Using the podcast format alternating with Rachel's perspective, and the letters from Jenny's sister, Hannah, this book has multiple perspectives on the current trial, and a murder which never made it to a courtroom.

Seizing the opportunity to raise awareness of Jenny Stills death, based on Rachel's success in overturning a conviction, Hannah leaves letters in places where Rachel is staying, stopping off for coffee etc which is not only intensely creepy, but also highlights her desperation in reaching out to Rachel.

The tragedy of Jenny's life is laid bare as it contrasts with the public, media circus of the case which Rachel is covering. The abduction and rape of a local girl by the son of a well connected townsperson, illustrates that those who report sexual assault, and those who don't, are treated with disdain, disbelief and results in tarnished reutations at best, death at worst.

Ostensibly ruled a suicide/accident, Hannah is sure that Jenny was murdered. As Rachel explores the way that the townspeople are talking about 'K' , the annonymised girl in the case,she sees direct links to Jenny's story. Both were seen as 'asking for it', Jenny for going for 'the night swim' of the title, with people basically assuming this young girl going swimming at night asked for, and got, the 'wrong' kind of attention, whilst 'K', chucked out of a house party for kissing the hosts boyfriend, was left with little option to walk home alone, in the dark, and accepted a lift from someone unknown to her.

Themes os sexual assault, justice perceived to be done and reutations ruined are explored as 'K's' life is torn apart, whilst the boy accused of rape is seen as just taking what was offered to him on a plate. Jenny, coming from a single parent family, constantly looking after her younger sister whilst her mother was working around the clock, is seen as the product of her background, her death a mere accidental footnote to a tragic life.

The ones on trial are the girls-Rachel's podcast aims to put her audience in the the jury box, and her USP for her season 3 is an ongoing, current trial, rather than a cold case, but as can be seen from her terse interactions with the family of Scott Blair show how difficult it is to remain impartial.

Poverty, social standing and justice are not happy bedfellows as the general public seem torn over whether what Scott did is a crime or not-the girls themselves seem to be held to account in  ways that boys are not, an age old tale that is accurately reflected in Hannah's impassioned letters. That we are living in the 21st Century and the 'asking for it' excuse is still used to excuse the bad behaviour and actions of men, whilst destroying the emotional and physical health of the girls involved speaks to the lack of successfully prosecuted assaults, the numbers of assaults reported to those which make it to trial, let alone the sheer, unestimated number of those who feel there is no point reporting them at all.

The strain of attending a real time trial at the same time as recording a podcast and investigating Jenny Stills is so well conveyed in how Rachel connects with these cases. She recognises the constant threat that is posed to women, the way they become bit parts in the story of their assualts and rapes, and is justifiably angry, as is the reader. That it is known and accepted that women and girls will be castigated for taking 'the wrong route home', wearing too short a skirt, having anything to drink is held as rationale for making yourself vulnerable to assault is just unthinkable, and rage inducing.

As you read, you are desperate for Rachel to uncover what happened to Jenny whilst simultaneously being worried for her as whoever is leaving letters knows exactly where she is staying. The invasion of her privacy, no matter how well intended, puts shivers down this reader's spine.

An engaging and thoughtful mystery, in a very modern framework of a podcast, I found the chapters flowed so easily that it was hard to put down.You wanted to get to the next letter, to bear witness to Jenny's story, find out what happened next, burn with rage for 'K' who is every girl who has ever been taken advantage due to being vulnerable and then ruined. It's a very interesting read which I would recommend to those who enjoy that slow burn, the building of tension through the pages and a very keen eye on social issues of justice being seen to be done versus real life consequences.

The Night Swim, by Megan Goldin, was a 4 star read for me. It had a very unique concept as it followed a true crime podcaster along her journey recording her third season. I loved the pacing of the story. I definitely did not want to put it down, because I was SO curious what was going to happen. I loved the mixing of the two stories and how they came together at the end. The addition of Jenny's story made this book much better. I will say that I predicted the ending, but did like a few of the smaller twists. The ending felt a little rushed, and I would have liked it to go a little deeper. Overall, this was a nice read.

Wow this was really good. Rachel Krall is doing a podcast covering a controversial rape trial, and it intersects with a similar crime that happened over 20 years ago. The trial is riveting, and the arguments were compelling, as was the unfolding story (and it is an important subject). This is the first book I've read by Megan Goldin, but it definitely won't be the last! I love a thriller that also makes me think.

Told between 3(ish) different points of view, The Night Swim is the story of a true crime podcast about a rape trial and a separate investigation into a long forgotten death. I was given the opportunity to read and listen to the audiobook in advance and I was definitely impressed. The story was so compelling and the ending was a surprise, kind of. Not only were you trying to discover if the rape actually happened but also piece together the events that led to Jenny’s death.

The narrator for the audiobook was clear and did the characters well, even when I turned the speed up a bit.

If you like thrillers, this is one for you to pick up for sure!




You can see my video review here:
https://youtu.be/jYMffabNncY

The Night Swim was an extremely heavy, emotional, and POWERFUL read for me and it’s going to stay with me for a very long time.

I don’t like to tell too much about the plot of a book since I have a lot of followers who, like me, choose to know as little as possible about a book before reading it; however, this one needs a little info for some cw: this is about two rapes that take place 25 years apart. The author, Megan Goldin, does an amazing job of enlightening her readers at just how much rape victims have to endure: the rape kit is in itself traumatizing, then there’s the victim shaming, and the unbelievably ruthless court tactics. Goldin manages to do all this, and make you feel so much, all while handling this topic with the sensitivity that’s needed and appreciated. This kind of book, and the two stories that unfold in it, need to be told so people understand what the victims go through.

This story is told from multiple POVs and alternating timelines. While it is absolutely intense, I also found myself not being able to put it down. I had to know how this one ended. I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes psychological thrillers, and to anyone who is willing to read a book to get some insight on what rape victims have to endure. If you have a hard time with sexual abuse topics, then I'd definitely pass on this one.

Many thanks to @Netgalley and @Stmartinspress for the e-galley and opportunity to share my thoughts.

I am sorry to say that this one just didn't do it for me. I thought the story was interesting at first, but honestly I thought it was very slow and I was bored during large parts of it. I did find the podcast chapters interesting, but I thought it was weird that for someone who was supposed to remain neutral, she offered very little facts about the case. It was mostly long commentaries on victim blaming. Now don't get me wrong, I thought her commentaries were spot on and I agreed with all of them. I just thought it weird for her to continue claiming she was neutral while her posts were obviously on the prosecution side. I thought parts of the story had too much detail -- I didn't beed a step by step reenactment of what she did when she got up, for example. I wish the letters from Hannah and the old murder case made up for the lack of interest in the other parts, but it really didn't. I also just thought it too easy that Rachel was able to get all the information she needed from witnesses, even when others couldn't. I also didn't really understand the twist at the end and the person who came forward with information on the case. I won't give any spoilers, but I thought it ridiculous that he didn't come forward much earlier and his reason for not coming forward was a bit stupid. I am flabbergasted no one called him out on it and I was rolling my eyes at the fact that he was obviously protecting the person, but the reader was supposed to feel sorry for him. Umm, no. The guy was awful. I wish I liked this book more, but I just didn't.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin was the best psychological thriller I have read all year! Megan Goldin layers a past crime, a present crime, and a true crime podcast to deliver a page-turning, twisty read. Once I began reading, I couldn't stop! This is a must-read for psychological thriller fans. I can't wait for Megan Goldin's next novel.

This book was very good. I read it in a very short amount of time, however it still took hold of me from page one. I would preface this with a content warning about sexual assault.

Rachel is in Neapolis to cover a rape trial for her podcast, but when she starts receiving mysterious letters entreating her to find justice for Jenny Stills, a 16-year-old who supposedly drowned in a midnight swim years ago, she finds herself investigating two cases - one current, one in the past. But despite the gap in years, it is apparent that some things have never changed in the small town of Neapolis.

While the topic makes this book a difficult read, Rachel's podcast transcripts are fleshed out very well. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the arc.

Have I told you how much I love Megan Goldin’s books? No?? Are you sure? I was raving about “The Escape Room”, I’m sure you have noticed? Well, if you’re not sure, go check my review for “The Escape Room” and read this one as well. “The Night Swim” was a great ride! Let me just tell you why!

Rachel Krall is a journalist. At some point in her career, she decided to turn to podcasting. She likes to make real research on the true crime cases that she talks about in her podcast, which means that she’s looking into the actual police case files, talks to witnesses and maybe even discover a few evidence of her own. As a matter of fact, after an innocent man was set free, thanks to additional evidence Rachel found in the first season of her podcast, she has now become a household name. Her voice is recognizable, but thankfully her face isn’t. Which makes it all the more unsettling when, while being on the road, she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her directly, pleading for her help.

Rachel is heading to the town of Neapolis, to cover a trial which is the main theme of the third season of her podcast. This case has split the town in two, and not only that town. Rachel’s audience is taking sides as well. People are talking of gray lines, where everything should be clear. AS a matter of fact, the town’s most loved young man, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school girl, the granddaughter of the police chief. This case needs her full attention, as she goes through investigation and interviews before the trial begins and then during the trial, watching each and every word that is being said in that court room. She needs to do that and a bit more, if she wants season three to be a success. Rival podcasters are trying to steal as much as they can from her fame and her audience, so she needs to be one hundred per cent focused. However, she cannot. There is a woman leaving letters for her in the most unthinkable places. She will not stop, until Rachel helps her find out what happened to her sister twenty five years ago. The sister that everyone believes was drowned during a Night Swim, while she believes that was murdered.

Two cases that Rachel works in parallel. Two cases in the same small town with twenty five years difference between them. Two cases that seem to be so far apart from each other and yet, as Rachel’s investigation proceeds, they tend to collide.

Rachel is a devoted investigative journalist. She will dig and keep digging for the truth, even if her life is in danger. She won’t stop, until she finds out what really happened. She needs to have all the clues and this is what makes her a great main character. She doesn’t care if this is a cold case or a new one. All she cares is justice and how this can be shared with her audience, so they can make their own minds.

The story is told in two point of views. One is Rachel’s, during which we get to see how she progresses with investigation on both cases, as well as the podcast recordings of her true crime series. The other one is by Hannah, who’s sister was murdered, according to Hannah, twenty five years ago. Bit by bit, we get to know about Jenny and the happy sixteen year old girl she was, before she left her little sister so abruptly. Going back and forth in time, Megan Goldin builds her case on these two crimes chapter by chapter. Along with Rachel, the reader get’s to know about every single detail that could play a significant role in finding out what actually happened. Only that comes in little pieces that have to be put in the puzzle and solve two cases, not one

I really loved how Megan Goldin get’s to talk about taboo crimes and does so in a way to challenge both sides. The rape trial divided the town, but it also got a voice out of Rachel’s podcast. Why blame the victim for not taking more precautions, while she should be able to walk safely the streets of her town? Why blame the victim for spending time with someone and not wanting to have sex with him? Isn’t that her own decision? Do you have sex with every person you have a coffee or a chat with?

I loved the characters, the plot and the narration. I like how the main character tries to be objective and at the same time forces people to think it through and realize that rape is not playing hard to get or faking being difficult. Rape is real! I loved this story and I hope you love it too!

I received a complimentary ecopy from the publisher via NetGalley. The views expressed are my personal and honest opinion.

What a roller coaster of a ride. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will make sure to look for more.
Rachel is a podcaster and she is covering a rape trial. 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.
While this is going on Rachel is receiving letters from someone explaining about her sister's murder years ago that was made to look like a drowning. So we go back into the past in this book as well.
The ending though..... I had a suspicion of someone but I was totally wrong. I could not put this book down.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's for this book to review.

Very rarely does a book make me angry and sad in equal measure. The Night Swim has left me devastated and distraught. The writing is excellent and the story was tremendously compelling but I’m having a hard time recommending it to friends. I know that it will rip out their hearts and leave them absolutely shattered. I finished this several days ago but I could not put together coherent thoughts to write a review and I’m not sure I’ll ever be able to think of this book with a clear head.

The two main plot-lines are set 25 years apart but both deal with the prevalence of rape culture and the vulnerability of teen girls. Society and the justice system have always failed sexual assault victims and we continue to fail them by victim blaming, forcing them to submit to in-court testimony and cross examination, and allowing trials to be more about the reputations of the victim and the accused and less about actual evidence. With most sexual assaults lacking witnesses testimony becomes a matter of he said/she said. If you can finish this story and not be absolutely livid then you are more hardened than I.

This book deals with these serious issues in a masterful way using a fictional podcast and trial proceedings to really get to the core of the story in a very engaging manner. I was riveted and completely involved in the fates of these characters. I was often furious and appalled but I was never bored. This is a really tough book and it evoked a very strong emotional reaction in me. I honestly feel a bit sick to my stomach just thinking about it. I don’t imagine The Night Swim will be for everyone but it packs a hell of a gut punch and I certainly won’t forget it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an Electronic Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley for review.

I finished this one a couple nights ago and really enjoyed it! The Night Swim is about a rape/sexual assault case and Rachel, a podcast host is covering the story. The chapters alternate between the podcast, current courtroom/present narration, and a glimpse into the past where we have an extra mystery because someone is leaving notes for Rachel about a girl who died 25 years prior in the same small town.
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The Night Swim reignited my love for courtroom drama. I am guessing that with the podcast element, the audio for this one would be amazing. The Night Swim is getting a lot of praise and it is well-deserved. Parts are so hard to read as the victim shares details, but I appreciated the way Goldin handled it. When reading from the podcast about what women go through I found myself wanting to scream, YUP. Other content warnings: death of a parent, cancer.

This was such a good book! I read it in one day! The twists and turns!! It is a must read! I would definitely recommend this book!

I am conflicted as I write this review. The Night Swim by Megan Goldin had all the makings of a knock out thriller, but a major part of the storyline did not sit well with me. This one has been marketed as one of the biggest thrillers this summer, which I disagree with because it is more of a legal suspense. The main protagonist, Rachel, is the host of a popular true crime podcast. She is following the trial of a rape case that took place in a quiet coastal town where the victim is the granddaughter of the retired police chief and the accused is a champion college swimmer destined for the Olympics until his reputation is tarnished by the criminal charges. While doing so, Rachel stumbles across a cold case that was deemed an accidental death that has similar markings to the current rape trial.


Does any part of that sound familiar?


If your mind went where mine did, it sounds eerily similar to Chanel Miller's story. That stuck in my mind when I learned this affluent college student was a champion swimmer who then lost all his scholarships and Olympic dreams because he claimed he was falsely accused of rape. This storyline isn't so much a storyline, as it is mirrored after a real event that happened to Chanel and is her story to tell. I could not get past this and therefore, it affected how I felt about the book overall.


What did I like? It is fast paced and you will read it within a few sittings. The chapters switch back and forth between Rachel narrating her podcast episodes, to Rachel investigating a past murder case that happened years prior, but was brushed under the legal rug and deemed an accidental drowning. Rachel is receiving cryptic letters from the deceased kid sister and becomes enthralled with uncovering what really happened. It's an engrossing and quick read.


I did like the overall message of sexual assault, consent, and victim blaming. I liked the tie ins with how the criminal justice system handles these types of crimes and how difficult it is on victims. Rachel makes a comment during one of her podcast episodes that we all can agree so strongly on a crime like murder, yet when it comes to sexual assault and rape, we are divided. This conclusion is startling and true. The law treats rape differently than it does other crimes and, in this case, there is a victim alive to tell their part of the story. But when a victim is murdered, the blame is not placed on them for the death. The double standard is outlandish, but also our current reality.
That message was great and what I took out of this book. What I didn't like, was the similarities to Chanel Miller's story. We could have done without the rapist being a collegiate swimmer from a wealthy family. The similarities just rubbed me the wrong way.

This is a wow story. I could not put this down. It was sometimes difficult to read because of the talk about rape. This story handles what happens from the rape to the trial. It can be hard to read about. I love how there are really two cases in this town. One is from the present and the other from the past. There are great characters throughout. I received a copy of this book from Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press fir a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

Wow. I just finished and that’s all I can think. Wow. I absolutely did not see the twist coming. The story of 2 rapes, years and years apart, was incredibly heartbreaking. For both girls. This book definitely tackled very tough subjects. But it was done in such a way that was thought provoking. There were times when I would have to stop and think about what I just read. It is so unthinkable that someone could do what was described in this book. But it happens. Every single day. The detail in the book was so vivid, I felt like I was in the court room. I felt like I was a pod cast listener. This book needs many trigger warnings. And if you are easily triggered, I do not recommend it. But if not, this is a must read.

5⭐️
There were so many good reviews of this book, so I decided to start reading it without really knowing much about the plot. Wasn’t expecting some of the heavy topics, but I would highly recommend it as a mix of a thriller and a book to make you think.
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CW: rape
I usually choose to read thrillers because they are fast paced and easy to binge. However, this one I enjoyed for other reasons. First of all, there is a whole season of a crime podcast written into the story. (Which hello, any My Favorite Murder fans out there?!) Second, there are two mysteries being solved in the story: the verdict of a rape trial, and the suspicious death of a podcast fan’s sister, which happened many years ago. Third, I love a legal thriller, and enjoyed all the dynamics of being in the courtroom for parts of the story.
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Fourth and most importantly, how Megan Goldin discusses the rape trial, and how it reflects how survivors are treated everyday in real life. The man was a swimmer, white, affluent, and a student in college... hmmm ring any bells? Notice any parallels? The survivor in the story was tormented with questions about if she had been drinking, why did she act a certain way, why did she not act a certain way, and so on. The story shows how this trauma can present itself, and how it is virtually inescapable during the long process of the trial. This thriller was heavy, but oh so important. Also, along the suspicious murder from the past story-line, I did not expect that twist!
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Thank you so much @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an early e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
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Have you read this one? What were your thoughts⁉️

The Night Swim is marketed as a thriller but it is so much more than that. I'm sure most of you are familiar with the plot of this one since it's been everywhere lately and it is a current BOTM title. To say this is a hard read would be an understatement but it is also such an important and timely read. We follow two stories: the trial of Scott Blair and the murder of Jenny Stills. While both stories initially seem different, they come together in ways that you wouldn't expect.

While The Night Swim is a mystery/thriller, the main focus of the story is rape and sexual assault. The social commentary of this story is so important and refreshing. Through both stories we learn why women don't come forward to tell their stories and what horrible injustices they face when they do. This is a harrowing and dark tale. I give Megan Goldin so much praise for writing a story about such a difficult topic but making it captivating and hard to put down. The truth is that this isn't just a made up story. What transpires over the course of this story is real, raw, and haunting. It happens to women of every walk of life. It's a haunting story because it hits close to home for most of us and that's really what sticks with me upon finishing this book,

I really enjoyed the way in which this story is written. Alternating between Rachel's point of view, her podcast, and Hannah's letters, the difficult subject matter is made easier to read and the story more captivating. I'm always down for a story that involves a podcast!

I highly recommend The Night Swim if you're a fan of courtroom thrillers or thrillers that dig a little deeper. While having completely different stories, this story vaguely reminds me of A Nearly Normal Family, one of my favorite books of last year. If you haven't picked this one up yet, please do. It's such an important read.

4 stars.

4 stars! This is a review of the audiobook and kindle version. I received a digital copy for review from NetGalley first, then requested the audio when NG began offering audiobooks more recently.

Rachael Krall has a true-crime podcast with a lot of followers. It is very popular and people know her for her voice. The plot involves two murders...one in the past. One today. Are they connected? Rachael heads to a small town to cover a rape trial for the third season of her podcast. Someone reaches out to Rachael ( a note on her windshield ) asking for help in solving her sister, Jenny's murder. Some big secrets are going to come out.

So different from The Escape Room which I really didn’t enjoy, tho I had many friends who did. I highly recommend this and want to thank NetGalley and the publisher for a digital edition to read...and later the audiobook..which is outstanding! Excellent narration!