I ended up audiobooking this book after trying to read it and falling short, it really made the story come alive. So many twists and turns along the way

Trigger warnings for sexual assault and rape.

Not an easy read and it does move a little slow in the beginning, but it does grip you. I love that it's told in past and present tense and the added narration through the eyes of Rachel's true crime podcast. The story was bold and I enjoy the authors prose. I am interested in reading her other novels.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing me an ARC of this book. My apologies for taking so long to read it.

I absolutely loved 'The Escape Room' so when the new novel from Megan Goldin appeared on my radar I was very excited and knew I had to get it!

Rachel Krall, a popular true crime podcaster, travels to Neopolis, North Carolina to cover a rape trial in which the accused is the town's golden boy and local hero. Soon Rachel starts receiving letters from Hannah, asking for Rachel's help look into a crime her sister was a victim of 25 years earlier.

Told through 3 points of view (Rachel, Hannah and the podcast transcripts), Megan Goldin expertly weaves together these three narratives and investigations, into an intriguing, gripping and utterly unputdownable thriller. Although at times difficult to read because of the subject matter, this was a highly entertaining read. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing a digital copy in return for an honest, unbiased review.

This. Was. So. Good.

I have had this one on my TBR list for WAY too long. The best news there, is that by the time I read it, there is a second book in the series, which I can guarantee won’t be waiting for me too long.

There have been a lot of mystery books coming out in the recent years with a podcast story line. This has that, but it was done in a clever way. There were multiple stories, but they way it was spread was not confusing at all. I was hooked.

I definitely would suggest this book.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Second time Reading July 2020 Review (4 Stars)
I have to say I enjoyed it a little more the second time around, and I had forgotten some of the twist. I still think the first part moved slowly, but the ending makes it worth the slow moving of the beginning. I know part of the ending because I remember it for the first time reading, but it was still really good. I really enjoyed it. I think this is a solid thriller.

First Review Read March 2020 (4 stars)

I found this book to move very slow for the first 200 pages, but then the last 150 pages had so much going on and fast moving. I did not see it ending like it did. It is a great thriller, and I really liked it. Also have to say I love the cover of this book. I won an arc of this book from a goodreads giveaway, but this review is 100% my own opinion. I want to re-read this before it comes out, and if I do I will update my review.

I loved this book! Thank you for the ARC. Unfortunately, I didn’t realize that I wasn’t leaving reviews on netgalley and was solely sharing on Instagram. My apologies. Huge fan of this author! I actually received the tangible copy.

A gripping read that left me shocked and on the edge of my seat! Megan Goldin has done it again, this time bringing us through the trials and tribulations behind the true crime podcast world and two interwoven stories, years apart! When a small town’s “golden boy” has been accused of rape, Rachel (the well-known voice behind the famous podcast) immediately starts digging into it for her award-winning show. She realizes quickly that someone is following her and leaving threatening notes as she continues to unravel secrets and make connections between the two cases, one which hits especially close to home. A very poignant read emphasizing the damaging long-term horrors and impacts of sexual assault. The writing was spectacular and gripping, leaving me wanting more with each page!

This was such a gripping book. I loved the use of making a podcast. I loved the dual timelines and the different perspectives. The mystery and twist was gripping and I need to read everything by Megan Goldin asap!

I really enjoyed the plot of this, and I love the introduction of Rachel's character and her podcast. To me, some of the dialogue and the letters from Hannah felt a little oddly stilted and unrealistic. And there were small issues that felt unrealistic, like an intermission at a movie theater, leaving prescription meds somewhere in public so just going back and buying more the next day (I have a feeling it would have taken longer than that to get permission to refill all those prescription meds again the very next day), and a plaque getting put up in less than a week after the information on the plaque has been made public. Though they were small things overall, it took me out of it a little. Really enjoyed the story overall though, and the plot was paced brilliantly.

This was such a gripping book. I loved the use of the podcast. I loved the mystery which kept me guessing. I pride myself in being able to figure out the twists in thrillers, but this book kept me on my toes. I want to read more of Megan Goldin’s books!

I am so sad that it took me so long to get to this one. I absolutely loved it from beginning to end! It was tragic and heartbreaking, but I loved the format of the trial and podcast. I can’t say enough good things about this one.

Megan Goldin is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors with her writing! Rachel Krall is a podcaster covering an unfolding rape trial. Due to the success of Rachel's podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty, Hannah has asked Rachel to investigate the death of her sister Jenny. Jenny and Hannah lived in the same town that the rape took place in. Jenny drowned one night, and Hannah feels Jenny's death was never properly investigated and that her killer is walking free. As Rachel begins digging into Jenny's death, some people in this town don't want that to happen. The town is also rooting for the accused rapist, an all star swimmer.
The story alternates with short bursts from Rachel's podcast, the ,current rape trial, and the events of the night that led to Jenny's death, which all leads to a shocking conclusion and twist I did not see coming. I devoured this book, and I cannot wait to read what comes next in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my advance copy of The Night Before in exchange for my honest review! (Oops, I've had this book for 3 years...I am so, so sorry it took me THIS long to read it, I wish I picked it up sooner!!!!!)

Wow. The Night Before opens up with a bang. Laura is plagued by a murder from her high school years that she is adamant she didn't commit (even though not everyone may truly believe her).

Laura moves from New York City after a sudden breakup into her sister's home, in her hometown. She thought she left everything behind and finds herself back here. Laura decides to jump back into dating and her sister, Rosie, thinks it is a bad idea.

Walker takes us through an alternating timeline, Laura in therapy, Laura on her date, and her sister after her date. There were twists and turns and a shocker I did not see coming. When I stopped and reflected on the book, I smiled. It was just THAT good.

I loved the alternating timelines. We hear from Laura in realtime on her date (which was in the past) and then immediately get thrown into the present with Rosie and what is going on there. This kept me hooked and kept me up past my bedtime!!!

4 stars.  SOLID read, great thriller. I never saw one specific part of the book coming...it was a total shock. I love how the book ended and everything came into place. My heart broke a little for Laura, but in the end, I am happy with how things turned out for her!

Megan Goldin returns following The Escape Room with THE NIGHT SWIM, (Rachel Krall #1) featuring Rachel Krall, a former newspaper reporter whose true-crime podcast Guilty or Not Guilty has turned into an overnight sensation.

Set in Neapolis, North Carolina (a small fictional mall coastal beach town), where everyone knows everyone. Rachel will be attending a criminal trial, the subject of the third season of Guilty or Not Guilty, after two successful seasons.

The town is less than perfect, with a dark past.

The plot centers on a rape trial currently unfolding. THE NIGHT SWIM alternates between two narratives—with another case from 25 years before and whether the two possible crimes might be linked.

Currently Rape Trial Case: Champion swimmer Scott Blair will be tried for the rape and sexual battery of Kelly Moore, (also the granddaughter of the police chief), who attends the high school he graduated from the year before. Prosecutor Mitchell Alkins and rock-star defense attorney Dale Quinn agree that the two teenagers had sex on the night in question, but they don't agree whether it was consensual.

Rachel plans to follow the trail on her podcast and puts her listeners in the jury box. Rachel finds the objectivity she's promised her listeners increasingly compromised by her sympathy for Kelly.

She also gets pulled into another case from twenty-five years ago. There is more back story before the trial with notes from Hannah, whose older sister, Jenny, was raped, beaten, and drowned back in 1992.

Hannah Stills was nine-years-old and her sister, Jenny, was the sixteen-year-old sister. She never told anyone what happened that night, but now twenty-five years later, she is ready to spill.

She is confident her sister's killer has not been punished or identified and will be present in the courtroom. Hannah is ready to reopen old wounds to discuss her sister's last night. She says Rachel is the only person that can help her.

What do these two assaults a generation apart have to do with one another? Will Rachel have another winning podcast season and help Hannah get the justice she deserves for her sister?

There are four women at the center of the story.

~Rachel: Podcaster Guilty or Not Guilty. At NC for the trail (Kelly) and Rachel begins to look into the death of Jenny Stills, who allegedly drowned while on a night swim.

~Kelly: Current rape trial. A teen accuses the town's golden boy of raping her. People in the town are angry because they question whether it was rape. She could be destroying the swimmer's life.

~Hannah: Jenny's sister. She was left as a child with memories of what happened that summer and wants Rachel to help her investigate her sister's death.

~Jenny: Jenny was a teenager whose death was attributed to drowning, and never really investigated.

There are many parallels between the cases, and they keep repeating themselves. As women go to trial, they are shunned and made to think it is their fault and not victims when sexually assaulted, as we see often today.

In Kelly's case, she has more support from a prominent family. Jenny, who everyone said had a bad reputation, did not have the same perks or opportunities for justice.

Can you escape your past?

With heart-pounding suspense and gut-wrenching emotions, the author tackles highly-charged topics of sexual assault with confidence, compassion, and sensitivity.

Your heart will go out to Jenny/Hannah, and Goldin casts light on small-town politics and how bias can affect how people view rape victims and their alleged assailants. She also showcases how difficult it is to relive the experience on the stand and be in the spotlight of a high-profile trial. A sensitive exploration of women's silence in the face of trauma and sexual violence.

THE NIGHT SWIM is superb! Part thriller, psychological, murder mystery, lyrical, and courtroom drama. Goldin blends everything seamlessly focusing on how rape culture and small-town politics never really change even as history passes.

I loved Rachel and her attitude and how she went beyond to help a woman find justice for her sister. Thought-provoking, with well-developed characters—makes this a highly recommended read.

I hope we see more of Rachel in the future! YES! She is back in Dark Corners(Rachel Krall #2), Coming Aug 8, 2023. So excited to receive an ARC! #covercrush

A special thank you to #StMartinsPress and #NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pub Date: Aug 4, 2020
My MG Reviews:
Stay Awake
The Night Swim
The Escape Room
#AuthorElevatorSeries Interview
The Girl In Kellers Way

DNF @ 55%

I received the audiobook of The Night Swim for review and was so frustrated by the narrator that I decided to switch to the written copy instead to see if I would enjoy it more. I made it further this time than the first, but the story itself is dark, depressing, upsetting in places. When it’s none of those things, it’s just boring. I ended up abandoning this one as well.

Another one that sat too long in my TBR pile.

Captivating from the first moment, once I actually started to read it, I couldn't stop. Given how popular podcasts have become, this plot is perfect. It's a riveting story that you won't want to put down until you found out who did it.

Thank you Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5152043757

I wanted to love this one based on all the rave reviews, but it was so much heavier than I was anticipating - I’m not sure what I expected! While it definitely had the mystery element, it was not a thriller. Please make sure you have a good sense of what this one’s about for potential triggers before diving in! I did enjoy it overall, but it wasn’t quite what I was expecting.

This was not an easy read as it deals with rape, reputations, and influence. There are two mysteries to follow that are twenty five years apart and come together through the producer of a crime podcast, Rachel Krall.

Rachel's current crime podcast involves a small town and the rape of a high school student. While covering this trial, Rachel starts receiving mysterious letters from a sister seeking justice. These two mysteries will begin to evolve, connect, and shock.

The courtroom scenes were my favorite part of the book. All the drama, calling witnesses and intense moments.

The author does a great job weaving the two mysteries together. Thought provoking and emotional story.

Thanks to NG and the publisher for my review copy.

Major trigger warnings for abuse and sexual assault. I’m not usually impacted by these topics, but I struggled to read parts of this book. Even though parts of the book were difficult to read due to the content, it was well written and will bring up a lot of emotions.

Rachel hosts a true crime podcast and she has a different approach for this season. She is going to attend a rape trial in a small town and give listeners the option to “be the jury”. The victim is a female minor known as “K”. However, since it is a small town residents all know who she is. The defendant is the town’s up and coming star athlete who is projected to go to the Olympics for swimming. While in town for the podcast, a woman reaches out to Rachel about her sister’s death which was ruled an accidental drowning, but she maintains it was a homicide covered up. Rachel discovers parallels between the two cases which causes even more tension in the small town.

Just didn't enjoy it as much as I thought. From the description, it should have been my style, but it was not.