The Night Swim

I thoroughly enjoyed The Night Swim, both in its artful storytelling and commentary on the way rape culture has infected our society. Although some of the big reveals and mysterious elements of this novel were quite predictable for seasoned thriller-readers, I still feel that this was an exemplary read. The non-biased perspective of Rachel, our main character and the producer of a crime podcast, added a grounding element to the story. Her voice, both in the chapters from her perspective and the podcast chapters, sought justice and spoke volumes beyond the storyline. One of the most important sentiments of the podcast chapters was Rachel's confusion as to why murder can be seen as objectively bad, but rape is muddled in shades of gray. Overall, this book takes a nuanced and important view on rape culture, our justice system and much more, all behind the guise of a well-written fictional mystery. The enthralling nature of the story certainly makes the content more digestible, and I hope this novel can help open readers' minds to the sexism that pervades every inch of our society.

Some of the writing was a bit overdone. The podcast is an interesting addition, but on the audiobook, it isn't a great podcast. The mysteries that she is uncovering are horrific and the author does a good job making us feel the horror of it. I have to admit some parts were hard to listen to and I skipped them. I figure that makes for a good thriller mystery.

An all around stellar book. Interesting points of view and very intense topics explored well, in my opinion. I don't necessarily find problem in upsetting topics being used as plot points IF they are done and executed well. There is potential for failure here, but when it's done well, it's poignant, raw, and important to include. Steering away from heavy topics as parts of a plot is something I'm against because I think it stifles our ability as readers to digest a myriad of emotional and darker issues that have the capacity to make us think, reflect, and discuss, even if they are part of something fictional. All this to say, when it is done well, I am not averse to reading it, and Goldin handles these more upsetting topics well, and when combined with the plot as a whole, it is a book I enjoyed reading, even if heavier at points.

I finished this in one day! I was really invested in the story.
It's a very atmospheric read and sometimes it was hard to listen to it but I just couldn't stop. The two timelines and the two cases were enthralling.
I also loved the podcast parts! I think it's a very unique book but it's not an easy book to read/listen.
There are trigger warnings for pretty much everything.
The ending had a few surprising details. Overall, I really enjoyed this one.

I found this book extremely hard to read. TW: Sexual Assault including Rape. This book not only revolves around this topic but it also went into details surrounding it. At points I felt sick with the idea of what was described. This book is not for the faint hearted at all. However, I did find that once I reached about halfway, I had an easier time getting through it. I appreciated that it discusses rape culture especially in small town America, the effect it has on the victim and others as well as the issues with the justice system. This was done really well especially with the podcast elements but I would not recommend this to anyone but the strong hearted.

5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Are you a fan of Law and Order: SVU or Cold Cases? Or crime cases in general. This book is perfect for you!

I couldn't stop reading this book. It was so good. It was filled with so much including: Podcasts, trial, a stalker, investigation.

Duel perspectives, Rachel and Hannah. It wasn't slow at all, fast paced triller. Beautifully written, this author is definitely a new favorite.

Trigger warnings: discussion of rape, its 2 rape cases.

Intriguing but so predictable.... I saw everything coming from a mile away :/ I really liked the podcast element of the book. But idk it wasn't even thrilling. I don't know if it was the narrator but even the parts that we're supposed to be thrilling felt so boring.

tw: rape, gang rape, murder, sexual abuse, suicide, death of loved ones.

I really enjoyed this new book by Megan Goldin. It is my first time reading this author, but it won't be my last. Her writing flows well and her plot lines are easy to follow. The story itself is highly engaging and interesting. Overall, a great read!

The main character, Rachel, hosts a podcast that follows criminal cases and explores the guilt or innocence of the people on trial. In the third season of her podcast, she chooses to cover a rape trial. While attending the trial, she also encounters an unsolved mystery from the past that she works to unravel. These two plot lines weave together seamlessly. I enjoyed following Rachel as she delves into each criminal case. The letters from the elusive Hannah reveal an intriguing and also upsetting story of a horrible crime from the past. While reading, I felt great compassion for the victims in this book. I feel that Goldin presents the topic of rape in a sensitive manner.

The structure of the story is well thought out and cohesive. The chapters alternate between narrative about Rachel and the trial, letters from Hannah about the crime from the past, and podcast episodes in Rachel's voice. I like the alternating structure. It keeps it interesting. I never found myself getting bored with the story. I always wanted to continue on to the next chapter.

This is a truly engaging and enjoyable crime mystery/thriller. I would highly recommend it to those that enjoy the genre.

Megan Goldin gained an immediate fan after I read The Escape Room and she has once again blown me away with The Night Swim.

Rachel Krall is a true-crime podcast host who's newest story is following a controversial rape in small-town Neapolis. Once she arrives, she starts receiving odd messages from the sister of another victim from a much older case from the area, begging for Rachel's help to track down the real story behind her sister's death. Drawn in by the mysterious details of the case, and eventually the similarities between the two local stories, Rachel can't help but search for answers.

This story sucked me in from page one. I had a rollercoaster of emotions as I followed these two tragedies and I was heartbroken imaging any woman experiencing this. Emotional and thought-provoking, I could not put it down until I knew the truth. Amazing story and I'll be back for more!

3.5 stars. I had really high hopes for The Night Swim—and I definitely enjoyed a lot of it—but overall, I thought it was just okay. It wasn't amazing—which is part of the reason it took me longer than usual to finish—but it definitely wasn't bad either.

The narration styles added a lot to the story. It was interesting getting to see Rachel's perspective from both a first-person and third-person narration. I also felt that reading about Hannah's experiences from when she was a child

This was a great, thrilling read. When you start this one, you can't help but want to keep reading. I loved the true crime and podcast aspects of the story. You're essentially figuring out the mystery of Jenny's murder at the same time you're figuring out where you stand with Kelly's rape.

The way this author tackles the stigma and psychological trauma of rape is simply amazing. It makes you dig deep and internalize what you're reading.

The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 is simply because I figured out who the main players involved were with about 1/3 of the book left. I guess I read too many books like this

3.75 stairs/5

I am of 2 schools of thought on this book. 1. I wish, for once, that someone would give a rape victim a happy goddamn ending, because NO ONE BELIEVES THE VICTIM IN REAL LIFE. 2. I am not surprised this did not end in appropriate justice because the American legal system fails women on a regular basis. I'm sorry, but it is true. This book brought up so many points and harsh realities of what it is like to live as a woman in this country. A sixteen year old girl, forced to chose between the decision to relive her rape over and over again through examination in the hospital, and questioning and cross questioning in the court room. The trial depends on her testimony. Meaning, that unless she tells it from her end, there will be no resolve. But even if she does tell it, the change of resolve in her favor could not be impacted. Tell me how this is justice when the rapist gets to sit in the room and is not required to undergo the same humiliating and traumatizing treatment?? Why in this era do we think it is okay to say “well his life will be ruined”... SHE WAS GD RAPED DUDE WHAT THE HELL. Not to mention the side plot of a rape/murder covered up by the chief of police for his son bc he didn't want to smear the family name, etc. Violence breeds violence, hate breeds hate. TEACH YOUR CHILD BETTER BC EVEN WHEN YOU ARE NOT TEACHING YOU ARE SHOWING.

Anyways, there were several areas that this book could have segwayed into having a sequel and the author missed the opportunity to do. She should have made it so Dan Moore didn't commit suicide but rather Rachel was literally in the courtroom (like she had been for the podcast) but on the other side, in the testimony spot. Then she could have had a potential new podcast from another angle.. anyways the rest of the book was wrapped up but like not all nice and neat. It was wrapped up like a present you get from you niece on Christmas who is 5. Like she tried so hard to wrap that up and used a whole thing of tape... the idea and the thing is technically wrapped up, but is that an insta influencer shot? No. its not.

Sejak siniar kejahatan nyata asuhannya melejit dan membebaskan seorang pria yang tidak bersalah, Rachel Krall menjadi harapan terakhir bagi orang-orang pencari keadilan . Publik hanya mengetahui suaranya sehingga Rachel terkejut ketika ada seseorang yang menaruh catatan di kaca mobilnya untuk meminta bantuan Rachel.
Musim baru siniar Rachel telah membawanya ke Neapolis, sebuah kota kecil yang pendirian warganya terbelah dua oleh persidangan pemerkosaan yang mengusik semua pihak. Seorang pemuda yang yang diharapkan berkompetisi sebagai atlet renang unggulan di Olimpiade dituduh memperkosa cucu perempuan mantan kepala polisi Neapolis.
Sementara itu, Rachel terus-menerus menerima surat misterius. Ada seseorang yang mengikutinya dan tidak akan berhenti sampai dia menyelidiki apa yang terjadi pada Jenny Stills 25 tahun lalu. Gadis itu dinyatakan tewas karena tenggelam, tetapi surat-surat itu bersikeras bahwa Jenny dibunuh. Masa lalu dan masa kini mulai beririsan ketika Rachel mengungkapkan hubungan mengejutkan antara kedua kasus. Pengungkapannya akan mengubah arah persidangan dan kehidupan semua orang yang terlibat.
Setelah menyelesaikan The Trap, harapanku pada genre thriller mulai naik lagi, setelah bertahun-tahun tidak menemukan novel thriller yang kusukai. Dan The Night Swim pun makin menguatkan harapanku.
Momen paling kuingat dan mengharukan, ketika Rachel akhirnya berhasil menemui jaksa penuntut umum kasus yang sedang berjalan ini. Buku ini ditulis dengan sangat baik dan runut, bagaimana dua kasus yang terpisah 25 tahun bisa diselesaikan.