Shiny Water

Michael Stone #1

by Anna Salter

Involved in a custody case in which the father is suspected of molesting his two small children but has been granted custody anyway, forensic psychologist Michael Stone is drawn irrevocably into the case when the two children are murdered. Reprint.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Psychology, Suspense, Crime, Mystery Thriller

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

These are the fiction books by author Anna C. Salter.

Anna Salter is a forensic psychologist. Dr. Salter received her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology and Public Practice from Harvard University and obtained a Masters Degree in Child Study from Tufts. She lectures and consults on sex offenders and victims throughout the United States and abroad. Dr. Salter also evaluates sex offenders for civil commitment proceedings and other purposes. She testifies as an expert witness in sexual abuse civil and criminal cases.

Reviews

[Jeanne Adamek]

A horrific story, excruciating and exquisitely told.

[Maddy]

PROTAGONIST: Forensic psychologist Michael Stone
SERIES: #1
SETTING: Vermont
RATING: 4.25
WHY: Forensic psychologist Michael Stone (female) deals mostly with the victims of child abuse, although she also has adult clients. The case that is haunting her now is one where a 3 year old and 5 year old have clearly, unequivocally been abused by their father. Their mother, who does love them, is a psychological mess. When the 2 children are murdered, the courts believe she is the killer. As the narrative flows, we see how Michael approaches the clients in her care, how the courts approach the issues and the devastating effects of abuse. At times, particularly when Michael talks to a sex offender behind bars, the book is grim. All in all though, it is an engrossing study of a complex subject.

[Leni]

Ich habe das Buch nach etwas einem Drittel abgebrochen, obwohl ich das eigentlich sehr ungern mache. Aber in diesem Fall wollte ich wirklich nicht mehr weiterlesen.
Zuallererst muss ich sagen, dass ich den Plot des Buches grundsätzlich interessant finde. Allerdings finde ich den Schreibstil total unangenehm. Jeder noch so unwichtige Gedanke der Ich-Erzählerin wird dem Leser mitgeteilt und endet in einem inneren Monolog, der den Leser vergessen lässt, in welcher Situation wir uns im Buch befinden (zum Beispiel liest die Ich-Erzählerin ein Schild vor, auf dem angegeben ist, welche Gegenstände man bei einem Besuch im Gefängnis nicht mitführen darf. Die Aufzählung der verschiedenen Dinge erstreckt sich über eine ganze Seite). Würde die Autorin sich auf die tatsächliche Handlung beschränken würde von dem Buch vermutlich nur eine Kurzgeschichte übrig bleiben.

Der eigentliche Grund warum ich das Buch abbreche ist die relativ explizite Beschreibung von Kindesmissbrauch. Hier werden Details genannt und eine bestimme Sprache verwendet, die bei diesem sensiblen Thema meiner Meinung nach fehl am Platz sind. Vermutlich ist dies von der Autorin bewusst eingesetzt worden um beim Leser Unbehagen zu erzeugen (was ihr auch gelungen ist). Obwohl ich wirklich nicht zimperlich bin war mir das einfach zu viel.

[Terry Southard]

3 1/2 stars. DEbut novel in the Michael Stone series. Forensic psychologist who deals with abuse cases, so the story is a hard one if you cannot stand to read about abuse happening to children. Michael Stone (a woman, by the way, and a Southerner living in Vermont) is an interesting character and I very much liked the supporting characters.

[Trina Knox]

good story but some parts are way to wordy and off the topic she wanders and gives to much info .BLAH

[Lottis Castle]

Ich bin etwas unschlüssig über das Buch und vergebe hier 2.5 - 3 ⭐️ Leider ist der erste drittel seeeehr langwierig, es geht viel um die Protagonistin an sich. Für mich sehr langweilig zu lesen leider, ich würde gerne schneller in den Hauptteil der Stroy übergehen, ich wurde hier sehr ungeduldig.
Der zweite Teil des Buches war für mich dann viel flüssiger zu lesen und hat den Anfang nochmal wett gemacht.
Die Thematik an sich (Kindesmissbrauch) ist immer sehr schwierig für die Allgemeinheit, dennoch finde ich trotz der Beschreibungen und den Schreibstil gut zu lesen.

[Joan]

Forensic Psychologist Michael Stone, she is a great caring Children's
Advocate who has to testify in a custody battle that shocks everyone.
Now someone is trying to kill Dr. Stone. Many twist and turns in
this story

[Sandy Carmichael]

Not a happy read but definitely you will learn more about "sick" minds. Held my interest all the way, a bit of a weak ending.

[JenniRae]

Meh. Not a bad little read, but not fantastic either.

[Joy]

Very graphic; suspenseful

[Robin]

I am a big fan of Dr. Salter and her works. I started this series on accident and could never put the books down. She is an incredible woman with a beautiful mind.

[Nömi Zohra]

Hat Spaß gemacht zu lesen, recht vorhersehbar

[Cheryl Blizzard]

DNF

[StarMan]

A decent-ish mystery/crime novel, circa 1997. Protagonist didn't seem to use common sense often, but you may not mind.

[Tamera]

Forensic psychologist Michael Stone testifies in a high-profile case involving a divorcing couple fighting over child custody. The husband is a prominent doctor accused of sexually abusing the kids, while the mom comes off as crazy. Michael believes the kids were abused but her testimony is ignored, until a devastating murder occurs. This forces her to consult with a known inmate to get insight into who committed the crime.
This was an ok read for me, I liked it but not sure if i will read the other books in the series. She is an interesting main character with some hangups that didn't make me like her very much. At times she made dumb decisions which moved the story forward. the pace dragged at times, too. I found her job process interesting, although a bit graphic at times in detailing the abuse of children.

i do own the next book so we will see if i give her another chance.

[Dana]

Dr. Michael Stone is a forensic psychologist who champions the victims of crimes. In this case she has become involved in a custody battle. When Michael delivers her testimony which accuses a prominent, well-liked surgeon with child abuse, the community is shocked. The judge ignores her accusations and gives full custody to the father charging the mother with leading her children to a wrongful accusation. The very next day the children are murdered and none other than the mother is jailed.

Could Michael have been that wrong about the mother? Desperate to figure out who the murderer is Michael goes to jailed sadistic Alex B. Wily to gain some insight into how a criminal's mind works. Michael seems to get drawn in by Wily. The killer is someone she must know.

This is the start of a great series. Michael is a person whom the reader is drawn to and quite likeable. Will look for the next in the series.

[Diane]

Great debut novel for Anna Salter, although if reading about child molesters bothers you this would not be a book for you. Dr. Michael Stone (female) is a forensic psychologist who evaluates children who have claimed to have been molested prior to court cases. She also has a private practise where she counsels molested children. Sometimes like in the case of the Southworths divorce there isn't a really good parent to award custody too but she must make decisions. Dad was the molester but Mom is certifiably crazy. Dad is a prominent surgeon, guess who the court gives custody too? Then the children end up dead in Mom's house. This is the beginning of a nightmare of questions for Michael.

I'm looking forward to finding a copy of Fault Lines her next book with Dr. Stone.

[Viccy]

Dr. Michael Stone is a forensic psychiatrist. She evaluates children who have been abused and testifies in court on their behalf. She goes to court and recommends two children be given to their mother for custody but two days later they are dead, found at the mother's house after the father was awarded custody. Michael is horrified and wonders what went wrong and she investigates. Her life is complicated by her own issues: her extended family in North Carolina has their own issues and Michael is haunted by the death of her own child. I will read the second in the series because I already own it and just to see how this character develops.

[Marti]

I shall give this book three stars because I like the fact that it is mostly set in Vermont--in the area where we have family. The title seems not to fit--shiny water is mentioned twice, but it seems as though a different title would be more suitable. The main character is Dr. Michael Stone--a woman, not a man. In the tv show Walton's Mountain, there was an actress named Michsel. If the character is going to be a woman, why not give her a feminine name. Supposedly, her father was drunk, thought she was a boy, and named her Michael. The story is semi interesting. Now I shall go on to a book where children are NOT being abused.

[Leslie]

This is a series written in the late 90’s that went completely beneath my radar.

Well-written, interesting characters. I can easily imagine the settings she describes (New England and North Carolina). The main character is a forensic psychiatrist who specializes in child abuse and domestic violence, so the subject matter is harrowing and distressing. The author’s real-life expertise is thoroughly integrated into the book and is often eye-opening and thought provoking.

The only reason I didn’t give it 5 stars was because I figured out the culprit a little too soon. Onward to her next book😏).

[Peggy Walker]

This is the first review? I LOVE Anna Salter. Her heroine, Michael Stone, a female forensic psychologist is a fascinating character. My favorite thing about her is that after a devastating personal event she saves her sanity by simplifying her life. She lives out in the woods, and never allows herself to own more than 250 things. I just love playing with that idea...what would be essential...what I could live without. Her storytelling is wonderful as well. Highly recommended.

[Barbi]

By turns gripping, horrifying and funny, this debut novel is worth reading just to hear a truly new voice. A lot of the story takes in the main character's head, and I enjoyed listening to her self-deprecating inner dialogue. I could have done without the too-frequent basketball references, and I would have preferred more character development. Not a bad read, but not great either.

[Lauriek]

A very serious subject and reality check set in a mystery. The characters are intriquing and have depth. It was one mystery I didn't solve at the beginning. I want to read more of her books. first finished 25 january 2010.

[Ratforce]

Anna Salter writes intense and fast-paced investigation novels filled with the kind of psychological details that fans of Jonathan Kellerman often enjoy. This is the first of two books featuring Michael Stone.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D]

Had forgotten about this title, read a number of years ago. What I wrote then: Pretty good first-in-a-series, with a feisty, independent main character.

Would read another by this writer if I came across it.

[Pam]

Actually a good crime novel which centered around the dark topic of child-abuse about as well as possible. (Not a spoiler-alert to the plot.) One frequent word usage error that proofreaders should have caught: The protagonist drank "ice tea" throughout the novel.

[Lisa M.]

OK read and interesitng if you want to learn about pedophiles (yuck); forensic psycologist who works with pedofiles/police (CSI like). It was a recommend from someone I know.

[Shelly]

chilling

[Judith]

Mystery about forensic psychologist Michael Stone

[Crystal]

I almost didn't read this book. I am glad I did. It was a great first novel and inspired me to read more from this author. The subject matter is a little squeemish but the heroine is great!!!