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.

Back in 2020 I read this author's "The Night Swim" and thoroughly enjoyed it. Of course, when I learned that the author had written another novel featuring the podcaster Rachel Krall, I knew I just had to read it.

This novel features the abduction of a very successful social media influencer named Maddison Logan. Just before she was taken, the young woman visited the prison where Terence Bailey is being held. Terence is suspected to have killed several women in the past, but the FBI don't have the evidence to hold him any longer. Since Maddison was kidnapped while Terence Bailey was still in prison, they suspect he has an accomplice on the outside.

Rachel and FBI agent Joe Martinez each seek to gain justice for Maddison, even if it puts them both in danger. As soon as Rachel met agent Martinez, there was an immediate and obvious attraction making this novel a combination of crime thriller and romantic suspense.

The 'influencer' lifestyle depicted in this novel shows them to be more than a little narcissistic, vacuous, and very competitive. The book highlights how social media steers popular culture trends.

"Dark Corners" was an interesting foray into social media and an engrossing crime novel. Recommended to fans to the genre.

𝐃𝐀𝐑𝐊 𝐂𝐎𝐑𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒 is one twisty & fast paced read that I had such a hard time putting down! The short chapters had such great twists throughout. I just can’t get enough of Rachel Krall! I hope there’s more in store for her to come!
I thoroughly enjoyed the in depth look into the world of influencers. It made for a very intriguing storyline.
I also liked the little bit of romance between Rachel and FBI agent Joe Martinez❤️‍🔥
This is the perfect read for true crime fans or anyone who enjoys a solid psychological thriller. If you want to end your summer with the perfect book, this is it as it takes place in Daytona Beach, FL!🌴

📖 Book Review 📖

📘🎧”Dark Corners" by Megan Goldin 
Book 2 in Rachel Krall Series

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
published August 8, 2023

Rachel Krall, the smart true crime podcaster is back when a missing Instagram influencer Maddison Logan goes missing just after visiting serial killer Terence Bailey in prison. She is needed by the FBI to go undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where Rachel discovers a world of fierce rivalries.

A thriller read filled with questions and connections, unique characters and a sociopathic killer who leaves no one behind, and had me guessing at every turn of the page.


#somanybooks #readsomemore #audiobooks #bookstagram #bookrecommendations #readersofinstagram #readmorebooks #booklover #bookishlove #readersgonnaread #bookishaf

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press, the author, and NetGalley for the free gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

Dark Corners is a unique mystery centered around a group of influencers and a true crime podcaster - so if that piques your interest then you will enjoy this book.

I thought this book was well written and had a lot of good connections but there really is only one big twist that will shake you and the other plot lines tend to seem irrelevant at the end.

Overall a super interesting and fast-paced thriller, I was interested the whole time and had to finish to figure out how all the craziness would truly end.

I definitely recommend this thriller, I really do like the true crime podcaster POV angle it's interesting and I like the behind-the-scenes of solving the mystery.

DARK CORNERS - MEGAN GOLDIN

4⭐

PLOT -
Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison, but just before his release he gets a surprise visit from Madison Logan a big shot influencer. But hours later Madison disappears and police suspect Bailey's hand in it .after hitting a wall FBI asks Rachel Krall for help who is a famous true crime podcaster. As Rachel pursues her own investigation she somehow finds herself a target and is forced to confront the real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

MY THOUGHTS
This was a very interesting thriller which features alternative POV and mix media..podcast episodes intermingled with the current investigations. It moves very smoothly and the influencer field as a plot has been highlighted quite well.
So if you are looking for a fast paced , thriller with short chapters check this one out and go in blind for a full enjoyment.
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

A influencer goes missing outside of a prison before a murderer is released? The only thing the two have in common is Rachel Krall, a true crime podcaster, who has helped to free the wrongly accused. When Rachel is called to come visit the murderer to get info on why the influencer would come to see him, she soon finds herself embroiled in a mystery she can't help but investigate. A good mystery with some interesting twists this next in the series book kept my interest. Not quite as interesting as the first book in the series yet still keeps me wanting to read more. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-book for an honest review.

The FBI has asked for Rachel Krall's help. Terrence Bailey is a suspected (but never convicted) serial killer and about to be released from jail. But that's not the only problem... Maddison Logan, a social media influencer, recently visited Terrence in prison and mysteriously disappeared after their visit. This is where Rachel comes in. The FBI wants the famous podcaster to try and get any information she can out of Terrence in order to find Maddison. In the meantime, a woman's body is found and the death seems linked to Terrence. Since Terrance can't kill while he's in prison, the FBI are thinking that he has an accomplice on the outside. Is Rachel safe? Can she help find the accomplice before Terrence is released from jail?

Rachel Krall is also a character in Megan Goldin's Night Swim, which I also enjoyed. Dark Corners takes the reader on a wild ride and things are not always as they seem. As a bookstagrammer, I enjoyed the piece of the story that included the social media influencer's conference. One of the bad guys was great - pretty terrifying with a unique medical condition. This was a solid read with some cools twists.

A generous two stars.

Jeezus. How does this stuff get published?

Admittedly, I hated Goldin's previous Rachel Krall novel The Night Swim, but I wanted to give this one a chance. And honestly, for the first 50% of the book, I was into it. But the plot just got out of control with unbelievable coincidences, plot holes inconsistencies, and convenient coincidences. In short = lazy plotting.

Rachel Krall is called by the FBI to take a plane down to Florida because she has been implicated in the case of a missing woman. The FBI asks Rachel to talk to a man they suspect is a killer in hopes of learning something new. Why would the FBI ask a civilian to fly to them instead of going to see her first? Why would the FBI send a civilian to interview a dangerous criminal who is days from being released from prison? This is just a taste of the nonsensical plotting of Dark Corners.

I love a good thriller, but plot holes and nonsense just spoil the fun.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and author for a complimentary advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book, however it is not very memorable. I also read the Night Swim several years ago however I didn’t recall the plot or characters and was able to follow along and enjoy this book without that background fresh in my mind!

Have you ever been having a completely normal average day when everything suddenly gets turned upside down? That’s exactly what happened to Rachel when she ended up on a plane to visit a prison in Florida. She got thrusted head first into a murder investigation and an influencer gathering at the same time. With all the new people coming into her life, it leaves her questioning- Is she befriending a murder? Who can she trust?

If the most addictive podcast and an incredibly fast paced mystery had a baby, it would be this book.

True crime podcaster Rachel Krall is unexpectedly called to Florida by FBI agent, Joe Martinez. Prisoner Terence Bailey, who is suspected of killing six women, has asked for Rachel by name after receiving a visit from a trendy social media influencer named Madison Logan. Rachel soon finds herself involved in the case as Madison has disappeared and the FBI believes that Bailey may have something to do with it, by having help on the outside. As Rachel digs deeper into the disappearance of Madison she finds herself involved in an influencer conference where she investigates what happened to Madsion, as well as finds out more information about Terence Bailey.

I enjoyed this book just as much as the first in the series. I love the podcast elements and how they are incorporated in every few chapters. Goldin’s writing style is just perfect, each chapter gives just enough information to keep you interested and fully immersed in the story. I enjoyed all the twisty turns this book gave me, I was along for the ride.

Interesting story with a few plot lines but all wrapped up well in the end. Kept me on my toes until the end.

I was really glad to see Rachel Krall return from Night Swim in this new book. But seriously, what the hell happened with her personality? She went from bad-ass to annoying moron. Disappointing. I agree with someone else's harsh and very honest review, this book needs some serious editing. I am learning to be proofreader and some of this was painful.

I usually like books by Megan Goldin but Rachel Krall was not at her finest and I was looking forward to her return. Disappointing. I hope Megan Goldin's next novel is better than this one.

I cannot recommend this one. I hope book 3 for Rachel Krall is redeemed in the personality department. I can see why other readers will enjoy this more than me but it was a miss.

Thanks to NetGalley, Megan Goldin and St Martins Press for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ALready available

Megan Goldin's books have never disappointed me and this one is no exception.

This story follows main character Rahcel Krall, a successful podcaster, as she attempts to assist the FBI in solving the disappearance of influencer Maddison Logan. Logan disappeared hours after visiting inmate Terrance Bailey in prison.

Krall uses a fake social media profile to attend BuzzCon, an influencer conference that Logan was scheduled to attend, where she encounters the cutthroat world of influencers in the wild.

As Krall and the FBI try to uncover the connection between Maddison and Terrance Bailey, there are many twists and turns. Bailey's release from prison is imminent and there is a rush to find out what Bailey may be hiding and if he is involved somehow in Maddison's disappearance.

This thriller is fast moving and an easy read. While I did read the first Rachel Krall book, The Night Swim, you would not need to do so in order to engage with this story.

Read if you liked: The Night Swim or None of This is True

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison, though investigators suspect him in the murders of six women. When Maddison Logan, a popular influencer, visits him and goes missing soon after everyone raises an eyebrow - is this connected to her visit with Bailey? Investigators quickly hit a wall and ask for Rachel Krall’s help to go undercover to find out more about Maddison Logan and to help them connect the pieces together. More and more things come to light as she’s investigating and suddenly this is much bigger than it seems… is Rachel Krall suddenly a target too?

After devouring The Night Swim last year I couldn’t wait to see what Rachel Krall was up to in this book. She is a fantastic main character who is strong, well-developed, and certainly carries her own during investigations. The format of this book is really captivating - if you’re a true crime podcast fan I think you will really enjoy this because it gives podcast episodes, special reports, and “behind the scenes” investigative information. It felt like I was listening to it unfold in real time! I thoroughly enjoyed how each of these cases came together and the different twists that came with it. It did feel a bit slow in the middle, but as a true crime fan (and ex-full-time influencer), I was enthralled the whole time! I can’t wait to see what Megan Goldin writes next! P.s. although this is technically a series, both The Night Swim and Dark Corners can be read as standalone books. It’s nice to have some of the inner knowledge from the first book, but it’s not 100% necessary!

Sequel to NIGHT SWIM, I liked the newest Rachel Krall installment a little more than the first in the series. You do not have to read Night Swim to understand what’s going on in the one. Rachel Krall is the only character that is back and she’s tackling a new investigation for her true crime podcast in Dark Corners.

Rachel is brought into a missing persons case by FBI agent, Joe Martinez. Is the missing girl case related to Terence Bailey’s upcoming release from prison or connected to murders in the recent years?

I liked the different POV chapters in this book intermixed with Rachel’s podcast chapters. My biggest complaint was the repetitiveness of Rachel and Joe’s interactions and comparing of notes with the cases. There were also some red herrings that really didn’t feel like red herrings and were explained away rather quickly when one or more could’ve been skipped altogether in my opinion.

Many thanks to @stmartinspress for an ARC! This one is out now and if you loved Night Swim, I think you’ll enjoy this one too!

As a fan of NIGHT SWIM, I was very excited to get access to Rachel Krall's next story, DARK CORNERS. This one seemed different than NIGHT SWIM --I think due to the fact that the story wasn't necessarily centered around her podcast. As a true crime podcast lover myself, that was one thing that I particularly loved from Goldin's other novel. While I wished that DARK CORNERS would've included more of the podcast element, it still was an intriguing read that I couldn't put down! So many twists and turns!