Another fabulous read from McTiernan! Her stories always manage to seduce me and keep me enthralled until the very end. This one starts out sounding like it is straight from a true crime podcast I listened to. I can't remember the couple. However, if I thought I knew how it would end, I was wrong. Her characters are complex and fascinating. In particular, I couldn't get enough of Jamie's POV. I thought I would love to hate her all the way through but darn, if I didn't start to empathize a little. McTiernan is a genius.

Thanks to NetGalley and Harper Collins AU for the opportunity to read this book.

Following an award winning series set in Ireland, Australian crime author Dervla McTiernan turned her attention to the United States. Her first novel set there was The Murder Rule, a coutroom/crime thriller based around the Innocence Project which was not all that successful. Her follow up What Happened to Nina is something else again. It is not quite a thriller, more a dive deep into modern crime culture, and what happens when social media gets involved.
Readers of What Happened to Nina may suspect from the end of the prologue what has happened to the titular character. Nina has returned home to spend time with her longtime boyfriend Simon. They have been apart since starting college and the distance has exacerbated Simon’s jealous and controlling tendencies to the point where Nina wants to end the relationship. Nina does not come home but Simon does and claims that they broke up and he left her alone at his family’s holiday house. The rest of the book follows the police investigation but McTiernan is much more interested in the actions of the parents and it is from their actions that the twists and turns emerge.
The thriller element of What Happened to Nina is getting readers to wonder if the process will ever get to the truth. McTiernan is particularly interested the impact of media and social media and its capacity to fill gaps in knowledge and turn speculation into fact. Simon’s wealthy parents in particular weaponise social media to “muddy the waters” and throw suspicion onto Nina’s mother and step father. What Happened to Nina is if anything an indictment on society’s fascination with crime and propensity to think the worst of people and believe anything the internet tells them. It is also a cautionary tale about just letting investigators get on with their job as the actions of both families impede the investigation itself.
A quick internet search will reveal that What Happened to Nina is loosely based on a real case (2021 Gabby Petito/Brian Laundrie case in the U.S). But whatever her influence, McTiernan jumps off from that to deliver a scary insight into the way crime is handled by the media and social media. And despite the fact that there is no great mystery here, McTiernan still manages to generate a fair amount of tension and some game changing twists in the way the narrative plays out.

While I've been a firm fan of Irish Dervla right from the start, I've been quite lukewarm about International Dervla. That is, until now! McTiernan's second full-length novel set in the USA is the definition of a pageturner, and even this notoriously slow reader managed to devour it in under 3 days. And let me just say, if you read the blurb and think that doesn't sound like much of a story (much as I did), give it a try, because it's all in the telling of the tale. I thought I'd just read a couple of chapters to get a taste for it, and suddenly I was almost halfway through the book!

What happened to Nina? Well, she went off with her boyfriend Simon to his family's new country estate for a week of hiking and rock-climbing. When they were due home, only Simon returned. So, #whathappenedtonina?

The story is told from multiple points of view, mainly from the four parents, but also from one of the detectives and at one point Nina's sister, Grace, also chimes in. I found my allegiances and sympathies were constantly shifting, but not so much that I didn't positively revel in the deliciously diabolical ending. Well played, Dervla McTiernan.

Well that was brilliant! As always, I didn't read the synopsis and went in completely blind, not reading any reviews etc, and I'm so glad for it. I, therefore, don't want to give too much away and just tell you my thoughts. 

I have read all of Dervla's books now and I really love her writing style. She makes me flip though (or in this case scroll) those pages so quickly, and before I realise it, half my day is gone! I literally finished this book in under 24 hours. 

I enjoyed the multiple POV, giving the reader an excellent insight to what each major character is doing and thinking. The short chapters make for a fast read. The storyline was solid and it does raise some interesting issues and topics for discussion on the length people go to for their loved ones. 

If you've not yet read any of this author's books, I urge you to rectify that. Start with this one, and thank me later 😊

A huge thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for an eARC of What Happened to Nina? Expected publication date 28/2

As with her last novel, The Murder Rule, Australian based Dervla McTiernan has set her new book, What Happened To Nina? in America.

The story revolves around the disappearance of a young woman, Nina, and the media frenzy and drama that follows.

As Nina’s parents desperately try to find out what happened to her, the wealthy parents of the boy she was last seen with launch a well organised media campaign to protect their son. Soon, facts are lost in a swirl of accusation and counter-accusation. Everyone chooses a side, and the story quickly goes viral, fuelled by armchair investigators and wild conspiracy theories, and illustrated with pretty pictures taken from Nina’s social media accounts. Journalists swiftly descend on the small Vermont town where Nina lived, and in the chaos the truth about what happened to Nina gets lost.

What Happened To Nina? is yet another change in direction for Dervla, moving further away from her Cormac Reilly police novels and last year’s legal revenge thriller, The Murder Rule. This time around, Dervla has gone for a more family drama feel, although there are clear crime novel elements. It is a very emotionally charged story that really focuses on the effect of a high profile event on two families and the community in which they live.

The social media frenzy around the disappearance, and how it can be manipulated, rings true and brings to mind other similar real life occurrences in America. As usual, the characterisations are finely tuned and credible, and the book has a strong momentum to it. Several themes are smoothly covered along the way to the powerful conclusion, and I suspect that What Happened To Nina? will be a popular Book Club choice this year.

Overall, a thought provoking and gripping drama that will keep you engaged until the emotional ending.

I really enjoyed reading about the complexities of what families would do for their kids, either to find out what happened to them or protect them. Nina never comes home from her weekend away with her boyfriend Simon. Simon's explanation is a bit weak. The story is mostly told through the point of view of both Nina and Simon's parents and the detective on the case. We as the readers find out what really happened maybe half way through, but it was interesting to see how those that knew dealt with it. A story of families broken and the mess that was left behind. A few twists along the way and a day after finishing, I'm still not sure what I think of that ending.

We start this book in Nina's head so very much hope that nothing bad happens to her. Yet it does - obviously... or there would be no book. Cos "Nothing Happened to Nina" wouldn't be very appealing as a novel of suspense or crime fiction.

McTiernan shows us her hand quite early. I was initially disappointed because there's so much more of the novel to go. It's only in retrospect that I realise this book was as much about the response or fallout as it was the murder or the investigation. 

There's a real authenticity to McTiernan's storytelling. I could actually imagine Nina and Simon. I could imagine the conversations about them. Simon's assertion that Nina was cheating and her friends bewildered by that but coming out of the woodwork in hindsight to say 'they never really liked him' anyway - though didn't say anything to Nina as she worshipped him. Nina and Simon's parents both having some concerns about their child's choice of partner but accepting that the young couple were in it for the long-term and devoted to each other.

It's only later when examined that cracks show. The same cracks that start to show when the lives of those around Nina and Simon are also thrust into the spotlight.

We learn more about Nina's mother's relationship with Andy who isn't Nina's biological father. As well as Simon's parent's arrangement, noting that appearances can be deceptive.

I liked the way McTiernan portrays Grace, Nina's younger sister. She views her sister's relationship with rose-coloured glasses and cannot understand her parent's antipathy towards Simon, and is shocked by their suspicion of him. Initially anyway.

McTiernan does a good job at demonstrating how facts are misinterpreted and some just made-up here as the media and the community start to point the finger at Nina's family. As a reader I felt frustrated on their behalf and powerless to do anything about it... which (of course) they were also.

The book blurb talks about the lengths parents go to for their children and as a non-parent I often find myself interested in those instances where parents draw a line in the sand. Where protecting their child, or seeking revenge or redemption is a step too far for their own good conscience. 

I very much enjoyed this read and was quite shocked at how things eventually pan out. But as I said, this is less about the who, why and how of Nina's murder than it is about what comes next.

4.5 stars

Dervla McTiernan is a wonderful storyteller! What Happened To Nina? is an incredible story that had me spellbound and at times my heart was beating madly!

Small town location, young love but what goes wrong? Nina disappears! This will have you spellbound and you won’t want to stop reading……lots of twists and turns that have you on the edge of your seat. You think you’ve got until you don’t as the unexpected jumps out at you. Absolutely WOW!!!


Highly recommended read.

This review is based on a complimentary copy from HarperCollins Publishers Australia via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#WhatHappenedToNina? #NetGalley

Nina is a college student who's been dating Simon for four years. They go away for a weekend together but only Simon returns. He claims that they broke up and that Nina has gone to stay with friends. However we know from the prologue that their relationship was less idyllic than it looked from outside. What happened to Nina?

I realise this sounds like it going to be one of those murder mysteries when everything points one way, but there's a massive twist and you realise you've been led astray. And I kept thinking that was going to happen, but it's not that kind of book. And let's be honest: they often disappoint. The twists feel forced or simply ridiculous. The direction this goes in is more satisfying, thought provoking and memorable than a generic twisty mystery would be.

Dervla McTiernan is more interested in how both sets of parents react to Nina's disappearance. What happens when a less well off family have lost their daughter, and they're up against a very wealthy, very lawyered up family who are determined to protect their son at any cost? Reviewers have suggested that she was inspired by the disappearance of Gabby Petito in 2021 which seems plausible, although the stories are not identical.

But most importantly - this is an utter page turner. I was hooked from the first page and I could not put it down, literally having to read the entire book in one sitting. None of the parents are very likeable and they all make questionable decisions at times but oh my goodness I wanted to know what was going to happen. If you're after a gripping read - here it is.

When I started reading this I thought I wasn’t going to like it that much then it turned into one of those novels I just had to finish before I went to bed. What happened to Nina, the reader knows pretty much from the start, it’s only a mystery for the other characters in the novel and each chapter is told from a different characters point of view. Initially I found the characters annoying, particularly Simon’s mother, Jamie, she is awful but the others weren’t really grabbing me either but at some point the story just got going. McTiernan also knows how to end a book. The earlier parts are detailed, the police investigations etc but once it is resolved , the final chapters are quick and it doesn’t bog it down. An excellent read.

Dervla McTiernan, What Happened to Nina? HarperCollins Publishers Australia, February 2024.

Thank you, NetGalley, for providing me with this uncorrected proof for review.

Dervla McTiernan’s What Happened to Nina? is thoroughly engrossing. So often ‘page turner’ becomes an accolade for mysteries such as this. However, here it would be remiss to turn a page too quickly. McTiernan ensures that every page is one to be devoured: ideas, information, understanding of human nature and moral dilemmas abound and demand attention. The ending is satisfying too, the novel’s moral dilemmas unanswered but tantalisingly ready to be left in abeyance, or are they? What Happened to Nina? might almost become what has happened to the reader to be so tempted to accept surely questionable behaviour?

Nina Fraser, Simon Jordan and their floundering relationship is introduced in a hiking and climbing break from home in Simon’s parents’ investment property in Vermont. Simon’s home is that of the wealthy and powerful businessperson, Rory and the smaller, secret businessperson, Jamie. Nina’s home is vastly different. It is Leane’s business, a B&B in which Nina often works while also trying to study for her university courses. Her stepfather, Andy also has a business, a small building enterprise. Their daughter, Grace is at school.

Nina disappears and the impact on the families becomes the story. It is told through several different strands: Leanne Fraser who has refused to answer Nina’s messages because she is angry that Nina neglected her work to go with Simon; Andy who thinks of Simon as a decent fellow, but belatedly realises that his casual approach to life in contrast with Leanne’s controlling behaviour might not be ideal; Rory Jordan, who discovers what happened to Nina early in the novel and takes action to evade repercussions for his family; and Jamie who hides realities from herself, but eventually decides on a similar approach to that of Simon’s father. The detectives’ narrative is also important and lead detective, Matthew Wright tells how he and newcomer, Sarah-Jane Ried approach the disappearance, Simon’s lawyer and the families.

Usually, I cringe when characters drink to deal with the problems facing them, and then act irrationally. McTiernan’s deft writing makes the Frasers’, in particular Leanne’s in the early part of the novel, shortcomings apparent but adeptly shows how these can also be strengths, even if remaining unlikeable. It is the strength that gives Leanne the power to eventually discard any misplaced humanity at the end of the novel. The power of Rory Jordan’s online successful endeavour to destroy the Frasers’ credibility meets the implacability of a face-to-face response. A superb ending to a novel with its dissection of power, human behaviour under pressure, relationships with their beautiful coverings gently removed, and the thoroughness of detection with its delightful twist that uncovers exactly what happened to Nina.

I’m a huge fan of Dervla McTineran’s crime books and her latest, What Happened to Nina?, certainly doesn’t disappoint. It’s a gripping exploration of how far you would go to protect those you love even if they may have done the unthinkable.

Nina and Simon are high school sweethearts who are navigating their relationship now their lives have moved in different college directions. Everyone knows them as a young happy, loved up couple. But when Nina suddenly disappears while they are on a weekend away at Simon’s parents holiday property and Simon’s explanation doesn’t add up, Nina’s parents immediately do everything to try to find their daughter while Simon’s parents do everything in their power to protect their son first and foremost.

I loved this fast paced, original take on the storyline of young girl going missing with no answers. With alternating chapters from Nina herself, to all the parents involved and the law enforcement officer investigating, it gave a fresh and fascinating insight into the very different motives behind the actions of everyone involved. The character reactions are thought provoking and maddening with the storyline feeling like it could have been ripped straight from the headlines. I couldn’t put this one down when I started and that ending…..wow!

Dervla’s McTinneran is a hugely talented author and if you haven’t read her yet, I highly recommend this one as a fantastic starting point! I can’t wait to see what Dervla writes next and secretly am hoping she will revisit the Detective Cormac Rielly series which is where I first discovered my love of her books but honestly, she just keeps getting better so I will happily read anything she writes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions shared here are entirely my own.

WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA? Nobody knows. A great way to start and now I am excited. What did happen to Nina and who is Nina. Well Simon was the last person to see her but what happened? This is a book that will get the heart pumping and the mind working. It is exciting, thrilling, intriguing, interesting, entertaining and so much more.

This is a story about two families and the aftermath of the disappearance of Nina. Each page and chapter leads you to turn the page and search for answers. A well paced read with great characters, this is a book you won't want to put down! 4 1/2 stars from me.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins Publishers Australia for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

Dervla McTiernan has upped the anti with her latest release What Happened To Nina? This twisted tale of Nina and Simon. Young and in love, or so you are lead to believe, but when Nina disappears into thin air the question is What Happen To Nina?
Dervla captures the devastation and distress of Nina's parents, and the shock and aggression of Simon's, making you angry and sad all at once. With excellent character development I felt the genuine emotions from each and everyone in this story. This twisted tale will reel you in hook, line and sinker and have you reading long into the night, another first rate thriller/crime that I highly recommend.
Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this early reading copy.

This had me hooked right from the get-go. It's an easy read in that it is believable, relatable, and you feel as if this could really happen in your own neighbourhood. I enjoyed the different points of view, each one painting a vivid picture of the character.

I found it interesting how half way through the story you kind of know what happened to Nina. But you are then wondering if there's a twist you don't expect. It is for this reason I was a little disappointed in the ending at first. I had questions. Many questions. I'd definitely expected a bigger twist. But after thinking it over, and I can guarantee this book will have you thinking long after you turn the last page, I realised it was an authentic ending, Like the rest of the book, it was believeable, relatable, and you feel as if this could really happen in your own neighbourhood.

“When Nina grew up and they started dating, I’d seen hm around our house, but I’d never truly looked at him. I’d never felt the need to. Because I’d known him his whole life. I thought that made him safe. I thought he was a nice boy who was in love with my daughter.”

What Happened To Nina is the second stand-alone novel by award-winning, best-selling Irish-born Australian author, Dervla McTiernan. When, after blowing off her work responsibilities at the family inn to vacation with her boyfriend, Nina Fraser doesn’t return as promised, and her mother, Leanne is at first irritated. But, once she and husband Andy learn that Simon Jordan has returned home alone, some days earlier, they are more concerned.

Simon’s story is sort of credible, but some aspects of Nina’s reported behaviour are out of character for the twenty-year-old they know so well. And, despite their perception of him as a good guy, as he is the last person to have seen her, they can’t help being sceptical.

From the prologue, it’s quickly clear that Simon Jordan is a toxic male, subjecting Nina to violence, gaslighting and coercive control. But like many of that breed, he can also expertly charm. Soon enough, it’s also apparent just how entitled he feels, and how dangerous he is.

Contact with Nina’s friends yields nothing, so Vermont State Police Detective Senior Sergeant Matthew Wright gets involved. Novice Offcer, Sarah Jane Reid is available to assists and his gamble quickly pays off as she proves to have initiative and useful insight. A press conference gets a mixed reaction online and produces little. And in trying to get information and cooperation from the Jordan family, they hit roadblocks at every turn.

Determined to protect his son’s reputation (and thereby his own), ostentatiously wealthy industrialist Rory Jordan hires a PR company to manage their public image. Their strategy involves victim blaming, hoax sightings of Nina in Boston, and online rumour-mongering. Soon, online trolls are having a field day heaping suspicion on Leanne and claiming that Andy is a paedophile. It all helps to muddy the waters around Simon’s involvement.

A search of the Jordans’ vacation property reveals some anomalies that don’t gel with Simon’s story, and Wright is determined to learn the truth. But it’s all too little for the Frasers: Leanne despairs that she will never find out what happened to Nina, and that prompts Andy to take radical action.

McTiernan gives the reader a well-described setting, credible characters, and a clever and topical plot, proving, once again, her prodigious talent for crime fiction. This might be her best yet.
This unbiased review is from an uncorrected proof copy provided by NetGalley and Harper Collins Australia.

I'm a huge fan of Dervla McTiernan's capitvating story-telling, so I really should have known better than to start this book on a workday. I did not want to put it down, especially after reading Ch13 #nospoilers.

This book is for you if you also love crime dramas that hook you in from the first page - but perhaps don't start reading it until you have a good chunk of time to devote to it!

I absolutely loved it.

Thanks to Netgally and HarperCollins Publishing for sending me an ARC.

Ooh, loved this, it's ice cold.

The first chapter absolutely sucks you in, you know something bad has happened to Nina and you think you know what's going on here, but of course all the characters, her family, the police: they don't know yet. So it all unravels on the page.

The second chapter coming from Jamie's perspective is jarring. She's a deeply unlikeable character, and after reading from Nina's point of view in the opener it stopped me in my tracks and I put this down for a few days, but once I cracked the seal and read Lee's chapter I was properly hooked in and haven't put it down for hours.

The temptation to sneakily read ahead to find out where Nina is was very strong but I'm very glad I held out for a twisty cracker of an ending. McTiernan back in fine form.

‘My name is Nina Fraser. There’s a good chance that you know who I am.’

Nina and Simon are a young couple in love. They’ve been together since high school, and just about everyone sees them as a perfect couple. They head off together to spend a weekend at Simon’s family cabin in Vermont, but Simon returns alone.

According to him, Nina broke up with him and was going to be picked up by someone else. This explanation makes no sense to Nina’s family. Nina is reported as missing, and the police become involved.

Nina’s family want to find their daughter. Simon’s family want to protect their son. Simon’s family have money and are quick to engage expensive lawyers and a PR firm. For them, the best defence is offence, and Nina’s family are under siege. For Nina’s family, the investigation moves too slowly. Following the rules, waiting for the police, seems pointless especially when conspiracy theories abound, and Nina’s family are under attack.

The story unfolds through multiple points of view, including family members and the detective working the case. The tension between the two families increases and the reader, with more knowledge than Nina’s family, sees how the wealthy are advantaged by having money and access to power.

Ms McTiernan covers several different themes in this novel, including toxic relationships, power imbalances because of socio-economic difference, the power of the media, and victim blaming. As the story moves between the views of different characters the reader sees (if not always appreciates) a diversity of views.

There’s a twist in this story that some of us will find satisfying.

Another terrific novel from Ms McTiernan!

Note: My thanks to NetGalley and HarperCollins Australia for providing me with a free electronic copy of this book for review purposes.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

Nina and Simon were so happy together. But when a weekend away results in only Simon returning home, Nina's family are worried. When police are called and the investigation begins, Nina's family pushes for answers. Simon's family, in return, are pushed to defend their son, trying to change the narrative that is out on social media. What did happen to Nina?

Wow, I can't even tell you how gripping this book was! This masterfully crafted tale was told through multiple points of view, giving us a glimpse into each family character's life and how the tragedy affected them. It was amazing to see the lengths that each family resorted to, to protect their own. And if you thought the storyline was good, just wait for the fabulous ending! Highly recommend this one if you love a good mystery thriller.