THE NIGHT SWIM
By Megan Goldin
This book has everything I like in a book. Multiple trails to follow, good character development, a merging of trails, and a satisfying ending.

Hannah’s 16-year old sister died. It was a murder, though officially classified as an accidental drowning. Shortly after her sister, Jenny’s death, her mother also died. Twenty-five years after, Hannah finds a non-traditional relationship with Rachel to help bring the murderer to justice.

Rachel is the host of a crime podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty. She enjoys the anonymity of the podcast. People may know her voice, but they don’t know what she looks like. Comforting, because although she is popular, people can’t pick her out of a crowd.

Rachel is on her way to Neapolis to cover the trial of a homegrown young man who has been accused of rape. This accusation has effectively destroyed his reputation and ended his college and professional swimming dreams. On the way to Neapolis, Rachel stops to grab a bite, but when she gets back to her car, there is a note under her windshield wiper, from Hannah.

So many loose ends – about the rape case and the 25-year old murder. Follow Rachel through small-town Neapolis on a quest to find the truth and the one key witness.

This kept me reading until late in the night and into the next night. I might have finished it sooner, but I fell asleep with the book in my hand.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was an interesting storyline and a page-turner.

The Night Swim gives the reader a front-row listen to the true-crime podcast focusing on a case going to trial. When famous podcaster, Rachel Krall starts to receive cryptic messages asking for help with a case -- one that's very close to her. As she's covering the trial, she is also beginning to uncover what happened to her own sister twenty-five years ago.

This one will have you hooked - prepare to stay up all night to finish Night Swim!

This book elicited so many motions! It was powerful and captivating and I'm still thinking about it! Looking forward to reading more from this author. Would definitely recommend!

After the first season of her true crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall is now a household name―and the last hope for thousands of people seeking justice. The small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. But that’s not the only case that the town is dealing with, one from 25 years ago is making its way back to the surface, begging to be solved. Under pressure to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing and investigating―but mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insists she was murdered―and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody seems to want to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved. review: This is one of those books that I simply couldn’t put down and absolutely devoured! The Night Swim is character-driven and alternates between Rachel’s story, season 3 of the podcast and letters from Hannah. I am a true crime podcast junkie, so I really loved the podcast element of this book. This book felt like a fresh perspective in a sea of similar suspense thrillers. The way the two storylines intertwined was absolutely fantastic and had me on the edge of my seat the entire time trying to figure out if & how they were related. Rape and sexual assault are often hard to read about, but I thought the author did a great job with such tough subjects and wrote about them eloquently and in a way that was very thought provoking. It made for a satisfying and surprising courtroom drama and I highly recommend this book! rating: 5 out of 5 ⭐️

Fantastic read! Books about podcasts seem to be a new trend, but this one stands out from the rest. Kept me guessing until the very end!

Megan Golden does it again with the Night Swim. I totally loved the concept of the podcast within the story, and was completely captivated by both plot lines, the story of the present trial meshed with the similarities of the case from the past. This is definitely a must-read!!

This book was not quite what I expected. It was not what I had expected as a thriller- more like a legal thriller plus mystery (both of which I love so this was no problem for me). I will admit, I was more interested in the mystery of the past than the present, but I think that might have been the intention of the author based on the way she strung together the present and the past. There were a few big twists at the end, but for the most part we were just following the currently trial and getting bits and pieces of secrets from the past.
_
This was addicting and so powerful. Sometimes hard to read and many times I was nodding my head at the stark reality of what it's like to be a women. This story does such a good job of showing how excruciating it is for a rape victim to not only come forward and accuse someone, but have to live through the trial and recount the trauma over and over, while the accused can just sit there.
_
I wanted a different ending SO BADLY, but I do understand why it was done the way it was because it was sadly realistic. I definitely didn't want to put this book down and think it's a great book to immerse yourself in, but be warned it is dark and graphic and breaks my heart.

Plot

The Night Swim is told primarily through Rachel’s point of view in third person.  Throughout the novel, we read letters from Hannah telling her about what happened twenty-five years ago.  There are also podcast episodes, where Rachel provides a succinct summary of what is happening in the courtroom along with her thoughts in a typical podcast-type style. 

It’s a sign of a remarkably good author that I was never once confused while reading these interweaving narratives, despite the fact that the past and present mysteries closely parallel one another and Goldin switches between the investigations frequently.  

The podcast episodes are peppered throughout the narrative, painting a vivid picture of what is happening in the courtroom.  As a fan of crime podcasts myself, the podcasts felt genuine, and I found myself wishing this was a real podcast on more than one occasion.

The pacing of the novel is phenomenal, and Goldin knew exactly when to place twists to keep me turning the pages. That said, the final twist did feel like it came a little out of left field. I’d seen one clue leading towards it, but that was it. I think this is both a good and bad thing, and there maybe should have been a little more time at the end mentioning ‘clues’ that I may have missed earlier in the novel to reinforce that character’s guilt.

This novel deals with some very intense, dark themes and discussion of rape, both in the narrative and in the courtroom cross examinations. If this is a trigger for you, you should steer clear from this book.  The case itself is similar to that of the Brock Allen Turner case that was covered ad nauseum in the news several years ago.  The fact that Rachel takes on a controversial and timely case (with the Me Too movement) strikes a chord and makes this novel relevant to current events.

Characters

The Night Swim is primarily plot driven. However, we get to know Rachel quite well, as she is the stereotype of a journalist who obsesses about finding the truth. We get only a little insight into her past, but that isn’t the primary focus of the novel, and we don’t get weighed down with unnecessary relationship drama or flashbacks that are irrelevant to the storyline. 

Hannah, on the other hand, we get to know as a child quite well, as her letters retell what she was thinking and how she felt in the months leading up to her older sister’s mysterious death. That said, as the reader, we don’t get to know her as an adult, aside from the fact that she wants justice for her sister more than anything. This singular focus for this character makes her feel somewhat universal. I myself have a sister, and I felt like I related to Hannah on a deeper level.  Since I didn’t know much else about her, I could easily place myself in her shoes.

I recommend this book to anyone looking for a compelling, plot-driven mystery with darker themes and a relentless protagonist that will stop at nothing to find the truth.

*This review will be posted on https://powerlibrarian.wordpress.com/ and other platforms on September 8, 2020*

My initial thought about this book was that is did a great job of illustrating the hollow feeling at the end of a rape case that has gone to court. Everyone talks about how the system violates rape victims all over again, and that is also well illustrated in the book. However, what stood out to me was the almost emotionless ending. I don't want to spoil the ending, but guilty or not guilty, the end of the trial is hardly the end. I'm finding it hard to put in the words, but the end was still. simple. There was no anger. no peace. no joy. It felt appropriate..

I enjoyed the format of the book following Rachel's experience in real time, Hannah's letters explaining the past, and the podcast. It was easy to follow and the podcast added an additional place to understand where Rachel's head was as the story developed. Otherwise, this was your average thriller novel. Not bad, but not groundbreak and spectacular. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a quick, easy to read courtroom thriller.

I really enjoy it when an author can change up a traditional mystery format, and Goldin successfully does that in The Night Swim. You have two mysteries, two rape cases that are 25 years apart. Are they connected? Related in anyway other than being in the same city? And how does Rachel Krall, the famous podcaster, fit into this puzzle?

This book highlights a few interesting aspects of real life. One is how the rape victim is traumatized a second time while on trial. The victim is guilty until proven innocent versus the other way around. In a delicate way, Goldin really shines a light on why so many rape victims probably never come forward and press charges. Along with how corrupt the judicial system can be. This in itself is a very fascinating storyline. The second is how powerful podcasts have become in today's legal arena.

In this book you get a great mixture of a legal thriller, a mystery to solve, family or town drama and a whodunnit. I really enjoyed Rachel Krall's character and the plot line around her podcast. I could see future books with this character (hint, hint Megan Goldin....)

As a whole I loved this book. It was exactly what I needed to pull me out of my reading slump! Highly recommend this book, and her other book The Escape Room.

My thanks to Megan Goldin, St. Martin's Press and netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book isn't for some people. It's sad, triggering, but well worth the read. It was hard to read, but it sure was a good book.

Although this book deals with a heavy topic, it was an enjoyable read. The two story lines complemented each other well and the podcast element was fun!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Wow--this was one tough read. I've read many books that deal with the difficult subject of rape, but this one will stay with me for a long time. The plot revolves around two assaults: one surrounding a current court case involving a teenage girl and the other from many years ago and that resulted in a teenage girl's death. The stories intertwine when a well-known woman who has a true-crime podcast comes to the coastal town to follow the contemporary case and gets wrapped up with the history of the other.

The story--especially of the old case--was devastating to read. A teenage girl, poor, with a very sick, single-mother at home and no one to turn to, becomes victim of not a singular gang rape but of repeated assaults. What makes the situation all the more abhorrent is how her assailants portray her to the community (that she is a willing participant) and how she not only lives in fear of their attacks, but then is completely ostracized by a community who looks at her as nothing but a "slut." It's heart-breaking. And all the while I read it, I kept thinking how true it all rang--how this kind of story happens, probably more than we'd like to think.

This story is not for the faint of heart, but all the same should be read to see what some people go through not just as a result of an assault but for how society often treats such victims, making them suffer again and again. The overall set up is also interesting: the notion of the popular podcast is a good frame for the more detailed stories inside.

This one stayed with me. I think it will with you, too.

The Night Swim was the perfect true crime thriller! I format of this one was great, I loved that it included Rachel's perspective, letters, and her podcast. This all helped the book move along nicely and there was never a point where I was bored. I sometimes feel thrillers are all the same and I didn't think that about this one!
I now need to go back and read her first book!

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for an ARC of The Night Swim. I really enjoyed this book and how the plot unfolded. I listen to a lot of podcasts, and loved how this book centered around a true crime podcast. There was quite a bit of focus on rape and parts were descriptive around sexual assault, which could be triggering for some readers. However, it was interesting to listen to both sides of the trial, and I wanted to know what the jury would decide. The side plot with Hannah and her sister, Jenny, was also super engrossing, although quite sad. The one criticism I have is that some of the characters were hard to keep track of - specifically the different men that popped up throughout the trial (lawyers, witnesses, parents). I would recommend this book!

4.5 stars

TW: rape, sexual assault, abuse.

What a compelling, riveting, damning book. I needed something to really pull me in, & saw this ARC at the top of a pile of books I had near me. I read this one fully in one day, hardly stopping, staying up until 2 am. Exactly what I’m looking for in a thriller! This follows two cases in a sleepy coastal town: a rape trial playing out in the present day, & a potential murder that took place decades ago. A true-crime podcaster comes to town, & gets embroiled in both of these cases.

I loved this book. It was simmering with tension, thought-provoking, & kept me guessing throughout. I loved the focus on the legal case, and the slightly slower pace that really shone a light on the effects of these crimes- on the lives of the defendant and the victim, yes, but also how it plays out in the town. You can definitely see the influences that the author drew major elements of the book from (Serial podcast, Stanford rape case), but made it a unique story.

The only knock I have on this would be the sort of abrupt ending. It felt a bit rushed. But other than that, I thought this was a powerful & intense thriller, and would definitely be worthy of a preorder. Thank you to Saint Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this in exchange for my honest opinion.

This was my first Megan Goldin book but definitely won't be my last. If you're a "murderino" or into other true crime podcasts, I can't recommend this one enough to you.

Thank you to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved The Escape Room so I was pretty sure that Megan Goldin's newest book, The Night Swim, would be just as captivating.

I wasn't wrong.

The story begins in the voice of Hannah, a young women recounting the night when she was ten that the police arrived at her mother's front door to inform her that her older daughter, Jenny, had died.
The next chapter introduces us to Rachel Krall who has a very successful crime podcast and is traveling to the location of a trial that will be the subject of her newest podcast. The trial is about a local athlete on the rise to stardom who is accused of raping a young girl one night after a party they both attended.
Hannah has been trying to get Rachel to investigate her sister's death, which she believes was more than the accidental drowning it was labeled as. She has contacted Rachel's producers to no avail and has now started stalking Rachel in the hopes that she can convince her to look into Jenny's death.
The novel precedes in back and forth chapters between Rachel and Hannah. The trial Rachel is covering is taking place in the same town that Hannah's sister died in so many years ago.

I couldn't put this book down!!
I loved the concept of using a crime podcast to present information about the current crime with Hannah's story tying in perfectly!
A very well put together storyline with believable and likeable characters.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin, for a complimentary copy of this book in return for an honest, unbiased opinion. Here it is!

When I think of this book, one word comes to mind: WOW!!!! It was not at all what I expected! This book combines past and present timelines, and even full episodes of Rachel's podcasts. The author did a fantastic job weaving together the present-day rape trial and the case of Jenny which was supposedly solved in the past. I found myself so invested in both storylines and stayed at the edge of my seat trying to find out what actually happened to Jenny and how the trial would end. Goldin did a fantastic job keeping the reader guessing. The podcast episodes added a nice modern-day touch to the story. Podcasts, in particular true crime podcasts, have become so popular. It was fun reading a story that included one of those true crime podcasts.

I'm not going to reiterate the synopsis, since it is right on for the plot of the story, but do want to mention a couple of caveats upfront.

Over the many years of reading, my "authors to read" list is quite long. So when I see positive remarks about a "new to me" author showing up in my feed, do I take a chance of investing my time into reading the book? I have, in the past, and a few times, unfortunately, the book wasn't for me. And as one says, <I>so many books, so little time</i>.

So what do I do? I read some reviews, both good and bad, on retail sites. But what makes up my mind is to read reviews by book bloggers/reviewers that I have been following over the years and find to be both honest and credible, which is what happened with this book.

Another caveat is the genre. I have been addicted to psychological thrillers over the past year or so but have yet been able to figure out how a story ends. But finally, I think this was the one I solved. Finally!!!

As I read about the current trial that Rachel Krall was covering in her Podcast, however, with the fluid and descriptive narrative I felt that I was actually in the courtroom as a juror or watching it on Court TV, and I had it all figured out!!! It was a slam dunk!!!!

That is, until the author, threw a 3 point shot with 2 seconds left on the clock!!!

This was one heck of a read and I'm so glad I took the chance on this "new to me" author who is now on my "authors to read" list.

Exceptional! This was definitely a page turner!!! And one that I highly recommend!!!

Posted to GR: 08/30/20 Post to blog 09/01/20