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Martha's Vineyard Mystery #7
Death on a Vineyard Beach
For ex-cop J.W. Jackson, a Vineyard summer spent honeymooning with the fetching Zee Madieras is as good as life gets.
But when Zee and J.W. treat themselves to a matinee performance of the opera Carman in Boston, a hooded figure with a sawed-off shotgun cuts their idyll short. J.W., reacting just in time, foils the attempted murder of an aging former gangster, Luciano Marcus.
Marcus, who lives in a magnificent, secluded Vineyard estate at Gay Head, understandably wants to keep the situation quiet. Suspecting island links to the assault, he persuades a somewhat reluctant J.W. to look into the matter. J. W., who would much rather just enjoy some quiet times with Zee, quickly finds himself up to his fishing rod and cooking utensils in a complex and surprising mystery.
Marcus's commission leads J.W. into the local Wampanoag Indian community, where several people apparently have reason to wish Marcus dead and gone. J.W. meets the enigmatic Bill Vanderbeck, a Wampanoag thought by some to be a shaman, and he must also confront a man from his own distant past, the mysterious Joe Begay, who once saved J.W.'s life. Now, on the Vineyard, Joe is married to a member of a well-known Wampanoag family.
It's an intriguing case with many elements, but J.W. worries that it could also mean danger for Zee, who saw the face of one of the would-be assassins.
But when Zee and J.W. treat themselves to a matinee performance of the opera Carman in Boston, a hooded figure with a sawed-off shotgun cuts their idyll short. J.W., reacting just in time, foils the attempted murder of an aging former gangster, Luciano Marcus.
Marcus, who lives in a magnificent, secluded Vineyard estate at Gay Head, understandably wants to keep the situation quiet. Suspecting island links to the assault, he persuades a somewhat reluctant J.W. to look into the matter. J. W., who would much rather just enjoy some quiet times with Zee, quickly finds himself up to his fishing rod and cooking utensils in a complex and surprising mystery.
Marcus's commission leads J.W. into the local Wampanoag Indian community, where several people apparently have reason to wish Marcus dead and gone. J.W. meets the enigmatic Bill Vanderbeck, a Wampanoag thought by some to be a shaman, and he must also confront a man from his own distant past, the mysterious Joe Begay, who once saved J.W.'s life. Now, on the Vineyard, Joe is married to a member of a well-known Wampanoag family.
It's an intriguing case with many elements, but J.W. worries that it could also mean danger for Zee, who saw the face of one of the would-be assassins.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published June 3, 1996
About the author
Philip R. Craig
28 books103 followersAuthor Philip R. Craig passed away on May 8, 2007 after a brief battle with cancer.
Phil left three completed novels, which have now all been published posthumously. Vineyard Stalker came out in June of 2007 just after Phil's death. Third Strike, co-written with Bill Tapply, came out in November of 2007. The final J.W. Jackson mystery, Vineyard Chill, is on the shelves now. Another J.W. book is partially written, and may someday be completed by his family per his instructions, so stay tuned. Delish, the cookbook co-written with Phil’s wife Shirley Prada Craig, is also still available.
The Philip R. Craig website will be maintained as a tribute to my father and his many fans. ~ Jamie Craig
Phil left three completed novels, which have now all been published posthumously. Vineyard Stalker came out in June of 2007 just after Phil's death. Third Strike, co-written with Bill Tapply, came out in November of 2007. The final J.W. Jackson mystery, Vineyard Chill, is on the shelves now. Another J.W. book is partially written, and may someday be completed by his family per his instructions, so stay tuned. Delish, the cookbook co-written with Phil’s wife Shirley Prada Craig, is also still available.
The Philip R. Craig website will be maintained as a tribute to my father and his many fans. ~ Jamie Craig
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
May 23, 2022
I have read this entire series and was devastated when he died, I read these before I was on Goodreads !! Hallmark has now turned the series into a mystery series as movies, but they made the main person a doctor instead of a nurse and made her look totally different :(
April 12, 2018
I'm really enjoying this plotty series (though I don't need to know anything more about quahogs, thanks). But I am slightly put off by the sleuth's need to evaluate the looks of every woman he encounters. And to name the brand of his ice cold vodka.... Mini James Bond, anyone?
October 14, 2020
Major characters:
Luciano Marcus, mob boss and target
Angela Marcus, his wife
Vinnie Cecilio, their grandson
Thomas Decker, their assistant
Jonas, their cook
Priscilla, their housekeeper, wife of Jonas
Joe Begay, J. W.'s former sergeant, a Wampanoag
Toni (Vanderbeck) Begay, Joe's wife, a Wampanoag
Linda Vanderbeck, Toni's mother, a Wampanoag
Maggie Vanderbeck, Toni's sister, a Wampanoag
Bill Vanderbeck, a shaman
Benny White, UMass student
Roger the Dodger, UMass student
J. W. Jackson
Zeolinda "Zee" Jackson, his wife
Locale: Martha's Vineyard (island) off Cape Cod, MA
Synopsis: J. W. Jackson and Zee have just married. While in Boston attending the opera, J. W. interrupts a murder attempt on Luciano Marcus. Back on the Vineyard, J. W. is surprised by a dinner invitation from Marcus, not knowing he is also an island resident. J. W. is hired by Marcus to find out who attacked him.
Marcus is wealthy and has fingers in many businesses; looks like a mob boss. His palatial home is on a large piece of property. One part is a cranberry bog, whose ownership is contested by the local Wampanoag tribe. Tribal members want the land back, providing a possible motive.
Review: This is a laid-back book, and the most enjoyable of the series I have read thus far. It does not even become a murder mystery until the end; remaining an attempted murder mystery throughout. I continued to wonder when someone - and who - would turn up dead, didn't happen until the end.
Luciano and Angela Marcus are way too refined, cultured, and pleasant to be mob bosses. In fact, they are not even identified as such; just hinted. They are enjoyable characters, although Luciano has a short fuse when people wander into his property.
The best character is gentle Bill Vanderbeck, a shaman. He pops in and out and no one sees him come and go. He offers his philosophy and comments and does not get involved in tribal drama. He reminds me of Mister Rogers!
The only little drawback to this book is that the attempted-murderer character from the opera scene (which opens the book) is not introduced until the very end, which cheats the reader out of trying to identify him throughout.
By the way ... the cover fooled me. It took a while before I realized the cattails, boathouse, and ducks form a skull!
Luciano Marcus, mob boss and target
Angela Marcus, his wife
Vinnie Cecilio, their grandson
Thomas Decker, their assistant
Jonas, their cook
Priscilla, their housekeeper, wife of Jonas
Joe Begay, J. W.'s former sergeant, a Wampanoag
Toni (Vanderbeck) Begay, Joe's wife, a Wampanoag
Linda Vanderbeck, Toni's mother, a Wampanoag
Maggie Vanderbeck, Toni's sister, a Wampanoag
Bill Vanderbeck, a shaman
Benny White, UMass student
Roger the Dodger, UMass student
J. W. Jackson
Zeolinda "Zee" Jackson, his wife
Locale: Martha's Vineyard (island) off Cape Cod, MA
Synopsis: J. W. Jackson and Zee have just married. While in Boston attending the opera, J. W. interrupts a murder attempt on Luciano Marcus. Back on the Vineyard, J. W. is surprised by a dinner invitation from Marcus, not knowing he is also an island resident. J. W. is hired by Marcus to find out who attacked him.
Marcus is wealthy and has fingers in many businesses; looks like a mob boss. His palatial home is on a large piece of property. One part is a cranberry bog, whose ownership is contested by the local Wampanoag tribe. Tribal members want the land back, providing a possible motive.
Review: This is a laid-back book, and the most enjoyable of the series I have read thus far. It does not even become a murder mystery until the end; remaining an attempted murder mystery throughout. I continued to wonder when someone - and who - would turn up dead, didn't happen until the end.
Luciano and Angela Marcus are way too refined, cultured, and pleasant to be mob bosses. In fact, they are not even identified as such; just hinted. They are enjoyable characters, although Luciano has a short fuse when people wander into his property.
The best character is gentle Bill Vanderbeck, a shaman. He pops in and out and no one sees him come and go. He offers his philosophy and comments and does not get involved in tribal drama. He reminds me of Mister Rogers!
The only little drawback to this book is that the attempted-murderer character from the opera scene (which opens the book) is not introduced until the very end, which cheats the reader out of trying to identify him throughout.
By the way ... the cover fooled me. It took a while before I realized the cattails, boathouse, and ducks form a skull!
October 12, 2019
I like experiencing (surely authentic?!) the life on Martha's Vineyard. The real life on Martha's the --not the fancy-dancy part! J. W. Jackson might be "self-employed" when he wants, but he does lead an adventurous life! He meets many inhabitants on the Vineyard and those are the tales he tells. These are police procedurals from a retired Boston policeman, but with some historical background and some romance thrown in too. His partner (now wife), Zee, is the breadwinner and collaborator and adds that romance, but also full support. Totally enjoyable!
January 8, 2019
A mysterious owner of an estate on the West end of the Vineyard is the object of an assassination attempt while in Boston. JW and Zee are there on their honeymoon and thwart the attempt. The concerns move to the island centered in the Wampanoag area near Aquinnah. This is an engrossing mystery set in a favorite place.
May 8, 2018
After about 100 pages I stopped reading.
This has to be one of the most boring mysteries I have ever read. It just drones on and on. I must admit that the one thing I really enjoyed were the references to different places in Martha’s Vineyard. I do love Martha’s Vineyard!
This has to be one of the most boring mysteries I have ever read. It just drones on and on. I must admit that the one thing I really enjoyed were the references to different places in Martha’s Vineyard. I do love Martha’s Vineyard!
September 4, 2023
J.w. Jackson,Vietnam Vet,shot while on duty Boston police. Now divorced,recently remarried living on Matha's vineyard,fishing. While in Boston he and his wife foul an attempt on a former gangsters life. Said gangster hires hum to find our who was behind the borched hit
August 2, 2024
Some good background on Wampanoag culture; lots of info if you're into fishing off the cape or the islands. Story dragged a little in the middle (not uncommon, especially in series), but picked up in the last 1/3; I liked his other books better.
December 29, 2025
Each addition gets better
I never get tired of the descriptions of the Vineyard and the characters that feel so familiar. Love this series, if you didn't live on the island the Martha's Vineyard series makes you wish you did.
I never get tired of the descriptions of the Vineyard and the characters that feel so familiar. Love this series, if you didn't live on the island the Martha's Vineyard series makes you wish you did.
July 25, 2017
Another good Vineyard story. I Particularly enjoy reading these because we used to live outside of Boston, and it brings back memories of the summers we spent in the Cape Cod area.
November 7, 2017
Not up to snuff with the others.
February 17, 2020
Love the small chapters. Philip Craig is such a wonderful writer
July 9, 2020
2 1/2 stars. Not one of my favorites.
July 8, 2021
Thought provoking and eye opening.
August 24, 2022
This felt very talky, and the talkiness didn't sound like real people at all.
The culprit also seemed extremely obvious. So obvious I assumed I was falling for a red herring. I wasn't.
The culprit also seemed extremely obvious. So obvious I assumed I was falling for a red herring. I wasn't.
December 22, 2022
Interesting setting with Vineyard life through the life of a fisherman, who is a retired policeman.
January 27, 2023
Excellent; Continuing character: J. W. Jackson; a newly married JW and Zee stop a potential murder in Boston, and then JW is hired by the intended victim to try and determine who wants him dead
June 1, 2024
Provided a great sense of the island. Well written and engrossing.
June 26, 2024
Straightforward whodunit.Not too many characters. i do not fish,but enjoyed the description of fishing techniques.
September 24, 2025
J.W. and Zee get married, go fishing, eat fantastic food, and solve a mystery!
November 4, 2020
3.5 This was my 7th read of this cozy series. This was one of the better ones. Always fun to return to these characters and the locale of Martha's Vineyard.
February 2, 2015
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.
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.
November 7, 2017
On a honeymoon trip to Boston J.W. and Zee witness an attempted hit on a mobster-like character, and J.W. foils the attempt, but the hit man escapes. They learn the target of the hit, Luciano, is a resident of the Gay Head area of Martha's Vineyard, so they are practically neighbors. Luciano hires J.W. to find out who tried to kill him; J.W. accepts and uses his police detective skills to solve the case. It is a simple murder mystery.
However, the book is much more than a murder mystery; it is more of a travelogue of Martha's Vineyard. The author is skilled at describing the people, landscape, weather, waters, and the local atmosphere of the island. I could feel the bite of the chilly air in the morning, the fog drifting in, the winds blowing in from the east, and the undercurrent of animosity between the locals and the tourists and the filthy rich summer residents. I appreciated the author's efforts in making the place come alive and making J.W. seem like a genuine person.
I have been reading these cozy mysteries set in various regions of the US to get a sense of all of the different peoples and places across the country. This Martha's Vineyard series is the best. Compare with some of the books that have completely failed at this genre: Evie Bloomfield on Makinac Island MI, Hayden Mundy Moore in Portland OR, Ginny Mallard in Seattle WA. These series could have taken place in Anywhere, USA, since there was minimal or no descriptions of the atmosphere of these places. If an author sets a story in a certain place, there should be at least some dedication to describing the place.
However, the book is much more than a murder mystery; it is more of a travelogue of Martha's Vineyard. The author is skilled at describing the people, landscape, weather, waters, and the local atmosphere of the island. I could feel the bite of the chilly air in the morning, the fog drifting in, the winds blowing in from the east, and the undercurrent of animosity between the locals and the tourists and the filthy rich summer residents. I appreciated the author's efforts in making the place come alive and making J.W. seem like a genuine person.
I have been reading these cozy mysteries set in various regions of the US to get a sense of all of the different peoples and places across the country. This Martha's Vineyard series is the best. Compare with some of the books that have completely failed at this genre: Evie Bloomfield on Makinac Island MI, Hayden Mundy Moore in Portland OR, Ginny Mallard in Seattle WA. These series could have taken place in Anywhere, USA, since there was minimal or no descriptions of the atmosphere of these places. If an author sets a story in a certain place, there should be at least some dedication to describing the place.
March 24, 2014
Having read several of these, they begin to be a little repetitive. This must be early in the series, because it includes the marriage of JW and Zee. On their honeymoon to Boston, JW is able to stop the shooting of Luciano Marcus coming out of the opera. The perpetrator gets away, but the very rich Marcus, who lives on Gay Head, hires JW to try to find the man who tried to kill him. JW convinces Zee to learn to shoot a pistol, and it turns out she is a natural. JW examines the possibility of someone who is losing their fishing business because of Marcus' trawlers, a Wampanoag Indian who wants Marcus' cranberry bog, or a family member who wants his money earlier rather than later. In between sleuthing, JW does a lot of fishing and cooking his catch.
January 12, 2014
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.
October 25, 2008
DEATH ON A VINEYARD BEACH - Okay
Craig, Philip R. - 7th in series
During a matinee performance at the Boston opera, ex-cop J.W. Jackson manages to foil the attempted murder of an aging former gangster, Luciano Marcus, who persuades Jackson to help him find out who among his many enemies wants him dead.
I enjoy these as a lighter read than some, but they are still good, traditional mysteries. However, this book was not as good as others in the series.
Craig, Philip R. - 7th in series
During a matinee performance at the Boston opera, ex-cop J.W. Jackson manages to foil the attempted murder of an aging former gangster, Luciano Marcus, who persuades Jackson to help him find out who among his many enemies wants him dead.
I enjoy these as a lighter read than some, but they are still good, traditional mysteries. However, this book was not as good as others in the series.
February 16, 2013
Not the best of the bunch so far but still quite enjoyable. J. W. gets to spend considerable time on the exclusive west side of the island, investigating the attack on a former gangster who lives there in Gay Head and who "owns" the sacred cranberry bog that the local Indian tribe wants returned. As I continue to visit Martha's Vineyard, the plots naturally run together. It's the people, especially Jefferson Washington Jackson, the landscape, and J. W.'s cooking that bring me back.
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July 28, 2015My favorite quote:
"'...Native American stuff. Bunch of b***s***, you'll pardon my saying, if you ask me....What's that guy's name, Bill?' 'Amerigo Vespucci.'...'That's the guy. Rather be named after some Italian sailor than be called Indians.'"
I'm not hyphenated anything or, viewed in a different way, I'm a Heinz 4 (not 57), but the thought of this old Indian surely rings true to me!!
"'...Native American stuff. Bunch of b***s***, you'll pardon my saying, if you ask me....What's that guy's name, Bill?' 'Amerigo Vespucci.'...'That's the guy. Rather be named after some Italian sailor than be called Indians.'"
I'm not hyphenated anything or, viewed in a different way, I'm a Heinz 4 (not 57), but the thought of this old Indian surely rings true to me!!
February 24, 2011
A bad novel. The characters are bland, pointless and inexplicably pleased with themselves. The author elevates anything having to do with Martha's Vineyard to a plot element of epic significance. The plot is thin. There's nothing here except an excuse to talk about Martha's vineyard.
May 23, 2013
Not much interesting excitement. In fact no excitement. At least JW and Zee are now married so am hoping that after they settle down a little there will be more action. Moving on to #8 in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews