Evening with Author James Renner: Talkin’ Local true crimes on Thursday, October 30, at 6 p.m.

This free program hosted by the Kingsville Public Library is open to the public and will take place at the Ashtabula County Board of DD – Community Room located at 2505 S. Ridge Rd E., in Kingsville.

Pre-registration is recommended for this highly anticipated program.

Renner is mostly known for his true-crime journalism. His work as a reporter for Cleveland Scene uncovered new clues and suspects in the cold-case murder of Amy Mihaljevic. He spent months researching the Amanda Berry and Gina DeJesus abductions when the girls were still missing, and is haunted that Castro’s name is in his notes. His true crime writing has been featured in the Best American Crime Reporting anthology.

In 2012, Renner’s debut novel, The Man from Primrose Lane, was published by Sarah Crichton Books. Set in Northeast Ohio, the book blends mystery with sci-fi in a very unique structure. The story is currently being adapted for television. His second novel, The Great Forgetting, is a “love letter to conspiracy thrillers.” Renner’s latest nonfiction book is True Crime Addict, which was published in May by Thomas Dunne Books. The New York Times Sunday Book Review called it “shamelessly entertaining.”

“We are excited to have James Renner come to the Kingsville community for an interactive evening discussing his true-crime journalism, and we hope folks will join us,” said Kingsville Library Director John Hutchison. “This program is another amazing example of the value the library provides to the public.”

Renner is also the founder of The Porchlight Project, a nonprofit that raises money for new DNA testing of cold cases in Ohio. In 2020, an arrest was made in their first case, the unsolved murder of Barbara Blatnik. This was possible due to their funding of genetic genealogy.

After the talk, Renner will take questions and sign copies of his books. A variety of book titles will be available for purchase. The library is grateful to the Ashtabula Board of DD for offering their accessible space with ample parking and to the Friends of the Kingsville Public Library for funding the event.