Megan Goldin is a master of suspenseful storytelling. From the opening page I was hooked and quickly trying to turn the pages to see what would happen next- the opposite of a slow burn.

The second book in the Rachel Krall series and wow has our main character grown. She has developed a stronger backbone and a sarcastic tongue that serves her well. In Night Swim Rachel was outside the action, observing and reporting on the drama. In Dark Corners she is inside the story and at the center of the drama. It was a bit jarring at first but so well done that it was believable.

We have a social media conference and a serial killer. This could have easily turned dark comedy but the exceptional writing made those two extremes plausible. The mystery had me guessing (incorrectly) the outcome but I was completely satisfied when it was finally revealed.

The format was the same, a dual storyline between a pressure filled mystery and an objective podcast that felt like a mini vacation from the suspense.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for a chance to read an advance copy of Dark corners the 2nd book in the Rachel Krall by Megan Goldin. I really enjoyed the first book of the series, The night swim, and was looking forward to Dark corners. I found it a solid mystery, but I didn't like Rachel's character in this installment as I was in The night swim. The plot is fast paced, but the thread on the lifestyle of an Influencer just didn't thrill me. I missed Rachel's podcast which was featured in the 1st book. 31/2 stars rounded up.

I absolutely loved yet another one from Megan Goldin! I loved the dual perspectives, especially the bits and pieces we obtained from the podcast chapters. Rachel Krall is bad-ass and I can't wait to see what her next story holds....I liked the little bit of romance provided as well. Page turner...edge of my seat....trying to piece together who was hiding in plain sight!

This was a phenomenal follow up to The Night Swim and I have to say I enjoyed this one so much more! I was hooked right away and I enjoyed following along as Rachel and the FBI worked to solve a string of murders and disappearances and the focus on social media and influencer culture felt relevant and interesting. It was also kind of eerie that I read this at the same time there was a break in the Long Island serial killer/Gilgo Beach murders where sex workers were also some of the victims. I mostly listened to the audiobook which was great but would periodically switch to the e-book. Highly recommend if you enjoyed The Night Swim, true crime podcasts or just fast-paced, mysterious, unsettling thrillers. 4.5⭐️

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.

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 release date 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? And why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel Krall’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems to only exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail—identical to a tattoo Rachel had seen on Bailey’s hand—the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krall herself. Suddenly the target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

MY THOUGHTS:



Just when we begin to wonder about an inmate who has a connection to Rachel Krall and Maddison Logan, Dark Corners takes us into a very dark place. Rachel has been helping the FBI when she visits the inmate, and afterwards, she is drawn into the world of the Influencers, like Maddison.

In alternating narratives, we learn more about those who might have more to do with the events that are happening, and the connections that have led them to their actions. As I turned the pages, I couldn’t stop wondering about how events had taken shape and what would happen next.

A five star read!

My ARC came to me from the publisher via NetGalley.
***

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for this ARC.

I’ll start this by saying that this book would be fine as a stand alone, however, I read Night Swim before reading Dark Corners.

This is another adventure with Rachel Krall to help solve cases while recording for her podcast. This was not a new season of her podcast though. We get a story that seems to be entirely separate from her podcast, which was very prominent in book 1. There are only small mentions of the podcast and no chapters written as if you are hearing the podcast like previously.

This time, Rachel has been called by the FBI because her name was brought up to a man in prison that was suspected of murdering many women, but never convicted. We get to find out why through out the story.

If you like a mystery, and don’t care about how true to real life it would be, then this novel might be for you. It’s a fast paced thriller with people going missing and being found dead.

I just find that the FBI involvement with Rachel is not well executed and feels fake. If it doesn’t bother you that this would never happen in real life, then go for it and pick it up.

{3.5 stars}

We got to know podcaster Rachel Krall in 2020’s summer hit thriller Night Swim. She’s back in Dark Corners as she investigates a missing influencer. That search takes her into prison to meet an almost paroled, ex-con, and pairs her with an FBI agent hot on the case.

I was middle of the road on Night Swim, but I liked this novel a bit more. It uses many points of view and ways of communicating what is happening as it is happening. It also has us following the actual killer so we get some insight to their psyche. They are all the usual, red herrings, along the way and a bit of romance but this one has a nice pace and wraps everything up cleanly. Also, as a bookstagrammer, I enjoyed the influencer angle, that was a fun way to approach things.

Thanks to Macmillian Audio and St Martins Press for gifted access via Netgalley. All opinions above are my own.

Review of Dark Corners by Megan Goldin

Thank you so much to @stmartinspress for a copy of this one. It was the perfect beach read and I really enjoyed it. I loved how the main character Rachel from Night Swim was brought back in this one. However this one can definitely be read as a stand-alone. I was just a few miles away from Daytona Beach when I read this and so that setting was really fun. I also loved the influencer and podcast angles. There was one big twist I never saw coming. I highly recommend this one!

Synopsis:
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 release date 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? And why was she visiting him in the first place?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel Krall’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems to only exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal.

When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail―identical to a tattoo Rachel had seen on Bailey’s hand―the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krall herself. Suddenly the target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
Narrators: Andre’ Santana, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Rating: 4 stars
Pub Date: 8/8

This second book in the Rachel Krall series has the true crime podcaster searching for Maddison Logan, a missing social media influencer. She was last seen visiting suspected serial killer Terence Bailey in jail just days before his release. When the FBI hit a wall in the case, they called Rachel in to help.

This book was clever, fast paced, and full of twists and turns. When Rachel herself became a target and potential next victim, I was on the edge of my seat and couldn’t put the book down! I loved learning about the darker side of the life of a social media influencer, and the multiple POV added depth to the story. The ending perfectly wrapped everything up and gave me hope that we’ll see Rachel Krall again.

I’ve always said that I’m not a big fan of true crime podcasts, but this audiobook may have proven me wrong! My favorite parts of this were the podcast portions and everytime they ended I wished there were more! The audiobook has elements that get lost on the page, which makes the listening experience even more enjoyable than the ebook, in my opinion.

This is my first book by this author and it definitely won’t be my last! I should mention that I didn’t read the first book in the series and it didn’t affect my reading experience at all.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my advanced reader copy and to Macmillan Audio for my gifted ALC.

Read if you like:
*twisty thrillers
*true crime podcasts
*social media influencers
*romantic suspense
*multiple POV

Goldin doesn't disappoint with this one. A GREAT READ and I loved how real the characters felt. Definitely recommend it.

After a brief meeting with an inmate in a correctional facility in Florida, famous influencer Maddison Logan disappears without a trace. The soon-to-be-released inmate, Terence Bailey, though incarcerated for B&E, is a suspect in the murders of six women, though the FBI is yet to prove their case. When a meeting between Bailey and Rachel ends with Bailey’s veiled threats directed towards Rachel, the FBI, sensing that Bailey might target Rachel requests her to fly back home.. Rachel has no idea to get involved in influencers’ voyeuristic lifestyle may put her life in danger. Her firsthand experience may turn her into target of a nasty serial killer! This is my first book by Megan Goldin and she has gained herself a fan. #NETGALLEY #DARKCORNERS

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? Why was she visiting him in the first place?

Another win from Megan Goldin! If the name Rachel Krall sounds familiar, you may remember her from Goldin’s previous book, The Night Swim. If you haven’t no worries! This one reads great as a stand alone.

The FBI turns to Rachel - a true crime podcast host - to try to solve a missing person case. She wasn’t able to get what they wanted out of her visit to Terence Bailey (who is about to be released from prison) and the FBI tries to send her home…. Only Rachel wanted to see the case through. She ends up undercover at a social media influencer conference.

I don’t listen to podcasts, but I always enjoy them in a book. The social media world was interesting from Rachel’s perspective. Good twists and interesting how it all came together in the end. Looking forward to more Rachel Krall mysteries!

I was able to read and listen to this story on audio. Great narration that kept the story moving!

“The scariest monster is the one that hides in plain sight.” Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster we first meet in The Night Swim has been called to Florida to meet with a suspected serial killer, Terrance Bailey who is set to be released from prison in days. A social media influencer has gone missing after visiting Terrance and the FBI believes he was somehow involved. Rachel’s name came up during their meeting but why? Time is running out before Bailey gets out of prison - what does he want with Rachel? Is she safe as she investigates the missing influencer?

While I enjoyed Dark Corners I didn’t find it as engrossing as the Night Swim. It was a still a page turner, but it just didn’t have tension I felt with her previous book. All in all I would recommend, but not as strongly as her other book.

First off, this is book 2. I did not know that when requesting it, but it didn’t take away from this novel. I may have liked it even more if I had more backstory on Rachel Krall.

This was a great thriller. Absolutely loved it. Following along with an influencer was a nice change of pace with most books. I loved the characters, their personalities, and the passion behind right and wrong.

Rachel is a smart influential character. She uses her skills and knowledge to trust her instincts and solve the crime. Getting herself in danger comes without asking as she’ll risk herself for justice.

This book had me on the edge of my seat afraid of what was coming next. I loved the fear and thrilling grasp I had with each new chapter. Now to read the first book, Night Swim, so I can appreciate this even more.

Dark Corners
Set not long after Megan Goldin’s previous work “The Night Swim”, “Dark Corners” picks up with Rachel Krall getting a unexpected call from the FBI to fly to Florida to help with the investigation into missing influencer Madison Logan. Krall is asked to speak with soon-to-be released inmate Terence Bailey as he just saw Madison days earlier when she visited him randomly in prison. The FBI have no leads on Madison, as she appears to only exist on the internet and are hoping Krall can provide some clues. Rachel reluctantly agrees to help, and speaks with Bailey, and attends an influencer convention, BuzzConn. There she learns about true world of influencing and how this world of fierce rivalries might have just turned deadly.

Goldin’s “Dark Corners” is a perfect sequel to “The Night Swim”. While there’s not much need to read the first book before this one as they are two separate stories, it’s helpful to understand who Rachel Krall is and how she works. The book follows multiple characters including Rachel, the rugged yet mysterious FBI agent Joe Martinez, and a few others to uncover what really happened to Madison. You’ll never see the twist coming to hold onto your seats - 5/5 stars.

Thanks so much for this arc!!

Megan Goldin does it again! I loved The Night Swim and requested this instantly when I saw the author!

Rachel Krall is back in Dark Corners. The FBI contacts her as a last resort. A prisoner (due to be released) who may have kidnapped 6 woman may have struck again. He was visited by a social media influencer & now she has disappeared. Rachel is called in to see what info she can get out of him, as her name was brought up.

This story goes back and forth through the investigation & Rachel’s podcasts. She ends up infiltrating a social media conference to see what the influencers know. Even more strange things happen then! Rachel turns out to be a better detective than most on the force. She uncovers so much through her journeys.

I loved the social media aspect- it made this book feel so up to date. I’m sure Goldin is on point with the kinds of things that go on with influencers. I could not get enough of this story. I had to keep going to see what would happen! It was hard to put down. Even though I figured out a big twist it didn’t bug me. I loved Rachel’s relationship with the main detective- a nice add on to this mystery.

I hope she keeps up with this series. The podcast aspect is so well done! What a fun way to read a mystery/thriller!

Contemporary thriller lovers will really enjoy Dark Corners. A follow up to The Night Swim, Terence 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 release date approaches, he gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a popular influencer. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect the worst. Is Maddison’s disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? And why was she visiting him in the first place? Rachel Krall is on the case!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and Megan Goldin for the complimentary advance readers’ edition of DARK CORNERS for an honest review.

DARK CORNERS is the second book in the Rachel Krall series following THE NIGHT SWIM. Rachel is an investigative reporter and the star of a true crime podcast Guilty or Not Guilty. In this novel she is drawn into the world of social media influencers. Popular influencer Maddison pays a visit to a man in prison. In the hours afterward she goes missing without a trace. The main clue the FBI has is Rachel’s name.

Rachel is brought in to help with the investigation, meeting with the prisoner and using her own influence to connect into Maddison’s world. With potential dangers on multiple fronts, Rachel winds up in the crosshairs.

I really loved THE NIGHT SWIM so was thrilled to learn there would be another book following Rachel. I think I still liked the first book more, but this was a fantastic read and great on audio as well! In this case there wasn’t an initial intent to make a podcast so the podcast elements naturally felt a little less at the center of the story, but I still enjoyed the way it was incorporated.

Rachel is a smart and interesting character to follow. I certainly wouldn’t have put myself into her shoes, but I did think she made a lot of sense in her decisions given her character and the situation. There were multiple questions overlapping as well which kept things interesting. The BuzzCon influencer conference was an interesting backdrop as well. The rivalries and the money on the line with such a thing were wild!

I really enjoy Megan Goldin’s books and I am glad that this lived up to my hopes! I look forward to more from her in the future!

This is a super fast paced thriller! There was a lot going on, but it was all very well developed & explained, so it wasn't too much. I loved the twisty ending!!

Thanks to NetGalley and publisher for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the night swim and was so happy to get an ARC for the sequel. But something about it just didn’t hit the same for me. I will continue the series if there is another book but for now this was a miss.