Customer Reviews

Counterpoint: A Murder in Massachusetts Bay

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

What a great, exciting book! It is so vivid . . . the people, the places, the events. I am only about half-way through it, and I just wanted the author and other potential readers to know how much I am enjoying this book. I am an avid true crime reader and have been so disappointed in the "quickie" books recently, the poor writing, uninteresting cases, etc. It is such a pleasure to find this book! I wish it had wider availability, a bigger publisher to market it. Anyway, I have to get back to the book . . . (Thank goodness for Amazon.com which makes it possible to find books like this!)

Long time readers of true crime know that it is necessary to wade through many mediocre, or worse, books to occasionally find a gem. "Counterpoint" is my most recent gem. It is the story of a murder committed by an incompetent sociopathic liar. The book contains all the elements which make true crime writing great: a fascinating story; professional writing; an in depth study of the personalities and backgrounds of the subjects; and thorough research. I think any true crime aficionado will be happy they read this book.

I'd also like to briefly address the "review" by "a reader" titled "Bob, stay in New Hampshire." This is in no way a book review. While obviously written by someone with a personal axe to grind, it says nothing about the book. Apparently "a reader" feels that because Ms. Press lives only "on the border" of the neighborhood, she is somehow not as able to tell this story as she would have been had she lived in its center. Grow up. These are supposed to be book reviews, not juvenile whining.

In a series of character portraits, Margaret Press examines the events surrounding the life and death of a young woman and the deeply flawed man who killed her. From the moment the body is discovered by a lobsterman clearing his pots to the ultimate conviction we are drawn into the lives of small town people involved in the very serious business of homicide investigation. Ms. Press has captured these lives with clarity.

I love mysteries and true crime stories, however I was disappointed with this one. The facts surrounding the case are interesting, but I found myself struggling to finish it...not the page turner I had hoped for.

i was there during the whole ordeal. it took me a few years, but i have read this book that caused so much controversey within my family and entire neighborhood. my mother vehemently protested the publication of this book, and had the support of many in the community. the other night, a&e rebroadcast a "city confidential" that was recorded a couple of years ago regarding this case. my first comment has to do with the occult: everyone knew that she went sailing. ms. cabot, give me a break. you really did not say anything too profound or important to the progression of this case. my second comment is what i am overall trying to say: let her and her family and friends have peace. there should not have been a single dollar ever brought up in this. where the respect and compassion to those affected by this horrible tragedy? it's almost ten years later, and not only is this book still in publication and t.v. specials being aired, but now there is a "haunted hearse" tour being started in salem which will discuss the case. this is a gross commercialism of an event that devestated a community. ms. press is not a willows resident, and knows little of the neighborhood which she lives beyond the outskirts of. out of respect, i urge anyone reading this to not support this disturbing and violating piece of literature.

I do not care how long it took Ms. Press to exploit Martha Brailsford, nor does she know anything of the Willows neighborhood (despite her residence which is just barely located on the border of the neighborhood). For the sake of everyone, I hope that there will never be another edition of either "Counterpoint" or "A Scream on the Water" ever sold or read again.

I grew up in Mass. and lived there for 28 years. One of the reasons I moved out was because of people like you. Go and whine to your pal and probable relative, Tom Maimoni.