2.5 ⭐️ I want to give this 3 stars, but I can’t. As a rule of thumb, I have to be able to recommend a book (even if I don’t love it) to bump it up to a 3.

The story starts out interesting enough: Rachel Krall, a true crime podcaster, dives into unsolved murders to bring justice to the victims or to the wrongly accused. As a result, she gains popularity among prisoners. When her name is brought up in conversation between a soon-to-be released prisoner and his visitor, she’s flown in to help the FBI.

The most recent mystery involves a missing travel vlogger, and Rachel turns into the key investigator of the case. She inserts herself into BuzzCon, an influencer’s dream conference and starts gaining intel from all its attendees. It felt unconvincing to me that the FBI would allow a podcaster to take such a lead in a missing person’s investigation.

There were no big reveals, there were some loopholes in the story line, and an unnecessary romance was forced in.. I know Goldin has been highly praised for her other works, but I don’t plan to find out..

Thank you to the author and publisher for providing an ARC for my honest review.

Dark Corners is the second in the Rachel Krall series. This time Rachel Krall is sucked into the world of social media influencers after one of them (Maddison) goes missing. To complicate issues more a prisoner Terrance Bailey is getting released from prison and asks for Rachel after having met with Maddison… Dark Corners is a cat-and-mouse game. Evil lurks, but the truth will be pieced together in time to stop more harm. Rachel ends up working with the FBI and even has a little fun. While I still don’t know Rachel and why she ticks, I enjoy seeing her in action. This is a highly entertaining and bingeable story.

The audio version had excellent production value just like the first book with the podcast snippets interspersed in the story. Megan Goldin is becoming a favorite.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I quickly read book 1 of the Rachel Krall series so I was excited to receive this audiobook from NetGalley!

I loved January LaVoy’s narration as always. I found the main character to be unlikable in this book than in the previous one. I liked the story as a whole but it sort of fell flat more often than not.

Rating: 3

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

Megan Goldin has done it again! I fast paced thriller that keeps a reader hooked throughout. Rachel Krall is back! This time she is brought into an investigation because a convicted inmate wants to see her. Seemingly unconnected to the story, Rachel finds herself caught in the web of missing influencers, murder, and FBI investigations all while still using her podcast to share what she discovers as the truth.

This novel is twisty and fun, and kept me wanting to know how it would turn out in the end!

I also had the opportunity to listen to the audio version of this novel, which I was happy that I did. This is more than a simple audio, it is a listening experience! Definitely worth the listen!

I was excited to see Dark Corners by Megan Goldin as I really enjoyed Night Swim. I do recommend the audiobook as the narrators do an awesome job and I love to listen when there’s a podcast element involved. This was a solid mystery and a great audiobook.

I would love to read more in this series and hope FBI Agent Joe Martinez shows up!

Thanks to #NetGalley and the publishers for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

I usually love murder mysteries, but this one was super obvious. I honestly did not like it, and it took everything in me to finish it.

3.5 but rounding up

In many areas, this book is a much stronger addition to the Rachel Krall series than the first book, The Night Swim. The characters were more fully fleshed out, the plot had a higher degree of urgency from the start, and the podcast segments further developed the story. I enjoyed the complex multi-layered plot filled with mystery, intrigue, and suspense. That being said, there were elements that fell flat for me. A few of the reveals felt overly convenient or rushed. One plot element was very briefly tied up at the very end and ultimately had little to no impact to the story at large. While the touch of romance seemed a little out of place at times, it did add depth and humanity to the MC, Rachel Krall. Overall, it was an enjoyable listen, highly recommend the audio for this one!

Thank you to Megan Goldin, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for the gifted copy in exchange for my honest review!

This is the second book in the Rachel Krall series. Just coming off Rachel's 3rd big podcast, she is invited to visit Florida via the FBI. They want her to talk to an inmate about to be released. Now she is in another investigation of a cold case and a new one. The narrators were all great. This thriller is a great read. I did read the 1st book in the series. However, I do believe you don't have to read the first book to read this one.

Things I enjoyed:
📖 Different/unusual plot
🩺 Shines light on a rare disorder
💪Strong Female Main Character
🔦 Highlights the potential harm of Social Media

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 stars

There were so many wonderful and deeper aspects of this novel that I didn't expect! All the while, it was a completely fresh and entertaining plot. First, I love how the author brought our attention to a rare disorder and highlighted how treatment of someone who is different can have such harmful repercussions. This part was done brilliantly! Second, I loved how Goldwin dived head first into social media culture and the potential damage it can cause. It can be such a toxic environment and cause more harm than good if used the wrong way. This was also such a brilliant piece of this book! Third, we had a strong female main character who was smart and led the investigation. It was so refreshing to see! Overall, a very entertaining journey!

CW: Fade to black. Some graphic and disturbing material.

*Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, author, and narrator for an advanced copy for this audiobook. All opinions are my own. #darkcorners #NetGalley

Wow. I just discovered this author. I grabbed the first in the series when I received this. I’m a stickler for book order.

I absolutely love how the author weaves a story. And this character was unique. I also loved how she pulls the whole thing together. It was not what I thought at all. I really hope there is more with Rachel Krall. I wasn’t sure she could top book 1, I was wrong. Both are very different and equally fantastic.

5 stars. I discovered Megan Goldin's books last August when i read Stay Awake. Which was my number one read of the year. Since then, i have wanted to read every single book that she's written. She is a phenomenal author and writer. Im addicted to this series. It has everything i love in a book. It centers around a podcast. True crime and the search of the true. The character rachel gets a call from the fbi and flies down to Florida, and talks to a man named terry in prison. And the fbi is trying to find out if he killed multiple girls without any evidence, so that's where rachel comes in. After she gets out of the interview with terry, the fbi discovers a body, and she's trying to find out if it's the girl that she was trying to find out if he killed or not. I liked the fact that this book is easy to follow and is worth the read

My favorite of Goldin's books so far has been The Escape Room, so when I heard her next release was a sequel to the Night Swim I'll admit that I was excited but still pretty hesitant. The Night Swim was a good read for me but didn't seem to be hitting quite as hard as it seemed to for some of my friends.

While Dark Corners isn't a direct sequel to The Night Swim, we still followed Rachel Kroll's character and I personally enjoyed her second installment even more than the first. If you've enjoyed any of these authors books I recommend picking this one up!

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my review copy!

I was so excited to get the next Rachel Krall book! I enjoyed the first book in this series, even though I did have serious qualms with how heavily it relied on a real-life case. I was glad this one didn't remind me of any actual case.

First, I loved the focus on influencers and the toxicity social media can creep into our lives. Different scenes definitely made me laugh because I could imagine people being so ridiculous in the name of being their "authentic selves" online.

With the overall plot, I enjoyed this one. The multiple perspectives kept it exciting and fast-paced.

My one issue was the romance felt a bit forced; I'm not sure it added much to the overall story.

As a big fan of “Night Swim”, I was so happy the author decided to continue the story of crime podcaster Rachel Krall. This was an excellent follow-up and I was not disappointed! “Dark Corners” is a fast and fun read that kept me guessing the whole time!

Similar to the first book in the series, the audiobook quality was excellent and the actors really sold it. I loved that the podcast portions sound legitimate—it’s as if you’re listening to a real-life crime broadcast. Those were always my favorite sections and I would not have minded if the author added even more of those.

This book won’t blow your mind, but it’s easy entertainment and I enjoyed how everything came together in the end. If the author continues this series (I hope she does), I will happily read the next one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an advance copy!

I recently finished author Megan Goldin's Dark Corners. This is the second installment of the Rachel Krall Series. Rachel is a True Crime Podcaster, and in this second tale, she is looking for a Social Media influencer who has mysteriously vanished. Terrance Bailey, a suspected serial killer, is set to be freed from prison, and Maddison, the influencer, had recently visited the serial killer in prison. This story moves at a good pace, if a little slowly at first, and touches on the hot topic of social media influencers. To be honest, I found that portion frustrating, as I do in real life, but the book is nice and has good characters and a decent tale.

I enjoy this kind of thriller! The kind I can listen to at a small cabin in the woods, but still sleep a night. The book had me questioning and trying to identify the ties between the different characters and investigations throughout.

I appreciate the narration and that the book flips back and forth between Rachel’s interviews, and providing updates on her podcast.

The narration was easy listening, it was a multi character cast and the different characters were distinct.

I would be interested in more Rachel Krall.

I appreciated
- Details about the snake tattoo/art
- I enjoyed Terence Baileys character and wanted him to be innocent
- Maddison Logan’s character intrigued me and I like how it all came together at the end.

Memento Mori

Rachel is a true crime podcaster asked to assist the FBI in the disappearance of a social media influencer.
Suddenly the target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

Psychological Thriller - Missing People, Murders & Influencers!

Special thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ARC!

Dark Corners
By: Megan Goldin
Narrated by: André Santana, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Series: Rachel Krall Investigation, Book 2
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

This book in one sentence… True crime podcaster, Rachel Krall, is back to investigate a new crime— a well known social media influencer has gone missing!

We first met Rachel in Megan Goldin’s 2020 hit novel, The Night Swim. Dark Corners is the second book in the Rachel Krall series. Although this one could be read as a standalone, you’d be doing yourself a disservice if you skipped the first. I really enjoyed The Night Swim and the reviews indicate that I’m not alone, so it’s a great place to start!

Although I felt The Night Swim had more twists and turns and jaw dropping moments, Dark Corners was anything but predictable and keep me questioning the meaning of all the clues Goldin drops throughout. My brain was exploring a myriad of possibilities until the last couple chapters. The short chapters kept the story moving along at a steady pace; I felt especially hooked in the last half of the book. I read and enjoyed this book in all three formats and they are all fantastic. I read on my Kindle at night, listened to the audiobook while on the go, and cozied up with the hardcover when I had time to sit and read. This is a great audiobook because of all the podcast segments. The ebook and print formats are still great but the audio captures the essence of Rachel’s podcasts. I also love one of the narrators, January LaVoy.

𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🎧 Podcasts
📱 Social Media
🧩 Solving a puzzle
🏃‍♀️ Short chapters
🔪 True Crime
🤷🏻‍♀️ Whodunnits

I gave Dark Corners four stars and feel there are a ton of readers out there who will enjoy all the mystery and suspense this novel has to offer. Be sure to pick up your copy today!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book before its publication date. The thoughts and opinions above are my own.

Dark Corners By Megan Goldin (Rachel Krall #2)

Goodreads summary (review of Dark Corners and Night Swim) of Dark Corners by Megan Goldin (Rachel Krall #2):

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped—or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster star of Megan Goldin’s acclaimed Night Swim, returns to search for a popular social media influencer who disappeared after visiting a suspected serial killer.

*There might be small/slight spoilers being this is a series-However, it is important to note that you can completely read Dark Corners as a stand-alone.
Reason #1- Night Swim/Stay Awake

First, let's talk about the first book in the Rachel Krall series, Night Swim (review linked). One of the things I loved about Night Swim was the focus on victims. It focused more on the victims, and specifically, the lingering effect of rape trauma on victims than the perpetrator.

Quote from Night Swim:

We have this unfair disparity in rape cases where the victim gets- let's call it what it is- violated. Twice. Their first time in the attack. The second time, in court.

Additionally, Megan Goldin goes into deep detail about the process of completing a rape kit, which is also very violating in itself.

In Dark Corners, Megan Goldin continues this focus on the victims. Yes, there is an exploration of the criminal mind, but the victims are front and center. Their stories. Also, the victims living in the aftermath of loss are spotlighted throughout Dark Corners. Their stories and grief come through loud and clear.

We are so desensitized to evil, so obsessed with finding out what makes <killers> tic that we forget the victims. Not just those they kill but those they leave behind.

What sets apart Dark Corners from Night Swim is (what I believe to be) the influence of Stay Awake (stand-alone). My only negative takeaway from Night Swim is that I wish there was a bit more suspense and thriller to it. I didn't review Stay Awake because I was on hiatus, but I loved it. It was completely different from the Rachel Krall series, as it was a psychological thriller. Having said that, Dark Corners doubles down on the thriller and suspense. While maintaining its focus on social issues, and victims, it was a far more suspenseful read (more below).

I always knew I would read the second book in the Rachel Krall series because of how much I loved Night Swim.  I will definitely continue the series.




Reason #2- Structure/Podcast

I loved how Dark Corners utilizes Rachel's podcast. There are A LOT of characters in Dark Corner. Although the main character is Rachel, there is a large cast of supporting characters, each with their own story. One of the reasons this works is because of the podcast episodes spliced in between chapters throughout the book. Each episode serves as a way to wrap up/way to pull together all the characters and their story. This is essential. Rachel Goldin is a tremendous spinner of tales. With everything going on, having these podcasts to summarize and link information is vital to keeping the plot clear.

Secondly, the podcast episodes are very well produced in the audiobook. From the way they utilized different narrator voices for each episode's participants to the music and background sounds, it is phenomenal. The background crickets and birds used were so realistic that my cats perked up looking for them.

The podcasts in Night Swim were excellent, but Megan Goldin and the audiobook producers really upped their game.

Reason #3- If You Like Slow Burn...

Dark Corners is a slow-burn thriller. It is as much about the journey to the truth as it is about the truth itself. In saying that, I mean there are slow reveals throughout the story. Megan Goldin creates multiple stories that you want to link together but good luck. You won't know the connections until Megan Goldin wants you to. Nevertheless, Dark Corners never drags. It is constantly moving with surprising suspense throughout, rather than a succession of big reveals in the last parts of the book.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and Macmillan Audio for an advance audio copy of Dark Corners by Megan Goldin, which released on August 8th, 2023
Reason #4- Character And Plot Driven

Dark Corners is one of those rare books that is driven by both the plot and the characters. You can't say it isn't a character-driven story. Rachel Krall is the centerpiece of the series. Moreover, there are a multitude of characters with different parts to play in the plot. You will grow to care about all, well, most of them 😉.

On the other hand, you can't say it isn't plot-driven. Each character has a unique story to tell. They will ultimately string together, but they also have an individualistic quality that lets them stand on their own.

Between these two pieces, you get an incredible balance between the plot and characters.

Reason #5- Rachel Krall

If you are going to create a series around one character, then Rachel Krall is it. Megan Goldin writes Rachel Krall as a smart, strong, and fiercely independent female character. When the FBI brings her in to help with a case and then tries to cut her loose (because the plan goes sideways), Rachel isn't having it. She has a steadfast determination to continue her work and find out whatever she can, anyway, she can. Multiple times she reminds the FBI that she doesn't work for them, so they can't tell her where to go or what to do (in the context of this situation). And that is exactly what she does.

Rachel Krall believes in the rights and stories of the victim. She has a very unique voice. Megan Goldin completely builds the character development with Rachel Krall.

Once again, I want to note that although this is the second book in a series, Dark Corners completely works as a stand-alone.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to an ARC of this book. We are told that there are three people doing narration for the audiobook but I found it hard to tell that. That is a complement. A good narration can made a book or break it. This was wonderful. The voice for Rachel Krall, our intrepid heroine, sounded just like it was described in the book. Cudos to Macmillan Audio.

This book is literally about a young man Terrance Bailey accused of many crimes and multiple murders though no evidence has been found to back up the murders, and his last two days in Prison. As the hour draws closer, the FBI asked Rachel Krall, a well-known and decent podcaster of True Crime, to come help in their investigations. She visits Terrance and leaves with more questions than answers. Instead of returning home, she stays, She has received a call from a young influencer, Madison who has disappeared, She was the last person Terrance saw before Rachel, Rachel begs her for help and disappears an hour after leaving the message. Rachel feels a responsibility. There isn't a hotel room in town so Rachel get books into a hotel where thousands of influencers are meeting, disguising herself as an influencer who is trying to learn the ropes.
As she and FBI Agent, Joe Martinez, try to unravel the story and see if Terrance is truly guilty, we get thrown into the world of influencers. Which is not pretty. I'm thinking this is probably well researched and paints a horrible life for those that think being an influencer would be the most wonderful job in the world.
This is such a good book. There are a few red herrings as a good mystery should have, but no ghosts, no supernatural shifts. Rachel has the advantage as she is an investigative journalist and can meld into most any crowd. Martinez has little support from the Daytona Beach police who have made their decisions a long time ago.
Everything comes together beautifully, no hanging herrings out there!.
This is a wonderful book for mystery/thriller readers who only a really well written book.