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.

I was really torn on how to rate this. When I first started reading this book back in 2023, I was struggling with motivation to pick it up and read it, which was disappointing because I really enjoyed The Night Swim and was excited for this one. Dark Corners is about an influencer who goes missing, she is associated with a suspected serial killer who is going to be released from prison in a few days, the FBI asks for true crime podcaster, Rachel Krall’s, help in finding the missing influencer and the prisoner’s potential involvement; so Rachel goes undercover at an influencer conference.

The format was slightly confusing at first, and I kept notes on each chapter so I could keep it straight (4 POVs!). Thankfully, I did keep notes so that I could pick back up where I left off, now in 2025. Once I picked this book back up, I was able to get into it; and the further along I read, the more invested I became in the story. The 4 POVs were an interesting plot device, and I found myself interested in how they all would interconnect at the climax.

That said, I think there were too many things going on in order to make the story more dramatic, some plot holes, and changes to our main character that didn’t suit her. In the first book, Rachel was an accomplished investigative journalist who, along with her producer, was able to uncover details that may have been overlooked by police. In this book, even though she was able to get more information than the police about certain things, she was also very blind to the things right in front of her that book 1 Rachel would have never missed, and were barely touched on later.

I really liked the competence of the FBI investigation, and how all the pieces fell into place at the end. But, the ending was clumsy and written a bit confusingly (can’t explain without spoilers). Overall this book was exciting and boring, and can be read as a standalone.

Dark Corners is a fast-paced thriller that had me hooked from the beginning. The story is full of twists, turns, and had me second guessing myself every time I thought I had it figured out. The characters are well developed and the story flowed well.

This book was a wild ride from start to finish. I thoroughly enjoyed it. When you're ready to look in dark corners you'll find things you weren't ready to know.

i didnt quite enjoy this as much as the first book. however, its really only because of personal preferences. i thought the courtroom scenes and drama in ‘the night swim’ were super strong, so i was bummed that didnt occur in this sequel. and this particular mystery begins with telling the reader the identity of who is behind the murders, so the only thing the reader gets to discover is how that person is connected to other characters, and thats not the kind of narrative i like in my thrillers. i prefer a bit more unknown and reveals.

I will say I almost DNF this one multiple times. Maybe I’m just impatient (that’s clearly what it is there’s no “maybe” about it) because night swim was one of my favorite books ever. Should this be a series? I mean I’m sure I raved it should. But just because it can doesn’t mean it should.

It truly felt like a completely different author. Like do I need to re-read night swim and take it off a pedestal? I did love the audio in its format, so that could be the downplay.

I just felt like ole Rach was so savvy last go round, and now she’s just walking into danger all willy nilly like she forgot any type of common sense? She’s Whoopi Goldberg “you in danger girl” and just said “awesome! Thanks”

Whether or not you read the first Rachel Krall book, Megan Goldin's DARK CORNERS is the perfect escape. Set inside the world of social media influencers, Goldin nods to the realities of being an influencer -- what compromises must be made to make it look like you live a glamorous life. The audiobook does a great job at producing the podcast segments so you feel like you're tuning into your favorite show, not listening to part of a book.

This was exactly the sequel I was hoping it would be. It was great to be back with the protagonist again, moving another crime with nuance.

When influencer Maddison Logan disappears after visiting convicted criminal Terence Bailey, the FBI enlists Rachel Krall, the host of a popular true crime podcast, to help investigate. As Rachel delves into the case, she uncovers a web of online rivalry, dangerous secrets, and a chilling connection between Bailey and the influencers he obsesses over. The story takes readers through an intense search for Maddison while revealing the eerie underbelly of internet fame and the lengths some will go to for attention.

While Dark Corners explores dark themes and presents clever twists, it remains a quick, entertaining read that’s perfect for a summer beach novel. The suspense builds as Rachel works undercover at an influencer conference, navigating the cutthroat world where every relationship seems to have a hidden agenda. The novel works well as a standalone, though fans of The Night Swim will appreciate Rachel’s return.

Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up for goodreads.

Thank you for the book for review.

True Crime podcaster, Rachel Krall's story continues. A popular social media influencer has gone missing and Rachel is determined to figure out what happened. Could she still be alive? Rachel goes undercover as an influencer to figure out if someone in the victim's own circle is at fault.

I loved this book because I felt like it kept moving. I wanted to know what was happening at every twist and turn in the book. I literally sat down and read this in one sitting. Megan Goldin is an instabuy author for me and I will continue to buy her books going forward!

I loved The Night Swim, so I could not wait to get my hands on Goldin's follow-up, Dark Corners. The book did not disappoint, and Goldin has become a must-read author for me.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

this is the 3rd book i've read by this author and, i feel, the most memorable.

do i always need a romantic angle? i really don't & this book is no exception. why do authors feel like they need to do this?

that peeve aside, i really enjoyed the twisty (but not implausible) plot and it was written in a straightforward style that keeps the pace up.

it's a good popcorn read.

From start to finish, this mystery kept me on the edge of my seat. The writing was sharp, atmospheric, and perfectly paced—each chapter drawing me deeper into the web of intrigue the author wove. The author’s skillful use of suspense and detail made every scene feel crucial, and I found myself eagerly turning pages, desperate to uncover the truth.

The plot was full of unexpected twists, each one more clever than the last. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, a new revelation turned the story on its head. The way the author built tension, slowly dropping subtle clues while keeping a firm grip on the mystery, was masterful. It was clear that no detail was accidental, and every seemingly insignificant element played a part in the larger puzzle.

The whodunit reveal was absolutely brilliant. I can honestly say I didn’t see it coming—there were so many red herrings and misdirections that by the time the truth was revealed, it hit me like a punch to the gut. The reveal was perfectly timed, leaving me with that satisfying, yet stunned feeling that only a truly great mystery can provide. The way the author tied everything together was seamless, making the ending not just surprising, but wholly satisfying.

Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison even though he is suspected of murdering six women. Maddison Logan, a popular young influencer, visits him in prison, yet hours later she seemingly disappears without a trace. Investigators are left not only wondering what happened to Maddison, and why she even visited Terence in the first place. When the investigation hits a dead end Rachel Krall is asked by the FBI to help out by going undercover at BuzzCon, an influencer convention, to see what she can learn about Maddison, a girl lacking in friends and family. At BuzzCon Rachel learns just how cutthroat the influencer community can be as they strive for numbers and popularity, and these influencers will do almost anything to obtain that social media fame. It is a race against the clock to find out what happened to Maddison before Terence is released, and when a body is found with a distinctive tattoo of a snake eating its tail, also known as a ouroboros, the police begin to worry that Terrance has an accomplice on the outside, especially when they come across a number of urobori throughout the investigation. Can the truth be uncovered and Maddison be found before Terence is released?

Dark Corners is a fast-paced thriller with a few twists and turns. While this novel is the followup to Night Swim, I never found myself lost or confused due to not reading the previous novel, although after reading Dark Corners I might have to pick up Night Swim.There are a number of interesting characters that made the novel rather entertaining, and I think that the way in which the influencer community was portrayed was very realistic and honest. While there are some twists and turns in the novel, there are also a lot of parts that were rather predictable but that did not take away from my enjoyment of the narrative.