Whoa! Didn't see that coming.

Ok. Let's backup a little. This book revolves around two very different (yet eerily similar) stories.

One story follows the rape trial of a girl named Kelly (aka "K") who accuses Scott (a well known local athlete from a very wealthy family) of raping her. The story then takes you on an inside look at just what a rape trial entails, and can help even the most close minded people see what keeps victims from coming forward. Is Kelly telling the truth? Will Scott go to prison or will he walk away a free man? You will get all the facts as told by Rachel on her nightly podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty."

The other story revolves around a sister seeking answers about her sister's death, 25 years ago. You'll suspect everyone at one point or another, I know I did. But you'll never figure out who is actually is. Let's just say my brain is still spinning trying to wrap itself around that little piece of information. In a small beach town such as Neapolis NC can a secret stay buried forever? You're gonna find out.

After two successful seasons of a true-crime podcast, Rachel Krall has found the third season for her show - the small-town trail of a young man accused of rape and its impact on him, the alleged victim, and their community.

Reading Megan Goldin's The Night Swim, I couldn't help but wish I'd decided to listen to the audio version of this story. Well, at least that was the case in the chapters when Megan is narrating her podcast. I couldn't help but feel I was missing something by not listening to Rachel narrate the story as it unfolds.

Rachel's investigation into the current rape charge brings up some old undercurrents and possibly cover-ups in the small town. The Night Swim doesn't pull any punches or shy away from examining the implications of the rape on all those associated with it. It's a hard, eye-opening look and yet, somehow, the novel walks a fine line. The mystery of what happened the nights in question drives the narrative and while I wouldn't call this a suspense thriller, I will say that I was curious to see where the actual truth would lie in the final pages.

As with many great crime novelists working today, Goldin's interest isn't just in solving the central mystery but looking at the impact that mystery has on its characters and society as a whole. Coming away fromThe Night Swim, I found myself thinking about it and pondering those implications long after the final page was turned.

I received a digital ARC of this book from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Megan Goldin filled me with an emotional whiplash which was jam packed throughout this book I knew from the synopsis that the book had to do with a rape trial and a past unsolved rape. I was ready. Both were written and blended perfectly. This is an emotional, gut wrenching and an amazing read that will stay with me for a long time to come. Although some parts are tough and hard to read Goldin handled it with grace and respect. I highly recommend this book.

I’m in the minority here when I say this book was ok. Good but not my favorite. I liked the ending but found it a little predictable. I was actually more interested in reading the chapters discussing the events that led up to how Jenny died several years earlier, not as much the trial of the current day rape. For me, it was a slow burn and not a page turner. However, those that love a courtroom drama will probably find it a quick read. That being said, I’d definitely recommend to crime/courtroom thriller lovers.

Many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

Three stars for The Night Swim by Megan Golden. I loved the topic of this book - an examination of what it actually means to allege sexual assault in our current environment. I just wish the topic had been handled with less of a “Gone Girl big twist”. The author winds together two different stories - the murder (?) of a teenage girl in the past and the trial of an accused rapist in the present. I found myself forgetting which timeline we were on and mixing components of each of these stories. An okay but ultimately forgettable read.

This was a great book! I really enjoyed the podcast aspect of it. The characters were very well developed, and the book kept me interested the entire time.

The perfect page turner that I needed to end the summer! If you’re like me, reading has been the best distraction of 2020 and The Night Swim did not disappoint.

Rachel’s very successful podcast needs a third season and she has found the perfect case. It’s an ongoing case, a rape trial, that she intends on following and reporting on on her Guilty or Not Guilty true crime podcast. On her way to Neapolis, a mysterious letter appears in the windshield of her car. It’s from Hannah, whose sister was murdered 25 years ago. She never got justice. Her death wasn’t even considered a murder and Hannah’s hoping Rachel will help her uncover the truth.

I have to start by saying that, if you are sensitive or triggered by rape, sexual assault and murder please be careful while reading this one. It has really graphic descriptions of rape, which are really hard to read.

Rachel is a very interesting main character. She has no connection to either of the victims but is still desperate for justice. Every now and then, we get a transcript of the podcast episodes which add so much to the book. I loved how the author was able to tell the story by combining the podcast, the letters and Rachel’s present story.

Throughout the book, we get some interesting discussions about rape and rape culture, how everybody agrees that murder is bad but there’s no such consensus with rape. It made me feel a lot of things, my heart was racing most of the time (especially during Hannah’s letters).

If you want a thought provoking and heart wrenching thriller, read this one.

This is a 4.5 star rounded to a 5 star. This is the second novel by this author that I have read. Where Escape Room was more a psychological thriller, this is more reminiscent of a thriller, with a twisted web that connects characters over time and space. Rachel, investigative reporter, is on the case this time using her popular podcast to cover the active rape trial of a young swimming superstar. Accused of raping a high school girl, the ensuing controversy has torn the small town of Neapolis apart, with each side declaring their fierce opinion. With a trial where every side has everything to lose, Rachel is in the middle covering this divisive trial. With her hands full, Rachel is contacted by a Hannah Stills, a young woman looking for answers in the 25 year old death of her sister Jenny Stills. Following her gut Rachel follows up on this stale accidental death not really knowing what kinds of ghosts will be scared out of the closet. I guess it is true that small towns always have the biggest secrets. These novels are always fun to read. There is a certain air of sadness to this one though, as there seems to be a lot of casualties. Even old secrets can exact a lot of damage. Review posted to Goodreads, Litsy, LibraryThing, Amazon, and Facebook.

4.5 stars. I really enjoyed this book and truly hope that the author keeps this story line going. While it wasn't a nail biter it kept me intrigued enough to finish it. This story follows Rachel who is a crime podcaster who is in town to follow a trial and is somewhat thrown into a 25 year old murder/mystery along the way. I went into this one blind as I had requested it quite a while ago and I just need to knock some books out of the park and I am glad I picked this one.

I loved the way this novel is written. Told from different point of views and in interview form. Very fast paced and realistic.

I find this author to be hit or miss for me, I'm afraid.... I realize I'm in the minority here and will keep plugging through their releases so as to not miss a hit. Thanks for the opportunity to review this!

I received an eARC of The Night Swim by Megan Goldin from St. Martin's Press and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!
4 stars! This book evokes many emotions in the reader...might possibly leave you speechless. Well written, highly recommend!

This wasn't as thrilling as her first novel, but wasn't a bad read. I had a hard time with the rape (trigger warning) so I wouldn't want to read it again.

I really liked this one. Surprisingly it was chosen as a BOTM pick and really thought they wouldn't choose this. Definitely worth the hype, loved the true crime podcast element. Wish there would have been a trigger warning.

As a fan of true crime podcasts, I was eager to read this book as the main character Rachel is covering a rape trail for her podcast. While covering this trial, Rachel finds a note on her car from someone named Hannah begging for help to solve the mystery surrounding her sister Jenny's death many years ago. The plot follows both of these storylines of the current rape trial and finding the truth behind Jenny's death. Really great storylines that handle the topic of rape well, especially the emotional aftermath for the victim. It also shows how the system is very difficult for rape victims to find justice. Well written, suspenseful and thought provoking.

Reminscent of the Brock Turner case but with a twist. I think most women felt a surge of rage at the outcome of that case and this almost feels like a small fictional redemption. I loved the podcast style of writing, I was immediately hooked!

I up so late reading Night Swim, I fell asleep reading it. You guys, I had a dream that I was in the book. Crazy, right? I’ve never experienced this before, but I think it was because I needed answers. I hope I’m not the only one that has dreamed about a book. 😂 Night Swim is definitely up in my top 5 favorite books of 2020. There were so many elements in this book that I loved. It reads like a podcast, which was really neat. I wish I would listen to it on audio. Also, there was courtroom drama, tons of lying, and secrets. I have no criticism, I thought it was fantastic. I hope theres a sequel soon. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND reading Night Swim, good luck trying to put it down.

I loved this book. Very suspenseful. Loved the podcast episodes and how they were part of what was happening in the plot of the story. I highly recommend this book if you like mysteries and in particular psychological thrillers. The action begins at the very beginning of the book and it left me wanting to read more. It was a quick read and that really appealed to me as it is hard finding time to read.

Suspenseful, complex, heartbreaking, well-written. I did get the two cases/victims mixed up at times. And (kinda conversely) I wish the cases connected a little more. But overall, this was a good read.

Thanks to the publisher for a free digital galley via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.