Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of The Night Swim in exchange for an honest review.

I greatly enjoyed last year’s [book: The Escape Room]. It was an unserious romp of a thriller, predictable but entertaining. When I read the plot of The Night Swim—essentially Sarah Koenig from the Serial podcast covering the Brock Turner rape trial, but with the added twist of also investigating a maybe murder from 25 years ago—I mistakenly expected another twisty fun ride.

However, this book is relentlessly serious. The plot line from the past is difficult to read, as the abuse heaped upon teenager Jenny Stills is simply brutal and monstrous. The plot line from the present is a small improvement, as teenager Kelly Moore at least gets to see her alleged rapist tried for the crime, but the emotional toll on her is not much better. And the message of the book could be read as emphasizing that there’s not much hope for rape victims to get justice through the court system unless they’re lucky enough to somehow have a witness who can break the he said, she said dynamic.

It’s not a bad book by any means. The writing is solid, and the shifting presentations—Rachel’s first-person narrative, Hannah’s letters to Rachel, and Rachel’s podcast episodes—keep the story moving. Just go in with eyes wide open that you’ll likely be a bit sadder and/or madder at the end of this book than you were when you started. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

If you are a fan of true crime podcasts, this book is for you! Megan Goldin's new book The Night Swim takes the reader through two mysteries in one. Rachel's new season of her podcast is about a rape trial in a small town. While she's there for the trial, she ends up trying to solve an older case. Will the two cases end up having a connection? This book was an extremely engaging read, and I thoroughly enjoyed. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

After loving The Escape Room last year I was very excited to dive into Megan Goldin’s second book! And I don’t think it disappointed.

The two things I wasn’t a big fan of were Rachel’s seemingly random interest in the letters that very much started off as stalker-esque, and the fact that it took me until about halfway to be really hooked into the story.

Aside from those details, I raced to the end to try to figure out what was going on here. I think the book brings light to some very dark, hard topics and Goldin has an ability to make you deeply feel for her well-written characters. Since we know that child abuse and rape is not just in fiction novels but ever-present in the world, I think she did a great job writing her story around it in a way that helps the reader truly understand.

I enjoyed reading this (somewhat) in sync with my
permanent book buddy Scarlet. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the ARC.

Wow! First of all I love listening to Podcasts especially crime ones. This book has the podcast about a rape trial in a small town. Then there is a 25 year death of a young girl classified as a drowning. This book was excellent going between present day, the past, and then you hear what’s on the podcast. 5/5 Stars!!

This is a difficult subject to write about and to read about. A lot of different feelings come to the surface here - helplessness, frustration, heartbreak. The writing was great. Everything felt real and believable and it makes me wonder how often stuff like this actually happens. The podcast was a nice touch, I really enjoyed that aspect. A very solid book. I look forward to reading more from this author.

A thriller that mixes murder, rape, investigation, trial, journalism. The characters are very well portrayed, the main character is endearing and the plot very well tied up. We've got here all the ingredients to nourish and maintain the mystery throughout the book..
I will definitely recommend that book to my students, because it deals with issues, that are part of their teenage lives.
Thank you Megan Goldin, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book. I am very grateful.

'This is Rachel Krall on Guilty or Not Guilty, the podcast that puts YOU in the jury box.'

Two rapes, decades apart...yet somehow disturbingly connected.

The Night Swim is an addictive, yet powerfully heartbreaking and timely story. The chapters were short and engrossing--some told as podcasts, others as letters, and some were simply Rachel's personal observations. It was all so beautifully written, it was a book I simply hated to put down. Megan Goldin is rapidly becoming a must-read author, as I also thoroughly enjoyed her previous novel, The Escape Room.

This one will stay with me for a long, long time.

Recommended to one and all.
Available in the United States on August 4th.

**Many thanks to the publisher for my review copy.

A true crime podcast is the catalyst for success that Rachel has been looking for. The premise of the show is to put the listener in the jury box. The podcast is wildly popular., but Rachel guards her privacy and is startled to get a personal note at a random rest area along an interstate highway.

I don't like to write this sort of thing "out loud," but I didn't like this one.

The Night Swim is billed as a mystery/thriller, but the bulk of it was courtroom drama. And I hate to say it, a pretty dry one. Had it not been for my feelings of obligation to review a book that had been given to me for such purposes, I would not have read past the first couple of chapters. Even still, I skimmed portions of it, including most of the podcast chapters early on.

Here's why:

For a book with such an emotional pull, I felt no sympathy for any of the characters. I'm supposed to feel for Kelly, but she's not really a character, just a plot point. Jenny too. I loved that poor girl, deeply wanted justice for her, but what happened to her--we're beyond the realm of rape. We're into systematic, sadistic torture. And she really felt glossed over to me, with the exception of her sister trying to find out the truth. And rather than feeling sympathy for Jenny, I'm more angry that everyone let this happen to her. We're talking the 90's here, not some archaic time.

You end up hating everyone in this book. Is that its purpose? There are certainly shades of the Stanford Rape Trial here--is the real intent of the book to force you to think about rape in a visceral way? Because I hated all the men in this book. They're either perpetrators or they failed the victims in every way imaginable.

But the women aren't painted any better. They are either willing accomplices (and my God, who scrawls the word "slut" on the tombstone of a girl who's been tortured and killed?) or they are portrayed as weak, accommodating victims (I won't get into everything so as not to spoil some of the plot elements, but Rachel's insistence that all women everywhere live in fear at all times and we've all been at some point, at some level, sexually assaulted, really grated on me). And Heather's letters came off really strange.

All right, so I really hate being so critical of this book. I did enjoy the writing itself--Goldin is strong there, and I did enjoy Escape Room, but this one fell flat for me. I will, however, seek out her other books.

So to recommend or not? You know, I would recommend any book unless it's just trash (and those are out there). The Night Swim is not bad, it just didn't resonate with me. Reading is such a subjective, personal thing. And plenty of people loved this one already. So I'll chalk this one up to not being up my alley.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing this copy in exchange for a review.

This book started slow but by about halfway through, I couldn't put it down. The author handled a difficult subject with a lot of delicacy. I found myself wanting to know more about each of the cases Rachel was investigating, and I appreciated how they converged. By the end of the book I felt very sad, but it was in a way that shows just how powerful of a novel this was.

Just can’t get into this one.. calling it quits at 25 percent. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free copy in exchange for review.

This is one of those well-written novels that is not enjoyable to read. Even if you haven’t lived through it, you definitely have friends and acquaintances and family members who have. Not just the rape but the not being believed by cops and members of the community. Slut shamed because the girl was obviously asking for it. Therefore, you spend the whole book being pissed off that, thirty years after Thelma and Louise came out, nothing has changed except the style of jeans and the way we wear our hair.

Rachel is on her third season of a true crime podcast. Her first two seasons she dealt with cold cases, but this season she’s covering a rape trial live. Rachel wonders why everyone agrees that murder is bad but somehow when it comes to rape, suddenly there are sides to take.

The alleged rape is between a wealthy young man with potential as an Olympic swimmer and a sixteen-year-old girl who is the granddaughter of the former police chief of town. When Rachel gets to town before the trial starts, she gets letters on her car and in her hotel room about a murder that happened years earlier. So, we the readers are turning pages to find out how the current case turns out and also whether Rachel can dig up clues that Jenny, years earlier, didn’t drown like all the records say, but was murdered as her younger sister, who keeps writing letters and emails rather than meeting with Rachel in person, contends.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this novel, which RELEASES AUGUST 4, 2020.

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

I am a true crime junkie and I love true crime podcasts! When I read the synopsis of this book, I knew I had to read it - no questions asked! This is my first book by Goldin and it did not disappoint! I enjoyed it immensely!

The Night Swim tells the story of Rachel Krall who runs the successful true crime podcast - Guilty or Not Guilty. Looking for a new story for her show's third season, she goes to a small town called Neapolis to cover the controversial rape trial of Scott Blair. He is the town's swimming star and is accused of sexually assaulted a high school student, who happens to be the granddaughter of the town's former police chief. While researching and covering for this story, Rachel also has been receiving mysterious letters asking her to look into the death of Jenny Stills which happened 25 years ago in this town. The letters insisted that a murder was committed, although official records stated that Jenny died from drowning. Rachel is determined to seek answers and as she unravels the mystery, she begins to see how the truth may impact everyone involved, including the trial.

What I enjoyed about this story is Rachel's investigations of these cases - Blair's and Stills'. Goldin's storytelling makes me feel like I am solving the cases together with Rachel. The complexity and twisty turns of the cases just kept me turning the pages! It's absolutely riveting! I also enjoyed the courtroom drama. It's been awhile since I read a legal thriller, so I truly enjoyed this part of the story. What is absolutely intriguing about this book is the podcast chapters! It's so refreshing and different from other thrillers I've read. It is brilliant!

This is a fast paced story and very plot driven, which also means that there is not a lot of depth in the characters. Since there are two cases in this story, I have to admit that I was confused at times and it did take me some time to get used to it.

Overall, this is one intense, suspenseful read! Heads-up though, the crimes in this story are quite disturbing and may not be for everyone. The ending is so good and I loved it! A must read if you are looking for a great mystery/thriller!


Pub. Date: 4 Aug 2020

***Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the gifted copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All views expressed in this review are my own and was not influenced by the author, publisher or any third party.***

4.5 Stars


Rachel Krall has drawn fame from her podcast Guilty or Not Guilty that allows her listeners to be in a virtual jury box to draw their own verdict. Season Three will be focused on a controversial rape trial in the small town of Neapolis. Neapolis is a community where everyone knows everyone, and when the town’s “golden boy” is accused of raping a high school girl, a line is split down the town. Rachel knows doing a rape trial my cause stressful and emotional triggers to her listeners, but she feels that it’s important for them to hear both sides. What Rachel didn’t count on was receiving a letter from Hannah…a letter with a plea for help in finding justice for her sister Jenny Stills, who had a “drowning” accident 25 years earlier in the same small town. Between the trial and the notes left by Hannah, Rachel starts drawing her own conclusions…and as she follows the bread crumbs Hannah leaves, she soon discovers that not everything is what it seems…

Megan Goldin has written a dark and emotional thriller that will keep you turning the pages desperate to find out what really happened to Jenny Stills…



**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

"To tell you the truth, I don't get how we can almost unanimously agree that murder is wrong, yet when it comes to rape some people still see shades of gray."

The story follows a successful true-crime podcast host, Rachel Krall, covering an ongoing trial for rape in a small town while being drawn by a mysterious letter into the town's past and the mystery of a girl's death almost two decades before. The parallels between the two rape cases here serve as a unique outlook on how some things never change especially in a small town where everyone knows everyone enough to make one malicious word about a certain person spread like bushfire and condemn that person to a label that leads to a horrible fate. As a result, this story becomes a timely investigation in rape culture, small-town politics and judicious systems that, in many cases, do not deliver a modicum of justice.

The podcasts chapters I was especially fond of. It added a layer of social commentary that I would have found otherwise intrusive and clogging if it wasn't done with such finesse that made me look forward to the next podcast. The brevity of the podcast and Rachel's character offered a suitable leeway for reflections on how rape, rape victims and the various degrees of sexual assaults women encounter are perceived. Had this been a real podcast, it most certainly would have been addictive. But my stomach started to tie in knots in the chapters covering the victim's testimony and what the long-ago victim must have suffered. If this is the kind of effect it has on me, a reader, I wonder what it was like to write about it--hell, I wonder how it was like to live through it alone then relive it as one try to render it as an objective account among total strangers to judge.

The story is also multifaceted; not only does it explore the shady areas between consent and rape, but it also explores the legal tricks and theatrics used by lawyers in court to paint what is clearly black or white in a darker/lighter shade of gray, thereby swaying tenuous opinions in favour or against a certain point, swaying it enough to convict a victim and free an assailant. Not only in the courts of the legal systems but also in the court of public opinion.

Thank you, NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the ARC.

Oooh this book is very good. If you loved The Escape Room, you will love this book. I will have to caution you that this book talks very heavily of rape and it goes into a little too much detail for me. I would say 75% of this book is about two different girls getting raped. Part of the book is about Rachel Krall covering the court case of Scott being accused of raping Kelly. The other part is about Rachel investing Jenny Stills murder (she was also raped). This book is very heavy, but very well written.

Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for my ARC for my honest review!

I really enjoyed this new book by Megan Goldin. It is my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. Her writing flows well and her plot lines are easy to follow. The story itself is highly engaging and interesting. Overall, a great read!

The main character, Rachel, hosts a podcast that follows criminal cases and explores the guilt or innocence of the people on trial. In the third season of her podcast, she chooses to cover a rape trial. While attending the trial, she also encounters an unsolved mystery from the past that she works to unravel. These two plot lines weave together seamlessly. I enjoyed following Rachel as she delves into each criminal case. The letters from the elusive Hannah reveal an intriguing and also upsetting story of a horrible crime from the past. While reading, I felt great compassion for the victims in this book. I feel that Goldin presents the topic of rape in a sensitive manner.

The structure of the story is well thought out and cohesive. The chapters alternate between narrative about Rachel and the trial, letters from Hannah about the crime from the past, and podcast episodes in Rachel's voice. I like the alternating structure. It keeps it interesting. I never found myself getting bored with the story. I always wanted to continue on to the next chapter.

This is a truly engaging and enjoyable crime mystery/thriller. I would highly recommend it to those that enjoy the genre.

Another formula book again not for me. It’s like many others like it court room, murder, rape. Nothing that interesting or unusual

Thanks for letting me read it however

Amazing! I read Escape Room last year, so I really wanted to read this title. The Night Swim is even better than Escape Room! The plot is a lot stronger, and even though there are a few viewpoints throughout the story I never felt confused or like I couldn't follow the different threads.
The ending was perfect - neat enough that I felt satisfied but it didn't feel like I'd been duped throughout the story. I look forward to reading more by this author!

4 stars. I couldn't put this book down. I wanted to know who killed Jenny more than I wanted to know how Kelly's trial was going to turn out. The writing was easy to follow and I loved the back and forth between the past and present, but through the eyes of Jenny's sister, Hannah. The secrets and lies and cover ups were too much to bear.
This book deals with the harsh reality of rape. It was dark, but not too dark that you wanted to close your eyes. Megan put just enough detail to pull you along without turning you off.
If you like court room dramas then this is the book for you. It will have you on the edge of your seat. Even though I like court room dramas, I've gotten bored with them recently. That is one reason I gave this book a 4 star review. The creativeness of the author twisting together two crimes 25 years apart was ingenious and kept you turning the pages.
I loved the ending. I loved who did it (even though I guessed it). I liked Rachel's crime podcast, but I cant put my finger on why I didn't fall in love with this. Maybe it was the topic of rape that is so disheartening (nothing to do with the way the author wrote about it), but in general.
I think its just that I am tired of reading court room dramas that lowered my rating on this one.

#netgalley #thenightswim