Rachel Krall is summoned by the FBI to meet with Florida Prison inmate Terence Bailey. Bailey is set to be released from prison in two days time. The FBI is scrambling to find a missing social media influencer who was last seen visiting Bailey in prison - his only visitor ever during his six year sentence. Bailey was the #1 suspect in a series of unsolved murders, though they never had enough evidence to convict him.

In a hail mary move, the FBI brings in Rachel Krall, which goes spectacularly sideways. They find themselves up against the clock to figure out what happened all those years ago and where their missing girl is now.

Told in multiple POV and podcast segments, Rachel Krall and FBI Agent Martinez work separately, and sometimes together to investigate the cases. Loaded with red herrings and things that are not what they seem, this twisty suspense thriller kept me fully engaged. I especially enjoyed the time spent on the inner workings of social media influencers at BuzzCon, it was a whole other drama element that added to the story.

Recommended for fans of True Crime, Podcasts, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery

This is book two in the Rachel Krall series, but can definitely be read as a standalone.

It’s pretty cool this book takes place in my home state of Florida about 20 minutes away. I found myself frequently looking up points of interest.

Another fantastic read from Ms. Goldin! The thriller twists and turns leading to a truly shocking denouement. Ms. Goldin's one of the few authors who are able to incorporate things like social media posts and podcast formats authentically giving the novel a freshness that stands above many others operating in the same space.

This was the first Megan Goldin book I’ve read. I enjoyed the story. It was gripping and shocking, but slightly predictable. I would recommend as a good thriller to readers.

Honestly, a slog to get through. I LOVED The Night Swim so I was very excited when this was announced, but this just didn't hook me the same way.

I liked the bouncing around to different perspectives but I thought each perspective was a little too cliché. Joe was literally every singe FBI agent to ever grace a page or screen. "I want eyes on him at all times. I don't want him taking a shit without me knowing about it." Yah Joe, we've heard it before.

Rachel has kind of an above it all personality to me. Like she's so interested in "just the story" to know what an influencer is and how they get their money even though she has a hit podcast? Chad literally explains the inner workings of the influencer community like she is from another planet. This might have worked in 2015 when the inner workings of internet culture was still elusive to the average reader. Now I'm bored and want more depth.

Also the red herrings got such swift tie ups right at the end and I wish they were more tied into the main story.

Overall it felt outdated and I was left wishing I could have just watched the made for TV movie version.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced read in exchange for my honest review.

Rachel Krall is back with another mystery for her podcast. I love the podcast angle Megan Goldin intertwines in her stories. The audio book was great because the podcast chapters were read like a podcast with background noises and everything. I really enjoyed the storyline. There were times that Rachel was a little immature in her responses but other than that, I loved her working together with Joe Martinez and I thought the red herrings were well played. Overall, I really enjoyed this book and am looking forward to the next Rachel Krall mystery!!

DARK CORNERS is a follow-up to Goldin's book THE NIGHT SWIM, featuring podcaster Rachel Krall. It starts off with a bang, with the FBI summoning Rachel to a prison to see an inmate, Terrence Bailey, and to ask about a missing travel influencer, Maddison Logan. With Bailey about to be released from prison, despite being a suspect in the murders of six women, and Maddison, the only person to ever visit him in prison now missing, the FBI is at a loss. Rachel's name has come up in their investigation, and Agent Martinez reluctantly asks for her help.

"Always know what you're walking into. Dark corners can be danger points."

CORNERS keeps up a brisk pace, telling the story from Rachel and Martinez's points of view, along with bits of her podcast and the POV of a rideshare driver. All these short snippets build up the suspense and tension. You find yourself wanting to know what is happening and how everyone is connected. Further, Rachel and Martinez's relationship deepens and they have a bit of tension between themselves too (if you catch my drift). There are some major dark moments and gruesome places--be prepared!

Rachel winds up going undercover at a social media conference to seek out information about Maddison. As she does, Goldin gets in some not so subtle digs on the artifice of the influencer life and social media. There are some great characters introduced via the other influencers--some of them are quite humorous. We hit on all the latest trends in social media: influencers, travel bloggers, podcasts, and true crime.

This is still a mystery at heart, and it's engaging and interesting. There's never a huge twist, and I had a decent idea early on about a big piece of the plot, but I still found the book to be quite compelling. Rachel Krall is a very smart and intriguing character--and it would be fun to see Martinez again, too.

This was another very bingeable and enjoyable read from Megan Goldin! You are kept on your toes throughout the entire book and never really sure where things are headed. A few little cringe moments around the influencers. Overall, I had a great time with it and hope we get more with Rachel Krall!

The second in the Rachel Krall series and did not disappoint! Murder, mystery and a podcast tie in so perfectly together!

A huge influencer headed to an BuzzCon in Florida suddenly disappears. Maddison, a beautiful girl with many followers but who seemingly came from nowhere. No past, no history, where did she come from? A dead body in the mud. And a potential murderer, Terrance Bailey about to be released from prison. A stinky, repugnant drive-share man. How do all of these key people fit together?

This story was absolutely enthralling! The suspense was so intense and made it hard to put down. The story was perfectly written with the right amount of sordid details. I thoroughly enjoyed this follow up to Megan’s last story, The Night Swim. Four stars and a sticky note saying “MUST READ”!! Y’all go grab both of the books if you haven’t yet!

Loved Night Swim, it was my first by this author and I've read most everything of hers thus.
This is a good sequel. Very excited for part 3
Lots of POV and storylines. I love how she writes

Terance Bailey was convicted for breaking and entering but was always a suspect for murdering 6 women. When an upcoming influencer visits him in prison and is missing right after, the FBI bring in Rachel Krall, a famous true crime podcaster to see if they can uncover the truth behind the missing influencer and the link to the past murders.

This book was an exciting read. Recently there have been so many books with podcasters in the thick of the story, but this was pretty interesting. I liked the peak into the toxicity in the influencer world. Racheal Krall was kick ass cool, didn't care for the romance angle and the guy coming in to save her! I enjoyed the plot reveal and I didn't really expect it!

Thanks to St Martin's Press & Macmillan audio for the EARC and the ALC.

Thank you so much @StMartinsPress for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 08 August 2023)

SYNOPSIS | A popular social media influencer (Maddison) has gone missing and the FBI has run out of leads. They decide to bring in Rachel to speak to a suspected serial killer (Terence) who was visited by Maddison right before she disappeared.

WHAT I LIKED:
- the focus on social media influencers & content creation burnout (VERY relatable)
- the podcast transcripts interwoven throughout

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- her relationship with Agent Martinez
- the story didn't suck me in as much as the first book in the series (The Night Swim)
- Rachel is kind of unlikeable now
- a lot of red-herrings & plot points that don't really go anywhere

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, Megan Goldin and Netgalley.
Well, I ended up loving this story! I'm surprised as anyone could be, mostly because I really didn't like the first Krall book. Matter of fact, I never finished because I detested it so much. Shit fuzzy, I guess I'll have to dig it out and try reading it again!😡😕
I was initially hesitant about reading this, because I thought the MC would be doing broadcasty type things! Podcasts have never appealed to me.
I enjoyed how this story played out, and I'd course seeing Rachel find a connection to studley do-right was satisfying. Strange for me, because I usually hate that kind of crap!
Megan Goldin is quickly becoming a go to author

Thank you @netgalley for the Advanced Reader Copy. Rachel is a true crime podcaster, who is asked to help the FBI with a case. A prisoner is about to be released, and he has recently met with an influencer, who has now disappeared. This is definitely a very timely story, with the podcaster and the influencer society playing big parts. We go with Rachel as she tries to find out what has happened to the podcaster, and to solve the mystery. This is a propulsive and fast moving mystery. #darkcorners #megangoldin #netgalley #advancedreadercopy #bookstagram #booklover #reader #bookblog #lovetoread #fictionreader #bookreview #bookrecommendation #readersofinstagram #bookloversofinstagram #takeapagefrommybook #readallthebooks #booksbooksbooks #booksofinstagram #bookwormproblems #bookaholic #booknerd #whattoread #readingtime #bookaddict #ilovetoread #ilovebooks #needtoread #readallday #mystery #truecrimepodcast

I really enjoyed this second installment. It was gripping and and an easy, thrilling read. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I love books about a podcaster looking into a crime. It seems like a true crime story, without the knowledge of it being a real story. I loved the night swim, so when I heard the author was bringing the main character back again, I knew I would have to read it. While the character (Rachel) seemed less likable in this story, the plot over all was well written. I enjoyed the pace and the storyline.

The main character in this book is Rachel Krall, a true crime podcaster, who we met in a previous book by this author. The FBI have asked for her help in tracking down a missing social media influencer. This is a fun fast paced thriller with some great twists and turns. The social media influencer angle is interesting. Overall another great book from one of my auto read authors.

Dark Corners is the follow up to Megan Goldin’s popular thriller Night Swim, although this is easily a stand-alone story. Rachel Krall, our favorite true crime podcaster is once again called upon to try and assist with the disappearance of a social media influencer by a possible serial killer. This novel has it all! A suspenseful story has twists, a bit of romance and an unforeseeable incredible ending!

Rachel Krall is called for reasons unknown to the FBI in Florida. She reluctantly goes. There she discovers Terrence Bailey; an alleged serial killer is days away from being released onto the streets again. They were never able to prove he murdered young women but were able to put him behind bars for something else. But the FBI is concerned he is already plotting his next murder from his prison cell.

Madison Logan, a social media influencer recently went to visit Bailey at the prison. This in itself is puzzling as he has never in all the time he’s been in prison had a visitor. The prison video shows them exchanging something. That is the last time Madison was ever seen. They find her van parked in the woods near the prison and it looks like there had been some sort of struggle.

Unsure if this has anything to do with Bailey or if it has something to do with the social media conference Madison was attending, the FBI ask Rachel to talk to Bailey as he seems to know her name. That conversation just seems to complicate what they know. But she notices he has the same tattoo which Madison had.

So, against the wishes of the handsome FBI agent, Rachel decides to crash the conference and find out what she can about the missing woman. She notices some have the same tattoo Madison (and Bailey) had. What she learns is influencers can be brutal to each other! And then another influencer turns up dead!

They believe Bailey must be getting help from someone on the outside but who? He’s never had a visitor. With time running out and Bailey closer to his release date Rachel and the FBI try to figure out if he is connected to any of the other murders which happened before he went to prison. And he was!

Then, on the day of Bailey’s release, they were supposed to track his every move, but something goes wrong, and they lose him. Now it seems he has his sights set on Rachel!

This fast paced, mind-blowing nail-biter is a complex incredible psychological masterpiece with surprise after surprise. Dark corners can be spooky, but sometimes they can save a life!

Thank you #NetGalley #St.Martin’sPress #MeganGoldin #DarkCorners for the advanced copy.

Traveling With T’s Thoughts:

It is well documented that I love books with podcast angles. It’s also well documented that I enjoyed the hell outta Night Swim (the first book featuring Rachel K).

What I liked:

Oh man…. this cover has winner all over it.

Rachel. She’s strong and determined and will NOT take no for an answer (or back down) and I am here for all of that.

The influencers angle. Ok, I know some people are sick of influencers and while I do get tired of them in real life- in fiction, they are super interesting.



Bottom line: This was book 1 of 2023 and it was a WINNER. Be sure and scoop this up in August 2023- you won’t regret it.



*This book was sent to Traveling With T for review consideration. All thoughts and opinions are mine alone.*

I enjoyed The Night Swim by this author and Dark Corners follows the same MC. I look forward to reading this one! Dark Corners is twisty and fast paced read that I had such a hard time putting down! The short chapters had such great twists throughout. The setting at the influencer convention was different and I liked the idea of it being the basis where Rachel did her true crime podcaster thing. I also liked the cold case and present day case elements. I appreciate the little bit of romance between Rachel and FBI agent Joe Martinez too.

Review 3.5⭐️
I really enjoyed the character, Rachel Krall and her investigative skills she brought to her podcast in The Night Swim. I was really excited to see what her next case would be and how it would unfold. However, I did not enjoy this one as much as I did The Night Swim. I’m not sure if it was the dual POVs or if it gave more police procedural vibes than mystery/thriller vibes. Don’t get me wrong, I love me a good police drama (Criminal Minds and Cold Case) but I think it just translates better on television than it did in this book. Also, we find out very early who is responsible for committing these crimes and the reader doesn’t have much to discover other than how our killer is related to the other characters in the book. This left much to be desired on the mystery aspect of the book. What I did enjoy was the fast pacing of the book and if I wasn’t pregnant, (and constantly distracted while reading) I’m sure I would have flown through it. Overall, I think it did leave me wanting something a bit different given how good The Night Swim was. Would I read the next book in the series, absolutely. I would recommend this to those who want to dip their toes in a “light” mystery/thriller without the on edge feeling most mystery/thrillers give you.
Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advanced digital copy to review.