As a result of hard schlorship on the part of Smith and Nelson we have a unvarnished and well researched story of what goes on behind the Norman Rockwell postcard towns here in Vermont. It is a bitter lesson that we had all better head and it is one that regional differences is repeated throughout Rural America. With the hindsight of Seattle eariler this month Smith and Nelson might have written an even more forcful tomb. However this is one book that I highly reccomend to every public policy person and citizen when considering development and what it's true costs are. Read it and weep.

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 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.

This is really a great book. Contrary to what another reviewer said, Ms. Press does live in the area - perhaps not technically in the Willows neighborhood, but close enough to know a lot about this case. In addition, she did a lot of research for this book. This wasn't something written in a weekend but something that took many, many months of painstaking effort. I reviewed an early copy of this book because I used to work with the author. She is not trying to exploit the victim of this crime, just to write an interesting book and get the facts straight. Note that this book was later re-issued under the title "A Scream On The Water: A True Story of Murder In Salem".

Just a warning. If you are purchasing this book be advised that it is a single story written by Joan Kilby. It is not a Duo Book. Margaret Way only provides the books' foreword.

i have not been able to see what this book contains but am very interested in the contents.