Thank you St. Martins press and netgalley for this ARC of The Night Swim. I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Loved how the book told two stories at one time with suspense that held my attention until the very end! Megan did it again with another amazing book!! Pub date Aug 4th, 2020!! ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Love this book.. Great story line. A criminal podcaster covering a rape trial, happens on another rape, that happened in the town many years ago.. The twist and turns of both rapes, will keep you glued to the book til the last page. I can’t wait for this book to come out so I can recommend it to my book club.

This was well done. I only stepped out of the narrative during the courtroom scenes, which didn't read as super authentic to me (a fine thing, as that would have been painfully boring).

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for sending me an advanced copy of The Night Swim.

This book turned out to be a good distraction during this time of quarantine. It was an easy read and didn't require a lot of concentration...which is just the only type of book I seem to be able to read lately.
Rachel is reporter, researcher and host of the true-crime podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty" a show that "puts you in the jury box". On her way to Neopolis, Rachel stops at a truck stop for something to eat. Upon returning to her car, she finds a note written by a young woman by the name of Hannah. In her letter, Hannah asks Rachel to help her find those responsible for her sister's death. Coincidentally Hannah's sister was killed in the same town as the rape trial Rachel is covering. Will Rachel be intrigued enough to take this on? Will Rachel have the time to cover two crimes?
Years ago Hannah tragically lost her sister in a "swimming accident". Her body was found in the water under a pier. Hannah always knew her sister's death wasn't an accident and is now after all these years is ready to make those responsible pay. Hannah believes True Crime reporter and podcaster Rachel can help her find the killer(s).
Each chapter in this novel is written by alternating perspectives. There are chapters consist of letters written by Hannah that, over the course of the novel, slowly reveal clues about the night her sister was killed. There are Chapters written that follow Rachel's actions and thoughts, and then there are chapters that are a transcript of Rachel's podcast.
Besides being an engaging read, Goldin also takes the time to honestly deal with the topic of rape and stresses through the format of podcast transcripts the importance of following facts free of bias.
This was a quick read revolving around a timely topic. It would be a very suitable title for a book club and would offer in-depth discussion. I would also feel comfortable suggesting it as a title for high school students to read.

I just finished reading this book and really enjoyed it. The topic was about rape, but it was almost more about the different perceptions of it and really why it's always been so difficult to prose
cute. The main character was Rachel, and I really liked how she pulled in a podcast, while sitting in a courtroom letting us into the day to day goings on at the same time.

The story flowed and really went quickly. There were two different mysteries, one from the past, and a similar story going on now. Somehow the author found a great way to make the two stories collide at the end, and it all just came together and made sense. I did not guess the ending. It was surprising.

I read so much and really am disappointed a lot of the time. While this wasn't the greatest of all time, it was a good read and I recommend it.

The Night Swim was gripping and suspenseful up until the very end. This was my first novel by Megan Goldin and I was blown away by her writing. Rachel is a podcaster covering a rape trial when she begins to receive letters from a girl describing the rape and murder of her sister, Jenny. Rachel gets pulled into the mystery of discovering what happened to Jenny while continuing to cover her current trial. This book was filled with twists and turns and was utterly riveting. I couldn’t put this book down and was up all night finishing it. I loved the dual viewpoint of the storytelling and thought it was especially creative the way one viewpoint was the podcast. The Night Swim is perfect for fans of true crime stories.

Trigger warning for rape and sexual assault.

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

First of all, if rape or sexual assault is too much for you DON'T read this book. Two rapes 25 years apart. 1 girl is dead and 1 girl is emotionally damaged. This book kept me totally engrossed. It's gripping and brutal and at times I felt myself catching my breath.

Absolutely LOVED this book! The format was great too. Rachel is recording her next season of her true crime podcast in Neapolis North Carolina. Those chapters focused on the current rape trial happening in the town. Then there was Hannah, a fan of the podcast that slowly shared her story with Rachel via notes/emails. Hannah’s sister was killed when she was child and it was deemed a drowning, but Hannah knows it was murder. The story is so easy to finish in just a few days (or one if you have the time). When you find out the results of the rape case, and then Hannah’s sisters murder, ugh it was satisfying! If you like Law and Order SVA, true crime podcasts, true crime tv shows, this needs to be added to your list of books to read!

Thank you NetGalley for this advanced copy!!

I loved Megan Goldin’s first novel The Escape Room, so I was so excited to read her new one and it lived up to all of my expectations! The Night Swim moves back and forth between a present day rape trial, and an unsolved (or should I say not believed) murder as her sister pleads with the protagonist (an investigative podcast journalist) to take her case. As a fan of true crime podcasts, the description caught my attention right away and held it throughout the book. I flew threw it and thoroughly enjoyed it! Looking forward to reading more of her books on the future

Thank you to Netgalley and St.Martin's Press for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.

Rachel is a podcaster on her way to Neapolis to cover the trial of Scott Blair. He has been accused of raping a 16 year old girl. However, before she even arrives she stops at a rest stop and when she comes out she finds a letter. A handwritten letter addressed to her asking for her help to find out who murdered Hannah's sister. Rachel is worried and intrigued.

As she follows the trial and dives deep into what happened between K and Scott Blair, she also finds more letters slowly filling her in on what happened all those years ago to Jenny Still. In a town divided, and one unwilling to even acknowledge that Jenny was murdered, will Rachel end up over her head.

Told in 2 viewpoints and one from the podcast, This book goes back and forth between the present and past. Takes an unvarnished look at rape and what it is like for person to have to press charges and face their attacker in public. I legit could not put it down. I didn't even in rush through it. I savored every minute of this book. I did get an idea of who could be involved so I wasn't as shocked at the end when the reveal happened.

That didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. It is a hard subject matter, but I loved the format of the book and the way the dual stories were told. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martins Press for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book will be released August 4th 2020.

First I want to say that this book is brutal and can be triggering for victims of rape or sexual assault.

This book felt like it had a lot of similarities to Chanel Miller's case. It is painful to read at times. But it covers important topics and points out the absturdities of the law surrounding rape and sexual abuse.

I liked how it was centered on a true crime Podcaster and how some chapters were written as her podcast.

I didn't really like how Hannah communicated with Rachel. I was like no way would I continue to communicate with this person. It was super creepy. But after learning the trauma she went through it made a little more sense.

I don't want to say I enjoyed this book because it isn't a book you "enjoy" but it is a powerful novel that will have a lasting impact on me and I feel like it will help open up discussion about crimes against women.

I received an ARC of this novel from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This novel parallels somewhat the story of a distinguished swimmer who rapes a young woman and then receives unparalleled community support to "save" his reputation and career. The plot twist at the end was satisfying.

This is an excellent book for teenaged girls to read as a cautionary tale and for teenage boys to read as a warning of the devastating results of "boys will be boys" behavior.

This book! it captivated me, it was so intriguing. I love that it dealt with a pod cast about true crime, that seems to be the "in" thing now. It basically has 2 storylines/timelines with Jenny and Hannah in the past and the present with Rachel covering a rape trial for her podcast. They come together for a horrifying climax. I so felt for Hannah and Jenny and their sad path. This is a definite must read for this year! Thank you to St Martins press for the book to read and review.

I received an advanced reader’s copy of The Night Swim by Megan Goldin.

This story took me through many emotions. The mental, emotional, and physical effect of rape on the victims and their families was shown with sensitivity. The depiction of what the victims went through and how they were treated in the aftermath wrenches at the heart.

The two cases, which happen decades apart, are revealed to be connected in a twist I wasn’t expecting.

The suspense in the story was maintained throughout and it was hard to put down as I wanted to see how the story would resolve.

Wow! The Night Swim but Megan Goldin is an emotional roller coaster of a thriller. I'm a big fan of true crime podcasts and the author did aN excellent job incorporating that into the story. I was hooked from the beginning and could not put it down until I was finished.

Wow what a stunning book of psychological suspense!! This book draws you in on the very first sentence and doesn't let go until the shocking conclusion. Two rapes twenty five years apart. Are they connected or no? You won't know until the suspense filled conclusion. I loved this book! I loved this Author's first book, but this book takes it to the top!!!!!!

A quick read with two mysteries! This was a fantastic story and I was surprised by how engrossed I was in it! Short chapters (score!) and multiple POVs (yes!).

Another winner by a great author who really knows how to tell a story using the most popular activities in this time. A podcast host is ready for her third season to be a hit just like the last two, Rachel who is known by name and voice is staying in the small town of Neapolis to cover the trial of a rape of a young girl. She is going with the intent to be impartial and get statements from both sides as she sits in the courtroom by day and interviews those involved by night along with updating her podcast with her findings. While in this small town, Rachel starts to receive letters from someone on her windshield or left in different places specifically for her to find. The writer wants justice for her sister Jenny who died 25 years ago of what was ruled an accident but what she insists was murder. Rachel is intent on covering the trial while also finding out all she can about Jenny and what really happened. When Rachel starts asking about Jenny, she finds that the past and the present are intermingling and the secrets being revealed will change the fate of those involved from the past and present.
I was shocked by the ending but that is what makes a great read! Thank you Netgalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review and thanks to the author for another great read! Looking forward to what she writes next!

Whew! What a roller coaster ride and compelling journey that granted me a good deal of sleepless moments while glued to the pages. It was ingeniously crafted in the form of a podcast with alternating chapters of the podcast host's voice. Rachel Knoll is the chronicler of a true crime series that invites the reader in to examine the evidence but this time she decides to chronicle a trial set in real time. It involves a teenage swimming champion who is adored by the girls but is accused of raping a 16 year old girl in his hometown. Very explicit issues of what happens to a rape victim are discussed which actually turned my stomach. It is a wonder that any woman comes forth when you realize the distress she is put under during a court examination. In the meantime, Rachel is being sent letters in various locales by an unknown person who is desperate for Rachel to help her uncover the mystery of her sister's death years ago. It has haunted her for years and made her unable to have closure in her own life. The entwining of the two stories is performed masterfully and the ending blew my socks off. Go for this one guys! You will not be disappointed.

I can promise all of you that at the end of this year this will be one of my favorite books of 2020.

Two rapes happened 25 years apart. One to a poor girl who might just have gotten mixed up in some bad company, said to have committed suicide. Another being covered by Rachel Krall who has a popular podcast.

This book jumps between Rachel's point of view, Rachel's podcast, which is focused on the court case of the rape of Kelly Moore, and letters from Hannah, whose sister died 25 years ago in the small town of Neapolis.

I felt so many feelings reading this book. Anger, hope, love, sorrow, hopelessness, vindication, despair. Often when rape is involved there are many feelings. Unfortunately as a woman it is easy to either have gone through some form of sexual assault or to know someone who has. And both cases in this book reminded me how much gray area there is when it comes to rape, however the victim oftentimes has to prove what happened, beyond a shadow of a doubt.

It took me awhile to read this book, not because it was bad, because like I said, it's one of my favorites of this year so far. The reason is because there was so much heavy material that needed to be unloaded. Nonetheless I devoured it - I had to know how the case would turn out for Kelly Moore. And I had to know what happened to Hannah's sister, and if the two cases were somehow intertwined.

This book is heavy. But it is SO DARN GOOD. I would absolutely recommend it.