Death on a Vineyard Beach by Philip R. Craig is the 7th book of the Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series set in the late 20th century on Martha’s Vineyard. J. W. Jackson and his bride Zee are on their honeymoon, attending a musical performance in Boston, when J. W. foils an assassination attempt. Luciano Marcus, the intended victim, is a wealthy retired mobster with a well-guarded estate on the Vineyard. He’s grateful to J.W. for saving his life, and insists on hiring J.W. to investigate the incident. J.W. can’t refuse, since both he and Zee saw the shooter, so they are also in danger. J.W. convinces Zee, who hates guns, to learn how to shoot, with surprising results.Marcus is also in a long-standing legal dispute with the island’s Wampanoag Indians over a cranberry bog on his property. When J.W. checks into the dispute, to see if it could be cause for the shooting attempt, he meets Bill Vanderbeck, who can mysteriously appear at will on Marcus’ well-guarded estate.Besides investigation and target practice, J.W. and Zee find time for fishing and/or clamming, and prepare a gourmet meal from their day’s catch. In the evening when Zee returns home from work (she’s an emergency room nurse), J.W. has martinis and bluefish paté ready. They relax on the balcony and enjoy the view through the trees on their secluded lot all the way to the water. This series should definitely be read in order, for maximum enjoyment of the character development. The author clearly expresses his love for the island, and the vast economic difference between those who visit the island only for summer vacation, vs. islanders who live and work there year-round.
One thing I liked about this book was the setting. Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful place and I would love to live there year round. I also liked that this was a quick read, because it was pretty boring. It reminded me of other mystery books, but this one had very little going on. Throughout the book, the main character is trying to locate who tried to kill a rich man named Marcus. But we have to hear about all the places where he fishes, and what kinds of fish he fishes. Good for him when he finds a parking space. I would love for him to make me one of those fish dinners he's always making since he doesn't have a job due to a shooting accident from when he was a policeman.
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