Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
What Happened to Nina? by Dervla McTiernan Narrator: Kristen Sieh, Stacey Glemboski, Lisa Flanagan, Robert Petkoff, George Newbern, Jenna Lamia, Preston Butler III
Published by Harper Collins, HarperAudio on March 26, 2024 and March 5, 2024
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 336
Length: 10 hours, 50 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Nina and Simon are the perfect couple. Young, fun and deeply in love. Until they leave for a weekend at his family’s cabin in Vermont, and only Simon comes home.
WHAT HAPPENED TO NINA?
Nobody knows. Simon’s explanation about what happened in their last hours together doesn’t add up. Nina’s parents push the police for answers, and Simon’s parents rush to protect him. They hire expensive lawyers and a PR firm that quickly ramps up a vicious, nothing-is-off-limits media campaign.
HOW FAR WILL HIS FAMILY GO TO KEEP HIM SAFE?
Soon, facts are lost in a swirl of accusation and counter-accusation. Everyone chooses a side, and the story goes viral, fueled by armchair investigators and wild conspiracy theories and illustrated with pretty pictures taken from Nina’s social media accounts. Journalists descend on their small Vermont town, followed by a few obsessive "fans."
HOW FAR WILL HER FAMILY GO TO GET TO THE TRUTH?
Nina’s family is under siege, but they never lose sight of the only thing that really matters — finding their daughter. Out-gunned by Simon’s wealthy, powerful family, Nina’s parents recognize that if playing by the rules won’t get them anywhere, it’s time to break them.
What Happened to Nina? was an absorbing read which had me emotionally connected from the start. Nina and Simon go to his parent’s vacation home near Stowe to do hiking and climbing. They have dated since high school and now are in college. They are both active, experienced outdoorspeople. Simon comes home early without Nina.
There are many points of view here, even a brief prologue of Nina. They include Leanne (Nina’s mother), Jamie (Simon’s mother), Matthew (the state police detective), Andy (Nina’s father), Rory (Simon’s father), Grace (Nina’s sister). These thoughts and perspectives give us plenty of information and emotions with the hunt for Nina.
Simon and his family are wealthy but not very likable. They aren’t very helpful to Nina’s family and in fact, start with social media stories to muddy the water to protect Simon. But it puts more pressure and attention on Nina’s family.
The detective really was trying to do a good job. He has trouble with Simon’s family not cooperating, and because they are wealthy, others protect them a bit also. But gradually he is able to get information and warrants to provide more evidence.
There are some infuriating moments and shocking twists. The emotional ride has quite a range. I loved reading and highly recommend this one!
Narration:
I was deep in the story and felt the emotions of the characters. The voices seemed appropriate and the performance kept me engaged. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About George Newbern
Actor George Newbern has appeared in Father of the Bride, Father of the Bride II, Evening Star, Adventures in Babysitting, and many other films. On television, he has had roles on Friends, Nip/Tuck, Hot in Cleveland, CSI, and more. George is also known for providing the voice of Superman in Justice League.
About Robert Petkoff
Robert Petkoff is an award-winning American stage actor known for his work in Shakespearean productions and more recently on the New York City musical theater stage. Petkoff has performed on Broadway, the West End, regional theatre, and done work in film and television. Petkoff was featured as “Perchik” in the Tony award-nominated 1994 revival cast of Fiddler on the Roof but is perhaps best known for his role as “Tateh” in the 2009 revival of “Ragtime” on Broadway. Petkoff has also provided the voices for over two dozen audiobooks, winning awards for his reading of Michael Koryta‘s So Cold the River. Married to actress Susan Wands, Petkoff has lived in New York City for the last twenty years, and often performs in benefit concerts for theater-district-related charities.
About Dervla McTiernan
Internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed writer, Dervla McTiernan is the author of The Ruin, The Scholar and The Good Turn. The Ruin was published in 2018 and is the first in the detective Cormac Reilly series. The Ruin was a top ten bestseller and an Amazon Best Book of July 2018. Dervla was a New Blood Panellist at Harrogate Festival. The Scholar was published in 2019 and was a top five bestseller. The Good Turn will be published in 2020. The Ruin has been optioned for TV by Hopscotch Features.
Dervla spent twelve years working as a lawyer. Following the global financial crisis, she moved from Ireland to Australia and turned her hand to writing. Dervla is a member of the Sisters in Crime and Crime Writers Association, and lives in Perth, Australia, with her husband and two children.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 24-COYER
I have an older audio of hers that I need to listen to.
I also have 2 others of hers I haven’t listen to yet. But I’ve read everything else. This one is stand alone.
This one is totally new to me. The twists and narration sound well done.
I love her books. I started with a series that had an Audible Original novella. The last few, including this one, is a standalone
Ooh this sounds so good! And I’m so curious about what happened to Nina😁
yes I really enjoy this author. I’ve read almost all of her catalog. This one is a standalone.
This sounds good and like quite a ride. I’ll have to get the audio of this one.
I really enjoy all the Dervla McTiernan books. The combo of mystery and a foreign setting in most of them is a winner for me.