Vineyard Prey: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery (A Martha's Vineyard Mystery, 16)

As I start to wind up the reading of this series, I realize how much I have come to dislike J.W. He is a self-satisfied and smug man who thinks his way of living is the only one. He wants no one to interfere in his life, but he feels comfortable judging others who have values he smirks at, especially environmentalists and people with religious beliefs.

In this book, I also get tired of J.W. being portayed as being smarter than all the people in the intelligence community (which he has nothing but contempt for), even Joe Begay, a professional. J. W.'s moral code says that he won't have sex with a woman spy who comes onto him because he is happy with his wife--not because it is immoral to cheat on your wife. I guess his libertarian views along with an increase in his smugness and a decrease in humility has made J. W. one of the most obnoxious characters in a mystery series.

The early books of the Martha's Vineyard series were delightful, filled with sand and sunshine and a nice murder for J.W. Jackson to solve. Apparently the creative juices had thinned considerably by the time Mr. Craig came to the last volumes and he thought to go international. It is a disappointment. If this were the first Craig book I had read, I wouldn't bother with going back to read the others.

There is considerable editorializing that has nothing to do with the plot. In earlier books Craig could never resist taking a shot (excuse the word) at those who were not fond of guns, but in this book he comments rather extensively on others he doesn't like, or rather his hero comments, such as, pacifists, vegetarians and people who believe eating meat is wrong. As a Hollywood producer once said, "If you want to send a message, try Western Union." All books, of course, have an ethos, a moral point of view, but it shouldn't be in the form of a rant.

The second flaw, in my view, is in going from a simple murder mystery (as were the early books of the series) into some kind of James Patterson international spy/assassin super-criminal plot. It just didn't work for me. I never believed that the hero's friend, Joe Begay, was some kind of secret agent who traveled the world and became a target for a newly minted Carlos, named "The Easter Bunny." It just felt--well--silly.

As an aside, I do wish mystery/thriller writers would stop using protaganists who are disillusioned, wounded Viet Nam war veterans and ex-cops from a big city who have a bullet in them still and who were there when their partner was killed. Heard it.

What became of the somewhat cozy murder mystery set on idyllic Martha's Vinehard? Perhaps I should go back and and read those volumes again. I recomeend this to others as well.

I just read this and it is ok., the plot line dragged out a bit, but it was still an ok. Martha's Vineyard mystery

pretty good.

This is the first book I read in the series and thought it would be wonderful for a quick weekend or vacation diversion. The book is fast paced with little down time. The excitement keeps the reader engaged and the good guys win in the end. Main characters are portrayed in likeable terms except the cops who are pretty accussatory, impatient individuals. The descriptions of Martha's Vinyard are a pleasant recollection for those who have visited. Of course, there are weaknesses in this as in all books. For example, once given a clue, the hero solves the mystery with unrealistic insight and in record time. Characters who think they might be followed by an international killer also behaved pretty stupidly. On the whole, however, I'd recommend this as a good read. I especially liked the scallop recipes at the end.

Another vineyard mystery , but very similar to previous books. i wasn't sure I hadn't read it before--I hadn't. I would not recommend it unless you are really bored and need a quick beach read.

My husband is hooked on the Philip Craig books. I really thought they were "guy" mysteries, but I've read them and found the stories place you right there, on Martha's Vineyard. I love the characters and it's a perfect gift for guys who love the beach, fishing and a well-told tale. Suggestion: Read them in order!