"Dark Corners"

Megan Goldin, author of The Escape Room and The Night Swim, worked as a correspondent for Reuters and other media outlets where she covered war, peace, international terrorism and financial meltdowns in the Middle East and Asia. She is now based in Melbourne, Australia where she raises three sons and is a foster mum to Labrador puppies learning to be guide dogs.

Goldin applied the Page 69 Test to her new novel, Dark Corners, the second novel with fearless true crime podcaster Rachel Krall, and reported the following:

The story picks up from where The Night Swim left off. This time, after returning home from covering the controversial rape trial in Neapolis as told in The Night Swim, true crime podcaster Rachel Krall is asked to help the FBI locate a social media influencer who has disappeared from her camper van at a Florida camp site. The influencer, Maddison Logan, visited an inmate at a maximum security prison shortly before she disappeared. The prisoner's name is Terence Bailey and he is suspected of carrying out a series of abductions of young women. It's an uncanny coincidence that Maddison went missing right after meeting Bailey.

Page 69 covers part of Rachel Krall's meeting with Terence Bailey in the Florida prison. Bailey is a big fan of Rachel Krall's true crime podcasts. The FBI is hoping that he might knowingly or unwittingly divulge to Rachel what he knows about Maddison's disappearance. Any information will help because the FBI and the local police havething to go on. They are keenly aware that the longer it takes for them to find Maddison, the lower the likelihood that they'll find her alive.

He changed the subject abruptly. “Did you know that you’re my second proper visitor I’ve been here almost six years. Never had visitors excepting for my cheating lawyer. And he charged by the hour. All these years and just as I’m leaving, two pretty ladies turn up. Suddenly I’m Mr. Popularity.” He licked his chapped lips. “The good Lord does work in mysterious ways,” he said sarcastically. His unblinking gaze made his attempts at humor chilling rather than cute.

Rachel presumed the other female visitor was Maddison. She decided not to ask. Yet.

“Every man here will be jealous as hell that you’ve come to see me. The famous Rachel Krall.”

“I’m hardly a celebrity.”

“You’re better than a celebrity.” He nodded to reinforce the truth of his statement. “When the wives and girlfriends stop writing and visiting, the men turn to writing to Jesus, and to you, Rachel.”

“Why me?”

“Most of the men locked up here are lifers. The only chance they have left is if you cover their case for your podcast and get them a new trial. Like what you did for that coach.” He shifted on the metal stool.

“He went free because he was innocent,” said Rachel. “I’m betting you can’t say that about most of the men here.”

“Probably not,” he admitted.

“What about you? Have you ever written to me?” Rachel asked.

“Once. I ripped it up. Never sent it.”

“Why not?”

“Wasn’t sure I could trust you.” His eyes bored into Rachel.

He leaned forward intimidatingly. The prison guard pacing around the metal tables swung around in their direction when he heard Bailey’s manacles rattle from the sudden movement.

“Can I trust you, Rachel?” Bailey’s voice was as soft as a ghost in the night.

Page 69 introduces the reader to Terence Bailey in all his contrasts. He is a tough, tattooed prisoner who may have committed multiple murders, although that's not the reason why he is in prison. At the same time, he strikes Rachel as both tortured and sinister. She's not entirely sure whether to fear him or feel sorry for him. Perhaps the scariest part of Rachel's meeting with Bailey is that he's about to get out of jail having served his prison sentence. It's scary for Rachel because he seems to have fixated on her. That does not bode well for Rachel because if the cops are to be believed then Bailey is an incredibly dangerous man.

Visit Megan Goldin's website.

The Page 69 Test: The Escape Room.

--Marshal Zeringue