The Night Swim kept me on my toes! I didn't predict the end until the last few pages. It had a different story line compared to other thrillers/suspense I've read. The plot made me think as not only a reader but a human being as to what side of the story I would take. What extent would a person go to protect the ones they love?

I'm not the first, nor will I be the last, person haunted by this book. I was gripped from the first few pages, and couldn't put it down until I finished it. The subject matter is devastating, but the way Megan Goldin navigates it is admirable. As a woman, I'm already familiar with the double standards and gross truths presented in the book. However, she managed to dig deep, uncovering complex layers and allowing me to think differently about how our society treats sexual assault victims.

This was my first book by Megan Goldin and it was a good one! I look forward to reading more from her. Usually I'm not much for books with a lot of court room play by play, but this one kept it interesting and not boring at all. I loved how it was two crimes that linked together that you needed to figure out. It was an emotional read for sure and made you think. This was strong 4 star book for me!

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author, Megan Goldin, for the opportunity to read and give my honest review about this book. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

The Night Swim was, in many ways, a pretty typical mystery novel: fast-paced writing, a "big twist," and pretty one-dimensional characters. Although fairly cookie-cutter, I did enjoy that the regular points of view were interspersed with podcast transcripts. I also appreciated the (sort-of) open ending.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the free e-copy.

Coastal courtroom drama that keeps surprising. Crime podcaster Rachel reports on a rape case, while a fan pleads with her to investigate her sister’s murder from 25 years ago. In a small town where everyone knows each other’s business, will Rachel be able to get answers, or will they shut out the outsider?

The Night Swim was a dark, emotional, and compelling read that quickly solidified Megan Goldin as one of my favorite authors of all time. Sensitive, heavy topics such as rape played a central role in the plot, and Goldin addressed these topics respectfully and with painful honesty. Consequently, The Night Swim also provided a social commentary on rape and the subsequent treatment of rape victims, particularly within the confines of a small, close-knit community. It was incredibly eye-opening to read about the unfolding court proceedings in addition to the perspectives voiced by the court of public opinion.

I loved the format that Goldin utilized throughout the book, switching between a traditional narrative structure and a podcast transcript. The latter broke up some of the heavier scenes that were more challenging to read, helping to alleviate the building tension. The novel also provided an intriguing look into the behind-the-scenes of running a podcast, highlighting some of the logistical challenges that aren’t readily apparent from the standpoint of a listener. I enjoyed this unique format more than I had initially anticipated, and it provided a refreshing change of pace.

Goldin’s writing style was simplistic yet captivating, completely immersing me in the tale while I was reading. She very skillfully executed dual perspectives throughout the book, ensuring that each narrator had a distinct, unique voice. Each point-of-view provided invaluable insights into current and past events, providing readers with crucial context and background. The transitions from one perspective to the other were seamless, and their placement within the narrative generated cliffhangers which added to the air of suspense, mystery, and uncertainty throughout the novel.

Furthermore, the inclusion of two intertwining mysteries was masterfully executed, and neither mystery suffered at the expense of the other (as is often the case when authors try to complicate a book by including multiple mysteries simultaneously). The mysteries built upon one another, and each received suitable page-time and attention from the protagonist. Both were adequately resolved by the conclusion of the book, which imparted a necessary sense of closure and finality.

Despite my love for this book, I disagree with its marketing and classification as, first and foremost, a thriller. Very little in this book was truly thrilling, and it read like a slow-burn mystery or crime novel. It was considerably more character-driven than plot-driven, which resulted in slower pacing and minimal buildup of suspense or tension throughout the book. It was written to evoke discomfort and unease in readers, but it was a far cry from a fast-paced, nail biting thriller that had me perched on the edge of my seat and anxious to continue reading.

I received a free ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was really excited when I saw this book from author Megan Goldin. I loved her first novel and knew I had to read this. This book is very different from her previous one but just as addictive. Two separate crimes years apart. I loved the narrator and thought the sensitive subject matter was handled very well by the author. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to reading future books from this author. Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's press for the ARC.

The Night Swim was not what I expected! Per the publishers, this book is marketed as an electrifying thriller, so I picked it up expecting another forgettable beach read. This book is much more than that. It's a very timely character driven crime drama about the parallels between two separate rapes in a small town 25 years apart. The author really does a beautiful job of writing about such a heavy and traumatic topic in a way that feels true and relevant. I really liked this one and am still thinking about it days later. I do recommend going into it prepared that it's not a light read though.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel Krall hosts a popular podcast entitled Guilty or Not Guilty where she travels around the country covering court cases. In the podcast's third season, Rachel is tracking a sensational case in Neapolis, North Carolina involving a local sports hero/US Olympics hopeful who has been accused of rape by an underage girl. When she arrives in Neapolis, Rachel begins receiving notes from a woman named Hannah who says she is a fan and needs help solving the decades-old death of her sister. Rachel becomes immersed in uncovering the truth in both cases and discovers some interesting connections. This riveting novel draws readers in on page one and keeps their interest as the shocking truth is progressively revealed in both cases.

A huge thank you to Netgalley for sharing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 Wow! Although this is a rather drastic departure from the pins & needles thriller of Megan Goldin's previous book, The Escape Room (which I also loved) she has likewise hit it out of the park with this one. On the surface, the story bears a trace of the Under Suspicion series by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke -- namely a trailblazing female true crime podcaster on the hunt for a good story. However, that's where the parallels end. For in the former, while entertaining in its own right, exists for simple escapism and isn't particularly memorable. Here, however, there is so much meat, so much depth that the characters themselves, while important and incredibly empathetic, feel almost secondary to the story, to the importance of what is being said, that together taken as a whole, results in an emotionally powerful punch that respectfully dissects our society's violence against women, the subject of rape -- and virtual repeated rape of survivor's by cultural scrutiny and the criminal 'justice' system in its aftermath -- all while retaining its sense of mystery. Quite an achievement.

True crime podcaster, Rachel Krall visits the town of Neapolis to attend the trial of a young man accused of raping a local girl. While there, Rachel begins receiving letters that lead her into uncovering secrets about an even older, but similar case in this small coastal town. Secrets that threaten to shock the community and turn the town upside-down.
Oooohhh, I really enjoyed The Night Swim by Megan Goldin It was the perfect, unputdownable suspense novel. Be advised about possible triggers of rape and sexual assault, however, if that’s a deal breaker for you. I loved how the stories of the two cases were told in alternating formats between Rachel’s experiences, her podcast transcripts, and the letters she received. This book left me wanting to read more by this author! Look for this one to hit shelves August 4th!

Intensely related by uniquely styled points of view, The Night Swim kept my interest at a peak throughout. Characters are well-developed and suspense builds with each chapter. This is an author on the rise. The use of a podcast as the main structural element keeps the story on track. Highly recommended. Thanks to St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read in advance.

If you love true crime podcasts, then you will love this book. It was an intense,.quick read. I highly recommend.

Because of the subject matter, I was expecting it to be a difficult read. While it certainly was difficult to listen to accounts of sexual assault, the mystery at the center of it made it an exhilarating read. Rachel Krall is a famous true crime podcaster. Her new season is focused on an upcoming rape trial in a small sea-side town of North Carolina. When she arrives to begin researching, she gets multiple mysterious letters from someone who claims that her sister was murdered 25 years ago in this same town. While Rachel’s sole focus should be on the trial in hand, she can’t help but be curious about this situation: especially once she finds out that the 25 year old case was never investigated.

The story is told from various viewpoints: Rachel (the podcaster), Hannah (the sister of the murder victim), and the episode transcripts of “Guilty or Not Guilty” (the podcast). These multiple and unique viewpoints are an exciting way to tell the story. While the reader may be able to puzzle out who the killer is, there are multiple twists and turns that kept the story compelling. Megan Goldin has gifted us with a mystery that happens to be very reflective of the recent #metoo movement, but it doesn’t come across as preachy.

Finally, there are many insights into the legal system when it comes to rape trials and accusations. They were very eye-opening. The reader is given detailed accounts of what and how lawyers prep for trials, including some of the mind games that are used to sway juries. I found it especially disturbing when a nurse recounts how rape victims are seen as “human crime scenes” when they submit themselves to a rape kit examination. It became apparent why a lot of victims would hesitate to come forward. Not only would they have to verbally recount the assault, but they would have to put themselves through an embarrassing and detailed physical examination following the physical assault.

I love the premise (very timely) - true crime podcaster attends high-profile trial and gets caught up in another mystery. While I wish the threads tied together a little more neatly, I enjoyed this quick read and will look for the author's next book.

The Night Swim is a heavy and emotional read. It is written about a rape trial in a small town in North Carolina. The book is written with two timelines, one for the current trial and one for a possible accidental drowning from 25 years ago. I appreciate the thoughtful writing and the way hard topics were addressed. It was less of a thriller and more of a courtroom drama mixed with a true crime podcast.There was a slow-burning mystery within one of the timelines. The stories drew me in thoroughly. Seeing how little has changed with rape culture in the last 25 years was a timely reminder of how far we still have to go with the way we handle crimes against women. I appreciate Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced reader copy.

I'm a big fan of thrillers and this book was great! Solid read! It kept me guessing and was well written.

The book is about Rachel, a successful and well-known true crime podcaster, who is on assignment covering a rape trial in a small coastal town. On her way she receives a desperate letter from Hannah who is hoping Rachel can help her figure out what happened to her sister 30 years prior. The book alternates between the trial and Hannah's story from the past.

Both of the storylines are equally interesting but at times it seemed like too much going on for 1 book. I wasn't sure which one I was more interested in and the back-and-forth divided my attention. It kept me reading, which is definitely a good thing for a writer, but I almost wish it only focused on Hannah's tale. In the end the two weave together in a satisfying way and I enjoyed the book.

I’d been sitting on this book for a few months, but very glad I finally picked it up and finished!

Rachel Krall is the host of a podcast that previously delved into old crimes. Rachel has been successfully able to solve them, and she has become very well known. For the third season of her podcast, she sets out to a small North Carolina town called Neapolis, where she plans to cover a live trial involving the town’s popular, “golden boy” swimmer. He is on trial for the rape of a teenager. Concurrently, Rachel is receiving notes on her car, in her hotel, etc. from a woman named Hannah, who asks her to investigate the death of her sister, Jenny, from 25 years earlier in the same town. Hannah doesn’t believe Jenny drowned, and is desperate for help.

This is a difficult, powerful read with moments that are not easy to get through. I felt many emotions (anger, sadness, despair, hope) throughout the journey. Even though it can be tough at times, author Megan Goldin writes the tale with so much respect and care. It was also hard to put down as it becomes clear that there are some untoward things happening in the past and present storylines. I absolutely loved Rachel. She was so fully written, and it was a pleasure seeing the story through her lens. She’s smart, capable, caring and interesting. What more could you ask for. I highly recommend.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Megan Goldin, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange of an honest review.

The Night Swim is about Rachel, a true crime podcast host who visits a small town to report on a rape case that has rocked the community. On the way, she learns about another rape/murder case that happened 25 years ago in the same town when she receives a letter from the victim’s sister Hannah. The book explores the parallel between both cases and shows how difficult it is for rape victims to get justice through the legal system.

The plot of this book sometimes went a little slow for me but i really enjoyed reading it. The writing was captivating and the author did a great job of fleshing characters and conveying difficult situations. This book is not a thriller but more of a slow burn mystery. I was very disturbed by certain parts of the book but i didn't mind because i think the author is accomplishing her goal of enlightening readers about the journey rape victims go through in healing from their trauma and getting justice. I felt like she did this and still wrote with as much sensitivity as she could, considering the topic.

Overall i would recommend this book as long as you are in the right mental space to read about a difficult topic. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an advanced reading copy.

So I received this Digital ARC via email, this book was not on my radar at all! I read the synopsis and was hooked. Downloaded it and started reading and I was blown away! Read in 1 sitting!
I love all things true crime and podcasts. This book was about a successful pod caster Rachel, who is starting her third season with a different type of case. It’s a rape and sexual assault trial. I love the way the author handles such a polarizing social issue.
She’s following the trial of a prominent and famous young athlete who has been accused of raping a 16 year old girl. The victim isn’t from a wealthy family and she’s definitely not famous. Both sides of rape are discussed; the impact on the the accused as well as the victim shaming that occurs in and out of court.
AND There’s also an entire other case that the podcaster is thrown into by a follower that’s leaving her letters on her car and other places. It’s eerie to recognize all the private places she finds letters left for her. She feels like she’s being stalked but can’t turn away from the case. The way the author ties up the cases and the plot twist were well done. I may have guessed who the perpetrator was but it didn’t break the spell this book placed on me.
I really connected with the characters in this story. They were so well written. The seaside town was one I recognized aspects of since I live in N.C. The little girl in the rum barrel story was changed slightly but I’ve been to that graveyard, visited that grave and seen Blackbeard’s house.
Please pick this book up when it comes out on August 4, 2020. It’s such a worthwhile suspense book.
This was more than a 5 star read, it will stick with me for a while.
Thank you so much for sending this to me @stmartinspress and @megangoldinauthor! Job well done! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻