I throughly enjoyed this book.

The plot was very Interesting and had me hooked from the start. I finished it in one sitting.

I appreciated all the topics that it covered. It was infuriating to see how flawed the police system can sometimes be. How when a person is missing nothing will be done right away, especially if you are a teenager. Police will not go into action sometimes until it’s too late. I was also so upset when the cops were making accusations out of absolutely nothing.

It was also interesting to put into perspective what the lives of some influencers can be like. Through videos and photos it may seem they have the perfect life, when in reality they kind of forget to actually live their lives. Sometimes you can get so caught up in taking the perfect photo and how you portray yourself to the world, you forget to actually enjoy the moment.

The romance was also cute and kind of endearing. Would’ve like to see a bit more about it, but still enjoyed it.

Personally, the story was not really a mystery to me. I realized exactly everything that was going to happen from the start. It was a bit obvious, yet that didn’t deter me from enjoying it.

The audiobook definitely made this a better experience. I liked that we had chapters from Rachel’s podcast, and we could listen to interviews with different narrators and sound effects.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio, for providing me with this ARC in exchange of an honest review.

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 & Macmillan Audio 🥰

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. I read the ebook along with the audiobook, and I can say with certainty that the audiobook is my preferred format and the way to go here. The sound effects, the talented cast, just phenomenal! 👏🏻.

The twistiness, the pacing, the influencer aspect, and 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 a highly entertaining read and I definitely recommend.

Book: 4 stars
Audiobook performance and production: 5 stars

Total 4.5 stars rounded to 5

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. Goldin's publisher provided me with the audiobook of Dark Corners. As I hit play, I was immediately immersed in the podcast, consumed by the crime and the story that was about to unfold.

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. The audiobook is narrated by a cast featuring André Santana, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz. They breathe life into the characters, and the podcast sections specifically feel ripped straight from reality. Megan Goldin is a standard setter in the world of thrillers, and Dark Corners continues to set that very high mark in the genre.

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

Terence Bailey is about to be released from a Florida prison but the FBI is hoping to tie him to a string of unsolved murders. Maddison Logan, a social media influencer, disappears not long after visiting Bailey in prison and the FBI enlists the help of popular true crime podcaster, Rachel Krall, to find out what happened to her. Before long investigators realize Bailey may have an accomplice - and Rachel has attracted his attention.

Although Dark Corners is the second book in the Rachel Krall series, this can definitely be read as a standalone. I liked this one even more than The Night Swim! While I wasn’t super interested in the influencer angle, I really enjoyed the commentary on the attention the media gives to killers versus their victims. The plot had a lot going on at times but I liked how all the pieces came together at the end. Some of the chapters are podcast episodes - just like in The Night Swim - which makes for a great listen if you are looking for an audiobook!

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.

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!

Great narration by the actors ✨💕

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Megan Goldin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC audiobook for Dark Corners coming out August 8, 2023. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Overall, I thought this was a fun book to listen to. I had similar issues with Rachel’s character as I did in the first book. She was slightly annoying with her “I can do whatever I want” attitude. She acted like her way was the only right way. I feel like she could’ve been more obliging and agreeable if she wanted to work with the FBI to get her story. I really loved the character of Joseph though. I thought he was more level-headed. The whole social influencers scene is definitely relative to our society today. It was an interesting plot of the book.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys police procedural books!

In DARK CORNERS by Megan Goldin, influencer Maddison Logan mysteriously disappears after visiting a suspected serial killer. True crime podcaster Rachel Krall gets involved when her name comes up in connection with the inmate. As Rachel investigates, she delves into the world of social media influencers and uncovers fierce rivalries and potential dangers. The story unfolds with gripping suspense, multiple twists, and insightful exploration of the influencer culture. Rachel's character evolves, becoming gritty and outspoken as she relentlessly pursues the truth. With its engaging narrative and satisfying ending, DARK CORNERS delivers a compelling and thrilling mystery, showcasing Megan Goldin's skill in crafting gripping psychological thrillers.

Yet again, this book is an excellent audiobook. The incorporation of podcast clips makes the experience very immersive, and the narrator does a good job differentiating characters and maintaining the pace of this thriller. This scratched the itch for a solid summer thriller, and the twist felt earned through the storytelling. I enjoyed this quite a lot!

3.5 stars
I listened to book 1 (The Night Swim) last week and loved it. It did take some adjustment as Rachel’s podcast episodes were first person with one narrator and the other sections with her POV were third person with a different narrator. I didn’t like that casting choice at all but the book was so good that I got over it. It was the same format for this book so it was easier to settle in for a second time. Dark Corners followed Rachel as she did an undercover assignment while broadcasting a special edition podcast investigating missing girls. This time, Rachel finds herself in the middle of the action. Things were super tense from start to finish. I didn’t like Dark Corners as much as The Night Swim but it was still a very good book!
*Thanks to MacMillan audio and NetGalley for the advance listener copy for review.

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.

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, and I loved how they had multiple voices in the transcripts on the audio. 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. I did enjoy the narrator, I thought she did a great job.

From my blog: Always With a Book

I was thrilled when I heard that Megan Goldin was bringing back Rachel Krall in another book. Night Swim was one of my favorite books and I had always hoped we would see Rachel again!

While this is listed as book two in the Rachel Krall series, I will say that these are connected stand-alones. You really don’t need to read Night Swim before reading this one. Of course, I do highly recommend that, but that’s just my opinion.

Once again, we have a very cleverly crafted story that kept me engaged from start to finish. There are the elements of the podcast used here – which are definitely my favorite, though I will say that these parts weren’t as frequent as they were in the previous book, which I missed and would have loved to have more of. We also have an active missing persons case and this is tied to a serial killer. Of course, I loved this aspect of the story because I am a fan of serial killer stories – not sure why, but am. And I loved how this one played out.

I love that we once again see Rachel not only doing her work as a podcaster, but also actively investigating the case. Once she gets involved with something, she is like a dog with a bone and no one and nothing is going to stop her, not even when her life is threatened. She will get the answers she wants at all costs, and I love that determination.

This book took quite a few twists and turns, and I never knew what to expect next. It is most definitely a case of nothing is what it seems on so many levels and I loved that! Once I started this one I had a hard time putting it down because I was so wrapped up in what was happening…it’s that good and that addicting! I hope this isn’t the last we’ve seen of Rachel…I want more of her and her podcast!


Audio thoughts: This book really works best on audio as the narrators are amazing and there are sound effects to introduce the podcast segments. It was such a great audio production and I was glued to my phone while listening! The narrators – Andre Santana, January LaVoy, and Samantha Dez – did such a great job with the voices, infusing just the right amount of emotion and tension into their voices as needed.

I was literally sitting on pins and needles waiting for the opportunity to read the second Rachel Krall book. The Night Swim was absolutely epic in an uncomfortable majorly triggering mental type of way. To say I had high expectations for the second installment would be an absolute understatement. This may have been the biggest obstacle keeping me from loving every part of Dark Corners.

Rachel Krall is called upon by the FBI to informally meet a prisoner, Terrence Bailey, days before his release. The supposed goal was to establish a lead in the disappearance of social media influencer, Maddison Logan, who went missing soon after visiting Bailey in prison. Rachel involves herself more and more with the case and goes undercover in a social media conference. Here she begins to make connections between various groups in attendance and the missing influencer. As the reader we are also introduced to a potential lead very early on and left to make connections between the past and present.

The story progresses quickly and can easily be devoured in a short couple of days. Fans of murder podcasts, this book is absolutely for you. It gives all of the details but saves the larger connections for later, enabling the reader to form conclusions and hypothesize who the killer really is.

The audio production is superb! Absolutely stunning with breakups between the dialogue and produced podcast episodes. I felt that the story was truly unfolding as I listened. The audio narration upped the estimation of my review overall.

If you loved The Night Swim, I would absolutely give Dark Corners a go. It does not have the same feels and will not leave you feeling wrecked, but the slow burn was a good one and well worth the quick read. I look forward to Rachel’s next adventure.

This is the second novel I read by Megan Goldin, the first novel I read was Stay Awake, which I found enjoyable. I did not read The Night Swim, book 1 of the Rachel Krall series, but felt like it wasn’t 100% necessary that I read book one to follow along in Book 2, it very much stands on its own for all to enjoy.

So Dark Corners takes place in Florida, where several women have been murdered, and the suspected killer is being released from prison soon. He didn’t go to prison for these murders, he went for breaking and entering. Local influencer Maddison Logan makes a visit to him prior to his release, and soon after, she goes missing. The FBI reaches out to Rachel Krall who is a true crime podcaster, for assistance on the case and Rachel heads to Florida and pretends to be an influencer so she can get close to other influencers at BuzzCon, an influencer conference, in hopes to gather information from people who ran in some of the same circles as Maddison. Who has a reason or motive to go after her?

I will say I am getting a little tired of the same type of story line where there is a lead female not normally in an authoritative role but inserts herself in an investigation and the cops/detectives take a back seat which is not super realistic even if they sought her for assistance and then the lead female ends up being an unlikeable character for me because I just can't help but think how unlikely it is to let someone take the lead that is not law enforcement with all the added risks. Also, inevitably, someone starts to catch feelings and because of this entanglement, bad decisions are made and it always ends the same, which I won't go into because I don’t want to provide any spoilers.

I didn’t mind the influencer parts of this book; I like books that focus on influencers, but I think this is the 4th or 5th book I have read with a podcaster lead and I just don’t think that is really my jam because they tend to annoy me how much they insert themselves. I do really appreciate that the author added some diversity in the book and there was an array of characters. I feel that was a conscious effort to be inclusive.

This did hold my attention and I was pretty happy with the ending. I think overall I would give this book 3 stars. I think it was pretty easy to figure out how this would end and I don't think there was meant to be much shock here, so it was still a good ending for me. There were a couple of sad parts too as they discussed previous victims and I like when an author can bring emotion out of you.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. I really enjoy Megan’s writing style so I look forward to what she has to come next!

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!

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.

Megan Goldin hits it out of the park with this one! This follow-up to her 1st Rachel Krall book does not disappoint! She once again gets herself into all kinds of trouble and saves the day in the end! I love me a strong kick-ass woman and that's what you get with this one! I can't wait to see what kind of shenanigans she has in store for Rachel in her next book!

Dark Corners is the second book in the Rachel Krall series. Only a few references to the first book so it can definitely be read as a standalone. The audio version was fantastic and made the story a delight to listen to. I thought it was so cool that the setting is in Florida (the same state I live in). The characters were so unreliable and creepy and I loved the serial killer storyline. The book is told from different POVs and, I enjoyed the podcast segments throughout the story. It was fun trying to figure out how everyone was connected and putting all the pieces together.

Read if you like:
🎙️True crime podcasts
🎙️social media influencers
🎙️Short chapters & multiple perspectives
🎙️Florida beach setting