What Happened to Nina? by Derva McTiernan

This book was purchased on audio for listening while walking time.

What Happened to Nina?

Summary: From the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Murder Rule comes an emotional novel of suspense about two families at war.

Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family’s cabin in Vermont, and only Simon comes home.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA?

Nobody knows. Simon’s explanation about what happened in their last hours together doesn’t add up. Nina’s parents push the police for answers, and Simon’s parents rush to protect him. They hire expensive lawyers and a PR firm that quickly ramps up a vicious, nothing-is-off-limits media campaign.

HOW FAR WILL HIS FAMILY GO TO KEEP HIM SAFE?

Soon, facts are lost in a swirl of accusation and counter-accusation. Everyone chooses a side, and the story goes viral, fueled by armchair investigators and wild conspiracy theories and illustrated with pretty pictures taken from Nina’s social media accounts. Journalists descend on their small Vermont town, followed by a few obsessive “fans.”

HOW FAR WILL HER FAMILY GO TO GET TO THE TRUTH?

Nina’s family is under siege, but they never lose sight of the only thing that really matters—finding their daughter. Out-gunned by Simon’s wealthy, powerful family, Nina’s parents recognize that if playing by the rules won’t get them anywhere, it’s time to break them.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

I had been in audiobook hell. Dud after dud. Then Melody recommended this book and I bought it and I was YASSSSSSSSSSS, We are back in business on the audio game!

This is def a ripped from the headlines feel of a book as many have said in their reviews. I didn’t follow the Gabby P case super close, but when I read the back cover of this book, my mind immediately went there.

I really enjoyed so much about this book (the expansive cast of characters- it’s a little known fact that I love George Newbern’s voice (others may know him from Scandal, but he will always be Julia Sugarbaker’s son, Payne to me!)

What I liked:

The cover is great. This is the kind of cover that I could picture someone posing for a real life photo on social media and social media PLAYS a huge role in this book.

The haves vs have nots. Nina’s family was the have nots and while they were comfortable, compared to Simon’s rich and entitled family- they weren’t even in the same ballpark. I ached for Nina’s family as they began to realize that this was never going to be a fair fight.

The ending. It was good. Karmic, even. And I loved the absolute end.

Bottom line: Social media is explored a great deal in this book as is young “love”. The cast of characters and their motivations were just icing on the cake of how good this book was.

*This book was purchased by Traveling With T for walking while listening. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*