Louise Phillips's "Nina" is a taut, psychological thriller that delves into the murky waters of memory, trauma, and the insidious nature of secrets. Phillips, an Irish author known for her gripping suspense novels, once again delivers a story that keeps the reader on edge, questioning every character's motive and every twist in the narrative.

The novel centers on Nina, a seemingly ordinary woman whose life is thrown into disarray when a past trauma resurfaces. Phillips masterfully weaves together timelines, slowly revealing fragments of Nina's childhood and the events that shaped her. This non-linear approach is a strength of the book, creating a sense of unease and forcing the reader to piece together the puzzle alongside Nina.

Phillips excels at character development, particularly with Nina herself. We see her vulnerability, her strength, and the deep-seated fear that dictates many of her actions. The supporting cast, while sometimes feeling a little less fleshed out, serves their purpose in propelling the plot forward and adding layers of suspicion. The relationships, particularly those strained by past events, are explored with a nuanced hand, highlighting the long-lasting impact of betrayal and unresolved conflict.

The pacing is deliberate, building tension slowly but steadily. Phillips doesn't rely on cheap jump scares but rather on the creeping dread of psychological suspense. The atmosphere is often claustrophobic, mirroring Nina's internal struggle and the feeling of being trapped by her past. The prose is sharp and evocative, drawing the reader deeply into Nina's troubled mind.

While the plot is intricate and full of red herrings, there are moments where the sheer number of revelations can feel a little overwhelming, and some readers might find the resolution slightly less impactful than the build-up. However, these are minor quibbles in an otherwise compelling read.

"Nina" is a chilling exploration of how the past can haunt the present and how the truth, no matter how buried, eventually finds its way to the surface. It's a recommended read for fans of psychological thrillers who appreciate complex characters and a slow-burn narrative that keeps you guessing until the very end. Phillips once again proves her prowess in the genre, delivering a story that lingers long after the final page is turned.

Dark, layered, and emotionally gripping—Nina is the kind of psychological thriller that creeps under your skin and lingers.

Nina is a complex and compelling protagonist—intelligent, wounded, and searching for answers that may not bring peace. The writing is taut but thoughtful, blending suspense with deep emotional resonance. Each chapter peels back another layer, revealing trauma, trust, and the fragility of identity.

If you love thrillers with emotional weight, flawed narrators, and a sense of quiet dread that builds with every page, Nina is one to watch. Haunting, smart, and beautifully written.

Nina is a taut, psychologically rich thriller. Told through multiple perspectives (including the antagonist!), the novel weaves a layered narrative that explores the long shadows of trauma and the fragile nature of memory. At its core is a cold case investigation into chilling crimes that happened years ago. Discovery, both personal and criminal, drives the story forward.

I liked the depiction of April, an autistic child and how she brought a spark back into Elizabeth's (the protagonist) life and her mission. Their unlikely friendship was one of the parts I really liked about this book.

Ideally I would have liked the pacing of the book to be faster since a few chapters were repetitive and dragged on. I would have also liked the reveal of the antagonist's identity to be a bit more thrilling and suspenseful.

I really wanted to like this book, especially because it was tagged as feminist crime fiction. I didn’t find it particularly feminist, as opposed to say, the Keeper by Jessica Moore, except that it centers on the female victim. That focus doesn’t do it much good because the protagonist’s voiceover was often so, so overwrought and repetitive by the end. The author clearly knows an autistic child as some of April’s behaviors were very realistic—the acknowlegdement section reveals that her granddaughter is the model for April—, but it was still strange to have an autistic child play the magical life-affirming role usually reserved for Black people.

Thanks to Union Square & Co and NetGalley for letting me read an ARC. It’s an above average crime thriller, but I can’t see myself picking up another of the author’s books. 3/5 stars for good intentions executed inelegantly.

Still haunted by the abduction of her daughter Nina, Elizabeth runs away from the home she's sharing with her other daughter, Alison and his very sus husband. It's unusual for me to read a story from a lens of an old character, but I think this is one of the reason why this book stands out. In her new home, Elizabeth met her young neighbor, April, an autistic girl which at first she find annoying because she talks a loooot, but of course, eventually adored (as she should, April is a wonderful kid). I also think that April reminds her a lot of Nina, of the daughter she misses.

Parallel to Elizabeth’s journey, detective Nick is pulled into a string of disappearances that is strikingly similar to a case once worked by his late father. As Elizabeth, retraces her steps on a quest for answers, she has to face the demons of her past. With them working together and April, they were able to piece the puzzle of Nina's case and solved it.

💌 what I loved:
- it's complex, written in multiple POVs, and has emotionally layered characters
- a mystery that respects trauma and healing
- the friendship of Elizabeth and April, I like that you can see the contrast with their ages as they interact and learn from one another
- the twists and turns

😢 what's not for me:
- slow pacing with some scenes that felt dragged on and could've been better if it was shorter
- too much telling than showing
- dark themes (e.g. abduction, suicide) which may be triggering for some readers
- too reliant on the drama part which sometimes take away that there's a killer on the loose
- each character has their own misery to deal with, except April
- less suspense as I was expecting

Nina centers on grief, motherhood, and healing. An emotionally tragic novel that goes through the hoops of learning and unlearning, dealing with trauma, and living to tell the tale.

#Nina #NetGalley

Nina is an intelligent suspense novel set in Ireland. Elizabeth Harte is a young mother when her child Nina is kidnapped. Years later she renews her search for her daughter and also to reclaim herself. She starts by staying at a friend’s house on the same street as she lived when Nina was taken and befriends and autistic child living next door, This relationship ultimately helps her reclaim her life and focus on her search.. I really liked this author’s unique approach to a serial killer story. I highly recommend this book!

Beautifully designed book cover and intriguing premise. I love a good Irish crime novel. Unfortunately, I did not end up liking Nina as much as I expected I would. I typically enjoy multiple POVs and find them very effective for crime novels, but I found myself having trouble keeping track of characters and events, and I found the lead up to the big reveal of the main antagonist slightly muddled. However, I absolutely loved the dynamics between Elizabeth and April and following along on their perhaps unlikely friendship. I also very much liked the character of Nick.

This was a very wild emotional ride I loved every minute of it and didn’t want it to end if you want edge of your seat good this is the one

Nina is a powerful and unforgettable novel. It is a dark and often unsettling journey into the heart of loss and evil, but it is also a story of incredible resilience, the enduring power of a mother's love, and the possibility of finding light and connection even in the bleakest of times. The author skillfully balances suspense with deep emotional exploration, creating a narrative that is both a compelling mystery and a poignant human drama. The characters, particularly Elizabeth and the unforgettable April, will stay with the reader long after the final page is turned. It's a story that affirms the importance of seeking truth, confronting the past, and the quiet courage found in the everyday act of not giving up.