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. But she’s used to being
recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more
unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to
her, begging for help.
The small town of Neapolis is being torn
apart by a devastating rape trial. The town’s golden boy, a swimmer
destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping a high school
student, the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure
to make Season Three a success, Rachel throws herself into interviewing
and investigating―but the mysterious letters keep showing up in
unexpected places. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until
Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago.
Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insists she
was murdered―and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody seems to
want to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers
startling connections between the two cases that will change the course
of the trial and the lives of everyone involved.
Electrifying
and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation?
Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really
happened to Jenny?
The Night Swim is a look at rape and the
tendency of many to shame the victim, especially in a small town. The story is told primarily through the eyes
of Rachel Krall, a podcaster. Her quest
to find the truth is told by her directly while the backstory and opinions are
examined through her true crimes podcast.
The saga begins with Rachel coming to the small town of Neapolis riding high on her successful true crimes podcast. The previous year she helped free a man wrongfully accused and in prison. Now she wants to investigate the alleged rape of a young girl by the hometown sport’s hero. Her hope is that this season is bigger than last year.
My first thought after reading this book, is that it will not be for everyone. The rape, the bullying, and blaming the victim is hard to take sometimes. However, if you can manage, The Night Swim is an accurate look at the criminal justice system regarding rape cases.
While in Neapolis, Rachel is pulled into a cold case by a stalker, Hannah. The mystery of who Hannah is and how she connects to the current case, is curious. After many letters to the radio station begging Rachel to investigate the death of her sister, Hannah begins stalking Rachel with letters, notes on her car, and requests to meet in out of the way places. It is a little spooky and makes the reader tense and curious about who Hannah is and what is her end game.
The author’s descriptions of the area, the people, and the process will conjure up, the horrible details of what happened to these young girls whether you want to or not. You are reminded how the victims of rape are made to feel at fault. How the lawyers are allowed to verbally rape the victim on the stand. It was consensual. She was asking for it. Her dress was provocative everybody knows she puts out. She said no but I know she meant yes. You know all the justifications boys and men have used for centuries are allowed.
I’m not sure enjoy is the right word to use, but this is a good book that is well worth your time. This is a story that will stay with you long after you read the end. There is a big “I didn’t see that coming” moment that explains a lot and shocked the hell out of me.
I started reading the story then switched to the audio version after suggestions from members of my reading group. The audio is performed by January LaVoy, a new to me narrator who does an excellent job distinguishing the voices of the three points of view, Rachel, Hannah, and the podcast. I suggest getting both. I make notes on my Kindle and listen to the audio while driving or doing other things. A must read.
5 Stars
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