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Title: Night Swim, The
Authors: Goldin, Megan
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 341
Year: 2020
Language: English
Description: Rachel Krall makes her living by producing true crime podcasts of current court cases, allowing her audience to imagine they are part of the jury. The small coastal time of Neopolis is the setting for Season 3 of the podcast, where the local golden boy is accused of raping the granddaughter of the police chief. And if that's not drama enough, someone desperately wants Rachel to investigate what happened to a young woman twenty-five years earlier ... especially when connections between the two cases come to light.

Intriguing and thought-provoking, this mystery and courtroom thriller sensitively handles rape culture and the internecine conflicts of small-town USA.

Categories: Fiction, Community, Gender Issues, Grief/loss, Human Rights, Morals/Ethics, Mystery, Social commentary/perspectives, Suspense/Thriller, Tragedy/disaster, America, 2023 Titles

Reviews

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By: CHCH 317 2024-05-06 11:21:12
4.5 
All the group enjoyed this book. We found the subject matter was detailed but well-addressed and insightful. The author was skilful in building the case and keeping the 'twist' in the plot until the end. Recommended.

By: HANMER 001 2024-04-29 12:16:11
4 
Questions were thought-provoking. Fine, topical story, very well plotted.

By: AMBER 001 2024-04-24 12:37:58
5 
Most of our group found this an engrossing read. Led to some excellent discussion re consent/coercion and the trauma of the trial for rape victims.

By: ASHB 029 2024-03-13 13:08:37
4.5 
Great book - enjoyed by all.

By: NELS 065 2024-01-17 11:33:52
3 
We all read through this book quickly, but a week later could not even remember the title.

By: WHANGA 002 2024-01-11 14:43:21
3.5 
Overall opinions were positive re 'The Night Swim'. Some were more enthusiastic than others. All agreed that it had the chilling effect of a thriller, with unexpected twists to the story. The notes were appreciated.

By: WAIHI 003 2023-11-22 13:42:06
4 
Good style of writing.

By: TEPAH 001 2023-09-11 14:53:36
4 
Good discussion. All enjoyed this book - once "into it"!

By: TWIZ 004 2023-08-28 09:13:47
4 
All enjoyed this book. Some members felt the story was a little undeveloped and would've liked a bit more backstory, but the brevity of the book is also what others liked about it.

By: MAST 007 2023-07-19 10:10:14
4 
We felt there could have been a little more character development, particularly of Rachel, and that the plot ( re. a series of notes rather than a face to face approach) was a bit contrived. Also: podcast during the trial? Definitely unsure of the appropriateness of that. But generally, members loved the book.

By: PUTAR 001 2023-07-12 14:34:44
4.5 
All enjoyed or felt this was a page turner, also a thought provoking theme of rape and dishonesty.

By: AUCK 058 2023-07-10 09:52:40
3.5 
Everyone found this an easy read and enjoyed the stories threaded through. Several thought they would like to read another book by Megan Goldin.

By: NGON 002 2023-05-22 10:32:02
3 
Light read. Most enjoyed it. Plenty of discussion about court cases.

By: CHCH 171 2023-05-17 12:42:14
2.5 
Story interesting and an important topic, but the writing style was labored and too descriptive. Lots of discussion with questions however.

By: TAUR 004 2023-05-11 12:07:48
4 
A lot of discussion re past experiences of sexual harassment, how things have or haven't changed for women, the court process for rape victims. Glad that the story had an unexpected twist to the ending.

By: BRIGHT 003 2023-05-11 11:38:06
3.5 
Some group members enjoyed this book but most did not. Starts slowly, but story is good.

By: NAP 032 2023-05-11 11:37:01
5 
The best book our group has read in some time. We found it a harrowing, heart breaking read which made us both sad and angry. In the end we felt there were no winners. The two stories running together were well liked, the podcast sections well done, and there was a very thorough discussion which made for a robust and fun evening.

By: NGON 002 2023-05-04 11:18:39
4.5 
Important issues raised that generated good discussion.

By: AUCK 210 2023-03-02 12:29:08
3.5 
Quick read, engaging and challenging plot. True to small towns. Believable characters. Enjoyed the Court and police procedural and objective narrative of the podcast format. Good discussion on how the judicial treatment treats women.

By: TEPUK 006 2022-11-17 12:42:02
4 
Page turner, "who-dunnit". Good discussion re male privilege and toxic masculinity. Not for the first time this year! No-one foresaw the twist at the end. Led to discussion of influencers, mis-information and dis-information.

 
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