Dark Corners is book two of the Rachel Krall series and while I’ve not read Night Swim, I didn’t feel lost at all. A spin on true crime podcast host living a real life detective moment, the story takes you on a series of twists and turns that leave you trying to piece the puzzle together.

In a world so immersed in social media, this was incredible relatable and harrowing to navigate. With three story lines woven together, the journey flows well and was able to be picked up quickly.

The audio narration was fabulous and kept readers immersed in the world.

🎧📖 Dark Corners by Megan Goldin - 5 ⭐️ Publishes 8/8/23🎧📖

The second installment in the Rachel Krall series, Dark Corners takes you on a chilling journey through a maze of secrets and deception. I opted for the audio version, expertly done by @macmillianaudio, while simultaneously reading the e-book. Let me tell you, it was an immersive experience that I highly recommend!

The narration was captivating, bringing the characters to life and amplifying the tension in every scene. If you're looking for an audio experience that enhances the story, Macmillan Audio won't disappoint.

Dark Corners was my first foray into Megan Goldin's writing, and I was thoroughly impressed. The plot felt like a true crime podcast, with twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end. Goldin's ability to craft suspense and evoke a sense of being a fly on the wall is truly enjoyable.

What made Dark Corners even more enthralling is its relevance to the age of social media and influencers. The story revolves around a string of murders and an influencer who mysteriously disappears. Goldin expertly explores the dark underbelly of social media and the consequences of living life in the spotlight. It's a timely and thought-provoking theme that adds an extra layer of intrigue, especially to this book influencer wannabe. 😂

I'm eagerly anticipating the next installment in the Rachel Krall series. Megan Goldin has gained a new fan in me, and I can't wait to explore more of her thrilling and addictive storytelling. If you're a fan of crime fiction, true crime podcasts, or just enjoy a gripping page-turner, this book is a must-read!

Thank you to @MacMillanAudio, @NetGalley, @stmartinspress & @megangoldin for advanced copies of this title! This title is out on 8/8/23, unless you are fortunate to have a @BOTM subscription!

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This was my first Megan Goldin book, and as soon as I finished this one I ordered The Night Swim! Rachel Krall is a crime podcaster who is investigates unsolved or unique cases. She is flown down to Daytona Beach, FL by the FBI to assist with a missing persons case and it was a wild ride from page 1. At first I was worried there might be ‘too much’ happening because there were current and past cases being explored, but Goldin kept the writing clear and brilliantly wove together the mixed plot lines and narratives. I especially enjoyed having the unique serial killer POV! Part thriller, part police procedural, part romantic suspense, part social commentary on the dark side of being an influencer; I loved every twisty, turning, pulse-pounding page of this book! I highly recommend listening to the audiobook while reading as you get the unique ‘live action’ podcast segments for extra affect!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for my advanced copies in exchange for my honest review. Social Media post will be made closer to pub date.

I really enjoyed this audiobook! The narrators were excellent and elevated my reading experience. Unfortunately, the story lacked the twists and surprises that I normally look forward to in a suspense thriller. While the premise was solid, I found that the events in the latter half of the story were easy to anticipate.

Listening to this audiobook was a truly immersive and captivating experience. The narrator skillfully brought each character to life, capturing their personalities, emotions, and nuances with remarkable talent. Their expressive performances, combined with the exceptional production, added depth and authenticity to the story, making it even more engaging.

The seamless integration of narration, sound effects, and music enhanced the overall atmosphere and drew me deeper into the narrative. Macmillan Audio's commitment to delivering high-quality audiobooks was evident throughout this production.

I wholeheartedly recommend this audiobook to fellow book lovers who seek a captivating and immersive experience. The combination of exceptional narration and the commitment to quality make it a standout choice.

I appreciate the work of the publisher in bringing this audiobook to life. Their contribution to creating an exceptional listening experience is commendable, and I eagerly anticipate future releases.

Rachel Krall is back! I do love a podcast mixed in with an intriguing mystery. And this one is intriguing! Megan Goldin weaves together a complicated trail with many leads and details to keep track of. I appreciate this as it makes my brain work overtime trying to figure out who did what. At times I thought I had the plot figured out and then a new lead would be found and I was left guessing again. There are a couple characters in this book that made my skin crawl and I do like it when a book brings out such emotion in me.

I read the ebook and listened to the audiobook and I have to say the audiobook is a far better experience for lovers of true crime or books that include podcasts. The audiobook makes the podcast chapters of the book very authentic, with intro music and sound bites from people Rachel interviewed. I loved this aspect of the audiobook and for this reason I am giving it five stars.

The collaboration between Rachel and the FBI would be awesome to see again as I liked Joe and think they make a good partnership. I look forward to reading more from Rachel and hope to see a third book in this series.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my copy of the audiobook in exchange for my honest opinion.

When our intrepid podcast host accepts an invitation from the FBI to visit a prison in Florida, events kick off that both risk her life and offer the opportunity to provide answers.

I enjoyed the first book featuring Rachel, so I jumped at the chance to read this one. The action starts almost immediately, and as the reader, I just hung on for the adventure. There are quite a few tangentially related crimes happening, but I could not stop until I reached the end of the story. (I tandem read/ listened at the beginning and when my eyes were tired just kept listening straight through to the end.) The audio was excellent as well. I loved the Daytona Beach setting, and the side characters and the author kept me guessing for most of the plot.

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my #eARC and #ALC

Another enjoyable, compulsively-readable installment of the Rachel Krall series! I loved Night Swim, so I was excited to read this one. Fortunately, the story does not require the reader to remember much about Night Swim or even have read it at all. Rachel Krall hosts a popular true crime podcast which focuses on bringing justice to victims of brutal crimes, whether it be finding the perpetrator or freeing those wrongly convicted.

In this story, she is tasked with helping the FBI help track down what may have happened to a famous social media influencer who has gone missing. The story is told in multiple perspectives, which makes it a little confusing to follow at first, but I was quickly sucked in to the story. The chapters are short and often leave on a mini cliffhanger until that character's next chapter. I listened to the audiobook, which is phenomenally read by multiple narrators. A very enjoyable mystery, perfect for the summer!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing this ebook/audiobook ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you to Netgalley & the publisher for the chance to read and review this title early!

Dark Corners is the second book following Rachel Krall, a true crime podcaster that has historically helped innocent people that have been accused of crimes. She is back at it again, only this case is brought to her in a strange way. She gets called by the FBI to come to Florida, where they want her to meet with an inmate who is about to be released after serving a six year sentence. The inmate has been serving his sentence without one single visitor the whole time, but days before he’s set to be released he gets a visit from a famous influencer, police audio and video show that the two talked about one thing: Rachel. One problem, she doesn’t know who these people are or what they would want with her.

The police also want to know the answer to that question, but more than that they want to keep a serial killer off of the streets. Before the inmate was taken to prison, he was suspected of murdering quite a few women, only the police don’t have any actual evidence. Right after the influencer visits with the inmate, she too disappears and there is no way that the inmate could have done it….he’s been locked up. The police need Rachel’s help to get to the bottom of this case, and take a dangerous man off of the streets once and for all.

Let me start out by saying that I LOVED the first book. The story gripped me in right away, the court room drama was phenomenal and it was one of my favorite reads last year. So to say that I had my hopes up, would be an understatement I was beyond excited to hear from one of my favorite characters again. However, I was disappointed. The set up is intriguing and it grips you from the start, the chapters and short and therefore it reads very quickly. However, I felt like the storyline was lackluster, and I have read similar thrillers. What I will say is that the podcast element of this on audio is a 10/10 they really nailed that part. However, I would have liked to see even more of the podcast element in here. Overall, this book was just okay for me.

Dear Dark Corners
There are some books that are just better suited for audio. You are one of these, for sure. Being able to hear the podcasts, including interviews was such a rich addition to the story as a whole. I loved that even though I knew who the bad guy was from the beginning, you still managed to surprise me. You were dark and twisted, and showed the glittery underbelly for the world of influencers. I am actually now interested in reading The Night Swim, even though I know (I think) how that story will end.

I really enjoyed this audiobook. I got to listen to an advanced readers copy of it from NetGalley, the author, and the publisher In exchange for my review.

This is a book in which a podcaster tries to help solve a murder case. What I think is neat about it is the podcast on the audiobook sounds like an actual real podcast, complete with some background sounds and different voices. I found this to be very unique from any other books. I have listened to.

Something else that is worth noting is that this is book #2 in a series (I found out after listening to it), but you do not have to have read, or listened to the first book. This is a standalone story. However, I think I may want to go back and read or listen to the first one!

Well done Megan Goldin and also to the narrators of this audiobook!

Megan Goldin can do no wrong in my eyes, I also loved the narrator! I was intrigued from the very beginning and enjoyed how the mystery unfolded as the story progressed. The author’s depiction of the world of social media influencers - narcissism, cliques, rivalries and politics, was quite detailed. We see Rachel evolving both as a professional and as a person. She is depicted as more gritty, stubborn and outspoken as compared to The Night Swim. Though this case does not feature as a series on her podcast unlike in the previous book, we do get to read the transcript for her Special Report on the case in chapters interspersed throughout the narrative. With its suspenseful and engaging narrative and multiple twists and red herrings that lead to a satisfying ending, I enjoyed this one a lot, I love a good read I wish I had read it rather listened but that's okay.

Rachel Krall, our favorite true-crime podcaster is back!

Once again, the FBI reaches out for her assistance. They’ve asked her to meet with Terence Bailey. Mr Bailey is an inmate in a Florida prison who’s the #1 suspect in a string of unsolved murders. On the verge of being released, the FBI is desperate for help to keep him behind bars. They’ve run out of options and hoping Rachel can get him talking.

A brilliant plan that went totally sideways. Now The FBI wants Rachel out of Florida stat! Not only did she get no answers, but now she has a target on her back and Terrance is about to come after her! (Thank-you, F.B.I.!)

Rachel is a great MC. Smart and strong, she likes to do things her way. But I always have a problem when our “average citizen” does the work of the police. (Maybe that's just me)😉

This was a great follow-up to book one, Night Swim. Hoping this series will continue.
I enjoyed both the digital and audio versions and recommend the audio!

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio.

A Captivating and Compelling Story of Mystery and Intrigue

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

SUMMARY
Rachel Krall is a well-known true-crime podcaster. The FBI has asked her for assistance on a missing persons case in Florida. The missing person is the popular van-lifer influencer Maddison Logan who disappeared after visiting a prisoner at the Florida State Prison. Maddison has a substantial social media following.

Terrance Bailey is in prison for breaking and entering, but the FBI suspects he is responsible for the murder of several women. He is due to be released from prison very soon. The FBI wants to know why Maddison was visiting Bailey and whether her disappearance is related to that visit. They think Rachel can help. When Rachel realizes that Maddison had left her a voicemail right before she disappeared, she is determined to help find her. Rachel goes undercover as an influencer at Buzzcon, a popular influencer conference held at Daytona Beach. She needs to learn more about Maddison before Bailey’s release from prison.


REVIEW
Dark Corners is a captivating and compelling story of mystery and intrigue. What happened to Maddison? What’s Maddison’s connection to Bailey? And why did Maddison contact Rachel? These are all questions at the heart of the story, which is told from multiple points of view, including segments of Rachel’s podcast about Maddison’s story.

Megan Goldin’s writing is riveting. She masterfully weaves a story about a prisoner, a popular influencer, a podcaster, the FBI, an influencer convention, a beautiful Florida beach, and a meticulous ride-share driver. There is so much going on in this book, and Goldin has penned it all together perfectly.


Rachel’s character is amazing. I fell in love with her in The Night Swim (2020) for her drive and determination; my admiration grew with Dark Corners. She is strong, smart, and savvy. Her character pulls you into the story. I felt like I was riding on Rachel’s coattails during this story, right there with her the whole time.

I was delighted to listen to the multicast audiobook of Dark Corners. The narrators were André Santana, January LaVoy, and Samantha Desz. The voices, the pacing, and the tone were all spot on, effortlessly captivating this listener!

Thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.


Publisher MacMillan Audio
Published August 8, 2023
Narrated André Santana, January LaVoy, and Samantha Desz
Review www.bluestockingreviews.com

📚Dark Corners, by Megan Goldin, is the second book featuring well-known true crime podcaster Rachel Krall.

Summoned to Florida by FBI agent Joe Martinez, Rachel learns her name came up during a recent visit between social media influencer Maddison Logan and prisoner Terrence Bailey at a Florida prison. Bailey is set to be released soon while Maddison has gone missing; the only link the FBI can find between the influencer and the prisoner is Rachel.
As Rachel goes in search of Maddison, she decides to attend a social media influencer conference, Buzz Con. The influencer who banks the most followers during Buzz Con can earn up to five million dollars in endorsements. As Rachel learns more about the world of influencers, she sees it’s a much darker pursuit than most people realize. People can, and do, kill to get ahead.
While meeting various influencers, Rachel runs across a woman traveling through the US from Europe. She tells a tale of a middle aged, red headed male ride share driver with particularly bad body odor whom she believed was intent on kidnapping her. Rachel discovers others have reported seeing that same man asking around for Maddison.
During her time in Florida, Rachel will be questioned in the death of one of the Buzz Con attendees, she’ll uncover Maddison’s true identity, and she’ll figure out the reason Terrence Bailey was talking to Maddison about her. She will face danger and fall into the trap of a murderer. This time, Rachel will need someone to come in search for her. Will they find her before it’s too late? Or, in an ironic twist, will Rachel Krall become the topic of a future true crime podcast?

✨I love all of the books I’ve read and listened to by Megan Goldin and this is no exception. I listened to the audiobook and feel this is one of those stories that is best when listened to. Since the book uses a podcast format, the audio really lends itself to an immersive experience. The narrators did a wonderful job of bringing the words off the page and engrossing me into the story.
The reason I took one star off is because this is now our second book about Rachel Krall and we still don’t really know much about her. This book talked about the fact she was married before but gives us nothing else. I want to know more about Rachel’s past and I’d like to determine whether or not she’s a dynamic character versus a stagnant one.
If you enjoy thrillers, true crime podcasts, or other works from Megan Goldin, then I highly recommend this!

Thank you NetGalley, Megan Goldin, St. Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to the audiobook ahead of the proposed August 8th, 2023 release date in exchange for a candid review.

This was a really fun audiobook. I loved that it was a whole production and gel at times like you were listening to Rachel's podcast.

Megan Goldin is always a reliable thriller author. This book was creepy and twisted without being cheesy and too unpredictable.

I liked it—couple twists and a lot of vapid influencers. Lots of characters and audio is great with different narrators and music between chapters. I hope we see Joe again in future books!

DARK CORNERS by Megan Goldin and read by Samantha Desz and January LaVoy is an entertaining suspense.

⭐⭐⭐💫

This is my first read of Goldin's and I wonder if I should have read Night Swim first. I never felt lost per se, but I wonder if things would have been a bit more memorable. Just a quick caveat!

This suspense/thriller had a few different things going on from the beginning. There was Rachel Krall, the true-crime Podcaster, the podcast special report exerpts, and then the serial killer who we know immediately.

I wasn't sure how this structure would work for me, but as I listened, it was good. I enjoyed the way all three aspects came together to show the truth of what had happened in the disappearance of a social media influencer suspected of being killed.

There seemed to be a lot more of the how and the why's as the mystery here instead of the who. It made it a different feel. I appreciated all the red herrings that made me try to make the wrong connections.

I have mentioned before that I love January LaVoy's voice, and she did a fantastic job with this story! It was easy to follow, especially with the breaks with Desz's sections.

I enjoyed this story while listening. I felt like it was an entertaining suspense, but ask me in week what it was about and I will probably forget. Confession: I had to listen to the last 3 chapters again to remember. This could totally be because I was busier than usual while listening, because there is a very strange distinction about the killer that felt super odd and memorable. Regardless of my memory slip, I did remember liking it!

Thank you @netgalley, @macmillan.audio for @stmartinspress for this ALC and letting me share my thoughts. This audio will be available on August 8th.

While I really enjoyed Megan Goldin's Night Swim, I wasn't a huge fan of this one.

When I found out that this would be following Rachel and still have that podcast element, I was so excited. I thought this one would be a huge win. But I found that I didn't enjoy the "romance" bit in this and I thought it reminded me too much of another real life true crime case.

I also wasn't too keen on how Rachel was utilized on this one. It didn't feel like investigative journalism, but more like a straight up cop/ detective story.

All that said and done, it came to around a 2.5 (3 star rounded up) for me.

Thank you Netgally for the advanced audio in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this ALC. I really enjoyed this listen! I loved the podcast portions and story told within. There’s quite a few characters so there’s a few times I was confused but overall great book!