I was not a fan. The narrator's voice reminded of an episode of Curious George. Also I feel like the last half of the book was the Author talking about himself and his reputation.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for access to the audiobook. All opinions expressed are my own.

My rating is based solely on the storytelling/writing, and not on the life of Lauren Spierer or her family. I found this book to be written in a way that was simple to read, but gave no more detail than what was reported in the news. I found it strange the way that the author centered himself in the story. It felt like it was a book about his coverage of the story, and not necessarily all about Lauren's life or disappearance. The author acknowledges that Lauren was a well-off, attractive, blonde girl and points out the difference in coverage of her story vs other missing or murdered girls who don't have as high priority in the media, especially poor women of color. I feel like that point was essential, but the comparison felt a bit strange in a book that adds to the discrepancy. I hope that Lauren's family can find some closure and peace, but I'm not sure if this book helped the case, or further exploited her for the sake of a true crime novel.

I really enjoyed listening to this book. The way it reads made me feel like I was listening to an interview with the reporter. I can see where others wouldn’t like the style but my love of true crime and bit of knowledge I had me enjoying every minute.

College Girl Missing by Shawn Cohen is a compelling and heartbreaking exploration of the disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a college student whose sudden vanishing left her family and community in turmoil. Cohen’s investigative prowess and dedication to uncovering the truth behind that fateful night in June 2011 bring a fresh perspective to a case that has haunted many for over a decade.

Lauren Spierer was a vibrant, social young woman studying fashion at Indiana University, who vanished after a night out with friends. The narrative, expertly woven by narrator Kyle Snyder, alternates between Lauren’s life and the relentless search for answers by her family and the author himself. Snyder's narration brings a poignant touch, capturing the emotional gravity of the situation and the desperation of those left behind.

Cohen delves deeply into the events of that night, meticulously retracing Lauren’s last known steps through eyewitness accounts and security footage. The story unveils a chilling silence at the doorsteps of a group of male students, raising unsettling questions and speculations. While the book may not provide new revelations for those closely following the case, it offers insights into the human elements and the people entwined in Lauren’s story.

One of the standout aspects of "College Girl Missing" is Cohen's commitment to portraying the emotional landscapes of those involved, including his own journey in investigating the case. His witness testimonies shed light on the often-overlooked personal dimensions of such tragic events, emphasizing the crucial role of speaking out and sharing information in unsolved cases.

The book, while deeply engaging and informative, also left me with a sense of frustration and sadness. Lauren Spierer’s disappearance remains unsolved, and the myriad of theories and speculations surrounding her case underscore the complex and often blurred nature of such investigations.

One of the standout aspects of College Girl Missing is Cohen’s commitment to portraying the emotional landscapes of those involved, including his own journey in investigating the case. However, while Shawn’s journey is important and deserves to be told, I found that the inclusion of extensive details about Cohen’s personal journey and experiences sometimes overshadowed the main narrative. The shift in focus to his own story, while important to explain his connection to Lauren’s case, occasionally detracted from the core story of Lauren’s disappearance. At times, I felt this could have been a great documentary or even a podcast, where Shawn could sit down and walk through this case with the personal dimension of those affected. This aspect might not resonate with all readers and is the reason I gave the book 4 stars.

I am grateful to RBmedia and NetGalley for providing a free ARC of this book, allowing me the opportunity to delve into this case. College Girl Missing is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and anyone seeking to understand the profound impact of unsolved cases on the victims’ families and communities.

This was well told. I thought that the journalist did a good job of presenting the facts in a fair and interesting way. You can tell he did a lot of research into the case. It’s terrible what happened to Lauren and I’m sad that they weren’t able to solve the case and provide closure for the family.

This was a quick listen, I felt like the story and details flew by while I was listening. This was a well told and well narrated true crime story.

I was intrigued by the story of Lauren Spierer's disappearance, as I'm from the area and around the same age, although I was attending college in a different state when she disappeared. But I didn't know much about the circumstances surrounding her disappearance so when I saw this on NetGalley I was interested to hear more. It was an interesting (and short) listen (I had the audiobook), although it contained a lot of repetition and filler that might have made better for a two-part podcast rather than a full book (less than six hours of audio). Something about the way that the author inserted himself into the story didn't land well for me either. I also didn't care for the narrator and would have preferred that the author read it himself. But fans of true crime will enjoy this quick and interesting read.

College Girl, Missing is the true story of college student, Lauren Spierer who vanished on June 3, 2011 after a night of partying near her college campus.

I do not know how I had never heard of Lauren before reading this book as her story made national news at the time of her disappearance.

While a crime was potentially committed at the time of Lauren’s disappearance, to this day no one knows what happened to her.

I really feel for Lauren’s family and friends. The not knowing what happened to her must be devastating.

This book is hard to rate. I found the story interesting at times but very repetitive. If you like to read about unsolved cases, this book might be just what you are looking for.

I listened to the audiobook and felt the narrator did an excellent job.

In a time when true crime shows, books, podcasts are captivating the masses, this book falls incredibly flat. Listened to this one and the narrator’s voice sounded computerized with monotone delivery. This poor girl and her family deserve so much better from someone who claims to be invested in keeping the story relevant.

There were so many holes in the telling that die hard crime junkies have no hope of making any sort of connections. Never mind the fact that we have to learn the journalist had a relationship/trust with an ex hooker that created problems for him. How is that part of Lauren’s story? Seriously!!

Appreciative to NetGalley & High Bridge Audio for the advanced copy for a review.

I listen to the audio book. I was hoping that this real life story had more unknown facts or accounts on what happened to Lauren the night she disappeared. In the end,
I was left still wondering what happened. Such a tragic story.

Wow. College Girl, Missing was so incredibly well written. I inhaled this book in a few hours. It was tactful, full of facts and laced with empathy and humility on the author’s part. It was a tragic story with no resolution, and I truly hope that the release of this book will bring the family much needed justice.

Cohen delves into the enigmatic disappearance of Lauren Spierer with a captivating narrative. The book illuminates the lesser-known aspects of this tragic case, making it accessible and engaging. However, the author's frequent self-references and emphasis on his personal connection to the Spierer family can be distracting. Cohen's central presence in the narrative sometimes overshadows the case itself, detracting from the core story.
The audiobook version, narrated by Kyle Snyder - only around 5 hours long - enhances the experience significantly. Snyder's strong narration adds a layer of depth and engagement that I was happy with.

I remember hearing about this case on the news but couldn't remember how it was resolved. I did wish at time that the author went into more details about the case, but maybe the details of the case are just that limited and he did the best he could. I did enjoy the book and the author.

In "College Girl, Missing," investigative journalist Shawn Cohen delves into the haunting disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a case that has perplexed investigators and captivated the public for over a decade. This meticulously researched account offers a compelling and heart-wrenching exploration of a young life cut short and the mysteries surrounding her vanishing.

Cohen's narrative skillfully weaves together the vibrant life of Lauren Spierer - a fashion student full of promise and zest for life - with the dark undercurrents that may have contributed to her disappearance. The author paints a vivid picture of college life, capturing both its exhilarating freedom and potential dangers, especially for young women far from home.

One of the book's strengths lies in its original reporting. Cohen presents new testimonies and evidence not previously shared with police, offering fresh perspectives on the case. This approach not only adds depth to the investigation but also raises important questions about the initial handling of the disappearance.

The author's exploration of the "dark side" that Lauren and her friends allegedly kept secret adds a layer of complexity to the narrative. Cohen navigates these sensitive areas with care, balancing the need for truth with respect for the victims and their families.

Particularly intriguing is Cohen's focus on a group of "wealthy, well-connected male students" implicated by the evidence. This angle raises thought-provoking questions about privilege, power, and justice in high-profile cases.
While the book offers no definitive answers - as is often the case with unsolved mysteries - it provides a comprehensive overview of the case, presenting various theories and allowing readers to draw their own conclusions. Cohen's journalistic background shines through in his objective presentation of facts and theories.

"College Girl, Missing" is more than just a true crime narrative; it's a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities young people face and the devastating impact of unsolved cases on families and communities. Cohen's work serves not only as an investigation into Lauren Spierer's disappearance but also as a call for continued attention to cold cases and missing persons.

This book is likely to appeal to true crime enthusiasts, those interested in investigative journalism, and readers drawn to unsolved mysteries. However, its themes of loss, uncertainty, and the dark side of campus life may be distressing for some readers, particularly parents of college-aged children.

What a well told perspective of some very unfortunate true events. I was unaware of this case prior to picking up this book, so my opinion is unbiased.
This book will pull at your heartstrings especially as a woman and a parent.
This book follows the disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a college student. Lauren seems to have vanished in the early morning hours after a night of partying without a trace and to this day still has not been found.
This could have happened to any of us.
This book really makes you think. I'm unsure what to believe and if her "friends" were to blame or someone random. Things seem fishy with the boys accounts of what happened.
I really hope one day Lauren is found so that her family may gain some closure.

This is a short summary piece on what’s already known about the disappearance of Lauren Spierer. After 10+ years, the case remains unsolved. It’s heartbreaking. It emphasizes the suspicions around the young men that saw Lauren the night of her disappearance. No answers, just the same questions.
The book itself is written well. It reads like a true crime podcast of sorts. Parts of the book are about the author (journalist) clearing his name. Narration is good.

i listened to this audiobook in one sitting. this is not a ground-breaking true crime book, but i do feel like it's worth a read and hopefully can help renew interest and activity in the case. however, if you are familiar with the lauren spierer case then don't expect any shocking new information to be presented by the author. the information surrounding this case is understandably limited given that it is an ongoing investigation, but i think the author did a good job laying out the information that is known and raises very valid questions regarding the individuals surrounding lauren on the night of her disappearance.

i received this advance audiobook from netgalley and highbridge audio in exchange for my honest review just a few days before the audiobook was released.

I really enjoyed this as I am a true crime junkie and love listening to true crime/mystery podcasts so this felt right up my alley. Even more so Lauren would’ve been my age and was at Indiana U while I was at Penn State! I remember fondly those years of trying to figure things out and test your independence while believing nothing bad could happen to you. The mystery of Lauren is a tragedy and this listen made me want to research more about the case in the best way - because while I have opinions on what may have happened, the case is still open. True crime lovers this is a must and highly recommend listening to the audiobook version!

Thank you NetGalley and Shawn Cohen for this amazing audio ARC!!

I remember hearing about this in the news but didn’t really keep up with it much. This book was very detailed and gave a lot of insight from parties involved. If you like true crime, it’s definitely a must read.

I didn’t hear about this case while in college at the same time but I thought it was a good collection of facts. I don’t know how much is repeat info from the time of the original case but I felt like this book laid it out well and it brought renewed attention. Wish there had been some more of a conclusion but I’m sure her family does too.

As an Indiana University graduate who went to school after the Lauren Spierer disappearance, I gravitated towards this book because I always felt like I had a connection to it since we went to the same school and felt like "that could have been me".

However, this book put a lot of things into perspective for me, as I never really knew all the details. While no one deserves this to happen to them, there were a lot more factors at play than I initially realized. People didn't really talk about the facts at school, and only focused on "be careful when going out into downtown, or you could disappear like Lauren", when the reality is she had all the odds stacked against her. Being drunk AND on very illicit drugs while also being around people she didn't know that well at around 3 in the morning were all pieces that unfortunately led to her disappearing instead of landing safely in her bed the next morning.

I think Cohen did a pretty good job of laying out all the details and explaining how each person was connected to Lauren, but I really didn't like how he kept inputing things that felt very self-centered. I didn't care so much about his story and how he connected to the Spierer family, or how he would constantly reach out to those who were potentially involved and keep pestering them about their story. I realize that this is the normal for journalists, but I can see why the people who knew Lauren would get irritated and short-tempered with him while wanting to keep information to themselves.

Overall, a pretty decent book to listen to, especially to get the details of what happened to Lauren. Just not my favorite way to tell the personal details of what happened to the other people following that disappearance. I'd say give it a go!