I am generally not a huge fan of series, but after reading both The Night Swim and now Dark Corners, I think I am going to have to continue following the story of Rachel Krall. Plus, we obviously need to see where things go with Joe! ;)

This particular book started a bit slow but once it picked up I was hooked. It was a fast read with several fun twists. There were several characters in this novel that turned out to be completely opposite of who I thought they were, which made me like them even more!

I plan to continue with the Rachel Krall series when the next book comes out. 4 stars for Dark Corners.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this novel.

I remember absolutely nothing about The Night Swim, but I gave it 4 stars so I must've liked it...
I'm not quite as sure about Dark Corners tho...
First of all, why is there a weird influx of mystery/thriller novels involving influencer culture? It's like every other book lately and I'm kind of over it. Also Rachel seemed kind of...terrible? I usually don't rate books highly if I hated the MC (unless they're supposed to be unlikeable), so I don't think she was quite so horrible in Night Swim.
This book was also full of coincidence and I pretty much figured out all the plot twists and mysteries as soon as they started happening. I love being able to solve a mystery but when I know what's going to happen next or what the "big reveal" is going to be before I even finish a sentence? Yeah no.

This one just didn't quite do it for me. It's one I would recommend to a casual reader or someone just branching into mystery novels, but overall it just wasn't the book I wanted it to be.

Megan Goldin's books continue to be a fun and intriguing surprise with every new title. I keep hoping her books will become movies someday so I can enjoy them as much as I do while reading.

I read "Dark Corners" immediately after finishing "The Night Swim". While the newest Rachel Krall novel can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the books in series order.

We join Rachel and her podcast "Guilty or Not Guilty" as she helps locate a missing social media influencer, Madison Logan. However, there's more at risk her than just finding Madison, as Terrance Bailey, serving time for breaking and entering plus added time for bad behavior, is to be released from prison, and the last time Madison was seen, it was with Bailey.

As Rachel works with the FBI, they soon discover the messy world of social media influencers and how far someone will go to have the perfect life. When Rachel and the FBI start putting pieces of the mystery together, the twist is shocking (if not a big smelly #iykyk).

I did take a star off because I don't buy the love story that comes to light in this edition to the "Rachel Krall" series. I don't think it was necessary nor is it something I want in this particular true crime world.

3.5/5 I read it in a day. Fast paced, the story went by quickly. A little crazy to believe a podcaster is always one step ahead of the FBI. The plot being based around social media influencers is the unappealing part to me.

Going into Dark Corners I was very hesitant. I was not a super huge fan of The Night Swim; however, I am a firm believer in second chances and this book just so happens to prove why second chances are so important. I loved this book! This is a book I will always recommend to my fellow readers. Dark Corners makes you look at who is in your life and makes you wonder if they are exactly who they claim to be.

Night Swim (Rachel Krall, Book 1) 2020
https://www.goodreads.com/review/edit/48825033

Although this is book 2, there is adequate information to make this a stand alone read. The first book introduces Rachel Krall, an investigative reporter, who broadcasts a popular podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty, “the podcast that puts you in the jury box”. This is the third season for her podcast and wants it to grab her viewers attention. The Blair rape trial is in the headlines in Neapolis so she packs up and drives there to cover the duration of the trial. She also likes to present a personal aspect of the case by interviewing people and gathering a consensus from the town.

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, as well as being suspected of killing 6 women in Florida. An online influencer, Maddison Logan, trying to boost her followers, visits Bailey in prison before he is released from prison. Questions arise: who is Maddison Logan aside from her social media presence? Why did she choose to visit Bailey, a suspected serial killer? The FBI get involved when no one has heard from the social media influencer and they are unable to identify any family or friends who have ever met her. On a weird twist, Bailey requests to see Rachal Krall, who agrees to see him in hopes of finding out information about the disappearance of Maddison Logan. A dead body of a woman is found and she had the same snake tattoo that Bailey has so a quest to uncover a likely accomplice is initiated. Is this body Maddison Logan or is there another killer on the loose?

Thanks to St Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me access to this advanced reader copy e-book. The review is my unbiased, honest opinion. All comments are my own.

A solid thriller who done it with a Podcast/influencer twist. I think there were some parts that could have been left out but nothing that was so distracting that it took away from the overall story line.

This was such a fun ride! I really like Rachel as a character and I loved how this poked fun at influencer culture. I was invested on the ride the whole way through. I recommend it if you enjoyed the first!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve been mulling this one over for a while and I’m still not sure how I feel about it. I love Megan Goldin and her books are instant buys for me, but I don’t really find myself connecting with the influencer setting.

Just wrapped up Dark Corners, the second installment in the Rachel Krall series, and it's a solid 4 stars from me! Returning to the world of the famous crime podcaster was a delight, especially after her stellar debut in Night Swim. Rachel Krall remains as sharp-witted and engaging as ever, making her investigation into a chilling missing persons case in Florida all the more enthralling.

Tasked with assisting the FBI, Krall plunges headfirst into unraveling the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Maddison Logan, a prominent social media influencer whose last contact was with an inmate set for release, Terrance Bailey. The intricate web of connections and unanswered questions kept me on my toes throughout, with each twist and turn adding layers of suspense and intrigue.

One aspect I particularly enjoyed was the seamless integration of modern media, particularly podcasting, into the narrative, adding an interactive dimension to the storytelling. However, while the exploration of influencer culture at BuzzCon was timely, I found the subplot to be somewhat superficial and detracting from the main storyline.

Nevertheless, Dark Corners proves to be a worthy addition to the series, with its gripping plot and memorable characters leaving me eager for more. Kudos to the author for crafting another compelling mystery! And a big thank you to Netgalley and St. Martins for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review. Can't wait to see where Rachel Krall's next adventure takes us

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review*

A great thriller - I would recommend it! Amazing!

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she’s been kidnapped—or worse. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey?

Another great thriller from Goldin! I will read just about anything that features a podcast as a narrative device and this novel delivers on that front! Creepy and addictive!

It’s pretty interesting how often I’ve been coming across thrillers whose MC is a podcaster, especially true crime podcaster. A sign of the times? Maybe it’s true that everyone and their mother has one. Small talk aside, I need to be upfront about how long it took me to realize why exactly Rachel Krall felt super familiar, and that is because she was the character from The Night Swim! Y’all, I swear I don’t live under a rock and maybe this is why people pay more attention to the book blurbs 😬

Anyway, you have a prison release, a stern FBI agent, and missing influencers! Rachel finds herself caught in a web of online intrigue and the question if a guilty seeming man was actually innocent. I enjoyed how much this book felt like an episode of Law & Order where you feel the conflict unfold in real time. Maybe it’s just me but I could’ve sworn there was the iconic ‘dun dun’ playing between scenes.

Once I realized I knew Rachel from The Night Swim, I had a refreshing moment where I remembered how much I loved her tenacity and quickness. She’s not a main character that shies away from the problem nor did it ever feel like she made a mistake for the sake of drama within the plot. She’s honest and questioning but on her toes more than other bookish leads who I feel like often make dumb choices to build a sense of urgency.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and think it was a nicely done procedural look at a crime. I liked how it felt episodic with the return of Rachel Krall and it didn’t rely on The Night Swim to give her credibility. A solid thriller that kept me hooked the whole time for sure and perfect for those Fall vibes.

I really enjoyed this one! I always find it interesting when a thriller gives you the POV of the killer but there were still so many twists and turns that kept me guessing throughout the story.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin was very well done. The synopsis alone had me hooked, and I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this novel. I have read Ms. Goldin’s other books, and personally enjoyed this one more than both Stay Awake and Escape Room. I felt it was more polished. She shows a rare consistency in keeping her readers hooked. At times, reading Dark Corners made me feel like I was going down a very steep hill on a bike. You’re careening along, you know you can’t stop, and you just pray you won’t crash into anything on the way down.

I give this four out of five stars. I throughly enjoyed Dark Corners and will be eagerly awaiting her next novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an advance copy of Dark Corners by Megan Goldin in exchange for my honest review and opinion. Megan Goldin is the absolute best psychological thriller author I have ever read! She knows exactly how to keep you on the edge of your seat, gasping, wanting more! This book has so many twists and turns that you "think" you know what's going to happen than wham you are wrong. The ending will shock you! Do yourself a big favor and read this as soon as you can.

Megan Goldin's "Dark Corners" brings back fan-favorite Rachel Krall, the tenacious true crime podcaster from "The Night Swim." This time, Rachel is pulled into a chilling case involving a suspected serial killer, a missing influencer, and the ruthless world of social media.

The story opens with Rachel visiting Terence Bailey, a convict about to be released despite being a prime suspect in several murders. The visit takes a shocking turn when it's revealed that Bailey's last visitor was Maddison Logan, a popular influencer who has now vanished.

Rachel, ever the investigator, dives headfirst into the mystery. She uses a fake identity to infiltrate BuzzCon, a massive influencer conference, where she uncovers a tangled web of jealousies, hidden agendas, and dark secrets. As the body count rises, Rachel finds herself targeted by a killer who seems to be obsessed with her.

Comparison to "The Night Swim": Some readers might find "Dark Corners" less suspenseful compared to Goldin's debut novel.
Multiple points of view: While the different perspectives offer a broader view of the story, they can also slow down the pacing for some readers.

"Dark Corners" is a thrilling and suspenseful read that will appeal to fans of mysteries and those interested in the dark side of social media. With its well-crafted plot, believable characters, and chilling exploration of the online world, this novel is sure to keep you guessing until the very end.

Readers are reintroduced to Rachel Krall and her true crime podcast in Dark Corners. If you can get your hands on it, I recommend listening to the audiobook as it is really well done (kudos to the narrators) and brings the podcast element of the story to life. I did not enjoy this title as much as its predecessor, Night Swim, as I thought the romance storyline was unnecessary. With that being said, if there is another book in this series, I will be reading it!