Cover Image: Dark Corners

Dark Corners

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Member Reviews

Dark Corners is a wonderful addition to Goldin’s first installment of this series, The Night Swim. By including modern aspects and shining a light into to dark side of influencing, Goldin was able to keep me entertained until the last second.

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As a lover of true crime podcast, I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book from NetGalley. I had no idea this book was a part of a series, even though it can be read as a standalone book, I can't wait to go back and read the first one. Rachel is a true crime podcaster who has been asked by the FBI to help assist with a case. This book was fast paced with several twist. There was a romance subplot that really didn't have much to do with the whole book but was fine. I also really recommend this book on audio as some chapters are from the podcast and transfer nicely.

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This is somewhat of a connected stand-alone to "The Night Swim". It involves podcaster Rachel Krall, but it is an entirely new case. This time, a man named Terrence Bailey is about to get out of jail for breaking and entering. But the cops don't want him to get out because they suspect him of murdering six women. So, when a popular social media star visits him in prison and then immediately goes missing, it raises some red flags and Rachel is called in to check it out.

I found it kind of strange that the FBI would call in a podcaster to try to help them solve a case that they're having trouble solving, but I suppose it worked out. I didn't like this one as much as I liked The Night Swim and it didn't hold my attention quite as well. Overall, it was a pretty good book and I would recommend it. Just go into it knowing that.

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I kept putting off reading this book and I should not have. It was interesting and well thought out. I’m a fan now!

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This one was an okay read. I loved Stay Awake by this author, but I wasn’t crazy about this one. The influencer lifestyle is just not something I’m in to, but others may like this book if they are.

Thank you Saint Martin’s press and NetGalley for providing me with a complementary advanced copy of this book.

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I was so happy to return to this protagonist as she investigates another murder/ missing person. The way the author writes this pulls me in immediately and makes me feel like I am an actual part of the investigation. Very enjoyable!!

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"Dark Corners" by Megan Goldin is a masterclass in suspense, keeping me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. Goldin's narrative is tight, the plot twists are unexpected, and the tension is relentless. Her skillful storytelling and complex characters make this thriller not just a read, but an experience. It's a riveting journey through the shadows of human nature, and I couldn't put it down. Highly recommend for anyone who loves a good heart-pounding story.

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Perhaps I should have read the first book in this series before reading this book but I was unable to get my hands on it in time. So, I’ve given this book a star more than I feel it earned because it’s not the author’s fault that I failed to read the first book. I will just say this…I’ve learned that podcasts are not my thing

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Another great book by Megan Goldin. Rachel is an interesting character and very likable. The book kept my attention, and I finished it quickly. The right amount of thriller to keep you reading and I cannot wait to read another in the series.

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"Dark Corners" by Megan Goldin is an enthralling thriller that masterfully weaves suspense, mystery, and a deep psychological exploration into a narrative that's hard to put down. Goldin's skillful storytelling and the intricate plot captivate the reader, as the story delves into the complexities of its characters and the dark secrets that lie beneath the surface of seemingly ordinary lives. The pacing is near perfect, with enough twists and turns to keep the suspense high without overwhelming the reader. However, the resolution feels somewhat rushed, leaving a few questions unanswered and some character arcs feeling slightly underdeveloped. Despite this, "Dark Corners" stands out for its gripping narrative and the way it challenges the reader to question the nature of truth and perception. It's a compelling read that deserves four stars, making it a must-read for thriller enthusiasts looking for depth as well as suspense.

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Megan Goldin writes smart thrillers and I always enjoy them. Terrence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering but investigators also suspect him of the murders of multiple women. A social media influencer visits Terrence in jail and hours after visiting him, she goes missing. What happened to Maddison and why was she visiting Terrence? This was great.

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Thank you St Martin's Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

Terence Baily is just about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though many have suspected him in the murders of six women. As his release day approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan a hot and young influence with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears and police believe her to be kidnapped or worse. Is Maddison's disappearance linked to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him? When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel Krall's help in finding the missing influencer. Rachel poses as a up and coming influencer at an event to get more information about the circle that Maddison used to run in. What she finds becomes vital to the investigation. When another body is found the FBI realizes that Bailey must have an accomplice on the outside who is dangerous with an obsession for influencers. This includes Rachel Krall herself. 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.

I enjoyed this one quite a bit. I thought that it was well written and paced. I was continuously intrigued. I definitely did no see the ending coming. Overall, I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys serial killer shows or books. This was a great follow up to the first in the series.

Content: Swearing, death, influencer toxicity, murder, manipulation

Read if you enjoy:
Serial Killer Shows
Mystery
Thriller
Little bit of romance

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I generally don't love the "podcaster solves a murder" setup, but this one was good, thanks in large part to the storytelling abilities of author Megan Goldin. Goldin brings us inside the sketchy and vacuous world of social media influencers and throws a podcast and a serial killer into the mix. The result is a very interesting, well-narrated book which makes the time fly as you read. I also listened to the audiobook at the same time and found it well-narrated. Megan Goldin is already a must-read author for me and now I know her audiobooks are great too. Recommended!

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The premise of this sounded great, but it didn’t meet my expectations. Unfortunately, I wasn’t ever really pulled into the story or the investigation that was happening in the plot.
For the podcast sections of the book, the only indication was a slight change of font which made it very difficult to tell that it was changing from the main storyline to the podcast.

I also found the dialogue between the characters unnatural and stilted. I’ve really enjoyed Goldin’s previous books, but this one did not land the same way for me.

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I really enjoyed this fast paced thriller! It was a nice extension to the series. I definitely recommend this book to my friends.

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A quick, fast-paced thriller that will immediately grab your attention. It would be easy to think you know what’s going on at the start, but the author is able to add enough of a twist that you’ll be surprised. I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series about the same main character. I’ll definitely be picking up the first.

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Reading this story was unwrapping an intricately wrapped present - layer upon layer - until reaching the gift (the end)! Rachel is a well-known murder podcaster who gets pulled into an active FBI investigation. Add in numerous missing young women, a large group of social media influencers gathered at a conference, and you’ve got a lot of interesting moving parts. I thoroughly enjoyed this story!

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I ended up listening to the audio after publication date and that was definitely the route to go. I enjoyed the story overall and how everything tied together in the end. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc even though I didn’t get to this one before pub date.

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I loved the previous book in this sort of series and really liked the sound of this one...sadly, it was disappointing.

I really liked Rachel. She's smart and has a good head on her shoulders. I really like her POV because she's reckless without being painfully stupid about it. There are a lot of characters in this one and a good portion of them felt like the same person, but perhaps it was done on purpose.

Plot wise, it's boring. There's a slow unfolding (which i was here for) and then it just never caught and tension. I don't know if it was getting a particular person's POV that ruined it for me, but I was able to figure it all out before the ending and then had no real interest in how it ended.

Overall, I kept reading more because I felt like I had to. If there is another Rachel book, I will read it.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

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Dark corners gave me some of my favorites:

Social media influencers and podcast themed book.

The story was very engaging and kept me listening way too late. After reading this series I went on to consume everything Megan Goldin has released.

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