In the Woods Somewhere Sam Evans Review: Gripping and Messy In A Good Way

In the Woods Somewhere by Sam Evans is a haunting neo-noir mystery that kicks off with a chilling 911 call. And from there, it turned into one hell of a tense, emotional rollercoaster. The story was gripping and messy in a good way. I was pretty much hooked from that very first page.

It isn't just a mystery about what happened in the woods, but also a story about obsession. About how far you'd go for someone you care about. And except for a few bits, I loved it.

My Rating:

❤️❤️❤️❤️🤍

"Gripping and messy in a good way.”

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What the Book is About

The book is about Stevie Diaz, a 911 dispatcher with a relatively unhappening life, working a job with odd hours. Until one day, when she hears her friend's voice over a 911 emergency call. The call gets disconnected after what might be a gunshot, and the the story begins.

Stevie becomes absolutely obsessed with finding the truth behind that call. And she hasn’t just put the investigation in a complicated place, but also her own life. Sam has written quite a compelling small-town suspense story with In the Woods Somewhere.

What Works?

That opening 911 call sets the tone immediately. A bit tense, a bit unsettling. The book has just the right amount of details. No paragraph-long descriptions trying to drain your brain, either for the characters or the environment. Pretty much everything is left to your imagination, and I feel that's good. The story moves fast because of it.

Another good thing is that Sam has portrayed Stevie as a real person – flawed, impulsive and sometimes downright childish. That's how a real life human is, no?. She isn't a pro detective, and the book doesn't pretend she is. She learns things as needed and stays prepared for all situations.

Stevie’s work life gets enough mentions, and so does her personal life. Multiple suspects and turn of events keep you guessing, and the small-town noir atmosphere gives the book a thrilling flavour.

What Falls Short?

One put-off in In the Woods Somewhere was the detour into the extramarital affair subplot. It wasn't needed at all. Kind of takes the story off track and distracts you from what’s otherwise a tight mystery. But then, that part is left incomplete which keeps the opening for a sequel. So, maybe it was intentional.

Stevie's choices are also frustrating at times. But yeah, that's how someone is when their life is tangled up in guilt and old wounds. It makes the story real, but tad annoying. The ending may have been a bit rushed. Some kind of resolution (even if not definitive could have made it satisfactory.

Who Should Read It?

If you love small-town crime mystery, you’ll love In the Woods Somewhere. It isn’t a professional detective story, but something with personal life entangled. However, it feels no less thrilling. If you don't mind some personal drama woven into a crime thriller, the book is absolutely worth your time.

Final Thoughts

Sam Evans’ In the Woods Somewhere is a gripping neo-noir that gets under your skin. It's fast, it's emotional, and it's messy. The story feels real, of someone hanging between waiting for justice and doing the right thing. And I'd totally recommend reading it.

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