Wow this was really good. Rachel Krall is doing a podcast covering a controversial rape trial, and it intersects with a similar crime that happened over 20 years ago. The trial is riveting, and the arguments were compelling, as was the unfolding story (and it is an important subject). This is the first book I've read by Megan Goldin, but it definitely won't be the last! I love a thriller that also makes me think.

Told between 3(ish) different points of view, The Night Swim is the story of a true crime podcast about a rape trial and a separate investigation into a long forgotten death. I was given the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook in advance and I was definitely impressed. The story was so compelling and the ending was a surprise, kind of. Not only were you trying to discover if the rape actually happened but also piece together the events that led to Jenny’s death.

The narrator for the audiobook was clear and did the characters well, even when I turned the speed up a bit.

If you like thrillers, this is one for you to pick up for sure!




You can see my video review here:
https://youtu.be/jYMffabNncY

The Night Swim was an extremely heavy, emotional, and POWERFUL read for me and it’s going to stay with me for a very long time.

I don’t like to tell too much about the plot of a book since I have a lot of followers who, like me, choose to know as little as possible about a book before reading it; however, this one needs a little info for some cw: this is about two rapes that take place 25 years apart. The author, Megan Goldin, does an amazing job of enlightening her readers at just how much rape victims have to endure: the rape kit is in itself traumatizing, then there’s the victim shaming, and the unbelievably ruthless court tactics. Goldin manages to do all this, and make you feel so much, all while handling this topic with the sensitivity that’s needed and appreciated. This kind of book, and the two stories that unfold in it, need to be told so people understand what the victims go through.

This story is told from multiple POVs and alternating timelines. While it is absolutely intense, I also found myself not being able to put it down. I had to know how this one ended. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes psychological thrillers, and to anyone who is willing to read a book to get some insight on what rape victims have to endure. If you have a hard time with sexual abuse topics, then I'd definitely pass on this one.

Many thanks to @Netgalley and @Stmartinspress for the e-galley and opportunity to share my thoughts.

I am sorry to say that this one just didn't do it for me. I thought the story was interesting at first, but honestly I thought it was very slow and I was bored during large parts of it. I did find the podcast chapters interesting, but I thought it was weird that for someone who was supposed to remain neutral, she offered very little facts about the case. It was mostly long commentaries on victim blaming. Now don't get me wrong, I thought her commentaries were spot on and I agreed with all of them. I just thought it weird for her to continue claiming she was neutral while her posts were obviously on the prosecution side. I thought parts of the story had too much detail -- I didn't beed a step by step reenactment of what she did when she got up, for example. I wish the letters from Hannah and the old murder case made up for the lack of interest in the other parts, but it really didn't. I also just thought it too easy that Rachel was able to get all the information she needed from witnesses, even when others couldn't. I also didn't really understand the twist at the end and the person who came forward with information on the case. I won't give any spoilers, but I thought it ridiculous that he didn't come forward much earlier and his reason for not coming forward was a bit stupid. I am flabbergasted no one called him out on it and I was rolling my eyes at the fact that he was obviously protecting the person, but the reader was supposed to feel sorry for him. Umm, no. The guy was awful. I wish I liked this book more, but I just didn't.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin was the best psychological thriller I have read all year! Megan Goldin layers a past crime, a present crime, and a true crime podcast to deliver a page-turning, twisty read. Once I began reading, I couldn't stop! This is a must-read for psychological thriller fans. I can't wait for Megan Goldin's next novel.

This book was very good. I read it in a very short amount of time, however it still took hold of me from page one. I would preface this with a content warning about sexual assault.

Rachel is in Neapolis to cover a rape trial for her podcast, but when she starts receiving mysterious letters entreating her to find justice for Jenny Stills, a 16-year-old who supposedly drowned in a midnight swim years ago, she finds herself investigating two cases - one current, one in the past. But despite the gap in years, it is apparent that some things have never changed in the small town of Neapolis.

While the topic makes this book a difficult read, Rachel's podcast transcripts are fleshed out very well. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Have I told you how much I love Megan Goldin’s books? No?? Are you sure? I was raving about “The Escape Room”, I’m sure you have noticed? Well, if you’re not sure, go check my review for “The Escape Room” and read this one as well. “The Night Swim” was a great ride! Let me just tell you why!

Rachel Krall is a journalist. At some point in her career, she decided to turn to podcasting. She likes to make real research on the true crime cases that she talks about in her podcast, which means that she’s looking into the actual police case files, talks to witnesses and maybe even discover a few evidence of her own. As a matter of fact, after an innocent man was set free, thanks to additional evidence Rachel found in the first season of her podcast, she has now become a household name. Her voice is recognizable, but thankfully her face isn’t. Which makes it all the more unsettling when, while being on the road, she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her directly, pleading for her help.

Rachel is heading to the town of Neapolis, to cover a trial which is the main theme of the third season of her podcast. This case has split the town in two, and not only that town. Rachel’s audience is taking sides as well. People are talking of gray lines, where everything should be clear. AS a matter of fact, the town’s most loved young man, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school girl, the granddaughter of the police chief. This case needs her full attention, as she goes through investigation and interviews before the trial begins and then during the trial, watching each and every word that is being said in that court room. She needs to do that and a bit more, if she wants season three to be a success. Rival podcasters are trying to steal as much as they can from her fame and her audience, so she needs to be one hundred per cent focused. However, she cannot. There is a woman leaving letters for her in the most unthinkable places. She will not stop, until Rachel helps her find out what happened to her sister twenty five years ago. The sister that everyone believes was drowned during a Night Swim, while she believes that was murdered.

Two cases that Rachel works in parallel. Two cases in the same small town with twenty five years difference between them. Two cases that seem to be so far apart from each other and yet, as Rachel’s investigation proceeds, they tend to collide.

Rachel is a devoted investigative journalist. She will dig and keep digging for the truth, even if her life is in danger. She won’t stop, until she finds out what really happened. She needs to have all the clues and this is what makes her a great main character. She doesn’t care if this is a cold case or a new one. All she cares is justice and how this can be shared with her audience, so they can make their own minds.

The story is told in two point of views. One is Rachel’s, during which we get to see how she progresses with investigation on both cases, as well as the podcast recordings of her true crime series. The other one is by Hannah, who’s sister was murdered, according to Hannah, twenty five years ago. Bit by bit, we get to know about Jenny and the happy sixteen year old girl she was, before she left her little sister so abruptly. Going back and forth in time, Megan Goldin builds her case on these two crimes chapter by chapter. Along with Rachel, the reader get’s to know about every single detail that could play a significant role in finding out what actually happened. Only that comes in little pieces that have to be put in the puzzle and solve two cases, not one

I really loved how Megan Goldin get’s to talk about taboo crimes and does so in a way to challenge both sides. The rape trial divided the town, but it also got a voice out of Rachel’s podcast. Why blame the victim for not taking more precautions, while she should be able to walk safely the streets of her town? Why blame the victim for spending time with someone and not wanting to have sex with him? Isn’t that her own decision? Do you have sex with every person you have a coffee or a chat with?

I loved the characters, the plot and the narration. I like how the main character tries to be objective and at the same time forces people to think it through and realize that rape is not playing hard to get or faking being difficult. Rape is real! I loved this story and I hope you love it too!

I received a complimentary ecopy from the publisher via NetGalley. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

What a roller coaster of a ride. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will make sure to look for more.
Rachel is a podcaster and she is covering a rape trial. The small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief.
While this is going on Rachel is receiving letters from someone explaining about her sister's murder years ago that was made to look like a drowning. So we go back into the past in this book as well.
The ending though..... I had a suspicion of someone but I was totally wrong. I could not put this book down.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for this book to review.

Very rarely does a book make me angry and sad in equal measure. The Night Swim has left me devastated and distraught. The writing is excellent and the story was tremendously compelling but I’m having a hard time recommending it to friends. I know that it will rip out their hearts and leave them absolutely shattered. I finished this several days ago but I could not put together coherent thoughts to write a review and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to think of this book with a clear head.

The two main plot-lines are set 25 years apart but both deal with the prevalence of rape culture and the vulnerability of teen girls. Society and the justice system have always failed sexual assault victims and we continue to fail them by victim blaming, forcing them to submit to in-court testimony and cross examination, and allowing trials to be more about the reputations of the victim and the accused and less about actual evidence. With most sexual assaults lacking witnesses testimony becomes a matter of he said/she said. If you can finish this story and not be absolutely livid then you are more hardened than I.

This book deals with these serious issues in a masterful way using a fictional podcast and trial proceedings to really get to the core of the story in a very engaging manner. I was riveted and completely involved in the fates of these characters. I was often furious and appalled but I was never bored. This is a really tough book and it evoked a very strong emotional reaction in me. I honestly feel a bit sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I don’t imagine The Night Swim will be for everyone but it packs a hell of a gut punch and I certainly won’t forget it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

I finished this one a couple nights ago and really enjoyed it! The Night Swim is about a rape/sexual assault case and Rachel, a podcast host is covering the story. The chapters alternate between the podcast, current courtroom/present narration, and a glimpse into the past where we have an extra mystery because someone is leaving notes for Rachel about a girl who died 25 years prior in the same small town.
⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀
The Night Swim reignited my love for courtroom drama. I am guessing that with the podcast element, the audio for this one would be amazing. The Night Swim is getting a lot of praise and it is well-deserved. Parts are so hard to read as the victim shares details, but I appreciated the way Goldin handled it. When reading from the podcast about what women go through I found myself wanting to scream, YUP. Other content warnings: death of a parent, cancer.

This was such a good book! I read it in one day! The twists and turns!! It is a must read! I would definitely recommend this book!

I am conflicted as I write this review. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin had all the makings of a knock out thriller, but a major part of the storyline did not sit well with me. This one has been marketed as one of the biggest thrillers this summer, which I disagree with because it is more of a legal suspense. The main protagonist, Rachel, is the host of a popular true crime podcast. She is following the trial of a rape case that took place in a quiet coastal town where the victim is the granddaughter of the retired police chief and the accused is a champion college swimmer destined for the Olympics until his reputation is tarnished by the criminal charges. While doing so, Rachel stumbles across a cold case that was deemed an accidental death that has similar markings to the current rape trial.


Does any part of that sound familiar?


If your mind went where mine did, it sounds eerily similar to Chanel Miller's story. That stuck in my mind when I learned this affluent college student was a champion swimmer who then lost all his scholarships and Olympic dreams because he claimed he was falsely accused of rape. This storyline isn't so much a storyline, as it is mirrored after a real event that happened to Chanel and is her story to tell. I could not get past this and therefore, it affected how I felt about the book overall.


What did I like? It is fast paced and you will read it within a few sittings. The chapters switch back and forth between Rachel narrating her podcast episodes, to Rachel investigating a past murder case that happened years prior, but was brushed under the legal rug and deemed an accidental drowning. Rachel is receiving cryptic letters from the deceased kid sister and becomes enthralled with uncovering what really happened. It's an engrossing and quick read.


I did like the overall message of sexual assault, consent, and victim blaming. I liked the tie ins with how the criminal justice system handles these types of crimes and how difficult it is on victims. Rachel makes a comment during one of her podcast episodes that we all can agree so strongly on a crime like murder, yet when it comes to sexual assault and rape, we are divided. This conclusion is startling and true. The law treats rape differently than it does other crimes and, in this case, there is a victim alive to tell their part of the story. But when a victim is murdered, the blame is not placed on them for the death. The double standard is outlandish, but also our current reality.
That message was great and what I took out of this book. What I didn't like, was the similarities to Chanel Miller's story. We could have done without the rapist being a collegiate swimmer from a wealthy family. The similarities just rubbed me the wrong way.

This is a wow story. I could not put this down. It was sometimes difficult to read because of the talk about rape. This story handles what happens from the rape to the trial. It can be hard to read about. I love how there are really two cases in this town. One is from the present and the other from the past. There are great characters throughout. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press fir a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Wow. I just finished and that’s all I can think. Wow. I absolutely did not see the twist coming. The story of 2 rapes, years and years apart, was incredibly heartbreaking. For both girls. This book definitely tackled very tough subjects. But it was done in such a way that was thought provoking. There were times when I would have to stop and think about what I just read. It is so unthinkable that someone could do what was described in this book. But it happens. Every single day. The detail in the book was so vivid, I felt like I was in the court room. I felt like I was a pod cast listener. This book needs many trigger warnings. And if you are easily triggered, I do not recommend it. But if not, this is a must read.

5⭐️
There were so many good reviews of this book, so I decided to start reading it without really knowing much about the plot. Wasn’t expecting some of the heavy topics, but I would highly recommend it as a mix of a thriller and a book to make you think.
•
CW: rape
I usually choose to read thrillers because they are fast paced and easy to binge. However, this one I enjoyed for other reasons. First of all, there is a whole season of a crime podcast written into the story. (Which hello, any My Favorite Murder fans out there?!) Second, there are two mysteries being solved in the story: the verdict of a rape trial, and the suspicious death of a podcast fan’s sister, which happened many years ago. Third, I love a legal thriller, and enjoyed all the dynamics of being in the courtroom for parts of the story.
•
Fourth and most importantly, how Megan Goldin discusses the rape trial, and how it reflects how survivors are treated everyday in real life. The man was a swimmer, white, affluent, and a student in college... hmmm ring any bells? Notice any parallels? The survivor in the story was tormented with questions about if she had been drinking, why did she act a certain way, why did she not act a certain way, and so on. The story shows how this trauma can present itself, and how it is virtually inescapable during the long process of the trial. This thriller was heavy, but oh so important. Also, along the suspicious murder from the past story-line, I did not expect that twist!
•
Thank you so much @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an early e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
•
Have you read this one? What were your thoughts⁉️

The Night Swim is marketed as a thriller but it is so much more than that. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the plot of this one since it's been everywhere lately and it is a current BOTM title. To say this is a hard read would be an understatement but it is also such an important and timely read. We follow two stories: the trial of Scott Blair and the murder of Jenny Stills. While both stories initially seem different, they come together in ways that you wouldn't expect.

While The Night Swim is a mystery/thriller, the main focus of the story is rape and sexual assault. The social commentary of this story is so important and refreshing. Through both stories we learn why women don't come forward to tell their stories and what horrible injustices they face when they do. This is a harrowing and dark tale. I give Megan Goldin so much praise for writing a story about such a difficult topic but making it captivating and hard to put down. The truth is that this isn't just a made up story. What transpires over the course of this story is real, raw, and haunting. It happens to women of every walk of life. It's a haunting story because it hits close to home for most of us and that's really what sticks with me upon finishing this book,

I really enjoyed the way in which this story is written. Alternating between Rachel's point of view, her podcast, and Hannah's letters, the difficult subject matter is made easier to read and the story more captivating. I'm always down for a story that involves a podcast!

I highly recommend The Night Swim if you're a fan of courtroom thrillers or thrillers that dig a little deeper. While having completely different stories, this story vaguely reminds me of A Nearly Normal Family, one of my favorite books of last year. If you haven't picked this one up yet, please do. It's such an important read.

4 stars.

4 stars! This is a review of the audiobook and kindle version. I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley first, then requested the audio when NG began offering audiobooks more recently.

Rachael Krall has a true-crime podcast with a lot of followers. It is very popular and people know her for her voice. The plot involves two murders...one in the past. One today. Are they connected? Rachael heads to a small town to cover a rape trial for the third season of her podcast. Someone reaches out to Rachael ( a note on her windshield ) asking for help in solving her sister, Jenny's murder. Some big secrets are going to come out.

So different from The Escape Room which I really didn’t enjoy, tho I had many friends who did. I highly recommend this and want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a digital edition to read...and later the audiobook..which is outstanding! Excellent narration!

This was a fantastic read! I This book will pull you in right from the start and keep you thinking about it long after you have already finished it. The story is two different POVs and while that isn't something I usually love I feel like it was really well done in this instance. There are also several podcast parts that were great. I loved the characters, especially Rachel and found that I connected with her really well. I also liked Hannah and the way that she convinced Rachel to help her. I don't want to give anything away so go pick up the book and read it!

4.5 Stars

An addictive page-turner sure to keep readers up way past their bedtime, Megan Goldin’s The Night Swim is a compulsively readable chiller from a master storyteller.

When Rachel Krall’s true crime podcast went from hidden gem to an overnight sensation, not only was she catapulted into the stratosphere, but it also helped set an innocent man free. Since then, Rachel has not only become one of the country’s most famous women, but many regard her as their last hope as she is the only person standing between them and a prison sentence. Everybody might know about Rachel and her podcast, but it’s her voice that gets all the attention and not her face. Rachel had always hoped that despite of her fame, she could continue to live a life unencumbered from the harsh and unforgiving flare of celebrity, but that clearly is no longer the case when she finds a pleading note on her windshield addressed to her begging for her help. Rachel feels unsettled and rather creeped out that somebody knows where she lives and what car she drives and has directly asked for her assistance like this. With pressure to keep growing the podcast and make it an even bigger hit, Rachel decides to throw herself into her work, but the notes and letters just keep on coming.

Producers are pressuring Rachel for the upcoming season to be even bigger than previous ones and so Rachel finds herself heading to a small town torn apart by a rape trial. The local golden boy has been accused of raping the granddaughter of the local police chief. Loyalties are divided, accusations are flying about and Rachel vows to get to the truth. But it won’t be easy, especially as events from the past are rearing their head again and threatening to derail Rachel’s attention from the case she should be giving her full attention to. Not to mention the fact that the notes and letters keep on finding their way to her. Is the note writer just a desperate fan pulling out all the stops because they are in dire need of her help? Or is there something far more sinister going on here?

Twenty-five years ago, Jenny Stills lost her life in a tragic drowning accident. Everybody believed that this was an unfortunate event that cut Jenny’s life short, but the letter writer is convinced that the truth behind Jenny’s death has never been revealed. Despite the fact that Rachel has her hands full with the rape trial, she finds herself drawn into the Jenny Stills story. As the past and the present begin to intertwine in the most shocking and startling of ways, nobody is more stunned than Rachel when she realizes that the two cases are connected and that the answers she seeks are buried deep in the puzzle that is Jenny Stills’ death.

Can Rachel get to the truth? What really happened to Jenny? And will old ghosts ever be put to rest or will they just continue to haunt and terrorize those who will go to any lengths to hide the truth?

Megan Goldin’s The Night Swim is a twisted and terrifying psychological crime thriller that will chill readers to the bone. Brilliantly plotted, wonderfully paced and so tense and creepy that readers will be sleeping with the light on for weeks after devouring this book, The Night Swim is a captivating tale about secrets, vengeance and reputation that grips, shocks and delights and will leave readers on the edge of their seats desperate to find out what happens next.

A first class thriller it is impossible to forget, Megan Goldin’s The Night Swim is nerve-twisting suspense at its best!