Megan Goldin's "The Night Swim" is nothing short of amazing, a truly captivating read that had me wondering why it took me so long to finally pick it up! As someone deeply intrigued by the world of true crime and with an undeniable love for thrillers, this book felt tailor-made for me, and it absolutely delivered.

Goldin masterfully collides the raw intensity of true crime with the heart-pounding suspense of a psychological thriller, creating a genuinely wonderful, suspenseful, and thrilling journey. The narrative is not just a gripping mystery; it's richly layered with real-life issues, meticulously exploring the profound aftermath of one's bad choices and the far-reaching consequences that ripple through lives. This depth adds a significant emotional weight to the already compelling plot, making the characters and their dilemmas feel incredibly authentic.

From the compelling premise to the expertly executed twists, every element of "The Night Swim" worked in perfect harmony to create a truly immersive and unforgettable reading experience. The tension builds steadily, keeping you on the edge of your seat, desperate to uncover the truth. It's a book that not only entertains but also prompts reflection, a hallmark of excellent storytelling.

This was a phenomenal reading experience, and I eagerly look forward to diving into more works from Megan Goldin in the future. She has certainly earned a spot on my must-read author list.

Megan Goldin’s The Escape Room was one I really liked, so was looking forward to her newest, The Night Swim! It was awesome! A true crime podcaster has helped people before and someone tracks her down and wants her help. It’s kind of a two in one mystery, one from the past and one from the present. Very enjoyable mystery!

This mystery was rather slowly paced and a bit heavier than I expected, as it dealt with many issues around sexual assault and how it's treated by society. I thought it dealt with those issues in a great way, but it wasn't exactly what I was looking for and I was expecting more of a thriller. I thought Rachel Krall was fine as a character and I liked the podcast angle, but it didn't leave me motivated to read future books featuring her. Just okay for me.

The Night Swim had been sitting on my want-to-read shelf for years. I kept putting it off, mostly because of the heavy subject matter. But I’m really glad I finally decided to pick it up and dive in. I’ll admit, I almost put it down within the first 20%, but not long after that, I was completely hooked—I ended up finishing it in just a few hours.

I really enjoyed the podcast element and the alternating perspectives between the two characters. And the twist? It got me. I did not see it coming.

This book was very captivating. I highly recommend this book. I really enjoyed reading this book. This book is an easy read.

Unfortunately I forgot to review this at the time I read it. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC, I very much enjoyed it and it kept me guessing. I like this author's work a lot.

Received this from Netgalley from the publisher for a review. I've now read both books in this series and have enjoyed them both. An engaging psychological thriller with an interesting main character.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin is a masterfully crafted thriller that blends true crime podcasting with a haunting courtroom drama. The story follows Rachel Krall, a popular true crime podcaster, as she arrives in a small town to cover a controversial rape trial. But when she receives mysterious letters about a decades-old unsolved death, Rachel finds herself unraveling two chilling cases—both rooted in the town’s darkest secrets.

Goldin skillfully balances suspense with emotional depth, tackling heavy themes like trauma, victim-blaming, and justice, all while keeping the tension high. The dual timelines and podcast excerpts add a fresh, immersive layer, pulling readers into both past and present mysteries.

5 stars — a gripping, emotional thriller that lingers long after the final page. Perfect for fans of true crime narratives with strong social commentary and heart-pounding suspense.

This is my first book by this author, but it definitely won't be the last. I've read quite a few books lately with the podcast premise, but I really like how this one was done, with each subsequent episode of the podcast actually added into the story itself, so we could feel like the listeners as well. The present-day trial and what led up to it mixed with the twenty-five-year-old case was integrated in a way that made sense without one seeming to overpower the other, and though I figured some things out while going along, there were a couple that were still shocks, but they made absolutely perfect sense once I knew, so it wasn't like it was just thrown in there randomly.

I'm looking forward to reading my next book by Ms. Goldin, and I'm definitely excited for the next book in this particular series!

4.5 stars

**I received a free copy from Netgalley and am leaving this review voluntarily. All thoughts and comments contained within are my own.**

This book was SO incredibly good. I raced through this book and when I wasn't reading it, I was thinking about getting back to it.

Rachel's podcast has blown up to be massively successful, and with that comes copycats. In an attempt to investigate something different, Rachel decides to cover the trial of a rape from the courtroom. After all, her podcast is meant to let the listener feel as though they're in the jury box. But throughout her trip, she finds letters begging her to look into the possible murder of a young woman in 1992. This leads her into another mystery but it's not one she's sure she should touch. This town may have grown over the years but a mystery from 25 years ago seems to have everyone on edge.

TRIGGER WARNING: This book does contain SA, Rape, and Violence. Most does occur off-page, but is discussed in a moderately graphic nature.

This story is told in a partially dual timeline. We see Rachel in the present day, and we see her letters from Hannah. Those letters are in the present day but its recounting the past and what happened to her and her sister twenty-five years earlier.

I really enjoyed the plot of this book. Rachel is interviewing anyone she can related to the case, and that includes prosecution and defense witnesses, and reporting back on her podcast and the podcast's blog. The story alternates between Rachel's POV, the letters from Hannah, and podcast episodes. I enjoyed this because it kept me engaged with the slight change in perspective and the chapters always felt short and like they flowed easily.

The ending of this story was wild. I did not even remotely see it coming. I liked that the ending surprised me, but didn't feel like it was so out there that it was unbelievable. There were very subtle clues throughout, and the author did an excellent job at making you feel sympathy and rage, and then back to sympathy again. The characters, even minor ones, are fairly well developed and serve purpose to the story.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin hooked me from the first page. It is a brilliantly written sensational read. I Couldn't put it down and read it in one sitting.

Highly recommend this amazing read to all readers.

I think this is, by far, one of the best books that's I've read this year (2020)!

I thoroughly enjoyed the different perspectives of the book, from that of the Podcaster Rachel, to those actually involved in the story! I actually really enjoyed most of the characters as well!

I am impressed that the story line was pretty unique compared to your standard ole mystery! I was super surprised by ending! I was able to get right through the book so it was a quick, easy, but most importantly enjoyable book!

I really enjoy books that have multiple narrators, especially when there are several prominent characters and these narrators did not disappoint!

Overall, excellent read! I can't wait to share it with everyone else!

Excellent book!! True crime podcasts (and TV shows) have been a weakness of mine since I have watch Forensic Files. So, I was pretty excited when I saw that Megan Goldin had written a thriller featuring a true crime podcast.

I found the plot of The Night Swim to be a combination of things. It was fast paced and well written. It also kept me reading, with hints and foreshadowing that caught my attention. I needed to know what happened to Rachel's sister and how it was connected to the murder trial. And I wasn't disappointed.

Extremely late to the game with this one. But I love reading a book from my backlist TBR! And this one did not disappoint. I really enjoyed the past and present cases and how they were intertwined. Rachel is a great character and I am a sucker for a crime podcast. Highly recommend and I have the next book in the series ready to go!!

*Thank you @stmartinspress for the #gifted e-galley in exchange for an honest review.*

The Night Swim has garnered praise for its tense, immersive storytelling and its deft exploration of themes like justice, trauma, and the impact of media on public perception. Megan Goldin skillfully uses the podcast format to add a layer of authenticity and immediacy to the story. This framing device allows readers to feel directly involved in the unfolding drama, creating a sense of urgency and engagement.

The characters are well-developed, with Rachel Krall standing out as a compelling protagonist. However, some readers might find the pacing a bit uneven, particularly in parts where the investigation slows down. Additionally, while the dual narrative structure adds intrigue, it can sometimes feel a bit disjointed.

Overall, The Night Swim is a compelling and thought-provoking thriller that combines a strong sense of place, a gripping mystery, and a deep dive into the impact of crime and media. Megan Goldin's ability to blend a tight narrative with complex characters and relevant themes makes this a standout read for fans of the genre.

I received this book for free through netgalley for an honest review. Wow what a ride. I didn’t expect the twists (multiple) or the ending. From the start I was pulled in with the true crime podcast aspect of it all. It starts off really strong, but the end I got a little bored in the middle, and then the ending really picked up. I was going to rate 3 stars until the pick up at the end changed my mind. The whole being a woman and making calculated decisions every day to keep yourself safe was something I really connected with and I don’t think is talked about nearly as much as it should be. I’m very excited to read the next in the series and see where the next season of Rachel’s podcast takes us.

The Juxtaposition between the Past and Present: Reading the story of Jenny Stills and the story of Kelly Moore was harrowing. Seeing the connections between the stories of these two girls was more harrowing still. I had a feeling that Bobby (noted in the quote below) was connected to the rape and murder of Jenny 25 years prior. I did not anticipate that Kelly's father was the main perpetrator of the violence against Jenny.

It is a sick form of justice that he saw firsthand how horrendous and dehumanizing his actions were once they were done against his daughter. It isn't sufficient justice for what he's done.

Truly, I don't know if it's justice at all for someone else to be hurt in light of his transgressions.

This was an unexpectedly delightful book! It’s one that’s going on my to-be-read-again list. I loved everything about it — the story, pacing, characters.

Goldin masterfully intertwines these two mysteries, with each chapter building tension and raising new questions. The past and present narratives collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections, forcing her to confront the dark underbelly of the town and its residents. The Night Swim transcends the genre of a typical thriller. While the suspense will keep you on the edge of your seat, the novel also tackles important social issues. Goldin explores the lasting impact of sexual assault, the power dynamics in small communities, and the struggle for victims to be heard and believed. The novel's strength lies in its well-crafted characters, particularly Rachel, who is both relatable and flawed. The inclusion of transcripts from Rachel's podcast adds a unique element, offering a glimpse into the world of investigative journalism and the impact true crime has on the public. The ending feels rushed with all the confessionals and is too tidy for such a heady issue. Still, the Night Swim is a gripping and thought-provoking read. Its intricate plot, complex characters, and exploration of relevant social issues make it a must-read for fans of mysteries and thrillers alike.

It's important to note that the book deals with sensitive topics like sexual assault. Readers who may be sensitive to such content should be aware.

LOVED this book! The first I’ve read by this author and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I loved the perspective from all angles and in a podcast. Truly a delight.