Reviews tagging 'Domestic abuse'

The Night Swim by Megan Goldin

33 reviews

the_pink_pharmacist's review

adventurous dark medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Alcohol, Death, Domestic abuse, Murder, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, and Child abuse

vldestefano's review

dark mysterious sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence

rendermespeechless's review

dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

I like the idea of a pod cast from the speaker's perspective. The Podcaster, Rachel, covers a trial on a teenage rape case. A note appears on her car while she's traveling down to cover the trial. The note speaks of a case that happened decades ago that went unsolved in her sister's death. 

There is no character growth. But, the book is essentially about two different cases in two different timelines. This case be confusing, but I learned pretty quick to read the chapter header (Rachel or Hannah). 

I already have the second book, Dark Corners. I will eventually read that. But, this isn't my favorite line of writing

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Rape, and Sexual harassment

cassielaj's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

I cannot give this book a star rating. While the writing was good and the mystery compelling, this was a really challenging book to read, and it deserves more nuance than a 1-5 rating. This story is heavy. It is graphically detailed at times. It is tragic and disheartening and just the tiniest bit hopeful. And I honestly think it’s important. This book treats rape and sexual assault victims and trials in a way I haven’t seen enough in popular media, especially in the thriller genre, which often sensationalizes tragedy. It explores the challenges and injustices of the justice system when it comes to trying a sexual assault case. It explores class differences and politics in a small town and shows how power can be abused. It explores the guilt that can come with doing nothing to help someone in a time of need, and it explores redemption from the horrors of the past. I want to recommend it because it’s a good book, but I don’t want to because it was heavy. If you choose to read this, go in with as much information as you can, and be kind to yourself while you read it. 

From a thriller perspective, I did find it a bit predictable, but overall I thought the mystery was well paced. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Car accident, Grief, Bullying, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Emotional abuse, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Gaslighting, Suicide, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Xenophobia

Detailed descriptions of a trial process. Graphic and disturbing details of manipulation, sexual assault, bullying, and more.

gen_wolfhailstorm's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

The Details:
Narrated by Bailey Carr, January LaVoy, Samantha Desz
Unabridged 

One of my late netgalley arcs, I decided to listen to via my library app.

This was riveting and harrowing read following a dual sexual assault case, one in the present day and one set in the mystery of a cover up that happened some years before. 

We follow a podcast presenter investigating both cases and it was interesting to see the perspective of varying characters of what, to me, is an obviously awful crime.

The acts done to the body was so graphic and really hard to read, so please bear that in mind.

Overall, I'm glad to have finally read this, but it was a heavy, difficult read.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Terminal illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Animal cruelty, Cancer, Car accident, Murder, Physical abuse, Sexism, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Body horror, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Stalking, Torture, Dementia, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Forced institutionalization, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Violence, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Rape, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, and Mental illness

leebeeloves's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Rape, Bullying, Death of parent, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Stalking, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Sexual assault

Moderate: Chronic illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Fire/Fire injury, and Domestic abuse

Minor: Vomit and Gun violence

neville_lvr_reads's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

 I picked up The Night Swim after winning a @goodreads giveaway for the sequel, Dark Corners. It was definitely a solid read and I highly recommend the audiobook!

The Night Swim follows Rachel, a true crime reporter and podcaster covering an active trial for the rape and sexual assault of a teenage girl in a small town in North Carolina. While there, she learns about a similar rape and murder that happened 25 years prior and jumps right in to try to solve it.

I’ve been getting a little burnt out on thrillers lately, so I was pleasantly surprised to get fully sucked into this one. There’s mystery and intrigue, but also very real world topics and concerns. I liked how well the author handled those sensitive topics through Rachel and her podcast as she covered the trial. I also loved how all the pieces clicked into place in the end - I found the ending very satisfying to the story as a whole!

It also definitely gave me some Good Girl’s Guide to Murder vibes, but adult instead of YA. If you enjoyed GGGM, you should check this one out!

Overall would recommend The Night Swim to folks who like a good true crime-esque mystery, but take note of the trigger warnings. If you read this, I definitely recommend the audiobook version! In addition to the full cast narration, we also get to actually hear Rachel’s podcast episodes, with music and background noises at times that made it very immersive. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Rape

Minor: Domestic abuse and Child abuse

archuxinyues's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional mysterious medium-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

first megan goldin book and pleasantly surprised but admittedly, there were some slow parts though not an excruciating drag ; worth a read if you like this genre or the idea of a podcaster and law/court proceedings (discusses in detail tw: rape and elements of contention/discussion include justice system and feminism)

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape

Moderate: Cancer, Car accident, and Bullying

Minor: Murder, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, and Misogyny

courtneypaigea's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional sad tense

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Rape, Domestic abuse, Sexual assault, Suicide, Murder, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Terminal illness and Child abuse

horizonous's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, and Misogyny

Moderate: Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, and Murder

Minor: Cancer, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Suicide, Domestic abuse, Alcoholism, Blood, Death of parent, and Self harm

◦ Alcohol = Underage drinking
◦ Death = Sibling
◦ Mental illness = Depression, PTSD