Rachel Krall has few plans for the day when she receives a phone call from the FBI asking for her assistance. They want her to fly to Florida immediately to meet with Terence Bailey. He’s set to be released from prison in 48 hours, but they feel he may be connected to the disappearance of Maddison Logan, a popular social media influencer.

Bailey was sent to prison following a break and enter, but law enforcement has had him in their sights for the murders of six women even though they’ve never had enough evidence to convict him. Maddison visited Bailey right before her disappearance, so the plan for Rachel is to see what she can find out from Bailey.

Maddison Logan doesn’t seem to have a past online. She exists only on social media with no hints to identify where she is from and if that is in fact her real name. Rachel uses an old Instagram account and claims she is a “micro-influencer” to attend BuzzCon, an influencer conference, to see if she can dig up any info on Maddison. She soon finds out that the rivalries are strong, and some may go to great lengths to ensure success.

The police find the body of a young woman with an infinity tattoo of a snake eating its tail. The symbol continues to pop up and Rachel feels that the symbol is connected to Maddison and if she can figure out its origin then maybe she can find her. Rachel keeps coming back to something Bailey said to her about monsters hiding in plain sight. If she can piece together information from her sleuthing with information she’s gained from Special Agent Martinez, then she might be able to follow the trail.

This is the second book that I’ve read by Megan Goldin and I look forward to reading more. This book was definitely a page-turner, and I had a hard time putting it down. I will be recommending it to others to read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for allowing me to read an ARC of this novel. #NetGalley #DarkCorners

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of Dark Corners. Megan Goldin proves once again to me that she can weave a tale that’s twisty and tense. The FBI calls upon true crime podcaster Rachel Krall to meet with a prisoner about to be released to see if she can learn anything about missing influencer, Maddison Logan. The reasons aren’t made totally clear as to why she’s the one but once involved, she can’t let it go. The story unfolds with Rachel attending an influencer conference to see what she might find about Maddison and possible ties to other missing women. This world of social media influencers defines it as “hyper-competitive”. “What people don’t realize is that being an influencer is like feeding a monster. An insatiable monster. Nothing is ever enough. No matter how much you give, there’s always someone giving more. Eventually you have to give your soul. Even that’s not enough. People self-destruct all the time.” It’s an interesting backdrop for the book but not a distraction from the fact that there are bad things happening and Rachel could be putting herself right in the middle.

The story is interspersed with excerpts from her podcast. That was not readily apparent to me. All in all, a very quick and suspenseful read.

This is my defiition of a mystery, thriller. Excellent story and plot. I will deefinitely be reading more of Megan Goldin's books. At first it was just a tad bit confusing, when it jumped around to the unknown character but then after the confusion was brought to light, the book flowed and kept me on edge of my seat. I was afraid to read this at night lol. This ARC is getting a rating of five stars

Dark corners is the sequel to 2020s night swim, following true crime podcaster Rachel krall. Rachel is becoming famous thanks to her crime solving podcast and is catching the attention of police and criminals alike hoping for her to break cold cases. One such case is that of Terrance Bailey, suspected of killing eleven women, although never proven definitively. Terrance is visited by a popular influencer days before he is to be released from jail, but the influencer soon goes missing. Rachel is contacted to help find her and prove Terrance guilty in the process. Rachel goes undercover as an influencer to try to find the missing girl and ends up on a twisted journey and begins to question everything she thought she knew about the case. While not quite as good as nightswimming, this is still a good read that proves that Rachel krall will be an entertaining protagonist if the series continues. The story is dark and twisted and there are some fun twists at the end. Something about this one reads like an early Lincoln rhyme novel by Jeffery deaver, which is a high compliment! I would recommend any thriller or mystery fans give this one a go! (It is not necessary to start with nightswimming to enjoy this one!)

Thanks to the publisher for providing the arc via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The follow-up to Megan Goldin's The Night Swim continued true crime podcaster/investigative journalist Rachel Krall's adventures as she gets involved in a missing social media influencer and uncovering of a serial killer. Unlike The Night Swim, Dark Corners lacked the complexity of storyline and overall whodunnit. We know who the really bad guy is right from the beginning and just have a question if there is a second. The concept of a monster hiding in plain sight is chilling though considering the recent high-profile capture in Long Island that has been on the news. Wondering how many times we may encounter such a being throughout our lives within our everyday activities is unsettling. The guy who loads your mulch at the local garden center, the mechanic who changes your oil, your last Uber driver, the bartender at the local dive, and many other chance encounters may put your life in danger if you act the wrong way or catch a killer's fancy. It could happen, and it actually does.

3.5 stars rounded up as I am overall enjoying the series and looking forward to the next installment.

Thank you to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read and review this ARC.

I LOVED Night Swim so I had to read this !
The 2 books don't go together & can be read as a stand alone .

This was a bit of a slow burn for me . I didn't feel it really picked up til about 30% ish .
This was a good read but not my fave , imo Night Swim was miles better but #DarkCorners is def worth a read . I'll admit some of the story didn't come together for me & I was surprised.

Thanks #netgalley for the Arc 🤘

I loved The Night Swim so I was a bit nervous this second book to feature investigative podcaster Rachel Krall wouldn’t be able to meet my expectations. However, I am thrilled to report that I ended up loving Dark Corners!

I loved how the POVs alternated between the serial killer, Rachel, and the FBI agent working the case. The book includes everything I need in a thriller: surprise twists, page-turning suspense, a realistically terrifying bad guy, and a protagonist worth rooting for. While reading, I couldn’t imagine how all the storylines connected but at the end everything was woven together seamlessly. Because of the podcast elements, I highly recommend the audio version!

I read Dark Corners in 2 days as it was one of those books you simply can't put down. Dark Corners is book 2 in the Rachel Krall series and I loved it! I hope that Megan Golden will be continuing this series as it is just getting better and better with each book! The FBI contacts Rachel because an Instagram Influencer has gone missing. Maddison Logan, the influencer, had wanted to get in touch with Rachel before she disappeared. Maddison had gone to visit a presumed serial killer that was in prison for breaking and entering. The police didn't have enough to convict him of the murders of prostiutes even though he was suspected. Just after Maddison visited Terence Bailey, she disappeared. Maddison had been in town attending BuzzCon, a conference, for social media influencers. She was huge on social media but the FBI can't find out anything real about Maddison. No family, no friends, it's like she made up her name and persona.

Rachel helps the FBI and finds out way more than they do by attending BuzzCon using an old Instagram account called runningrach. She doesn't want anyone to know that she's the Rachel Krall with the famous podcast that has blown up since her last case. As Rachel enters the world of social media influencers she quickly finds out that it's a cutthroat way to make a living and most will do anything to gain more followers. Will Rachel be found out as a fake? Will she be safe in Daytona Beach at the conference? When she visits Terence Bailey for the FBI to get information on Maddison will he give up any information? Will Rachel make out better than Maddison did after her visit to Bailey?

As more bodies are found with the same tattoo of a snake eating its own tail, will Rachel and the FBI be able to figure out who's doing it before Rachel or someone else disappears? This is a fantastic book that I rate 5 stars and give my highest recommendation! Dark Corners is available on August 8 so don't wait to get it! I hope that Megan Golden is working on Rachel Krall Book 3 because when you finish this one you'll want to read the next one soon! I'd like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy of Dark Corners in exchange for a fair review.

Investigators have suspected Terence Bailey of multiple murders, but could only arrest him of breaking and entering. Just when he's about to be released, he gets a visit from a popular social media influencer. Then she disappears. Rachel Krall runs a true crime podcast and has so far avoided the influencer conference Buzzcon. But when she's brought in to interview Terence, she decides to attend to help with the investigation. Terence seems to have an accomplice that's obsessed with influences... and she might be next.
I thought this book had plenty of suspense, the characters are solidly described, Rachel is just as fascinating as I found her in Night Swim. There are lots of twists to the story to keep the reader engaged. This is the second book in the series but can be read as a standalone although Night Swim was really good and I recommend reading it!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having loved Goldin’s first book, NIGHT SWIM, and the introduction of podcaster Rachel Krall, I was excited to read DARK CORNERS, the second Rachel Krall book. The book was off and running as Rachel is called by FBI Detective Joe Martinez for help in solving a missing social influencer and a suspected serial killer. The first fifteen percent of the book was good but then the more I read I found the plot moving slowly, so many characters to try to remember, and too much about social influencers that I had to go back and take some notes. I did enjoy the last fifteen percent as the story wrapped up with a fairly satisfying ending. I do hope to see Joe Martinez as a regular in the next Rachel Kroll book. My thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for an ARC of this book. The opinions in this review are my own. 3.5 stars raised to 4 stars.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin is an entertaining mystery/thriller. It is the second entry in her Rachel Krall series, this time featuring the true crime podcaster searching for a social influencer who has disappeared.
The missing woman, Maddison Logan, has recently visited Terence Bailey, a convict on the cusp of his release from a Florida prison. He is suspected of murdering several women, but the authorities have not gathered enough proof to keep him incarcerated. When he hands the influencer, Maddison, a note saying “Bring Rachel Krall to me,” the FBI reluctantly asks Rachel to get involved with their investigation.
The chapters are arranged in alternating POVs of Rachel Krall; Thomas McCoy, an oddball rideshare driver; and excerpts from episodes of Rachel’s podcasts about the case. These multiple viewpoints are skillfully interwoven and move the plot forward dynamically, enhancing the dramatic tension. The segments set at a social influencers’ convention are meant to portray their world as vapid and self-centered, but were certainly interesting. There are enough red herrings and twists to make this a good mystery and unique case, and it held my interest up to the surprising conclusion of the investigation.
Rachel’s character is more confident and written as a stronger voice for women in this book—as she observes, “Killers receive so much oxygen in the media. It’s time to a voice to the victim.”
Agent Joe Martinez of the FBI is a welcome addition to the cast of characters and provides a bit of romance for Rachel.
I recommend Dark Corners to readers who like a well-plotted, contemporary crime novel and investigative procedural. While I was fortunate enough to read the digital ARC and listen to the audiobook advance file, I found the audiobook version particularly enjoyable, with excellent narration by Samantha Desz, January Lavoy and Andre Santana. The sound effects and music also really enhanced the story, especially the podcast excerpts.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the advanced copies. All opinions are my own.

"The scariest monster is the one that hides in plain sight."

Megan Goldin is back with book 2 in the Rachel Krall series. I know people loved The Night Swim, but it wasn’t a favorite of mine because I was a little confused with the podcast aspect. With Dark Corners, I decided to read along with the audiobook, and I enjoyed it much more.

My favorite part of this book was the influencer conference that Rachel attends under cover. Working with the FBI, she’s trying to figure out what happened to a missing influencer, Maddison Logan, who was abducted while recording a video for her social media. Rachel meets with a prison inmate who was accused of murdering some teenage girls, and now she’s trying to find his connection to Maddison.

If I had just read the eARC, I would have been really confused about what parts were Rachel’s podcast. The chapters aren’t labeled and the font wasn’t different so I can see this taking away from the story. It’s clear with the audiobook so I highly recommend listening to this one. I enjoyed the multiple narrators for this one, André Santana, January LaVoy, and Samantha Desz, and felt they did a great job bringing the story to life.

I found the mystery intriguing and didn’t put the ending together which is always a plus for me. There were some issues with the writing (constant use of both first and last names for example), but overall I was entertained by this book.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
In this mystery thriller, the FBI enlists the help of true-crime podcaster Rachel Krall, to help solve the potential disappearance of an influencer. Instagram-famous Maddison has not been seen since she visited Terrance Bailey in jail. Terrance was thought to have been connected with several other missing women.

I wasn’t going to read this one as it is the second in a series and I hadn’t read the first. When I started it I was immediately disappointed as I felt I was missing critical information about Rachel and the FBI agent. However, this passed as I became more interested and engaged with the story.

There is a good amount of pressure and pace, twists and turns in this story. There were some niggly things for me though.
-There was this unusual podcaster good and righteous vs influencer bad and frivolous theme going on.
-The romance seemed to have developed out of nowhere and did not add to the story at all.

That said I enjoyed the book, it can be read as a stand-alone story.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an opportunity to read this ARC!
IG review to be posted soon.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★
Genre: mystery thriller
Format: ebook
Length: 352 pages


✨Read this if you enjoy: ✨
🔪Twists and Turns
📱Social Media
🎙️True Crime

I read The Night Swim back in 2021 and I could not put it down. So naturally when I saw that Dark Corners was going to be a continuation I knew that I had to pick it up.

Thank you to Netgalley, St Martins Press and Megan Golden for an e-arc of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts about the book.

Dark Corners is about Terence Bailey, a man who is set to release from prison in a couple days. The last and only person to visit Terence in prison has gone missing. Rachel Krall finds herself in the middle of the investigation but she discovers quickly that no one in this town is exactly who they seem.

I really enjoyed this book, even though it was a very different tone from The Night Swim. This book isn’t quite so dark. I loved unravelling the mystery, some parts I was able to piece together and others definitely surprised me. I really liked Joe and I hope he’ll appear in another book with Rachel.

Megan Goldin just proves again why she is an auto buy author for me. I always have the best time reading her books.

I've been a Megan Goldin fan since her first book, and I'm so glad she brought back Rachel Krall for this book! I really loved that this one took so many different threads and wove together a connected, fascinating story. A significant amount of action takes place in the last 20% of the book. That's not to say that the rest is slow- the entire book is generally well plotted and paced, but definitely be prepared to read that last bit in one sitting. Rachel Krall is a great character, and I'm hoping this isn't the end of her stories.

WHILE I ENJOYED THIS ONE INITIALLY MORE THAN THE NIGHT SWIM THE CONTINUOUS CRINGE DIALOGUE BETWEEN RACHEL AND JOE GRATED ON MY LAST NERVE AND THE WHOLE THING STARTED TO FEEL CLICHE.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced copy all opinions are my own.

Did not finish @ 46%. Wasn’t engaged by any of the characters or the central mystery, and I thought the content creator angle was done without much depth or complexity.

SYNOPSIS:
- Shortly after meeting with Terence Bailey, an inmate in a Florida prison, Maddison Logan, a popular #vanlife influencer, disappears. In the meeting, Rachel Krall’s name came up, so the FBI flies Rachel to Florida.
- Rachel is a popular true-crime podcaster, and she has made a name for herself in the podcasting world.
- Terence Bailey will be released in a few days. He is a suspected serial killer, but there’s no evidence to tie him to any of the killings. He went to jail when he was twenty-one years old, and now, he’s twenty-seven years old.

MY THOUGHTS
- I hadn’t read book 1 (Night Swim) before, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. It was good as a stand-alone book.
- I read this one in less than 24 hours, and I found myself thinking about it in the moments I put the book down.
- Really enjoyed the character development. Rachel is a capable, strong-willed, smart character.
- Multiple POVs, including Rachel’s, one scary dude, & a podcast transcript.
- Loved the ending and the many twists throughout that kept me in suspense
- I liked the romantic aspect in the book, but felt the chemistry between the characters.
- Excellent writing. Complex plot, but well-plotted and easy to follow.
- Short chapters, which I love.
- The commentary on influencers throughout was timely, observant, and interesting.


TL;DR: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️4.5 stars rounded to 5, as I finished in less than 24 hours. Solid thriller with a well-written, capable woman as the MC.

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and Netgalley for this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review. It will be published on August 8, 2023.

True crime podcaster Rachel Krall is back and I am SO HAPPY about it!

After reading Night Swim in 2020 I was really hoping it wouldn't be a one off but haven't really thought much about it since, and then after reading Stay Awake (which I didn't love), I was anxiously awaiting Goldins next book to see if it was a hit for me like Escape Room and Night Swim were, or not.

5 star hit.

When true Crime podcaster Rachel Krall is called upon by the FBI as the only lead in a missing persons case, she is convinced to pay a visit to prisoner Terrance Bailey - arrested for B&E, but suspected of killing many women 6 years prior. The weird visit causes a chain of events that leads her to the middle of Buzzcon, a conference for influencers that was being attended by the missing girl, Maddison, that she's looking for. Did the fierce competitiveness of Buzzcon turn lethal? Is it Terrance pulling strings from within the prison to make Maddison disappear? We shall see.

There's so many wins for this book. The plot is easy to follow but still complex enough, the characters extremely likeable, and the multiple POVs (podcast transcript after the fact, Rachel herself, and anonymous man who gives off baaaad vibes) make the storytelling so interesting.

I'm looking forward to Rachel Krall #3 (especially if Joe Martinez makes an appearance!!)

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC, and for giving me the chance to read and review it honestly.

In this second book in the series, Rachel Krall, who is a true crime podcaster, is asked by FBI Special Agent Joe Martinez to fly down to Daytona Beach, FL, to help with a case. A man named Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison after serving time for breaking and entering and they want Krall to interview him. A detail in the crime he committed set off alarm bells that he could possibly be a serial killer the FBI has been looking for but there's no real proof.

And now it seems a social media influencer named Maddison Logan has gone missing after visiting him the day before. He is seen on the video recording of the visit scribbling a note to Logan, asking her to contact Rachel Krall. Why?? Rachel gets no answers from Bailey but his parting warning is: 'The scariest monster is the one that hides in plain sight.'

BuzzCon, a popular social media influencers convention, is being held in Daytona Beach and Rachel decides to infiltrate it to see if she can find any answers. No one really cares that Maddison is missing--it just means there is less competition for the big prize. They are all so vacuous, narcissist and self-indulgent, it's pretty sickening.

Meanwhile, there's a chemistry developing between Rachel and Joe Martinez that is hot, hot, hot. He's worried that her life might be in danger and regrets having asked her to involve herself in the case.

The story is filled with action and tension and bodies piling up. We see a killer at work behind the scenes. Is he Bailey's partner? Some of the details of the crimes he has committed are filled in with excerpts from the podcast Rachel will someday do. My one quibble is that I'm not sure that the FBI would involve a member of the public in a case like this, but it sure made for an exciting story.

I received an arc from the author and publisher via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own. Can't wait to see what happens next in the series!