“A blistering plot and crisp writing make The Night Swim an unputdownable read.” –Sarah Pekkanen, bestselling author of The Wife Between UsIn The Night Swim, a new thriller from Megan Goldin, author of the “gripping and unforgettable” (Harlan Coben) The Escape Room, a true crime podcast host covering a controversial trial finds herself drawn deep into a small town’s dark past and a brutal crime … into a small town’s dark past and a brutal crime that took place there years before.
Ever since her true-crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall has become a household name—and the last hope for people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help.
The new season of Rachel’s podcast has brought her to a small town being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. A local golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season 3 a success, Rachel throws herself into her investigation—but the mysterious letters keep coming. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insist she was murdered—and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody in town wants to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases—and a revelation that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.
Electrifying and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation? Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really happened to Jenny?
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A unique blending of past and present, “The Night Swim” takes the reader on a very compelling journey into two eerily similar crimes which took place in the small town of Neapolis, North Carolina, 25 years apart.
Peeling back the layers of each tragic case, true crime podcast host, Rachel Krall, is on the hunt for the truth, not just increased fan ratings. Right from the get-go, two mysteries start to unfold. In the present, it is delivered in the form of a high-profile rape trial that Rachel is covering, while also shining a spotlight on the pitfalls of our justice system, courtroom antics, and victim shaming.
Conveyed through a series of letters and emails to Rachel from the first victim’s emotionally unstable sister, the reader learns the horrific details that led up to her sister’s rape and murder 25 years earlier. Refusing to remain silent any longer, the young woman—Hannah—seeks Rachel’s help in bringing the truth behind her sister Jenny’s tragic death to light.
Boasting an intriguing premise and shocking revelations, I devoured this book from start to finish. If you enjoy a good courtroom drama and a highly intriguing mystery, then you won’t want to pass this one up!
Favorite Quote:
“Objectivity is so last century. Didn’t you get the memo?” said Pete. “These days everybody has an opinion. Whether they know what they’re talking about, or not. Usually it’s the latter.
My Review:
This was clever storytelling. The tension and intrigue were held to a taut and ever ratcheting level throughout this intense and arresting tale. My curiosity was making me itch, as were the realistic, traumatic, and dramatic storylines of the brutality, pettiness, and corruption of small-town living and family drama. The writing was profoundly engaging and action-packed with evocative, striking, and poignant depictions that were maddeningly parceled out, well-crafted, and inhabited by deeply flawed yet compelling and true-to-life characters, some of whom were monstrously all too familiar to me having grown up in a similarly inbred small town. My mind spun with theories and while there was no way the little pea in my brain could have solved this shrewdly plotted and cunning paced tale, and I truly didn’t see this ending coming, I did come close with more than a few bits and pieces in my final hypotheses. Megan Goldin has mad skills and lifelong fangirl.
I loved Goldin’s book “The Escape Room” so was eager to read her newest one. Wow! She did not disappoint. (Now I need to order her first book “The Girl in Kellers Way”.)
Rachel Krall is entering the third season of her popular podcast, Guilty or Not Guilty. The story opens as she arrives in the little town of Neapolis. She plans to attend the trial of the local golden boy, 19-year-old Scott Blair, who is accused of brutally attacking and raping 16-year-old Kelly Moore. Rachel also starts receiving mysterious letters from Hannah whose sister 16-year-old Jenny died 20 years ago, in this same little town of Neapolis. Jenny’s death was declared an accidental drowning, but Hannah is sure she was brutally raped and murdered. So hang on tight, readers. You are in for a wild ride.
The story is told from the perspectives of Rachel and Hannah. Then every few chapters we read the transcript of Rachel’s podcast as she provides reports of Kelly’s trial. I thought this was an excellent way to step back and provide a narration of the trial. Jenny’s story is told mostly through Hannah’s letters to Rachel. Between attending the trial and preparing her podcast, Rachel decides to investigate Jenny’s death using the information Hannah provides her.
I was kept guessing until the end, and I loved the ending. Goldin masterfully gives the reader twists and turns that leaves you breathless. In the end, it all fell into place and I was left thinking: How did she do that? This is also a story that has some depth to it. A town divided with some backing the golden boy and others sure there will be no justice for Kelly. And with the other case, we read of Jenny’s tragic life and how her death was considered insignificant. This is an emotional read that will jerk you around. Due to the nature of the two cases, it is quite graphic at times.
Goldin provides a shocking look at our criminal justice system. This is “how trials work. It’s medieval. It’s not about getting to the truth. It’s about who can put on the better show.” After reading this it is easy to understand why rapes tend to go unreported. What happens here in the courtroom is our reality. By giving us two similar stories 20 years apart, we can see where when it comes to rape and assault against women not a whole lot has changed in our society. I am sure I will be thinking about these characters for some time.
Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC to read. Opinions expressed here are entirely my own.
I will consider myself lucky, scratch that, thankful if I never experience the cruelties the women of “The Night Swim,” and sadly many others, have had to endure.
This book was an astonishing eye-opener for so many, including myself. I have never been raped, nor do I know anyone who has. I’d heard of the infamous Me Too movement and had seen Law & Order: SVU, but I was utterly unprepared for Goldin’s written narrative – to say it was powerful would be an understatement.
“Sometimes a man has to speak up or be responsible for the repercussions of his silence” – Rachel Krall, chapter 48 of “The Night Swim” by Megan Goldin. This quote speaks volumes towards the #metoo movement, paying homage to victims of sexual abuse everywhere.
I was fortunate to have listened to this audiobook, and I say that because this particular writing style was brought to life in audio format. “The Night Swim” follows Rachel Krall, a true-crime podcaster seeking justice for those who’ve all but lost hope. This time around, she’s putting the reader, or rather the listener, in the proverbial jury box with season three of “Guilty or Not Guilty.” Every time a chapter dedicated to a podcast episode came up, my ears perked with anticipation; it felt like I was actually listening to a podcast. The special effect sounds queuing the beginning and end of an episode along with that narrator’s tone were spot-on. Macmillan Audio went all out, and I’d highly recommend snagging a copy of the audio version.
The novel was so much more than a thriller, it was an unputdownable tale highlighting the injustices surrounding rape culture. As the story’s main character, Rachel, travels to the small town of Neapolis, following a local rape trial, where the accused is a widely known swim champ, she begins receiving mysterious correspondences. Simultaneously, Hannah contacts Rachel as her last hope at seeking justice for her murdered sister from the very same town years before. Of course, Rachel’s interest is peaked, but when she starts seeking answers, she receives dead-end after dead-end, everyone claims her death was an accident and that Jenny Stills held the reputation of town slut.
This story is one that will stay with me for a long time. The concurrent unraveling between Rachel’s podcasted trial and Hannah’s backstory retelling of hers and Jenny’s life was absolutely breathtaking. I was rooting so hard for the victims, crying at times in sadness, anger, and resolution. I had debated rating 4.5 stars because the ending wasn’t all that shocking, but I settled on 5 stars because Goldin’s writing was absolutely incredible.
Thank you to @NetGalley, the publishers at @MacmillanAudio, @StMartinsPress, and the author @MeganGoldinAuthor for providing me with a complimentary copy of this title in exchange for my honest review. This book moved me so much I decided to pick up a physical copy as well, it is now a part of my Book of the Month collection. I’d also like to say that “The Night Swim” has inspired me to pick up others like it, and I hope to be able to read them soon.
I love the complexity of The Night Swim! It’s two mysteries in one — one from the past, and one from the here and now — and they are woven together in such a compelling way. I usually love to slowly savor a well-written book, but this one had me listening non-stop for almost two days, because I simply couldn’t wait to find out what happened in the courtroom for the rape case, how Rachel’s podcast would portray it, what Hannah would reveal of her sister’s death long ago, all of it!
While this book may not be for everyone, since it contains some pretty triggering scenes regarding rape and abuse, I do think this would be an excellent women’s book club offering. There are so many themes worth discussing: rape, guilt, survivor’s guilt, privilege, plenty of gender issues with regard to law and reputation, the treatment of whistleblowers. I found myself enraged, frustrated, sad, and exhausted as I followed the characters through their struggles, their tragedies and sometimes their hard-won triumphs. It would be cathartic to discuss with a group of book club members, to see how their own life experiences colored their acceptance of this novel.
I received a copy of the audiobook from Macmillan Audio and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
I love when authors mix up narrators and points of view. This is told in the form of letters, a podcast, and third person. Podcaster, Rachel, is on assignment. It’s a new trial about to begin. She receives a letter from mysterious, Hannah, who is convinced her sister was murdered in this same town many years ago. Hannah is asking for Rachel’s help. So, the book is a mystery/thriller about these two cases of rape. The author does an amazing job of telling both stories. If this podcast was real, I’d be downloading it now! I listened to the audiobook and I highly recommend reading it that way.
TW- discussions of rape, child abuse, & suicide.
This one is full of twists and turns and so much unexpected. I had this in audio which is the best route for me and perfect! I started this and picked up the caulk and spatula and got busy and lost filling in cracks and before I knew it I was lost in this book and had ALL the holes and cracks filled in the house. (moving and painting UGH!) This thriller had me captivated. Rachel is a true crime pod cast host who found fame after her first season helped to set free an allegedly innocent man. Now she is sitting in on a rape case. While in town she is approached by a woman who’s sister was murdered years ago but when Rachel starts asking questions everyone claims it was an accidental drowning. Again, twists and turns and a surprising ending! So good!! This is a new to me author but I really enjoyed this and will be checking out more from her. The narrator was perfection!
Rachel is a famous true crime podcaster. She is always on the look out for justice. She is after the truth. This season she is trying to discover the truth about a rape. Did a future Olympic swimmer rape a young 16 year old? Rachel is at the trial to discover what actually happened. But, as she is arriving into town, she stops to grab a bite to eat. When she comes back to her car, there is a letter. No one knows Rachel via her face. They know her voice. So how did someone know where she was or WHO she was???
Rachel continues to get cryptic letters about a murder years ago in this same town. And boy, do these letters open a can of worms and hidden secrets.
This story is packed full of whodunnits! I swear…I did not figure it out for quite a while. The author did a fabulous job masking the real killer. I loved the guessing game and all the tangents she had me chasing. And the ending!!
This novel also touches on the differences between rape and murder in the justice system. It is a tragedy to see what the victim of a rape has to go through to see the perpetrator punished.
This is a tragic, well-written, wonderful story with many unique twists and turns. Grab your copy today. You will stay up late into the night! Do not miss it!
I received this novel from the publisher for a honest review.
I was hooked on this book from the very first page, and loved every bit of it. Hannah Stills is convinces her sister, Jenny, was murdered 25 years ago. Everyone else claims Jenny drowned. Hannah teaches out to Rachel Krall, a journalists who hosts a podcast “Guilty or Not Guilty”. Rachel is in town to cover a rape trial. Scott Blair, rich boy and competitive swimmer, is accused of raping Kelly Moore.
As Rachel learns cv more about the trial, she is drawn deeper into the mystery of Jenny’s death. Things don’t seem to add up.
There are many parallels and overlapping stories between the two cases. While I was not surprised at the ending, I still enjoyed this tense story. This book reminded me a bit of the Channel Miller/ Brock Turner case, as he was a swimmer who took advantage of a drunk girl. I loved how the book used the podcast form.
Thanks to NetGalley and Edelweiss for the ARC.
#TheNightSwim #MeganGoldin #Macmillan # StMartinsPress #NetGalley #Edelweiss
Rachel Krall is in Neapolis,NC to cover a rape trial for season 3 of her successful podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty. She stops at an out of the way diner and returns to her car to find a note addressed to her on the windshield. The note is from a girl named Hannah wanting Rachel to investigate the death of her sister Jenny years earlier. The book is written in alternating chapters by Hannah and Rachel, with some of Rachel’s chapters being from her podcast tape. Even in the audiobook there was no confusion as to who was talking. The beginning of each chapter has the speaker identified but the voices are unique so there would be no confusion even if there was no identification. The episodes of the podcast were well identified with music. The narrators did an excellent job with the characters. Bailey Carr sounds troubled as Hannah, January LaVoy has a well moderated conversational style as Rachel with her emotions evident, and Samantha Desz sounds very professional in the podcasts. As the trial of the famous young local athlete accused of raping the granddaughter of the chief of police begins and the letters continue, the past seems to connect to the present. Most of the book concerns the trial and may be to some an exhaustive courtroom trial. I enjoyed this because there was a lot of background on rape trials and what the victim goes through and clear explanations of the procedures. This is a timely topic handled well by the author and the book shows the difference between neatly wrapped up TV trials (i.e.SVU) and reality. It sets the stage nicely for the connection between past and present and the unexpected and exciting conclusion. This is the first book of Megan Goldin’s that I have read but it will not be the last. Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for allowing me to listen and review this book.
This was an interesting read. I loved the podcast entries to see how she was telling the story. I got a little confused at times when she was talking about the trial, the current case, and a past case, trying to keep names straight. Rachel was very good at getting information to solve the crimes. I enjoyed her bravery as well as her straightforward attitude. Overall, this was a good book, and I recommend this story.
I received a copy of this story through Netgalley, and this is my unsolicited review.
The Night Swim, wow this was a very good read! This book kept me turning the pages from start to finish of the book. There were many twists and turns found in this book, and I loved the way it played out in the end. Having said that this is a hard subject to read about at times, although it happens daily I think for the most part we don’t really stop to think about how it affects those involved. I would certainly recommend this book to others.
I received a ARC from NetGalley and the publisher St. Martin’s Press, and was under no obligation to leave a good review. All opinions expressed here are my own.
I am a huge fan of crime shows. When I came across the opportunity to read an early copy of this story and I read the description, I was sold. Thank you to St. Martins Press for the chance to read this early. From the beginning I was hooked and intrigued. This is a definite must read!!
This is not a book to be read lightly! It hits on every emotion known and then some. A tale of two rapes with one ending in murder told in alternating chapters and happening 25 years apart. It is a very gripping book that will leave you feeling like a wet rag after reading. The author did a wonderful job of weaving all of it together and keeping you interested and invested even in both cases. Definitely an author to watch. WOW!!
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
From the very start of this book you get the sense something sinister is about to happen. It’s a very intense and touchy subject. A story of a young girl who is raped. Then in many ways raped again by the very courts that promise to give her closure. Promise to make her world safe again. Promise that the man who did this to her will pay.
THE TRAUMA OF TESTIFYING IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY SO MANY RAPE VICTIMS OPT NOT TO TESTIFY AND WHY SO MANY RAPES ARE NEVER PROSECUTED.
TWO RAPES. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS APART. IN THE SAME TOWN.
This is the story of a young girl, Kelly Moore, who was brutally raped by a boy who had it all. He was an athlete and on his way to becoming famous. One mistake is all it took for her life to be completely torn to shreds. Trusting one boy who promised to give her a ride home. Getting into his car would change her life forever.
Rachel has a podcast called: GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY. She is in town to cover a rape case and bring it to people who listen to her podcast and let them decide if the boy in question is guilty or not. Many things happen in this story that will make you cringe. Make you feel so sad. Make you wonder exactly how someone can get away with things. Whether now or twenty-five years ago. Rachel is contacted by a woman who use to live in the town. Who’s sister was raped, over and over, then murdered. Who’s murder was covered up by everyone. Who’s life was ruined by the same boys who terrorized her over and over throughout that summer. Now Hannah is back and she wants justice for her sister. She wants Rachel to help her.
Hannah was just a child when her sister, Jenny age 16, was murdered. Jenny went through something that would unforgivable. She was beaten over and over. Raped by several boys over and over. There was one boy who did not participate but to me he was still very guilty. He didn’t get her any help. He was afraid and that is understandable in a sense. But it’s not really unforgivable in my humble opinion. Hannah wanted justice for her sister and she sought the help of Rachel. You will hear what happened back then in Hannah’s words. The words of a nine year old child who doesn’t understand exactly what was going on. She will break your heart so many times. Her love for her sister is so strong and has not diminished one bit in the many years it’s been. With Rachel’s help will she find justice for Jenny. Will Kelly get justice for what happened to her. Will anyone pay for what happened those many years ago. Will justice truly be served or will a rapist go free?
This is a very deep story that will have you hanging onto every word. It’s not graphic or I would not have been able to read it all the way through. It’s told in a way that will leave you turning the pages and wanting someone to pay for the things they did. Both now and twenty-five years ago. It’s not until about 75 percent of the way into this story that things get really compelling. Things are told that will make your skin crawl. The tears will flow for the pain that is caused to young women. No one deserves to be treated the way either of the young girls in this story are treated. It’s told in a way that you will feel like you are there. On the beach, in the woods, in the courtroom. You will root for the true victims in this book or you just are not human at all.
Thank you to #NetGalley, #MeganGoldin, #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. This is my own review.
It’s a big 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This is my first Megan Goldin book and I can’t wait to see what else she has written. This was an exceptionally well written book that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat! Goldin grabs a hold of you and pulls you right in to the book. Hold on tight because the ride may be a little bumpy. I highly recommend this book. Enjoy!
Two different crime mysteries take place in this book: the present rape of a 16-year-old girl by an Olympic hopeful swimmer and the death of a teenage girl 25 years ago that her sister believes was murder.
Popular true-crime podcaster Rachel finds herself in the North Carolina coastal town of Neapolis, where she plans on informing her listeners about the rape. Known for finding exculpatory evidence, the swimmer’s parents welcome Rachel’s presence as the judge and prosecutor wish she wasn’t there. Some of the chapters tell you what Rachel says in her podcasts, whereas the rest of the book is told through Rachel’s perspective as well as letters from Hannah, the sister of the dead teen. It’s an interesting way to put us in the minds of two different characters, and I enjoyed how Megan Goldin did that.
Rachel is determined to get justice, whether for the rape victim or the accused perpetrator. She also is determined to find out what happened to Hannah’s sister. Was it murder, as Hannah believes, or was it accidental, as everyone else does? Rachel proves to be the sort of investigator that a police precinct needs, and her bravery when encountering threats is admirable.
Megan Golden builds the tension and suspense. You think you know who did what, and you might even be correct. The bigger question is what now. What happens when you know? Does Hannah’s sister get her justice? Does the rapist have a truth different from his victim?
I enjoyed the twists and turns, and I enjoyed meeting the Neapolis people Rachel meets with to discuss her cases. I wish the prosecuting attorney had been developed a little more, though. He is an important character, but I don’t feel like I knew him, aside from the surface. I also wish I knew more about adult Hannah. We’re only told a couple of things, and yet her voice is throughout the book.
When you read this one, hit up the comments and let me know your thoughts. Were you surprised by any of the twists?
I received a complimentary digital copy of this arc book from St Martin’s Press and NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.
Trigger warning: this story is about the effects of rape on a teen including the emotional after effects and fight for justice.
This was a quick paced novel which kept my interest throughout. I enjoyed the alternating chapters of Rachel, and Hannah and then the podcast version to round off the story. It begins quite ominously with Hannah talking about how the death of her 16 yo sister Jenny overwhelmed the family. Her mother who was struggling with cancer eventually died leaving Hannah an orphan.
Rachel Krall is an investigative reporter who presents a popular podcast called Guilty or Not Guilty, “the podcast that puts you in the jury box”. This is the third season for her podcast and wants it to grab her viewers attention. The Blair rape trial is in the headlines in Neapolis so she packs up and drives there to cover the duration of the trial. She also likes to present a personal aspect of the case by interviewing people and gathering a consensus of the town.
She finds it odd that in this day and age people are so willing to blame the victim in this case Kelly Moore, “K” as she is referred to by the media. It’s supposedly to protect her anonymity. Since the town is small everyone knows everyone including the incident involving a party with underage teens drinking. Doing an investigative podcast as a journalist can expose you to many creepy stalkers. So, Rachel is somewhat alarmed when she finds a letter under her windshield wiper on her way to Neapolis.
While covering the events of the Blair trial, she continues to receive letters from Hannah begging her to investigate the murder of her sister Jenny 25 years ago. Her death was considered an accidental drowning but Hannah knows there was more to it as her sister was an accomplished swimmer. Coincidentally, this occurred in Neapolis where it seems most people still recall the incident.
Rachel begins to piece together information about the Blair case which oddly seems to involve some of the same people around during the time of Jenny’s death. There seems to be a lot of secrets buried in this old town where people’s reputation are paramount to the truth. Rachel prides herself on being a fair and objective investigative reporter which can often put her in dangerous situations. She doesn’t believe in coincidences and against her producer Pete’s advice tries to make sense of Hannah’s story.
The story contains enough characters for to wonder who did what and where. It doesn’t contain too many extraneous details that your mind will start to wander. It begs to ask the old question of people can really change and reinvent themselves. How do you repair a reputation whether it be true or not? The strong female protagonist is admirable and an advocate for rape victims. It can be difficult to obtain justice when freedom can be bought and sold at the expense of others, often the victims.
Brilliant! The Night Swim by Megan Goldin was one of the most unique premises for a book that I have ever come across. The main character has a podcast called “Guilty ot Not Guilty” that explores both old and current crimes. She is covering a rape case but, while in town, an old rape case comes to her attention.
The characters are believable and some of them are likeable right off the bat. I learned to like others and some are not anyone you would want to know. She brings out the feels.
Another thing I just realized is there is not a romance going on as a secondary plot. That’s okay! This book didn’t need it. Obviously, I didn’t miss it.
I also read her previous book The Escape Room and I have to tell you that I liked this one much better. The author doesn’t have to worry about this book. I have a feeling it will do quite well.
I really liked this book and it kept me turning the pages. I often just read in the evenings but, I had to finish this one this morning. It just kept beckoning me to read the ending. Oh, what an ending it was! If you like Psychological Thillers, you will like this book as well.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest review.
In The Night Swim, Rachel Krall, true crime podcaster, arrives in a small town to follow the rape trial of an accused local swim hero. Little envelopes and emails began to show up, drawing Rachel into a murder of a local girl from twenty-five years ago. Rachel investigates the new case while reporting on the rape. The town clearly discriminates against young girls and hides its secrets well. Fast paced and hard to put down, The Night Swim grabs you by the seat of your pants as your heart cries out for the victims in between its pages. The ending will flip your lid with its twists and turns. A thrilling good suspense novel that will have me adding this author to my must read shelf. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.