Thank you to Killer Reads and Netgalley for a copy of the eARC in exchange for a fair review.


Joey has just moved to Arizona, and while out taking a walk with his German Shepard Bandit he comes across three teenagers tormenting a boy in the creek. Joey decides to stand up for him and starts a whole chain of events.


He and Bobby soon become friends with Tara and Jim, also outcasts. When the group has another altercation with the teenagers they make the decision to tell their parents. Once the parents are involved the call the police. Only it turns out that one of the teenagers is the son of the Sheriff. The Sheriff makes a call on the house to threaten them and is humiliated by Joey's parents.


Later the Sheriff attacks Bobby and Joey, and they are saved by Tara and Jim. They decide to call themselves the Outsiders club, but when they discover what is hidden in an abandoned car it will change their lives forever.


I don't even know what happened or how I feel. Maybe those are the wrong choices of words, but it was like one decision spiraled into another and another and it was so out of control. Like Murphy's Law was in full effect. I picked this book, because the title and the cover I didn't read the synopsis at all. So I was surprised that the Joey was so young, and he really alternated between acting like a teenage boy, and being grown up so it threw me more than once every time I remembered he was young.



I was I think disappointed in the ending, and I feel like some of that was just too much. I also wonder what year it was set it because it seemed so 30 years ago, but then again small towns can be very behind the times. On the other hand I couldn't stop reading it. Like watching a train wreck fascinated until the end.

This is the night. These are the times.


This was a solid 3 star read for me. I was definitely expecting a paranormal element which wasn’t present in the book at all, and it surprised me a little.

The main thing I struggled with was the narrator. A young boy, Joey was just so typical of guys his age, and I struggled to connect with his character. I found him incredibly annoying, strangely unlikeable and honestly quite annoying, which made me feel a little detached from the story.

Besides the narrator, I also struggled to find some parts of the story believable. It was just a little farfetched and could honestly be so easily resolved by involving a grown-up or the police. I also really wanted to just slap these kids and stop them from being so dumb. I mean, some of their decisions were truly questionable.

Overall I quite liked the ‘feel’ of the book, it was very atmospheric and I could easily transport myself into the minds of these children and the environment they lived in, so for that I can commend the author.

While I was slightly disappointed by this book, I would be interested in reading more from the author. I hope his other narrators are more likeable.

Would recommend for: fans of Stephen King for sure!

I love everything Stephen King writes. So when this was compared to that, I felt I had to give it a go.

I am not quite old enough to be able to compare this book to Stand by Me, a movie that my mother absolutely loves, but I can see similarities to Stranger things. The book is very good at describing pre-teen friendship and how one defining moment can change everything.

I really liked this book and can recommend it

This is a fast paced book that will have you hooked from the first few pages.
Joey and his family move home and as he explores the woods he meets a new friend, Fat Bobby. He then meets Jim and Tara.
They get on really well and despite trying to avoid the town bullies, life is good.
Joey tells the others about something he’s seen in the woods so the group go and investigate.
What happens next affects all of them - and their families.
The story then centres on how they can get out of the situation they’ve found themselves in and things soon go from bad to worse.
I can’t say too much more as I don’t want to spoil it for you but I will say this is a really good read.
Thanks to Killet Reads and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to review this book.

Thank you so much for sharing this with me.. honestly I wanted to love it but it’s not my kind of read. I love the “stand by me”, “goonies”, “stranger things” vibe but it’s just not my vibe. I wish the author much success, but I bow out gracefully, I tried to get into it and I loved the writing but it just wasn’t for me. I know it’s 5 star read for others.
I stopped at 21% and i honestly enjoyed the writing and the plot but I was personally bored.

I thank #NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC. I wish the author nothing but success and 5 star reviews.

Alright I have to admit my reason for picking this one up is it being advertised as for fans of It by Stephen King and The Chalk Man by C. J. Tudor. For once the advertising from the publisher is actually pretty spot on instead of the usual why in the world are they comparing this to that book feeling I get. This one will immediately remind you of the titles they’ve listed.

The book starts as Joe is remembering the summer he was thirteen and his parents decided on a move to the small town of Payne, Arizona. At that age the move was a new adventure to Joe and shortly after moving he meets Fat Bobby being tortured by some bullies and so the beginning of the Outsiders club. Joe, Bobby, Tara and Jim bond together and begin their summer adventure.

Eventually while exploring in the woods a car is found locked up and hidden. Of course curiosity gets the better and when finally able to get inside they find a fortune in cash. Now we know that this is a too good to be true scenario and of course the next thing for the Outsiders is a major order of danger coming their way.

As I said this one has major vibes of the books they compared it too so if you are a fan of a nostalgic coming of age with a dangerous twist type of read then this one will probably be for you. While I enjoyed this one much as I had the others before it my only thought though was is it terribly original. Sure these kids get into their own mess of troubles over their summer but one can’t help but to compare so in the end I decided to rate this one at 3.5 stars.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

Rating: 2.5. I felt like this was a knock off of a Stephen King Novel. Definitely had Stand By Me and It vibes---but lack the good writing and plot. This story started off one way and it held my attention because it seemed like it might get interesting. However, then the story escalated and become so unbelievable as time went on. The only saving grace of this book, for me, was the character of the Collector. His character was interesting at least but then his storyline devolved into such a cop-out. I wanted so much more. Also a side note, I did not appreciate certain words that were continuously used throughout the book...there was no point plot wise and it felt outdated, unnecessary, and offensive. So this book already rubbed me the wrong way from the beginning, and there were few redeeming qualities. Overall, not a fan.

I received an ARC of the book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is a fun read! I saw a blurb that calls this book: Perfect for fans of It by Stephen King, The Chalk Man by C.J. Tudor and the TV show Stranger Things. This book does contain some elements of IT and Stranger Things, but not all that much. IF YOU GO DOWN TO THE WOODS is a coming-of-age story about a group of friends growing up in a small-town, and that is where the similarities end. I haven't read THE CHALK MAN, so I don't know how similar the two are. With that being said, let's get to this review.

A group of friends (kind of like the Loser's Club) call themselves the Outsider's Club. The teens find a burnt out car in the woods with cash in the front seat and a body in the trunk. The group of teens had to figure out what happened. Then, the Collector comes to town looking for the cash.

There are a few things that I didn't like about this book. The teens act way older than they are. The ages should have been changed to seventeen or eighteen. One of the club members is nicknamed fat. That just isn't cool. I know kids are cruel, but that is a terrible thing to call someone.

I cared for some of the characters, but I cared about Bandit the dog more. There is a lot to like about this book, too. The plot is twisty and layered. The author does a great job of managing the plot.

It is a relatively quick read. This is a debut, but you could hardly tell. The writing is solid. The characters are pretty good. The ending is great. The dialogue is solid. Overall, I enjoyed this book. It's a good way to spend an hour or so.

3.5–4/5 stars!

The Outsiders’ Club, that is exactly what Joey, Fat Bobby, Jim and Tara are, outsiders in their own way. Joey is the new kid on the block, Bobby is the fat kid who gets beaten on a daily basis, Jim is the black kid in the midst of a predominantly racist town and Tara just finds it difficult to belong.

A band of misfits, who find themselves accidentally drawn into a violent confrontation with The Collector. A killer with no remorse, a killer who enjoys the pain and the kill. The fact the four of them are teenagers and innocent of any wrongdoing, well perhaps they are a wee bit guilty of a few things, is of no interest to him at all.

The way Joey reacts to any threat or bully reminds me of what I have instilled in my own children. You stand up for those being bullied, show no fear and give as good as you get. This is how his relationship with Bobby starts. I enjoyed the way the author presents the inner dilemma Joey has with Bobby. His gut says protect him, his heart feels sympathy for his situation and yet his mind questions why Bobby doesn’t stand up for himself.

It describes a typical, and yet very alarming, common scenario in a small town run by a hick sheriff and his violent son. Violence, bullying and racism are a daily occurrence, child abuse and neglect are commonplace, and the authorities are part of the problem of course.

It is a refreshing unexpected slap in the face kind of read. I have to hand it to Adams, he lulls the reader in with his nostalgic Stand by Me coming-of-age intro, which then melds into a combination of Pulp Fiction meets Deliverance with a pinch of Noir plot, which all takes place in the woods of a rural town. It is an unpredictable, brutal and a take no prisoners kind of read. There is one thing for certain in If You go Down To the Woods, there aren’t any teddy bears with picnics waiting for them or for you.

The Famous Five never had adventures like this. Whilst the storyline was not entirely different from things I've read before I found the characters really interesting and loved the banter between Joey and his sister. I feel like re-reading books by some of his "influences" until I can get my hands on another of his.

Didn't care for this one. It was a great idea and the story was pretty interesting. I just couldn't get myself to become emotionally vested in the characters. Not for me...but I'm sure others will love it.

I would describe this as a coming of age book. It definitely takes you back to a different era, where things weren't politically correct. The story is very visually descriptive and puts you there. Great writing, you can feel the atmosphere, tension and suspense. A cohort of kids stumble on something they were never meant to find, and now certain people want their stuff back. Good read.

If You Go Down to the Woods by Seth Adams. Not sure where to start, but this book was great. Great story, great characters, great suspense, great everything. I was hooked and couldn’t put it down. When it started I was a little skeptical because I was expecting something similar to the movie Stand By Me ( great movie, but wanted something new). But once it got going it was so much more than that. I loved the character development and the story that each character goes on throughout the book. It was just really good all around, I also think the ending was Exceptional. I hate when books finish with the “everyone lives happily every after”. I think the book wraps up perfectly with “welcome to life, asshole”. Great read and for sure recommend it.

Thank you to Killer Reads and Seth C. Adams for providing me with an advanced reading copy.

I really enjoyed this book, it reminded me of the chalk man and also stranger things.

One summer in the life of Joe, Bobby, Jim, and Tara ..and later Sara, will remain with them forever. They named themselves the Outsiders' Club.

Not much to do in this small town in Arizona, Joe spies something and convinces his new friends to go exploring. And what a find! A Buick ... on a back road. The car obviously had been there forever and a day. Locked, covered with forest growth, was a mystery that had them all excited.

When they finally got a door open, what they find is a fortune in cash.. all neatly bundled, all just sitting there for the taking. But it was what they found in the trunk that had them scared. And when the man known as The Collector came along, the kids were absolutely terrified.

They would all have nightmares for a very long time.....

Think STAND BY ME, Stephen King's IT, THE CLIENT .... this book brought these all to mind. It contained elements of all these movies. It was still a good read .. just not terribly original.

The characters were alright, but my favorite of all is Bandit, the 4-legged Outsider that saved the day time and time again. It's a short read, but entertaining all the same.

Many thanks to the author / Harper Impulse - Killer reads / Netgalley for the advanced digital copy of this adventure. Opinions expressed here are unbiased and entirely my own.

When I requested this book I thought it was a horror novel. I went by the cover only (didn't read the synopsis). I wasn't disappointed in this book, it's a very good read. It's more for young adults and older teenagers. There is some strong language, so beware of that if you're easily offended by very young (14 year olds) using bad words. The N word is used a lot also, but the characters don't seem to mind. It's a quick read that kept me turning the pages long into the night.
I received this book from Netgalley. Thank you, Netgalley! All opinions are my own.

A strange summer with the Ousiders club. The first 2 parts were reminiscent of story like Stand by Me and Super 8. It was a bit far fetched but ok. But then it just jumped the shark. The story took what seemed like a really odd turn. It could have been a twist, but it didn't read cohesively for me. I kept reading to see how it resolved, but the enjoyment dropped.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to preview If you Go Down To the Woods by Seth C. Adams.
This is a story of a man who remembers a childhood incident that marks his life forever. He tells the story about his family moving to a small Arizona town - I am going to guess it is the 1980's. Joey is an outsider - hel likes comic books, likes to read, and has a special bond with his dog Bandit.
Joey meets new friends that are also "outsiders" and they explore the woods, get in trouble, and are just finding their way. One day they find an old car and they find 10 million dollars inside and also a dead body. The group forms a plan, but it is quickly disrupted - this money belongs to someone and they will kill to get it back.
This book reminded me of other books including one character, The Collector - from the Charlie Parker series.
This is a borderline YA book, but adults will like it to - Some parts are a bit far fetched, but this is written from a boy's POV, so it is believable. I really liked this book and defintely recommend. 3.5 stars. Quick Read.

4 stars

This is a great debut thriller.

Joey, Fat Bobby, Jim and Tara and Joey’s dog Bandit were friends who found one another following Joey’s move to Arizona from California. They decided to call themselves the Outsiders Club.

As good friends always do, they goofed off and gamboled their way through summer with a few exceptions and confrontations with the local n’er-do wells. One day they come upon an old car in the woods. The doors are locked. They tell Jim’s dad about it and he gives them a slim jim and a lock pick. Getting the car open, they discover bags of money on the front seat when Joey gets the idea to open the trunk. Startled, they find a body. They decided not to tell anyone about the money and the body.

When they venture into the woods at midnight for Sarah to see the car, the money and the body, they are astounded at what they discover. Then they meet the Collector.

Things get dicey from here and the speed of our story picks up. Fear, confrontation and outright terror follow.

This is a great story. This book is very well written and plotted. What starts out as a lazy summer quickly turns into a dash to safety as five teenagers make their way into adulthood. I didn’t care much for Joey’s character. He seemed immature for his age with his wisecracking and insensitivity. (Is anybody’s family really that – um, nice? It was a little too much like “Leave it to Beaver” for me.) It is written linearly, that is to say one event follows another in a clear and concise manner. I truly enjoyed this novel. It is true that the story is reminiscent of a Stephen King novel, but this book is much more grounded in reality. The reader can imagine such events really happening – even if, at time, it begs credulity. It is a remarkable debut thriller. Very well done, Mr. Adams.

I want to thank NetGalley and Harper Impulse and Killer Reads/Killer Reads for forwarding to me a copy of this great book to read and enjoy.

What happens when a gang of "outsider" kids find a long abandoned car in the woods with a skeleton and 10 million dollars in it? What happens is that you get a delicious mix of Stephen King and The Goonies! Loved it from start to finish and read it in a day. Good job Seth C. Adams!