Earlier this summer, I picked “Dark Corners” by Megan Goldin in one of my BOTM boxes. I didn’t realize it was the second book in a series that focuses on a podcaster named Rachel Krall. I really enjoyed it, and luckily, the books stand alone, so there were no spoilers about the plot of the first book in the second. Just like “Dark Corners”, “The Night Swim” is an engaging mystery that had me hooked.

The story follows Rachel Krall, a popular true-crime podcaster who is known for her powerful voice and ability to uncover the truth. Rachel has decided to do something different for the latest season of her podcast, and rather than covering a murder case, she has decided to cover a rape trial in a small coastal town.

The accused is a local swimmer, a golden boy with Olympic dreams. The victim is the granddaughter of the police chief. Rape cases are sticky as it is, but these two things make this case even more complicated and the entire town is split. Rachel knows she is walking a thin line, but is determined to cover the case fairly and impartially and hopefully, ensure that justice is served whatever the outcome.

On top of the trial, Rachel has also been receiving letters from a fan asking for her help. This fan (a girl named Hannah) is from the same small town where Rachel is covering the rape trial. Hannah’s sister died several years earlier, and the death was labeled an accidental drowning, but Hannah feels very strongly that her sister was murdered and for some reason, it was covered up. Rachel refuses to be distracted by Hannah at first, but Hannah’s letters become more persistent and when Rachel begins to look into Hannah’s sister’s death she realizes that there is definitely something suspicious with the case. As she digs further, she begins to uncover corruption that has run deep in this town for years.

Just like she did with “Dark Corners”, Goldin manages to skillfully blend multiple storylines that eventually converge without things getting overly complicated. She also doesn’t rely on gimmicks or unnecessary twists to drive the narrative which is definitely refreshing. Over the course of the novel, Goldin explores the price of a reputation and the repercussions of a small town’s past actions. The novel raises thought-provoking questions about the nature of justice and the difficulty of righting wrongs that have been buried for years.

The narrative seamlessly shifts between past and present, unveiling startling connections between the two cases. The author expertly builds tension throughout the novel, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The overall storyline is evenly paced and masterfully executed and had me eagerly turning the pages.

Another thing that I really enjoy about Goldin’s writing is that her descriptions allow you to vividly imagine each scene, drawing you into the world of the story. The characters are well-developed and have depth, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their journeys. Rachel, in particular, is a strong and relatable protagonist, making her quest for justice all the more compelling. I also really liked Hannah and honestly found the mystery surrounding Hannah’s sister’s death more compelling than the main case that Rachel was covering.

Overall, I felt this was a thought-provoking, and at times heart-pounding thriller that is both powerful and entertaining. If you’re a fan of mystery and suspense, this is a book you won’t want to miss. I am definitely a Megan Goldin fan now and even though I’ve grown a bit tired of the true-crime podcaster trope, I really like the character of Rachel and look forward to the next entry in the series.