Member Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed The Night Swim so was excited to see another book featuring podcaster Rachel Karl.
This time Rachel is summoned by the FBI to speak to a prisoner due for release who is suspected of being a serial killer to see what he might know about a missing lifestyle podcaster. When their conversation seemingly leads to nothing, Rachel is told to head home, but instead she stays and investigates the murders and missing girls herself.
This is another enjoyable page turner from Megan Goldin. I was gripped by the story and stayed up past my bedtime to finish it! Rachel is a really likeable main character and I would definitely read more in this series.
Recommended for crime and thriller fans.
Enjoyed this one. It took me a little while to get into it but I was hooked from there. I found it engaging and compelling, with some really good twists. I haven't come across the author before this but I'm looking forward to finding more from them,
Dark Corners is the second book in the Rachel Krall series and follows the disappearance of van life influencer, Maddison Logan. Shortly before her disappearance, Maddison had gone to visit Terence Bailey, who is in prison for breaking and entering but is the main suspect in a string of murders and the two discuss Rachel who is a true crime podcast host.
I really enjoyed The Night Swim which is the first book in this series so I was excited to continue the series. However I found this book extremely underwhelming and quite tedious to get through. One of the highlights of the first book for me was Rachel's character and the way she was able to relate to victims and witnesses of crime through her friendly demeanor as a podcast host. In this book she comes across as quite arrogant and brash and seems to spend a lot of time either getting in the way of detectives who are trying to work or arguing with them when they try to send her home for her own safety. Additionally, I really disliked the romance subplot as it felt very forced and a lot of the writing was quite cringey. Finally I felt that the main mystery element was quite weak and nothing remotely shocking or surprising happened throughout the entire book. The author places a lot of emphasis on the phrase 'the scariest monster is the one which hides in plain sight' to the point that it is even printed on the cover. To me this would mean that some form of deception would take place however we are given the killer's perspective throughout and he is named very early on.
I wish this book had delved more into appearance versus reality in terms of social media influencers as I did find this element of the book interesting.
Overall this book wasn't for me however I did enjoy the first book in the series so would be open to reading more of Megan Goldin's work.
megan is back with another gripping page turner that will have you on the edge of your seat! I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
After enjoying The Night Swim, I couldn't wait to see where this series would take us next. And I was not disappointed.
I will say though, this could certainly be read as a stand alone story.
Much like The Night Swim, this also had great pacing and kept me engaged the whole way through.
I also liked the introduction of a bit more humour and even romance, which I wasn't expecting.
It was great to see Rachel take on another case too and I would definitely be keen to read more from this series, if it continues.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)
Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison, but is he guilty of more crimes than he was convicted of. He is visited by an influencer, Maddison, who hours after her visit disappears. Is there a connection, and why did she visit him. The FBI asked for the help of Rachel Krall to try and get some answers. When another body is found it's clear Rachel may now be a target.
I had a great time with The Night Swim and was excited to get more from Rcahel Krall and this did not disappoint a quick Thriller read and I love the podcast element (this is done really well on the audiobook sounds like an actual podcast) I hope we get more in this series.
Thank you to Netgalley, Caneto, and Megan Goldin for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
Rachel Krall is back. This time, she's down in Daytona Beach, investigating the disappearance of influencer Madison Logan, who, after visiting a suspected murderer, Terence Bailey, in prison hasn't been seen again. As Rachel starts to dig deeper, she unknowingly puts her own life in danger. Can she solve the mystery and get out alive?
This was fast-paced and gripping I was hooked from the first page. I really enjoy Megan Goldins writing and the way she tells a story. I enjoyed the unexpected romance that was scattered throughout this and all the unexpected twists and turns. My only disappointment was figuring out the murderer too early. Otherwise I highly recommend very enjoyable read.
Deftly Drawn..
The second in the Rachel Krall Investigations and true crime podcaster Rachel finds herself delving deep into a case that she formerly knew nothing about and where the stakes are seemingly high. A well written and engaging mystery making good use of the true crime format and multi media with a pacy and propulsive plot, a deftly drawn cast and a swiftly moving narrative.
This captivating book immediately drew me in with its seamless blend of traditional storytelling and podcasts. As a fan of podcast stories, I found the combination of reading and listening to be a highly gratifying experience. Despite having an early grasp of the plot, the narrative's ability to sustain a gripping allure speaks volumes about its quality.
The well-executed connection between past and present timelines, along with the clever use of podcasts, adds layers of depth and engagement to the story. While some might argue for moderation in the portrayal of deaths, it is apparent that each demise serves a purpose in heightening suspense.
A notable surprise within the thriller genre is the infusion of romance, adding emotional depth and providing a unique counterbalance to the suspenseful elements. The interplay between romance and thrills creates a more nuanced and enjoyable reading experience.
This book stands out for its masterful storytelling, innovative narrative techniques, and the perfect balance of suspense and romance. It is a must-read for those seeking a captivating and well-crafted literary journey.
This second novel in the Rachel Krall series starts with a request from the FBI to visit a soon to be released prisoner. Madison Logan visited prisoner Terence Bailey and has now disappeared. Is this a plot from Bailey to make himself look innocent of the crimes he has always protested that he has done or is the real murderer lurking in the shadows and ready to strike again?
This was a really fast paced and intriguing thriller and I loved the twists and turns the story took. A must read for anyone who enjoyed the first Rachel Krall novel.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
In the gripping tale of "Terence Bailey," the protagonist, a convicted killer, becomes a key suspect in a series of unsolved murders. Despite his criminal history, the charges never stick, and with his release looming, the plot takes a suspenseful turn when a young influencer, Madison Logan, visits him. However, Madison soon goes missing, leaving true crime podcaster Rachel Krall to unravel the mystery.
As the FBI's sole lead points to Rachel, she immerses herself in a world where the lines between reality and deception blur. The central question looms: How do you find a woman who seemingly doesn't exist? Written from the perspectives of Rachel and Martinez, the chilling narrative weaves through the killer's thoughts, creating a fast-paced and enthralling read with short, snappy chapters. The storyline is enriched with twists that keep readers hooked, particularly in exploring the dynamic world of social media influencers and conventions.
This book, although part of a series, stands strongly as a standalone, allowing readers to dive into the captivating narrative without needing prior knowledge. Rachel emerges as a compelling character, displaying intelligence and courage, while her evolving relationship with Martinez adds an intriguing layer to the overall narrative. The well-crafted storytelling and thrilling pace make "Terence Bailey" a compelling read for those who enjoy suspenseful mysteries.
The book cover is eye-catching and appealing and would spark my interest if in a bookshop. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for this ARC.
Dark Corners is the second book featuring Podcaster Rachel Krall. I enjoyed this one alot more than the first and am keen to read more. I hope that the author continues this series. I've read a bit of this author and really like her style and find her books easy to read and become immersed in. I enjoyed the influencer focus and the cold case investigation. Perfect for crime fiction fans. Looking forward to future releases.
Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for an e-copy of this book.
I am so happy to get the chance to read Dark Corners by Megan Goldin, having just finished book 1 in this series I could not wait to delve back into the world of Rachel Krall.
Rachel, a famous true crime podcaster, is back on the case of suspected serial killer Terence Bailey. He is in prison and the police have noticed that he has had a visit from influencer Maddison and she is now missing. Drawing a blank, they ask Rachel in to talk to Terence as her name was mentioned when they met up
Rachel travels to talk to Terence and is then thrust into the world of influencers at a hotel conference nearby to try and get to the bottom of the mystery of Maddison's disappearance.
I really enjoyed reading Dark Corners and I hope there will be a number 3 book in the Rachel Krall series as I like reading about her..
Thanks to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for allowing me a copy of this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I read and enjoyed The Night Swim so was happy to see a second book. It took me a couple of chapters to defamiliarise myself with both the character and the authors writing style and pacing but once I did, I was all in.
Dark Corners has classic murder mystery vibes interlaced with a very current setting and it works well. Engaging, page turning , twisty ,I really enjoyed this one. Megan Goldin has a unique voice and I really like her writing style it elevates her in a very busy market in this genre. Recommend and look forward to her next book.
This is a day and age when almost everybody follows social media and has influencers that they religiously watch whether that is on YouTube or tiktok for example. This was therefore a really interesting, relatable and absorbing read that I couldn't put down.
This review is for both The Night Swim and Dark Corners
Rachel Krall is well plotted and clever characters, I like the evolution of the characters and how she investigate.
The stories are fast paced and gripping, kept me guessing and entertaining.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is a great story with so many twists and turns, I spent most of it on tenterhooks as to what is going to happen and trying to piece together what was going on and the relationships. Highly recommend!
I'd loved "The Night Swim" and was looking forward to the second book in the Rachel Krall series because I'm in love with the podcast trope in thrillers.
But this fell a bit flat for me. The main story was engaging and I was definitely interested in that but the story, for me, got bogged down by the trite writing style. The author does her best to tell us how tough the characters are instead of showing it. In fact, she uses the "tell not show" trope quite a lot which got on my nerves.
It was also obvious that there would be a romance right from the start but what is worrisome is it seems to take away from the investigation.
Overall, I didn't enjoy this book which seemed to all over the place and very different to the Rachel Krall we first met.
I understand the author finished this during the pandemic and so I'll check what new stories she comes up with.
Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for the e-copy.
Dark Corners by Megan Goldin
I give this book 4.25 stars.
Terence Bailey is a killer. Imprisoned for breaking and entering, he is a key suspect in the murders of six women but they have never been able to make the charges stick.
With his release date approaching, Bailey gets a visit from Madison Logan, a young influencer with a huge social media following.
Hours later, Madison is missing.
True crime podcaster Rachel Krall has never heard of Bailey, but when the FBI's only lead ends up at her door, Rachel must immerse herself in a cut-throat world to find the answers to the ultimate question: how do you find a woman who doesn’t exist?
This is book 2, but both books can definitely be read as standalones as the stories aren’t connected.
Told from Rachel and Martinez POVs,chillingly interspersed with the killers thoughts.lt is well written,gripping and fast paced with short snappy chapters.l was enticed into the storyline by lots of little twists weaved throughout.The topic of social media influencers and part of the book being set at a convention really had me hooked.Rachel is a great character, smart and gutsy and I enjoyed her developing relationship with Martinez.lm really hoping there will be another book!
With thanks to Netgalley,Megan Goldin and Canelo for my chance to read and review this book