A Shoot on Martha's Vineyard: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery

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!

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.

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.

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