Wow. For a book including the topic that's hard to read (i.e., rape), it captivated me from beginning to the end. Told in multiple perspectives, The Night Swim introduces you to Rachel Krall, creator of a true crime podcast. She's in a North Carolina coastal town for a rape case; however, she's persuaded to handle another case of another young woman's sad demise.

I enjoyed the podcast chapters and another character's chapters as much as Rachel's. The book flowed as both mysteries weave themselves cleanly. The quick pacing enthralled. While some moments may trigger you, the story reads as important, if you can get past some description.

I could not put this book down and I expect the same for other readers.

4/5

*Thank you, Netgalley, for the free arc!*

Comes now the newest sleuth, the true crime podcaster, and Goldin’s heroine is a familiar trope to those who were enthused by “Serial” and faithfully follow the cases and casters who’ve made the genre so popular.
Rachel Krall is our gal on the scene, a young investigator following her recent successes with a third season of her podcast “Guilty or Not Guilty, the podcast that puts you in the jury box.” She’s in a small town where a criminal trial, about to begin, has already polarized local opinion, mostly for the defendant, an Olympics-bound swimmer, a prototypical affluent golden boy, and then local girl from a police-connected family he’s charged with raping. So far, this might be a ripped-from-the-headlines story about a privileged Stanford athlete similarly accused, but Golden ups the ante with a secondary plot about a fifteen year old mystery, the drowning death of a teenage girl whose sister insists she was murdered and inveigles an initially reluctant Rachel into looking into the case. The secondary plot has the mystery the major one doesn’t; the writing is formulaic, the pacing assured, and the novel temporarily filling, which is to say it’s as good and forgettable as an episode of Law and Order.

A small town is torn apart during a rape trial of a wealthy young man/sports star who allegedly raped a high school student. Rachel, is a journalist with a podcast and this season's podcast is about this rape. At the same time, the 25th anniversary of a murder/accident is coming up in the same town and the sister of that victim wants it to be investigated. She contacts Rachel by leaving notes on her car and in her hotel which certainly gets the attention of Rachel, who feels almost stalked, but yet very curious about the death. In fact, she is so curious that she does some actions that are rather risky, including leaving the courtroom for the podcast case to search for answers for the older case. Hmmm, doesn't sound too smart in more ways than one.
It could have been better with less stupid actions by Rachel and it didn't need to be as graphic in details. Not a bad story, but not a great one, either. 2.5 stars
Thank you NetGalley for an advance reader copy in exchange for an honest opinion.

This book really held my attention. There were 2 story lines going on within this story. The trial of a young man who has his eyes on swimming in the Olympics accused of raping a high school girl; and a young woman possibly murdered many years ago. I really didn't see the tie in coming. Definitely surprised me!
Great writing, easy to follow even though there were 2 story lines. I really enjoyed this book.

Another home run for Megan Goldin! I really enjoyed The Night Swim and couldn't put it down. I was looking forward to the end of every work day so I could get back to it! It's a great thriller and the author really keeps the story moving. This is a well written book and one that I will definitely recommend!

This story begins as Rachel is traveling to the small town of Neapolis to cover the trial of a local golden boy accused of raping a teenage girl for her true crime podcast. She finds a mysterious letter from someone named Hannah, begging Rachel to help her solve the murder of her sister, 25 years ago, also in the town of Neapolis.
The events leading up to the murder unfold as Rachel covers the rape trial. We find how it’s all connected through the multiple povs of real time, Rachel’s podcast episodes, & Hannah’s letters.
With a very current issue (wealthy, privileged athlete accused of raping young, local girl), combined with a murder mystery, this was a real page turner & a solid drama/mystery.

This story will haunt me. This book needs to come with a trigger warning ⚠️ rape, and sexual assault ⚠️ But with that being said this book was beautifully written and the author did such an amazing job.
2 rapes 25 years apart in the same small town, this book unravels two horrific crimes committed and the fight for answers and justice and healing. This is definitely going to be one of my top favorite books!

I loved very pleased with this author when I read her first title, The Escape Room, last year. She does not disappoint in her new book and she is definitely on my auto-read authors list from this point forward.

This was a quick read that switches between two perspectives, the past and the life of Hannah, whose sister, Jenny, was possibly killed or accidentally drown in the past, and Rachel, a podcaster, who has come to Neapolis in the present to cover a high-profile rape case.

With Hannah reaching out to Rachel through letters, the past and present start to show parallels and the weaving of both stories keeps the suspense high.

I really felt for all the characters and enjoyed Megan Goldin's writing and ability to keep the tone of suspense alive.

A great, enthralling read.

Thank you NetGalley for an advanced copy of The Night Swim!

Wow, what a book!! I’d already read The Escape Room by Goldin and really enjoyed it so I had a feeling I’d enjoy this one as well! However based on what this book is about I feel like I can’t say I enjoyed it and here’s why... this is about Rachel who has a well-known podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty. She chooses a case for each season and provides evidence and first-hand knowledge about the crimes she’s reporting on. This season she chose a rape case where a small-town 16 year old girl is raped by an older, wealthy, Olympics-bound swimmer. The case immediately divides the small town of Neapolis. While attending the trial, Rachel starts receiving letters from Hannah asking for help in solving her sister Jenny’s murder from 25 years ago. Problem is, no one believes Jenny was murdered. She went for a swim one night and drowned. The book takes you back and forth between Rachel’s present day and Hannah explaining her past and the events that led up to Jenny’s death. The reason I feel like I can’t say I enjoyed this book?? What Jenny went through! It was heartbreaking to read how this girl was treated 25 years ago and the funny thing is that, 25 years later, Kelly (the present day victim) is being treated practically the same way. The author made a great point saying in a murder trial, everyone believes the accused is guilty and should be locked up! In a rape trial, the victim is often blamed. Did she drink to much? Did she lead him on? Was it consensual but then she regretted her decision? These questions are still asked in today’s society and often the victim is the one put on trial and crucified in the public’s eye.

So all in all, I’d definitely recommend the book! Even though I suspected who was responsible for certain things that happened to both Jenny and Kelly, reading the truth still somewhat surprised me.

Rachel Krall does a podcast that is very popular. This is her 3rd season for it and she wants something just a little different. She is going to a small town to cover a rape trial and she wants to put her listeners in the jury box by being impartial and just passing on the facts. Her first day in town, she finds a letter has been left on her windshield. This is quite unsettling as most people don't know what she looks like so no one should know her. It is a letter from Hannah, the little sister of a girl who Hannah believes was murdered 25 years previously. Her death was ruled accidental drowning. She wants Rachel to get to the truth.

I loved "The Escape Room" and was thrilled to be able to read and review this new book. Goldin did not disappoint. The subject matter is hard to read at times but is tastefully done. The story goes back and forth between 25 years prior and to the present. It is not hard to follow and keeps you engrossed throughout. Can't wait for the next book by this author. Thanks to Netgalley for allowing me to read and review.

Rachel Krall, is a podcast superstar, after her first season of her true crime podcast became a hit. She is off to cover a rape trial in a small seaside town, when the first letter is found on her windshield. Rachel gets lots of emails from people telling her that she is their only hope of justice coming to the person who has wronged them. This letter is no different, but something about it sticks in her mind and is hard to let go. As she begins to do interviews for her podcast, before the trial begins in this small town, she also begins to ask questions about another brutal crime that happened many years ago, in the same seaside town. As the book progresses, elements of both cases unfold, making this a double page turner!

Megan Goldwin hit it out of the park again with The Night Swim. Right from the start the book hooked me. People who liked Goldwin's other book with love this one. Also individuals who enjoy Christina MacDonald, B.A. Paris and Mary Kubica will be hooked by this book!

The publisher provided me with the opportunity to read this in exchange for providing feedback. (via NetGalley)

4.5 stars. Another fast paced read from this author that I rather enjoyed. It was hard to put down!

I’d like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. What can I say, but wow, once I started this book, I couldn’t put it down, finished it in one sitting. I love true crime podcasts and the author tied in a rape from 25 years ago to a current rape trial together seamlessly. You see the story from the podcast entries, the author of the podcast and the current rape trial, and what happened 25 years ago, I will definitely want to go back and read her other book.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Ms Goldin has written an absolute brilliant follow-up book to "The Escape Room". This book was engaging from the first page and kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next.

Rachel Krall has a crime podcast that is extremely popular and is in it's third season. She has chosen to follow a rape trial in Neopolis where the town's golden boy, an Olympic hopeful swimmer has been charged with the crime. Many people in this town hold secrets to not just the present but to the past.

Rachel has ever released her photo so she has total anonymity on her podcast but someone recognized her at a truck stop and left her a message asking her to help. The crime is very similar to the one she is there to follow. Rachel is intrigued by Hannah and the story of her sister. She wants to help her and along the way many secrets are brought to light.

This book is worth a minimum of 10 stars because it was absolutely fabulous and I can't wait to see what Ms. Goldin writes next!!

While I enjoyed The Escape Room, The Night Swim is even better! It is a crazy thriller of a ride and will keep you turning page after page. Loved this exciting thriller that will have you hooked from the very beginning. Highly recommend!
Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

A story that delves into podcasts and murder has me at first read. I'm a fan of podcasts that discuss cold cases and murder. Rachel has a podcast and wants to find out what happened in a intriguing case that has baffled many. Once you start reading you will immediately be pulled into the trenches and won't want to stop until the last page is turned in your Kindle lol. Thank you NetGalley as always for the arc.

Stayed up all night to read this one. After hearing great things about The Escape Room by Megan Goldin, when I saw The Night Swim on NetGalley I knew I had to request it! I loved this book. It was suspenseful and exciting until the last page. Thank you for the opportunity to read. I will definitely recommend to others when it comes out in August, although that seems so far away! So lucky to have been able to read this book so far ahead of time.

This is the third Megan Miranda book I've read and as usual I wasn't disappointed!

This latest book starts a little differently and at first I was a little worried that I wasn't going to like it but not very far in I was riveted to this story. The story is set in a small coastal town that has the usual characters. The biggest difference is this time there has been a terrible crime committed that has turned friend against friend and things will never be the same. Along with the current issues a serious crime from the past comes to light and oddly enough they are connected.

This book had twists and turns that surprised me and made gasp out loud. If you like a highly charged thriller than Megan Miranda is your author! (less)

Holy woah. While I loved the Escape Room by this author, the Night Swim tops it. This book is in the vein of the new style that focuses on podcasts. This is one of the first style books that I have read like this and I am on a mission to find more. Though I am not sure how much they can live up to this one.

Rachel is a podcast host in her third season after she became a household name. For season three she goes back to her hometown to cover the trial of a golden boy accused of rape. But this town holds so much more for her as well, it is where her sister Jenny Stills, died. Suicide or an accident or murder. The town can't make up it's mind but as it is, it looks like this old death and the new podcast may all entangle. Can a small town make up for what may have happened in it's past with what is happening in the future? Will we find out what really happened to Jenny and will we find out if the golden boy isn't so golden afterall?

Hang in for a swift paced thriller that will leave you guessing and racing to the end to find out what is really going on.