The author has expertly weaved the stories of two rapes which occurred in a small town 25 years apart. Rachel, an investigative reporter, is there to cover the trial of the young man accused of the crime for her podcast she does with her partner. While there she gets pulled into the other crime by Hannah, the sister of the other victim, who has been haunted this for a very long time. The novel was very well written and kept me engaged throughout. This is my first book written by this author but definitely won’t be my last. #TheNightSwim #MeganGoldin #NetGalley

It was a well written book, had lots of potential but sadly it did not hold my attention. It was slow paced and drawn out. I believed it to be something else when I read the description. I am into faster paced books, with more of a police procedural subject matter.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read the advanced copy of the book.
#netgalley

After reading Megan Goldin's novel The Escape Room, I was excited to read this book. This one definitely doesn't have the same nail-biting 'what's going to happen next' feel like that one did. It was a slow burn and had a lot more legal/courtroom drama than thriller. There were 2 crimes that the main character, Rachel (a podcast/reporter), was trying to piece together in a small town. One was the murder of Jenny Stills from 25 years ago and the other was the rape of a 16-year-old girl that Rachel is reporting on in her podcast and is what brought her to the small town.

I enjoyed the writing style and the author's ability to draw you in to the drama. Although it was a slow burn, it still was a quick read for me since I enjoyed the characters and the story.

I liked this book better than I expected to when I first opened it and realized it's similarity to Gilly MacMillan's latest with the podcast narrative. It was really engaging and told an intriguing story; I couldn't put it down. The characters were realistic and well described. I didn't really feel the title was appropriate, though. I also would have liked to see more closure for Bobby and Dan Moore's family. I will definitely look out for this author again.

As a fan of true crime podcasts, I couldn't wait to read Megan Goldin's latest book. In it, Rachel Krall, one of the nation's top true crime podcast hosts, finds herself in a small coastal town to cover the rape trial of a local girl against one of the town's shining stars and a potential Olympic competitor. Before the case even begins, though, Rachel starts receiving disturbing messages about another case from the town's past. Twenty five years ago, a girl named Jenny drowned... but her sister is convinced there's more to the story. As this book follows the injustice committed against two young girls, you'll experience a myriad of emotions over the atrocities that changed the town forever. This book is incredibly well-written, haunting, heartbreaking and a really heavy read. Read it... but queue up a light-hearted beach read next!

As a mystery this book delivers, it checks all the boxes and then some. Having said that, it also broke my heart. It is so much more, it touches on so many pressure points. There were characters that were deplorable, some were honorable and others were tragic. Hannah and Jenny stayed with me for days.

I have to admit, when I first started reading, I almost put it down. The author made a habit of using the character's name way too much and it was driving me crazy. It wasn't, "Rachel knew she was wrong and she wanted to fix it." It was, "Rachel knew Rachel was wrong and Rachel wanted to fix it." It was almost like the author couldn't keep the characters straight without that reminder for herself but it was very irritating as the reader.

But I pushed past it and it turned out to be a good read. Intriguing, decent mystery, some suspense. Two different crimes, during two different time periods, and I wanted to find out the outcome of both.

I did feel like I really knew what happened with Jenny, it was really just a matter of who and why. Right around the time I felt like I knew what had happened and the book was just trying to drag it out, a new twist or two were thrown in. They weren't super surprising, but enough to keep me reading.

The present-day crime felt very true to life, based on a very similar real crime.

I also felt the way the book was written did a great job of highlighting the differences in how things are today compared to how things were in decades gone by. The way people would look the other way, cover up crimes for people they knew, and pretend not to know what was happening to someone or multiple someones.

I feel it could have been a tighter book, maybe some more suspense thrown in, but overall, it was a good read and worth the time.

This was an extremely well written story. An excellent thriller that also deals with deeply tough subject matter in a sensitive fashion. I loved the multiple POV mixed in with the main character’s podcast transcripts – it kept the story moving and the book flew by for me. I think the author did a great job of portraying the repeated trauma that sexual assault survivors are subjected to not only during the assault, but afterwards if they choose to report. This story will stay with me for a long time, and I’m impressed at the author’s ability to write so beautifully about a sensitive topic but still providing a great thriller.

To be honest, The Night Swim made me very uncomfortable at times – but that’s part of why I think the author did such a great job writing this story. My only complaint is that the ending felt a bit rushed, but it was satisfying. Highly recommend this book! Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC of this great thriller.

A truly tragic story that is well told and keeps you guessing until the end.

Guilty or Not Guilty podcast is the brainchild of Rachel and her producer Pete. Rape is a controversial topic. Making ii the focus of her third podcast, Rachel Kroll finds herself reporting on one trial and investigating a 25 yr old case ruled an accidental death. Rachel finds herself pulled between both cases. Investigating and reporting have dangerous side effects as plot twists rapidly increase the tension.

Surprise ending left me breathless.

This is a terrific thriller for fans of twisty suspense. I love how at times I felt like I was listening to the podcast. The various narrators and narrative devices are very clever. I also enjoyed how Goldin told two parallel stories, both very suspenseful. This is definitely a page turner and Goldin is quite talented. The ending, while not 100% "satisfying" or "happy," is absolutely well deserved and fits the well-crafted narrative. I would definitely read more by this author. Recommended for fans of domestic suspense and mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to read The Night Swim!

Starting with the plot, there were definite moments of excitement and my attention was captured the entire length of the book. Between reading Rachel’s podcast chapters, letters from Hannah, and Rachel living through the trial and solving Hannah’s old case, it’s almost impossible to not want to keep reading more. The only real issue was the gruesomeness of some of the raping scenes. Though the author doesn’t explicitly explain every act of the rape scenes, there were moments that I could easily fill in the blanks and it left me pretty disturbed. I feel a person who’ve had this horrific/traumatizing experience would want to stay clear from this read because I can see it be being triggering. There’s nothing wrong with what the author did, but it was just very unpleasant to read.

On the other hand, the need to know what truly happened to Hannah’s sister years ago and the conclusion of the Scott Blair trial did keep my attention. I kept trying to guess how the two cases connected. I will admit, though I had many theories, the ending result wasn’t what I thought. Having an unsuspecting outcome was a nice way to bring the two cases together.

When looking at the characters, I felt there was only one who truly showed growth and whose background was built the most. That would be Hannah due to the nature of the letters she shares with Rachel. We learn about the days leading up to the night of the death of her sister, and even the thoughts and feelings she expressed during the present storyline. Learning how the two cases connect did bring some light into some present-day characters. However, these characters weren’t necessarily the main ones. Rachel was the one telling most of the story, but we don’t really get to know her very well and I found it a bit challenging to connect with her. She was more of an outsider looking in and the one to navigate both Hannah’s sister’s case and the Scott Blair trial. Due to the focusing on the two cases, perhaps it wasn’t necessary to learn more about Rachel, but it was something that I noticed.

Overall, The Night Swim was definitely a quick and fairly captivating read, but it was one that lacked much character development. I would recommend this read to those who enjoy reading an unsolved case where one person is trying to solve it. Also, I would recommend this to those who aren’t triggered with rape scenes.

Wow! This is a very intense book and talks about a very sensitive subject with details. You can actually feel the pain! Sexual assault is shown in the most horrible way possible in two different cases and two different girls. Cases that happened 25 years apart but are connected in a way that you can't imagine. This book is going to hunt me for a while, and the feeling of crying comes every time I think about Jenny Stills. This book was very well written and it's rich in details and if you ever went through sexual assault (not just rape itself) or know anyone that has this book might be way too painful for you.

Rachel Krall has a successful crime podcast called "Guilty or not Guilty" and she goes a to small town in the North Carolina coast to cover a rape case but she didn't know that the town had other secrets or that its past would connect to the new case. When Rachel starts receiving letters from Hanna Stills asking for justice for her sister murdered years ago, she decided to give her best to found out what happened in that summer night of October '92. And what she finds out is so intense and painful and the seek for justice for both girls becomes even more strong.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review

FIVE STARS!! I absolutely devoured this one. I loved Megan Goldin’s first book THE ESCAPE ROOM and was so excited for this one. It’s even better!! I’m telling you there is NO thriller like this out there (and that’s coming from someone who reads nonstop thrillers😂) 🙌🏼🙏🏼. The storyline is so fantastic that I didn’t even feel the need for a killer plot twist. That NEVER happens!

Thank you SO much to Netgalley and St Martins for the early copy. This is easily one of my top reads of 2020 ❤️

Normally I’m not a fan of podcast based stories but this one kept me interested throughout the book. The cat and mouse game between Rachel and Hannah keeps the story moving really fast. The small town setting with a beach backdrop and small-town life where everyone knows everyone keeps the mystery in the book refreshing. There is an unfortunate sexual assault that occurs that is somewhat similar to something that happened decades ago. And Rachel is investigating both the cases simultaneously and it is interesting to see if they intertwine at any time.

I did like that this was based in North Carolina and made me miss the ocean quite a bit right now. Trigger warning regarding rape as it is mentioned a few times in this book so readers will need to keep that in mind if sensitive to it. The grief that the victim goes through in this one is mentioned in a really detailed way that will make the readers feel really gutted.

Definitely a good book that handles both the mystery part very well and deals with some very serious issues in a perfect sensitive way. The two parallel storylines are handled in a really interesting way.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for my advanced reader copy!

*Trigger warnings for rape, sexual assault-- prevalent throughout the entire book. *
I really enjoyed this thriller and read most of it in one day! I had to get to the ending ASAP! Like many thrillers, this one had alternating POV's which always helps me read fast. I think the author did an excellent job of intertwining the present with the past, and the case from 25 years ago. I knew things would be connected in the small town, but it took me awhile to figure out exactly how. I will say I guessed most of the big reveals, but not till a bit later in the book. I still enjoyed seeing how it all played out though. Definitely would recommend this one, so check it out when it's released 08/04/20!

Hooked. From the very first chapter I was completely hooked.

I've read Megan Goldin before and really enjoyed that book but The Night Swim just brought it to a whole other level. I have a feeling this author is going to become an auto buy for me.

I'm so thrilled that this was another great book by Megan Goldin. I really enjoyed The Escape Room, so when I saw this was coming out I was immediately interested. I was totally invested from the first page. I loved the theme of reputation and how that, as well as privilege, can shape how you are "valued" by society. This is real and oh so relevant more today than ever. The book delves into this theme and how it blends with rape culture and what that means for our generation versus previous ones. If rape is something that triggers you, then maybe steer clear of this one because it definitely hits hard with the graphic descriptions. With that said, Goldin handled the subject with the utmost compassion and executed it beautifully. There were two mysteries going at the same time in this book and that sounds like a lot, but really it worked. I love true-crime podcasts and I enjoyed how parts of the book were told in the style of the podcasts, much like the book Are you Sleeping. I don't want to go into more detail about the plot as I don't want to ruin anyone's experience, but I will say that I think Goldin is a fantastic writer. The book is a slow burn, but the character development and suspense keeps it moving and the end of the book is hard to put down. I enjoyed this and will continue to read Goldin's books for sure.

My Thoughts
I was honored to review an ARC of The Escape Room by Megan Goldin back in January 2019 and I absolutely loved that book. As soon as I noticed her upcoming book was available on NetGalley I immediately requested it and was approved! This book is simply phenomenal, but be aware the story does discuss rape and abuse in a very raw and real way. Here are my pros and cons for The Night Swim:

Pros

1. This book tackles a very tough and polarizing topic and I thought the author addressed the issues delicately and compassionately.
2. The author’s writing style is amazing! Much like The Escape Room, I was drawn in, mesmerized, and completely engrossed in this story from the very first page.
3. I loved the parallel storylines! Rachel was following a current event (rape trial) for her podcast and she was also a bit unwillingly drawn into investigating a past event (officially a drowning, but possibly murder) that occurred in the same town. The story also had a past and present narrative (the current period with Rachel, and the past from the POV of the drowning/murder victim’s little sister). I felt like this book was going in multiple directions at once – and it does! – but it was 100% captivating and written so well that I had no problem following everything. The plot was intricate, realistic, heartbreaking, tense, and honest and the narratives ultimately blended together seamlessly.
4. The past narrative felt so hopeless. We learn about the sisters (Hannah and Jenny) and how Jenny allegedly died. We also learn a lot about their lives and how they were perceived and treated by more well-to-do and prominent people in their town. It almost sounds crazy to say this, but it was hard to read about Jenny and Hannah at times because it made me feel helpless, just like the girls, and it was very emotional to experience. It is an absolute testament to phenomenal writing when I am this emotionally connected to fictional characters.
5. A big part of this book is about perceptions, reputations, and opinions and how they impact how a person is treated, believed, and understood.

Cons

1. I felt like the ending was a little abrupt, albeit satisfying. I honestly think I felt it was abrupt because I was super invested in the characters and their stories and I didn’t want it to end.

Summary
This book will absolutely make you think. It will make you analyze the difference between right and wrong. You will think about how the rich and poor are treated differently in many circumstances. It will make you reflect upon how rape survivors are treated and what they have to endure in a trial, how those accused are entitled to a fair trial and defense (innocent until proven guilty), and how perceptions and opinions cloud everything. This book will also make you understand that what you believe with your whole heart can sometimes be very far from the actual truth.

I will read anything Megan Goldin writes. I am absolutely mesmerized with her books.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for a free eARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

Interesting fact:Nightingale male birds sing at night to mark their territories to find a female mate...⁣
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Night swim was power, emotional and gut wrenching. Two young girls were raped and violated on a beach at night 25 years apart. Their lives were ripped out from underneath them.⁣
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Rachel who is an investigative journalist/podcaster follows the trial of K who was sexually assaulted by a “golden” boy one night in Neapolis. While visiting this small town to report the trial on her podcast. She receives letters from a fan Hannah, who’s sister Jenny 25 years prior was found dead from a drowning, case closed on the same beach. ⁣
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However, Hannah was there and knows her sister was murdered and wants Rachel to dig up the truth. Hannah’s letters to Rachel are heart breaking and difficult to read.⁣
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Rachel’s podcasts following the trial are so well written you can’t put the story down.⁣
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This was an excellent story filled with twists, turns, raising awareness to sexual assault and the trauma victims go through trying to seek justice. It was beautifully and sensitively written. ⁣
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Thank you @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an ARC for my honest review. ⁣
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#bookstagram #books #thriller #crime #TheNightSwim #sexualassaultawareness⁣
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3.5 stars.

Megan Goldin's new novel, The Night Swim, is part courtroom drama, part mystery, part thought-provoking exploration of how horrible society and the criminal justice system treat those who have been raped.

Rachel has gained notoriety as the creator and host of a true crime podcast. While the first two seasons focused on past crimes—and helped a man go free—this time she’s focusing on a rape trial, covering it from the small town where it happened.

The son of the town’s wealthiest family and a prospective Olympic swimmer is accused of brutally raping a teenage girl, the granddaughter of the former police chief. The town is torn apart by the case, with some thinking the girl “deserved” it and is lying, while others think he needs to be punished.

Meanwhile, Rachel, who is known more for her voice than her face, is being followed around town by a woman who says her sister was murdered in the same town 25 years ago, but the police refused to investigate, calling it an accidental drowning. This woman, Hannah, wants Rachel to tell the true story of what happened to her sister, even if it riles up old ghosts.

What will be the outcome of the rape trial? What was the truth behind Hannah’s sister’s death? Rachel will find herself in the middle of both cases, with their similarities and overlaps.

This is a very slow burn of a book and it’s definitely not the thriller Goldin’s first novel, The Escape Room, was. That being said, it’s a compelling and emotional story about rape and reputations in a small town, and the scars we bear.

NetGalley and St. Martin's Press provided me with an advance copy of the book in exchange for an unbiased review. Thanks for making it available!

The book publishes 8/4.