What Happened To Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

Publisher's Synopsis

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.

My Review of What Happened To Nina? by Dervla McTiernan

When Nina Fraser doesn’t come home after spending the week away with her boyfriend at his family’s holiday home, her parents raise the alarm and the search begins. What Happened To Nina is a slow burn story of suspense that highlights the inequities of those with money and those without when it comes to the law as well as the dangers of social media. It captures the frantic moments of disbelief and disquiet that any parent would be feeling as they call in the police and then face the media frenzy that soon follows.

Simon Jordan appears to have a plausible explanation for the fact that he returned from the holiday alone, leaving girlfriend Nina behind. His claim is that they had broken up and that Nina had chosen to be picked up by a friend rather than travel back with him. His assumption is that she chose to lift her spirits by partying with her friends before coming back.

Right from the first moments that Nina’s parents become aware she’s missing there’s a sense of desperation that propels the story forward. Leanne and Andy are desperate for answers but, when they take the reasonable route and knock on the Jordan’s door looking for Nina, the brushing off they get is nothing short of insulting. It has the effect of stoking their fears while also lighting a fire of outrage under them. The result is a powder keg of emotions just waiting for a spark to ignite the action.

The story is largely told from the points of view of the parents, giving us a deep understanding of the state of mind of each of them as the investigation progresses. There’s little doubt, once we get to know each of the parents innermost thoughts, who are to be painted as the villains of the piece. From there, it’s just a question as to what the final destination is going to be and how rocky the ride’s going to be.

Suffice to say, the ride’s not a comfortable one.

Dervla McTiernan has done a tremendous job of giving her characters rich and complete descriptions, making it possible to love, admire, hate or abhor them as each is deemed appropriate. Once again, the modern influence of social media makes its presence felt, much to the dismay of many, I’d hazard a guess. Used carefully, some might say deceitfully, social media can be a powerful tool, capable of swaying the opinions of thousands.

From very early on there is a decidedly adversarial tone to the story which makes for some uncomfortable moments. But it’s these moments that are so fascinating and serve to build a foundation upon which poor decisions are made leading us inevitably down a dark alley in which it’s difficult to spot any winners at all. I felt that there were elements to the final few chapters that evoked some of the finest noir crime novels of the modern era. 

What Happened To Nina? is a thought provoking family drama that I found to be gripping for its true to life situation and the realistic reactions of the main players. Readers who enjoy a domestic drama will find themselves quickly picking sides and sympathising with the predicament that both families find themselves in.