The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

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Book Summary:

In this new thriller from Megan Goldin, the author of The Escape Room, a podcast host covering a controversial trial in a small town becomes obsessed with a brutal crime that took place there years before.

After the first season of her true-crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall is now a household name―and the last hope for thousands of 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 small town of Neapolis is being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing and investigating―but the mysterious letters keep showing up in unexpected places. 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 seems to want to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases 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?

Publication Date:

August 4th, 2020

Genre:

Psychological Thriller/Crime Thriller

My Review:

When I saw that author Megan Goldin was publishing another book this summer I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it. While I try to read my ARCs in some kind of order when I saw the book summary of The Night Swim I just couldn’t wait…and I am so glad I didn’t!!

After reading a lot of “thrillers” I have been let down way too many times to get super excited. Rarely is there a book in this genre that feels like a completely fresh perspective while also being completely captivating and moving. This book had it all, mystery suspense, dual timelines, and a story pulled right from today’s headlines.

The Night Swim (*you can pre-order using my affiliate link here)

Goldin introduces us to the main character Rachel Crall, who is a podcast investigative journalist. As someone who devours way too many true crime podcasts, this was right up my alley. Not only was this the perfect way to tie in the storylines but it was absolutely riveting.

Crall is following a modern-day sexual assault trial when she gets pulled into a crime from the past in this same small town. These interwoven themes and storylines worked perfectly together and the ending was both surprising and satisfying.

I loved that while this was a fast-paced ride there were so many thought-provoking moments and quotes. The moments of “gray” spoke to me so much and are just part of the many reasons why these cases are so complex.

Often books in the mystery/thriller genre are enjoyable escape reading but rarely stick with me long after I have finished them. Goldin’s ability to handle this topic with such an insightful manner made this a 5-star read for me. I can’t wait wait to share more about this book closer to its publication date and I highly recommend adding it to your summer reading list.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy. As always, all opinions are my own.

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