4 ⭐️ College Girl, Missing explores in depth the 2011 disappearance of twenty-year-old Lauren Spierer from Indiana University’s campus. This true crime book is written and researched by investigative journalist, Shawn Cohen—one of the first to report on Lauren’s disappearance when it occurred.

I was a bit familiar with Lauren’s case before going into this book (having listened to the episode dedicated to her case done by Crime Junkie podcast), but appreciated how thoroughly researched this book was. Cohen was able to dig into the case in a way that seemingly no one else has done and interview people related to the case that have never gone on the record before.

I read it in one day and thought Cohen did a great job with it. He was thorough but didn’t provide unnecessary detail, maintained a respectful tone throughout, and truly seems to want to get to the bottom of this case for Lauren’s family and friends rather than for profit.

**If you are interested in true crime but only solved cases, this will not be the book for you because as of this writing, unfortunately Lauren’s case remains cold.**

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks, and Shawn Cohen for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

It’s been a while since I’ve picked up some true crime nonfiction, so I was excited to give this one a go. I’ve always been fascinated and dumbfounded by Lauren Spierer’s mysterious disappearance from Indiana University back in 2011. I was also intrigued by the fact that this book was penned by a journalist involved in the case basically from day 1. Ultimately, I thought this was a concise and straightforward account of the events and people surround the case. If you’re an avid consumer of missing persons and true crime in general, this likely won’t provide any new content/theories for you. This read like a spark notes version of the case at times (which, if you’re unfamiliar with the case, may be a perk for some readers).

Unfortunately, one issue I had with this book was that the author rubbed me the wrong way at times. We got some additional context as to why he chose to write this book when he did, and it just didn’t really sit well with me. I also found it a little odd how many times he referenced his close and personal relationship with Lauren’s family. But that’s all just my personal opinion, so take that with a grain of salt.

📚PRE-PUBLICATION REVIEW📚

"College Girl, Missing"
By Shawn Cohen.

The Synopsis:

"She visited friends. She walked to a bar. She was right there... Until she was gone."

This is the true story of missing Indiana University college student, Lauren Spierer, who disappeared after a night out in Bloomington on June 3, 2011. After more than 12 years, there are still no answers about what happened to her that night. Journalist Shawn Cohen has covered this story from the beginning and writes this book in the hopes of reviewing what's known - and trying to find new information that could help solve this case and the question that remains..."what really happened to Lauren Spierer?"

My Review:

First off, I want to extend a big THANK YOU to @netgalley and @sourcebooks for providing me this Advanced Reader's Copy in exchange for my honest review!

This was a really captivating and well-written narrative of a true crime case!! I am a massive true crime fan, and I'm sorry to say I wasn't familiar with Lauren Spierer and her disappearance. I flew through this book's detailing of her disappearance, the 'botched' police investigation by local police in critical days & weeks after her disappearance, and the ongoing efforts of family and friends to try and find out what happened that night.

I'll admit I was slightly disappointed with the "new" testimony promised by sources who'd never spoken with investigators before. What was "newly-shared" didn't really shed much light on the mystery and seemed to be talked up as a bigger deal than it was. I would have liked to have seen more loose ends tied up somehow...With that said, I believe Cohen did a lot to track down what he got -- I just wanted it to be more.

I'm sad there are still no answers for Lauren's family and was disappointed by the "friends" who are still closing ranks and coming across as WAY more defensive than they should be if they really don't know anything. Get YOUR copy on 5/28/24 -- I hope this book re-invigorates the case and encourages the internet sleuths to do their thing!

⭐⭐⭐⭐

#netgalley #sourcebooks #shawncohen #advancedreadercopy #truecrime #laurenspierer #whereislauren #bookreviews #bookstagram

This happened about 80 miles from where I live and I remember the case. I remember seeing her parents distraught faces. So I was interested to see what this author had to reveal. Honestly it wasn’t as much as I hoped. Lauren’s case has many different players and it is hard to keep them straight. I do get the feeling this book was put out to try to pressure those with knowledge to finally come forward. I’m hoping with this book it will bring her case back to light. With this day and age of video, gps tracking, etc we expect things to be solved easily. But even back at this time, they were lacking at places and without her having her phone it would not have been very helpful.


I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book provided by NetGalley.

The author does a great job giving the details we all know and adding in new details.

It’s a sad true story but you hope the any attention can get people talking and bring peace to the family.

Thanks to NetGallery and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

My heart goes out to the parents. All they want is answers to the whereabouts of their beloved daughter. The person’s of interest either can’t remember or flat out refuse to answer questions.

I'm honestly confused by this book and if the focus was the girl missing or the author's life? I couldn't believe the amount of attention that was spent on the author and what he was doing, what happened to him, inconsequential junk that meant nothing to the story.

I also felt (and was confirmed from the author's words via this text) this was being written to put pressure on those who he and the parents thought were behind the disappearance of the girl. While that is a tactic, I'm still unsure if publishing a book like this one (written the way it was) would honestly help... it just didn't provide anything actually new, except for the author getting his ass chewed out by those he is pointing the finger at, and the lack of response / co-help from law officials is rough and seen through the entirety of this.

While this girl's disappearance is still a mystery, and no new leads have popped up... I'm not sure if this was the person to write the book. Michelle McNamara's "I'll Be Gone in the Dark" has a better focus for someone being new to the game of writing books and presenting facts with a tight narrative.

It's a sad, true story and my thoughts go to the family... I just don't think that this book was the greatest end-product.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC. Shawn Cohen does a great job at objectively telling the disappearance of Lauren Spierer on June 3,2011. Sadly, the disappearance of Lauren has never been solved, but this book covers multiple theories and key information of the night she went missing. Her family was also involved and interviewed for this book. I recommend this book if you are interested in true crime.

I had never heard of this case before and was intrigued. It read like a true crime podcast. There wasn’t anything groundbreaking/too new that the author shared but gave it more of a chronological feel. If you are familiar with the case, you may not like the book as much, but as I had not read about it, I learned a lot.
Also, my child won’t be going to Indiana University!
Thanks for the advanced copy NetGalley!

College Girl, Missing was quite the informative book, but I felt like some parts kept repeating themselves, especially about Rossman and Rosenbaum. I wish they would’ve talked more about what Lauren was like growing up.

"She visited friends. She walked to a bar. She was right there...until she was gone."

"College Girl Missing" is a gripping dive into the haunting disappearance of Lauren Spierer at IU. Now, I've been following this case since Day 1, as we were in college around the same time, both in the midwest. It's mind-boggling how a young woman could vanish in what we all assumed was a safe environment. If this sounds interesting to you, definitely pick it up - it's not like other true crime novels that are often too dense with unnecessary information. Cohen gets right to it.

Cohen doesn't hold back in this book—he leaves no stone unturned. It's an excellent summary of the events since Lauren's disappearance on 6/3/11, with meticulous details about key players, her exact last movements, and all the potential suspects and theories. I devoured this book in a single day, unable to tear myself away from the pages.

One of the things that struck me was Cohen's discussion of "white women syndrome," an important aspect of any missing person case. He doesn't away from tackling this issue head-on, shedding light on the disparities in media coverage and public attention based on race. Additionally, Cohen's upfront acknowledgment of his own shortcomings adds to the integrity of his depiction, making it all the more honest and compelling.

I particularly appreciated the inclusion of recent cases like the Idaho murders and Gabby Petito, which highlighted the impact of advancements in social media and technology on missing person investigations. It's a sobering reminder of how much has changed since Lauren's disappearance, and how far we still have to go.

Overall, "College Girl Missing" is an amazing read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Cohen's thorough research and heartfelt approach to the subject matter make for a gripping and thought-provoking narrative. I can only hope that it brings some closure to the Spierer family and keeps Lauren's memory alive. Still hoping and praying for answers.

Don't miss this true crime mystery that comes out 5/28/24. Thank you to the publisher, author & NetGalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

"College Girl, Missing" by Shawn Cohen is a compelling narrative that draws readers in from the very first page. Cohen masterfully navigates the mystery surrounding the disappearance of a college student, skillfully blending elements of suspense and unexpected revelations. Through well-developed characters and a layered plot, the novel explores themes of trust, relationships, and the relentless pursuit of truth. My heart broke for Lauren's family and the pain they have endured all these years, adding an emotional depth to the story. With its gripping storyline, "College Girl, Missing" is a poignant and engrossing read that will stay with you long after you turn the final page.

Shawn Cohen was one of the original reporters for this case and you can tell he was super invested. How does a good job of summarizing the case and how he learned the additional information. You can tell his desire to find out what happened to Lauren. I am curious what this book will lead to

I’ve read a number of true crime books, and I consider “You’ll Be Gone in the Dark” by Michelle McNamara and “Lost Girls” by Robert Kolker to be at the top of the class in terms of being both informative and empathetic. While I don’t think “College Girl, Missing” soars to quite the same heights, I do think the author did a good job of painting Lauren as a whole person, one who had struggles and who also had a lot of really great qualities. It’s clear from her family and friends’ quotes about her that she is very loved and very missed. The book is well-researched and was written in cooperation with the family, which provided the author access he wouldn’t have had otherwise. The author clearly did a lot of additional legwork and was able to secure interviews (however brief) with some of the key witnesses. Of course, it would have been big news if the author had solved the case, and so it’s no surprise that that’s not how this book ends. But I do think the author provided a comprehensive narrative that includes facts that aren’t easily accessible. This is definitely worth a read for anyone who is interested in the case, and I hope that it stirs up something that will help to move the case forward.

As a side note - I also live in Westchester, NY myself and appreciated that the author noted the stark difference in the way a case like Lauren’s is treated and cases involving people from lower-income areas are treated.

"College Girl, Missing" by Shawn Cohen recounts the true story of Lauren Spierer, who disappeared from Indiana University in June of 2011. Despite speculation about potential suspects, getting people to cooperate with the investigation proves challenging.

Cohen's extensive research is apparent, suggesting that his exploration of the Lauren Spierer case may not be complete. His compassion for the Spierer family is noticeable throughout his work.

"College Girl, Missing" is a thought-provoking read that sheds light on the complexities of missing persons cases and the enduring impact they have on communities. It serves as a stark reminder of the vulnerability we all face, even in seemingly safe environments.

As someone that did not know anything about this story, I found this book to provide a thorough account. I did often fact check just to see and to also see what others had to say.
I feel like often times books like this can lack a connect between author/reporter and those impacted by the tragedy - this book provided both insight on the family and friends of Lauren and what all Cohen did to try to get justice for this young girl, while trying to present all the information.

Aside from the personal connection and factual writing, this book was so well written. Cohen is presenting so many difficult topics and does so in a way that is captivating as well as informative. This book was so hard to put down!

This happened in my hometown and it is always interesting to read an outside perspective. Lauren Spierer was a nineteen year old college student at Indiana University when she disappeared in the early morning hours after a night fueled by drugs and alcohol. At the time that this happened, I had just quit a university position to stay at home with my two young children. There was a sense of fear at first but once the details started to be released, most locals that I talked to believed what happened was also what was clearly alluded to in this book. There is not a ton of new information on the case but the author did get close enough to Lauren’s family and friends to provide new details that I hadn’t heard. I do like that he referenced the fact that there was another missing young woman in the area, also dealing with drug abuse, who did not get the same media coverage because of their lower economic status. Overall, this is a good book and one that will also be of interest to readers who are not familiar with the case. I received a digital arc of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

In this captivating read, the author masterfully weaves a narrative that is both engaging and thought-provoking. Through a blend of richly developed characters and a meticulously crafted plot, the book offers a unique exploration of its central themes, inviting readers to immerse themselves in the story's depth and complexity. The narrative is paced perfectly, balancing moments of intense action with thoughtful reflection, ensuring that readers are hooked from the first page to the last. The author's ability to evoke emotion and create a vivid, immersive world is truly remarkable, making this book a must-read for anyone looking for an exceptional literary experience.

Beyond its compelling storyline, the book stands out for its insightful commentary on the human condition, weaving philosophical questions into the fabric of its narrative. The author's skillful use of language not only enriches the text but also elevates the reader's experience, offering new perspectives on familiar themes. Whether it's the intricate dynamics of relationships, the exploration of identity, or the confrontation with ethical dilemmas, this book tackles complex issues with sensitivity and intelligence. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to illuminate the nuances of life, making it a valuable addition to any book lover's collection. Regardless of genre, this is a work that resonates on multiple levels, affirming the enduring impact of well-crafted literature.

Wowww this one kept me on my toes the whole way through! I love a good thriller/mystery and this one delivers!

I went into this book knowing nothing of this case. I don’t ever recall reading anything or seeing anything in the media at the time. This is the true story of missing college student, Lauren Spierer who disappeared from Indiana University in the very early morning hours of June 3, 2011.

I have to tell you, I could not put this book down. I will forever be thinking of this story. Author and reporter, Shawn Cohen tells this story in a very clear, concise, and linear way. He was fair, honest, and respectful to all involved. It is my hope that in the release of this book and the never before released information included, that Lauren’s family may find her and get her justice. My heart just breaks for them.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and to Sourcebooks for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts.