The Murder of Maggie Hume: Cold Case in Battle Creek (True Crime)

My wife and I lived in the building across the street from Maggie's the night she died. I was a patrol officer with the Battle Creek Twp. (not City) PD. Some years later as a detective with BCPD, I would be assigned the task of becoming familiar with the case to facilitate the production of the Dateline segment. I can say without reservation that the treatment of the crime and the subsequent investigation is, in my opinion, the most unbiased documentation of this crime I have read, heard or watched.My wife and I have our opinions regarding who is responsible for Maggie's murder and how the investigation was conducted. I'm not inclined to elaborate on them here. If this work is indicative of Blaine's past writings and Victoria's future efforts, I have little reservation in recommending their true crime works to any reader.

I read lots of True Crime and usually books about cold cases leave me cold, too. My question (always) is, why couldn't they find a viable suspect here? So thirty or forty years go by and certain key people are dead or their memories have faded and what good is that? But as I read about Maggie, I found myself feeling pleased that there were so many people still interested in solving her murder. From what I could discern, the suspect living directly below her apartment muddied the waters of the investigation so it went cold when the true suspect was right there, on site, and of course he was her boyfriend. I've learned one must always look at motive and little else. Who would benefit or be sickly gratified if Maggie were gone? This is a wrenching story because the murder of a vibrant young woman did not affect just a few people. A murder usually destroys many others and this woman was beloved.

I have followed the story of this crime for thirty-two years. I really wanted to believe that Maggie was killed by the crazed, possible serial killer who lived in the apartment below hers. So, I really did not begin this book with a totally opened mind. The authors did a fantastic job of laying out all the facts, and pointing out the flaws in many of the popular theories. Very well-written book. I hope it will finally lead to justice for Maggie Hume.

Well written. Told a true story about a botched, flawed investigation!!

Blaine Pardoe is an excellent writer. All of his information was right on the spot. I knew Maggie Hume and the case of her murder before I read his book.

Couldn't put this book down. I'm from Battle Creek so this makes the case that much more interesting. Loved how the authors basically went back in time and described this time period. I also graduated high school in 82 so it brought back several memories. Would love to know where the prime suspect now lives and what he looks like as well as his opinion on this book. I hope someone finally comes forward and gets a long overdue conviction.

I read this a while ago when it first came out, but I never wrote a review on it. I loved this book! I've always been into the true crime books and this was certainly a good read! The writers put so much research into it! I know Victoria personally from work and I loved hearing her accounts of what her and her father went through to hunt down the facts on this case. So much hard work and it all paid off with this great book! Highly recommend!

This is a real mystery. The murder was never solved although the investigation was narrowed down to two suspects. It lets you in on the investigation at a very personal level, and you'll follow all the leads while never finding the murderer. Very interesting.