This book was provided by the publisher for review purposes. All opinions are my own.
Dark Corners: A Novel by Megan GoldinSeries: Rachell Krall #2
Publication Date: August 8, 2023
Publisher: St. Martin's Press / Macmillan
Pages: 352
Goodreads
Source: From the Publisher
Genre: Fiction / Thrillers / Suspense
Rating: ★★★
Synopsis:
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.
REVIEW
Dark Corners: A Novel by Megan Goldin was an enjoyable follow-up book, although it didn’t quite match the exceptional quality of The Night Swim. It should be noted that The Night Swim set a very high standard. In terms of the main character, Rachel Krall, she was not as endearing and appeared excessively self-assured in herself and her skills. Frequently, she finds herself in precarious circumstances and expresses astonishment when things do not go as planned. However, despite these shortcomings, the story still had its moments of intrigue and kept me engaged.
While reading Dark Corners, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of disconnection from both the story and the characters, which is quite different from my experience with the author’s previous books. It was disappointing to find that none of the characters, including the main character, were likable in any way. Furthermore, the topic of influencers as a whole tends to lack the ability to evoke sympathy or admiration, even among other influencers themselves. This made me question the direction of the story, as it seemed to place too much emphasis on the influencer angle, which I found bothersome.
The ending itself was quite satisfying in the sense that everything was thoroughly explained and wrapped up neatly. However, it can be said that there were no truly groundbreaking or astonishing moments, despite the detailed explanations provided. It is worth noting that throughout the reading experience, I did not come across any significant “ah-ha” moments that would have left a lasting impression on me.
The audiobook version of this book is exceptionally well done overall. The narration, performed by a talented voice actor with a captivating voice, brings the story to life in a truly immersive way. The production quality is top-notch, with seamless transitions and well-placed sound effects that enhance the listening experience. It is evident that MacMillan Audio, a renowned company known for its commitment to quality, has once again delivered a masterpiece. With their attention to detail and dedication to providing the best listening experiences in the industry, MacMillan Audio continues to set the bar high for audiobook production.
