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The Twitter Crush
2017. The year Twitter banned dissent, influencers self-censored to survive, and one ghostwriter got rich peddling the feminism he secretly despised
Jackson Reed has made millions ghostwriting mediocre books for women's empowerment brands. The BS manifestos that made his clients famous have made him something of a "queenmaker" in the literary world, even as publishers pass on every project he tries to publish under his own name.
After his latest client’s book goes blockbuster, their celebration takes an unexpected turn—a one-time session of knocking boots after the launch party. But the afterglow quickly fades when multiple podcasters and YouTubers who are critical of Jackson's client vanish without a trace.
Drawing on his military police background, Jackson launches his own investigation, building a case file from DMs, texts, tweets, and long-buried livestreams. He realizes he doesn't know a damn thing about the woman he spent six months interviewing. Risking his reputation and fortune, Jackson searches for his client’s true identity and the bodies she's left behind. The Marines taught him one unbreakable never leave a man behind—even if it means becoming the next target.
Caught between exposing the truth and protecting his lucrative career, Jackson faces impossible choices as the boundaries between professional ethics and personal safety collapse. If he reveals what he knows, he'll destroy his career and the empire he helped build.
If he remains silent, more men might disappear. And he might be next.
Jackson Reed has made millions ghostwriting mediocre books for women's empowerment brands. The BS manifestos that made his clients famous have made him something of a "queenmaker" in the literary world, even as publishers pass on every project he tries to publish under his own name.
After his latest client’s book goes blockbuster, their celebration takes an unexpected turn—a one-time session of knocking boots after the launch party. But the afterglow quickly fades when multiple podcasters and YouTubers who are critical of Jackson's client vanish without a trace.
Drawing on his military police background, Jackson launches his own investigation, building a case file from DMs, texts, tweets, and long-buried livestreams. He realizes he doesn't know a damn thing about the woman he spent six months interviewing. Risking his reputation and fortune, Jackson searches for his client’s true identity and the bodies she's left behind. The Marines taught him one unbreakable never leave a man behind—even if it means becoming the next target.
Caught between exposing the truth and protecting his lucrative career, Jackson faces impossible choices as the boundaries between professional ethics and personal safety collapse. If he reveals what he knows, he'll destroy his career and the empire he helped build.
If he remains silent, more men might disappear. And he might be next.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 20, 2026
2 people are currently reading
5 people want to read
About the author
Kristin McTiernan
21 books72 followersI've been writing and independently publishing for over a decade now. Time travel dystopia, paranormal mystery, thrillers. The genres vary, but I keep coming back to the same kind of story: people who have to make impossible choices and then live with them. Characters who believe in something and act like it matters. That's what I want to read, so that's what I write.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
One of the best books I've read. Such an interesting and engaging way of telling a story. It reminds me of how Dracula is told through letters and diaries, just that this story is adjusted for the modern age equivalent, social media. Kristin McTiernan has this ability over me that only one other author has, and that's the ability to make me obsessed and glued to my book(e-book). I don't tend to read books that quickly, but the story not only had me dying to know what will happen, but the characters were so well written and enjoyable to see. The way some of the characters would engage with their audience on social media was so realistic. The funny comments on their posts, the ones that make you angry because you can't believe someone would say that. Things all of us have seen---the overwhelming majority of us have a social media presence---and deal with on a daily basis. I love how the story shows just how dangerous influencers can be---social media in general---and how easily people eat up whatever these internet gurus are serving.
Irina Sterling (Crystal Barnett) is such a great villain. Manipulation skills mastered. But what really made her terrifying in the end, is when she was exposed and no longer kept up the act. Because she didn't have to. The women still defended her, resonated with her. This story almost reads as a horror with how you see the many normal people coming to get defense, starting online groups dedicated to supporting her and her work. The lesson being, the audience is what truly gives these influencers power.
10/10 stars
Can't wait for the movie and TV show in the future!
Irina Sterling (Crystal Barnett) is such a great villain. Manipulation skills mastered. But what really made her terrifying in the end, is when she was exposed and no longer kept up the act. Because she didn't have to. The women still defended her, resonated with her. This story almost reads as a horror with how you see the many normal people coming to get defense, starting online groups dedicated to supporting her and her work. The lesson being, the audience is what truly gives these influencers power.
10/10 stars
Can't wait for the movie and TV show in the future!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2025
It’s not often that I devour a novel in one sitting. For one thing, I’m busy. I rarely even plug in our TV because I just don’t have time to watch much. This isn’t a particularly hefty novel at about 42 thousand words, so I planned to get through it in a couple of days. When the eARC landed in my inbox this morning, I was excited to dive in, and then I couldn’t stop.
Fiction writing advice these days counsels us to hit the ground running. This story does just that, then keeps going with a slow build to the first plot point, then developing things nicely toward the second big plot point which tips us into the page-turning third act. That’s a simplistic overview, because this novel is not your typical page-turner.
First of all, this is an epistolary story, like, say, “Dracula.” Unlike Bram Stoker’s classic gothic, which is told via letters and journal entries (if I recall correctly), this one, set in the 20-teens, is told via social media posts and investigative reports from PIs and LEOs. For anybody not familiar with Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or podcasts, this might be a problem. The different media platforms are well represented in this story, but folks who don’t do social media could be confused. That said, anybody picking up a novel called “The Twitter Crush” shouldn’t be surprised to find rapid-fire communications inside.
I was prepared to find that structure tough to sink into, but maybe I spend to much time on “the socials” because it never felt janky to me. McTiernan makes it work. Everything feels organic and natural. I particularly appreciate the difference “voices” of all characters. They feel like real, distinct individuals of different backgrounds and ages. That’s tough to do in short bursts, I think she nails it.
The upshot: characters I didn’t expect to like were interesting enough that they grew on me. This is mostly, again, due to them feeling like real people and not caricatures. The two main protagonists have nice, satisfying arcs without magical hand-wavy transformations. It’s a page-turning, modern take on the crime genre that never sinks to blatant praise or condemnation of popular social “awareness” fashions. Recommended.
Fiction writing advice these days counsels us to hit the ground running. This story does just that, then keeps going with a slow build to the first plot point, then developing things nicely toward the second big plot point which tips us into the page-turning third act. That’s a simplistic overview, because this novel is not your typical page-turner.
First of all, this is an epistolary story, like, say, “Dracula.” Unlike Bram Stoker’s classic gothic, which is told via letters and journal entries (if I recall correctly), this one, set in the 20-teens, is told via social media posts and investigative reports from PIs and LEOs. For anybody not familiar with Twitter, YouTube, Instagram, or podcasts, this might be a problem. The different media platforms are well represented in this story, but folks who don’t do social media could be confused. That said, anybody picking up a novel called “The Twitter Crush” shouldn’t be surprised to find rapid-fire communications inside.
I was prepared to find that structure tough to sink into, but maybe I spend to much time on “the socials” because it never felt janky to me. McTiernan makes it work. Everything feels organic and natural. I particularly appreciate the difference “voices” of all characters. They feel like real, distinct individuals of different backgrounds and ages. That’s tough to do in short bursts, I think she nails it.
The upshot: characters I didn’t expect to like were interesting enough that they grew on me. This is mostly, again, due to them feeling like real people and not caricatures. The two main protagonists have nice, satisfying arcs without magical hand-wavy transformations. It’s a page-turning, modern take on the crime genre that never sinks to blatant praise or condemnation of popular social “awareness” fashions. Recommended.
January 20, 2026
I'm always hesitant to recommend a book. I'm omnivorous in my reading, so even if I say something is incredibly well-written, a social media murder mystery might not be your lane. So I'll say it up front: if you like true crime, pop culture commentary, and the fantastic sideways storytelling of Gillian Flynn, this is a book for you.
It is a tribute to the author's understanding of social media that everyone will have someone to hate in this novel. This isn't JUST a murder mystery, it's a collision of online worlds that reads like a time capsule of the pre-pandemic internet. This is spicy Twitter. Based Twitter. Grifter Twitter. Virtue Twitter. Everyone will find a villain in this book, and no one will agree on who it is. The fact that the author is even-handed between these factions while telling an intriguing, suspenseful, and satisfying mystery is impressive all by itself.
But as with the real world, this story is less about the facts of the case than the personalities involved, and that's where the story really excels. From Joe Rogan-esque podcasters to Instagram beauty and lifestyle influencers, this reads in the best way like compulsive doomscrolling: a mystery that emerges in real time between Twitter posts and Instagram livestreams, helpfully edited into police reports. The epistolary format is unusual, but there is no question it is absolutely the best way to tell this story.
These are messy, flawed, fully rounded characters. I admit, there were moments where the accurately ugly and sensationalist nature of McTiernan's social media made me wonder if I even WANTED any of these people to have a satisfying resolution; there's a temptation (to quote many Marines of my acquaintance) to say kill 'em all and let God sort them out. But one of the underlying and very humanist themes is that these are whole people, not just social media figures. The author allows all of them to have good and bad moments, sketching them with deep insight and compassion while giving all of them a chance to tell their side of the story.
There are deeply emotional, satisfying reunions. There is a dogged determination to leave no man behind. I was satisfied by the plot and deeply amused by the resolution, which ends exactly as a social media saga would, down to the hilariously trolling coda. McTiernan navigates the 2017 Twitter landscape with equal opportunity offense to get to an inescapable truth of life, humanity, and social media: everyone has skeletons.
Some are just more literal than others.
It is a tribute to the author's understanding of social media that everyone will have someone to hate in this novel. This isn't JUST a murder mystery, it's a collision of online worlds that reads like a time capsule of the pre-pandemic internet. This is spicy Twitter. Based Twitter. Grifter Twitter. Virtue Twitter. Everyone will find a villain in this book, and no one will agree on who it is. The fact that the author is even-handed between these factions while telling an intriguing, suspenseful, and satisfying mystery is impressive all by itself.
But as with the real world, this story is less about the facts of the case than the personalities involved, and that's where the story really excels. From Joe Rogan-esque podcasters to Instagram beauty and lifestyle influencers, this reads in the best way like compulsive doomscrolling: a mystery that emerges in real time between Twitter posts and Instagram livestreams, helpfully edited into police reports. The epistolary format is unusual, but there is no question it is absolutely the best way to tell this story.
These are messy, flawed, fully rounded characters. I admit, there were moments where the accurately ugly and sensationalist nature of McTiernan's social media made me wonder if I even WANTED any of these people to have a satisfying resolution; there's a temptation (to quote many Marines of my acquaintance) to say kill 'em all and let God sort them out. But one of the underlying and very humanist themes is that these are whole people, not just social media figures. The author allows all of them to have good and bad moments, sketching them with deep insight and compassion while giving all of them a chance to tell their side of the story.
There are deeply emotional, satisfying reunions. There is a dogged determination to leave no man behind. I was satisfied by the plot and deeply amused by the resolution, which ends exactly as a social media saga would, down to the hilariously trolling coda. McTiernan navigates the 2017 Twitter landscape with equal opportunity offense to get to an inescapable truth of life, humanity, and social media: everyone has skeletons.
Some are just more literal than others.
January 20, 2026
I was given the opportunity to read an ARC of "The Twitter Crush." It has been awhile since I read something in epistolary format, and was excited to give it a try. "The Twitter Crush" does an excellent job of using modern online discourse to shape a spicy thriller. I say 'spicy' becuase its definitely for mature audiences, but not in a gratuitous way. Honestly, if you are the kind of person who craves drama, especially people sharing their bagage online, or a sucker for crime documentaries, this story is for you. The scary part was knowing the polarizing takes in the comments sections all throughout the story really do capture our modern age. We all live in the same reality, but our perception is OUR reality and that creates opportunity for horrendous world views, such as for the villain of "The Twitter Crush." I enjoyed it! Check it out.
January 17, 2026
I first read the Twitter Crush as it came out on Kristin’s weekly newsletter, Serial Journeys. Reading the ARC was my second time through and it was still a pleasure to read. The format of different posts and sources is a fun shake up from the normal novel. The different perspectives, amplified by the comments section, gives a vivid representation of the online noise of influencers. While that’s something I’d be glad to take a break from, I’d love to read the next thriller Kristin publishes. She brings you along for a heck of a ride. After you finish reading, if you ever find yourself reading the comments section, don’t forget that “the mealy-mouthed gurus they follow shouldn’t be uncritically believed.”
January 26, 2026
I normally read in the Fantasy & Sci-fi genre, but I do like to go outside my given genre once in a while. The last crime drama I read was The Mephisto Club, one of the Rizzoli & Isles books. And been a long fan of CSI, Law & Order, Criminal Minds, etc. So I was expecting a good boilerplate murder thriller. And I got that, but not quite in the way I expected.
The most interesting thing about the where the book is its narrative delivery. Where it shines is HOW the story is told. Rather than a straightforward third or first person POV, the narrative is told via a series of short, alternating chapters each with a different social media delivery. One chapter might be a personal log, one is a chat transcription, another might be a transcript of a youtube interview, or an exert from a book, sometimes a series of texts between characters, or a clip from a documentary. Sometimes these are done after the fact or during the events. It makes for a unique unreliable narrator because despite feeling like a collage of clips and snippets done after the story, you’re never quite sure who makes it to the end, so the tension stays as the book ramps it up.
It can feel like you’re watching a documentary ABOUT the case at hand, just in short chapter form. It’s the kind of idea that makes this book one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. One that could only have happened in our current era of social media.
This kind of narrative delivery device depends entirely on the execution and Kristin nails it. This works largely thanks to her knowledge of how social media users and content creators work and think. A lot of commentary will feel very familiar to readers who are on social media who are embroiled in the mosh pit we call cultural discourse. It goes a long way in presenting a main protagonist and antagonist who are multiple layers of not-what-they-seem. Depending on your views, you might have sympathies or disdain for characters you didn’t anticipate. She trusts the reader to be smart enough to reach their own conclusion. I appreciate that.
If there’s anything to criticize, it would be that this narrative format is not going to land with every reader. It’s very unconventional and that’s what helps its standout, but also what could work against it depending on what kind of reader you are. Not so much a criticism as being aware of what’s in store. Not a reason to take away a star in my book.
The most interesting thing about the where the book is its narrative delivery. Where it shines is HOW the story is told. Rather than a straightforward third or first person POV, the narrative is told via a series of short, alternating chapters each with a different social media delivery. One chapter might be a personal log, one is a chat transcription, another might be a transcript of a youtube interview, or an exert from a book, sometimes a series of texts between characters, or a clip from a documentary. Sometimes these are done after the fact or during the events. It makes for a unique unreliable narrator because despite feeling like a collage of clips and snippets done after the story, you’re never quite sure who makes it to the end, so the tension stays as the book ramps it up.
It can feel like you’re watching a documentary ABOUT the case at hand, just in short chapter form. It’s the kind of idea that makes this book one of the most unique books I’ve ever read. One that could only have happened in our current era of social media.
This kind of narrative delivery device depends entirely on the execution and Kristin nails it. This works largely thanks to her knowledge of how social media users and content creators work and think. A lot of commentary will feel very familiar to readers who are on social media who are embroiled in the mosh pit we call cultural discourse. It goes a long way in presenting a main protagonist and antagonist who are multiple layers of not-what-they-seem. Depending on your views, you might have sympathies or disdain for characters you didn’t anticipate. She trusts the reader to be smart enough to reach their own conclusion. I appreciate that.
If there’s anything to criticize, it would be that this narrative format is not going to land with every reader. It’s very unconventional and that’s what helps its standout, but also what could work against it depending on what kind of reader you are. Not so much a criticism as being aware of what’s in store. Not a reason to take away a star in my book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Holy nuance, Batman!
I normally read first person narration fantasy with the occasional suspense/mystery. This is my first found evidence experience and it kept me guessing.
However, the mystery itself was not the part I enjoyed the most and not the reason for my rating.
What I loved was how this book explored social media and the current division of politics. How the shouting voices on EACH side can turn any situation toxic and the real victim is common sense.
It was a refreshing book that made me ask questions and think, but didn't offer easy answers. The parting tweet of the book was hilarious! I heard that voice in my skull... when you get there, you'll get it.
Biases: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I think it's also important to note that I have interviewed this author on my podcast; we're not "friends" but we run in some of the same circles and I respect her. Make of that what you will.
I normally read first person narration fantasy with the occasional suspense/mystery. This is my first found evidence experience and it kept me guessing.
However, the mystery itself was not the part I enjoyed the most and not the reason for my rating.
What I loved was how this book explored social media and the current division of politics. How the shouting voices on EACH side can turn any situation toxic and the real victim is common sense.
It was a refreshing book that made me ask questions and think, but didn't offer easy answers. The parting tweet of the book was hilarious! I heard that voice in my skull... when you get there, you'll get it.
Biases: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I think it's also important to note that I have interviewed this author on my podcast; we're not "friends" but we run in some of the same circles and I respect her. Make of that what you will.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Twitter Crush is a razor‑sharp, darkly compelling thriller that dives headfirst into the world of online influence, curated personas, and the dangerous power of unchecked celebrity. Kristin McTiernan delivers a story that feels both unsettlingly timely and deliciously twisty, blending social‑media satire with a taut, character‑driven mystery.
Jackson Reed is a fascinating protagonist—successful, cynical, and painfully aware that the empire he’s built is made of smoke and mirrors. As a ghostwriter for empowerment influencers he doesn’t respect, he’s both insider and outsider, profiting from a culture he quietly despises. That tension gives the novel its bite. Jackson’s voice is sharp, self‑aware, and often darkly funny, making him the perfect guide through a world where authenticity is a performance and outrage is currency.
When critics of his latest client begin disappearing, the story shifts into a gripping investigative thriller. Jackson’s military police background adds credibility without turning him into a caricature; instead, he’s a man forced to confront the uncomfortable truth that he may have helped elevate someone far more dangerous than he ever imagined. The digital breadcrumbs—DMs, tweets, livestreams—are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a modern noir atmosphere that feels fresh and immersive.
McTiernan excels at exploring the darker side of internet fame: the parasocial relationships, the weaponisation of ideology, the way influence can become a shield for harm. The tension builds steadily as Jackson uncovers layer after layer of deception, and the moral stakes are high. Expose the truth and lose everything, or stay silent and risk becoming the next name on a growing list of vanished men.
The result is a thriller that’s bold, timely, and impossible to put down. The Twitter Crush is both a cautionary tale and a propulsive mystery, anchored by a flawed but compelling lead and a villain whose charisma is as chilling as her secrets.
A smart, addictive read for anyone who loves thrillers that blend social commentary with high‑stakes suspense.
With thanks to Kristin McTiernan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Jackson Reed is a fascinating protagonist—successful, cynical, and painfully aware that the empire he’s built is made of smoke and mirrors. As a ghostwriter for empowerment influencers he doesn’t respect, he’s both insider and outsider, profiting from a culture he quietly despises. That tension gives the novel its bite. Jackson’s voice is sharp, self‑aware, and often darkly funny, making him the perfect guide through a world where authenticity is a performance and outrage is currency.
When critics of his latest client begin disappearing, the story shifts into a gripping investigative thriller. Jackson’s military police background adds credibility without turning him into a caricature; instead, he’s a man forced to confront the uncomfortable truth that he may have helped elevate someone far more dangerous than he ever imagined. The digital breadcrumbs—DMs, tweets, livestreams—are woven seamlessly into the narrative, creating a modern noir atmosphere that feels fresh and immersive.
McTiernan excels at exploring the darker side of internet fame: the parasocial relationships, the weaponisation of ideology, the way influence can become a shield for harm. The tension builds steadily as Jackson uncovers layer after layer of deception, and the moral stakes are high. Expose the truth and lose everything, or stay silent and risk becoming the next name on a growing list of vanished men.
The result is a thriller that’s bold, timely, and impossible to put down. The Twitter Crush is both a cautionary tale and a propulsive mystery, anchored by a flawed but compelling lead and a villain whose charisma is as chilling as her secrets.
A smart, addictive read for anyone who loves thrillers that blend social commentary with high‑stakes suspense.
With thanks to Kristin McTiernan, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Author
I want to call this book a satire of influencer culture in the mid twenty teens, but it hits too close to the bone to stay comfortable. What starts off darkly funny keeps sharpening its teeth until you realize you’re not laughing anymore; you’re recognizing people you know.
At its heart, The Twitter Crush is about what happens when identity turns into a performance and moral certainty becomes a product. It shows how online spaces flatten human beings into roles, how obsession replaces intimacy, and how quickly belief hardens once outrage becomes profitable. Nobody here is clean, and nobody gets to stay abstract for long.
Readers who appreciate sharp social satire, morally compromised characters, and stories that refuse to hand out easy villains will find plenty to chew on. This one will especially land for anyone who spent the late 2010s marinating in the endless drip of Twitter discourse and felt their sense of reality start to blur.
McTiernan is especially good at showing how people slide into archetypes without ever deciding to. Even when I found myself bristling at certain characters, their choices felt honest and internally consistent. The author trusts the reader to connect the dots instead of spelling everything out, which gives the book its weight. More than once, I caught echoes of real conversations I’ve had, online and off, and that familiarity is what makes the story resonate.
If you’re tired, scrolling out of habit, and half-aware that something about the way we talk to each other is broken, The Twitter Crush is worth your time. It’s a reminder of what gets lost when performance replaces connection.
If you’re stuck commuting, scrolling mindlessly, and feeling vaguely exhausted by online culture, The Twitter Crush is a compelling reminder of what happens when performance replaces connection.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
At its heart, The Twitter Crush is about what happens when identity turns into a performance and moral certainty becomes a product. It shows how online spaces flatten human beings into roles, how obsession replaces intimacy, and how quickly belief hardens once outrage becomes profitable. Nobody here is clean, and nobody gets to stay abstract for long.
Readers who appreciate sharp social satire, morally compromised characters, and stories that refuse to hand out easy villains will find plenty to chew on. This one will especially land for anyone who spent the late 2010s marinating in the endless drip of Twitter discourse and felt their sense of reality start to blur.
McTiernan is especially good at showing how people slide into archetypes without ever deciding to. Even when I found myself bristling at certain characters, their choices felt honest and internally consistent. The author trusts the reader to connect the dots instead of spelling everything out, which gives the book its weight. More than once, I caught echoes of real conversations I’ve had, online and off, and that familiarity is what makes the story resonate.
If you’re tired, scrolling out of habit, and half-aware that something about the way we talk to each other is broken, The Twitter Crush is worth your time. It’s a reminder of what gets lost when performance replaces connection.
If you’re stuck commuting, scrolling mindlessly, and feeling vaguely exhausted by online culture, The Twitter Crush is a compelling reminder of what happens when performance replaces connection.
I received an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Just in time for those pesky New Year’s resolutions, Twitter Crush is the perfect stepping stone for someone who’s decided to take that path off social media. With this taut thriller, you can read more and post less.
The best stories teach you something about how you operate in the real world; this story shows you the consequences of blending the real world with the online one. It’s an epistolary chronicle of flawed and untrustworthy characters that create an online alternate universe that feels just like 2017. It’s a sobering and accurate depiction of online life during the #MeToo years.
It’s a tight thriller with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you vested and turning the pages, but it’s the social satire that sets this one above its competitors. McTiernan’s willingness to take on social media mass formation and frame it unapologetically in the world of identity and sexual politics creates a thriller that any of us online can relate to because we saw and experienced it. Reliving it now is therapy through fiction.
I kept waiting for it to bubble over or run off the rails, but it didn’t. Her plot twists but doesn’t over-complicate. It’s a realistic critique of those who use the online world to create an avatar of deception so they can suck the vulnerable into their destructive orbits, ultimately changing the naïve and the desperate into useful idiots. Like the best fiction, she increases the tension by both showing and telling. The posts feel real. And getting to put the pieces together from digital artifacts like tweets, online diaries and video transcripts allows you to be the online detective. And while the villain isn’t really in doubt, the why and the how are realized in a way that, unlike a Ryan Johnson Knives Out movie, refuses to set up a deus-ex-machina resolution.
Like a morning wasted scrolling on X, you’ll find yourself getting sucked in and traveling down this fictional rabbit hole until you reach the end.
The best stories teach you something about how you operate in the real world; this story shows you the consequences of blending the real world with the online one. It’s an epistolary chronicle of flawed and untrustworthy characters that create an online alternate universe that feels just like 2017. It’s a sobering and accurate depiction of online life during the #MeToo years.
It’s a tight thriller with just the right amount of intrigue to keep you vested and turning the pages, but it’s the social satire that sets this one above its competitors. McTiernan’s willingness to take on social media mass formation and frame it unapologetically in the world of identity and sexual politics creates a thriller that any of us online can relate to because we saw and experienced it. Reliving it now is therapy through fiction.
I kept waiting for it to bubble over or run off the rails, but it didn’t. Her plot twists but doesn’t over-complicate. It’s a realistic critique of those who use the online world to create an avatar of deception so they can suck the vulnerable into their destructive orbits, ultimately changing the naïve and the desperate into useful idiots. Like the best fiction, she increases the tension by both showing and telling. The posts feel real. And getting to put the pieces together from digital artifacts like tweets, online diaries and video transcripts allows you to be the online detective. And while the villain isn’t really in doubt, the why and the how are realized in a way that, unlike a Ryan Johnson Knives Out movie, refuses to set up a deus-ex-machina resolution.
Like a morning wasted scrolling on X, you’ll find yourself getting sucked in and traveling down this fictional rabbit hole until you reach the end.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The strength of this book is in its genuinely building discomfort. The "wow" moments aren't telegraphed or pre-loaded; several times I had to pause and think, "holy crap" because you don't initially realize how important those tiny details are. It's not mindless feel-good fiction; it was mentally stimulating and forces the reader to be intentional about sitting in the uncomfortable. You know something is wrong very early, you know things are not what they seem but this isn't announced. The book works with your own perceptions, and depending on how you see the world, you'll see something different leading up to the climax.
At its core, the book is about orientation and how we all see the world--and how that affects our decisions, how we assign meaning, and even what we see as "good" or "bad." Our ability to recognize evil is affected by everything from our past experiences to our trauma to our current needs, and the book skillfully manipulates that, making the experience different for each reader until you finally get to the end and realize how much your own worldview affected how you processed the story up to that point, and how much you missed because of it.
As someone who doesn’t read a whole lot of fiction, I wasn't sure I would like this book. I was wrong. It is absolutely stellar, and I need more of McTiernan's work.
At its core, the book is about orientation and how we all see the world--and how that affects our decisions, how we assign meaning, and even what we see as "good" or "bad." Our ability to recognize evil is affected by everything from our past experiences to our trauma to our current needs, and the book skillfully manipulates that, making the experience different for each reader until you finally get to the end and realize how much your own worldview affected how you processed the story up to that point, and how much you missed because of it.
As someone who doesn’t read a whole lot of fiction, I wasn't sure I would like this book. I was wrong. It is absolutely stellar, and I need more of McTiernan's work.
January 20, 2026
An excellent read. The Twitter Crush is a crime thriller that moves with a tight, cogent story and a narrative style that draws you in and keeps you glued to what might happen next. The story is creatively told through a mix of Twitter posts, text messages, field reports, and podcast transcripts—each a short entry on its own but, when strung together, create the brisk pacing that carries the reader to the end.
Although a quick read, its main characters are well rounded. The premise is both timely and clever, and the “between the lines” commentary is biting, hilarious at times, and artfully subversive. Definitely worth your time!
Although a quick read, its main characters are well rounded. The premise is both timely and clever, and the “between the lines” commentary is biting, hilarious at times, and artfully subversive. Definitely worth your time!
February 1, 2026
Twitter Crush gave major true crime documentary vibes. It felt like reading a Dateline episode.
I was hooked from beginning to end. Even though you know who did it early on, the real fun was connecting the dots and watching the characters figure out the hows and whys. The social media comments felt painfully realistic, like scrolling through real-life posts today.
Told through social media posts, investigative reports, excerpts, and digital diary entries, this fast-paced and unique story was at times genuinely heart-pounding. I truly enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Kristin McTiernan for the ARC. This is my honest review!
I was hooked from beginning to end. Even though you know who did it early on, the real fun was connecting the dots and watching the characters figure out the hows and whys. The social media comments felt painfully realistic, like scrolling through real-life posts today.
Told through social media posts, investigative reports, excerpts, and digital diary entries, this fast-paced and unique story was at times genuinely heart-pounding. I truly enjoyed this one.
Thank you to Kristin McTiernan for the ARC. This is my honest review!
January 20, 2026
This is a really intriguing book to read for the structure as much as the plot. The information is fed to the reader from different voices and I’m different formats, offering a slow and twisted reveal of what may or may not be the facts of the matter. It forces you to ponder what the truth looks like, how perspective can alter your understanding of it and how mob mentality can sway opinion. I thought it was cleverly done and enjoyed it.
February 2, 2026
This was an intriguing read. There are many polarizing viewpoints displayed through the narrative, and it kept me guessing to the end. Though the official report formatting wasn't always my favorite, it does help relay important details. Very well written!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Very effective delivery of a story full of twists. Devoured it in a day.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Great read. McTiernan builds the story in a very addictive way. Unusual format of using a variety of 'sources' of story line detail. Interesting characters. Fast paced.
January 20, 2026
Modern classic page turner! She writes in multi genres and can't wait for her next book, also does an amazing insightful youtibe channel and pod cast!!
January 13, 2026
A really quick read that I didn't put down until the last page. A very likable protagonist. There's a lesson here. Don't take the ticket. Don't sell out and always speak truth. Feminism is cancer.
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