I loved this book, and woke up in the middle of the night to read more! It centers around Rachel, who is a household name based on 2 years of doing successful podcasts on murder trials, and is now traveling to Neapolis, NC to cover a rape case for her 3rd season. She starts receiving letters from Hannah who urges her to also look into Hannah's sister Jenny's murder in 1991 in the same town, which was ruled as an accident. The chapters alternate between Rachel, Hannah, and a transcription of Rachel's podcast about the rape trial.

This story is great because it has not one, but two mysteries to solve, and the author really draws in the reader to care about them both. Rachel is human and understandable, not wanting to do something stupid but also driven by curiosity- I feel like I could completely empathize with her decisions throughout the story. The podcasts about the way rape cases polarize people were really compelling; the way both sides of the story were presented gives the reader reasonable doubt on both sides.

I especially enjoyed the mystery surrounding Jenny's fate, though it is horribly sad. The author did a great job suspensefully laying out the details of the situation through Hannah's letters to Rachel- I couldn't wait to see what really happened. I figured out who the culprit was literally right before Rachel did- what a great job of bringing all the pieces together so the reader and Rachel would get there around the same time.

I have gushed about this book a lot, but will add one last piece around the imagery the author elicited around Neapolis, the crimes, and the courtroom- she was able to lay out the details in a way that I could clearly picture myself there, but without going so deep into specifics that would have made the story boring. Even though some of the rape scenes were graphic, the information given was just enough to truly make me understand what it was like to be there without overdoing it. This is a special skill.

I have very little to complain about with this book, but my only small nit is that I couldn't figure out why the prosecutor couldn't manage to dig up any other girl that the defendant, Scott, had had sex with. I kept waiting for him to pull out a believable witness who could say one way or another what Scott was actually like, but it never came.

In a nutshell, I would strongly recommend this book for those who like mysteries and courtroom dramas- this was a fantastic book that will stick with me for much time to come. I think that this book will be memorable for many readers who like the same kind of books that I do. I am going to go back and read Megan Goldin's previous book as soon as I can.

Thanks to Netgalley for providing me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I had a difficult time getting through the beginning of it because it seemed a little disjointed. But then I got through the last half in a day!!! When all the pieces started coming together wow!!

The social commentary on rape and the rape case was so important. I just finished reading Know my Name by Chanel Miller and it really reminded me of that. The accounts of sexual assault were haunting.
The combination of switching narratives to podcast to courtroom was wonderfully engaging.

This one will stay with me a while. I love it!

4 stars

I really enjoyed this book. As a fan of all of the murder-based podcasts AND a well developed thriller, I knew that this could work nicely for my creepy tastes.

Often, I felt like the podcast angle got pushed aside. Despite the short episode interludes and presenting a frame through which to do the research, the podcast isn't as much of a focus - especially as the novel progresses - as I thought it would be at the start. By the time I got to the end, this component felt more extraneous to me than essential, and that's something I think a mindful editor could have (and should have) corrected.

Another minor point of concern I experienced was the few times that rapists and survivors/victims of rape and sexual assault are described in binary gender terms. It would have been useful to hear some acknowledgement - even casually - that all kinds of folks can and do inhabit either role.

What DID work well for me in this novel is here: (1) the simultaneous stories (the historical rape and potential murder of Jenny Stills and the contemporary trial on behalf of Kelly Moore) as well as (2) the clear message that rape and sexual assault have life-long and widespread impacts. On the first point, though these story lines do feel a bit distant at first, I think they are woven together quite nicely (if, in some ways, too predictably) by the end. Regarding the second, it's not lost on me that so many of the works I'm reading lately center on this topic. Calling all rapists and perpetrators of sexual assault: STOP.

One final point I must mention is how much I dislike the final scene. I also found this literally exact final moment too predictable, and I didn't love the message I saw clearly in the symbolism. Since I'm keeping this spoiler-free, I'll leave this point nebulous, but there was a missed opportunity.

Overall, I really like the sentiment, the flow of the simultaneous stories, and the somewhat vacuous persona that the main character, Rachel, has. It's easy to step into her shoes since she leaves a lot of space for us to do that.

An intense gripping story that was very descriptive . I felt a real connection to the characters. At times I felt quite mad at the possibility of nothing happening to the accused.
I have read the author’s previous book and was excited to get a copy of this one. It doesn’t disappoint and is just as good as her previous one. Definitely recommend!

This is a very different kind of mystery where the past comes back to have a dramatic impact on the future. It is about "boys being boys" with a license to rape and destroy a girls reputation with society's help. The double standard that we are fighting so hard to end today is really addressed in this story with a shocking ending.

I really enjoyed this book! The Night Swim by Megan Goldin is full of suspense! It is a story about a small town rape trial, and a podcaster
that goes to cover the story, and while she is there starts getting anonymous letters from someone wanting help solving an old mystery. I definitely wanted to find out what was happening.

I received this ARC from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review

**Thank you Netgally and St. Martin's Press for an e-Arc in exchange for an honest revie

Rachel arrives at a small town to investigate the rape of a teenager girl by an 18 year old swimmer. She's a podcaster and wants to get the whole truth. Years ago, another girl named Jenny was also raped and mysteriously died.

Trigger warning: obviously for rape. And it's presented pretty brutally.

I can tell this was inspired by Serial, Sadie and the famous Brock Turner case. I think this was a good read, very quick. The story isn't a typical thriller in that most is done through Hannah's letters and the courtroom drama as opposed to it unfolding organically. The podcast element is fun and I like seeing more novels use this element in the story. It gave the story an organic vibe and Rachel made choices that made sense.

4/5 stars.
I think it was a good read but it wasn't really a mystery/thriller. It's more a contemporary watching rape cases in a town unfold. i would recommend it to fans of Serial, Sadie and courtroom dramas. This would be a great beach read (or potentially a great summer audio book).

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, and Netgalley.
I don't know what I'm Earth possesses me to request things like this.
Maybe, the reviews of my Goodreads friend's? Maybe the popularity of the author? I haven't a clue.
So really, take this piffling review with a grain of salt.
I didn't like it. Obviously. That's all I'm going to say. I never should have even tried to read this. I'll give it 3 stars, because many liked it.
Just know that some stories should come with trigger warnings. This is one of them.

Reading The Night Swim by Megan Goldin will take you through so many emotions. It is equal parts sadness, anger, fear, and hope. The book follows two stories in the same town that occurred twenty-five years apart. The present day story involves a true crime podcaster covering the trial of an accused young rapist. The other story set twenty-five years in the past and told in flashbacks involves the death of a young teenager. The sister of the young teenager has returned to her hometown to seek justice for her sister, who she believes was murdered. She reaches out to the podcaster and asks for her help in getting to the bottom of what happened the night her sister died. The podcaster begins to help investigate and soon finds parallels to the current trial she is covering.

What I liked: The story opens with a chapter that hooks you in immediately as you wonder exactly what happened to the young girl who died twenty-five years ago. It is told from the perspective of the younger sister Hannah and leaves you with so many questions that you want to keep reading to get the answers. I feel that the author did a great job of moving back and forth from story to story and weaving them together. I think early on the reader knows that there is a connection, but the author keeps you guessing on what that connection is. I also liked how in the present day story, the author took you through the events leading up to the crime in small doses. She would pause in the narrative and leave you wondering what happened for a couple of chapters before continuing with the story. This was also effective at holding the readers interest and making you want to keep reading. I will say that while the book contained very sensitive themes, I enjoyed the fact that the language was very clean throughout. I actually can only recall one instance of foul language in the entire story. And since I am a huge critic sometimes of book endings, I will say that I felt the author did a great job at wrapping up the story and giving the characters (and the readers) closure. I would even enjoy a sequel involving the podcaster Rachel and her next trial.

What I didn’t like: I don’t know that there was honestly anything I disliked. Except possibly for the crimes themselves and what happened to the young girls in this story. However, that has nothing to do with the actual book and the writing itself. The author, in my opinion handled a very sensitive topic well. She makes you consider how these types of crimes are viewed in society. And about how society in general treats both the accused and the accuser. She also makes you think of how events in the past can shape the future. And unfortunately how these crimes affect the both the victims and their families.

Overall, a very well written plot with some surprise twists at the end. Some things I guessed, but others I did not see coming. I will warn people that it is somewhat graphic during the present day story and during the trial itself. So while the language is fairly clean, the subject matter may be too intense for some readers. Especially if someone has been a victim of this type of crime or knows someone who has been a victim. However, I think the book is worth reading for the way it makes you think about how victims are viewed and treated.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book!

This book did not have me on the edge of my seat like the Escape Room. It was much slower paced and did not have quite as interesting characters. It is the story of a rape trial in a small town, where people have their own secrets. A podcast writer is attending the trial of the town's golden boy. She keeps receiving letters that want her to look into a possible murder. I laughed when I read the final paragraph, don't miss it.

I was sent an advance copy of Megan Goldin’s The Escape room and was blown away! When I was granted an early reading of her new book, Night Swim, I expected something similar....I was wrong! This novel is full of rich rich characters that drive the story. Rachel, a podcaster covers true crime, she is covering the jury trial of a rape in a small seaside town. Hannah wants Rachel to cover/solve her sister’s murder that happened 25 before in the same sleepy town. Told through Rachel’s podcasts and Hannah’s letters, the story is fast paced. I could hear Rachel’s voice as I read her words. This book is amazing! Some might pass it off as another #metoo tale, but it is much more. Suspense, heartbreak, redemption.

The Night Swim is a fantastic book that tells the story of two rapes that happen 25 years apart in a sleepy seaside town. Megan Goldin handled the delicate topic so gracefully and respectfully that as a survivor I have great respect for. The idea of a true crime podcaster covering the current trial all while trying to figure out what happened 25 years before. I am crossing my fingers that Megan Goldin will keep Rachel in some of her future books because I really connected with her character. I highly recommend The Night Swim. I will draw you in and keep you engaged throughout.

For me personally, The Night Swim, was a tall, dark, stiff drink to swallow but totally worthy of 5stars. It shines a spotlight on just how life-changing, vile, brutal, and ultimately criminal, the act of rape is. The Night Swim further reinforced and gave limelight to why many victims, such as myself, remain silent rather than seek justice.

In the book, Goldin speaks fluidly of the palpable stigma that victims of rape face. She teasingly pulls you in with small methodical yet rhythmic waves of progression; then before you know it - BAM! You find yourself swept under the rapids and drowning in the tsunami that makes The Night Swim 5 stars.

I really enjoyed this book. I am always a fan of mysteries! This book was thrilling and kept me on the edge of my seat!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own

Wow, this book was a lot heavier than I expected. I didn't know much about the plot, but I was a fan of Goldin's Escape Room, so was excited to read her next book! The plot deals heavier with rape, so if that's a trigger, I might recommend steering clear of this book, but it was a fabulous story that I ended up enjoying more than Goldin's previous novel. As a podcast fan I always like that angle in fiction stories as well. Four and a half stars for a book that really dives into reputation, influence and how rape is handled. I think this would also make an excellent book club selection.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! No spoilers. Beyond amazing I enjoyed this book so very much. The characters and storyline were fantastic. The ending I did not see coming Could not put down nor did I want to. Truly Amazing and appreciated the whole story. This is going to be a must read for many many readers. Maybe even a book club pick.

Megan Goldin has another hit on her hands with The Night Swim! I devoured this book page by page and was so enthralled that I didn't realize the time when I finally put the book down. I was so lost in the story that hours went by and I hadn't even looked up. That my friends is s a GOOD book. I highly recommend this one. it's going to be a HIT this summer!

Page turner, with a bit of everything that I love in a good thriller. I enjoyed the courtroom drama, podcast style reporting and the mystery. This book follows a podcast journalist as she covers a current day rape case, as well as attempts to solve a suspected rape and murder that happened in the past. This is the first of Goldin’s books that I’ve read, but I’ll be looking forward to more from her.

This book was spellbinding. There were two stories slowly being unraveled throughout the book making it so hard to put down as you had to find out what may happen next.

Omg this book was everything. I could not stop reading it until the last page. The book is about Rachel Krall who has a podcast called guilty or not guilty in which she investigates criminal cases.
In season 3 of her podcast she decides to travel to the city of Neapolis to further investigate the "Blair trail". A case in which Kelly, a 16-year-old girl, accuses Scott of a swimming boy with a reputable family of raping her.
At the same time Rachel is investigating Jenny's case, a murder and rape case that happened 25 years ago in the same town of Neapolis and the city covered it up as an accident.
I found the book very intriguing from the first page. if you like the mistery/thriller I recommend it 5 stars