I just finished the Night Swim and I had to write my review right away. I came in with high expectations for this book, yet it still surprised me. I expected a good solid mystery, but I didn't realize I would be completely sucked in by this story. It's a quiet book, slowly dropping information with a symmetry between two cases, one unsolved from the past, and one being tried in the present. The parallels keep coming up and making more and sense as the end approaches. You feel completely immersed as if you are right there, trying to figure out the mystery with Rachel, who is researching both cases one for her podcast, one for other reasons. I recommend the audio version of the book if possible as it brings the book a step further as we experience being the audience of Rachel's court podcast, following along. Because it feels so real, this was a tough read, the trial chapters offering a gut wrenching view of the toll of a rape on the victim, the family, and a community. The ending left me breathless, yet it made sense. Excellent book.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I had a tough time deciding on my review for The Night Swim. On one hand it was an amazing, raw and very real account of situations that make my skin crawl, my eyes water and my heart beat faster. Yet, I was expecting more of a “keep ya guessing” thriller. What i would classify TNS as is more crime/drama. Nonetheless, it was still a great read but be warned, the subject is about rape and the author was very detailed in the writing. Major trigger warning for those sensitive to the topic. I would recommend this book to others and would rate it a 4 out of 5 stars.

Trigger Warning: Sexual Assault, Rape

Thank you so much @StMartinsPress & @NetGalley for giving me this eARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 04 August 2020)

SYNOPSIS | Rachel hosts a true crime podcast and her newest season is covering a controversial rape trial in a small town called Neapolis. Whilst there, she receives a number of mysterious letters asking for her help in uncovering a potential crime which was covered up as an accidental drowning which occurred 25 years earlier.

WHAT I LIKED:
- true crime podcast element
- discusses rape culture & victim blaming
- alternate timelines
- slow burn

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- I don't usually find many topics triggering, but some of the situations which led to the rape scenes hit a little bit too close to home for me. If you find sexual assault or rape triggering then I urge you to assess whether this is something you want to read.

Could not get into this book.Gave up about one third of the way through. Flat characters, wish washy plot and just not interesting.

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin #jaylammreviews

Rachel has found fame since starting her podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty" She helped to free an innocent man after her first season and now with season 3 beginning she is researching a rape trial. When she relocates to the small town where the alleged rape occurred she starts receiving letters from a woman, Hannah, who wants help with finding her sister's murderers..a murder that took place 25 years ago. As the reader, we find ourselves in the middle of two unsolved cases.. the recent rape investigation that Rachel is researching, and the long forgotten death of Jenny Stills. 

Wow I loved this thriller! This felt like such an original idea. True crime podcasts are all the rage right now so this felt so real and timely. The audio book was fantastic! We alternate to the story in real time and Rachel's podcast. Because we get to hear the podcast, it really brings life to the story. There was even music when the podcast was starting and ending to help the reader differentiate between the podcast and the rest of the story. It felt like I was really listening to a true crime podcast. 

This is a definite must read if you love true crime and thrillers. I could not put it down!

Rachel Krall’s true crime podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty, has become a popular household name online. Her first two seasons have gone exceedingly well and she picks a high profile rape case in a small town where the local golden boy on track to become an Olympian stands trial. The town is divided over believing him or his accuser. When Rachel is beginning her journey for the new season in town she starts receiving letters from a listener named Hannah who is desperate for Rachel’s help in her sister’s death from 25 years earlier in the same town. Hannah does not believe her sister accidentally drowned as reported but instead was murdered. The past and present collide as Rachel dives deeper to uncover the truth in both cases.

This book was very tough to read and I would give high trigger warnings for it. The author’s emotional appeal writing about each of the cases did move me and I think the courtroom sections held my attention. Hannah and Jenny’s relationship was something I connected to having an older sister and the protective bond among some sibling relationships. I really liked the podcast perspective as I listen to them in my free time and I could connect with that factor. This book reminded me in part of a real life case but may not have been intended. The author seems to have researched about the rape proceedings and aspects. For instance the rape kit explanation seemed very well described and the victim’s stand on trial was heartbreaking.

I would personally classify this as a slow burn courtroom drama/murder mystery as it’s not a fast paced thriller. I think the writing style was easy to read. I felt the plot was predictable and somewhat underdeveloped at points; for example some of the twists and the town strangers willingness to give a random person so much information. It read like a beach read to me with a topic that was a bit heavy handed for the format. The story is broken into Hannah and Rachels’ perspectives. I wish we had seen Rachel developed more as she just felt like a narrator and not a main character. Hannah’s chapters packed much emotionally but a large plot point felt problematic as her desperation for attention/help and avoidance of meetings got too repetitive for me.

Overall this was a different book than I expected, but I think there are important issues that need to be talked about and displayed in popular media.

Thanks to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced e-copy in exchange for an honest review. This book will release on August 4th.

Swimming in the ocean at night is hazardous, and it also sets the perfect tone for this thriller that I literally couldn't put down. The Night Swim gripped me from page one and quickly entangled me in this complex story of wrongs done, lies told, and coverups accomplished.

What I Loved

I loved the uniqueness of the book format. Rachel Krall hosts a popular true-crime podcast, and the story includes the written transcript of her currents seasons installments. I enjoyed the mix of mediums that breaks up the story while still propelling it forward. The podcast transcripts are spot-on, sounding much more conversational than the rest of the story and adding little bursts of 1st person narration. Hannah's letters also served a similar function but in her distinctive voice and are a great contrast to the podcast – the podcasts being for public consumption while the letters are for Rachel's eyes only.

The story is in third-person limited narration, which works great to showcase the first-person interludes of the podcasts and letters. I usually love an excellent first-person unreliable narrator in my psychological thrillers. However, with this story's format, I can't imagine the narration being any other way and still being as effective as it is. It sets up the perfect foil for those first-person components.

I also loved the mystery within the mystery that is intricately and deceptively interconnected. They both kept me guessing throughout the story without any lull in the suspense. For as much as I know through Hannah's letters and the podcast interviews, I quickly realized that there is a great deal that I don't know, and this makes the pages turn quickly to fulfill that desire to find out.

The Night Swim is a story about injustices. Injustice in a society that doesn't treat rape with the same ferocity that it treats murder. Injustice in the criminal system that metaphorically rapes victims of rape by putting them through humiliating scrutiny and making them relive the crime on the stand. Rape is such a profoundly personal crime, by its very nature, and this reality creates a situation that is ripe with injustice.

The main character, Rachel Krall, is my favorite character in the story. She took her career as a crime reporter and turned it into the first true-crime podcast where she has helped solve cases that have gone unsolved or solved incorrectly. She is strong and confident, not afraid to muddy the waters if it means that the truth will become crystal clear. I loved her compassion and determination, and a series where she continues to be the main character doing what she's doing would rapidly rise to my must-preorder list.

To Read or Not to Read

The Night Swim is an excellent psychological thriller for people new to the genre without disappointing those readers who already love the style. It is an exciting read with intricacies and layers that will have me talking about and reflecting on it for weeks to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

The Night Swim is a dark, unsettling psychological thriller examining two cases 25 years apart. Goldin exemplifies what a rape trial looks like- the jury games, victim shaming/blaming, the storyline of “do we want to ruin this promising young mans life”. She handles it with sensitivity and an honest portrayal.

The Night Swim is more than just a psychological thriller. It’s a relevant and timely look at our society. It was thought provoking and emotional. While this book is fast paced and sucks you in, it’s not an easy read. It’s a heavy read and it’s not for everyone- this book may be triggering for many. However, it is well done and handles the subject matter appropriately.

Having read and loved The Escape Room last summer, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on Megan Goldin’s latest book. While I was expecting similarities to her former, The Night Swim couldn’t be more different. The latest novel touches on some very sensitive issues, the biggest one being rape. Despite the sensitivity of the topic, the novel is very well-written and engaging.

The Night Swim is a multilayered novel told using multiple timelines. Rachel Krall has a successful true crime podcast. Entering into her third season, she chooses to cover the trial of a swimmer bound for Olympic glory, who is being accused of raping a teenage girl. While under the pressure to produce a successful podcast, Rachel begins receiving mysterious letters asking her to investigate the tragic death of Jenny Stills, a girl who died twenty-five years ago. Jenny’s death has been listed as an accidental drowning. However, her sister, Hannah, believes she was murdered. Rachel begins to dig into the details surrounding Jenny’s death and becomes immersed in discovering the truth.

Although there were scenes that were unsettling and hard to read, I found the majority of this novel to be filled with intrigue and suspense. Rachel was very driven and determined, and I respected her as the main character. I enjoyed how the story was told using three different formats— from Rachel’s point of view as she researched both cases, Rachel’s podcast episodes, and Hannah’s letters to Rachel informing her of Jenny’s story. This helped break up the heavy parts of the book, as well as build up the anticipation of the story.

Another job well done by Megan Goldin!

Oooh, this is good, you guys! This is very, very good!

Rachel Krall is the voice behind a true crime podcast. She has traveled to the town of Neapolis to cover a devastating rape trial. The golden boy of the town has been accused of raping a high school student. Rachel throws herself into interviewing, investigating, attending and reporting on the trial. But someone else is vying for her attention. Someone is following Rachel, leaving her letters and asking for her help in solving the tragic death of a sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills drowned. Did she? Or was there more to the story?

Have I mentioned how much I love cold cases? Twenty-five years is a long time. Potential witnesses have moved away, maybe even died. Paperwork could have gone missing or been destroyed. And when you do find someone willing to talk about events from back then, how reliable is their memory? As it is, nobody seems to have been that bothered about what happened to Jenny and when Rachel starts asking questions, she realises it's remarkably hard to find someone who's willing to answer.

Meanwhile, there's the rape trial. His word against hers. A town divided by opinion. Did he or did he not? And all those horrible, prejudicial statements one encounters when something like this happens. Why would a young man with dreams of swimming at the Olympics, who seemingly has it all, risk everything to force himself on a young girl when he could have whomever he wants? If something happened, it must have been consensual and the girl just changed her mind afterwards. Or if it did happen, surely the girl asked for it? Asked ... for ... it. Ugh.

There is a lot to get angry about in The Night Swim. There is a lot to be incredibly sad about as well. This isn't an easy story to read and at times, I felt awfully uncomfortable. But boy, is it gripping and compelling. Once I started reading, I just couldn't stop and I flew through the pages as if my life depended on it. I thoroughly enjoyed the switching back and forth between trying to find out the truth about what happened to Jenny through her sister's letters to Rachel and the present day rape trial, also accompanied by Rachel's podcasts episodes.

Right or wrong, I made up my mind about the trial quite early on. The cold case, however, I couldn't figure out at all. I sometimes felt the clues were right there but the overall picture evaded me and I was totally fine with that because the ultimate reveal would obviously have been way less shocking and gasp-worthy if I had.

Considering the subject matter, it seems somewhat wrong to say I "enjoyed" this book but I did. It had me utterly engrossed from start to finish. Despite hearing many good things I somehow managed to miss Goldin's debut, The Escape Room, but after reading this one I'll definitely be correcting the errors of my ways. Looks like this is an author to watch, guys, and The Night Swim undoubtedly deserves a spot on your to-be-read lists!

Interesting premise and play between the true crime podcast world and the justice system. Reminded me a bit of a Sadie for adults. I felt that characters were a little one dimensional, though

Don't read this book for its mystery. Do go in expecting certain parts to be wholly gutting—and brace yourself for some pretty visceral feelings.

Rachel Krall hosts a widely popular true crime podcast going into its third season. This time, she's headed to the sleepy coastal town of Neapolis to cover a brutally divisive rape trial. Rachel will play conduit to her listeners, putting them in the figurative jury box: is Scott Blair, golden boy and future Olympian, guilty of raping Kelly Moore?

Then, Rachel receives a mysterious letter that sends her twenty-five years into the past. Who was Jenny Stills, the local girl whose name became synonymous with slut, the one who drowned? As she investigates, the two cases—Kelly in the present day, Jenny all those years ago—dovetail in the most unexpected of ways.

These events set the stage for a devastating examination of privilege, slut-shaming, victim-blaming, and sexual violence. The book alternates between letters detailing the last few months of Jenny's life, Rachel's podcast episodes, and Rachel's POV as she attends the trial and throws herself into finding out more about Jenny Stills.

As a mystery/thriller, The Night Swim is pretty underwhelming. I was surprised to realize at the end that Rachel was practically still a stranger to me; she narrates the story with a (presumed) objectivity that left her distant to me, too. We don't learn much about her life prior to this case. And in terms of Jenny's death—if you read carefully, it’s pretty apparent fairly early on who the culprit is. This person is the only one who (view spoiler).

But my GOD, this book absolutely succeeded in stirring up vicious feelings in me. My heart hurt so bad. I was physically sick at parts. And throughout it all, I was filled with so. much. outrage at the sheer injustice.

The dramatization of Kelly Moore’s rape trial really affected me, but so did the letters that Hannah—Jenny's sister—sent Rachel. It was really hard to read about the beautiful and mundane moments she shared with her sister before their lives were gutted by the abominable actions of vile and violent men. It was even harder to read Hannah's guilt at only understanding her sister's trauma years later.

CONCLUSION: While not a compelling mystery, The Night Swim ultimately articulates the pain and resilience of rape survivors—and their loved ones—with thoughtfulness and brutal intensity.

"Ever since her true-crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall has become a household name - and the last hope for people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help.

The new season of Rachel's podcast has brought her to a small town being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. A local golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season 3 a success, Rachel throws herself into her investigation - but the mysterious letters keep coming. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insist she was murdered - and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody in town wants to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases - and a revelation that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.

Electrifying and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation? Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really happened to Jenny?"

Here for the true-crime podcast!

Rachel is an investigative reporter who is covering a trial in Neapolis, North Carolina for her podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty. Hannah has reached out to Rachel to help her solve the murder of her sister 25 years ago. Each chapter is written either in 3rd person narration as Rachel goes through the town, to the trial and looks for clues as to what happened to Jenny, Hannah's sister. Letters from Hannah, written to Rachel, left for her throughout her time in Neapolis. Or 3rd, you have the podcast that Rachel shares with her listeners. The trial that Rachel is covering is the rape of a 16-year old and the alleged attacker is a hometown 19-year old good ole boy who has dreams of being an Olympic swimmer. This reminds me of "Under Suspicion" series by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke. I found myself forgetting that there were really 2 different stories going on, I would get sucked into 1 part of the story (say, the trial) and it would change to Hannah's letters. I would definitely listen to Rachel's podcast, in real life. I had a hard time putting this book down. This is due to be released on August 4, 2020. Thank you Megan Goldin, St. Martins Press and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Enjoyed this one way more than I thought! 4.5 stars rounded up to 5.

I really enjoyed this thriller that had a behind the scenes element of an investigative true crime podcast. You get two mysteries here: what happened to Jenny Stills 25 years ago? Even though her death was ruled accidental, her sister is convinced that Jenny was murdered. And the present day mystery and trial that Rachel is following: did Scott Blair rape Kelley Moore?

The writing was really engaging and at no point did I want to put this book down. It is gripping... and when I realized how things were coming together at the end I loved how the mystery 25 years ago tied in to the present day. Goldin realistically demonstrated how a rape accusation and trial can shake a small town to it's core, and captured both sides of the "he said she said" debate on both sides. More importantly, she carefully showcased the traumatic damaging affects that a sexual assault can have on a victim.

I'd love to see this as a series as I enjoyed the main character Rachel but think she could have been fleshed out a bit more.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book kept me engaged the whole time and I wanted to find out what happened to Jenny and Kelly. I was able to guess some parts, but it did keep me guessing until close to the end!

What a book! Alternating between the true crime podcast, Rachel (the host) and Hannah’s point of view; the Night Swim was one that fully sucked me in and I didn’t stop until I finished. I loved the podcast chapters, mixed with viewpoints and for a while the court room as well. A lot going on, but never was confusing. Definitely trigger warnings for assault and rape, but I think the author handled it respectfully. I loved this one way more than I was anticipating! Put this one on your TBR!

I absolutely loved this book! The mystery was great! The one downside I would have would be that there were 2 storylines I had to keep track of. I did enjoy the plot twist at the end. All in all a great read.

WOW, this book was seriously everything I didn't know I needed. Right from the very first page, I was hooked. Sometimes I find when I read on my kindle, I don't give the books my proper attention. That did not happen with, The Night Swim, my attention was kept from page one. This was by no means a nail biting thriller, but instead more of a crime fiction, character driven novel. Which, we all know, I'm super obsessed with these types of books. The podcast aspect of this, is what seriously held my attention though, there's something special about podcasts being in books, it's almost like we're getting a story within a story.
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This story may not be for everyone, for season three of Rachel's podcast, she is following a rape case. So at times, this can be very graphic and may be hard to read for some people. At times, it made me incredibly furious, but I couldn't stop reading. If you like a character driven mystery, with dual POVs and timelines, then I highly recommend this one! I honestly couldn't put it down, and almost wish this was a series read! I actually think this might be a top 2020 read for me, I'll be buying a physical copy of this one as well.

Rachel Krall is a true crime investigator and podcaster who has had success in finding evidence to turn old crimes on their heads. In this story she is in the small town of Neapolis to cover the rape trial of the town's golden boy swimmer. At the same time, one of her fans leaves notes for Rachel asking her to investigate the death of her sister Jenny Stills some 25 years earlier which was declared an accident.
Goldin expertly weaves these two stories together in this tale making a gripping read. I would have liked more development of the Krall character however as I couldn't really picture her. But overall I really enjoyed this book which shows the reader how assaulted women are judged.