025
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.

Profile Image for Meagan.
537 reviews
August 30, 2025
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.
Profile Image for callistoscalling.
1,049 reviews35 followers
November 7, 2025
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.
Profile Image for Lori L (She Treads Softly) .
3,015 reviews121 followers
Review of advance copy received from Edelweiss+
March 13, 2026
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...
Profile Image for Angel.
288 reviews24 followers
February 15, 2026
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!
Profile Image for Lexi.
73 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 24, 2026
(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!
Profile Image for Bethany  Mock (bethanyburiedinbooks).
1,260 reviews33 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 10, 2026
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.

Profile Image for Darcia Helle.
Author 30 books738 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 18, 2026
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!*
Profile Image for Gigi White.
19 reviews7 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 18, 2026
Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing and NetGalley for trusting me with an advanced copy of this amazing memoir/murder investigation.


On September 10, 1987, Baltimore business owner Eddy Crane called his family to tell them he was on his way home.

He was never seen or heard from again.

Weeks later his car was found at the airport, his dog Sherlock was wandering nearby, fortunately still alive.
So while the police originally thought that Eddy abandoned his family, it seemed clear this was not the case. It became obvious that Crane was murdered.

For Eddy’s 12 year old daughter Kate, losing her beloved father in this perplexing and somewhat cryptic way, was utterly devastating and derailed the entire trajectory of her life. She never, ever felt at ease or unburdened again. 

Children lose parents every day, but what makes this more gut-wrenching is the lack of answers for Kate and other family members. Not to mention the fact that it became clear that Eddy was murdered, and that the police eventually gave the case up.

Twenty years later, Kate, now a journalist, reopens the cold case and starts her own investigation. She interviews the police that originally investigated the murder and others that were connected to her father.

This memoir/true crime/ investigative piece chronicles her journey - not only to find answers but also, to hopefully find some semblance of peace.
Profile Image for The Imaginary Librarian.
44 reviews24 followers
February 19, 2026
What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane by Kate Crane is engaging, but it’s also a little confused about what story it’s actually telling.
Despite the title, this is mostly a book about what happened to Kate Crane after her father disappeared, not so much about Eddy Crane himself. That’s not a problem in theory. The emotional aftermath is where the writing shines. It just feels slightly misrepresented, like you showed up for an investigation and got a very intimate therapy session instead.
Crane sets out to split the book between memoir and journalism, but the line between the two never really sharpens. The shift is so subtle it barely matters, and the “investigative” sections don’t feel distinct enough to justify the framing.
Her voice swings between endearingly self-deprecating and impressively full of itself, with a heavy dose of drama sprinkled on top. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it’s a lot.
There is also a very strange dynamic with her sister, who comes across as unstable, and the way that relationship is portrayed adds an uncomfortable undercurrent that never fully gets unpacked.
In the end, it’s a thoughtful, readable book that would have benefited from tighter focus and clearer intent. Worth reading for the emotional honesty if that’s your thing, just don’t expect the mystery to be fully solved.
Profile Image for Janine.
1,872 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 18, 2026
“Part memoir, part true crime, part psychological thriller,” this book delivers an explosive look at the impact of the disappearance of a parent can have on a child. Told with honesty, intensity and a bit of humor, this book delivers a compelling story and listen. I listened and it was an excellent narration.

Kate Crane’s dad, Eddy, called one night in 1987 when she was 12 to say he was in his way home but he never showed up. An investigation ensued but his body was never found, though his beloved Mercedes was. His case remained “notorious” among cold cases of the Baltimore police department. It also played havoc with Kate herself leaving her with a “debilitating post-traumatic disfunctionality.” As part of her college major, journalism, Kate sought to exercise the demon and find out what really happened.

The author’s concern with her missing father’s case its that it still was considered a missing person’s case not a murder. She finds the investigators and discovers things. No spoilers, you must read or listen to the book. It’s worth it.

The book blends the mystery and the author’s personal life well. But it’s primarily a memoir because a daughter needs to tell her story and how her trauma shaped her.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Harlequin Audio for allowing me to listen to this ARC.
Profile Image for brook.talks.books.
122 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
February 8, 2026
I just finished ARC reading What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane by Kate Crane, and this is a memoir of Kate's life and the disappearance of her father in 1987.

I have a hard time rating memoirs because they are so personal and often very emotional, especially in this case, but this one made me a little frustrated.

My heart truly goes out to Kate and her family. They had to deal with so much. However, I feel like Kate sort of gave up. She started getting major answers at the end, and instead of digging more and fighting tooth and nail for more, she just kind of quietly gives up. If I were her, I'd be unstoppable, and absolutely furious. To her mom, her sister, and everyone else who let this family down.

With that being said, I think this was a very personal account of her life and what she went through, but some parts seemed unnecessary. I understand going through what shaped her as a person, but most of it was more day to day and it skipped large amounts of time. It was hard to follow at times. I did really enjoy the interviews and investigative aspect of this book though.

This book gets released on April 7th, and is available to pre-order now! Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. These are my honest thoughts and opinions.
Profile Image for Danelle.
108 reviews9 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 2, 2026
In 1987, when Kate Crane is 12 years-old, her father disappears and is never found. This book is both her memoir and a record of her own investigation into his murder. Growing up with so many unanswered questions about her father, Kate struggles with depression, anxiety and thoughts of suicide. Deciding as an adult to seek answers about her father's murder is what gives her the resolve to keep living. What she finds out has the making of a fictional crime novel, with plenty of suspense and unexpected plot twists. But for me, this book was really about Kate's perspective, and understanding what it feels like to be the family member of a victim, knowing that your questions may never be answered and justice may never be served.

Above everything else, I admired Kate Crane’s will. Her personal story gives the narrative so much extra weight and meaning. The story of her father's murder is heartbreaking, but her resilience is what make's this book hopeful. It's one of those book that you finish, sit for minute to take it all in, and quietly whisper, "Wow."

4.5 stars

Thank you Harlequin Trade Publishing and Hanover Square Press for the advanced digital copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
2 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 15, 2026
I thoroughly enjoyed the Kate Crane’s memoir of her father’s disappearance and murder, although the story didn’t exactly go where I thought it would. I think this book should be/should have been marketed as a memoir rather that it being positioned by the publisher in the true crime genre.
As a memoir, the story is gritty, realistic and sometimes heartbreaking, and so very well written. I was fascinated by how the Crane was able to come around and realize that the manners in which her life was affected by her father’s disappearance was not identical to how her mother, sister and her extended family experienced the same events.
In the very early chapters of the book, Crane notes that “This waiting-not-waiting-but waiting eroded and remade me.” That sentiment seems to be a major theme of the book as she moves forward through life waiting for something to happen in respect of her father’s life and disappearance that will change the manner in which all of the lives of those around him have played out, but slowly comes to realize that nothing will change the life she has led because of those events.
Overall, this is an excellent memoir and is extremely well written. I look forward to reading more books by Kate Crane.
Profile Image for Dawn.
500 reviews25 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
March 17, 2026
In this raw and often gritty memoir, Crane revisits the haunting mystery of her father’s disappearance when she was just twelve years old. Drawing on both her journalistic instincts and her writing talent, she pens a novel that blends the personal with the true crime investigation as she searches for answers surrounding her father’s disappearance and probable homicide.
Crane exposes her heart and soul in this book, honestly exploring how her unresolved grief shaped her relationships with family, romantic partners, and even her career. Her honesty is both heartbreaking and courageous, making this memoir feel intensely personal and deeply human.
Her father ran a trucking repair business in downtown Baltimore and had some questionable business dealings. When he didn’t return home one night, his family sensed something was terribly wrong. Early on, law enforcement classified the case as a missing person instead of a potential homicide. This event and the years of unanswered questions left a lasting impact on Kate and her family.
I alternated between reading and listening and both experiences were incredibly moving. The narration by Vivienne Leheny brings a quiet intensity to the memoir.
Profile Image for Erin.
279 reviews39 followers
August 31, 2025
When Kate Crane was 12 years old her dad called home to let her mom know he was on his way home from work, as he did every work night. But the next morning Kate finds her mom sitting at the end of her bed and the words that come out of her mouth will change her life, "Your dad didn't come home last night."

Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane? is in parts a memoir and a true crime novel. It interlaces Kate's life, choices, and mental health with the cold case of her fathers disappearance.

This was such a well written and composed book. I love the structure and as the author says in the afterward, her play with memory and the impact it has on a persons life. I was hooked from the jump and was on the edge of my seat until the end.

I had never heard of Eddy Crane before reading this book but now I will be thinking about him for weeks, if not longer. I cannot imagine what the Crane family went through. Kate's determination to find answers is both heartbreaking (she has dedicated most of her life to this,) and inspiring.

I hope Kate Crane writes more books.


Thank you Netgalley for an ARC of this book.
Profile Image for Chrystal Mahan.
Author 7 books25 followers
September 14, 2025
I’m a big fan of true crime, especially when it intersects with memoir and psychological suspense, so Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane? was an easy choice for me. It’s a heartbreaking and beautifully written account of a daughter searching for answers about her father’s disappearance.

In 1987, Eddy Crane left work one evening and never came home. Two decades later, his daughter Kate—now a journalist—decides to dig into the cold case herself. She works with detectives, reconnects with old friends, and retraces her father’s steps, all while blending those memories with the ongoing investigation.

What made this book stand out to me was its emotional core. Kate’s nostalgia for her father and her grief over his absence are woven into the tension of the investigation. It’s not just about solving a crime; it’s about reconciling with the ghosts of family and the weight of unanswered questions.

This was a moving, well-written, and haunting read. While the crime element kept me engaged, it was Kate’s personal voice and her resilience that truly made the story shine. Highly recommended for readers who enjoy memoirs with a true crime edge.
28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 2, 2026
This was an interesting true crime/ memoir story. The case starts out as a missing persons case and after many years of the case not being solved, the victim’s daughter starts to investigate. Kate is told to be cautious while investigating because she might upset the wrong people. She goes through many obstacles to find out closure on what happened to her father. Her family is not very supportive of what she is doing. They are afraid that her searching might cause them problems.
Kate is very determined. She continues to work with various people who were involved with the case and does plenty of her own research. I give Kate a lot of credit because she would not give up until she found out the truth of what happened to her father. Even though, she knew it wouldn’t be a favorable solution, she was still faced with some difficult circumstances along the way.
I found this story to be unique. It tells about the investigation from a different perspective. I never read any type of true crime story that was also partially like a memoir. When the case is resolved at the end of the story, it is very shocking. We learn important details that were completely unexpected.
Profile Image for thebeespot72.
1,813 reviews195 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
December 23, 2025
Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane is part memoir and part shmurder mystery. The way the story is told, the author shares her experiences and memories from childhood to the present, revolving around what happened to her father, Eddy Crane.

Kate Crane uses her skills as a journalist to investigate her father’s case, which had been closed for a long time. Much of the story is her attempts to piece together timelines, evidence, and, unfortunately, a lack of support from family. Though a memoir, the story has an emotional element, as I found that Kate, during her investigation, was seeking closure above all else.

Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane had a unique storytelling style I’ve never come across before. I found it interesting that this was a true story, and it added a different element I enjoyed.

Thank you to The Hive and author Kate Crane for the gifted copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
47 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 14, 2026
I feel like What Happened to Eddy Crane is going to prompt a wave of podcast episodes and streaming specials because in many ways, it reads like a really excellent documentary. However, I think it’s meant to be read, as the blend of memoir and journalism sets this apart from typical 2026 true crime. While I found some of Kate’s early memories a bit hard to follow (especially with large time gaps) in part 1, I understand this protected many of her loved ones who may not have wanted to share deeply personal details. Still, it effectively set the stage and propelled the reader into Kate’s journalism career where we learned so much right along side her without losing the personal touches that give this book its unique and important perspective. I’m left with so many questions, but so is the Crane family.

Thank you so NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Profile Image for MG.
72 reviews6 followers
October 17, 2025
As an avid mystery reader I was really drawn to this story: a journalist investigating her own father’s disappearance and writing a book about it. It is obviously a very heavy subject for Kate, and an in-depth look into how a child, and later on an adult, goes on living not knowing what happened to her father. The first half of the book describes Kate’s childhood, college years and early adulthood and felt a bit slow at times, until her investigation started. It was really interesting to see how she, her sister and her mother processed their trauma so differently and how it affected their relationship. Trauma doesn’t necessarily bonds family members and Kate’s loneliness was palpable. A difficult read but a beautiful tribute to a beloved father.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Ellen Ross.
542 reviews60 followers
August 19, 2025
This was one of the most well written memoirs (and true crime) books I have read in a long time. I had not heard of Eddy Crane before and by the time I finished reading, I knew everything there is to know. Kate did an amazing job putting us in her shoes and walking us through every step she took to get to find out what happened to her father. I couldn’t stop thinking about this book after I finished. It is a beautifully haunting memoir and a reminder that we can’t always get the answers or closure we and sometimes that just has to be enough.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Randi Bailey.
374 reviews23 followers
November 13, 2025
When Kate was just twelve years old her father, Eddy, called her mother to say he’d be home from work soon. But the next morning, he never came home and and no one ever saw him again. His disappearance shattered her family and left behind more questions than answers.

Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane is Kate Crane’s haunting true crime memoir about growing up in the shadow of loss and refusing to let her father’s story fade away. Decades later, she begins to dig into the mystery herself, unearthing secrets that others wanted to keep buried. Through her investigation, she not only searches for the truth about what happened to her father, but also rediscovers her own identity in the process.

This memoir is raw, gripping, and deeply emotional. Kate’s writing is both investigative and intimate, balancing the tension of a true crime story with the vulnerability of a daughter desperate for closure. It’s beautifully written, unforgettable, and impossible to put down.
Profile Image for Jason Lavoie.
232 reviews
September 24, 2025
Thank you, Kate Crane, for sharing your story and that of your father, Eddy Crane. This was a raw, emotional, tragic story. The writing and crafting of this novel was done exceptionally well.

It’s saddening that those put in positions of authority continually fail in their obligations. At most, I hope that writing this memoir brings you closure and peace to live a better life for yourself.

Thank you NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the Advanced Reader’s Copy of What Happened to Eddy Crane? written by his daughter, Kate Crane. This book is to be published on April 7, 2026.
Profile Image for Sara.
Author 1 book145 followers
October 30, 2025
“What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?” by Kate Crane is a memoir and murder investigation that does not end the way you’d think it should. In it, Crane investigates the cold case of her own father’s disappearance and finds herself along the way. Her writing is sharp and humorous; delightfully detailed (The soundtrack: “Don Ho’s Greatest Hits.”) and breathtakingly beautiful (Her nostrils puffed warm psalms into my small hands.) It’s both a testament to the great love she feels for her complex father and a love letter to herself. I couldn’t put it down.
Profile Image for Elizabeth of Silver's Reviews.
1,320 reviews1,626 followers
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
March 9, 2026
FULL REVIEW WILL BE ON APRIL 8.

I had never heard of Eddy Crane.

This book was very informative and interesting.

I enjoyed how Kate took us into the family's life before and after Eddy. I didn't like her mother.

Kate did a marvelous job of telling the story. I normally do not read memoirs or nonfiction, but this one kept my attention.

If you like historical fiction and memoirs, this book will be an excellent read for you. 4/5

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Chelsea Pittman.
671 reviews9 followers
November 23, 2025
Really quick read for me because I was so curious to find out more about Eddy Crane’s case.

My heart goes out to his family and I hope that Kate can continue to heal from this trauma. I think her book is important for others to see the impact cases like this can have on your physical and mental health.

Thank you to NetGalley, Kate Crane and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read it. I have written this review voluntarily and honestly.
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