Runaway Groom: Cold Feet―or Cold-Blooded Murder?

by Ron Peterson Jr, Ron Peterson Jr.

320 pages, Paperback

Published February 3, 2026

Reviews

[Beans fungiphile · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was gifted this book, a signed copy! It is rare I am interested in a true crime story. But I cannot say enough good about this book. This author has such an enjoyable, believable, warm voice as narrator. He is so respectful of the victims and families. Really knows how to structure a true story like an interesting mystery read. I can’t believe that I was able to enjoy three chapters of court room procedure, even after knowing who did it, but because of the way it is written I just couldn’t put it down. I’ve come to care SO much about this family. I was in tears (sorrow and joy) and next time I take a trip to Staunton to visit my friends I will have a new perspective. I’ll leave flowers for petie. Thank you for telling his story.

[Alice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ron Peterson Jr. tells the story of what Richard “Petie” William Miller Jr. did the morning of November 17, 1983. He includes the witness statements and the words of Petie’s dad, Richard Miller. Sr. who tailgated him that morning but then lost sight of his son’s truck. The investigation was hindered by not having any remains thus no cause of death that could help in evidence gathering.

My biggest fear, which was later confirmed by Commonwealth Attorney Lee Ervin was double jeopardy. What if you put someone on trial in a no-body case with circumstantial evidence only and they get acquitted?

Ron Peterson wrote an excellent book about the missing person case that became a no-body trial. The pace is a bit slow; however, the investigation developed in the same pace. Despite the many people involved, the author managed to keep them streamlined so the reader does not get lost. If you do feel you need a reminder, go to the back of the book and check the “Where are they now?” section.

The book has a table of contents, several black and white non-graphic photographs inserted in the text with full credits, newspaper clippings, explanations of the legal procedures in Virginia and the forensics applied in this case, a “Where are they now?” section of the people involved in this case, and of course, the author’s acknowledgements.

[Molly Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up. Not great prose but the author tells a good story. I liked it because it is semi-local and the people are very familiar to me. (I know people like Petie, Charlie Almond, Mr. Miller.) Ron Peterson Jr does his research and it shows.