Dark Corners (Rachel Krall, 2)

by Megan Goldin (Autor)

Hardcover, 2023

Status

Available

Call number

823.92

Publication

St. Martin's Press (2023), 352 pages

Description

"Rachel Krall, the true crime podcaster star of Megan Goldin's acclaimed Night Swim returns to search for a popular social media influencer who disappeared after visiting a suspected serial killer. Terence Bailey is about to be released from prison for breaking and entering, though investigators have long suspected him in the murders of six women. As his freedom approaches, Bailey gets a surprise visit from Maddison Logan, a hot, young influencer with a huge social media following. Hours later, Maddison disappears, and police suspect she's been kidnapped-or worse. Is Maddison's disappearance connected to her visit to Bailey? Why was she visiting him in the first place? When they hit a wall in the investigation, the FBI reluctantly asks for Rachel's help in finding the missing influencer. Maddison seems only to exist on social media; she has no family, no friends, and other than in her posts, most people have never seen her. Who is she, really? Using a fake Instagram account, Rachel Krall goes undercover to BuzzCon, a popular influencer conference, where she discovers a world of fierce rivalry that may have turned lethal. When police find the body of a woman with a tattoo of a snake eating its tail, the FBI must consider a chilling possibility: Bailey has an accomplice on the outside and a dangerous obsession with influencers, including Rachel Krell herself. Suddenly a target of a monster hiding in plain sight, Rachel is forced to confront the very real dangers that lurk in the dark corners of the internet"--… (more)

User reviews

LibraryThing member jfe16

Review of Uncorrected Digital Galley

Thanks to FBI agent Joseph Martinez, true crime podcaster Rachel Krall finds herself in Florida visiting Terence Bailey, an inmate in the Central Florida Correctional Facility. Although there is no evidence to confirm their suspicions, the authorities believe

Bailey is a serial killer, responsible for the deaths of six women. But it’s a burglary conviction that sent him to jail. He’s had no visitors, except for his lawyers, until social media influencer Maddison Logan showed up to visit.

And now she’s vanished.

What happened to Maddison? And how could Terence Bailey possibly be involved?

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Second in the author’s Rachel Krall series, following “The Night Swim,” this book works well as a standalone for readers new to the series. Strong, believable characters populate this intriguing mystery that is told mainly from Rachel’s point of view.

Suspenseful and apprehensive, readers will find themselves fretting for Rachel’s safety as the gritty narrative takes several unexpected twists, revealing new pieces of information. The spine-tingling tale is sure to keep the pages turning as the unfolding narrative slowly reveals hidden truths.

With social media influencers at the center of this dark and complex tale, the narrative seems particularly relevant. Additionally, several episodes of Rachel’s podcast are interspersed throughout the narrative, highlighting the role of social media influencers in the telling of this timely tale.

Fans of thrillers, murder mysteries, and intriguing tales will find much to appreciate here.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley
#DarkCorners #NetGalley

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LibraryThing member jmoura01

It’s been a while since I read The Night Swim. I do remember how much I liked it, so I was excited to receive this ARC. Podcaster Rachel Krass is summoned to the Central Florida Correctional Facility to be questioned by the FBI. She’s dismissed by them but now her interest is piqued. She

decides to hang around for a while to do a little digging of her own.

Dark Corners is told in alternating chapters by Rachel and the possible serial killer. I enjoyed reading as Rachel investigated her own leads. I think this was a solid mystery/thriller. I would love to read more and hopefully meet up with FBI agent Joe Martinez again in future books.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this complimentary ARC. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

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LibraryThing member KallieGrace

I really enjoyed Night Swim, so I picked this to see where Rachel went next. I read the first bit of this on my lunch break and the writing just drove me nuts. I finished it after a margarita and the writing was much more tolerable. Too many cliched ways of saying things, repeating the same thought

in different words two sentences in a row, and how many times does someone really need to say Rachel in one conversation.
Gripes aside, this was a fun mystery with a serial killer from the past and a present day influencer convention all mixed in with an FBI missing person case.

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LibraryThing member susan0316

It's been awhile since a book kept me up way past my bedtime and then kept me from sleeping because I was worried about the characters. Dark Corners was one of those books that built up slowly but made sure that you knew that terrible things were going to happen. It dropped clues throughout the

book but I was still very surprised by the ending. Looking back at the clues, it all made sense but I was just amazed at the perfect and unexpected ending.

Rachel Krall does a podcast about crime. In the previous year, she managed to uncover information that got a man released from prison which made her very well known. When the FBI is struggling with a case, they ask her to come to Florida and meet with Terrance Bailey who is about to be released from prison. Even though he was only accused of breaking and entering, the FBI and local police are sure the he is a serial killer. They hope that Rachel talking to him may get them some additional information but all it appears to do is to get her into danger. The FBI tries to send her home but she is really curious about the case and wants to get some additional information. She decides to attend BuzzCon, a convention for internet influencers to try to find out more about a missing girl who was an influencer and tied to the case with Bailey. BuzzCon is full of fierce rivalry between the influencers but is it tied to the deadly disappearance of one of its members?
The FBI decides that Bailey must have an accomplice on the outside and realize that Rachel is in danger but she continues her undercover work without their approval. It's interesting that she is able to get more information and more people to talk to her than the police could. She shares her information with the FBI and they finally realize how much help she really is but also know how much danger she's in. Will her false identity at the conference keep her under the killer's radar or will he find out who she really is?

This is a twisty, psychological suspense story that kept me guessing. Rachel was a great main character. Her empathy helped her get a lot of information that other people were unable to get. It was also a nice break in her tumultuous life to have a romance with an FBI agent (who I hope shows up in future books about Rachel).

My review for Night Swim said that I felt Megan Goldin would become a major force in this genre. Dark Corners solidified that feeling. This book was a roller coaster ride that kept me turning the pages. I look forward to future books by this author!

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LibraryThing member GrandmaCootie

“Dark corners can be danger points.” So says FBI Agent Joe Martinez, and he’s right. Very dangerous indeed. I have thoroughly enjoyed all of Megan Goldin’s books, but Night Swim was my favorite until this talented author’s latest release: Dark Corners. Podcaster Rachel Krall is such an

interesting character and she’s back! Serious, but knows how to have a good time. Values her privacy but can make herself fit in anywhere. Dedicated to bringing out the truth through her podcasts. An excellent investigative report, clever and able to solve mysteries, able to connect with people to get answers to her questions.

Dark Corners is fast-paced, thrilling and just plain scary at times. Rachel agrees to help the FBI and by doing so puts herself in danger. What to make of Terence Bailey, scheduled to be released from prison in a couple of days, suspected to be but never proven as a serial killer. Claims he has never killed anyone, but he can be cold and frightening all the same. What about the rideshare driver, Thomas? Creepy, but does anything connect him to the disappearance of influencer Maddison Logan and disappearances of young women in the past? And murders? He has a distinctive body odor that people keep mentioning, but just what does that mean? Rachel is determined to find answers, to find Maddison if it’s not already too late. Her search takes her to dangerous places she should not be.

In addition to the non-stop action author Goldin treats us to an inside view of the life of an influencer. Glitzy and glamourous on the outside, cutthroat and competitive on the inside. Rachel goes undercover to see what she can find out, but they all wear phony faces for the public so how to tell who is who and what is what?

There is also a nice little simmering attraction between Joe and Rachel. He immediately regrets bringing her into the investigation when he realizes just how dangerous it is and how much he doesn’t know – and how stubborn she is and how hard it will be to convince her to go home. The slow build to a what-if relationship is sweet and leaves a tantalizing opening for another book in this wonderful series. Thanks to St. Martin's Publishing Group for providing an advance copy of Dark Corners via NetGalley for my reading pleasure and honest opinion. I hope there is another book in this series and many more Megan Goldin books to come. I leave this review voluntarily; all opinions are my own.

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LibraryThing member SilversReviews

What a foursome… a social media influencer, a crime podcaster, a rideshare driver, and a prisoner.

Rachel Krall was called to an investigation in Florida because one of the inmates wanted to talk to her, and the FBI hoped Rachel would find out and then head home.

Rachel found out nothing, but she

didn’t head home.

Rachel stayed and decided to do investigating on her own especially because the social media influencer Maddison disappeared.

Maddison was involved in this because the prisoner had talked to her a few days before Rachel was summoned.

What was that about?

And how did the rideshare driver fit into this?

DARK CORNERS is an edge-of-your-seat thriller for readers who enjoy pairing social media with crime investigation, gruesome scenes, and shady characters.

It is a good one and one you won’t want to miss. 5/5

Thank you to the publisher for an advanced copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

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LibraryThing member susan.h.schofield

I always enjoy Megan Goldin's books and Dark Corners was no exception. It was a solid mystery with a couple of good twists. I hope she continues to write more with Rachel Krall. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital ARC.

LibraryThing member LoriKBoyd

3.5 Stars

Rachel, a podcaster, is called in by the FBI to assist on a case. A serial killer, soon to be released, has a visit from an Influencer, who ends up going missing. Rachel’s name is brought up in that visit. Is Rachel in danger? What is the connection to the killer? The influencer?

Again, I jumped into Book 2 without reading Book 1, Night Swim. I’ve heard great things about Night Swim. Definitely can be read as a stand-alone. So much happening in the book so it was fast paced enough keep me interested, maybe because I was going to discuss as a Buddy Read. There was a storyline or two that I found irrelevant. Ending was pretty much as I expected. Characters were engaging enough to keep the flow of the story going. I definitely want to read Night Swim now more than ever.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC. This is my honest opinion.

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LibraryThing member Twink

I thought Megan Goldin's first book (The Night Swim) that featured Rachel Krall was fabulous. The second book - Dark Corners - has just released and I think it's even better!

Rachel Krall is the voice and the brains behind the Guilty Or Not Guilty podcast. (Okay, I was immediately hooked in book

one as I love crime podcasts.) I really like Rachel as a lead character. She's smart, tenacious, inquisitive and determined. And baffled - why would an inmate ready to be released pass Rachel's name on to a travel influencer named Maddison? Why is the FBI interested in that meeting? Rachel smells a story....

Goldin has created a great storyline that is told from many points of view. From Rachel herself, the transcripts of her podcast, more than one woman who made a deadly decision, a FBI agent and a rideshare driver. I love how the tale unfolded from all of these seemingly disparate players. The road to the final answers is full of twists and turns. I appreciate being unable to predict how a book will come together. Dark Corners is full of suspense that had me wanting to flip ahead a few pages to see what the outcome was. But I didn't!

Goldin has a background in reporting and I think her books benefit greatly from that skill set. The investigation was believable and well written. In addition to loving podcasts, I also enjoy novels written with epistolary elements. Goldin gave me both with podcast transcripts being included.

I'm hoping there is another Rachel Krall book in the works. For me Dark Corners was a great read. This latest was an easy five stars.

Gentle readers, there are trigger situations in this book.

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LibraryThing member kimkimkim

I was excited to receive the second installment in the Rachel Krall true crime series and it did not disappoint. This was a well thought out psychological twisted roller coaster of who is really behind what is happening. Other than an FBI Agent with questionable judgment and tactics and a few hard

to believe why would you do that Rachel Krall moments I really enjoyed this book.

So, are we going to see Agent Martinez in Rachel’s future? Is Rachel going to continue walking the line and risk her safety to report on True Crime? Is there going to be a third and fourth installment soon? I am staying tuned and hopeful. Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for a copy.

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LibraryThing member Mrsmommybooknerd

"Dark Corners" by Megan Goldin is an electrifying thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. With its well-crafted plot and intricate character development, the book takes readers on a roller-coaster ride of suspense and mystery. Goldin's writing style is engaging and

immersive, making it difficult to put the book down. If you're a fan of psychological thrillers with unexpected twists, "Dark Corners" is a must-read. However, be prepared for some intense and chilling moments that will leave you thinking long after you've turned the last page.

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LibraryThing member EdGoldberg

Goldin’s new novel is a direct sequel to The Night Swim (2020). The FBI enlists the aid of true-crime podcaster Rachel Krall to find out what happened to a young woman who went missing shortly after she visited a man in prison suspected of killing several people. Rachel soon discovers that the

missing woman, a social media influencer named Maddison Logan, seems only to exist online. Is there a real Maddison Logan out there somewhere? Or is she the creation of some other person? And what is her connection to the man she visited in prison? Digging into the disappearance, Rachel uncovers a hidden online world and a killer with a dangerous obsession. The Night Swim was quite a good novel, but this one is more complex, more frightening. Goldin keeps readers on their toes, offering tantalizing clues to what’s really going on but keeping the truth a closely-guarded secret until it’s time to reveal it. A third Rachel Krall novel would be most welcome. -- David Pitt (Reviewed 5/15/2023) (Booklist, vol 119, number 18, p19)

While this was a good read, it was not as compelling as Goldin's first Rachel Krall novel.

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LibraryThing member CelticLibrarian

"Dark corners can be danger points."

Rachel Krall is drug into an FBI situation involving a missing influencer and a suspected killer behind bars. Rachel is a true crime podcaster whose recent fame has enhanced her reputation as an investigative reporter. She flies to Daytona Beach to visit the

convict who's about to be released after an incarceration for breaking and entering -- they couldn't make a murder charge stick. But, Maddison Logan, the young woman who has disappeared, had visited him right before she vanished.

The first thing the reader must do is accept that the FBI would ask Rachel Krall to be involved in this case and provide her with all the pertinent details. I found that aspect a bit hard to swallow and so i did not like this second installment as much as I did the first as it just seemed too outlandish. Rachel was far removed from her podcast role.

The plot was OK, the weirdness that was trimethlylaminuria was quite interesting (it's a rare condition that makes someone smell horrible, and is sometimes called fish odor syndrome). I did not find this to be much of a suspense thriller, more a mystery that sort of hopped and skipped all over the place. Not a fan of the instant romance either. Was never satisfied with the information finally revealed about the killer.

Frankly, I was really bored by the influencer angle. I am sure others might disagree, but I am so over this constant self-obsession and the competition for followers and viral posts. What I think is really meant is that there is danger in the dark corners of social media.

Will I read another installment in this series? Probably, but I sure hope that the author returns to the writing style and format with the podcasts, scripts, etc. that made the first better for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this e-book ARC to read and review.

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LibraryThing member mskrypuch

Megan Goldin is one of my go-to authors for fast-paced thrillers that are perfect for a long flight or to relax on the beach with. Dark Corners has enough twists and turns to keep the pages turning and her stories have a freshness often missing in this genre. I particularly like her character

building. Very entertaining.

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LibraryThing member DKnight0918

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. I enjoyed this sequel almost as much as the first book.

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