A truly tragic story that is well told and keeps you guessing until the end.

Guilty or Not Guilty podcast is the brainchild of Rachel and her producer Pete. Rape is a controversial topic. Making ii the focus of her third podcast, Rachel Kroll finds herself reporting on one trial and investigating a 25 yr old case ruled an accidental death. Rachel finds herself pulled between both cases. Investigating and reporting have dangerous side effects as plot twists rapidly increase the tension.

Surprise ending left me breathless.

This is a terrific thriller for fans of twisty suspense. I love how at times I felt like I was listening to the podcast. The various narrators and narrative devices are very clever. I also enjoyed how Goldin told two parallel stories, both very suspenseful. This is definitely a page turner and Goldin is quite talented. The ending, while not 100% "satisfying" or "happy," is absolutely well deserved and fits the well-crafted narrative. I would definitely read more by this author. Recommended for fans of domestic suspense and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read The Night Swim!

Starting with the plot, there were definite moments of excitement and my attention was captured the entire length of the book. Between reading Rachel’s podcast chapters, letters from Hannah, and Rachel living through the trial and solving Hannah’s old case, it’s almost impossible to not want to keep reading more. The only real issue was the gruesomeness of some of the raping scenes. Though the author doesn’t explicitly explain every act of the rape scenes, there were moments that I could easily fill in the blanks and it left me pretty disturbed. I feel a person who’ve had this horrific/traumatizing experience would want to stay clear from this read because I can see it be being triggering. There’s nothing wrong with what the author did, but it was just very unpleasant to read.

On the other hand, the need to know what truly happened to Hannah’s sister years ago and the conclusion of the Scott Blair trial did keep my attention. I kept trying to guess how the two cases connected. I will admit, though I had many theories, the ending result wasn’t what I thought. Having an unsuspecting outcome was a nice way to bring the two cases together.

When looking at the characters, I felt there was only one who truly showed growth and whose background was built the most. That would be Hannah due to the nature of the letters she shares with Rachel. We learn about the days leading up to the night of the death of her sister, and even the thoughts and feelings she expressed during the present storyline. Learning how the two cases connect did bring some light into some present-day characters. However, these characters weren’t necessarily the main ones. Rachel was the one telling most of the story, but we don’t really get to know her very well and I found it a bit challenging to connect with her. She was more of an outsider looking in and the one to navigate both Hannah’s sister’s case and the Scott Blair trial. Due to the focusing on the two cases, perhaps it wasn’t necessary to learn more about Rachel, but it was something that I noticed.

Overall, The Night Swim was definitely a quick and fairly captivating read, but it was one that lacked much character development. I would recommend this read to those who enjoy reading an unsolved case where one person is trying to solve it. Also, I would recommend this to those who aren’t triggered with rape scenes.

Wow! This is a very intense book and talks about a very sensitive subject with details. You can actually feel the pain! Sexual assault is shown in the most horrible way possible in two different cases and two different girls. Cases that happened 25 years apart but are connected in a way that you can't imagine. This book is going to hunt me for a while, and the feeling of crying comes every time I think about Jenny Stills. This book was very well written and it's rich in details and if you ever went through sexual assault (not just rape itself) or know anyone that has this book might be way too painful for you.

Rachel Krall has a successful crime podcast called "Guilty or not Guilty" and she goes a to small town in the North Carolina coast to cover a rape case but she didn't know that the town had other secrets or that its past would connect to the new case. When Rachel starts receiving letters from Hanna Stills asking for justice for her sister murdered years ago, she decided to give her best to found out what happened in that summer night of October '92. And what she finds out is so intense and painful and the seek for justice for both girls becomes even more strong.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

FIVE STARS!! I absolutely devoured this one. I loved Megan Goldin’s first book THE ESCAPE ROOM and was so excited for this one. It’s even better!! I’m telling you there is NO thriller like this out there (and that’s coming from someone who reads nonstop thrillers😂) 🙌🏼🙏🏼. The storyline is so fantastic that I didn’t even feel the need for a killer plot twist. That NEVER happens!

Thank you SO much to Netgalley and St Martins for the early copy. This is easily one of my top reads of 2020 ❤️

Normally I’m not a fan of podcast based stories but this one kept me interested throughout the book. The cat and mouse game between Rachel and Hannah keeps the story moving really fast. The small town setting with a beach backdrop and small-town life where everyone knows everyone keeps the mystery in the book refreshing. There is an unfortunate sexual assault that occurs that is somewhat similar to something that happened decades ago. And Rachel is investigating both the cases simultaneously and it is interesting to see if they intertwine at any time.

I did like that this was based in North Carolina and made me miss the ocean quite a bit right now. Trigger warning regarding rape as it is mentioned a few times in this book so readers will need to keep that in mind if sensitive to it. The grief that the victim goes through in this one is mentioned in a really detailed way that will make the readers feel really gutted.

Definitely a good book that handles both the mystery part very well and deals with some very serious issues in a perfect sensitive way. The two parallel storylines are handled in a really interesting way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy!

*Trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault-- prevalent throughout the entire book. *
I really enjoyed this thriller and read most of it in one day! I had to get to the ending ASAP! Like many thrillers, this one had alternating POV's which always helps me read fast. I think the author did an excellent job of intertwining the present with the past, and the case from 25 years ago. I knew things would be connected in the small town, but it took me awhile to figure out exactly how. I will say I guessed most of the big reveals, but not till a bit later in the book. I still enjoyed seeing how it all played out though. Definitely would recommend this one, so check it out when it's released 08/04/20!

Hooked. From the very first chapter I was completely hooked.

I've read Megan Goldin before and really enjoyed that book but The Night Swim just brought it to a whole other level. I have a feeling this author is going to become an auto buy for me.

I'm so thrilled that this was another great book by Megan Goldin. I really enjoyed The Escape Room, so when I saw this was coming out I was immediately interested. I was totally invested from the first page. I loved the theme of reputation and how that, as well as privilege, can shape how you are "valued" by society. This is real and oh so relevant more today than ever. The book delves into this theme and how it blends with rape culture and what that means for our generation versus previous ones. If rape is something that triggers you, then maybe steer clear of this one because it definitely hits hard with the graphic descriptions. With that said, Goldin handled the subject with the utmost compassion and executed it beautifully. There were two mysteries going at the same time in this book and that sounds like a lot, but really it worked. I love true-crime podcasts and I enjoyed how parts of the book were told in the style of the podcasts, much like the book Are you Sleeping. I don't want to go into more detail about the plot as I don't want to ruin anyone's experience, but I will say that I think Goldin is a fantastic writer. The book is a slow burn, but the character development and suspense keeps it moving and the end of the book is hard to put down. I enjoyed this and will continue to read Goldin's books for sure.

My Thoughts
I was honored to review an ARC of The Escape Room by Megan Goldin back in January 2019 and I absolutely loved that book. As soon as I noticed her upcoming book was available on NetGalley I immediately requested it and was approved! This book is simply phenomenal, but be aware the story does discuss rape and abuse in a very raw and real way. Here are my pros and cons for The Night Swim:

Pros

1. This book tackles a very tough and polarizing topic and I thought the author addressed the issues delicately and compassionately.
2. The author’s writing style is amazing! Much like The Escape Room, I was drawn in, mesmerized, and completely engrossed in this story from the very first page.
3. I loved the parallel storylines! Rachel was following a current event (rape trial) for her podcast and she was also a bit unwillingly drawn into investigating a past event (officially a drowning, but possibly murder) that occurred in the same town. The story also had a past and present narrative (the current period with Rachel, and the past from the POV of the drowning/murder victim’s little sister). I felt like this book was going in multiple directions at once – and it does! – but it was 100% captivating and written so well that I had no problem following everything. The plot was intricate, realistic, heartbreaking, tense, and honest and the narratives ultimately blended together seamlessly.
4. The past narrative felt so hopeless. We learn about the sisters (Hannah and Jenny) and how Jenny allegedly died. We also learn a lot about their lives and how they were perceived and treated by more well-to-do and prominent people in their town. It almost sounds crazy to say this, but it was hard to read about Jenny and Hannah at times because it made me feel helpless, just like the girls, and it was very emotional to experience. It is an absolute testament to phenomenal writing when I am this emotionally connected to fictional characters.
5. A big part of this book is about perceptions, reputations, and opinions and how they impact how a person is treated, believed, and understood.

Cons

1. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt, albeit satisfying. I honestly think I felt it was abrupt because I was super invested in the characters and their stories and I didn’t want it to end.

Summary
This book will absolutely make you think. It will make you analyze the difference between right and wrong. You will think about how the rich and poor are treated differently in many circumstances. It will make you reflect upon how rape survivors are treated and what they have to endure in a trial, how those accused are entitled to a fair trial and defense (innocent until proven guilty), and how perceptions and opinions cloud everything. This book will also make you understand that what you believe with your whole heart can sometimes be very far from the actual truth.

I will read anything Megan Goldin writes. I am absolutely mesmerized with her books.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting fact:Nightingale male birds sing at night to mark their territories to find a female mate...⁣
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Night swim was power, emotional and gut wrenching. Two young girls were raped and violated on a beach at night 25 years apart. Their lives were ripped out from underneath them.⁣
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Rachel who is an investigative journalist/podcaster follows the trial of K who was sexually assaulted by a “golden” boy one night in Neapolis. While visiting this small town to report the trial on her podcast. She receives letters from a fan Hannah, who’s sister Jenny 25 years prior was found dead from a drowning, case closed on the same beach. ⁣
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However, Hannah was there and knows her sister was murdered and wants Rachel to dig up the truth. Hannah’s letters to Rachel are heart breaking and difficult to read.⁣
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Rachel’s podcasts following the trial are so well written you can’t put the story down.⁣
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This was an excellent story filled with twists, turns, raising awareness to sexual assault and the trauma victims go through trying to seek justice. It was beautifully and sensitively written. ⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an ARC for my honest review. ⁣
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#bookstagram #books #thriller #crime #TheNightSwim #sexualassaultawareness⁣
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⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

3.5 stars.

Megan Goldin's new novel, The Night Swim, is part courtroom drama, part mystery, part thought-provoking exploration of how horrible society and the criminal justice system treat those who have been raped.

Rachel has gained notoriety as the creator and host of a true crime podcast. While the first two seasons focused on past crimes—and helped a man go free—this time she’s focusing on a rape trial, covering it from the small town where it happened.

The son of the town’s wealthiest family and a prospective Olympic swimmer is accused of brutally raping a teenage girl, the granddaughter of the former police chief. The town is torn apart by the case, with some thinking the girl “deserved” it and is lying, while others think he needs to be punished.

Meanwhile, Rachel, who is known more for her voice than her face, is being followed around town by a woman who says her sister was murdered in the same town 25 years ago, but the police refused to investigate, calling it an accidental drowning. This woman, Hannah, wants Rachel to tell the true story of what happened to her sister, even if it riles up old ghosts.

What will be the outcome of the rape trial? What was the truth behind Hannah’s sister’s death? Rachel will find herself in the middle of both cases, with their similarities and overlaps.

This is a very slow burn of a book and it’s definitely not the thriller Goldin’s first novel, The Escape Room, was. That being said, it’s a compelling and emotional story about rape and reputations in a small town, and the scars we bear.

NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me with an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

The book publishes 8/4.

Rachel has a popular podcast where she revisits crimes of the past & has even had cases reopened & solved,gaining justice for wrongly convicted.
When Rachel heads to Neapolis to cover a current rape case she finds a letter left on her windshield detailing a murder case from over two decades before.
Rachel witnessed & broadcasts the day to day of the rape trial while simultaneously delving into a mysterious case that she just can’t put aside.
Two stories in one,mixed and twisted together in ways many won’t see coming. “Night Swim” is an excellently written story,I throughly enjoyed it from start to finish.

This book captivated me from the start. I mean come on? True Podcast/Thriller book combo. Genius!
Was so hard to put this book down and really wish I could actually listen to regularly to;
'This is Rachel Krall on Guilty or Not Guilty, the podcast that puts you in the jury box.'

This is the story of the ugly truth on how rape is perceived in a court of law. A story of intimidation, fear and the sad truth behind reputations, regardless of their truth and why most rape victim’s voices go unheard.
Synopsis
Podcast Rachel Krall host, covers a controversial trial in a small town and becomes obsessed with a brutal crime that took place in the same town years before.

When she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help. She’s freaked out considering she is recognized for her voice, not her face.
While interviewing and investigating her current rape case in the small town of Neapolis North Carolina, the mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places with regards to a past unsolved case in the same town.. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago.
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.

Thank you to NetGalley & St-Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my review.
This was a first Megan Goldin read for me and won’t be my last!

I want to thank NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for sending me an advance copy. Also want to thank Megan Goldin for a great book. I read her other novel (The Escape Room) and both were excellent books, I preferred The Night Swim for two reasons; the characters were more likable, at least some of them, and I had a sense of closure. More on that later..

The Night Swim is essentially a book about two incidents in the same town (Neapolis, NC); an alleged rape today and an accidental drowning 25 years ago. Rachel Krall, the main voice in the book, has a podcast called .".Guilty or Not Guilty, the podcast that puts you in the jury box.". She covers interesting crimes and let's her listeners determine the outcome, at least to themselves. On her way to cover the rape trial, someone leaves a note on her car asking her to look into the drowning 25 years earlier. This is surprising because although many people know her voice, very, very, few know what she looks like or where she's from. Although ruled an accidental drowning, the letter's author (Hannah) thinks it was murder. and the victim was her sister. Initially reluctant to look into it, Rachel eventually is intrigued enough to start poking around. The book is told from three viewpoints; Rachel, Hannah and Rachel's podcast, a very effective way of communicating the story. The story is mostly communicated from two venues; the town and the courtroom. Without getting into too much detail (you'll have to read it to find out), the two incidents come together and Rachel ultimately figures out both incidents and and the connection between the two.

The book is a quick read and kept me guessing and constantly changing my mind as more and more cues are revealed. Finally, it leads to a startling, plausible and satisfactory conclusion. Its a real page-turner and I was able to finish it in a day and a half. There were a number of likable characters and a number of "villains". It may only be me, but I disliked all of the characters in The Escape Room. It did however leave enough loose ends to prompt a sequel I would certainly read it. Regarding The Night Swim, I would like to see Rachel and her podcast become the basis for a series of books. I would read those also..

Megan Goldin is quickly becoming a favorite as she’s two for two on addicting thrillers/mysteries. And she does so in such a well written and unique manner. This story is told in three different perspectives that are easy to follow yet deep and complex. Told from Rachel’s perspective, who is a successful true crime podcast host that has come to a North Carolina town to cover the alleged rape of a 16 year old girl. Second perspective is through Rachel “speaking” to her podcast audience which is just genius and very modern. Lastly, we hear about Hannah, a woman who knows of Rachel’s podcast success and follows her, leaving her letters asking for her help in solving her sisters murder 25 years prior. Hannah’s sister death was ruled a drowning but as Rachel reads each letter and does her own investigation, she begins to think not only was it not an accidental drowning, but it may be connected to the current case she’s covering. I have to say, didn’t see this ending coming. It had some very well weaved twists! Give me all the Megan Goldin books!! More! More! Definitely recommend this one. Put it on your list to buy and devour come August!

Special thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, this was an amazing book!! I cannot stress enough how much I did not want to put this book down. Every night, I would just tell myself "Ok, just one more chapter..." I loved the way the author, Megan Goldin, wrote the story. From Hannah's perspective, to Rachel's perspective, to a podcast episode. It was very creative and kept me drawn in.

The Night Swim is about Rachel, a famous podcaster who rose into popularity after the first season of her podcast. She feels the pressure to make each season better and better (makes sense) and she has currently traveled to the small beach town of Neapolis to cover the highly publicized rape trial of the granddaughter of the Chief of Police and a high school swimmer destined for the Olympics. As she arrives into town, Rachel discovers a note on her car windshield addressed to her with the writer begging for help to solve the murder of her sister twenty-five years prior. Rachel, not having any pictures posted of her online, feels uneasy that someone recognized her. Hannah, the writer of the note, refuses to meet Rachel in person but continues to leave her letters - left on a boardwalk, car windshield, outside her hotel room door...! As Rachel tries to focus on covering the trail for her podcast, she keeps becoming more and more intrigued with Hannah's story of her sister, Jenny Stills and very soon, Rachel comes to ask herself..."wait, are these two cases related?!"

This book is written very creatively with the author going back and forth between the perspectives of Hannah and Rachel. I did not guess the ending and I love when that happens! I found myself wanting to come back to this book when I was doing other things. I definitely recommend this emotional and very well written novel and I will, for sure, be reading more by Megan Goldin!

Thanks again to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Rachel is a true-crime podcaster. Her popular and award-winning podcasts put listeners in the jury box to decide for themselves whether or not justice was served. Rachel is able to maintain a proper level of distance to the cases that she shares until she begins to investigate the trial of a young man accused of raping a 16-year-old girl in a small North Carolina town. Was this a case of consensual sex that was immediately regretted by the girl or was she genuinely accosted? Is it fair for rape victims to have to relive their trauma through their testimony and questions? When Rachel begins this investigation, she cannot imagine the consequences in her life or the lives of others. The Night Swim will provoke readers to ponder tough issues.

Thank you to Megan Goldin, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC.

What a fantastic read!! I really enjoyed "The Escape Room", so I was super excited to read this one. "The Night Swim" was a million times better than "The Escape Room"! Rachel is a fantastic character, with an intriguing podcast. Some of the material in the story might be sensitive to some people (rape, teenager death) but man, was it an interesting story. I can't wait to read more by Megan Goldin!

I believe that this book has the potential to get very mixed reviews only because of the subject matter. It is the story of the rape of two separate, non-connected (sort of) girls, 25 years apart. With the topic being traumatizing for some, I can see a bit of disdain from some who read it.

That being said, I thought the book was very, very good! This is now the third book that I've read in the last 6 months that the story is built around a podcast format. Perhaps it is because I LOVE podcasts - even more that I LOVE true crime podcasts, that I REALLY ENJOYED this book! It felt like listening to a podcast series almost more than reading, which made for a very cool experience.

This is a very good, quick read if you can get past the subject matter. There are no overt or brutal scenes, by the way, more innuendo than anything else.

Thank you to the author, St Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book! This review was also posted on Goodreads.