Thanks @netgalley for read number 22 of 2023. I really like @megangoldinauthor’s books, and this one was no exception. I did need to get used to the different timelines and points of view at times, but I like how everything came together. The book was really fast paced. Things resolved maybe a little too neatly for me in the end, but I still really enjoyed the novel. This could be more personal preference. Still a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ read in my books.

In the follow up from "Night Swim," main character Rachel is mysteriously brought down to Florida to help in an FBI case. Rachel is the only lead they have on the case of Terence Bailey who is about the be released from prison despite suspicions surrounding him as a serial killer. When a popular social media influencer seemingly randomly visits her in prison, and then disappears - FBI scrambles to figure out what happened before Terence is released as a free man.

Let me tell you - this book was SO good, even better than "Night Swim" in my opinion. I felt like we got to know Rachel so much better during "Dark Corners" where she had much more character development. The mystery behind Terence Bailey and the disappearance of the influencer is so well crafted. I enjoyed reading along and speculating with my own theories as to what was going on. Even though there was a crazy twist you don't see coming, I just really enjoyed the story telling and the suspense building. I also enjoyed the behind the scenes peek at what the life of an influencer is like and how it isn't always sunshine and free roses for them. Overall, I highly recommend this book. Even if you haven't read "Night Swim," you can easily pick this one up without worrying about missing a beat.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an advanced electronic copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

Following up on "The Night Swim," Rachel Krall is just trying to recover from the trial she reported on when the FBI says she's needed in an investigation and she's leaving for Florida. Influencer Maddison Logan was visiting inmate Terence Bailey in prison and went missing hours later, and because Bailey had asked for Rachel by name, the FBI think she might be able to assist in the case. When a body is found, the FBI cut Rachel loose, but she can't let go. Bailey is suspected of murders but the police haven't been able to gather enough evidence, and he seems to have an accomplice on the outside. With Bailey's release date fast approaching for his time served for breaking and entering and assault, he's likely to become a threat again soon if they can't prove that he should still be locked up.

I enjoy mixed media elements in mysteries, and though this novel doesn't have podcast episodes in it, I still enjoy the perspective of the podcaster using connections to solve a mystery. I was a bit surprised by the ending, and though my mind wasn't blown, it held my attention. An enjoyable read!

CW: murder, death, kidnapping

Rachel Krall is back! I was so excited to read this book.
This story is incredible. Not only do we get to do a deep dive into the world of social media influencers and that whole insane career path, but it's also such a great thriller, full of so many well developed characters.
I lovdd that we have chapters that are Rachel's podcast transcripts as we are trying to solve a mystery, it was one of my favourite parts of the previous book The Night Swim.

So many clues are dotted along the way and I loved picking them up and seeing how I could figure out the puzzle, and I only had an inkling of what was fully going on just moments before the big reveal. Excellent read all the way through.
Absolutely pick this one up! You will not be disappointed.

Rachel Krall , a true crime podcast host, is brought to Florida by the FBI to help with a case. Time is of the essence as the suspected killer is set to be released in 2 days..

This is the second book of the series and Rachel's story. Megan did an excellent job! It was a slower start as there are several different moving components and substory lines throughout that ultimately connect. Just when you thin you have things figured out Megan throws you another curve ball. I loved Rachel;s strong personality and determination and how she doesnt back down!

Fingers crossed for a third story and more of Rachel Krall.

Megan Goldin is the queen of satisfying thrillers, and Dark Corners is no exception. True Crime podcaster Rachel Krall from The Night Swim is back, and asked by the FBI to help with a missing person's case: social media influencer Madisson Logan. She was last seen visiting Terence Logan a few days before he is to be released from prison. She is the second person who visited him in his six year stint for breaking and entering (time added because he got in a brawl in jail). The police believe he is linked to multiple murders and missing person's cases, perhaps even partnering with someone while he is on the other side. The FBI recorded his meeting with Madisson and he gave her one order: "Bring me Rachel Krall."

Despite FBI telling her to leave town, Rachel sticks around because there is a big social media influencer convention in town, and maybe she can gather clues as to Madisson's disappearance. Is Madisson alive? Is Rachel Terence's next victim? And what's the deal with the stinky Uber driver?

This was a well-paced thriller, and the influencer convention side plot was kind of fun. Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC for my honest review.

Any book by Megan is amazing this was no brainer that it would be amazing! I can’t wait for the next one!

I am so, so sad to be writing this review. I have immensely enjoyed all of Goldin’s other books, but this one isn’t working.
I don’t remember Rachel Krall being awful in The Night Swim, but she’s really immature here and after 30% I can’t take it anymore. Also not a fan of the FBI agent, but either. I’m hoping I love her next book better.

Like many readers, I enjoyed The Night Swim and was excited to hear about a new book in the series! Sadly, Dark Corners fell very flat for me personally.

I don’t remember Rachel being so unlikable in the Night Swim. In fact, I kind of remember her being very average and personable. This time around, she’s smug and holier than thou and “so sexy” and “looks like a Viking princess”. She’s also incredibly charming and so likable that everyone she meets is willing to instantly spill their guts to her.

My mom likes to joke that my life motto is “but would you be saying that if she were a man?” I usually love an unlikable protagonist and I try really hard not to be turned off by a female character who is assertive or doesn't feel the need to be friendly and pleasant. The thing is, Rachel was just insufferable.

The good news is you don’t need to remember anything from The Night Swim to read Dark Corners. There's a few reminders from the previous book, but you can 100% read this as a standalone (though if you only want to read one, I highly recommend The Night Swim!).

The dialogue felt a little clunky at times and the story wasn't my favorite but it wasn't a bad plot. This might have worked better for me as an audiobook, so if you're on the fence maybe give that a try!

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book; all opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to be an early reader.

Podcaster/investigator Rachel Krall has no idea what she is getting into when she agrees to help the FBI with a case in Florida. What follows is a web of lies and deceit, not the least of which come from the social media influencers at BuzzCon, and some poor old police work that left people in perpetual danger. I love the character Rachel Krall and Agent Martinez was a great addition. This book constantly revealed connections and “coincidences” that constantly had me re-evaluating everyone in the book!

Thank you to the publisher for the advanced copy!

I had read and loved Night Swim, the first book in this series, so I was really excited for this book, too --especially when I saw it was about social media influencers. As usual with Goldin, I thought the plotting was excellent and I really loved the cast of characters we met. Rachel Krall continues to do what we wants and needs to get the good story. Every time I thought I had the story figured out, I was wrong.

The only thing I thought needed some work was the love story -- the chemistry felt a bit forced. Otherwise, I thought this was excellent!

Dark Corners is a fun read. I wonder if this will one day feel dated, as it centers heavily on social media influencers and the toxicity of that lifestyle. One can only hope that this darker side of social media will one day be obsolete - the author pulls no punches when it comes to presenting influencers in an extremely negative light.

If you've read Megan Goldin's excellent The Night Swim, then you have already been introduced to MC Rachel Krall, a podcaster who reports on true crime. It is not necessary to have read TNS to enjoy Dark Corners, but always fun to continue reading about a character you like.

Rachel gets pulled into an FBI investigation of a current missing woman, and older unsolved murders that they feel may all be related. Rachel continues to be a character worth rooting for, and Dark Corners is an enjoyable read with some nice twists. It was not, for me, quite as good as The Night Swim, but still very entertaining. Three and a half stars.

I was a big fan of The Night Swim so this was definitely a want to read on my list! I like Megan Goldin's writing style with medium size chapters and enough detail packed substance but not over doing it to where I want to skim some of the details. I like following the clues through chapters and how it all syncs up in the end.
We have Rachel Krall back in the second installment, famous true crime podcaster who this time isn't chasing the crime to uncover the crime chased after her. Rachel gets asked to help the FBI and goes to meet inmate Terence Bailey to help get answers as her name is the only clue the FBI has between Bailey and his meeting with Maddison Logan an up and coming popular social media influencer. The problem is Maddison goes missing not long after her meeting with Bailey at the prison. Bailey couldn't have done it himself being locked up so does he have an accomplice? Is she going to be another suspected victim of his the past accusations of his involvement of 6 other women being murdered? How does Rachel play into all this since she was the only clue that the FBI could turn up?
I honestly was wrong for a portion of the book thinking who Maddison was and why she was visiting Terry to then go missing. The other unknowns that started to play out through the trail of breadcrumbs kept this interesting for me. I love thrillers but sometimes I want them to have a slow burn in some aspects to let my mind create ideas of what could be and this is another favorite for me. Dark Corners checks all my boxes for what I look for in a book to keep engaged and wanting to finish it while wishing it didn't end! Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the copy to review and give a 5 star rating!

Thank you Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC copy of "Dark Corners" this book was interesting, but a little slow for me for a thriller. The ending had a few twists I didn't expect but it also felt a little predictable. I enjoyed "Dark Corners" more than the "Night Swim"

This was an excellent read! Truly one of the better books I have read for a while. I liked that this book had me predicting some items that resulted in a great twist. I truly could not put this book down. I liked the added love story angle - I found myself rooting for the couple the whole way through! I also thought that the addition of the influencer conference was interesting and extremely timely given today’s social landscape.

Not a bad read. Typical FBI, serial killer book. Basic twists and turns.

I liked the focus on social influencers. I don't think I've read anything on that topic and I enjoyed that aspect. Social media has and is destroying people. It's a crazy fake world out there.

I liked Rachel as the main character and a podcaster for true crime stories. The romance between here and the FBI agent was seen from a mile away. It was cute.

The twists with the murders were good. I actually thought it was interesting that the author brought lite to a disease I've never heard of before, the rotting garbage BO (don't know the technical name). I had no idea this existed and it was nice to read about something new and interesting. Obviously it was sad to hear about Thomas's childhood because of it, but nonetheless it was interesting.

I received a free copy of the book from netgalle for my review. Thank you. #netgalley

I am such a ridiculous Megan Goldin fangirl. Love everything she's done. Dark Corners was no exception. When I realized that Rachel was back, I got very excited. She was so great Night Swim, and I'm recently addicted to true crime podcasts myself. I loved solving the mystery with her. There were some great red herrings, and some plot twists that made me go "Oh, $#$(*!" while reading late at night.

A truly terrific novel that kept me intrigued right up until the end.

Review based on ARC.

Phenomenal read. From the beginning you are kept enthralled in the lives of influencers as one of their own is missing and Rachel is asked for help finding her. Things are not what they seem, though and you are swept up in the plot as you try to unravel the truth.

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. Thank you NetGalley, Megan Goldin and St. Martins Press for hearing my honest review. Looking forward to reading more with you
#partner

Megan Goldin is back on her game with this book! As the second installment after Night Swim, it was great to be back with Rachel Krall and her investigations for her true crime podcast.

This book was gripping, not super predictable, and fun to read. And while it’s a great follow up for Night Swim, you definitely don’t need to have read it first to check this one out.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for the ARC in exchange for my review.

Okay so I went into this not kind of backwards. I started this novel not realizing it was the second out of a series, but still even with all that I really enjoyed this one!! I’m going to go ahead and read the first lol, I know! I loved everything about this book this author knows their genera. I’ve been seeing a lot of buzz about this book on booktok I would definitely recommend that you read this book. I can’t wait to see what is next to come from this wonderful author 🖤🖤🖤