29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
After 1st Chapter you know the ending, February 19, 2005
This review is from: Into the Water (Mass Market Paperback)
As a long time reader of true crime books I feel the best reads are the ones that have you turning the pages long into the night as you try to solve the "who done it" along with the investigators.
This is the method used by the best fiction writers like Grisham and Dan Brown.
Many true crime writers today use a quick "cookie cutter" method to churn out profitable books by following a formula where the author first gives you the books ending then you flashback to the history of the town the protagonist was born in, talk about the grandparents and parents, then give the murderer's childhood up through the crimes.
Many people are acceptable of this "C-" writing style but the best writers like Carlton Stowers, and Ann Rule's first Books(today Ann Rule is a cookie cutter writer)wish for more.
Here in the first 2 chapters you have the ending of the book. I would suggest for greater enjoyment of this book you begin with chapter 3.
My method for finding the best in true crime books is before purchasing the book to look at the bottom of the back cover.
Here you will see if the book has been selected as a Book of the Month Selection or if the book has won the Edgar Award for best true crime book of the year. If either applies...buy the book.
I would suggest for the best in true crime writing, where you are staying up nights and can't put the book down, you try to find the following books in the used book section. You won't be disappointed.
Try these:
1) "Dreams of Ada"
2) The Minds of Billy Mulligan"
3) "Unveiling Claudia"
4) "Careless Whispers"
5) "Zodiac"
6) "Zebra"
If you buy any of these used books be prepared to stay up all night.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
16 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
1.0 out of 5 stars
Tedious, March 24, 2005
This review is from: Into the Water (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the first book I've read by Fanning, and I doubt I'll be interested in others. I love true crime when well written. But this story should have been merely one episode in a compilation of tales. The man's a monster, and his victims pathetic, but the facts are thin. Fanning pads the book with tedious detail and overdramatic flourishes. I always "recycle" my paperbacks by handing them on to others, but this one will go in the wastebasket.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
15 of 19 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
SOMEWHAT LACKING IN THOROUGH REPORTING, June 26, 2004
This review is from: Into the Water (Mass Market Paperback)
Though factually accurate, INTO THE WATER does not add much texture to the story that everyone in Spotsylvania County, Virginia lived from 1996 to 2002. Richard Marc Evonitz remains largely a mystery. Yes, it was proved that he murdered Sophia Silva, and Kristen and Kati Lisk, but inquiries into what made and drove him were largely left to reader speculation.
To read this book you would think that Major Howard Smith single-handedly solved these dreadful murders. Since when does the second in command of a sheriff's office of roughly 100 deputies solve anything? This signals another problem with the book itself: Not thoroughly researched. There were a lot of investigators from local, state and federal agencies assigned to the task force investigating the Lisk/Silva murders. Those that were assigned and worked on aspects of the case every day for six years weren't even mentioned by name. Major Smith's appearances were limited at best, and did not show a marked improvement until Evonitz became the focus of the investigation.
Also disturbing is the parading of quotes by the same group of former FBI profiler clowns that appear as talking heads on every true crime feature story or docudrama filmed: Ressler, McCrary, and Douglas. "Former" implies they would not have access to case material, yet that didn't stop them from posting their opinions in chatrooms and in the media. Aren't these the same guys that said the DC snipers (two black males), were a lone, disgruntled white guy? Despite spouting their standard vagaries about what "might" eventually be found they offered nothing but empty speculation.
Additionally, the in-depth reporting is so sparse, the author had to include snippets of other unsolved crimes occurring in the area to keep it flowing and interesting. Unsolved crimes that were never proven to be the work of Evonitz. I guess they were added to get the body and page count up.
Though the Lisks and Silvas received some measure of closure with Evonitz committing suicide at the moment of his apprehension, and the subsequent forensic proof that he murdered the three girls in Spotsylvania, a distinct tragedy remains: There may well be other crimes for which Evonitz was responsible, but the families of those victims will never know that the perpetrator is dead and their daughters can rest in peace.
This is not a book of great detective work. It was dumb luck. Kara, the brave girl who escaped Evonitz and the fate of the those before her is to be commended. Fortunately the cops in South Carolina shared her information and plight, which led to Evonitz popping up on the radar screen in Virginia.
But this reader is left with a haunting thought: If Major Smith and the Spotsylvania County investigators had done a better job investigating the June 1995 rape of a 13 year old, before three girls were murdered, all of it might have been prevented.
Very readable, but this work should have been more in-depth in exploring the background and psyche of Evonitz. May he roast in hell.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
