I couldn't wait to get my hands on this (audio)book since "The Escape Room" was one of my top listens of 2019.... and I'm just as BLOWN AWAY.

Rachel is a famous true crime podcast creator who's divorced and basically married to her job. One day, she travels to a small town of Neapolis, North Carolina, to do research on a famous rape case which may or may not have been fabricated; the victim was the granddaughter of a police chief and was allegedly raped by the Olympic swimmer Scott Blair. But after she comes back to her from a diner, Rachel finds a note begging for help uncovering the truth about the drowning of Jenny Stills whose case is filled with so many holes that it looks like a possible murder. While Rachel is indifferent to the note at first, her innate curiosity takes the better of her and the investigation begins... Only it looks like the two Neapolis cases may actually have more in common than it seems.

I am shaken, unsettled and very emotional after listening to this. "The Night Swim" is not a light psychological thriller you could pick up for your beach read; rather, it is a serious exploration of the topic of rape, which is certainly a potential trigger. However, Goldin tackles this difficult topic with a sensitive and objective outlook. There is also a strong theme of guilt associated with rape.

Overall, I'd HIGHLY recommend this audio/book not only for its quality thriller value, but also the literary exploration of our society's rape culture. Its not easy, but it pulls you in from the beginning. 5 stars.

*Thank you to the Publisher for a free advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

Rachel has found fame since starting her podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty" She helped to free an innocent man after her first season and now with season 3 beginning she is researching a rape trial. When she relocates to the small town where the alleged rape occurred she starts receiving letters from a woman, Hannah, who wants help with finding her sister's murderers..a murder that took place 25 years ago. As the reader, we find ourselves in the middle of two unsolved cases.. the recent rape investigation that Rachel is researching, and the long forgotten death of Jenny Stills. 

Wow I loved this thriller! This felt like such an original idea. True crime podcasts are all the rage right now so this felt so real and timely. The audio book was fantastic! We alternate to the story in real time and Rachel's podcast. Because we get to hear the podcast, it really brings life to the story. There was even music when the podcast was starting and ending to help the reader differentiate between the podcast and the rest of the story. It felt like I was really listening to a true crime podcast. 

This is a definite must read if you love true crime and thrillers. I could not put it down!

The Walking Book Club highly recommends The Night Swim, especially as an audio book because of the inclusion of a "podcast" within the story. Our community of book lovers in sneakers moves while listening. Goldin's latest thriller kept us motivated to be active to discover the truth about what happened 20 years ago and how it relates to Rachael Krall's latest podcast. Great narration enhances the experience and Bailey Carr, January Lavoy and Samantha Desz bring the characters to life.

The Night Swim is a dark, unsettling psychological thriller examining two cases 25 years apart. Goldin exemplifies what a rape trial looks like- the jury games, victim shaming/blaming, the storyline of “do we want to ruin this promising young mans life”. She handles it with sensitivity and an honest portrayal.

The Night Swim is more than just a psychological thriller. It’s a relevant and timely look at our society. It was thought provoking and emotional. While this book is fast paced and sucks you in, it’s not an easy read. It’s a heavy read and it’s not for everyone- this book may be triggering for many. However, it is well done and handles the subject matter appropriately.

I loved the narration of this audiobook. Especially the podcast portions that sounded like an actual produced show with intro music. It was a really nice touch that added something extra to this audiobook.