Customer Reviews

Into the Water

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

"Into The Water" is the horrifying, true story of a case that haunted Virginia for years. When Sofia, Kristin and Kati were murdered, and months turned to year with no break in the case, people wondered if it would ever be solved. In 2002 Virgnians got the news they longed to hear: Spotsylvania slayings solved! It was solved because of one brave girl who escaped the killer. While I firmly believe Spotsylvania authorities, such as Howard, did their best to find the killer, it all comes down to the fact that Kara's courage brought down this monster. If you are from Virginia, especially the Spotsylvania area, this book is not really worth reading since it is basically everything that was in the newspapers. However if you aren't familiar with this case, you must read this book. And out of honor and respect for Sofia, Kristin and Kati, I believe after reading the book people should donate to a missing child organization. Just my two cents.

Into the water is a sad and unfortunate story. That being said, it is not the standard material for a true crime book. Diane Fanning's writing is juvenile and lacks focus. It is hard to believe that such a book could find a publishment.

Richard Marc Evonitz kidnapped, raped, and tortured three young girls. He dumped their bodies near a river, hence the book's name. Only when his fourth victim escaped, was he caught. Th author does explore the life of the killer and potential causes for his spree. While the book is just over 240 pages, much of the writing discusses incidents of kidnapping that are not found to involve Evonitz. So why are they in the book? Fanning did not have enough to meet the length requirement of her publisher. The author's writing is just unprofessional at times. Take this zinger for example, "Everywhere Jason went, whispers and stares clung to him like a long piece of toilet paper to the bottom of his shoe. (p. 118)" This is just tactless and shows a lack of respect for the lives of the people involved.

While I read a lot of true crime, this not one I would recommend. I believe this book needs to go back to the desk of the editor for some more work. Then, the flaws in the writing will not distract so heavily from the story. Readers might actually find the story hidden in the padding.

The events described in this book are both disturbing and tragic. The author's style is also equally disturbing. This book seems to be filled with useless facts that are loosely connected to the main story. Towards the end of the book I resorted to skimming paragraphs and pages that were boring and obviously not worth reading. If anyone is interested in this case I would recommend performing a Google search as an alternative to reading this book.

I think it's worth dividing this review into two parts... Those with a pre-interest in the Evonitz case and those who are interested in the true crime genre.

For those who know about the murder of Sophia Silva and Kristin & Kati Lisk, or those living in Virginia or South Carolina, this book will most likely interest you. At the end of the day the book is more of a tribute to those 3 girls and Kara (the survivor). The author paints a picture of the long and arduous investigation, how all families (including the Evonitz family) and surrounding communities were affected by these awful crimes.

For real true crime buffs, this isn't one for you. Most true crime digs into the offenders sordid past, how their mind works, how they fit with killer profiles etc. Unfortunately for the author, she didn't have that opportunity. There was some general info on his childhood, family, career and marriage but nothing in depth.

Not having heard of Evonitz before, I was dismayed to find the ending right upfront. Obviously they caught him, but the high-speed chase and what followed would have been a great climax & worth waiting for.... never mind. I also could have done without the red sticker on my copy advertising "8 pages of haunting photos" - 3 buildings, a police dog, 2 streetscapes, a smiling sheriff etc. I also wonder why there weren't proper photos of Sophia, Kati and Kristin??

Prepare for confusion. The author would branch out into other dates, other murders, other victims, other suspects. I know she was trying to replicate the feeling the investigators had - sinking in a gross amount of leads, but for a reader it just gets confusing. There were so many names of investigators, friends, family, victims & unreleated suspects that I would forget who the main people were when they reappeared to progress the story. Towards the end of the book one rape victim was positively linked to Evonitz and it only got a 3 sentence mention! Strikes me as really odd, given the amount of detail other victims got, even those who weren't HIS victims!

Anyway, overall it was ok but won't satisfy everyone.

I love Diane Fanning's Written in Blood, but this one was a real stinker. You know the ending before it begins, there is only speculation as to what happened. I found myself skimming over the pages at the end hoping for something interesting. I do not like to give negative reviews, but this was horrible. I have read many true crime books and this was one of the worst. Her other books are far superior.

INTO THE WATER is a mediocre attempt at a True Crime drama. The killer, Richard Marc Evonitz, is eventually linked, through DNA and other forensic evidence, to the sexual assaults and murders of 3 young girls, all of whom he kidnapped from the front yards of their family homes in broad daylight. This serial killer may have continued to haunt the state of Virginia had his fourth victim not made a miraculous escape while Evonitz slept next to her on the bed in which he raped her. In a less than brilliant attempt to avoid capture, Evonitz led police on a high speed chase. Unfortunately, Evonitz got the last word when he shot himself in the mouth rather than surrender. Following his death, DNA also linked Evonitz to the rape of another teenaged girl in her own home.

There is some information about the history of the offender, but it is the predictable history that each of us leaves behind when we retire from this world. Of course, none of his immediate family members, his friends, or anyone else who knew anything at all about him could have dreamed Evonitz was responsible for these shameful crimes. (Think standard television interviews following the arrest of most sociopathic serial killers: "He was a quiet neighbor who always seemed willing to lend a hand. I never noticed anything suspicious about him at all!")

It is more than a bit difficult to understand why the author would choose to include the lengthy and wordy commendations of the investigative task force by 3 separate agencies. These commendations were so similar as to be wholly redundant and unequivocably unnecessary as important inclusions into the primary text of the story. (Okay, we get it. The task force did a great job.)

Perhaps the most frightening part of this tragic story is how many other missing and murdered victims were evaluated as having a possible connection to Evonitz... and how many other predatory sex offenders with similar and perverse desires roam the peaceful streets of every neighborhood in America.

If you want to read a book by Diane Fanning, I would direct readers to the much more interesting GONE FOREVER. Fanning is capable of better work, but INTO THE WATER sinks like a stone.

Diane Fanning has done it again. The author's vivid description and dramatic storytelling allows us to step into the story and watch as it unfolds all around us, from the perspectives of all those involved. Readers can feel the emotions as deeply as an outsider ever could--from the victims and their families and friends to the law enforcement officials working the cases...from the friends, family members and neighbors of Richard Marc Evonitz to the man himself. The details are terrific; the pictures are chilling...Fanning masterfully weaves the detached stories of the victims' lives together in a cohesive story that is very easy to follow. The Afterword is a powerful closure that not only serves as a brilliant memorial to the young ladies we'll never know, but a cautionary tale to mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, and friends everywhere.