Amazon.com: Deadly Nightshade: Cynthia Riggs: Books

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Customer Reviews

12 Reviews

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

Average Customer Review

3.1 out of 5 stars (12 customer reviews)

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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable read, especially for a Vineyard fan., August 17, 2001

By

P. Heaphy (West Haven, CT United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)

This review is from: Deadly Nightshade (Hardcover)

I couldn't wait to get my hands on a mystery book based on Martha's Vineyard that wasn't by Phillip Craig (good reading, but enough is enough...). This book is a nice change from J.W. (the hero in Craig's books)and the writing more complex, but I would still classify this story as a light summer read. The book begins with a mysterious scream, heard, apparently, only by our heroine Victoria Trumbull. More coincidences occur in Victoria Trumbull's presence, which was abit unrealistic, although not uncommon to real life in a small community. I enjoyed Cynthia Riggs descriptions of the island and characterizations of the people (although I quickly became annoyed at Harbormaster Domingo's abundant use of the word "Sweetheart"!) If you are a fan of the Vineyard, Philip Craig, or light mysteries, you may enjoy this book

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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Good story; bad writing/editing, March 28, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Deadly Nightshade (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

I enjoyed the characters and the plot but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. I hated the transitions from scene to scene, characters were introduced very poorly, and the chapters ended very abruptly. I hope this is just a case of poor editing because the characters are good. Let's hope the next book is better done.

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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars If you like cozies..., March 6, 2007

By

Linda Pagliuco "katknit" (CT, United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE) (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

This review is from: Deadly Nightshade (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

Most cozy mysteries are yawners, and not very well written, so Deadly Nightshade came as a pleasant surprise. There aren't many 92 year old protagonists in novels these days, especially mysteries (exactly how old is Miss Marple?) Victoria makes a believable, admirable central character who accepts the problems that come with old age (she's been required to give up her driver's license) and doesn't let them prevent her from enjoying her life. As far as the murders go, this book presents them and solves them in line with typical cozy standards. I did not notice glaring editorial lapses, and Riggs writes in a literate, straightforward style. Not great lit, just a fun, intelligent bit of fiction.

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Most Recent Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Scream in the Night
DEADLY NIGHTSHADE by Cynthia Riggs introduces cozy mystery fans to the delightful Mrs. Victoria Trumbull. Read more

Published on November 19, 2009 by Nash Black

4.0 out of 5 stars Enjoyable diversion
Great literature? No.
A fun read? Yes.
I particularly enjoyed it because of the setting (the island) and the unusual main character's observations of details. Read more

Published on March 5, 2008 by Vicki

2.0 out of 5 stars Good idea - needs better execution...
I love cozy mysteries, so I picked this one up at the library. I kept hoping it would improve as it went on, but it really didn't. Read more

Published on June 20, 2007 by Kristigirl6

3.0 out of 5 stars It's ok.
Since I don't live on Martha's Vineyard and have never been there, the details of the island were rather lost on me. Read more

Published on September 12, 2004 by Jacy Dennis

1.0 out of 5 stars Read this book at Thanksgiving...it's a turkey!!!
Based on the cover hype, you would think this is one of the best novels ever written. It's not...by any means. Horrible writing, poor plot... Read more

Published on July 28, 2003

2.0 out of 5 stars A Disappointment
While I like Philip Craig's books, I was initially excited to read a mystery set in Martha's Vineyard, my favorite vacation destination, by a different author. Read more

Published on July 17, 2003

4.0 out of 5 stars Another good mystery set at Martha's Vineyard
Victoria Trumbull has lived on Martha's Vineyard most of her 92 years. One night she hears something out of the ordinary. Read more

Published on May 28, 2003 by Dawn Dowdle

2.0 out of 5 stars Good story; bad writing/editing
I enjoyed the characters and the plot but the writing leaves a lot to be desired. I hated the transitions from scene to scene, characters were introduced very poorly, and the... Read more

Published on March 28, 2003

5.0 out of 5 stars A delightful heroine makes this mystery qwork
Oak Bluffs is a peaceful village located on Martha's Vineyard. However, beneath the quiet surface dark undercurrents freely flow, waiting for the appropriate moment to surface and... Read more

Published on April 15, 2001 by Harriet Klausner

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Inside This Book (learn more)
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First Sentence:
When she heard the scream, Victoria Trumbull had been waiting for her granddaughter Elizabeth to return from the outer harbor, where she and the harbormaster had gone to check boats. Read the first page

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Liz Tate, Chief Medeiros, Oak Bluffs, Harbor House, Coast Guard, Bernie Marble, West Tisbury, New York, Victoria Trumbull, East Chop, Cape Poge, Dawn Chorus, Secret Service, Meatloaf Staples, Harbor Advisory Committee, New Zealand, Vineyard Haven, Baby Mingo, Gay Head, Town Hall, Woods Hole, Ben Norton, Chief O'Neill, Circuit Avenue, Nantucket Sound

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