The Night Swim

Author: Megan Goldin

Genre: Mystery (crime), thriller, contemporary

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

TW: rape [since we are following the court trial of the rape case, there are a lot of graphic details involved, and it is presented really brutally.]

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.

For her third season of the podcast, Rachel decided to follow a court trial of a rape case in the small town of Neapolis. While she's on the way there, she stops at a rest stop. When she returns to her car, she finds a letter on her car windshield, addressed to her, asking for help. This unsettled Rachel, who was used to being recognized for her voice, not her face.

The mystery part comes in the letters: Hannah, the sender of the letters, wants Rachel's help in uncovering the real reason behind the death of her sister, Jenny Stills, 25 years ago.

This is my first time reading about a book following a court trial so in-depth, so it was quite interesting to learn about the ways the prosecution and the defense will make their stance on the trial. Reading about rape so in-depth was a bit uncomfortable at times, but also really sad.

This is also my first time reading a book where they also include episodes of the podcast, which is why I found listening to the audiobook alongside reading the book itself the best way to experience this book. In the audiobook, there are distinct voices for the different characters, and during the podcast chapters, there will be music at the start and the end of the podcast chapter!!

I wasn't able to guess the ending, but given that I don't read a lot of thrillers, that doesn't say much. A really good and important read if you're okay with the trigger warning.