Customer Reviews

A SHOOT ON MARTHAS VINEYARD (Martha's Vineyard Mysteries)

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

 

 

These J.W. Jackson books can be read for the atmosphere alone. You get wonderful descriptions of Martha's Vineyard, not to mention great food along with some recipes. I'm dying to try Blue Fish Pate. The only problem I have with these books is that it is tiresome to read about how beautful Zee, the wife, is. This goddess is just too perfect and it's boring to be constantly reminded about all her glory, but this is something not unique as Robert Parker's description of Susan Silverman and all her beauty has irked me for years, but I still love Spencer so I still can enjoy these Vineyard books.

I have devoured each of Philip Craig's Vineyard mysteries with great enthusiasm, and this one was no exception. His folksy description of Vineyard life is as enjoyable as the story itself, as is his ongoing update of his character's family life. His writing is as refreshing as an offshore breeze, and I look forward to each new book with pleasure.

Aside from milking Vineyard popularity in his rather dull series of mysteries, Craig does not fail to disappoint in this weakest of his offerings. Nothing much happens in this book, the murderer is fairly obvious, and Craig spoon-feeds us dribs and drabs of drama about as riveting as a bowl of mush. Cold mush. As one reviewer noted, there's just too much Zee adoration and Joshua junk. There is very little excitement. Like Martha's Vineyard after the tourists (finally!) go home. I gave this book two stars for the recipes that Craig thoughtfully includes with his stories. Now, if he would only publish his cookbook...

The reviews of this simple little book are all over the map. The comments about "too much Zee / Joshua" are fair and I agree with them. This edition had a lot less fishing too, thank you very much. The plot was easy to follow and you probably won't be "guessing" until the end. But this series is designed for summer reading - a time when your mind should be on autopilot. That means, it should be easy. also, it should be fun and it should be atmospheric. I think Mr. Craig knows that and he has hit on a decent formula that he can use (milk?) until he runs completely out of ideas. I'm reading the series now because it's April and it's still snowing here in the NE. I could use a little Vineyard summer right now and the series continues to bring me back to one of the most beautiful places in the USA. I'll keep reading if he keeps writing because I know what I'm getting.

I like to read series one after the other so I have stocked my shelves with the Martha Vineyard mysteries by Phillip Craig and am on book #8....great characters, background, etc..he should have been hired by the Vineyard Chamber of Commerce for his excllent descriptions of the area...he writes a really good mystery. M Farr, Winston-Salem NC

A scouter comes to Martha's Vineyard to select locations for a film of adventure and buried treasure. J.W. Jackson is hired to drive him around, but one of the attractions of the island for the scouter is J.W.'s wife, Zee.
J.W. must solve the murder before he is arrested for the crime, as just the day before he and the victim had exchanged blows in front of witnesses and no one else was around when J.W. "discovered" the body.
The late Philip Craig left cozy mystery fans a great series to read and sample to foods of Martha Vineyard. I have and the will soon appear in on a new web site.
Nash Black, author of Indie finalists HAINTS and WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS.

The movies are finally coming to Martha's Vineyard, and many people in town are star struck. With trying out for "extras" in the movie, and saying goodbye to the last of the summer tourists, the last thing Martha's Vineyard needs is another murder. Does the murder of a local environmentalist have a connection to the film, or has Lawrence Ingalls made too many enemies amongst the locals? J.W. becomes involved once again in the murder when accusations fly about him having means, motive, and opportunity to kill his enemy. In the midst of dodging the affections of the star of the film, fishing, and watching Zee make the movie, J.W. brings a surprising end to this mystery.

I love this series! Even though others might criticize it for being an "easy" ready, I love curling up with Philip Craig's books and being transported to the sun and surf on Martha's Vineyard. With their love for food, fishing, and each other, J.W. and Zee are two people I would love to visit. And the recipes...well, they are delish. Enjoy!

Kirkus summarized this book with "a genial snooze". How true! While I, too, enjoy reading about Martha's Vineyard, I expect the sleuth to do some searching for clues, which is at a minimum here. The solution is offered at the end almost as an aside to tending Joshua and worshipping Zee. Craig's earlier books are a bit better; I won't read any future ones.

He did a tour in Nam and was a Boston cop before a bullet forced him to retire. Now, J.W. Jackson enjoys the slow pace of his new home on Martha's Vineyard where he can fish, catch crabs, and just relax. He is proud to be married to the beautiful Zee and loves his three month old son. When Hollywood decides to film a pirate's movie at the Vineyard, movie scout Barton Delwood enters J.W.'s life. Delwood makes no secret of his interest in Zee, forcing J.W. to control his growing need to beat the guy up.

However, J.W. fails to contain his anger when he meets Lawrence Ingalls. He takes a public swing at the Environmental Protection Agent, who closed the beaches to all terrain vehicles in order to protect an endangered species of bird. The next time J.W. meets Lawrence, he finds the man dead. J.W. knows that he is prime suspect number one and in an election year, he could easily be swept away before the real killer is found.

The knowledge and love that Phillip R. Craig feels for Martha's Vineyard can be felt on every page of A SHOOT ON MARTH'AS VINEYARD. Although this is the ninth entry in the series, the book retains an ocean freshness as each novel manages to renew the wonder of the land and its people. The story line is more of a mood piece with social issues playing a central role as opposed to an action thriller . The recurring characters are sharply drawn and clearly defined, which is superb for old fans as well as new readers who need to understand the players. This novel is a beautiful installment in a wondrous series that makes even murder seem like part of life's rhythms.

Harriet Klausner

I was pleasantly surprised to stumble onto the Martha's Vineyard series and found my first reading (this book) to be breezy and fun. Our hero, J. W. along with his smart wife Zee and cute baby Joshua are islanders, amidst a visiting troop of actors and some environmentalists. J.W. makes enemies with the state's top environmentalist, and when he finds a dead body, the police put J.W. on top of the suspect list. So J.W. starts using his old police skills to do a little amateur detective work for his own good. Meanwhile, Hollywood seems to have discovered not only the island, but photogenic Zee. Actors and actresses arrive and make moves on both J.W. and Zee, but our heroes show resolve to be true to each other. This book was very good, and the mystery was engaging.