I was excited to find out that Goldin had decided to do a Rachel Krall series. Rachel's first book that she is featured in was Night Swim. An amazing book, if you haven't read it, yet. Rachel is a podcast star and looks at the victims of crimes.

I don't know if it was just me being sick, bad sick, or the topic of this book, but I didn't enjoy it as much. This dealt with an Instagram influencer going missing. I don't get the whole thing about influencing. If the book is any indication, the people seem conceited and narcissist that influence on Instagram. Not saying they are, just that it seems that way.

Madison, an influencer, goes missing after visiting a prison inmate, Terry Bailey. Rachel's name came up during their conversation and now the FBI needs her help. She goes to Florida and is soon thrown into the whole Instagram influencer craze.

I think.some things were just outrageous. I don't really think a podcaster could figure out a point in the case before the FBI. If course, it's a book and not real. I will continue to read this series. There were personal questions left unanswered about Rachel that I would like answered in the next book.

Tentative publishing August 8, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#megangoldin
#darkcorners

Summoned from her home by the FBI, Rachel Krall is quickly immured in influencer culture--a lifestyle influencer, Maddison Logan, disappears hours after meeting a man suspected of killing and dumping women's bodies. Terrance Bailey is in jail, though, so who kidnapped Maddison? Can Rachel figure out what's real and what isn't in a world of people who assuredly lie for a living before she becomes the next victim?

I really really enjoyed The Night Swim. I loved the podcast aspects, I loved the twists and turns of the story. I was thrilled to see that Rachel is back, still podcasting, this time going undercover as a running influencer to try and help solve the disappearance of a fellow blogger. While the FBI and police's main suspect sits in jail, only days from getting out, who kidnapped Maddison? I really couldn't put this b0ok down, I wanted to devour it whole in one sitting, but alas, life kept me from that. I still found myself reaching for my kindle whenever I had a spare moment, because I needed to see what Rachel was up to, who the identity of the mystery woman in the swamp was, and how all of the podcast interludes fit in with the larger story.
This was a complete 180 from Goldin's last book, Stay Awake, and I'm truly enjoying her ability to tell such wildly different stories. I'm glad I continued reading her after the complete mess that The Escape Room was--I knew Goldin was an excellent storyteller, and I'm excited to see what she brings us next!

Megan Goldin is an author I always know I can count on for an excellent read so I requested a review copy of her latest thriller, Dark Corners, without even reading the synopsis. I was thrilled to start reading it and realized that it features Rachel Krall, the protagonist from The Night Swim, my favorite book from Goldin so far. Don’t worry if you haven’t read The Night Swim yet because Dark Corners works well as a standalone. That said, definitely go back and read it though because it’s fabulous!

Rachel Krall is a badass. She is a true crime podcaster who has become a household name because even though she has no experience in law enforcement and is not a detective, she has been able to solve cases that law enforcement agencies have not. Her instinctive investigative skills and her no nonsense attitude have grudgingly earned her the respect of the various agencies, including the FBI who has called her in to assist on the case that is the focus of this book.

Following Rachel as she puts together the pieces of a case was the most riveting part of The Night Swim for me and this was also the case here. It’s fascinating to see her mind at work and to follow her train of thought as she investigates. This case, which focuses on a social media influencer who goes missing after paying a visit to a serial killer in prison, was especially interesting to follow as it takes Rachel into the world of influencers and even to an influencer convention, giving a sneak peek into that world and its narcissistic nature. Golden always weaves plenty of twists and turns in her novels to build suspense and when an unexpected twist actually puts a target on Rachel’s back, I couldn’t put the book down until I knew how that was going to play out.

I read the e-book and listened to the audio version of this book and highly recommend the audio since many excerpts from Rachel’s podcast are woven into the story. While it was fine to read those excerpts on the page, the audiobook really enhanced my reading experience.

I don’t want to say anything else for fear of spoilers, but with Dark Corners, Megan Goldin has delivered another addictive and suspenseful read and I can’t wait to read more from her. I also hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Rachel Krall!

Solid thriller read about a young female social media influencer who goes missing amidst the search for a suspected serial killer. Told from three points of view, including a true crime podcaster (Rachel Krall from this author’s previous novel, The Night Swim), a police officer and the killer and interspersed with extracts from podcasts. Some good twists, red herrings, good, even pacing and an easy to read style. There is even a bit of romance and commentary on the insidiousness and negativity of social media. The ending went on for a bit too long with, to me, unnecessary details. Overall though, I really enjoyed reading this novel.

Thanks to St Martin’s Press and Netgalley for thir complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.

In Dark Corners, Rachel Krall is a true crime podcaster. She built up a following by using her show to prove the innocence of convicted murderers. But even she is not ready when the FBI asks her to speak with a presumed serial killer, Terry Bailey.

Terry has only two days left of his six-year robbery sentence. Why did he ask his last visitor, Maddison Logan a now missing #vanlife vlogger, to contact Rachel? Did he use an accomplice to kidnap, or do worse, to Maddison? When Terry admits nothing to Rachel, the FBI cut off Rachel’s access to the missing person case. Intrigued, Rachel decides to investigate both the current case and the years old serial killer case. She begins by posing as a new fitness content creator at a convention of influencers because it was the last place Rachel was seen alive.

“I’ve been looking for a predator. It turns out that a predator has also been looking for me.”

The content creators’ world was unusual and fascinating. The characters, especially Rachel, felt genuine and made you root for them. Terry has a bit of a compelling backstory too. The tension of the cat and mouse chase between Rachel and the killer ratcheted up the tension from the midpoint of the book to the surprising finale.

Dark Corners is another great thriller from the author of The Escape Room. It is much better than the first book in the Rachel Krall series, The Night Swim. 5 stars!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

I really enjoyed The Night Swim, so I was so grateful to receive a gifted copy of the second book in the Rachel Krall series! Thank you SMP!🥰

I was a bit concerned that I would not remember enough from book one to understand this one, but thankfully this was not the case. Technically these can be read as standalones. But it didn't take me long to remember Rachel and her podcast.

Dark Corners follows well-known true-crime podcaster Rachel as she dives headfirst into a convoluted case of a missing influencer after being called to assist the FBI. But this case is about to become personal for Rachel, when she learns why she's being called to help.

This was really well done and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The twistiness, the influencer aspect, the podcast episodes all make for a unique thriller. The back and forth with the timeline did trip me up a little bit, but overall it was an entertaining read and I definitely recommend.

I’m a big fan of this author and I’ve recently become a fan of storylines with crime podcasts so this was made just for me! The narrators were great especially with distinguishing the different voices. The main character was annoying but in a good, makes me want to keep reading type of way. Highly recommend!

I've been a fan of author Megan Goldin since devouring her 2019 novel The Escape Room. She followed up that standalone thriller with The Night Swim, a searing portrait of a small-town rape trial and a cold case that cast a shadow over the entire city. When I learned she was writing a sequel to that work, I jumped at the chance to read it.

As Terence Bailey's release from prison for breaking and entering draws near, investigators' suspicions about his involvement in six unsolved murders of women intensify. Are they seriously about to let this man walk free? Things are further complicated when Madison Logan, a popular social media influencer, visits Bailey. The details of their meeting aren't known, but Madison goes missing soon after her encounter with Baily. Investigators fear she may have been kidnapped or, worse, murdered. What has happened to the young woman? More troubling, why was she meeting with Bailey?

Crime podcaster Rachel Krall isn't exactly surprised when she gets a call from the FBI. A few years ago, she covered a high-profile rape trial that spiraled into a cold-case murder investigation. Her little podcast became a national sensation, skyrocketing the reach of her work. She is surprised, though, at what they are calling her about. With Rachel's social media popularity, the FBI seeks her help to uncover answers about the missing Madison Logan. In exchange for her assistance, Rachel will receive unprecedented access to the active missing persons case.

The case becomes even more perplexing as Maddison seems to exist solely within the realm of social media, with no trace of her offline identity. Undeterred, Rachel takes on an undercover persona using a fake Instagram account to delve into the world of influencers at BuzzCon, a significant influencer conference. As Rachel immerses herself in this fiercely competitive community, she discovers that the secrets and rivalries run deep. The discovery of a body with a disturbing tattoo raises fears that Bailey might have a dangerous accomplice and an alarming obsession with influencers, including Rachel herself.

Dark Corners sees Megan Goldin continue the story of her most intriguing character Rachel Krull. While this is a continuation of the story that began in The Night Swim, this book can be read as a standalone. Goldin provides enough backstory to fill in any gaps you may have missed from the prior novel. Where that book focussed on small-town politics and the haunting of the past, this work is much more rooted in the present. Layered in amongst the thrilling missing person case is a deeper contemplation on the impact of social media on our everyday lives. The line between reality and the persona we see on an app is called into question, adding a unique level of suspense to the story. Megan Goldin is a standard setter in the world of thrillers, and Dark Corners continues to set that very high mark in the genre.

I had a lot of fun reading this one! The second about the fictitious true crime podcaster from Night Swim, this was a quick and twisty read. I guessed pretty much every twist, but had a lot of fun on the ride, but I think there was some information that felt unnecessarily repetitive that I wish had been edited out in favor of some more character development of Rachel. But overall really fun and clever and I'd recommend! (esp so we can discuss thx!!)

The story follows Rachel, a podcaster who gained unexpected fame after helping overturn a guilty verdict. Summoned to Florida by the FBI to investigate unsolved serial killings, Rachel’s journey begins after the events of “Night Swim.” The multiple viewpoints used in the book were well-executed, leading readers smoothly to uncover the killer’s identity and motive without relying on major twists.

Despite the absence of a big twist, I thoroughly enjoyed the book, particularly Rachel’s compelling character and the intriguing and unique case with plenty of twists and turns. The addition of a surprising romance element was a pleasant surprise, and the integration of podcast episodes throughout added depth to the narrative.

I can’t wait to recommend this captivating read to my friends, and I hope for more Rachel Krall books from the author in the future!

Rachel is a podcaster that has accidentally become quite famous with her smooth, silky voice and insightful investigations. When she is called to come to Florida to meet with a potential serial killer, she ends up becoming deeply invested in the story. This includes the crazy world of influencers that may be the key to mystery surrounding missing and dead girls.

I enjoyed Night Swim, but I loved this one. It was truly hard to put down. Every question I had throughout the book was answered and I can’t always say that when reading this type thriller. I would read another book about Rachel Kraff without a doubt!

Chilling, sinister and twisty! I have read and loved all of Megan Goldin’s novels but this one might be my new favorite! In this one, Rachel Krall, popular crime podcaster, is summoned by the FBI to travel to Florida to speak with suspected serial killer, Terence Bailey, about some local missing girls. Rachel decides to hang around to attend an Influencer convention to assist in helping to find these girls, doing what she does best, talking to people and tracking down leads. But Rachel might have just gotten in over her head. Bailey is getting out of prison in a few days and his parting words sounded like a threat on her life. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin’s Press and the author for this eARC in exchange for my honest review. This book will be available for purchase on August 8, 2023

Rachel Krall is back, but this time instead of simply reporting on crimes, she finds herself in the middle of one. I really enjoyed this book. As in most mysteries and thrillers, you do have to suspend disbelief for some plot points, but nothing is too outrageous that it takes away from the story. It kept me guessing and had a satisfying ending. I look forward to reading more from her.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin (8/8/23) Review Published 8/7/23 4 Stars
Published by St. Martin’s Press

“Always know what you’re walking into. Dark corners can be danger points.”

After influencer Maddison Logan goes to a correctional facility in Florida to meet with Terence Bailey and inmate, she disappears without a trace. While Maddison and Terence were talking, Rachel Krall’s name come up in their conversation. Rachel is the true crime podcaster from Night Swim. The soon-to-be-released inmate, Terence Bailey, though incarcerated for breaking and entering, is also a suspect in the murders of six women, but the FBI has yet to prove their case.

That prompts the FBI to fly Rachel in, not quite revealing all the relevant details. When the meeting between Terence Bailey and Rachel Krall ends with Bailey’s veiled threats directed towards Rachel, the FBI, sensing that Bailey might target Rachel and requests her to fly back home.

Rachel decides to do some investigating of her own and joins the social influencer conference being held nearby, which Maddison was supposed to be attending. As an insider, she is privy to a lot more information on the attendees as compared to the investigators in charge of the case.

Rachel is now pursuing every lead possible in finding the truth behind Maddison's disappearance and her connection to Terence Bailey. She is all the while gathering more information about the other six victims of the serial killer. Will Rachel be able to help the FBI find Maddison before she becomes the seventh victim?

The Author is great at creating suspense and tension, and I turned the pages as fast as possible. Plenty of twists and turns kept me on my toes, trying to figure out who was involved and with whom. I loved how Megan pulls it all together with a satisfying ending that wraps up well. This is a must read for thriller and suspense junkies!

Many thanks to the author Megan Goldin, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the much-appreciated digital review copy of this novel.

The first book in this series, The Night Swim, is one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. Something about the fact that the MC is a podcaster lends itself very well to an audiobook ... there are episodes of the podcast layered into the story. While this book wasn't as good as the first (I felt like the mystery unfolded too slowly and the ending was then too fast, it was still immensely enjoyable. I definitely recommend this series!

Dark Corners comes out next week on August 8, 2023, and you can purchase HERE! I really liked this one!

Have you ever had a day when absolutely everything goes haywire and nothing goes as planned? I have. More times than I care to remember. Like the time my kitchen pipe burst just as I was heading off on a date with my old college crush who was in town on business.

Instead of rekindling the unrequired spark from college, I spent the evening frantically mopping the flood of water on my kitchen floor while waiting for the emergency plumber to turn up. My next-door neighbor Chloe kindly went down to the bar across the road to keep my date company while I dealt with the plumbing crisis.

By the time I joined them, they were hitting it off. Sparks flew like fireworks that night. Just not with me. Incidentally, they've been married for three years. One baby. Another on the way. Cutest couple ever.

The first 40% of this book I was starting to think this would be thriller of the year, but after a few twists I thought it fell flat. I didn't love that a huge part of the plot was finding the suspect because he had a bad odor. I appreciate that the author provided the medical reason behind it, but it just felt strange. By the end of the book there were so many plot lines to wrap up (and I appreciate that the author made sure to wrap them all up), but it just felt like chapter after chapter we were reading about the wrap ups. I also didn't need the romance nor saw it coming whatsoever, lol. Now for the positives (because there are also a ton!), I love the podcast and social media element playing into these true crime/thriller novels because that's exactly how a lot of these stories play out in real life these days. The commentary on influencer culture was also spot on. I loved the first in this series and will continue to read and recommend the author!

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin is the second book in her Rachel Krall series. This book can definitely be read as a standalone because Rachel Krall is the common denominator. This is another riveting story that kept me reading way past my bedtime. Ms. Goldin takes us on a rollercoaster ride of twist and turns. It is told in alternating point of views with some really good characters you will like and some, well maybe you won’t! Along with all the suspense, twists and revenge, there is a little bit of romantic suspense mixed in that I hope continues into the next book. This author is becoming a must read for me, I highly recommend her and all her books.

Thank you NetGalley, St.Martin’s Press and Megan Goldin for another intriguing book to read and review. The thoughts expressed are strictly my own.
#netgalley. #stmartinspress. #megangoldin. #darkcorners. ##rachelkrall#2. #arc

I love Megan Goldin! This book is no exception. It's fast-paced, it includes a lot of aspects of relevant culture, and it has a strong female character. While I guessed one thing a little early on, I was blindsided in the best way by the twist. The only thing that kept nagging at me was how unrealistic it was that an FBI agent would work so closely with a random civilian. Otherwise, a great book and a great follow-up to Night Swim!

I was a big fan of The Night Swim and excited to read this new novel by Megan Goldin. This was fast-paced and twisty and definitely fit the bill when I was in the mood for a thriller. I do remember loving Rachel's character from her last novel, but I found myself to be pretty annoyed with her attitude and decisions for a great deal of the book. I did enjoy the ending and the twist and would definitely read another in the series.

Rachel Krall is a true crime podcaster who has more than once helped exonerate innocent people from jail. Terence Bailey is a man long suspected of the murders of several women, and about to be released from prison. After a popular influencer goes missing shortly after visiting Bailey in prison, Rachel also visits Bailey at the request of the FBI, to try to find the connection. How could Bailey have anything to do with the disappearance while locked in jail? Does he have an accomplice?

This was an entertaining read. Goldin has a great writing style that keeps you hooked. The story was a great pace and I enjoyed the podcast episodes thrown in. The multiple POV's were easy to follow. The plot was twisty and had some good trickery thrown in, and I had no idea how it would end. Krall is such a great character and I look forward to hopefully reading more of her.