This story is told in several concurrent streams; from letters to podcasts to narrative. Its ok, but does take a little getting used to picking up the threads of one to another.
There are some credibility issues for me about Rachel, and the quality of narrative the letter writing seems extraordinary- I supposed this is the way to keep the story going.
There are many poignant elements- the ignored victim, the privileged and protected bad guy and crushing secrets.
The writing is interesting and keep me intrigued.

A thousand thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing me this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A gripping thriller about a podcaster covering a rape trial and a decades-old mystery in a sleepy, seaside Carolina town.

Right off the bat, I was hooked! The story wastes no time getting going, and it doesn’t let up from page one.

I particularly enjoyed the way the narrative was laid out: Rachel’s third-person present POV is one, Hannah’s letters about the past are two, and then we’re also treated to Rachel’s first-person present “podcast” coverage of the rape trial. Lately, I’ve become wary (and weary) of dual/multiple narratives, but here, Megan Goldin makes it work... and to great effect! I found the pacing done well, the writing clean and efficient, the characters intriguing, and the mystery/mysteries enticing.

Rachel Krall—our podcaster/investigative journalists— is a character I’d love to see more of. She’s clever, pragmatic, empathetic, and tenacious... Goldin also gives us the Producer, Pete, who’s never physically on the page, but there in spirit; Rachel and Pete’s professional relationship is neat and the podcast could (and should) be turned into a whole series (please, Ms. Goldin!).

There is one thing I found slightly incomprehensible, and that is how Rachel’s anonymity remains just that: anonymous. As a renowned investigative journalist and podcaster, you’d think people would eventually find out her identity and what she looks like... because she’s interviewing people and having numerous face-to-face interactions. I didn’t find it very believable that she’d have that level of anonymity in her field. It didn’t detract from the story, but it still bugged me. And then there came a few other instances where I had to suspend my disbelief—that Rachel would overlook something fairly obvious.

This book has left me feeling energized; Having found a worthy crime/thriller after so many mediocre ones is so damn satisfying! While not perfect, The Night Swim had me wholeheartedly invested in the criminal trial, as well as the older mystery, and is certainly worth the read.

I found this to be a gripping novel of mystery plus a very topical subject. The author employed the devise, a novel one, of a podcast investigative journalist doing the newest season following the actual trial of a rapist. Although she says she tries to be nonjudgmental I feel she is clearly on the side of the tape victim. At the same time the sister of a past victim is trying to get her help in proving her sister was murdered to cover up her rape. It sounds complicated and hard to follow but it wasn’t and I found it extremely well done. This one will stick with me and I wholeheartedly recommend it. Brava to Megan Golden for #thenightswim and thanks to #netgalley for the opportunity to read it ahead of publication.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martin's Press for a copy of The Night Swim.

Although this wasn't an enthralling thriller, I'd say more along the lines of an unfolding mystery, it was good.
This definitely takes on a hard topic, that being rape. While there are 2 victims, 2 stories, 2 different timeframe, it's easy to follow along and the doesn't get convoluted.
Overall it was good, though a little ordinary. I wasn't at the edge of seat, but I was interested in the story.
3.5 rounded down.

This was a great read and very timely with the #metoo movement and the Harvey Weinstein trial. I didn't find it to have any particularly intriguing plot twists and don't know that I would consider it much of a thriller but definitely an enjoyable read and left me hoping there would be a sequel with the same protagonist.

This is a riveting novel about two stories, years apart--one a controversial rape, and the other a suspicious drowning. Protagonist Rachel hosts a podcast that puts the listener "in the jury box" as she transcribes both sides of a trial. In this case a local "golden boy" is accused of brutally raping Kelly and leaving her alone on the beach. The defense argues the sex was consensual. Where does the truth lie? During the trial, Rachel begins receiving letters from the mysterious Hannah, sister of a girl who drowned years ago. Intrigued, Rachel follows up and attempts to uncover the truth behind Jenny's death. Both crimes unfold slowly with a great deal of suspense and tension. Certainly not for the faint of heart, this book sucked me in from the beginning and held my interest until the end!

Thanks for the ARC Net Galley

Two rapes, two crimes, two victims separated by years and shame. I like the character Rachel as she searched for truth. I really liked the way the author presented the story in grays, not that it is not a crime but in the fact that there are so many victims and so many sides and everyone gets hurt for a very long time.

Well done.

Without a doubt, the true crime podcast Serial took the world by storm when it was first released in 2014. In Megan Goldin's The Night Swim, our protagonist hosts a fictional podcast reminiscent of this cultural phenomenon. The book weaves a tale of a current sexual assault case and trial, while there is an older murder that must also be solved.

Definitely enjoyed this one - well written, fast paced, and a timely topic. It does a great job pairing a cold case murder investigation with a courtroom drama. I enjoyed seeing multiple POVs and it was cool to see some chapters written as "episodes" of the podcast.

I recommend this when it releases!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for an ARC. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.

I love when a book hooks you in right from the get go. The Night Swim is one of those books!
Rachel Krall runs a popular true crime podcast. Her podcasts focus on cases where justice never seems to be served. Her voice is well known to all her listeners, but her looks are not.

So imagine her surprise and uneasiness when she finds a note on her car. See she is only in the town to cover a highly publicized rape trail. A man who is a talented swimmer (and headed for the Olympics) has been accused of raping a high school student. Now, she has this note that is asking her to investigate the death of a fan's older sister. Did I mention the death (it was a drowning) happened 25 years earlier? This book is everything a good thriller should be.

Even though there are two mysterious in this book, Megan Goldin skillfully allows us readers to follow along with both and get invested in both. So often when I read a mystery book that tries to have two story lines, it gets jumbled and is usually clear that the author spent more time developing one and not too much on the other. That is NOT the case with the Night Swim.

This was a fantastically told story. There’s actually dual stories being told and I think it’s brilliantly done.

Rachel hosts a podcast. Her current season takes on the rape case of a popular swimmer in a small town. Of course there’s supporters on both sides. But once she arrives in town, she is bombarded by a letter. This letter is hand delivered (unseen) and written by a girl who believes her sister was murdered years ago. And she wants Rachel to investigate and bring forth justice.

Told in part in podcast, letters from Hannah, and then Rachel’s point of view, The Night Swim was compelling. So much so that I found myself wanting it to be longer. It truly flies quickly and before you know it, the conclusion has arrived. Which, I admit, is completely fulfilling.

But beyond just the story itself, this brings up an important subject: rape. And how society views victims and their rapists. How we interpret these crimes. And how many view ways to prevent it. It will really make you think, which is the most important aspect of all.

I highly recommend this to those who enjoy solving mysteries, those who enjoy topics of controversy, and for those who like smartly written books.

Hello, friends...
This is Rachel Krall
on ‘GUILTY’ or ‘NOT
GUILTY’, the podcast that puts you in the jury box”.
“I’ll spare you the gory details. Other than to say that it was awful watching a 16-year-old girl get tortured in the name of justice”.

“Rape cases can be more traumatic to try than murder cases because the brutalized victim is there to describe what happened to her. More than that. She lives with the nightmare every… single...day … of life life”.

“I don’t get how we can almost unanimously agree that murder is wrong, but when it comes to rape some
people still see shades of gray”.

“I am sitting here on the jetty at Morrison‘s Point. My feet are hanging over the edge. The water is rough. The wind is wild. The light is fading. I can’t believe that it’s been 25 years since Jenny died”.

A community in the small North Carolina coastal town - Neapolis- is divided about who they think is guilty.
The accuser, or the victim?

Through, letters, investigation, podcasts,
alternating perspectives, past and present, with two separate cases separated by 25 years, .... the story unravels ( a little repetitive), to the ends closing.

A quick read with a simple plot...not nail biting, ( which is fine).... and I appreciate the relevancy of the topic,
but I wasn’t overly enthralled either.
It simply felt very ordinary to me.

But I probably need to be honest here… I read this book after reading “A Long Petal of the Sea”, by Isabel Allende. ....
a literary historical fiction novel, that haven’t come down from the ‘wow’ factor yet.

3 stars - readable - liked it - didn’t love it.

Megan Goldin gained an immediate fan after I read The Escape Room and she has once again blown me away with The Night Swim.

Rachel Krall is a true-crime podcast host who's newest story is following a controversial rape in small-town Neapolis. Once she arrives, she starts receiving odd messages from the sister of another victim from a much older case from the area, begging for Rachel's help to track down the real story behind her sister's death. Drawn in by the mysterious details of the case, and eventually the similarities between the two local stories, Rachel can't help but search for answers.

This story sucked me in from page one. I had a rollercoaster of emotions as I followed these two tragedies and I was heartbroken imaging any woman experiencing this. Emotional and thought-provoking, I could not put it down until I knew the truth. Amazing story and I'll be back for more!

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.

A few pages into reading Megan Goldin's, "The Night Swim," I found myself so immersed in a tragedy that took place 25 years prior that I quickly flipped through the pages. The book opens up through Hannah's perspective explaining the night her sister Jenny died. At the tender age of ten, Hannah was, "Old enough to know my life would never be the same. Too young to understand why." Twenty-five years later, Hannah wants to uncover Jenny's murderer and does not want to remain silent anymore.

The story is told in alternate voices between Hannah and Rachel Krall, a successful true crime podcaster, who has chosen the town of Neapolis as the site of her next podcast. Specifically, she is there to cover the trial of Scott Blair, a local swim star who has been accused of raping a local girl. The trial has also brought Hannah back to Neapolis, which is where her sister died from what was deemed an accidental drowning.

Through cryptic messages, Hannah reaches out to Rachel to implore her to help her find her sister's murderer. Though Rachel is engrossed in the Scott Blair trial, she finds herself drawn into the 25 year old case. This is my second book I read by Megan Goldin, and she is the master of leading us through many surprising twists and turns until the final revelation.

Although this is a murder mystery, Goldin avoids the predilections of the typical mystery genre. It is an unflinching examination of what it means to be a female in today's society and how women are labeled and ostracized for crimes committed against them. She also explores the ramifications of rape on the victim, the accused and their families. This is a book you'll be thinking about long after you have turned the last page.

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press and Megan Goldin for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

First, this is marketed as a thriller and is coming out on August 4th, 2020, right in the heart of beach-read season. Let me make it clear: this is not a thriller and do not bring this to the beach. Second, the book is filled with trigger warnings for rape, abuse in various forms, bullying, and murder. Rachel is a podcast host who is in a small town covering a controversial trial as it is unfolding and while there, she becomes obsessed with a potential crime that occurred there 25 years ago. She keeps receiving mysterious letters from the victim’s sister and as we get closer to the end of the novel, will the victims, past and present, ever see their individuals brought to justice?

The controversial trial in the novel is a rape trial. A potential Olympic swimmer has been accused of raping a local girl while he is home from college - similarities to Brock Turner anyone? The secondary mystery is the drowning of Jenny Stills, that occurred 25 years ago. While I thought the writer tried to do a good job of weaving the two storylines together, it wasn’t always cohesive and often felt a little clunky when the podcast sessions were included. That said, I think the writer tried to handle the subject matter with grace, which is why I kept reading. I didn’t get the sense that she was trying to be sensational about the material but really tried to provide commentary on rape, our society’s obsession with true crime, the justice system, and how very frequently, others are set up to take the fall. I also appreciated that the writer didn’t try to throw in a romance plot line on top of everything else.

It’s hard to formulate my thoughts on this given the subject matter and how the writer chose to construct the story but ultimately, I think this book is worth your time. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an e-arc.

I absolutely loved this book. I read The Escape Room by Megan Goldin and wondered if this one would live up to my expectations but it exceeded it.

Rachel is the host of a true crime podcasts called Guilty or Not Guilty. Aiming to make sure season three is as good as the rest, instead of taking on a murder, she decides to cover a rape trial in a small town where the golden boy and star athlete is the accused. But on her lunch break one day, she receives a note on her windscreen for a women desperate for her to cover her sisters death.

I read this is two sittings, it was too good not to binge read! I loved the different POVs that focused on two different crimes which was perfectly executed. I loved the podcast narrative chapters, the setting, Rachel as a host - I wish her podcast was real!

Overall, it was well written, focused on some key topics such as rape and influence and I found myself engrossed in the story. A solid 4.5 from me.

A twisty mystery with parallels to a modern day rape trial. The two stories entwine and finally converge in a nail-biting finale. Masterful writing at its best!

I honestly had no expectations when I started reading this book. had not read anything else by the author, didn’t know the name and the cover was a little cheesy. I read the first chapter and was hooked - so much so that it has consumed me the past day to two days it took me to read, only stopping when life got in the way. This book was outstanding. I loved the podcast tie in and the parallel stories made it seem like reading 2 books in one with such a good twist in both. I feel the structure of this book is where Reese Witherspoon’s pick of Conviction was lacking, making the podcast a huge part of the story and making it stick through the story, instead of just at the beginning. This book also brings to light the rawness if sexual assault, the 2 “sides” of you will, the emotions and devastation and effects to all involved, but also the real ness of the pressure, bullying behaviors and “identity’s” people are labeled with - this book will resonate long after

Podcaster, Rachel Krall, brings true crime to her listeners and asks them to be the jury. While covering a rape case for her next season, Rachel is sucked into another similar crime from 25 years ago. Two young girls, both raped and shamed by the same small-town community, deserve justice and Rachel won’t stop until she uncovers the truth.

While the subject is difficult, the mystery and telling of the story was excellent. Thankfully, there was not a lot of graphic descriptions in the story, but I will still put out a trigger warning for readers. What really made this a great reading experience was the manner in which Goldin intertwined the stories. The story shifted from victim to victim every 1-2 chapters and just made me want to read faster in order to get back to each victim’s story.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced ready copy.

I love true crime podcasts and I love a good thriller and Megan Goldin took the two and rolled them into one fantastic book. This one will stay on my mind for quite some time.

#TheNightSwim follows Rachel, a true crime podcaster, as she follows a rape trial in a small coastal town. As she attends the hearings and records the days events for her podcast, she also finds herself looking into a similar crime that happened in the same town some 20 years earlier.

There are descriptions of sexual assault and battery in this book so be warned it is not a light read. That being said Megan Goldin covered the topic well without being overly graphic.

The characters were written really well, the story flowed easily and it was so hard to put down because I just needed to know more!

I read The Escape Room and liked it, but The Night Swim is a superior novel. I can't wait to see how good her next book will be.

Thank you to @Netgalley and @StMartinsPress for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. 5 stars!!