A woman, Rachael, is working at her second season of a true crime podcast in which they are trying a young man for rape. He is the son of a wealthy and prominent family in his home town and is also a promising swimmer and potential Olympian. The victim is a 16 year old girl who is extremely traumatized by the whole situation. Rachael is also looking into a previous accidental death by drowning of a teenaged girl a number of years earlier at the request of the girl’s younger sister. Basically this is a step by step procedural of a trial, an investigation and a podcast. It is fascinating and compelling reading with an ending that will make the reader sit up and say “wow”. Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC for an honest review.

The Night Swim
A Novel
by Megan Goldin
St. Martin's Press
Mystery & Thrillers

Enjoyed this book alot! My first book by this author. I received this ARC from Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for an honest review. I would recommend this read.

I couldn't put this book down - the story is suspenseful yet still deals sensitively with a very timely topic. I wish this was a series with each book dealing with a new season of the podcast.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to review this book.

I didn't expect to enjoy this book as much as I did. Rachel krall runs a successful podcast about true crime. When she comes to a small NC town to cover a rape trial, she doesn't know that a case from the past will catch her attention as well. What happens next is a carefully balanced description of two girls, one who died mysteriously and one whose life hangs in the balance of a rape trial. the past and present become mingled as the two converge in an explosive way.

I loved the narrators in this book, but more, I loved that the focus was on the two girls whose entire lives were shattered by being raped. This isn't an easy book to read, but it's a timely one, and I enjoyed reading it immensely. Sexual assault is always a tough subject to speak on, but I felt this book did it well, and let the stories of the girls shine through. Rachel was a great guide through the heartbreak, and I would love to see her story continued as well.

Thank you Net Galley & St. Martin's Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
**
This is a story that is not for the faint of heart to read. Two stories, two rapes- 25 years apart. One seeking justice- one seeking vengeance.
The town of Neapolis wants to keep the past in the past- stop digging around- was the quote of the day when Rachel started asking about a 25 year old case about a drowned girl. Rachel was in town to cover the trial of rape charges against Scott Blair; not dig up a 25 year old case that was listed as a drowning.
Rachel Krall is a Podcast host, who covers controversial cases. For her 3rd season she wanted to cover the trial live, and give her listeners a chance to decided along with the jury if Scott is guilty or not guilty. The details that come out during the trail, but also during Rachel's inquiry into the past is difficult to read; you can feel the pain of the victim, as well as the pain from the past.

The Night Swim is a meticulously laid out novel-ironically its only flaw is Megan Goldin's strict attention to detail, which sometimes takes the plot from meticulous to tedious. But the characters are so engrossing-especially the elusive Hannah-you'll overlook this minor imperfection. When Rachel is sent to the coastal town of Neapolis to cover the trial of a local boy accused of raping a young girl, she learns of an eerily similar case from 25 years before. Rachel is the host of the popular "Guilty or Not Guilty" podcast, and the trial-with Scott Blair, star athlete and son of the richest family in Neapolis charged with the gruesome crime-is sure to bring in blockbuster ratings. The Night Swim also deftly highlights the plight of sexual assault victims. "K" (her name is protected in court and in Rachel's podcast, but in the small North Carolina town her identity is an open secret) is so traumatized by what happened she is reluctant to testify-which will likely result in an automatic acquittal for Scott. The Night Swim weaves the dual cases seamlessly- even though the thread tying them together is so razor thin blink and you'll miss it. The Night Swim is a hard but important read-both rapes are described in graphic detail, and the victim's suffering is multiplied by rumor and vicious attacks on their credibility and reputation. The Night Swim is a harrowing story but Miss Goldin handles it brilliantly.

This was a fantastic story about a criminal Podcaster, Rachel, who uncovers the mystery of a young girl’s death, while covering a rape trial in a small town. Heart wrenching and sometimes difficult to read (those with sexual assault triggers should be aware), this book comes full circle through the eyes of the surviving sister and her letters to Rachel. Untangling years of town secrets, rumors, and judgement, you truly feel the sisters pain of growing up poor in the town who shunned them. In addition to being a gripping story, Megan Goodwin has an absolute knack for details. This story was about starting over, second chances, and saving those less fortunate. The last page of this book ended on a high note and truly left me smiling. I highly recommend The Night Swim for your next read.

Wow, Megan Goldin knocks another one out of the park with her newest thriller!

Rachel is a host of a popular true crime podcast. She is just starting season three which is her first time covering an active trial. Rachel’s listeners will be able to act like jurors in a controversial rape case. When Rachel arrives in the small town at the start of the case, she realizes she has a stalker. Someone is following her around and leaving letters regarding a murder case that happened 25 years ago in this same town.

I was a big fan of Goldin’s last novel, The Escape Room. The two novels are completely different buy both are equally riveting. I love how The Night Swim revolves around a true crime podcast. I found the plot fresh and engaging. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good thriller.

Oh my gosh!!! I could not put this one down!! I finished it 3 days ago and am still thinking about it! Although I can't speak from experience, I felt it painted a very realistic and sad picture of how a rape victim is treated in a courtroom. I really enjoyed the back and forth between the cold Jenny Stills case and the present day Kelly Moore case and also how parts of the story were told as a part of Rachel's podcast. I wish I could give more than 5 stars on this one! I am definitely buying The Escape Room now, as this was so well done. This one will stay with you!

Thank you to NetGalley, Megan Goldin and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

Two compelling crime storylines - past and present - are craftily woven together in The Night Swim. Since I easily, instantly pictured the setting and the cast, I can imagine this being an excellent audiobook (particularly with the podcast episodes). I'll definitely look for more of Megan Goldin's books!

Rachel has a true crime podcast and sets out to cover a rape trial in a small town while also receiving letters about the death of a girl years earlier. The letters are from Hannah, who believes her sister Jenny was murdered and wants Rachel to look into it. This book was emotional at times as it deals with rape and its aftermaths on everyone involved. I liked the ending and how the two cases were tied together. Good, solid book!

Enjoyed "Escape Room" & love true crime podcasts, so this book was definitely at the top of my "To Be Read" list. This book kept me captivated from the beginning. A suspenseful thriller kept me wanting more.

If you enjoyed "The Escape Room"; you'll enjoy "The Night Swim"

4.5 stars

I love true crime podcasts, and I love mysteries, so this was the perfect book for me!

Rachel is the host of a popular podcast, and is covering a controversial rape case for her third season. En route to the tiny seaside town, Neapolis, someone leaves a message on Rachel's windshield, begging her to solve the murder of a teenager girl. The crime took place decades ago in the same sleepy town, and the girl's sister begs Rachel for resolution.

As Rachel investigates, she finds startling evidence that the murder was covered up. Worse yet, there seem to be connections between the cold case murder, and the crime she came to Neapolis to report on.

I enjoyed Goldin's Escape Room, and I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery as well. Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC.

This was the first time I read one of author’s books. I will definitely be reading her first book “The Escape Room”.”The Night Swim kept me captivated from beginning to end, There were two stories running parallel throughout the book that make the reader query when and if they’d ever connect. Sexual Assault is the topic explored in this fictional book and the method of exploration by the author has quite a different and intriguing spin to it.
I highly recommend the page turner book that will raise societal questions as you delve into the plot.

I was not emotionally prepared for how this story was going to make me feel! As I sit here and try to formulate my thoughts, one thing I know for sure is that this will sit with me for a long time. Rachel is a podcaster who is in town to follow a rape trial of a young girl for the next season of her podcast. At the same time she receives messages from another woman, Hannah, who is wanting Rachel’s help to solve the murder of her sister 25 years ago. The Night Swim is told through Rachel’s point of view, her podcast sessions, and through the letters left by Hannah. Each page peels back layer after layer of secrets, tragedy, fear, and the truth. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this story. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC!! Thank you to Megan Goldin for writing such an amazing book!

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rachel is a podcaster who discusses trials. For her third season she decides to follow a rape trial rather than investigate past trials. This takes a her to a small town in North Carolina, where a young girl is accusing a well know swimmer of rape. Additionally, a 16 year old girl, Jenny, was murdered in the same town 25 years ago but it was called an accident. Her younger sister never believed it was an accident and though various notes, asks Rachel to investigate.

This was a totally engrossing novel that I finished in just over a day. After throughly enjoying this author’s previous novel, The Escape Room, I was excited to read this one and I have to say, I think this one was actually better. I couldn’t flip the pages fast enough. I would love to see Rachel in future books but even if that doesn’t happen, I will be in line to read whatever this author comes up with next. Great read.

This was a solid thriller that I had a great time reading. The characters were well drawn, and the storyline flowed seamlessly. Would like to read more books by this author.

When I saw that author Megan Goldin was publishing another book this summer I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. While I try to read my ARCs in some kind of order when I saw the book summary of The Night Swim I couldn’t wait…and I am so glad I didn't!!

After reading a lot of "thrillers" I have been let down way too many times to get super excited. Rarely is there a book in this genre that feels like a completely fresh perspective while also being completely captivating and moving. This book had it all, mystery suspense, dual timelines, and a story pulled right from today's headlines.

Goldin introduces us to the main character Rachel Crall, who is a podcast investigative journalist. As someone who devours way too many true crime podcasts, this was right up my alley. Not only was this the perfect way to tie in the storylines but it was absolutely riveting.

Crall is following a modern-day sexual assault trial when she gets pulled into a crime from the past in this same small town. These interwoven themes and storylines worked perfectly together and the ending was both surprising and satisfying.

I loved that while this was a fast-paced ride there were so many thought-provoking moments and quotes. The moments of "gray" spoke to me so much and are just part of the many reasons why these cases are so complex.

Often books in the mystery/thriller genre are enjoyable escape reading but rarely stick with me long after I have finished them. Goldin's ability to handle this topic with such an insightful manner made this a 5-star read for me. I can't wait wait to share more about this book closer to its publication date and I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy. As always, all opinions are my own.

I quite enjoyed reading this book. I liked how it was covering a current trial while investigating an old crime and running podcasts all at the same time. It was entertaining and plausible too, in my opinion. It does deal with rapes and sexual assaults, so if that triggers you, you may wish to skip this, but it wasn’t graphic and I felt it handled the situations well without the shock value many authors use those topics for. This was more of an awareness from a victim perspective.

Thank you #NetGalley and #StMartinsPress for this ARC ebook.

Rachel has a true crime podcast that has made her famous. For her third season, she heads to the coastal town of Neapolis to cover a rape trial. A young college student and Olympic level swimmer is accused of raping a 16 year old high school student. At the same time, Rachel begins receiving notes that tell the story of a similar case from 25 years ago.

Both stories were compelling. The story from the past was parceled out slowly. The present day story was more of a court room drama.It repeatedly reminded readers how hard rape cases are to prosecute. I was left feeling angry at a justice system that favors the rapist over the victim.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest opinion.