The Night Swim tackles rape and the stigma attached. This story is heartbreaking. I felt angry and vulnerable as I read this book. The two rapes twenty years apart are at the center of this story. Rachel Krall comes to Neapolis to report on the rape trial of Scott Blair. He's accused of raping a high school student. The town is in turmoil over the case. Some blame the victim and some the defendant. What is the truth? I don't usually read books that focus on rape, but Megan Goldin's writing pulled me in. The mysterious death of Jenny was told in bits and pieces by her heartbroken sister. I couldn't put this book down until I knew what really happened. I wanted justice for Jenny. I doubted that would happen. Power triumphs over truth. When I finished The Night Swim I felt emotionally drained. I had my answers but there was no reason for celebration.
I received a copy of this book which I voluntarily read and reviewed. My comments are my honest opinion.

This book had me shook!

I loved the Escape Room and couldn’t resist the chance to read Megan Goldin’s new title. This was such a brilliant, enthralling memorable read. It is well written though it’s the kind of story that you can’t really say that you enjoyed because of the heavy themes.

At the center of the story is a rape trial. Megan Goldin tackles the subject of rape with so much sensitivity and respect. Without taking attention from the unfolding drama, she posed some very important questions about rape. One question that has stayed with me is about the divisiveness of rape. Murder is straight cut but rape sparks so much debate and more often, victim blaming. People do not often ask what the murder victim had done to ‘warrant’ being killed. However, they do ask about rape victims. What were they wearing? Why did they put themselves in such situations? This book sure did make me angry. It made me confront the injustices of rape and think about the victims. It also made me think about the justice system especially when it comes to rape victims testifying. There is a lot to be angry about.

The idea of podcasts is not new to me. I am yet to listen to any podcast though I have read other books that feature them. Never before have I been captivated by a podcast like this. I was so eager to follow Rachel’s podcast and enjoyed reading the chapters covering her reporting. They were so intense and suspenseful. Other narrative styles used in this story include flashbacks, letters and of course, the present narration. All were equally good. I was captivated by each one right from the start.

This book got to me. I was drawn in right from the first chapter. I loved and loathed the setting in equal measure. I loved the idea of the ocean and beaches but I wasn’t a fan of the small town’s residents and the evils that took place there. I loved so many of the female characters especially the Still sisters, K and Rachel. I wanted to hug them so that we could cry together. I also admired the MC. Her strength, astuteness and determination to get to the truth was a joy to read about. This is one book that I couldn’t stop reading although at the same time, it turned my stomach a couple of times.

Night Swim is a complex book to review. A captivating yet tough read. This book, phew…it certainly was something else and I mean that in a positive way.

Rachel Krall's podcast has blown up. Now in its third season, Rachel has worked hard to make sure she delivers the kind of programming and content that her listeners crave. Which is why she's traveled to the tiny town of Neapolis.

Neapolis is the site of an upcoming court case that has literally split the town. A golden boy has been accused of rape and everyone has an opinion. Rachel strives to be impartial, sharing the facts as they're presented, but when she's approached by a woman who all but begs for help in solving her sister's murder, Rachel finds that being impartial is becoming more and more difficult.

The murder in question is over two decades old and has nothing to do with the current trial, but similarities between the victims are impossible to overlook. And that case from so long ago is starting to haunt Rachel. As she splits her time and focus between the two cases, she begins to realize that Neapolis is hiding some very dark secrets!

I will admit that I had high expectations of The Night Swim, given how much I enjoyed Goldin's debut, The Escape Room. And I'm happy to say that this book did not disappoint!

Rachel is on her way to Neapolis when the book begins. She's on her own, thanks to an accident that has left her producer, Pete, hospitalized. Being alone isn't really a concern except that Rachel's podcast has grown more and more popular with each season. But it's her voice people recognize, not her face.

At least that's what she thought.

Before she's even arrived, Rachel has been spotted by someone. A woman calling herself Hannah has left Rachel a note on her windshield. In the note, the woman asks for Rachel's help, claiming it's the third time she's done so. She's desperate, that much is clear to Rachel. But Rachel has a job to do—a trial to attend and a podcast to put together. She doesn't really have time to investigate a second crime.

Plus, she's used to people asking for her help. And she's only got so much she can give.

Still, something about the letter intrigues her. She finds herself drawn into the case in spite of her reservations. And as it turns out, there's something to the case after all.

The small town setting is perfect for the kind of dramatic story that Goldin has built. And interspersed between chapters of Rachel's investigation and her attending the court case she's actually in town for, are episodes of the podcast and Hannah's letters.

Weaving together so many different threads can be a precarious thing and it doesn't always work, but Goldin manages it quite well. I never felt pulled out of the story or anxious to get back to any one part. I thought the whole thing worked and flowed so well together that the narrative moved along at a great pace.

I was attracted to this title by the high reviews. Sadly, not for me. I thought the characterization and suspense were well-done, but ultimately found the subject matter too unpleasant. Personal threshold.

Oooo this is a good one folks!

Rachel Krall is the voice behind the very popular podcast Guilty or Not Guilty – the podcast that puts you in the jury box. She has traveled to Neapolis to kick off her third season by featuring a rape trial that is about start. Upon her arrival to Neapolis, Rachel receives a mysterious letter from Hannah. Hannah prefers to keep her identity a secret, but she is desperate for Rachel to look into her sister (Jenny) and her death twenty years ago.

I loved the use of a podcast throughout this book! It was incredibly life-like with the use of music and a couple of other creative liberties that were done to really bring it to life.

Rachel is a great character! She is smart, inquisitive, and driven by the truth. Hannah’s story is so sad. She very slowly reveals the story of her sister through letters and emails. I was surprised it took so long for Rachel and Hannah to meet in person, but I think the fact that Hannah remained such a mystery to her egged her on to keep digging and unearth the truth about what happened to Jenny.

I was juggling listening to this book and reading another. Every time I would start to read my other book my mind would drift back to this one. I finally caved and decided to exclusively listen to this one so I could finally learn how it all would all play out.

This is my first book by Megan Goldin and I cannot wait to read more!

Thanks to Netgalley for my copy.

The small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing and investigating―but the mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places.

Oh what a fabulous clever book this is. A reporter doing a live podcast following the trial of the town future prospect is such an emotive subject right now. This was clever, engaging and with an interesting cast of characters. Who to believe?

This is an emotive intense thriller covering not only a current case but a historical one from the same town.

Rachel, who hosts a popular true crime podcast, is trying to up her game. Thus, she travels to a small town to cover a trial live. Once there, however, something strange happens. She begins finding notes from a fan, Hannah, on her windshield. This leads Rachel to begin looking into a cold case, a fifteen-year old mystery involving a girl who drowned but whose sister, Hannah, is convinced she was murdered. Hanna tries to pull Rachel into the cold case. The two cases are similar, and Rachel begins to work them both. The story does provide a lot of good information/perspective on how rape cases are handled, as well as on the culture that surrounds them. Often, one’s social standing, coupled with community knowledge, understanding and credibility of the raped as well as of the rapist becomes important, which I had not really thought a lot about before this book. I found the cold case murder/death part of the book to be better done than the real-time trial. This is definitely a topic that can use more explanation of as well as more discussion, especially today. I received this from NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Rachel Krall is a successful true-crime podcaster. Her podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty" features people believed to be wrongly accused of a crime. For her upcoming season she is covering a high profile, small town rape trial where an Olympic hopeful and has been accused of raping the granddaughter of the town's police chief.

In the midst of the trial Rachel finds a disturbing note on her windshield from a young woman named Hannah who claims her sister Jenny was murdered 25 years earlier and that the case was covered up, it was ruled as an accidental drowning. Hannah is begging Rachel to look into her sister's case which has haunted her for so many years. It appears that there are many similarities in the two cases both in this small beach town.

The subject matter of rape is a tough topic so readers should be aware of this before deciding if this is a book that they want to read. It's also a story about memory, secrets, cover ups and the justice system. It's all rolled up into a page turning mystery and courtroom drama. Told through Rachel and Hannah's third person POV, where Hannah slowly reveals her late sister's story and Rachel's coverage of the current courtroom rape trial plays out.

The characters were well explored, I felt Hannah's pain and the emotional trauma for what she witnessed and for what had happened to her only sibling Jenny. The author does a very good job tying the two similar stories together; well done overall.

This book will stay with me.
Bold. Daring. Real. Integrity. Dignity.
A young girl is sexually assaulted on her way home from a party. A true crime podcast personality visits the town to cover the trail months later.
As she investigates, a 25 year old death is brought to her attention. Hannah is still seeking justice for her sister's death.
This book does an amazing job exploring the complexity of rape. Victim blaming. Archaic definition of rape- must involve some sort of weapon. Ongoing violation of not just the rape- the rape kit, reliving the trauma via filing report, trial, media, gossip.

I was so looking forward to reading The Night Swim. I loved The Escape Room and was hoping I wooed love this one as well. I'll be honest, I didn't love it and I'm not completely sure I liked it. In The Night Swim, Rachel is a True Crime pod-caster who is in town to cover a rape trial of a high school student. While she is there, she gets letters from someone who wants Rachel to look into a death that happened years before.

There was a twist at the end that I didn't guess, but it wasn't enough to save the book for me. Rachel was just kind of a boring character. She felt generic to me. I was more interested in the story that is told to us through the letters Rachel received. The other thing I wasn't a fan of was the way author wrote every male in this book. I understand what she was trying to do by making the rape trial a parallel to a recent real life trial of a college student who got a slap on the wrist , but it was just over the top. Every single male in this book was either a pig or woman abuser. Really? Not all men are like that and to pretend otherwise is disingenuous. It was annoying and got old.

It's an OK mystery, but not thrilling. I found this one slow paced and not all that interesting. I didn't even really love the podcast excerpts that were included. I think I'm in the minority when it comes to this one. So, give it a try and see for yourself.

I was able to read this book thanks to NetGalley. I absolutely loved this fast paced thriller told both in the present but also in the past. It was wonderfully written and emotional. I was extremely invested in the characters and I couldn’t put it down. I loved the ending. I highly recommend it to all thriller lovers. Thanks again to NetGalley for the chance to read this one!

First things first – I loved The Night Swim. I thought it was topical (as so many books are in these post-#MeToo times), and I enjoyed the dual time story, moving between the current court case Rachel is reporting on for her podcast, and the comparable story she gets dragged into of Jenny, from 25 years previously, and her sister Hannah, still searching for answers to what happened all these years later. Both stories grabbed me – it wasn’t a case of one being much stronger than the other, as is sometimes the case in dual timeline stories.

I have a real weakness for books set in small town America, where everyone of consequence knows everyone else, meaning no-one is truly neutral. The ghosts of the past always haunt the present in such novels, and in this book (like some others set in places like this) it’s a case of the reader trying to figure out who the person from the past is now.

Interspersed in Rachel’s investigations are her podcast episodes, relating the results of her investigations into the court case, and letters from Hannah, tantalizingly left for Rachel, describing what happened that summer all these years ago. She was only a child back then, and some things were beyond her understanding. The fact that her family were poor, and that their mother was dying of cancer, make Jenny – who’s trying to shield her younger sister from what’s going on – even more alone and vulnerable as she attempts to hide what’s happening to her from the rest of her family. She’s alone, with no one to turn to, and so perfect prey for the rich, entitled boys of the town. Her family’s status also makes what happened to her much easier to sweep under the carpet, and for any perpetrators to walk away under the protection of their richer, more powerful families.

Meanwhile, in the present day, it’s a straightforward he said/she said court case that Rachel is reporting on for her podcast. The defendant has a huge amount to lose – not just his liberty. He’s a talented swimmer and could be in line for a place in the next Olympics team, as well as a place at a prestigious college. Again, he’s from a rich and highly influential family who can afford the very best legal representation. Will the prosecution be able to prove their case beyond reasonable doubt if these two people are – as is nearly always the case in rape trials – the only ones who saw and heard what happened? There are some great courtroom scenes in this book which will keep you turning the pages rapidly (I do enjoy some good courtroom drama too!) It’s a book with lots happening – boredom will definitely not be an option! As for one of the reveals at the end – what really happened to Jenny? Who, if anyone, was responsible for what was deemed to be an accidental night-time drowning? – well, it was a satisfying and unexpected twist (and not the only one…) And will the town’s great athletic hope escape justice by buying his way out of the accusations against him…?

Megan Goldin is a hugely talented writer – I gulped this story down, grabbing every spare minute I had to keep reading and discover what happened, both now and 25 years ago. I’ve already bought her very well-reviewed debut novel, The Escape Room, so much did I enjoy this follow-up. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into that one soon, and will be looking out for her future works. Meantime, if you read this polished, very of-the-moment novel, I do hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Highly recommended.

Wow! This was a great book. It was written from the perspective of a podcaster which was interesting to me. I have never listen to podcast, but I am going to check them out. The subject matter was dark and disturbing. I really liked the way the story came together but using a trial, the podcast and some letters from a fan. I knew it was going to all connect, but it took me a while to figure it out. The book was fast paced and hard to put down. The only thing that was a distraction was how everyone opened up and told the podcaster all the secrets and information she was looking for even with her being a stranger. It was necessary to keep the book moving, but totally unbelievable. This is the first book I have read by this author, but I will definitely have her on my radar for future books!

I love a thriller and this one was full of interesting twists. Not just the kind of thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat, but also a riveting account of what sexual assault victims endure beyond the event itself. Megan Goldin's story was beautifully done. Both captivating and thought-provoking, this book will be one I think about for a long long time.

Sorry I have been able to get to this book yet, but unfortunately due to this years troubling events my reading mojo has deserted me. Once it returns I will certainly be reading this book and updating my review.

My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Content Rating: 18+
Genre: Contemporary, Fiction, Suspense, Mystery
Published: August 4, 2020, by St. Martin's Press

Megan Goldin has hit the mark again with her new book The Night Swim. After reading her previous book, The Escape Room, I knew I had to read her latest book. The Night Swim is a twisty suspenseful story spanning twenty-five years, with two dueling narrators. The first narrator is telling her sister's compelling horrific story the other reporting on an equally sad story. Throw in some courtroom drama, a gripping podcast, and a few disturbing mysterious letters, and you have the makings of a book that will keep you glued to its pages.

In The Night Swim, Goldin tackles an age-old issue that societies have been struggling to deal with, rape, and I commend Goldin for taking on this issue. I feel she does an excellent job of showing both sides in this book, without letting us forget how important it is to believe women without the victim-blaming and shaming that is sometimes associated with rape cases.

"It's a calculation women make all the time…Women, girls, we make these decisions all the time. Convenience versus safety.
Most of the time things work out fine.
Occasionally something terrible happens."


The story seems relatively straightforward. Rachel Krall's very successful true-crime podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty, leads her to the small town of Neapolis in North Carolina, where for the first time, she is not covering a murder trial, but a rape trial. Even though Rachel Krall is a strong, intelligent woman with a tenacious sense of right and wrong, I liked how the author had her go through a trek of self-discovery of how difficult it is for women to speak up when they have been a victim of rape. Rachel is a newswoman who seeks the truth no matter who it may anger or where it leads her.

"The prosecution needs to prove that the victim did not consent. That's tough when it's "his" word against "her" word."

"The trauma of testifying is one of the main reasons why so many rape victims opt not to testify and why so many rapes are never prosecuted."

"I'm Rachel Krall and this is Guilty or Not Guilty, the podcast that puts you in the jury box."

The accused, the town's golden boy, is on trial for allegedly raping the police chief's granddaughter. There are lots and lots of secrets in this small town, and not all are what it seems. When Rachel starts receiving letters, in very unusual ways, that describe a murder that happened twenty-five years ago, things become even more complicated. Rachel soon begins to wonder if these two crimes are somehow related to one another. But that's all I will say about that. 😉

The Night Swim is a fast-paced well-written book that kept me reading and kept me guessing to the very end. With her compelling writing style, Goldin makes this book relatable and thought-provoking. She addresses the subject of rape with care and sensitivity. The characters are complex, believable, and endearing, which enhances the story and makes it unputdownable. I highly recommend this book if you like memorable characters and a story that will keep you on your toes.

* Please note the quotes in my review are subject to change once the book is published. *

** I kindly received this galley by way of NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Megan Goldin. I was not contacted, asked, or required to leave a review. I received no compensation, financial or otherwise. I have voluntarily read this book, and this review is my honest opinion. **

<b>First and foremost: this book contains graphic rape scenes. </b>

Like others, I went in expecting an edgy, tension filled thriller and what I got didn't fit the bill. Instead, The Night Swim is more of a slow build crime novel. Don't get me wrong, you'll definitely feel tension (how could you not when the book centers around the brutal rape of 16-year-old girls); however, not the kind I would describe as "nail-biting."

On that note, this book and its reality is downright intense and heartbreaking. The story line is lived in real time, as we bounce between Rachel's True Crime pod cast: Guilty or Not Guilty, the courtroom, and the past. Ms. Godin puts the focus on rape and its repulsive culture. She takes no prisoners when it comes to the very real and raw facts of victim blaming in our society. A society where the victim is the actual one on trial, while the suspect is instead the victim.

<b><i>“I don’t get how we can almost unanimously agree that murder is wrong, but when it comes to rape some people still see shades of gray”. </i></b>

This quote is the epitome of this book and the world we live in. Rape is bone deep. It is life altering. There should be no shades of gray. There should be no victim blaming. The victim should not be the one on trial, determined immediately guilty by her peers.

The Night Swim will lead you on an emotional roller coaster. At times, I felt like I was derailing off the track with the crazy feels I had. There will be so much anger, pain, disgust, and disheartenment that you'll wonder if you 'll make it to the end. I almost DNF'd a couple time. The anxiety I felt became overwhelming at times. As a mother, I grieved for these girls and the thousands like them. As a woman, I grieved for these girls and the thousands like them. I felt gutted and defeated by the merciless treatment of our victims. Especially since this piece of fiction is in actuality non-fiction. I cried so many tears from the soul wrenching degradation and depravity.

Ms. Goldin wrote a powerful, thought provoking and tangible novel that gets under your skin. As I stated earlier, the scenes are descriptive and vivid. They'll stay with you. If this is a trigger for you, I would give this book a hard pass. Outside of the slow pacing, it was beautifully written as two stories interconnected as one. This tough, sensitive subject was handled with the upmost respect and care. I admire the author for going outside the box and writing about such a controversial subject matter.

I really look forward to reading more books by this author in the future.

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It took me close to a month to get through this book due to the heavy content. If rape/abuse is a trigger for you then I would not pick this book up. That being said, I found the first half of this book to be a bit slow but once I got to the 40% mark I was hooked. This story is told by Rachel who is a true crime podcaster and is attending the trial of a rape case. Upon arriving to the small NC town in which the trial is being held she starts receiving letters and emails from a sister of a victim that passed 25 years prior.

With two story lines being told I thought the author did a wonderful job of intertwining them so that neither felt outlandish to the overall plot. More than anything, I think this book opened my eyes to what the victim had to endure during the trial and having to defend herself as if she were in the wrong or lying about that night it happened. I am quite sure this is similar to real life rape trials and this makes me sad and frustrated. I will forever think of this book and the characters who played a part in it.

A big thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for allowing me to read and ARC of this book!

The Night Swim is a slow burn mystery/suspense story that I very much enjoyed, but also found sad and upsetting in parts. The issues within regarding rape victims and how the judicial system, media, and society handle such cases is timely and deeply disturbing. I enjoyed the mixed narrative from Rachel interspersed with the transcripts from her podcast. I always like a good courtroom drama, and the trial parts I found interesting. I enjoyed the way it felt like the reader was along for the ride, and I had no idea where it was going or how it would end. Ultimately, I felt the most emotional impact of the story came from the letters from Hannah. The author does a good job of slowly but steadily connecting past events recalled by Hannah into the present day action. Keeping me from a five star rating was the limited character development. If continued as a series (I felt that vibe at the end), I hope for a deeper dive into Rachel or a meaningful link for her to the story line. After thinking more about the book once finished, I feel Rachel as the main character was more the conveyance of the narrative and less driving the narrative. Overall, I liked this book and would definitely recommend. It will stay with me for a while.

This is an example of the perfect thriller! The Night Swim really ticked every box for me. The crime was topical, but not overly graphic. The twists were unexpected and jaw dropping.
The Night Swim follows podcaster Rachel as she delves into season 3 of her hit show. The crime is ripped from the headline. A rape trial. Golden boy and Olympic hopeful or sadistic rapist? If that wasn't enough another case fall into Rachel's lap. The two seemly unrelated crimes twist and turn as the rape trial rocks the small coastal town.
Fans of Serial will love this fictionalization of the true crime podcasting world.