While I'm glad this story is being told in book form and bringing light to Lauren Spierer's case. However, I have researched this case a lot so the information wasn't anything new to me but nonetheless I believe this could be a good read for others.

This was a pretty wild listen. How does a girl go missing when so many people saw her that night? Truly terrifying for me to listen to when I’m about to see my niece and so many of my students go off to college. Sending love to her family and I hope to god this gets solved.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc audiobook in exchange for an honest review, all opinions expressed are my own.

Thank you to #netgalley for a free copy of this audio book in exchange for an honest review.

My Interest

Indiana University has been part of my life since birth. My grandmother, great-aunt, a great uncle, a great-grandfather and several cousins of one sort of the other (what ARE you mother’s cousins to you??) all attended I.U. I grew up believing I would go to I.U. or it’s rival–Purdue which my parents and my aunt and uncle met and got married and where my grandfather earn three electrical engineering degrees–the last a Ph.D. It’s in my blood. We occasionally even went to the “Old Oaken Bucket Game”–the I.U. versus Purdue football game held near or on Thanksgiving. My great aunt and uncle were Varsity Club members and followed the football and basketball teams all over the country. My great-aunt was among the few members of the family in a sorority or fraternity. The Greek system mercifully lost its hold on my family after her son de-pledged and left his I.U. frat saying he’d sat in the basement watching p@rn long enough–and that was in about 1965. He played rugby for I.U. but it was a mere club sport then (might still be–I don’t know). (See the bottom of this post for a video tour of the I.U. campus)

The Story

College towns in summer sessions are dull. Very dull. On an early June night in 2011 Lauren Spierer headed out to drink and have fun with friends. She never came home.

Lauren was from a well-off family from Scarsdale, New York. She and a bunch of friends from her summer camp headed to I.U. probably due to its reputation as a party school. Lauren was a fashion merchandising major and her boyfriend was already at I.U. where he was a member of a mostly Jewish fraternity that was thrown out of the Greek system (it takes a hell of a lot of bad behavior to accomplish that at I.U., by the way) and now resided off campus. Lauren, who, very oddly, did not pledge a sorority lived in a popular apartment complex. She and her roommates all knew each other from back home–mostly from camp.

She and her boyfriend had a tempestuous relationship and Lauren had attracted the notice of another guy. Lauren also had more than passing interest in alcohol and Cocaine. She had been to a short rehab before I.U. and had received slaps on the wrist from the police for underage drinking at football tailgate parties. On this night she was “wasted.”

Author Shawn Cohen covered the story for a local New York paper near Lauren’s parent’s home. Now, many years later, he decided to pick up the trail again to see if he could finally figure out just what happened to Lauren.

There were theories–that she overdosed and the guys dumped her body–possibly in a dumpster that then went to the landfill. Another suggested she was nabbed by a serial killer of the day who happened to be in Bloomington at the same time. Lauren’s body was never found.
My Thoughts

Journalist Gwen Ifill coined the derisive term “White Woman Missing” to describe the media frenzy when someone like Lauren goes missing. Lauren was petite–5 feet tall and only 90 pounds. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes. She was raised in well-off secular Jewish home in a wealthy community. She spent most of her summer weekdays at sleepover camp, coming home on weekends when the staff had a break. She had a well-established circle of friends from camp who could afford to go off to an SAT prep and pre-college experience at UCLA. She wasn’t an Ivy League-gunning super student, but she did AP Art and had a career goal in fashion merchandizing.

The entitlement of Lauren and her group reeks–absolutely reeks. But I vividly remember–can clearly feel still–that sense that we were “safe” in Bloomington as the guy who was flirting with Lauren that fateful night recalled. “Safe” even though my dorm floor, like I’m sure Lauren’s did a generation later, had mandatory safety meetings and free self-defense training (in 1980 we didn’t have cell phones).

Lauren, rarely if ever challenged on her choices in life, left home that June night with a wristlet that held her fake id [legal drinking age in the USA is 21], her phone, a credit card and her apartment door key or fob. Friends mentioned she might lose her phone since it didn’t fit in the little purse. She ignored them. She wore leggins and a shirt–typical college attire and probably flip-flips. She would end the night barefooted, with no phone and no keys. And, she disappeared.

I have to ask this–I’m a parent, my kid got into real trouble, I get it. You can’t be there every second, but….major difference between Lauren and my kid–that sense of entitlement. Getting into the “dream school” is the be all, end all for teenagers of a certain strata of our society. I.U. is not Harvard, but its not an underfunded, all-adjunct community college either–especially if you are not from Indiana. Here is my question:

What kind of parents send their 18 year old, daughter, 90 pounds, 5 feet tall fresh from rehab, with a heart condition, half way across the country to a college consistently ranked as one of the best party schools in America????

To a college where she will be with a boy friend whose parents they never bothered to meet?? A boy friend who was overly jealous and almost abusive from time-to-time. They saw their daughter on the phone “talking him down” when he raged, yet never said a word and then let her go to I.U. They gave their entitled little darling a choice of going immediately to a brief rehab and then on to I.U. or skipping her freshman year and going to a longer rehab. Right. Name on teen who’d choose option #2??

In Scarsdale, New York, there are all kinds of college choices nearby to attend and get stable. Then transfer the next year. It’s not like IU has the only degree in fashion merchandising in the USA. And, since it appears she didn’t even want to go Greek then her Freshman year didn’t matter. The choice was THEIRS, not hers. They had a duty to protect her and didn’t. They wanted her to be happy, like any parent, and, understandably perhaps, probably didn’t want to deal with a year of sulking, door-slamming, and bitchiness from their young adult daughter.

So, of course, they let her have her way. That said–they are NOT responsible AT ALL for what happened. But it brings to mind why it is important to be a PARENT to your kid and not their buddy or friend. Their safety and stability are more important than going to their dream school. Had they said “Oh hell no…” she would have lived with it. No way would she have tried to move out on her own–her expected standard of living was far too high. She had done a college entry application humanitarian trip with her Dad but had never worked a day in her life.

Sadly, the author didn’t solve this crime. He DID succeed in getting some new conversations from Lauren’s guy friends–all of whom had wealthy parents who got them “lawyered up” [author’s awful phrase] and out of the state immediately after Lauren’s disappearance was made known. One claimed memory loss from a fist fight–the fight that made several of them flee fearing it was caught on a security camera (it was). No amount of lies from the guys saying if Lauren had had an overdose they’d have called 911 and stayed with her can cover up the fact that obviously they didn’t do that. They didn’t care enough to tag along or be a bit creepy and shadow her on her night out with the new guy. Instead they watched the NBA finals at home on tv. How convenient all these years later that it had been revealed that a serial killer had come through town at roughly the same time. And the charming young man she left the bar with? He let her walk out of his apartment alone. He watched till she got to the corner. No words. Sorry, but the boys I knew walked the girls home no matter what state anyone was in. All of these friends took a “wait and see” approach to calling the police even though they found her house keys, learned she’d left her phone at the bar and was out with this guy for the first time. Some friends.

The Barney Fife squad of the Bloomington Police Department though deserves every criticism leveled at them and more. They made every possible mistake. No shocker if you’ve lived there, but they were so inept it’s amazing they were still employed to direct traffic out of the stadium parking lots on game days. Egos, stupidity, and just plain ignorance got in the way. They would not turn the investigation over to the Feds and weren’t even bright enough to stop the removal of nearby dumpsters–all went to the landfill a few counties over before they could be searched. They were very careful interviewing the students–too careful, because they were rich. That’s what it comes down to. If they had been young Black students from Gary or East Chicago–I don’t even want to think…..

So a long rambling “review” for such a short book (251 pages or 5 hours audio). It struck a nerve.

While this story made me emotional, I gave it only 3.5 because I got very sick of hearing the author talk about himself. He worked for the New York Post and now The Daily Mail so do with that what you will.

My Verdict
3.5

College Girl Missing…. by Shawn Cohen

stened to it as an audiobook, I just felt so confused and lost, like I couldn’t really keep track of who was who or the real timeline of the story. I really thought this would’ve been laid out in a clear manner and maybe even include previously unknown information, but sadly neither happened. I like to think the author had the best of intentions while putting this book together, but I think the outcome fell flat. I hate to say it, but you’d think that as a journalist the author would’ve been clear in the timeline, but unfortunately that wasn’t the case here. Also, all of the information shared in this could probably be found just by reading news articles and other reports. Before I started to write this (rambling and likely annoyingly all over the place) review, I intended to give this two stars for the subject matter alone, but I’m afraid that the truth of Lauren’s story got lost in the jumbled storytelling and side stories (which I’m not 100% sure why they were included other than that two links to Lauren’s story and one specific side story is that both girls passed well before their time and their parents left without a child). I am sad to say that I would not recommend this to others.

“Their daughter reportedly vanished in plain sight. What happened? Someone knows.”

Thank you to Netgalley and RB Media for an advanced galley of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review. Due to the sensitive topic of this book and out of respect for Lauren’s family, any ratings are objectively based on the writing of the book, not the content itself.

During my time working toward my undergraduate degree at Indiana University (shoutout class of ‘22!) I heard mentions of this case from my friends who grew up in Bloomington. A still-open case of a college girl going missing in plain sight, at my university nonetheless. It always intrigued me, but I didn’t do much research into the details.

When I heard that this book was being published, it immediately sparked my interest again. A book about all of the persons of interest in the case and a chronology of Lauren Spierer’s actions the last night she was seen. College Girl, Missing is a powerful account of the efforts to solve Lauren’s disappearance, in 2011 and since then.

College Girl, Missing is both a great introduction to the case, and a deeper dive for those who want more information. Shawn Cohen, the author, was one of the first journalists to report on Lauren’s disappearance in 2011. He makes clear in the first chapter that he has been invested in the case since then. He has become close friends with Lauren’s parents and had their full support to investigate the story further and attempt to obtain new testimonies from key players. At times, I felt this emphasis on his closeness with the Sperier’s and his qualifications to write this book hindered from the true topic of the book. That being said, Cohen has nothing but respect for Lauren and her family throughout the retelling of this case.

I thought the structure of the book was accessible for those unfamiliar with the case. It first begins with a detailed chronology of Lauren’s last hours, told in a way that presents the facts objectively but not stiffly. I listened to this book on audio and thought that the narrator, Kyle Snyder, was fantastic. The writing and narration had the same familiarity as a true crime podcast, making it easy to listen to while driving or doing chores.

As the case is still unsolved, the book is not able to solve the mystery either. However, College Girl, Missing definitely draws attention to Lauren’s disappearance after years of unanswered questions. Perhaps creating awareness will help bring Lauren’s family one step closer to closure.

The audiobook for College Girl, Missing is out now.

Concise look at the disappearance of Lauren Speier and one journalist’s need for answers. I like that it was to the point and not drawn out. In the interview with the author at the end, he states that he wants people to know who Lauren really is (which I don’t feel we get a sense of her from this book; very little biographical information is given about Lauren and it seems that the only point that is really mentioned is that she liked to party. Otherwise, this was an interesting read.

People who like to read about true crime will like this book. I listened to it via audiobook. The author, Shawn Cohen, followed this story throughout many years and has delved into finding out more details about this case and searching for the answer to what happened to this young collegiate girl, Lauren. The story follows her college life and the choices she made that contributed to her disappearance, as well as, the people and events who were surrounding her when she went missing. Many people were not willing to talk to him and had disdain for Shawn. His search for the truth left him persevering and eventually Lauren’s parents appreciated his persistence. Shawn exposes truths and doesn’t hold any of the details lingering or hidden, even when it comes to conversations he had with witnesses who didn’t like him.

The narration by Kyle Snyder was strong and engaging. His depiction of the author’s experiences brought the story to life. Read or listen to this compelling, true story and determine if you can figure out what happened to Lauren.

Thank you NetGalley and HighBridge for the advanced audiobook. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I had never heard of the missing case of Lauren Spierer until I read this book. It amazes me how hush hush everyone became. I felt like Shawn Cohen did a great job writing this and getting the awareness out for Lauren. Going in completely blind he gave me all the details and all the information one might not have. While it was short it was a powerful punch. I hope for Lauren's family the book helps bring something new to light.

Thanks to NetGalley and HighBridge Audio for giving me the chance to listen to an advance copy of the audio in exchange for an honest review.

I was familiar with this case. I hope that this book renews interest in Lauren’s case and eventually provides some answers for her family. What I think I enjoyed most about this book was the fact that the author received the family’s blessing to write it. This isn’t some exploitative cash grab. It is clear that the author is attempting to share Lauren’s story and get eyes on this case.

Being from Indiana, I have always been interested in the Lauren Spierer case. For that reason I was excited to hopefully learn more about the case in this book.

The author painted a really detailed picture of the the night Lauren went missing and her struggles with substances. I didn't really feel like a ton of new information was shared in this book and was left with the same feeling I've always had, her friends know exactly what happened to her and covered it up. Because I didn't find anything revolutionary in this book I'm giving it 3 stars. That aside I felt like it was a well written book.

"College Girl, Missing" is a poignant true crime account that chronicles the enigmatic disappearance of Lauren Spierer, a 20-year-old student at Indiana University. The narrative emphasizes the circumstances surrounding Lauren's vanishing from a bustling college town following an evening of social activities, where her last known whereabouts included being in the company of fellow students and being recorded by surveillance cameras. Despite significant media attention and heightened public interest, the police inquiry failed to produce any definitive leads, resulting in profound distress for her family and friends. Author Shawn Cohen examines the intricacies of the case, revealing evidence suggestive of a possible cover-up, an inadequately conducted investigation, and conflicting witness statements, while also highlighting the emotional repercussions experienced by those left in the aftermath.

Cohen posits multiple theories regarding Lauren's fate, encompassing the potential for homicide or accidental demise, yet he ultimately leaves readers grappling with the uncertainties of what transpired. The audiobook functions not only as a thorough investigation of the case but also as a critique of media portrayals of privileged victims. For listeners unfamiliar with Lauren's narrative, this audiobook provides a novel perspective and engaging insights; however, those who have closely followed the case may encounter less new information. Cohen's commitment to advocating for justice on behalf of Lauren and her family permeates the story, rendering it a valuable resource for true crime aficionados, particularly those with an interest in investigative podcasts and documentaries.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

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.