March 10, 2026 Release

MASTERMIND: A True Story of Obsession, Survival, and Justice.

A crime scene investigator in a heated custody battle is shot while picking up her son, and the only person who wants her dead—her ex, a respected taekwondo master—has an airtight alibi.

Tim Amacher never wanted to let Nicki Lenway go. Upon losing his control of her, Tim shifted his focus to…

LOU RAGUSE

VETERAN NEWSMAN AND AUTHOR

VETERAN NEWSMAN AND AUTHOR

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Best Selling book...

Vanished in Vermillion: The Real Story of South Dakota’s Most Infamous Cold Case

The result of hundreds of interviews, Vanished in Vermillion is a cold case story that flips the script on a typical investigation narrative, revealing the biggest law enforcement embarrassment in South Dakota history.

Testimonials

Here are Some Editorial Reviews for "Vanished In Vermillion"

“Lou Raguse delves into the puzzling case of two teenage girls who disappeared en route to a party in rural South Dakota in 1971—a case that went unsolved for more than four decades. The book is a detailed, well-researched, and compelling read that spans the entire mystery from the girls’ heartbreaking disappearance, to the fruitless, agonizing searches that followed, through the startling conclusion."
Robert M. Dudley
Prolific true crime author
"A wonderfully-written, compassionate, and shocking true crime story. Lou Raguse mastered the technical retelling of courtrooms long adjourned, bringing an emotional edge to this heart-wrenching tale.”
Michael Brodkorb
award-winning author of bestselling true crime book, The Girls are Gone
“Investigative journalist Lou Raguse’s true crime book on the mysterious disappearance of two South Dakota teens is a gripping, meticulously detailed story of what happened to the girls, and the serial rapist accused of killing them. Lou’s terrific storytelling and investigative skills give the reader a front row seat as he unravels this bizarre case, chock full of twists and turns.”
Caroline Lowe
veteran crime reporter and ten-year member of the FindJodi team

ABOUT Lou Raguse...

Lou Raguse is an experienced, award-winning reporter for KARE 11 News in Minneapolis and true crime author.

His first book, Vanished in Vermillion, was a passion project stemming from a case he covered as a young reporter in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, which highlights the failed investigations into two missing teenage girls in 1971. The book provided answers to the families involved and the communities invested in the case for decades.

Mastermind, Lou’s second book, unwinds what led up to the shooting of a Minneapolis Police crime scene investigator as she picked up her son at a supervised parenting center. The book sheds light on the control and abuse that exists in so many relationships, unbeknownst even to those closest to the victim.

Lou grew up in Wheaton, Minnesota, a small town that offered opportunities in sports, the arts, and academics. 

The Fathers of Tecmo Super Bowl — I conducted the first interview with the two men who created Tecmo Super Bowl, the best NES game of all time. Read the story here!!!

I wrote, produced, edited and hosted a podcast detailing the investigation into the disappearance of Jayme Closs and the murder of her parents Jim and Denise in the small town of Barron, WI. For more information, go to: https://www.kare11.com/88days

Contact Lou raguse

Have a question, collaboration idea, or just want to share your thoughts? Use the form to get in touch. For book updates and news, be sure to stay connected with me by joining my mailing list.

Lou Raguse

Lou Raguse is an experienced, award-winning reporter for KARE 11 News in Minneapolis.

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