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Nightswimming
320 pages, Paperback
Published June 26, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
December 23, 2025
The Setting and Atmosphere in Gritty 1970’s in Patterson, NJ is done really well. A double murder happens in a local bar. New Cop, Jamie Palmieri is looking to move up in the Department and this could be the case for him to prove himself. Now, he needs to look into this murder a little closer as it’s assumed not much will come of it.
Overall, I liked Jamie and his youthful desire to learn police procedure and get things right. He is good at fleshing out small clues and getting information from witnesses. Definitely, can see his potential. Yet, the case was fairly straightforward and easy to guess what was going to happen. I wish the mystery had gone a bit deeper. I needed to know the characters a bit more and connect better.
I did enjoy listening to this, just wasn’t as engrossed as I would have liked.
Thank you NetGalley and Dayan Audio for a copy of this Audiobook. I always leave reviews of books I read.
Overall, I liked Jamie and his youthful desire to learn police procedure and get things right. He is good at fleshing out small clues and getting information from witnesses. Definitely, can see his potential. Yet, the case was fairly straightforward and easy to guess what was going to happen. I wish the mystery had gone a bit deeper. I needed to know the characters a bit more and connect better.
I did enjoy listening to this, just wasn’t as engrossed as I would have liked.
Thank you NetGalley and Dayan Audio for a copy of this Audiobook. I always leave reviews of books I read.
September 7, 2025
This book had me gripped from the start and made me care about the main character’s life through layered details in the writing. The story weaved in and out of Jamies’s professional and personal life and slowly weaved through the case of a double homicide. The story is set in 1979 and I especially enjoyed Pop cultural references that reminds us of a different time.
This is a 4.5 star read rounded up because I did guess who the killer was midway through but I liked this character so much I really wanted to see how it would unfold. I’m excited to see if this series continues. Great debut novel! Especially great on audio
This is a 4.5 star read rounded up because I did guess who the killer was midway through but I liked this character so much I really wanted to see how it would unfold. I’m excited to see if this series continues. Great debut novel! Especially great on audio
August 3, 2025
This rating does not really express my disappointment in the novel, which veers more toward 2 than 3. I found the main character, the Jamie Palmieri named on the cover next to the word 'mystery' (as in a whole new series on his I hope more substantial exploits in the future), to be quite bland. He's a rookie who has determination and some ambition but who, by and large, is nothing special. Should the writer be commended for her courage in presenting a fairly dull main protagonist? Would you want to see Charles Bovary trying to solve a criminal case? That comparison may be harsh, but I really have no desire to see what becomes of the lad in his career in Paterson NJ in the 1980s (post Rubin Hurricane Carter and the scandals that ensued). BTW, maybe it's just me, but the culprit, for lack of nearly any red herrings, was obvious. The author might want to think about that plot element for the inevitable sequel.
April 7, 2025
NetGalley Review ✨ Thank you to the publisher, author and NetGalley for this ARC.
First off I have to say the back drop for this book was on point. The noir, the mystery, the 70’s. I just felt like I was watching it like a TV show. The author does a great job with ambience, which helps get invested in the story.
There is also no doubt that the author can write a main character you can relate with and fall in love with. Jamie’s character was what kept me invested when there were parts of the story I didn’t feel invested in. I would have liked to see more parts explored or sometimes I felt like the story was skimming over some important parts. I did like this book and I think the author has a great writing style but it didn’t totally hit the mark for me and pull me in.
I am thankful for the opportunity to check out this author and I would try another one of her books in the future!
First off I have to say the back drop for this book was on point. The noir, the mystery, the 70’s. I just felt like I was watching it like a TV show. The author does a great job with ambience, which helps get invested in the story.
There is also no doubt that the author can write a main character you can relate with and fall in love with. Jamie’s character was what kept me invested when there were parts of the story I didn’t feel invested in. I would have liked to see more parts explored or sometimes I felt like the story was skimming over some important parts. I did like this book and I think the author has a great writing style but it didn’t totally hit the mark for me and pull me in.
I am thankful for the opportunity to check out this author and I would try another one of her books in the future!
September 6, 2025
3.5 – Round up.
I really loved the main character. I genuinely loved the development and all the layers of the main male, Jamie Palmieri. All the things the author created about him were believable, relatable and made him so likeable. I wanted him to succeed. I wanted to follow him and was very invested in him as a character. That being said, I wasn’t really caring much about anything else. I didn’t care too much about the who-dun-it, only that Jamie figured it out. Didn’t care about the “social issue” side of it, only that Jamie was the right guy to work through it.
The author’s ability to write so beautifully about a character is absolutely amazing. I really did want to finish for the sake of the main male character that I was so intrigued by. I wish that was present in other aspects of the storyline. I did, however, have a huge desire to finish to book, even for the sake of the character I fell so hard for.
The narrator was listed as Zachay Johnson. He did an excellent job with such a strong voice. It felt as if he had such a command about him, but he was still able to pull off the “rookie” vibe of the main male.
This appears to be one of the author’s first big novels. I really enjoyed her descriptions and ability to write such a loveable character. I’m looking forward to keeping an eye on future works.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Awesome author, looking forward to more!
#NetGalley
I really loved the main character. I genuinely loved the development and all the layers of the main male, Jamie Palmieri. All the things the author created about him were believable, relatable and made him so likeable. I wanted him to succeed. I wanted to follow him and was very invested in him as a character. That being said, I wasn’t really caring much about anything else. I didn’t care too much about the who-dun-it, only that Jamie figured it out. Didn’t care about the “social issue” side of it, only that Jamie was the right guy to work through it.
The author’s ability to write so beautifully about a character is absolutely amazing. I really did want to finish for the sake of the main male character that I was so intrigued by. I wish that was present in other aspects of the storyline. I did, however, have a huge desire to finish to book, even for the sake of the character I fell so hard for.
The narrator was listed as Zachay Johnson. He did an excellent job with such a strong voice. It felt as if he had such a command about him, but he was still able to pull off the “rookie” vibe of the main male.
This appears to be one of the author’s first big novels. I really enjoyed her descriptions and ability to write such a loveable character. I’m looking forward to keeping an eye on future works.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC. Awesome author, looking forward to more!
#NetGalley
October 16, 2025
I read some glowing reviews of this and I just don’t think it lives up to the hype. The characters, plot, and dialogue are almost good but kind of shallow.
June 7, 2025
Melanie Agnanos’ Nightswimming opens in the early hours of a cold January night in Paterson, New Jersey, in 1979. Owner Randall Low is closing up RJ’s Taproom, a bar and strip club serving a working-class clientele in a city that’s a few decades past its heyday. Dancer Cindy Kaczorek stands with him behind the bar when an unexpected visitor arrives. Hours later, a friend finds Danny’s and Cindy’s bodies in a pool of blood by the register.
We learn the sketchy details of the murders as the cops learn them inside police headquarters on Washington Street. Low was well known and well liked in the community, and the crime draws considerable media attention. Adding to the pressure, the Paterson police department is still reeling from the fallout of the Hurricane Carter case in which a well-known boxer was wrongly convicted of a murder the department could not solve.
The high-profile double killing is assigned to veteran homicide detectives Rick Andres and Marc Gianelli. Because there were no eye witnesses, the department sends patrol officers to interview patrons and neighbors, in search of anyone who may have heard or seen people entering or leaving the bar.
Among the young officers picking up scraps of the case is Jamie Palmieri, a patrolman who grew up on the streets he now polices. Palmieri is both street-smart and idealistic. He wants to do good, but he has no illusions about curing the world’s ills. He understands the limits of his power and works within them to make those portions of the world he can reach a little better.
His personal life is in transition. He sees less of his friends who have recently married and settled down, and he’s losing interest in partying and bar-hopping with his single friends. He devotes the bulk of his time and energy to work, where he looks up to the senior detectives, admiring their professionalism, the quality of their work, and the impact their work has on the community.
Palmieri, still low in rank, works side jobs to earn extra cash. On one of these, working security at a concert at The Meadowlands, he meets Missy Hollum. He enjoys their first date, the sense that there’s someone there to connect with. Though he can’t articulate it, the reader sees that in every aspect of his life, Jamie seeks substance. He’s at an inflection point, one of those periods we can’t always see as we’re living through them because the day-to-day realities can be intense and overwhelming. But when we see them in hindsight, when often realize that if one or two things had gone another way during that crucial period, our lives would have turned out completely differently. These are the periods of life we sometimes marvel at later and wonder how we pulled through.
Jamie is, above all else, earnest in his effort and pure in his intentions. He wants to do right by everyone. But again, he’s no fool. Growing up on the streets and in the boxing gym, he knows how the world works, who to be wary of, and how to assert himself against the worst elements of society. He’s a natural cop, if there is such a thing.
As the official investigation in the RJ’s double-homicide stalls, Jamie’s gentle persistence with witnesses and the trust he inspires in them results in a few thin scraps of information that lead him down an unexpected and very dangerous avenue. As the department quietly moves the murders from active investigation to cold case, the killer gets wind that Jamie is closing in on him, and both Jamie’s and Missy’s lives are literally on the line.
The strength of this book lies in the fully immersive telling. We are there with the characters every step of the way. We are living in Paterson in 1979, with its derelict shops, its street-corner addicts, the ice and slush and snow of a winter that won’t seem to let go, the delis and bars where the regulars all know each other. The soundtrack is Foreigner, Donna Summer, Hotel California. The women wear Wind Song perfume, the men, Aramis cologne.
Anagnos’ prose could be called hard-boiled for its clear-eyed economy and lack of sentiment. But unlike other hard-boiled mysteries whose tone conveys a weary sense of disappointment in a hopelessly corrupt world, the world of Nightswimming is infused with Jamie’s quiet conviction that, however bad you may find the world, there will be good in it if you bring good to it. This is the essence of the character to which others respond. This is the man whom even reluctant witnesses choose to trust.
The ability to convey such a character so clearly, subtly and convincingly takes a lot of skill. The author assumes from the beginning that the reader is intelligent and perceptive, and her writing rewards the reader who is willing to think and feel. Palmieri is a deep and engaging character inhabiting a rich, fully-drawn world. If the rest of the series is as good as this one, readers have a lot to look forward to.
We learn the sketchy details of the murders as the cops learn them inside police headquarters on Washington Street. Low was well known and well liked in the community, and the crime draws considerable media attention. Adding to the pressure, the Paterson police department is still reeling from the fallout of the Hurricane Carter case in which a well-known boxer was wrongly convicted of a murder the department could not solve.
The high-profile double killing is assigned to veteran homicide detectives Rick Andres and Marc Gianelli. Because there were no eye witnesses, the department sends patrol officers to interview patrons and neighbors, in search of anyone who may have heard or seen people entering or leaving the bar.
Among the young officers picking up scraps of the case is Jamie Palmieri, a patrolman who grew up on the streets he now polices. Palmieri is both street-smart and idealistic. He wants to do good, but he has no illusions about curing the world’s ills. He understands the limits of his power and works within them to make those portions of the world he can reach a little better.
His personal life is in transition. He sees less of his friends who have recently married and settled down, and he’s losing interest in partying and bar-hopping with his single friends. He devotes the bulk of his time and energy to work, where he looks up to the senior detectives, admiring their professionalism, the quality of their work, and the impact their work has on the community.
Palmieri, still low in rank, works side jobs to earn extra cash. On one of these, working security at a concert at The Meadowlands, he meets Missy Hollum. He enjoys their first date, the sense that there’s someone there to connect with. Though he can’t articulate it, the reader sees that in every aspect of his life, Jamie seeks substance. He’s at an inflection point, one of those periods we can’t always see as we’re living through them because the day-to-day realities can be intense and overwhelming. But when we see them in hindsight, when often realize that if one or two things had gone another way during that crucial period, our lives would have turned out completely differently. These are the periods of life we sometimes marvel at later and wonder how we pulled through.
Jamie is, above all else, earnest in his effort and pure in his intentions. He wants to do right by everyone. But again, he’s no fool. Growing up on the streets and in the boxing gym, he knows how the world works, who to be wary of, and how to assert himself against the worst elements of society. He’s a natural cop, if there is such a thing.
As the official investigation in the RJ’s double-homicide stalls, Jamie’s gentle persistence with witnesses and the trust he inspires in them results in a few thin scraps of information that lead him down an unexpected and very dangerous avenue. As the department quietly moves the murders from active investigation to cold case, the killer gets wind that Jamie is closing in on him, and both Jamie’s and Missy’s lives are literally on the line.
The strength of this book lies in the fully immersive telling. We are there with the characters every step of the way. We are living in Paterson in 1979, with its derelict shops, its street-corner addicts, the ice and slush and snow of a winter that won’t seem to let go, the delis and bars where the regulars all know each other. The soundtrack is Foreigner, Donna Summer, Hotel California. The women wear Wind Song perfume, the men, Aramis cologne.
Anagnos’ prose could be called hard-boiled for its clear-eyed economy and lack of sentiment. But unlike other hard-boiled mysteries whose tone conveys a weary sense of disappointment in a hopelessly corrupt world, the world of Nightswimming is infused with Jamie’s quiet conviction that, however bad you may find the world, there will be good in it if you bring good to it. This is the essence of the character to which others respond. This is the man whom even reluctant witnesses choose to trust.
The ability to convey such a character so clearly, subtly and convincingly takes a lot of skill. The author assumes from the beginning that the reader is intelligent and perceptive, and her writing rewards the reader who is willing to think and feel. Palmieri is a deep and engaging character inhabiting a rich, fully-drawn world. If the rest of the series is as good as this one, readers have a lot to look forward to.
November 7, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC in audiobook format.
🎧 Melanie Anagnos’ Night Swimming is a haunting, slow-burn police procedural that gains even more emotional weight and psychological nuance in its audiobook format.
Narrated by Michael Crouch, the story of Officer Jamie Palmieri’s first major homicide case in 1979 Paterson, New Jersey becomes a deeply immersive experience—one that’s as much about inner reckoning as solving a crime.
This novel opens with a brutal double murder: a bar owner and a young woman found dead in a local tavern. Jamie, still relatively green but ambitious, is assigned to the case. What follows is not a fast-paced thriller but a methodical unraveling of trauma, power, and systemic failure. Anagnos writes with a literary sensibility—her prose is lean, atmospheric, and emotionally precise. The setting of Paterson is rendered with gritty realism, echoing the racial tensions and economic decay of the post-Rubin Carter era.
🎙️ Michael Crouch’s narration is a masterclass in restraint. He doesn’t dramatize Jamie’s emotional turmoil; he inhabits it. His voice carries the weight of uncertainty, the quiet dread of being watched, and the subtle shifts in Jamie’s psyche as the case turns personal. Crouch’s pacing mirrors the novel’s tone—deliberate, introspective, and quietly suspenseful. His portrayal of secondary characters, especially the women whose stories are often sidelined in traditional crime fiction, is empathetic and distinct without veering into caricature.
What makes Night Swimming stand out—especially in audio—is its thematic depth. Anagnos interrogates the gendered dynamics of policing, the vulnerability of women in systems built to overlook them, and the psychological toll of justice. This audiobook amplifies these themes by forcing listeners to sit with silence, tension, and ambiguity. There are no flashy reveals or melodramatic twists—just the slow, painful emergence of truth.
📚 A thoughtful, gritty listen for fans of literary crime fiction. For listeners who appreciate character-driven narratives, ethical complexity, and noir realism, this audiobook delivers a deeply satisfying experience.
This is a compelling debut that doesn’t just tell a story—it asks you to feel it, question it, and carry it with you.
🎧 Melanie Anagnos’ Night Swimming is a haunting, slow-burn police procedural that gains even more emotional weight and psychological nuance in its audiobook format.
Narrated by Michael Crouch, the story of Officer Jamie Palmieri’s first major homicide case in 1979 Paterson, New Jersey becomes a deeply immersive experience—one that’s as much about inner reckoning as solving a crime.
This novel opens with a brutal double murder: a bar owner and a young woman found dead in a local tavern. Jamie, still relatively green but ambitious, is assigned to the case. What follows is not a fast-paced thriller but a methodical unraveling of trauma, power, and systemic failure. Anagnos writes with a literary sensibility—her prose is lean, atmospheric, and emotionally precise. The setting of Paterson is rendered with gritty realism, echoing the racial tensions and economic decay of the post-Rubin Carter era.
🎙️ Michael Crouch’s narration is a masterclass in restraint. He doesn’t dramatize Jamie’s emotional turmoil; he inhabits it. His voice carries the weight of uncertainty, the quiet dread of being watched, and the subtle shifts in Jamie’s psyche as the case turns personal. Crouch’s pacing mirrors the novel’s tone—deliberate, introspective, and quietly suspenseful. His portrayal of secondary characters, especially the women whose stories are often sidelined in traditional crime fiction, is empathetic and distinct without veering into caricature.
What makes Night Swimming stand out—especially in audio—is its thematic depth. Anagnos interrogates the gendered dynamics of policing, the vulnerability of women in systems built to overlook them, and the psychological toll of justice. This audiobook amplifies these themes by forcing listeners to sit with silence, tension, and ambiguity. There are no flashy reveals or melodramatic twists—just the slow, painful emergence of truth.
📚 A thoughtful, gritty listen for fans of literary crime fiction. For listeners who appreciate character-driven narratives, ethical complexity, and noir realism, this audiobook delivers a deeply satisfying experience.
This is a compelling debut that doesn’t just tell a story—it asks you to feel it, question it, and carry it with you.
December 11, 2025
Nightswimming, Melanie Anagnos’ debut novel, plunges readers into the gritty, atmospheric world of 1970s Patterson with a police procedural that is both tense and evocative. I experienced the story through the audiobook, masterfully narrated by Zachary Johnson, whose performance deepened the novel's immersion and drama.
At the heart of the story is Jamie Palmeri, a determined police officer whose frustration with his stagnant career is palpable. His chance to work on a shocking double homicide electrifies the narrative, and his relentless pursuit of justice—even when facing danger and bureaucratic roadblocks—makes him an unforgettable protagonist. Palmeri’s doggedness and moral complexity anchor the novel and sustain the tension.
Anagnos excels at recreating the era, capturing not just the details of policing but the broader atmosphere of mistrust and upheaval that defined the 1970s. The city of Patterson is rendered with gritty authenticity, setting a perfect stage for dark twists, fraught investigations, and moments of genuine suspense.
While the writing is generally strong—particularly for a debut—there are instances of repetitive phrasing. However, these minor flaws are overshadowed by the overall quality of the storytelling and the engaging character work. Anagnos’s style effectively evokes the period and the stakes, offering a fresh voice in the crime fiction genre.
Zachary Johnson’s narration is a true asset. He had me on the edge of my seat. His portrayal of Jamie Palmeri is nuanced and compelling, and his delivery imbues the story’s darker moments with gravitas. The vivid descriptions, coupled with Johnson’s steady voice, bring the streets of Patterson and its complicated inhabitants to life.
Nightswimming is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that marks Melanie Anagnos as a talent to watch. With its authentic setting, complex lead, and suspenseful plot, this debut earns a solid four stars. I look forward to the author’s next venture into crime fiction.
I recommend adding this book to your TBR. Thank you, NetGalley, Deyan Audio, and Melanie Anagnos for this ARC read.
At the heart of the story is Jamie Palmeri, a determined police officer whose frustration with his stagnant career is palpable. His chance to work on a shocking double homicide electrifies the narrative, and his relentless pursuit of justice—even when facing danger and bureaucratic roadblocks—makes him an unforgettable protagonist. Palmeri’s doggedness and moral complexity anchor the novel and sustain the tension.
Anagnos excels at recreating the era, capturing not just the details of policing but the broader atmosphere of mistrust and upheaval that defined the 1970s. The city of Patterson is rendered with gritty authenticity, setting a perfect stage for dark twists, fraught investigations, and moments of genuine suspense.
While the writing is generally strong—particularly for a debut—there are instances of repetitive phrasing. However, these minor flaws are overshadowed by the overall quality of the storytelling and the engaging character work. Anagnos’s style effectively evokes the period and the stakes, offering a fresh voice in the crime fiction genre.
Zachary Johnson’s narration is a true asset. He had me on the edge of my seat. His portrayal of Jamie Palmeri is nuanced and compelling, and his delivery imbues the story’s darker moments with gravitas. The vivid descriptions, coupled with Johnson’s steady voice, bring the streets of Patterson and its complicated inhabitants to life.
Nightswimming is a gripping, atmospheric mystery that marks Melanie Anagnos as a talent to watch. With its authentic setting, complex lead, and suspenseful plot, this debut earns a solid four stars. I look forward to the author’s next venture into crime fiction.
I recommend adding this book to your TBR. Thank you, NetGalley, Deyan Audio, and Melanie Anagnos for this ARC read.
November 4, 2025
Nightswimming by Melanie Anagnos is a debut that feels both nostalgic and freshly alive, a story rooted in the grit of the past but pulsing with emotional immediacy. It is a taut, character-driven police procedural set in Paterson, New Jersey, 1979, that manages to be both a gripping crime story and a deeply emotional portrait of a man trying to do right in a city and an era where justice rarely runs straight.
The story follows Jamie Palmieri, a young patrol officer desperate to move up the ranks when a double homicide lands on his desk. What begins as a straightforward investigation soon becomes something much darker; a labyrinth of distrust, corruption, and obsession that blurs the line between cop and prey. Author Anagnos captures the tension of the procedural perfectly with the long hours, the frustrating leads, and the constant second-guessing, but it’s Jamie’s emotional exploration that makes the book truly unforgettable. He’s vulnerable, principled, and haunted, the kind of protagonist readers root for not because he’s flawless, but because he’s real.
What impressed me most is how Anagnos balances crime and context. This isn’t just a mystery about two murders; it’s a story about a city in transition, still reeling from the Rubin “Hurricane” Carter trials, simmering with racial tension, gender shifts, and working-class despair. The author’s depiction of 1970s Paterson is vivid and sensory, you can feel the industrial grit on your skin, smell the cigarette smoke in the station house, hear the uneasy quiet between officers who no longer trust each other. The prose is clean and cinematic, the pacing steady and deliberate until it explodes into moments of real danger.
Overall, Nightswimming is astriking debut. It is atmospheric, emotionally intelligent, and perfectly paced. Nightswimming blends the precision of classic noir with the introspection of modern literary crime. Perfect for readers of Dennis Lehane, Tana French, or anyone who loves their mysteries layered with heart and history.
The story follows Jamie Palmieri, a young patrol officer desperate to move up the ranks when a double homicide lands on his desk. What begins as a straightforward investigation soon becomes something much darker; a labyrinth of distrust, corruption, and obsession that blurs the line between cop and prey. Author Anagnos captures the tension of the procedural perfectly with the long hours, the frustrating leads, and the constant second-guessing, but it’s Jamie’s emotional exploration that makes the book truly unforgettable. He’s vulnerable, principled, and haunted, the kind of protagonist readers root for not because he’s flawless, but because he’s real.
What impressed me most is how Anagnos balances crime and context. This isn’t just a mystery about two murders; it’s a story about a city in transition, still reeling from the Rubin “Hurricane” Carter trials, simmering with racial tension, gender shifts, and working-class despair. The author’s depiction of 1970s Paterson is vivid and sensory, you can feel the industrial grit on your skin, smell the cigarette smoke in the station house, hear the uneasy quiet between officers who no longer trust each other. The prose is clean and cinematic, the pacing steady and deliberate until it explodes into moments of real danger.
Overall, Nightswimming is astriking debut. It is atmospheric, emotionally intelligent, and perfectly paced. Nightswimming blends the precision of classic noir with the introspection of modern literary crime. Perfect for readers of Dennis Lehane, Tana French, or anyone who loves their mysteries layered with heart and history.
September 17, 2025
Nightswimming is the compelling debut novel from Melanie Anagnos—a gritty, atmospheric police procedural set in 1970s Patterson. I had the opportunity to listen to the audiobook version, narrated by Zachary Johnson, and I was thoroughly impressed by both the storytelling and the performance.
The story follows Jamie Palmeri, a dedicated Patterson police officer frustrated by his stalled career. Assigned to rotations, Jamie finally gets his big break assisting detectives on a chilling double homicide at a local bar. Determined and persistent, he refuses to be sidelined, even when danger looms or he's ordered to move on. His resolve to solve the case is unwavering, and it's this tenacity that makes him such a compelling lead.
Set against the backdrop of a city grappling with mistrust in law enforcement, the novel explores not only crime but the broader social atmosphere of the time. Anagnos does a solid job capturing the gritty realism of 1970s policing, with dark twists and tense moments that kept me hooked from the start.
As a debut, the writing is strong, though I did notice occasional redundancy in the wording. Whether this was a stylistic choice to match the time period or simply a debut writer’s growing pains, it didn’t take away significantly from the overall experience.
Narrator Zachary Johnson was a standout. His strong, steady voice brought Jamie Palmeri to life, and his delivery added weight to the story’s darker moments. The descriptive language, paired with Johnson’s narration, painted vivid scenes and enhanced the suspense throughout.
Overall, Nightswimming is a gripping, well-crafted mystery that showcases the promise of a new voice in crime fiction. I give it a solid 4 stars and look forward to seeing what Melanie Anagnos writes next.
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Which allowed me to write this unbiased review.
The story follows Jamie Palmeri, a dedicated Patterson police officer frustrated by his stalled career. Assigned to rotations, Jamie finally gets his big break assisting detectives on a chilling double homicide at a local bar. Determined and persistent, he refuses to be sidelined, even when danger looms or he's ordered to move on. His resolve to solve the case is unwavering, and it's this tenacity that makes him such a compelling lead.
Set against the backdrop of a city grappling with mistrust in law enforcement, the novel explores not only crime but the broader social atmosphere of the time. Anagnos does a solid job capturing the gritty realism of 1970s policing, with dark twists and tense moments that kept me hooked from the start.
As a debut, the writing is strong, though I did notice occasional redundancy in the wording. Whether this was a stylistic choice to match the time period or simply a debut writer’s growing pains, it didn’t take away significantly from the overall experience.
Narrator Zachary Johnson was a standout. His strong, steady voice brought Jamie Palmeri to life, and his delivery added weight to the story’s darker moments. The descriptive language, paired with Johnson’s narration, painted vivid scenes and enhanced the suspense throughout.
Overall, Nightswimming is a gripping, well-crafted mystery that showcases the promise of a new voice in crime fiction. I give it a solid 4 stars and look forward to seeing what Melanie Anagnos writes next.
I received an advanced copy of this audiobook from the author and publisher via NetGalley. Which allowed me to write this unbiased review.
November 1, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Deyan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.
When a night club owner and one of his employees are found murdered on the floor of the establishment, the town is put on edge. Rumors of a shadowy figure seen leaving the bar and ex-boyfriends with anger issues add to the growing mystery of who committed the crime. With all the attention, you would think only the most senior detectives and officers would be working the leads, but the chief put only two people on the case - himself and one investigator who hasn’t even passed the detective’s exam yet. Will they catch the killer before it’s too late?
Melanie Anganos’ debut novel Nightswimming follows an investigator from a small department in the 1970’s as he gets pulled into a murder investigation and an even bigger scandal. Anagnos, known for her Substack publication, sets this book in her hometown of Patterson, NJ. She also pulls from her own experience as a lawyer to craft several scenes. Written in a noir style, the police procedural shows the darker side of the legal system when those with power do not also have morals.
I give Nightswimming 3 out of 5 stars. Honestly, 3 is high – it was closer to 2. I struggled with the slow pace of the book and the lackluster characters. It was extremely hard for me to get into the book until the middle section. I also have issue with the plot points towards the end of the book – they felt faster moving than the rest of the book and almost felt like they didn’t belong. Overall, this was just a tough read for me.
When a night club owner and one of his employees are found murdered on the floor of the establishment, the town is put on edge. Rumors of a shadowy figure seen leaving the bar and ex-boyfriends with anger issues add to the growing mystery of who committed the crime. With all the attention, you would think only the most senior detectives and officers would be working the leads, but the chief put only two people on the case - himself and one investigator who hasn’t even passed the detective’s exam yet. Will they catch the killer before it’s too late?
Melanie Anganos’ debut novel Nightswimming follows an investigator from a small department in the 1970’s as he gets pulled into a murder investigation and an even bigger scandal. Anagnos, known for her Substack publication, sets this book in her hometown of Patterson, NJ. She also pulls from her own experience as a lawyer to craft several scenes. Written in a noir style, the police procedural shows the darker side of the legal system when those with power do not also have morals.
I give Nightswimming 3 out of 5 stars. Honestly, 3 is high – it was closer to 2. I struggled with the slow pace of the book and the lackluster characters. It was extremely hard for me to get into the book until the middle section. I also have issue with the plot points towards the end of the book – they felt faster moving than the rest of the book and almost felt like they didn’t belong. Overall, this was just a tough read for me.
September 7, 2025
Out now!
In 1979 Paterson, New Jersey, a young patrol officer three years out of the academy is fed up with mundane assignments and slow prospects. One frigid January night, he’s swept into a double homicide at a local bar—its owner and an underage dancer found shot after closing time. What’s supposed to be a routine call quickly escalates when he’s warned to expect the usual “no one saw a thing” outcome, thrusting him into a case that won’t let him look away.
Public trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low after a notorious wrongful conviction shakes the city, and his superiors seem eager to chalk the killings up to a failed robbery. Refusing to follow orders to stand down, he digs into interviews with bar patrons, neighbors, and the victims’ families. Each lead reveals subtle contradictions, and despite mounting pressure from higher-ups, he pieces together a puzzle that points beyond a simple crime of opportunity.
When chilling snippets from the killer’s viewpoint begin to surface, it becomes clear that the murderer is stalking him—and anyone close to him may be next. Navigating corrupt precinct politics, gritty streets, and his own growing doubts, he races against time to stay ahead of a predator who’s always one step in the shadows. The pursuit builds to a tense showdown that will challenge his courage and force him to decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for justice.
Thank you to NetGalley and High Frequency Press for the Listening copy and the physical reading copy!
In 1979 Paterson, New Jersey, a young patrol officer three years out of the academy is fed up with mundane assignments and slow prospects. One frigid January night, he’s swept into a double homicide at a local bar—its owner and an underage dancer found shot after closing time. What’s supposed to be a routine call quickly escalates when he’s warned to expect the usual “no one saw a thing” outcome, thrusting him into a case that won’t let him look away.
Public trust in law enforcement is at an all-time low after a notorious wrongful conviction shakes the city, and his superiors seem eager to chalk the killings up to a failed robbery. Refusing to follow orders to stand down, he digs into interviews with bar patrons, neighbors, and the victims’ families. Each lead reveals subtle contradictions, and despite mounting pressure from higher-ups, he pieces together a puzzle that points beyond a simple crime of opportunity.
When chilling snippets from the killer’s viewpoint begin to surface, it becomes clear that the murderer is stalking him—and anyone close to him may be next. Navigating corrupt precinct politics, gritty streets, and his own growing doubts, he races against time to stay ahead of a predator who’s always one step in the shadows. The pursuit builds to a tense showdown that will challenge his courage and force him to decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for justice.
Thank you to NetGalley and High Frequency Press for the Listening copy and the physical reading copy!
July 7, 2025
Overall Rating = 5
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 5
Set against the gritty, tension-filled backdrop of Paterson, New Jersey in 1979, Nightswimming delivers an atmospheric crime novel that gripped me throughout. Author Melanie Anagnos weaves an engaging narrative around Jamie Palmieri, a young patrol officer eager to prove himself in a city that’s still reeling from the fallout of a case that bred distrust for the authorities. When a brutal double homicide rocks a local bar, Jamie sees a chance to move up the ranks, but as he digs
deeper, the line between hunter and hunted blurs.
With sharp dialogue, well-developed characters, period-accurate detail, and a simmering sense of dread, this novel is more than just a murder mystery. It immerses the reader into the setting and the sharp-eyed and empathetic mind of the protagonist. This is not a heart-palpitating thriller. It’s a study in tension, relationships new and old, and a young man’s struggle to blend his past with the future he wants. The author expertly entices the reader with layers of backstory, action,
introspection, character development, and romance, and creates a protagonist who will hopefully live on in subsequent novels. This is a highly recommended, captivating read for fans of gritty police procedurals and noir-inspired suspense.
Sublime Line: “A tense and haunting novel where a young cop’s pursuit of justice turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.”
Storyline & Concept = 5
Writing and Delivery = 5
Editorial = 5
Set against the gritty, tension-filled backdrop of Paterson, New Jersey in 1979, Nightswimming delivers an atmospheric crime novel that gripped me throughout. Author Melanie Anagnos weaves an engaging narrative around Jamie Palmieri, a young patrol officer eager to prove himself in a city that’s still reeling from the fallout of a case that bred distrust for the authorities. When a brutal double homicide rocks a local bar, Jamie sees a chance to move up the ranks, but as he digs
deeper, the line between hunter and hunted blurs.
With sharp dialogue, well-developed characters, period-accurate detail, and a simmering sense of dread, this novel is more than just a murder mystery. It immerses the reader into the setting and the sharp-eyed and empathetic mind of the protagonist. This is not a heart-palpitating thriller. It’s a study in tension, relationships new and old, and a young man’s struggle to blend his past with the future he wants. The author expertly entices the reader with layers of backstory, action,
introspection, character development, and romance, and creates a protagonist who will hopefully live on in subsequent novels. This is a highly recommended, captivating read for fans of gritty police procedurals and noir-inspired suspense.
Sublime Line: “A tense and haunting novel where a young cop’s pursuit of justice turns into a deadly game of cat and mouse.”
June 23, 2025
Many thanks to High Frequency Press for providing me with an eARC of Nightswimming in exchange for my honest review!
As a fan of noir and all the gritty atmosphere it can provide, I'm glad to have received an eARC of this book, which succeeds at pulling me back through time into a late-70s period that lets me sink into its dark and mysterious mood. I appreciate following this story through Jamie Palmieri's POV, which infuses the story with more optimism than I'm used to compared to what the majority of noir presents in its own deeply cynical way. There's an outlook of Jamie's that pushes us to believe things can improve, even when they look so damn grim. That being said, there's also a familiarity to the narrative that can get me feeling that I've seen its tropes plenty of times before and that these elements could have been bulked up with more substance to steer them away from an overly formulaic path.
Overall, I'm officially rating Nightswimming three out of five stars. While it's not landing as one of my favorite noir books, it's still a novel where I enjoyed the vibe decently enough and where I'm glad I gave it a shot. I'll keep an eye out for more of Melanie Anagnos's work.
As a fan of noir and all the gritty atmosphere it can provide, I'm glad to have received an eARC of this book, which succeeds at pulling me back through time into a late-70s period that lets me sink into its dark and mysterious mood. I appreciate following this story through Jamie Palmieri's POV, which infuses the story with more optimism than I'm used to compared to what the majority of noir presents in its own deeply cynical way. There's an outlook of Jamie's that pushes us to believe things can improve, even when they look so damn grim. That being said, there's also a familiarity to the narrative that can get me feeling that I've seen its tropes plenty of times before and that these elements could have been bulked up with more substance to steer them away from an overly formulaic path.
Overall, I'm officially rating Nightswimming three out of five stars. While it's not landing as one of my favorite noir books, it's still a novel where I enjoyed the vibe decently enough and where I'm glad I gave it a shot. I'll keep an eye out for more of Melanie Anagnos's work.
December 27, 2025
If you enjoy noir mysteries with a strong sense of place and a character you can root for, this one is worth picking up.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
The main character, Jamie, was a highlight for me. He was relatable, compelling, and ultimately what kept me invested throughout the story. Even during moments where the plot felt slower or less developed, Jamie’s character pulled me through. There were a few places where I wished certain plot points or scenes had been explored more deeply, as some moments felt slightly rushed or skimmed over.
The setting of this book was also a standout. The noir tone, mystery elements, and 1970s backdrop were incredibly well done and made the story feel cinematic—almost like watching a TV series unfold. The author has a strong grasp of atmosphere, and that sense of ambience made it easy to become immersed in the world.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s writing style. While it didn’t completely pull me in at every moment, it was an engaging read with a strong sense of voice and setting. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it and would definitely be interested in picking up another book by this author in the future.
Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for providing this ARC.
The main character, Jamie, was a highlight for me. He was relatable, compelling, and ultimately what kept me invested throughout the story. Even during moments where the plot felt slower or less developed, Jamie’s character pulled me through. There were a few places where I wished certain plot points or scenes had been explored more deeply, as some moments felt slightly rushed or skimmed over.
The setting of this book was also a standout. The noir tone, mystery elements, and 1970s backdrop were incredibly well done and made the story feel cinematic—almost like watching a TV series unfold. The author has a strong grasp of atmosphere, and that sense of ambience made it easy to become immersed in the world.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book and appreciated the author’s writing style. While it didn’t completely pull me in at every moment, it was an engaging read with a strong sense of voice and setting. I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it and would definitely be interested in picking up another book by this author in the future.
August 11, 2025
A really excellent police procedural that rises above its genre with its whiff of James Ellroy-lite.
In Paterson NJ in 1979, two people are shot in a tavern after it’s closed: one of the owners and one of the girls who dances there. To the police, it’s an obvious case of a robbery and with no witnesses or clues, there’s only going to be a perfunctory investigation. Nonetheless, the sergeant assigns a young patrol officer, Jamie Palmieri, to help out the detectives on the case with secondary interviews and other such mid-level tasks.
At first Jamie goes along with the received wisdom, but as he starts digging deeper and as he works with veterans Andres and Gianelli, things don’t feel quite so simple. And his personal life just got way more complicated.
With a very strong feel for time and place and an Ellroy-esque staccato voice, the author creates a really distinctive narrative that rises head and shoulders above most police procedurals. Highly recommended if you want more than just the facts.
Thanks to High Frequency and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
In Paterson NJ in 1979, two people are shot in a tavern after it’s closed: one of the owners and one of the girls who dances there. To the police, it’s an obvious case of a robbery and with no witnesses or clues, there’s only going to be a perfunctory investigation. Nonetheless, the sergeant assigns a young patrol officer, Jamie Palmieri, to help out the detectives on the case with secondary interviews and other such mid-level tasks.
At first Jamie goes along with the received wisdom, but as he starts digging deeper and as he works with veterans Andres and Gianelli, things don’t feel quite so simple. And his personal life just got way more complicated.
With a very strong feel for time and place and an Ellroy-esque staccato voice, the author creates a really distinctive narrative that rises head and shoulders above most police procedurals. Highly recommended if you want more than just the facts.
Thanks to High Frequency and Netgalley for the digital review copy.
November 22, 2025
I’ll admit it — I picked up this book partly because I’m a sucker for titles that borrow from R.E.M. songs. Add to that my fondness for a solid police procedural, and I figured I knew what I was getting into. On that front, it didn’t disappoint. This is a classic procedural through and through, steeped in the kind of gritty 1970s atmosphere that instantly brought back memories.
Jamie makes for a compelling lead — the kind of flawed, fully realized character who fits perfectly into a noir setting. He feels real, and that sense of honesty and depth made it easy to root for him.
The book hooked me right from the opening scene. The creeping dread that built moment by moment, combined with the clever twists, turns, and red herrings, kept me flipping pages, eager to uncover the truth behind it all.
If I have one complaint, it’s that the novel sometimes leans a little too hard into its 70s grit. A few scenes felt unnecessarily long or overly stylized. Still, those moments were rare. Overall, this was an engaging, well-crafted read — a solid 4 stars from me.
Jamie makes for a compelling lead — the kind of flawed, fully realized character who fits perfectly into a noir setting. He feels real, and that sense of honesty and depth made it easy to root for him.
The book hooked me right from the opening scene. The creeping dread that built moment by moment, combined with the clever twists, turns, and red herrings, kept me flipping pages, eager to uncover the truth behind it all.
If I have one complaint, it’s that the novel sometimes leans a little too hard into its 70s grit. A few scenes felt unnecessarily long or overly stylized. Still, those moments were rare. Overall, this was an engaging, well-crafted read — a solid 4 stars from me.
November 1, 2025
This one is a police procedural set in Paterson, New Jersey in the late 1970s. Fun setting/era in a genre I like, saw it touted in a NYT article on new books and decided to give it a shot. Glad I did.
The story follows a young cop trying to climb the ladder to detective. He's sent out to do canvassing after a double homicide in a local tavern, and becomes sort of obsessed with the case, sticking with it after weeks of failed investigation turn it into a department cold case. The case itself isn't fascinating, though Anagnos plots it gamely. The real selling point of the book is the cop character, Jamie Palmieri. He's really well-rendered, three dimensional and interesting - the passages about his personal life are every bit as interesting as the casework. Liked this a lot, will keep reading Anagnos, and hope we get more books in this series. Four stars.
The story follows a young cop trying to climb the ladder to detective. He's sent out to do canvassing after a double homicide in a local tavern, and becomes sort of obsessed with the case, sticking with it after weeks of failed investigation turn it into a department cold case. The case itself isn't fascinating, though Anagnos plots it gamely. The real selling point of the book is the cop character, Jamie Palmieri. He's really well-rendered, three dimensional and interesting - the passages about his personal life are every bit as interesting as the casework. Liked this a lot, will keep reading Anagnos, and hope we get more books in this series. Four stars.
December 26, 2025
A new police officer who is hoping to become a detective is assignened to a dual murder at at "gentleman's club" where the owner and one of the dancers were shot to death at closing time. Jamie Palmieri gets a call from someone who will only trust him and he can't tell the rest of the police on the investigation what he learns. He doesn't know who to trust, and worries that since he didn't say something right away, people might not believe him. Jamie and his dog nugget also have their own worries and a possible new person in his life.
I figured it out part way through.
I enjoyed the narrator.
I did not understand the reason for the name of the book - nothing had to do with night swimming. I must have missed something somewhere early on to learn why it received this name.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this audio book in return for an unbiased review.
I figured it out part way through.
I enjoyed the narrator.
I did not understand the reason for the name of the book - nothing had to do with night swimming. I must have missed something somewhere early on to learn why it received this name.
Thank you netgalley for an advanced copy of this audio book in return for an unbiased review.
August 26, 2025
I was disappointed in this book, especially because I love the author's writing on Substack!
There weren't enough "spark points" along the way to keep the reader interested. As a result, the book came across as plodding, just like the main character. The climax at the end of the book only lasted about one and a half pages. For some reason, I was never able to keep the cops' characters straight and I kept confusing the victim's and girlfriend's names (probably my fault).
The focus on Paterson, NJ was interesting, but not enough to carry the book.
There were moments of promise here, and the tone was authentic but the plotline just needed some punching up.
There weren't enough "spark points" along the way to keep the reader interested. As a result, the book came across as plodding, just like the main character. The climax at the end of the book only lasted about one and a half pages. For some reason, I was never able to keep the cops' characters straight and I kept confusing the victim's and girlfriend's names (probably my fault).
The focus on Paterson, NJ was interesting, but not enough to carry the book.
There were moments of promise here, and the tone was authentic but the plotline just needed some punching up.
September 8, 2025
Gripping police procedural and noir mystery set in 1979 in Patterson, New Jersey. New detective, Jamie Palmieri, is dissatisfied with the mundane assignments he’s been given, when he is asked to be backup on a recent double homicide. The case gnaws at Jamie and he explores what some on the force consider worthless leads. In between following up on the leads, Jamie is falling in love and this “romance” adds further insight into his character. The ending wasn’t predictable and it was pretty exciting. I listened to this excellently narrated book. I want to thank NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to listen to this ARC.
October 24, 2025
I love the character of Jamie—a rookie cop with a wiener dog and the backstory of being raised by a closeted lesbian aunt. This book hooked me right away with the crime Itself and then the slow unfolding introducing those surrounding the case—like a bomb went off on the first page and we spend the rest of the book piecing that together. The only problem? I knew from about the second interview who the perp was. I just knew. I don’t know if I am just a great guesser or the plot was that obvious. I like the characters and the nuanced character development as the story went forward. But I knew the killer right away. Wah-womp.
November 11, 2025
Set in Paterson, NJ in the late seventies, this tale of murder and corruption moves is dead on. Jamie Palmieri is only a few years out of the police academy and is already well respected on the force. As a result, Jamie is brought in to help the lead detectives working a double homicide at a bar in Paterson after it closed one night. After months of investigating, the investigation has gone cold and everyone is frustrated. Jamie has been chasing various disparate leads which seem to be connected but how.
The overall story gives plenty of backstory on the central characters which provides their motivations. Well worth the read.
The overall story gives plenty of backstory on the central characters which provides their motivations. Well worth the read.
September 19, 2025
Actual rating 3.5 rounded up.
Well written and narrated audiobook. I liked that the action started right away and the book kept my interest from beginning to end. I very much appreciated the author's decision to write a clean book. When she wrote scenes where a couple went to bed together she let the reader know they'd had a romantic encounter without any graphic play by play descriptions.
I will definitely read more books by this author..
Well written and narrated audiobook. I liked that the action started right away and the book kept my interest from beginning to end. I very much appreciated the author's decision to write a clean book. When she wrote scenes where a couple went to bed together she let the reader know they'd had a romantic encounter without any graphic play by play descriptions.
I will definitely read more books by this author..
October 3, 2025
Rookie cop gets involved with a murder investigation that may help him climb the ladder. A straightforward and engaging detective yarn made special by the presence of 1979 gritty Paterson, NJ - where i was born. Anagnos knows her subject and presents it well. Paterson is the backdrop that almost becomes a character in the story. The narrator of this audio book gets the tone just right.
November 14, 2025
Nightswimming - Melanie Anagnos
When submitting the review for NetGalley it asks if I liked the narrator…. lol it was the narrator who made me quit the book!
I can’t give a fair review because I couldn’t listen to it. I didn’t even start let alone finish. lol I may have to see if I can get a paperback copy and read it myself.
When submitting the review for NetGalley it asks if I liked the narrator…. lol it was the narrator who made me quit the book!
I can’t give a fair review because I couldn’t listen to it. I didn’t even start let alone finish. lol I may have to see if I can get a paperback copy and read it myself.
November 25, 2025
I’ve tried really hard to read / listen to this book and while the story is there and progresses, it just wasn’t right for me. It felt flat and I couldn’t empathise with the characters. It just didn’t have the depth I was looking for. I’m grateful for the eARC and I’m sure others will enjoy it but it just wasn’t for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC
December 9, 2025
I love Paterson so was very excited to read this one. I loved the book, but was a little confused at all the characters at first. If you like police procedurals this is definitely a book to pick up. I did really enjoy the way the story played out but the ending felt super rushed compared to the rest of the book!
September 11, 2025
Thank you Melanie Anagnos for taking me back to Paterson, NJ, in 1979–the 1970s in its gritty glory. I love noir dripping police procedurals and officer Jamie Palmieri took me right where I wanted to be in his search for a killer. Can’t wait for the sequel.
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