What Happened to Nina: The thrilling new crime novel from the popular bestselling author of THE MURDER RULE and THE RUIN, WINNER OF THE ABIA General Book of the Year 2025

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From the #1 internationally bestselling author of The Murder Rule comes an emotional novel of suspense about two families pitted against each other.

'Addictive. Propulsive. Dervla McTiernan is a thriller master.' Trent Dalton

Shortlisted for ABIA General Fiction Book of the Year 2025

Longlisted for the Davitt Awards Adult Fiction 2025

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, fuelled 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.

A New York Times pick for Best Thrillers of the Year 2024

'Her best yet. Completely riveting ... and everyone's going to be talking about that ending' Sally Hepworth

'Propulsive and satisfying ... This is Dervla McTiernan at her finest.' Tracey Lien, internationally bestselling author of All That's Left Unsaid

'Gripping ... A smart and unpredictable portrait of how the boundaries between tragedy and entertainment get blurred. It's a disturbing treat for thriller fans.' Publishers Weekly

'One of the best thrillers I have read ... unforgettable and deeply moving' Don Winslow

'McTiernan turns the traditional thriller on its head ... [with] deep humanity ... Truly haunting.' Kirkus starred review

'Almost painfully gripping. Disturbing, enthralling ... The last scene will make your blood run cold.' New York Times

Praise for Dervla McTiernan:

'An uncommonly fine mystery writer' New York Times

'McTiernan's in the top rank of crime writers' Chris Hammer

'A born storyteller' Val McDermid

Author Bio

Number one internationally bestselling author Dervla McTiernan is the critically acclaimed and award-winning author of six novels, including the much-loved Cormac Reilly series and two number one bestselling standalone thrillers, The Murder Rule and What Happened to Nina, both New York Times Best Thrillers of the Year and both currently in development for screen adaptation. Dervla is also the author of four novellas, and her audio novella, The Sisters, was a four-week number one bestseller in the United States. Before turning her hand to writing, Dervla spent twelve years working as a lawyer in her home country of Ireland. Following the global financial crisis, she relocated to Western Australia where she now lives with her husband, two children and too many pets.