*Note: This book was an advanced reader’s copy from Net Galley. It will be published on August 8, 2023, and is available for pre-order on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/Dark-Corners-Novel-Megan-Goldin/dp/1250280680/
****4-stars
This is the second book I’ve read by this author. I loved Stay Awake but found that, although this one was a very good thriller, it wasn’t as great as that book. I guessed all the twists very early, but I enjoyed the descriptions of podcasters and social media influencers.
The story follows Rachel Krall, the popular podcaster of “Guilty or Not Guilty” a podcast that has helped wrongly accused criminals. The FB summons Rachel to Florida to meet with Terence Bailey, an inmate who has requested to see her. Bailey is due to be released shortly but was suspected of serial killings of young women which there wasn’t enough proof to convict him. They sentenced him after a minor crime in the hope that they could find evidence to tie him into the murders. However, after they admitted him, the serial killings continued, which led the FBI to believe that Bailey was working with an accomplice.
The FBI agent working the case informs Rachel that the last person to visit Bailey in prison was Maddison Logan, a social media influencer. During that visit, Bailey asked Maddison to bring him Rachel Krall. Rachel has no idea why, but the FBI needs to know because Maddison disappeared after seeing Bailey and a body is found near her trailer that is thought to be hers.
Chapters alternate between Rachel’s story and that of a strange rideshare driver with a condition that causes him to give off an unpleasant odor. Is this man somehow connected with Terence Bailey?
Against Agent Martinez’ advice to head home when more bodies turn up and Bailey leaves Rachel a threatening message before his release, Rachel does her own investigation into Maddison’s disappearance that leads her into attending a conference of social media influencers. I found this part humorous, as it showed how obsessed some people can be with social media.
There are several twists that follow along with a budding romantic relationship for Rachel, but I felt these were all obvious. I liked the book and recommend it but felt it didn’t live up to Stay Awake. If you haven’t read that, start with this one. .
Ruff Drafts 