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The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek
One brutal murder. Two possible suspects. And a “fascinating . . . puzzling case” that divided a Michigan community ( Lansing State Journal ). In the summer of 1982, the body of twenty-year-old Maggie Hume was found under a pile of blankets in the closet of her apartment. A Catholic school girl and daughter of a local football coach, Maggie had been raped and strangled. It was the only active murder investigation in Battle Creek, Michigan, suggesting the case would be an easy victory for authorities. Plus, they already had two persons of interest on watch. Maggie’s neighbor, Michael Ronning, confessed to the crime. Yet it was Maggie’s boyfriend, Jay Carter, who failed the polygraph, and whose account of his whereabouts on the night of the murder kept changing. Unfortunately, the Calhoun County Prosecutor’s Office and Battle Creek Police Department couldn’t agree on whom to charge. And the city soon took sides. Cracking open three decades of never-before-seen evidence, this real-life whodunit exposes the dark secrets and tragic infighting that turned the murder of Maggie Hume into an unwinnable contest of wills, egos, politics, and the law—a contest that, to this day, isn’t over.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 17, 2014
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About the author
Blaine Lee Pardoe
94 books117 followersBlaine Pardoe is a New York Times Bestselling and award winning author of numerous books in the science fiction, military non-fiction, true crime, paranormal, and business management genre's. He has appeared on a number of national television and radio shows to speak about his books. Pardoe has been a featured speaker at the US National Archives, the United States Navy Museum, and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. He was awarded the State History Award in 2011 by the Historical Society of Michigan and is a silver medal winner from the Military Writers Society of America in 2010. In 2013 he was awarded the Harritt Quimby Award as part of the induction ceremony at the Michigan Aviation Hall of Fame. Mr. Pardoe is also a member of the League of WWI Aviation Historians.
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
His books have even been mentioned on the floor of the U.S. Congress. His works have been printed in six languages and he is recognized world-wide for his historical and fiction works. He can be followed via Twitter (bpardoe870)
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 29, 2020
In 1982, in Battle Creek, Michigan USA, a young woman was murdered. No one was ever convicted of her murder, and this book goes over this cold case in a well-thought out manner. The authors don't bury us with tedious info, they manage to keep the telling of Maggie's sad tale moving forward at a good pace.
3 Stars = Okay. Maybe not a page-turner, but not sorry I read it.
3 Stars = Okay. Maybe not a page-turner, but not sorry I read it.
November 3, 2022
The murder of Maggie Hume should have been solved long ago on the face of it, but as far as I can tell it still remains unsolved. August 16, 1982 - Maggie was attacked & strangled in the apartment she shared with another girl in Battle Creek, Michigan. Her body was not found until the next day as her friend was out of town until the early hours & her body had been hidden underneath items on the floor of her closet.
The initial investigation honed in on Maggie's on/off boyfriend, Jay. Several people close to Maggie reported that he was acting strangely both before & after Maggie's body was found. He knew several details about the murder before the police told anyone & kept saying that it had probably been an accident. So why did the Chief of Police interrupt the first interview with Maggie's boyfriend, Jay when it seemed he may have cracked & confessed? No explanation is given. but after that Jay was much less cooperative than he had been.
Other suspects, such as a suspected serial killer who was coincidentally staying in the same apartment block, were interviewed & one actually confessed, but his recollections of what happened didn't match with the evidence. The book lists the pros & cons for both main suspects & leaves the reader to make up their own mind who they think was probably guilty. It was an informative read & it's such a shame that Maggie has not received justice as yet.
The initial investigation honed in on Maggie's on/off boyfriend, Jay. Several people close to Maggie reported that he was acting strangely both before & after Maggie's body was found. He knew several details about the murder before the police told anyone & kept saying that it had probably been an accident. So why did the Chief of Police interrupt the first interview with Maggie's boyfriend, Jay when it seemed he may have cracked & confessed? No explanation is given. but after that Jay was much less cooperative than he had been.
Other suspects, such as a suspected serial killer who was coincidentally staying in the same apartment block, were interviewed & one actually confessed, but his recollections of what happened didn't match with the evidence. The book lists the pros & cons for both main suspects & leaves the reader to make up their own mind who they think was probably guilty. It was an informative read & it's such a shame that Maggie has not received justice as yet.
February 11, 2020
I would actually like to give this book 3.5 stars. Wish goodreads had half stars ! This was written very well . It was a frustrating case to read about because it actually doesn't get solved.
September 15, 2014
This week while at the Willard Library I picked up a copy of The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek by Blaine Pardoe and Victoria Hester. Like many people I enjoy reading a true crime book sometimes, and this was an excellent one.
Battle Creek, Michigan is not my hometown, but I have lived here five years, and I thought I would learn some interesting history about the city where I now live.
On August 16, 1982 Maggie Hume at age 20 was raped and strangled to death in her apartment in the middle of the night. The tragic death of this daughter of a well-known football coach at Saint Philip High School appalled the city.
An intense investigation took place but was plagued by mistakes and missed opportunities as a detective with minimal homicide experience likely tried his best.
To this day, no one has been charged with the murder of Maggie Hume. Such a tragedy is difficult to ponder because it shows that brutal killers sometimes get away with their crimes.
The authors did an excellent job of treating this subject with respect while presenting the technical details. Extremely well written, the book presents a gripping read with the evidence and numerous interviews. Although the bureaucratic labyrinth of details was overwhelming at times for me as a reader, I still devoured the book because it was so interesting. I knew I wasn't going to get a definitive answer at the end, but I wanted to consume all the evidence myself and come to my own conclusion.
The prime suspect was Maggie's boyfriend. The book piled on the evidence that included some extraordinary events. And when I was convinced he was the killer, the authors introduced another suspect: a man who was convicted of killing another young woman who happened to be staying in the apartment below Maggie's the night of her murder. This was a shocking coincidence, and for a few pages made me think that the boyfriend actually was innocent.
The second suspect even confessed, but the courts threw out his confession because of numerous conflicts with the physical evidence and his ulterior motive of seeking permanent transfer to a prison in Michigan.
The local prosecutor never brought a case against the boyfriend because the evidence was not a slam dunk. With such a shocking high-profile murder there would be too much political fallout for failing to convict.
As I read the book I came to the realization that's it's ridiculous for prosecutors to be political positions. This introduces variables that the prosecutors have to deal with beyond the job of delivering justice.
A long and twisted tale of turf wars, egos, and petty politics is detailed within the book that shows how a murder investigation can go no where despite the erratic and disturbing behavior of the main suspect.
As a local reader I enjoyed reading a true crime story that included places that I've been around town. This really drew me into the story, but this cold case is sufficiently fascinating for someone to enjoy no matter where he or she lives. The authors did a fantastic job of organizing a tremendous amount of material and imbuing it with emotion.
What struck me most about the story was how much I could relate to Maggie. Her story made me think about when I was 20. I lived in an apartment with a roommate. I had a job and spent my time partying with what little money I had. And I had a lame boyfriend who added stupid drama to my life. I felt like I could have been Maggie if not for the luck of the draw.
That her vicious boyfriend got away with the crime and will likely live free all his days are extremely disturbing realitites. Not all killers are brought to justice.
My condolences to the Hume family.
I highly recommend The Murder of Maggie Hume. The authors created a compelling tale that kept me turning the pages.
Battle Creek, Michigan is not my hometown, but I have lived here five years, and I thought I would learn some interesting history about the city where I now live.
On August 16, 1982 Maggie Hume at age 20 was raped and strangled to death in her apartment in the middle of the night. The tragic death of this daughter of a well-known football coach at Saint Philip High School appalled the city.
An intense investigation took place but was plagued by mistakes and missed opportunities as a detective with minimal homicide experience likely tried his best.
To this day, no one has been charged with the murder of Maggie Hume. Such a tragedy is difficult to ponder because it shows that brutal killers sometimes get away with their crimes.
The authors did an excellent job of treating this subject with respect while presenting the technical details. Extremely well written, the book presents a gripping read with the evidence and numerous interviews. Although the bureaucratic labyrinth of details was overwhelming at times for me as a reader, I still devoured the book because it was so interesting. I knew I wasn't going to get a definitive answer at the end, but I wanted to consume all the evidence myself and come to my own conclusion.
The prime suspect was Maggie's boyfriend. The book piled on the evidence that included some extraordinary events. And when I was convinced he was the killer, the authors introduced another suspect: a man who was convicted of killing another young woman who happened to be staying in the apartment below Maggie's the night of her murder. This was a shocking coincidence, and for a few pages made me think that the boyfriend actually was innocent.
The second suspect even confessed, but the courts threw out his confession because of numerous conflicts with the physical evidence and his ulterior motive of seeking permanent transfer to a prison in Michigan.
The local prosecutor never brought a case against the boyfriend because the evidence was not a slam dunk. With such a shocking high-profile murder there would be too much political fallout for failing to convict.
As I read the book I came to the realization that's it's ridiculous for prosecutors to be political positions. This introduces variables that the prosecutors have to deal with beyond the job of delivering justice.
A long and twisted tale of turf wars, egos, and petty politics is detailed within the book that shows how a murder investigation can go no where despite the erratic and disturbing behavior of the main suspect.
As a local reader I enjoyed reading a true crime story that included places that I've been around town. This really drew me into the story, but this cold case is sufficiently fascinating for someone to enjoy no matter where he or she lives. The authors did a fantastic job of organizing a tremendous amount of material and imbuing it with emotion.
What struck me most about the story was how much I could relate to Maggie. Her story made me think about when I was 20. I lived in an apartment with a roommate. I had a job and spent my time partying with what little money I had. And I had a lame boyfriend who added stupid drama to my life. I felt like I could have been Maggie if not for the luck of the draw.
That her vicious boyfriend got away with the crime and will likely live free all his days are extremely disturbing realitites. Not all killers are brought to justice.
My condolences to the Hume family.
I highly recommend The Murder of Maggie Hume. The authors created a compelling tale that kept me turning the pages.
January 29, 2018
This is an interesting read for several reasons. First it is a pretty well-written true-life whodone it. Secondly, this happened where i live and while I didn't personally know Maggie, we were the same age and had many common friends, common experiences and so I remember it all vividly. The fact that it is still not solved is horrible. Not sure if it would have fascinated me as much had I not known so much/many in the book.
June 18, 2022
The Case is Fascinating
Having spent a good portion of my childhood summers in Battle Creek, I was quite interested in reading about this event.
While I found the case to be fascinating in its twists and turns, the writing itself was of poor quality to the point it was annoying. Using the same nouns and adjectives several times in the same sentence is a woeful error which could easily have been corrected with a decent editor on board. It distracted from the story as did the repetition of quotes from the various characters in the investigation. Read it for the case if you can get past the poor writing.
Having spent a good portion of my childhood summers in Battle Creek, I was quite interested in reading about this event.
While I found the case to be fascinating in its twists and turns, the writing itself was of poor quality to the point it was annoying. Using the same nouns and adjectives several times in the same sentence is a woeful error which could easily have been corrected with a decent editor on board. It distracted from the story as did the repetition of quotes from the various characters in the investigation. Read it for the case if you can get past the poor writing.
December 28, 2025
Interesting book. I didn’t really care for the ending (though I get it). They’ve done all the research, they surely must have an opinion. But maybe that’s liable to say so. I lean towards the boyfriend because he entered the apartment the way the killer did, he was there that night, he had threatened her before, her body was hidden and placed with care, she was covered with a blanket only he would have been able to find, and he looked in the closet when she was missing. I can’t imagine why he was never tried for the crime.
June 6, 2018
Fairly well written and keeps an easy pace through a lot of events and turns in this case. I appreciated the authors not heavily detailing, they provide enough for context and keep moving. There are only a few things I wish had been more than a passing note. For instance, passing comment that Jays car had damage. That’s not explored by anyone? (That’s not a spoiler, obviously since I’m bothered by it. Lol)
I recommend the read.
I recommend the read.
May 22, 2023
This book is incredibly sad in my opinion. I feel extremely bad for Maggie's family that after all of this time they have not caught her Killer. In my opinion, I believe that her boyfriend Jay killed her. How else could he know so much about Maggie's death and the way that she was killed and not be involved. I truly think that she was terrified of Jay Carter and she had absolutely every right to be. He was very violent towards her.
November 26, 2018
Well written, it’s a shame that the victim got lost in all the political BS years ago. I hope that Maggie Hume’s family gets some closure.
I do have several questions though, why wasn’t the physical evidence tested to see if there was more than the boyfriends semen? And has the boyfriend had any incidents of domestic violence since then with girlfriend or a wife???
I do have several questions though, why wasn’t the physical evidence tested to see if there was more than the boyfriends semen? And has the boyfriend had any incidents of domestic violence since then with girlfriend or a wife???
March 11, 2024
This was such an interesting read. To me, Maggie’s boyfriend is the strongest suspect and it blows my mind that he has not been arrested, tried, and convicted of her murder. The other suspects just don’t even come close to him. The author did an excellent job being respectful to Maggie while detailing the case and all of the suspects. Well done, and I hope her case gets solved!
November 13, 2018
True Crime story
This is an interesting book, but the mystery remains. While it is true that many murders and up like this, it does not make any old story. Somehow a true crime story should end with a trial
This is an interesting book, but the mystery remains. While it is true that many murders and up like this, it does not make any old story. Somehow a true crime story should end with a trial
June 2, 2020
For the most part this offers solid reporting of a cold murder case of a young woman in 1982. At times slightly repetitive I think the authors felt the need to repeat so the reader didn't miss significant information.
February 14, 2019
A young lady is brutally raped and murdered. Oh my word, this book moved me so much that I am now having trouble sleeping.
May 5, 2019
The story was chronicled as one might read in various news reports, but Maggie was a real person to the authors and hence to the reader.
March 29, 2022
2✨ this book was simply not good
May 20, 2022
A very sad story and even more sad is that the killer has never been caught. It sounds like they have had their suspect for a long time, but have never taken action to prosecute him.
September 14, 2022
Ok
I have read many true crime books This particular one was just ok. Didn't have a clear suspect at the end so reader can draw own conclusions.
I have read many true crime books This particular one was just ok. Didn't have a clear suspect at the end so reader can draw own conclusions.
February 10, 2020
I read this book in one fell swoop, staying up way to late, hoping against hope that someone had been charged with this horrible crime.
I have read many true crime accounts over the years and none have bothered me in quite such a personal way as this one did. I once had a horribly violent boyfriend (I was 22), he attempted to strangle me to death one cold December night many years ago. I survived & eventually moved on, married an amazing, caring man - but the nightmares lasted a long time. After finishing this in the early, morning hours, I found myself paralyzed with fear, unwilling to leave my room & unable to sleep.
My heart breaks for Maggie Hume's family & I deeply hope that one day they will receive justice for her.
I have read many true crime accounts over the years and none have bothered me in quite such a personal way as this one did. I once had a horribly violent boyfriend (I was 22), he attempted to strangle me to death one cold December night many years ago. I survived & eventually moved on, married an amazing, caring man - but the nightmares lasted a long time. After finishing this in the early, morning hours, I found myself paralyzed with fear, unwilling to leave my room & unable to sleep.
My heart breaks for Maggie Hume's family & I deeply hope that one day they will receive justice for her.
May 4, 2015
If I did not know one of the victims personally, I would have thought this was an ok book. But as the relative of one of the victims, this book was poorly edited, and did not have the name of one of the victims listed correctly. Sorry case, sorrier police work, it will never be resolved. too bad.
October 3, 2023
The boyfriend did it… come on… but the murderer upstairs is a pretty crazy situation as well. But the boyfriend definitely seems like he did it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 29, 2014
A murder that has never been solved in the city I've called home my entire life. The evidence in the case seems so clear but bad police work and egos stood in the way all these years. It hits close to home with all the names and places that are familiar to me.
September 6, 2014
It was very interesting since I know many of these people.
October 11, 2014
Another unsolved murder in Battle Creek. Interesting to read about the area again.
November 30, 2014
I know this was a cold case but had hoped that something new had been discovered so disappointed at the ending... Can't imagine not ever knowing the whole story...
April 8, 2015
I HATE unsolved true crime. Makes me decry my guilty pleasure reading.
February 23, 2016
very interesting
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews