A Single Stone

Goldstein & Cruz #3

by Marilyn Wallace

Three years after the murder of her seven-year-old daughter--a murder for which she was tried and acquitted--Linda Orett finds her nightmares beginning again when yet another child is killed

Genres: Thriller

292 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Marilyn Weiss Wallace's first novel, A Case of Loyalties, won the Macavity Award for Best First Novel in 1986. Her second, Primary Target, was nominated for an Anthony Award. She is also the editor of the Sisters in Crime anthologies, which have won Anthony, Macavity, and American Mystery Awards. Current Danger is her seventh novel. She lives in New York City.

Reviews

[Maya Kassam · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book is actual flaming garbage. Incredibly confusing plot, racist and sexist undertones, and just horribly written. Only picked it up because it was a free book at a hostel and I had run out of books.

[Trina · Rating 2 out of 5]

The early '9o's were a different time. This book represents what was considered "suspenseful" in those simpler times. Too many intertwining character stories written into the main story serve as less than clever distractions from the main suspect. Characters display blatant controlling and manipulative tendencies to clumsily hide the true killer. Then there are weird side trips like the one to a childhood psychiatrist to confirm a killer's psychological profile. The conversation that was exchanged read like an ego stroke for the writer. I think Wallace just wanted to show they were keyed in on police procedure. So many words that provided so little to a good story.

[Jillyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Single Stone is a fairly well written novel about the murder of a child. In a small town, a child has been found murdered in an identical way to that of lead character Linda Orett's child. The problem with this? Linda was the only suspect in that trial. She wasn't found guilty and moved to a new town in hopes of putting her past behind her, but when news of the murder reaches her, nothing is the same, namely, the odd new way her husband has been acting...

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

An older thriller based on the deaths/kidnapping of small children. The mother of the first child murdered was acquitted of the murder but is sought after for the next batch of evilness. Her husband's been acting strangely and someone needs to convince her that he has nothing to do with these disappearances...

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book alot but it wasn't until I was finished that I found out it was the second book with Cruz and Goldstein. Who ever put this in the list didn't do it right. But you don't have to have read the first to enjoy the second. I jumped back and forth so many times trying to figure out whodunit that I finally just stopped trying. Good chance I will re-read this one!

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was interesting and suspenseful at times. It wasn't a white knuckle page turner but it was a good read.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

Calm at first, builds up to good climax at the end. Plenty of twists and turns with pleasant surprises. Recommend this book!