After enjoying The Night Swim, I was excited to receive an ARC for Dark Corners. In this second Rachel Krall novel, Rachel is summoned by the FBI when a social media influencer goes missing after meeting with a prisoner in a Florida penitentiary. The prisoner is a fan of Rachel’s true crime podcast and had asked the missing influencer to set up a meeting between him and Rachel. Soon after Rachel meets with the prisoner, a woman’s body is discovered nearby. The prisoner is set to be released in 48 hours unless the FBI can finally tie him to the previous murders they suspect him of and possibly link him to the death of the young woman.

I was ready to love this novel, but it was just okay at best for me. I was disappointed in the character development of Rachel. The Night Swim Rachel was more likable and effortless. This Rachel seemed to try too hard to be tough and some of the dialogue reads a bit like an old episode of Dragnet. The plot unfortunately ended up being a little too far fetched for me and the explanations at the end required a lot of suspension of disbelief.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Pub date: Expected August 8, 2023
Pages: 352

Thank you so much NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an e-ARC of this much anticipated book in exchange for my honest review.

After thoroughly enjoying Megan Goldin's The Night Swim, I was really looking forward to reading Dark Corners. Unfortunately, I didn't find this novel to be nearly as engaging as the aforementioned. Although the villian's character was exceptionally eerie, the other characters seemed slightly one dimensional to me. Even MC Rachel Krall was portrayed differently this time around.

I'll admit that my expectations for this book were especially high because The Night Swim is one of my top thriller reads, but I'm sad to say that this one let me down.

Overall, I enjoyed the premise but would have preferred much less influencer/podcast subject matter. I found it really took away from the chilling thriller ambiance.

This was a good suspense/thriller. I requested this book based on how much I enjoyed Night Swim by the same author. The style of this book was a little bit different, it was not told through the actual podcast as the story was happening in real time. I do think that I might have enjoyed it more if the podcast would have played more into the storyline. This was a really intriguing plot that dropped hints that I thought were going to turn out one way, but it definitely kept me guessing, which I love about this genre of novel. I will definitely recommend this one to anyone looking for a thriller/suspense.

Rachel Krall is back in Dark Corners, Megan Goldin’s sequel to The Night Swim! The Night Swim is one of my all time favorite books, so I knew I had to request an ARC of its sequel!

When Terrence Bailey, about to be released from jail, receives a message from his first visitor ever to contact our famous podcaster, Rachel comes flying in to assist the FBI but also to take the case into her own hands. Things get complicated when that same visitor, a popular influencer in town for an influencer convention, goes missing that same day. What happened to her and will they find her in time?

Goldin does a great job with tying everything together, but where this book struggled was in its character development. Only toward the end of the book did Rachel (or any of the side characters really) begin to show some growth. Rachel in particular seemed mean and frigid, which I don’t recall from the first book. It’s a good thing I came for the mystery, and it was fun seeing how all the different parts came together in the end! If you come in with an open mind and don’t compare it to The Night Swim, you’ll hopefully really enjoy Dark Corners!

Megan Goldin is back with one of my favorite characters of hers, the true crime podcaster Rachel Krall with her latest pulse pounding thriller!

Krall is pulled into an FBI missing persons case when Maddison, a social media influencer, disappears after visiting suspected killer Terence Bailey in prison and they discuss Rachel Krall. Rachel doesn’t know Maddison or Terence, and has had no contact from either. She cannot imagine why they were discussing her or how she could be connected to these two individuals. However, with Maddison missing and Terence Bailey, a suspected murderer, about to get out on parole, the clock is sure ticking!

Dark Corners is told in alternating timelines. We get pieces from present day with Rachel and the FBI’s missing person investigation, and also another storyline with another murder that occurred nearby. The chapters don’t make clear when we are switching timelines, so the reader has to piece it together, which is easily done from the different characters. The mystery of how this other timeline connects continues to draw the reader in. We aren’t sure if this is related to the missing persons case, a past murder, or something that will occur later in the main timeline of the story.

Bodies keep appearing. Will the FBI or Rachel get to the bottom of this puzzle before Terence is released on parole and could possibly murder more women? Or will Terence continue his reign of terror after being released from prison?

Pre-order this heart stopping thriller from Megan Goldin right now!! Twists galore and an ending that will surprise even regular thriller readers like me, you won’t want to miss this one!!

The story is set in the midst of influencers, attending a convention, and all the stereotypes of what that might be are alive and well! A podcaster finds herself partnering with a handsome FBI agent to solve a missing persons case (and maybe a serial killer?). Fun read.

This is the second book in the Rachel Krall series, but it could easily be read as a stand alone. This is a mystery/thriller that is well written. Rachel Krall is a true crime podcaster. In this book she is pulled in to an investigation by the FBI to help with a missing persons case.

Description:
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?

When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel’s help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to 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 Krall 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, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a 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.

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

My thoughts:

I enjoyed this book as much as I did the first in the series, [book:The Night Swim|51169341]. This was an entertaining read with a few twists, some predictable and some not so much. I found the social media conference interesting. I can't imagine putting one's life on display all the time though. Rachel came across as defensive in the book, and I get it - she got pulled in somewhat underhandedly. I enjoyed the hint of romance in the book. I kind of hope to see more of Agent Martinez in future installments of the series. Terence Bailey came across as evil early on as everyone suspected him. He seemed like the dangerous killer they expected him to be.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on August 8, 2023.

I really loved The Night Swim (Rachel Krall #1), and was excited to read this second book. Needless to say, I liked the first book better. In Dark Corners, Rachel Krall is helping the FBI, but she seems more full of herself. In The Night Swim, she was very likeable. In this one, not so much. Thank you to NetGalley, publisher St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. There is still time for Rachel Krall to redeem herself!! 3.5 Stars

A great thriller that I can see being a big hit with book clubs.
Thanks for the opportunity to read and review!

True crime podcaster, Rachel Krall, is back again! After reading “The Night Swim” and loving it, I was so excited to get my hands on this one. Rachel is asked to help with the FBI in finding social media influencer, Maddison, who has gone missing after a visit with a suspected serial killer in prison.

I did find the story to be a little far fetched at times, and the social media influencer aspect was not very appealing to me. However, I loved how everything pieced together in the end. Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the ARC!

“𝑨𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒂𝒍𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒐. 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌 𝒄𝒐𝒓𝒏𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒄𝒂𝒏 𝒃𝒆 𝒅𝒂𝒏𝒈𝒆𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒔 𝒑𝒐𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒔.”

Terrence Bailey is about to be released from prison despite being a suspect in the murders of 6 women. Rachel Krass is a podcaster of a popular crime show. Maddison is a popular influencer. The three are about to be connected in more ways than one. When Maddison is kidnapped shortly after visiting Terrence in prison. Rachel is determined to figure out what happened before Terrence gets released from prison.

Megan Goldin does it again with this fast paced, dark, and unique storyline that will keep you on the edge of your seat. There's a lot of moving parts in the story but it all comes together nicely. This is a follow up to Night Swim but can be read as a stand alone. I really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed this book. I didn't read the first book in the series but I didn't need to. Definitely recommend this book!!

I was really excited to see that Rachel Krall was coming back! I loved “The Night Swim” - books about true crime podcasters are at the top of my list right now. I was really excited to read this one, and it didn’t disappoint!

This one starts out with a social media influencer and a prison inmate asking for Rachel Krall’s help. Rachel hosts a very popular true crime podcast, and she has helped get justice in a few high profile cases. The FBI wants to know why Rachel is being asked for her help. This starts off a chain of events that at first seem unrelated. Rachel goes undercover at an influencer convention to see what she can find out when one of the main players in this story goes missing. This story is a slow burn that moves fast. Everything is connected, and I did not see the twist coming.

The thing I loved about this story were the chapters the reader gets that show how this story will be presented as a podcast. The author gives you just enough to keep you guessing and reading. I also love Rachel’s commitment to the victims. Great true crime podcasts tell all of the victims’ stories.

You do not have to read “The Night Swim” to read this one, but I recommend that you do as it is a great read, and really gives a great introduction to the character of Rachel Krall. You will not be sorry you did!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced reader copy of this book. I really hope to get more Rachel Krall stories. This book releases in August of 2023. Also, pick up this author’s stand alone book “Stay Awake” - it is excellent!

Oh this was good! I seriously was not lying on a review on one of her previous books that I would read anything she writes - this stands true.

With that said, the very beginning was confusing. I almost didn't continue, but I am glad I kept on trucking. Around 30% of the way through, everything started to click together. As the puzzle pieces fell into place, I could not put this down!

If you feel like you can't keep going - just keep going! Let those puzzle pieces fall into place. I promise you the end result is worth it!

I've been a huge fan of Megan Goldin since I reviewed her 1st book The Escape Room. Megan writes great books that keep you guessing till the end and her writing is hauntingly beautiful. This book pulled me in from the description and since page one I could not put it down. I absolutely loved it! This is a great imaginative read and I highly suggest it.

Despite really enjoying The Night Swim, I just didn’t love this one. Rachel’s character was a lot less likable in this story, the social media side wasn’t so interesting to me, and there were a few moments where I was yelling at the book because the twists were so obvious had Rachel just asked other characters the right questions or showed them a photo of the person she was asking about (since she knew they were using a fake name!!). A bit frustrating to read, but I’d considering another Megan Goldin book if it wasn’t centered around Rachel Krall.

Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
Publishing Date - 08/08/23
Rating (4/5) ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ebook arc. Podcaster Rachel Krall is back again in this second book of the series. She is helping FBI agent Joe , investigate the disappearance of an influencer Maddison , who disappears from her ban in the middle of the woods after meeting with prisoner Terrance Bailey. Plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing until the very end!

I won't repeat the book blurb here as the publisher does a fine job of describing what the book is about.

While I'm glad to see the Rachel Krall series continue, I didn't enjoy this read as much as Night Swim. The whole social media influencers aspect was a turn-off for me. Goldin continues to develop Rachel and her other characters well, and the pacing is good. A twist turns everything you've been led to believe upside down which was refreshing.

You'll have to decide whether you want to read this on your own, my friends. I will continue to look forward to Megan Goldin's books, but this was just a so-so read for me.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press for permitting me to read a DRC via NetGalley. The novel is scheduled for publication on 8/8/23. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and are freely given.

Here, Rachel Krall finds herself in sunny Florida at the behest of the FBI to solve the recent disappearance of van-life social media influencer, Maddison Logan and her mysterious connection to a suspected serial killer behind bars. Here, she must wade through the facade of social media influencers to get to the real Maddison and skirt the FBI’s wishes that she extricate herself from the case. But if we know one thing about Rachel, it’s that she never backs away from what she’s started.

Thank you so much to the publisher for allowing me to read and review this e-arc, I couldn’t be happier to walk with Rachel Krall in her next leg of her story. Megan Goldin has once again, grabbed me hook line and sinker with the way she weaves her mysteries. I’m always left guessing until the last possible moment and I was even pleasantly surprised with the sprinkle of romance that played a part in this installment.

From the beginning, the atmosphere of the swampy marshes of Florida to the hot, unforgiving concrete of the prison, to the shiny welcoming city center drew me in. I knew the stories would collide at some point but I couldn’t begin to figure out how. Overall, this was a super entertaining read but I felt there were some pitfalls that I didn’t have with the Night Swim, which is what ultimately kept this from being a five star read for me. Namely, I feel like this felt rushed. There were some plot holes that I felt nearly brought me out of the story. I feel like the case could have been solved with just a little bit deeper digging or less vague clues left by Maddison at the very beginning. I’m not sure what made Rachel’s sources so willing to give up information with little to no prodding but it almost comes down to sheer luck and timing (and a way for the author to give you easily earned information with convenient timing). I couldn’t decide if Maddison and Terence actually wanted this to be solved or if they were looking for some sort of vigilante justice? But why be coy when you’re trying to catch a serial killer that you know is still out there and still hunting? It seems selfish to want to cover up your own motivations at that point. Once I had made up my mind that while there were indeed some frustrating plot holes that I felt could have easily been rewritten, I was willing to overlook and focus on my enjoyment of the story. Here is where Megan really shines at giving us the push and pull of the suspense and excitement and I began to feel the way I did when I couldn’t put down the Night Swim. Overall, I still can’t wait for the next Rachel Krall installment. What will she do next? Where will this lead? Only Megan Goldin can tell us.

4⭐️

This is a captivating mystery thriller that kept me guessing throughout the story. It was fast paced with multiple perspectives and timelines.

We follow again the main protagonist Rachel Krall, a crime investigative podcaster. This time however the crime she is trying to solve is not one she voluntarily first signed up for. She finds herself in the middle of a FBI investigation after a young Instagram influencer goes missing. The prime suspect is a man getting ready to be released from prison from a breaking and entering charge. But the FBI, actually suspect him to be one of a duo serial killer of young women.

This story instantly sucked me in. The writing is fantastic and I really enjoyed my time with this book. The characters have depth and I connected with the majority of them. One weakness was the killer of the story. The motivation was a bit weak for me and I wish we got more back ground. There was so some confusing points at the end of the story. However overall this was a really fun read. The short chapters was also a huge plus as it kept the tempo fast.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martins press for this advanced reader copy. My review is voluntarily my own,

I will be posting my review to my Instagram page the.floofs.booknook and retail sites close or on publication.