My thanks to St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley.
I don't know what I'm Earth possesses me to request things like this.
Maybe, the reviews of my Goodreads friend's? Maybe the popularity of the author? I haven't a clue.
So really, take this piffling review with a grain of salt.
I didn't like it. Obviously. That's all I'm going to say. I never should have even tried to read this. I'll give it 3 stars, because many liked it.
Just know that some stories should come with trigger warnings. This is one of them.

Reading The Night Swim by Megan Goldin will take you through so many emotions. It is equal parts sadness, anger, fear, and hope. The book follows two stories in the same town that occurred twenty-five years apart. The present day story involves a true crime podcaster covering the trial of an accused young rapist. The other story set twenty-five years in the past and told in flashbacks involves the death of a young teenager. The sister of the young teenager has returned to her hometown to seek justice for her sister, who she believes was murdered. She reaches out to the podcaster and asks for her help in getting to the bottom of what happened the night her sister died. The podcaster begins to help investigate and soon finds parallels to the current trial she is covering.

What I liked: The story opens with a chapter that hooks you in immediately as you wonder exactly what happened to the young girl who died twenty-five years ago. It is told from the perspective of the younger sister Hannah and leaves you with so many questions that you want to keep reading to get the answers. I feel that the author did a great job of moving back and forth from story to story and weaving them together. I think early on the reader knows that there is a connection, but the author keeps you guessing on what that connection is. I also liked how in the present day story, the author took you through the events leading up to the crime in small doses. She would pause in the narrative and leave you wondering what happened for a couple of chapters before continuing with the story. This was also effective at holding the readers interest and making you want to keep reading. I will say that while the book contained very sensitive themes, I enjoyed the fact that the language was very clean throughout. I actually can only recall one instance of foul language in the entire story. And since I am a huge critic sometimes of book endings, I will say that I felt the author did a great job at wrapping up the story and giving the characters (and the readers) closure. I would even enjoy a sequel involving the podcaster Rachel and her next trial.

What I didn’t like: I don’t know that there was honestly anything I disliked. Except possibly for the crimes themselves and what happened to the young girls in this story. However, that has nothing to do with the actual book and the writing itself. The author, in my opinion handled a very sensitive topic well. She makes you consider how these types of crimes are viewed in society. And about how society in general treats both the accused and the accuser. She also makes you think of how events in the past can shape the future. And unfortunately how these crimes affect the both the victims and their families.

Overall, a very well written plot with some surprise twists at the end. Some things I guessed, but others I did not see coming. I will warn people that it is somewhat graphic during the present day story and during the trial itself. So while the language is fairly clean, the subject matter may be too intense for some readers. Especially if someone has been a victim of this type of crime or knows someone who has been a victim. However, I think the book is worth reading for the way it makes you think about how victims are viewed and treated.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book!

This book did not have me on the edge of my seat like the Escape Room. It was much slower paced and did not have quite as interesting characters. It is the story of a rape trial in a small town, where people have their own secrets. A podcast writer is attending the trial of the town's golden boy. She keeps receiving letters that want her to look into a possible murder. I laughed when I read the final paragraph, don't miss it.

I was sent an advance copy of Megan Goldin’s The Escape room and was blown away! When I was granted an early reading of her new book, Night Swim, I expected something similar....I was wrong! This novel is full of rich rich characters that drive the story. Rachel, a podcaster covers true crime, she is covering the jury trial of a rape in a small seaside town. Hannah wants Rachel to cover/solve her sister’s murder that happened 25 before in the same sleepy town. Told through Rachel’s podcasts and Hannah’s letters, the story is fast paced. I could hear Rachel’s voice as I read her words. This book is amazing! Some might pass it off as another #metoo tale, but it is much more. Suspense, heartbreak, redemption.

The Night Swim is a fantastic book that tells the story of two rapes that happen 25 years apart in a sleepy seaside town. Megan Goldin handled the delicate topic so gracefully and respectfully that as a survivor I have great respect for. The idea of a true crime podcaster covering the current trial all while trying to figure out what happened 25 years before. I am crossing my fingers that Megan Goldin will keep Rachel in some of her future books because I really connected with her character. I highly recommend The Night Swim. I will draw you in and keep you engaged throughout.

For me personally, The Night Swim, was a tall, dark, stiff drink to swallow but totally worthy of 5stars. It shines a spotlight on just how life-changing, vile, brutal, and ultimately criminal, the act of rape is. The Night Swim further reinforced and gave limelight to why many victims, such as myself, remain silent rather than seek justice.

In the book, Goldin speaks fluidly of the palpable stigma that victims of rape face. She teasingly pulls you in with small methodical yet rhythmic waves of progression; then before you know it - BAM! You find yourself swept under the rapids and drowning in the tsunami that makes The Night Swim 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I am always a fan of mysteries! This book was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Wow, this book was a lot heavier than I expected. I didn't know much about the plot, but I was a fan of Goldin's Escape Room, so was excited to read her next book! The plot deals heavier with rape, so if that's a trigger, I might recommend steering clear of this book, but it was a fabulous story that I ended up enjoying more than Goldin's previous novel. As a podcast fan I always like that angle in fiction stories as well. Four and a half stars for a book that really dives into reputation, influence and how rape is handled. I think this would also make an excellent book club selection.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Megan Goldin has another hit on her hands with The Night Swim! I devoured this book page by page and was so enthralled that I didn't realize the time when I finally put the book down. I was so lost in the story that hours went by and I hadn't even looked up. That my friends is s a GOOD book. I highly recommend this one. it's going to be a HIT this summer!

Page turner, with a bit of everything that I love in a good thriller. I enjoyed the courtroom drama, podcast style reporting and the mystery. This book follows a podcast journalist as she covers a current day rape case, as well as attempts to solve a suspected rape and murder that happened in the past. This is the first of Goldin’s books that I’ve read, but I’ll be looking forward to more from her.

This book was spellbinding. There were two stories slowly being unraveled throughout the book making it so hard to put down as you had to find out what may happen next.

Omg this book was everything. I could not stop reading it until the last page. The book is about Rachel Krall who has a podcast called guilty or not guilty in which she investigates criminal cases.
In season 3 of her podcast she decides to travel to the city of Neapolis to further investigate the "Blair trail". A case in which Kelly, a 16-year-old girl, accuses Scott of a swimming boy with a reputable family of raping her.
At the same time Rachel is investigating Jenny's case, a murder and rape case that happened 25 years ago in the same town of Neapolis and the city covered it up as an accident.
I found the book very intriguing from the first page. if you like the mistery/thriller I recommend it 5 stars

A woman, Rachael, is working at her second season of a true crime podcast in which they are trying a young man for rape. He is the son of a wealthy and prominent family in his home town and is also a promising swimmer and potential Olympian. The victim is a 16 year old girl who is extremely traumatized by the whole situation. Rachael is also looking into a previous accidental death by drowning of a teenaged girl a number of years earlier at the request of the girl’s younger sister. Basically this is a step by step procedural of a trial, an investigation and a podcast. It is fascinating and compelling reading with an ending that will make the reader sit up and say “wow”. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

The Night Swim
A Novel
by Megan Goldin
St. Martin's Press
Mystery & Thrillers

Enjoyed this book alot! My first book by this author. I received this ARC from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review. I would recommend this read.

I couldn't put this book down - the story is suspenseful yet still deals sensitively with a very timely topic. I wish this was a series with each book dealing with a new season of the podcast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Rachel krall runs a successful podcast about true crime. When she comes to a small NC town to cover a rape trial, she doesn't know that a case from the past will catch her attention as well. What happens next is a carefully balanced description of two girls, one who died mysteriously and one whose life hangs in the balance of a rape trial. the past and present become mingled as the two converge in an explosive way.

I loved the narrators in this book, but more, I loved that the focus was on the two girls whose entire lives were shattered by being raped. This isn't an easy book to read, but it's a timely one, and I enjoyed reading it immensely. Sexual assault is always a tough subject to speak on, but I felt this book did it well, and let the stories of the girls shine through. Rachel was a great guide through the heartbreak, and I would love to see her story continued as well.

Thank you Net Galley & St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
**
This is a story that is not for the faint of heart to read. Two stories, two rapes- 25 years apart. One seeking justice- one seeking vengeance.
The town of Neapolis wants to keep the past in the past- stop digging around- was the quote of the day when Rachel started asking about a 25 year old case about a drowned girl. Rachel was in town to cover the trial of rape charges against Scott Blair; not dig up a 25 year old case that was listed as a drowning.
Rachel Krall is a Podcast host, who covers controversial cases. For her 3rd season she wanted to cover the trial live, and give her listeners a chance to decided along with the jury if Scott is guilty or not guilty. The details that come out during the trail, but also during Rachel's inquiry into the past is difficult to read; you can feel the pain of the victim, as well as the pain from the past.

The Night Swim is a meticulously laid out novel-ironically its only flaw is Megan Goldin's strict attention to detail, which sometimes takes the plot from meticulous to tedious. But the characters are so engrossing-especially the elusive Hannah-you'll overlook this minor imperfection. When Rachel is sent to the coastal town of Neapolis to cover the trial of a local boy accused of raping a young girl, she learns of an eerily similar case from 25 years before. Rachel is the host of the popular "Guilty or Not Guilty" podcast, and the trial-with Scott Blair, star athlete and son of the richest family in Neapolis charged with the gruesome crime-is sure to bring in blockbuster ratings. The Night Swim also deftly highlights the plight of sexual assault victims. "K" (her name is protected in court and in Rachel's podcast, but in the small North Carolina town her identity is an open secret) is so traumatized by what happened she is reluctant to testify-which will likely result in an automatic acquittal for Scott. The Night Swim weaves the dual cases seamlessly- even though the thread tying them together is so razor thin blink and you'll miss it. The Night Swim is a hard but important read-both rapes are described in graphic detail, and the victim's suffering is multiplied by rumor and vicious attacks on their credibility and reputation. The Night Swim is a harrowing story but Miss Goldin handles it brilliantly.

This was a fantastic story about a criminal Podcaster, Rachel, who uncovers the mystery of a young girl’s death, while covering a rape trial in a small town. Heart wrenching and sometimes difficult to read (those with sexual assault triggers should be aware), this book comes full circle through the eyes of the surviving sister and her letters to Rachel. Untangling years of town secrets, rumors, and judgement, you truly feel the sisters pain of growing up poor in the town who shunned them. In addition to being a gripping story, Megan Goodwin has an absolute knack for details. This story was about starting over, second chances, and saving those less fortunate. The last page of this book ended on a high note and truly left me smiling. I highly recommend The Night Swim for your next read.