A gripping, twisty thriller about true crime podcasts, obsession, and hidden dangers. Smart, fast-paced, and packed with suspense. Total binge-read energy.

Dark Corners is an intricately crafted thriller that will take you on a ride of suspense and have you grasping at pieces of the chilling puzzle. Goldin expertly weaves a narrative where the tension spirals with each passing chapter, leaving you constantly questioning who to believe and what secrets lie hidden in the shadows. Beyond the gripping mystery, the unexpected thread of romance adds a layer of intrigue. The podcast format is *chef’s kiss* and I cannot wait for more of Rachel Krall.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin is the second novel in a series featuring her true crime podcaster, Rachel Krall. I like these books for the story and how she tries to focus more on the victims than the normal star, the serial killer. Megan keeps pumping them out and I’ll keep reading them.

After Maddison, a hot social media star, visits Terence Bailey, a suspect in six murders on the verge of release from prison, she disappears into thin air. Rachel Krall, a true crime podcaster decides to investigate and visits Terence herself to see if he is involved, and ends up putting herself in danger.

This was an enjoyable read. It was suspenseful and engrossing., and I love the look inside of social media influencers and true crime podcasters. I recommend it!

I thoroughly enjoyed this one! The short chapters and fast pacing made it easy to fly through. Didn’t love the romance aspect - kinda felt like it was thrown in there just for the heck of it. But overall still a fun thriller!

This book had me hooked from the first few pages. Megan Goldin has a real talent for building suspense without overcomplicating the plot. I loved how she wove in themes around social media, identity, and trust—it felt current but not gimmicky. The pacing was just right, with enough twists to keep me guessing without feeling overwhelming. It’s one of those thrillers that you think about even after you’ve finished, especially the questions it raises about how much of ourselves we show to the world. A solid, gripping read.

Let's talk 'Dark Corners' by Megan Goldin. I went into this one expecting a solid thriller, and honestly? It delivered, but with a twist – the audio version is where it's at. Seriously, if you're thinking about picking this up, do yourself a favor and grab the audiobook.
Rachel Krall, our main character, is a true crime podcaster with her own baggage, and she gets sucked into a mystery that's just…creepy. Like, the kind of creepy that makes you glance over your shoulder when you're alone in the house. Goldin does a good job of building suspense, and I found myself genuinely wanting to know what was going to happen next.
Now, the story itself? It's got those familiar thriller elements – the dark secrets, the twists, the 'who can you trust?' vibe. But what really made it stick with me was the narration. Hearing Mac's voice, and then those chilling 'Anonymous' messages, delivered by different narrators? It just amps up the tension so much. It's like you're right there with her, piecing together the puzzle.
I'll admit, there were a couple of moments where I rolled my eyes a little. Some of the plot points stretched my belief a bit, and I saw a couple of twists coming. But, honestly, I was so invested in Mac and the overall atmosphere that it didn't bother me too much.
So, here's the deal: if you love a good thriller and you're an audiobook fan, 'Dark Corners' is a solid pick. It's the kind of book that's perfect for a long drive or a cozy night in. I'd give it a solid 3.5 stars, but because the audio was just so good, I'm bumping it up to 4. It's a fun, suspenseful ride, and the audio experience makes it even better. Just grab some headphones, settle in, and get ready to be hooked!

3.75/5

We love a story with multiple perspectives, plus a podcast in it! Megan truly gave me the creeps while reading this book. The story had a quick pace and had me guessing (correctly) so there wasn't the huge shock factor for me.

Read if you like:
podcasts in books
multiple povs
influencers

I think I will need to check out more of Megan's books in the future.

I love thrillers and I love true crime, so I was excited when I heard about this book! The premise sounded really interesting, but the execution wasn't exactly what I had hoped for. The pacing was a little off. I still would recommend to patrons though. Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this ARC!

*received for free from netgalley for honest review* This is a great series so far, would love to reread and read more from this author tho!

Review for Dark Corners by Megan Goldin ”

1. Plot Uniqueness : 4/5
2. Pacing and Coherence :” 4/5
3. Emotional and intellectual Engagement : 3.5/5
4. Twists and turns : 3.5/5
5. Protagonists Character Development : 4/5
6. support character development : 3/5
7. Setting and atmosphere : “ 3.5/5
8. Chapter Organization : 4/5
9. Conclusion and tied loose ends : 3.5/5
10. Overall rating of book : 3.5/5

Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster star of Megan Goldin’s acclaimed The Night Swim, returns to search for a popular influencer who disappears after visiting a suspected serial killer.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin is a sitting on the edge of your seat kind of book. I was obsessed!

3.5 stars. While not groundbreaking it was an easy read, with a decent twist! Had my attention the whole time, and found it entertaining enough.

I became a fan of Megan Goldwin’s writing after reading Night Swim and Stay Awake. Her thrillers tend to have just the right amount of twists and turns without obvious plot twists.

Dark Corners is a continuation of Rachel Krall’s story, a main character we meet in Night Swim. Though I gave it the same rating as Night Swim, I actually liked Dark Corners a smidge more.

If you like the podcast/social influencer twist currently vibing in books then I would definitely recommend both of the Rachel Krall books. I know I’m definitely looking forward to Megan Goldwin’s next book!

Wow..... don't look in Dark Corners unless you're prepared to have your eyes opened! This book was wild from start to finish.

This story follows Rachel Krall as she tries to piece together why Madison Logan, influencer, is tied to Terrence Bailey, murderer.

I am a huge Megan Goldin fan but did not like this book as much as her others. Maybe because I’m not big into the social media influencer world. This book was fast paced, which I enjoyed, but there were times it was too fast for my liking.

Rachel does not seem to have an ounce of fear in her body, which makes her a good reporter. But there were times I was thinking, GIRL WTF.

I’ll still read anything Goldin writes, but just wasn’t as pleased with this book… probably why it took me so long to finish (my apologies).

Slow is all I need to say. It did not even remotely keep my interest. Thanks Netgalley and the publisher for the advance ecopy.

I love a true crime podcast thriller and Dark Corners fit that bill. Rachel Krall is the protagonist who ends up being summoned by a presumed serial killer to his jail cell. When she’s brought in to see what he wants with her Rachel starts to try to unveil the truth behind the crimes he’s been accused of committing.

This one gets super twisty and bounces around quite a bit but it was entertaining.

Megan Goldin’s Dark Corners is a chilling and compulsively readable thriller that combines the unsettling world of true crime with the darker side of social media. It’s a follow-up to her successful The Night Swim, and while it stands on its own, fans of that book will appreciate the return of Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster who once again finds herself diving into a case that’s both dangerous and deeply personal.

The story kicks off with the release of Terence Bailey, a man infamous for his connection to the brutal deaths of six women. When the story begins, Bailey’s past seems to be at the forefront—he’s been imprisoned for a lesser charge, but the shadow of those murders looms over him. However, the focus quickly shifts to the mysterious disappearance of Maddison Logan, a social media influencer who vanishes shortly after visiting Bailey in prison. This sparks a tense investigation as the FBI grapples with a trail of clues that leads them into the murky world of influencer culture and online facades.

Rachel Krall’s involvement in the case, though reluctant at first, is what propels the narrative forward. The idea of using social media as both a tool for investigation and a source of danger is cleverly explored. Maddison’s life—or lack thereof—beyond her curated posts adds a layer of suspense and uncertainty, as her online presence doesn’t seem to match the real person behind it. Goldin masterfully plays with the notion of identity in the digital age, where everyone can be someone else online, and that sense of doubt is what keeps the pages turning.

The investigation takes Rachel undercover into BuzzCon, an influencer conference where rivalries boil under the surface and where fame is both a currency and a trap. Goldin doesn’t shy away from the darker aspects of social media fame, making it clear that it’s not all glitz and glamour. The potential for harm is always lurking beneath the surface, and in this case, it’s lethal.

Bailey’s disturbing obsession with influencers—especially Rachel herself—adds an additional layer of tension to the plot. The tattoo of a snake eating its tail that is discovered later in the investigation is a sinister symbol that hints at a deep and growing danger, not just for Rachel, but for anyone who crosses Bailey’s path.

What makes Dark Corners especially gripping is Goldin’s ability to blend the personal stakes of her main character with a broader social commentary on the toxic nature of internet fame. Rachel’s podcasting background gives her a unique perspective on the case, and she uses her skills to dig deeper into the world of influencers, social media manipulation, and the dangers of becoming too invested in a curated online persona.

While the book is thoroughly engaging, there are moments when the pacing slows down a bit, particularly in the middle, as the investigation hits some dead ends. But just when you think it might drag, Goldin throws in a twist or a new discovery that reignites the mystery, keeping the tension high until the very end.

The conclusion, though satisfying, left me wanting just a little bit more in terms of resolution. Still, it’s a solid finish that leaves readers contemplating the blurred lines between the real world and the online one.

Overall, Dark Corners is a gripping, thought-provoking thriller that blends psychological suspense with a timely exploration of the dangers of fame in the digital age. Goldin's writing is sharp, her characters are well-developed, and her ability to build tension is exceptional. It’s a great read for anyone who enjoys fast-paced mysteries with complex characters and a dash of social commentary.

Highly recommended for fans of true crime, psychological thrillers, and stories about the power and peril of the internet.

I was excited to be approved to read Dark Corners by Megan Goldin after reading Night Swim and Stay Awake.

Taking a look at the world of social media influencers may be of interest to a lot of readers, however for me, it wasn't something that I was overly interested in. It was hard for me to connect with the story. Throughout the book there are several twists and turns that kept me guessing pretty much the entire time, which I think was the saving grace for me.

I found the writing to be well done, but the content wasn't exactly perfect for my tastes.

3/5 stars.

Thank you SMP & NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.