THE NIGHT SWIN by Megan Goldin

 From the very start of this book you get the sense something sinister is about to happen. It’s a very intense and touchy subject. A story of a young girl who is raped. Then in many ways raped again by the very courts that promise to give her closure. Promise to make her world safe again. Promise that the man who did this to her will pay. 

THE TRAUMA OF TESTIFYING IS ONE OF THE MAIN REASONS WHY SO MANY RAPE VICTIMS OPT NOT TO TESTIFY AND WHY SO MANY RAPES ARE NEVER PROSECUTED.

TWO RAPES. TWENTY-FIVE YEARS APART. IN THE SAME TOWN.

This is the story of a young girl, Kelly Moore, who was brutally raped by a boy who had it all. He was an athlete and on his way to becoming famous. One mistake is all it took for her life to be completely torn to shreds. Trusting one boy who promised to give her a ride home. Getting into his car would change her life forever. 

Rachel has a podcast called: GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY. She is in town to cover a rape case and bring it to people who listen to her podcast and let them decide if the boy in question is guilty or not. Many things happen in this story that will make you cringe. Make you feel so sad. Make you wonder exactly how someone can get away with things. Whether now or twenty-five years ago. Rachel is contacted by a woman who use to live in the town. Who’s sister was raped, over and over, then murdered. Who’s murder was covered up by everyone. Who’s life was ruined by the same boys who terrorized her over and over throughout that summer. Now Hannah is back and she wants justice for her sister. She wants Rachel to help her.

Hannah was just a child when her sister, Jenny age 16, was murdered. Jenny went through something that would unforgivable. She was beaten over and over. Raped by several boys over and over. There was one boy who did not participate but to me he was still very guilty. He didn’t get her any help. He was afraid and that is understandable in a sense. But it’s not really unforgivable in my humble opinion. Hannah wanted justice for her sister and she sought the help of Rachel. You will hear what happened back then in Hannah’s words. The words of a nine year old child who doesn’t understand exactly what was going on. She will break your heart so many times. Her love for her sister is so strong and has not diminished one bit in the many years it’s been. With Rachel’s help will she find justice for Jenny. Will Kelly get justice for what happened to her. Will anyone pay for what happened those many years ago. Will justice truly be served or will a rapist go free? 

This is a very deep story that will have you hanging onto every word. It’s not graphic or I would not have been able to read it all the way through. It’s told in a way that will leave you turning the pages and wanting someone to pay for the things they did. Both now and twenty-five years ago. It’s not until about 75 percent of the way into this story that things get really compelling. Things are told that will make your skin crawl. The tears will flow for the pain that is caused to young women. No one deserves to be treated the way either of the young girls in this story are treated. It’s told in a way that you will feel like you are there. On the beach, in the woods, in the courtroom. You will root for the true victims in this book or you just are not human at all.

Thank you to #NetGalley, #MeganGoldin, #StMartin’sPress for this ARC. This is my own review.

It’s a big 5/5 stars and a very high recommendation.