In the midst of trying to repair her marriage, Stevie is selected for a high-profile case where the details don’t quite add up a case that dredges up memories of her dad’s death. Stevie can never leave well enough alone, despite knowing better, and her need to uncover the truth before condemning a woman to life in prison drives her to break every rule and shatters her understanding of the past! I was reading this book and didn’t realize it was part of a series, they’re definitely stand alone! But I’m like why do I feel like I know these characters?! Then it clicked! I do! Know these characters!! lol anyway great book and series! Fantastic characters! Great suspense, mystery, intriguing and a few shocking moments! The story was very interesting! I definitely recommend reading this book and series! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book and me!

Down by the Water is a gripping and atmospheric neo-noir that hooked me from the start. Stevie Diaz is a complex, flawed, and relatable protagonist whose personal struggles bleed into the high-profile jury case she becomes entangled in. Her marriage is crumbling, her past is unresolved, and yet she can’t resist digging deeper when the details don’t add up.

The writing is sharp and immersive, perfectly capturing the tension between Stevie’s personal unraveling and the case at hand. I especially loved how the story wove together themes of justice, memory, and the hidden costs of survival. The pacing kept me engaged, and the blend of domestic drama with legal suspense gave the novel a unique, compelling edge.

What really stood out was how raw and real Stevie felt—messy, determined, and unwilling to look away, even when it means breaking the rules. The secrets that surface pack an emotional punch and deliver a satisfying, thought-provoking ending.

This is a powerful and suspenseful read, perfect for fans of character-driven thrillers with a noir undertone.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Book one, Somewhere in the Woods, completely took me by surprise with its depth, complexity, and relationship drama and left me unsure on how I felt about any of it. Coming in to book two, I already felt connected to Stevie and her world, and an understanding of both made it so much easier to dive straight in and really enjoy the ride.
I ended up accidentally reading the entire thing in one sitting because I was completely gripped - it's a fair bit longer than book one, but I genuinely couldn't tell during the read as I was so enrapt. A genuine page turner of a book, goddamn!

In Down By The Water we re-join Stevie as she's trying to put her life back together, gets called into jury duty at the worst time, and compulsively dives into another mystery she can't help herself but pick at and unravel - while also balancing her complex tangle of a love life. I adore her, she's the ultimate "we support women's rights and wrongs" morally grey, relentlessly badass character.

The pacing is spot-on, the story never lulls. Honestly, if you offered me a novel about jury duty and unravelling family secrets, I probably would have passed - but I’m so glad this series came my way! Sam made jury duty an interesting read, while also giving me the impression that she puts a lot of time into research and effort into being accurate towards the proceedings (I've never taken part so can't say for sure, but it definitely didn't seem half-assed!) without it dragging or being dull along the way. The balance between Stevie's own life drama vs the case is also perfect and I loved the complex blend of morally grey actions for the sake of truth and justice.

Sam Evans has a true talent for pulling you in and a master in mystery and suspense, I can’t wait to see where Stevie’s story goes next!

Thank you Sam Evans & Super Gravity Press for this ARC read <3