A review by ericarobyn
The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

challenging emotional sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot

4.0

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin is a story that will make your blood boil! It’s about a true crime podcaster and her quest for capturing stories of justice being served. When she travels to cover a very divisive and heated case, she ends up getting in way over her head with a second case from the area.

TW: Rape, sexual assault

After stopping for breakfast on her way to the town where she will be staying to attend the trial for her next season, Rachel spots an envelop on her windshield. When she opens it up, she is deeply unsettled as the person writing to her knows exactly who she is- a famous true crime podcaster. Rachel is alarmed because she has been very careful and made sure that she is known for her voice, not her face.

She tries to brush it aside, but she’s also curious. As she settles into town and begins researching more on the current case, these letters keep popping up… Rachel knows that she needs to stay focused with the current case in order to properly record this podcast season, but she also can’t help but be drawn in to the case that her mysterious writer has brought to her attention.

My goodness, this story was organized so well. It was almost impossible to put down between chapters; I just wanted to keep reading to see what was going to happen next.

I listen to various true crime podcasts, so I was curious to see how this would play out. I really enjoyed the focus of being right in the courtroom to witness everything unfolding as it happened. I loved just how much of the trial was brought in, from commenting on the jurors to commenting on the tricks each lawyer used, all the way to the testimonies made, and then finally, the ruling.

The main character was definitely intriguing. I loved that she kept her face private to try to avoid attracting the wrong attention, but it did make me wonder how long her privacy would last as she was also telling others her name and what she did. I also liked her bravery, but sometimes she made some really crazy decisions that worked out in her favor that could have gone very, very wrong that left me shaking my head.

This story covers some very serious elements and doesn’t shy away! I mentioned a trigger warning above for rape and sexual assault, and those scenes and the victims that were forced to discuss it was absolutely heartbreaking. But those were just two troubling topics. Other serious elements included the treatment from the public that sexual assault and rape victims receive, the treatment people who have been arrested receive before their day in court, the struggle with “innocent until proven guilty,” toxicity on social media with the keyboard warriors, and so much more.

While reading, I couldn’t help but get fired up for various reasons. Tread lightly if any of those elements are triggering for you.

My Favorite Passage:
It didn’t help any when the cops told women living in the area to take precautions. You know, the usual stuff. Hold your keys between your fingers to use as a weapon. Keep your phone in your hand and dial nine-one-one if you’re being followed or feel afraid. If every woman who felt afraid called nine-one-one, the switchboard would melt. That is what women live with every day of our lives. 

My Final Thoughts:
This is an all around wonderful mystery centered around crimes, both past and present. You’ll want to have an alcoholic beverage nearby if you drink. If not, perhaps something nice and sugary. You’re going to need a little sweetness to carry you through this dark tale.

If you listen to true crime podcasts and love the mystery element, you definitely need to check this one out!


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