A review by amy_alwaysreading
What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

5.0

Many thanks to my friends at @harperaudio and @williammorrow for the #gifted free copy of this book.  

 

Propulsive.  Addicting.  A jaw dropping 5⭐️ read! 

 

Nina and Simon headed out for a weekend hiking trip.  Nothing abnormal for the young couple very much in love.  But then, only Simon returned.  And now everyone, especially Nina’s family, is determined to find out what happened. 

 

From the first page, I was immediately engaged, and that lure never let up.  This book held me tight in its grasp, no chapter ending satisfying enough to take a pause.   Be forewarned: this is a book I couldn’t pull away from until I was finished. 

 

The storytelling takes on a true crime documentary style with a premise seemingly ripped from the headlines, and the plot rings (scarily) true.  From social media’s impact to the spread of misinformation and the power found in wealth, I found myself tense and maddened. 

 

The multiple POVs provided a depth to the storytelling and heightened the suspense within the mystery.  A mother’s despair.  A father’s anguish.  Raw emotion oozed through the pages and had me constantly questioning how I would respond in similar circumstances.  Just how far is too far when it’s your child in question?  

 

McTiernan has crafted a perfect crime thriller.  With rich characterization, a well-honed plot, a steady unfolding of the mystery, and thought-provoking themes, I could not get enough of this book. 

 

But the ending gets a shout out all its own.  THAT ENDING.  Just when you think every treat has been served, McTiernan wielded just one more.  And boy did I CHEER.  👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻  

 

There’s no doubt in my mind that What Happened to Nina will be on my end of the year favorites list! 

 

🎧 Full cast narration!! And this cast knocked it out of the park perfectly encapsulating the ever-increasing tension of the unfolding plot and the palpable emotion of each character.