What do you think?
Rate this book
Brady Coyne #22
Second Sight: A Brady Coyne and J.W. Jackson Mystery
Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply -- veteran mystery novelists and longtime fishing buddies -- are back with a second joint novel starring their respective series heroes, J. W. Jackson and Brady Coyne.
And something big -- something very big -- is about to happen on beautiful Martha's Vineyard.
International superstar entertainers, top politicians, a former president, and the social elite will come together at the Celebration for Humanity, a musical extravaganza to be telecast live around the world. Headlining the show is legendary singer Evangeline, who's flying in from her Scotland castle, accompanied by her young daughter, Janie.
Vineyard fisherman and sometime private investigator J. W. Jackson isn't much interested in pop music, but he agrees to take a job as the gorgeous Evangeline's driver and guide. The money is good and the company is intriguing.
J.W.'s Boston lawyer pal, Brady Coyne, also has business on the Vineyard. His old friend Mike Doyle is dying, and Mike wants to reconcile with his daughter Christa, who is rumored to be on the Vineyard, before it's too late. Can Brady find her in time?
J.W. 's assignment gets deadly serious when the Celebration's director, Odgen Warner, is found murdered just days before the show is to open. Warner was known to be gruff and demanding, but his death is a shock to the cast and crew. Was it a random killing, or is there a murderer among them who might strike again? Could Evangeline be the next victim? Or is she a suspect?
The search for young Christa Doyle also turns complicated when Brady discovers that a charismatic religious leader may be holding her on an Island compound against her will. Christa and Evangeline live in very different worlds, yet Brady and J.W. find that they must weave together every thread of evidence if they are to save both women's lives.
Filled with charming Vineyard vignettes of fishing, family life, and spirited cocktail hours on the Jacksons' balcony overlooking the sea, Second Sight is a page-turning novel of suspense from two of the most beloved writers in crime fiction today.
Includes three recipes.
And something big -- something very big -- is about to happen on beautiful Martha's Vineyard.
International superstar entertainers, top politicians, a former president, and the social elite will come together at the Celebration for Humanity, a musical extravaganza to be telecast live around the world. Headlining the show is legendary singer Evangeline, who's flying in from her Scotland castle, accompanied by her young daughter, Janie.
Vineyard fisherman and sometime private investigator J. W. Jackson isn't much interested in pop music, but he agrees to take a job as the gorgeous Evangeline's driver and guide. The money is good and the company is intriguing.
J.W.'s Boston lawyer pal, Brady Coyne, also has business on the Vineyard. His old friend Mike Doyle is dying, and Mike wants to reconcile with his daughter Christa, who is rumored to be on the Vineyard, before it's too late. Can Brady find her in time?
J.W. 's assignment gets deadly serious when the Celebration's director, Odgen Warner, is found murdered just days before the show is to open. Warner was known to be gruff and demanding, but his death is a shock to the cast and crew. Was it a random killing, or is there a murderer among them who might strike again? Could Evangeline be the next victim? Or is she a suspect?
The search for young Christa Doyle also turns complicated when Brady discovers that a charismatic religious leader may be holding her on an Island compound against her will. Christa and Evangeline live in very different worlds, yet Brady and J.W. find that they must weave together every thread of evidence if they are to save both women's lives.
Filled with charming Vineyard vignettes of fishing, family life, and spirited cocktail hours on the Jacksons' balcony overlooking the sea, Second Sight is a page-turning novel of suspense from two of the most beloved writers in crime fiction today.
Includes three recipes.
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 28, 2004
19 people are currently reading
212 people want to read
About the author
Philip R. Craig
26 books100 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
February 5, 2023
I am not really a fan of alternative chapter books by two authors, but this book is much better than the first outing by these two authors. I still prefer 100% Brady Coyne books.
October 25, 2009
This book feels like an experiment that didn't quite work. The plot seems forced and the dialogue not up to the standards of the authors when working individually. I like both Tapply and Craig when working alone, but here not. Each character starts with a case which then (surprise, surprise) merge together. I mean really. Another element that really pissed me off was the totally unnecessary "reading" by a fortune teller that just happens to provide the clue needed to prevent catastrophe. I mean really. Supernatural elements strike me as just an author being lazy because he/she can't figure out a rational explanation. It's not that I need a complete explanation of events, but why certain people were where they were and why and who was working for whom and why just didn't add up.
January 18, 2020
This was sort of a slow mystery
August 3, 2025
An unusual book that contains alternating chapters by two great mystery authors. One of the characters, Brady Coyne, is from Tapply's extensive series and the other, J.W. Jackson, is from Craig's. The setting is Martha's Vineyard, the usual location featured in Craig's books. Very creative writing and intriguing reading. I plan to read the two other books of this "set."
June 29, 2024
June 2024. Like a return visit to Massachusetts.
August 2022
December 2019 DITTO
January 2017 - I like my 5 year old review. DITTO!
May 2012 There are over 17 books with the title "Second sight"
I recommend a moratorium on the title usage. I guess they tossed a coin as to who won the authorship credit and Tapply lost.
I've read most brady coyne books but in this one, the Jackson character took the hero postion for me. felt like a behind the scenes look at a super star singer - maybe maybe not.
i highly recommend this book
August 2022
December 2019 DITTO
January 2017 - I like my 5 year old review. DITTO!
May 2012 There are over 17 books with the title "Second sight"
I recommend a moratorium on the title usage. I guess they tossed a coin as to who won the authorship credit and Tapply lost.
I've read most brady coyne books but in this one, the Jackson character took the hero postion for me. felt like a behind the scenes look at a super star singer - maybe maybe not.
i highly recommend this book
February 25, 2009
A good, quiet sort of mystery. Not an action book. Pretty cerebral, with interesting characters. Well written in a quiet sort of way.
December 9, 2020
Second Sight by Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply is the second book of the J.W. Jackson / Brady Coyne mystery series set on present-day Martha's Vineyard. The authors collaborated on a mystery featuring both of their series protagonists. Chapters alternate POV between J.W. & Brady.
J.W. Jackson lives fulltime on Martha's Vineyard. He's an ex-cop (Boston PD) who lives simply with his family. He fishes and does maintenance work to supplement his disability (injured in line of duty). His wife Zee is an ER nurse. Their young children Joshua and Diana are the joy of their lives.
Brady Coyne is a lawyer in Boston. He shares the love of fishing with his friend J.W. and they've solved a murder case together (First Light). Brady's friend Mike from college days is dying. Mike longs to see his daughter Christa, who broke off contact a few years ago. Brady agrees to try to find her. Calling one of Christa's friends from school, Brady learns Christa is on Martha's Vineyard. Brady asks J.W. if he will search for Christa, but J.W. has accepted another job for the week. Brady agrees to come to the Vineyard and stay with the Jacksons while searching for Christa.
J.W. has agreed to chauffeur famous singer Evangeline (in disguise) while she's on the island for the Celebration of Humanity festival. Soon J.W. and Brady discover their cases are not only connected, but dangerous. Christa is part of a cult whose enforcers kill those who learn their plans.
Disappointing and distracting: police officer Olive Otero's name is misspelled occasionally in the Brady chapters.
Recipes included: Brady's Baked Striped Bass, J.W.'s Bluefish with Mustard/Horseradish Sauce, Neil's Crispy Onion Chicken (no explanation who Neil is, not a character in the story).
J.W. Jackson lives fulltime on Martha's Vineyard. He's an ex-cop (Boston PD) who lives simply with his family. He fishes and does maintenance work to supplement his disability (injured in line of duty). His wife Zee is an ER nurse. Their young children Joshua and Diana are the joy of their lives.
Brady Coyne is a lawyer in Boston. He shares the love of fishing with his friend J.W. and they've solved a murder case together (First Light). Brady's friend Mike from college days is dying. Mike longs to see his daughter Christa, who broke off contact a few years ago. Brady agrees to try to find her. Calling one of Christa's friends from school, Brady learns Christa is on Martha's Vineyard. Brady asks J.W. if he will search for Christa, but J.W. has accepted another job for the week. Brady agrees to come to the Vineyard and stay with the Jacksons while searching for Christa.
J.W. has agreed to chauffeur famous singer Evangeline (in disguise) while she's on the island for the Celebration of Humanity festival. Soon J.W. and Brady discover their cases are not only connected, but dangerous. Christa is part of a cult whose enforcers kill those who learn their plans.
Disappointing and distracting: police officer Olive Otero's name is misspelled occasionally in the Brady chapters.
Recipes included: Brady's Baked Striped Bass, J.W.'s Bluefish with Mustard/Horseradish Sauce, Neil's Crispy Onion Chicken (no explanation who Neil is, not a character in the story).
June 26, 2022
We were so put off by the first collaboration between Tapply (featuring Brady Coyne) and Craig (featuring J.W. Jackson), entitled “First Light,” that we had tentatively elected not to bother with their two subsequent novels. Fortunately, we decided to try “Second Sight” after all, and were rewarded with a reading that corrected all of our dislikes with their first outing and delivered nearly a 5-star thriller. Our only quibble is that published a year after Brady moved into a new house with love-mate Evie, he is still back in his old apartment in this one, with Evie barely getting a mention.
Again the dual plots unfold in alternating chapters, with Brady pursuing a missing daughter, while JW is serving as driver/bodyguard for a “Lady Gaga”-type pop star prelude to a big concert on his home setting of Martha’s Vineyard. Brady is on hand having tracked the missing girl to somewhere on that island – and both tales were suspenseful and entertaining without the repetitive catching up of each other, a serious problem in the earlier book. Except for one brief evening adventure, the authors also skipped tiring us out with their protagonists’ fishing exploits. When the two tales somewhat coalesced, the thrilling ending really put a nice tidy, satisfying conclusion to the whole affair.
We highly recommend this joint novel; we will gladly seek out their third and final collaboration “Third Strike.” {4.5}
Again the dual plots unfold in alternating chapters, with Brady pursuing a missing daughter, while JW is serving as driver/bodyguard for a “Lady Gaga”-type pop star prelude to a big concert on his home setting of Martha’s Vineyard. Brady is on hand having tracked the missing girl to somewhere on that island – and both tales were suspenseful and entertaining without the repetitive catching up of each other, a serious problem in the earlier book. Except for one brief evening adventure, the authors also skipped tiring us out with their protagonists’ fishing exploits. When the two tales somewhat coalesced, the thrilling ending really put a nice tidy, satisfying conclusion to the whole affair.
We highly recommend this joint novel; we will gladly seek out their third and final collaboration “Third Strike.” {4.5}
February 3, 2019
This mystery set on Martha's Vineyard combines two mystery solvers, one a former policeman and the other a lawyer, and is written in both of their voices. Familiar Vineyard sights are described as the mystery is solved.
August 15, 2024
Never having read a novel by these authors, I wasn't sure about reading this one, but found it very interesting. It involved a celebrity in hiding, a kidnapping attempt, a religious cult, a runaway girl, murders, and terrorism. What more could go wrong for these 2 friends involved in all of it!?!
November 5, 2017
I love the combination of two of my favorite characters from their own series, awesome stuff.
July 8, 2018
As expected, a couple days of pure entertainment.
January 22, 2021
First time reader of these author's.
great read, good plot. Definitely will find more but these author's. Now on to find another book in this series.
great read, good plot. Definitely will find more but these author's. Now on to find another book in this series.
December 6, 2021
Great MV scenery. Fun characters
May 15, 2022
I like these characters and the story was well written and with enough twists to keep it interesting.
June 11, 2022
I usually hate mysteries, but this book was compelling and for once I couldn't guess the ending.
September 19, 2022
3.5 stars
January 31, 2009
Author Philip Brady introduces "Teaching Tu Fu on the Night Shift," an essay in this week's Book Club book:
"Your da may be a cop," a parish priest once told me, "but you're headed for a life of crime." Though my snowball didn't break the rectory window, I did nearly fulfill his prophecy—I became a poet. This essay, from my recent book By Heart: Reflections of a Rust Belt Bard, takes place in a classroom in an urban mid-west university, where many students come — or I should say 'return' — with ambitions of advancement. But the poetry they meet in this particular class stumps them—and in turn, they wind up stumping me, bringing about a realization that poetry, if it is to transform us, must also transgress.
Philip Brady teaches at Youngstown State University, where he directs the Poetry Center and Etruscan Press. He is the author of three books of poems, a memoir, an edition on James Joyce, and a collection of essays. He has won the Ohioana Poetry Prize, five Ohio Arts Council Fellowships, residencies at Yaddo and Hawthornden Castle, and a Thayer and Newhouse Fellowships from New York State. He plays in the Celtic band, Brady's Leap.
The story, "Teaching Tu Fu on the Night Shift," is available for free download at ForeWord Book Club.
"Your da may be a cop," a parish priest once told me, "but you're headed for a life of crime." Though my snowball didn't break the rectory window, I did nearly fulfill his prophecy—I became a poet. This essay, from my recent book By Heart: Reflections of a Rust Belt Bard, takes place in a classroom in an urban mid-west university, where many students come — or I should say 'return' — with ambitions of advancement. But the poetry they meet in this particular class stumps them—and in turn, they wind up stumping me, bringing about a realization that poetry, if it is to transform us, must also transgress.
Philip Brady teaches at Youngstown State University, where he directs the Poetry Center and Etruscan Press. He is the author of three books of poems, a memoir, an edition on James Joyce, and a collection of essays. He has won the Ohioana Poetry Prize, five Ohio Arts Council Fellowships, residencies at Yaddo and Hawthornden Castle, and a Thayer and Newhouse Fellowships from New York State. He plays in the Celtic band, Brady's Leap.
The story, "Teaching Tu Fu on the Night Shift," is available for free download at ForeWord Book Club.
December 16, 2007
12/16/07
TITLE/AUTHOR: SECOND SIGHT by Philip R. Craig & William G. Tapply
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/2005/302 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: #2 in the Brady Coyne/JW Jackson series
TIME/PLACE: Present/Martha's Vineyard
CHARACTERS: Brady W. Coyne/Boston lawyer; JW Jackson/PI
FIRST LINES:There are 2 weekly newspapers on Martha's Vineyard: the Vineyard Gazette & the Martha's Vineyard Times.
COMMENTS:10/18 -- library used book shelf sale. Celebration for Humanity, a musical festival promoting world peace is being held in Martha's Vineyard. JW is hired to be the driver for legendary singer, Evangeline. Brady is hired by a dying friend to find his daughter who left home at 16. Christa/Raven was last heard from on Martha's Vineyard. Again their cases mesh, both Evangeline & Raven have been involved w/ the same guru who has an ashram on MV.
TITLE/AUTHOR: SECOND SIGHT by Philip R. Craig & William G. Tapply
RATING: 4/B
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PGS: Mystery/2005/302 pgs
SERIES/STAND ALONE: #2 in the Brady Coyne/JW Jackson series
TIME/PLACE: Present/Martha's Vineyard
CHARACTERS: Brady W. Coyne/Boston lawyer; JW Jackson/PI
FIRST LINES:There are 2 weekly newspapers on Martha's Vineyard: the Vineyard Gazette & the Martha's Vineyard Times.
COMMENTS:10/18 -- library used book shelf sale. Celebration for Humanity, a musical festival promoting world peace is being held in Martha's Vineyard. JW is hired to be the driver for legendary singer, Evangeline. Brady is hired by a dying friend to find his daughter who left home at 16. Christa/Raven was last heard from on Martha's Vineyard. Again their cases mesh, both Evangeline & Raven have been involved w/ the same guru who has an ashram on MV.
August 12, 2015
#2 in the Brady Coyne/J.W. Jackson series. Philip R. Craig and William G. Tapply are co-authors of this joint mystery series.
Brady Coyne/J.W. Jackson mystery - Coyne traces a runaway teenage girl to the Vineyard, where he bunks in his old friend J.W.'s charming family cottage. Jackson, meanwhile, has been hired to chauffeur and provide security for a famous reclusive singer during the week of a major rock concert celebrating human rights. When the singer's bodyguard turns up dead, the investigation leads to a spiritual retreat. Coyne and Jackson's paths intersect as they try to infiltrate the cultish shrine whose mesmerizing leader, a former lover of the rock star, is surrounded by armed apostles. Increasing violence portends growing urgency, but doesn't prevent old friends Coyne and Jackson from enjoying fishing, sunset cocktails and the island's traditional New England fare.
Brady Coyne/J.W. Jackson mystery - Coyne traces a runaway teenage girl to the Vineyard, where he bunks in his old friend J.W.'s charming family cottage. Jackson, meanwhile, has been hired to chauffeur and provide security for a famous reclusive singer during the week of a major rock concert celebrating human rights. When the singer's bodyguard turns up dead, the investigation leads to a spiritual retreat. Coyne and Jackson's paths intersect as they try to infiltrate the cultish shrine whose mesmerizing leader, a former lover of the rock star, is surrounded by armed apostles. Increasing violence portends growing urgency, but doesn't prevent old friends Coyne and Jackson from enjoying fishing, sunset cocktails and the island's traditional New England fare.
June 15, 2009
The second of three jointly-written Martha's Vineyard mysteries by Tapply and Creaig. Their writing styles are so similar their main characters so compatible that it would seam easy to mesh into one book, with their respective mysteries being told in alternating chapters from Jackson's and Coyne's perspectives.
Somehow, though, it didn't work as well as in First Light - too much repetition, and the story doesn't move along as fast as it could.
However, for fans of the late Philip Craig, one of a finite number of opportunities to hang out with J.W.
Somehow, though, it didn't work as well as in First Light - too much repetition, and the story doesn't move along as fast as it could.
However, for fans of the late Philip Craig, one of a finite number of opportunities to hang out with J.W.
July 24, 2016
After the initial confusion of alternating I's -- a chapter for JW, a chapter for Brady, I got on with the task of watching them get into trouble and get out of it. Around the Vineyard, into its hidden places, grand finale -- double trouble, parallel quests merging, I enjoyed reading along to follow two of my favorite characters come out with near miss grace.
William Tapply is missed.
And now it's 2016: I took the book out of the library, started to read, and slowly got the nagging deja vu feeling... Still a good read.
William Tapply is missed.
And now it's 2016: I took the book out of the library, started to read, and slowly got the nagging deja vu feeling... Still a good read.
July 29, 2016
Author Philip Craig collaborated with author William Tapply to write the continuing story of his ex detective JW Jackson who lives on the wonderful island of Martha's Vineyard. The two authors alternate their mystery stories until the stories merge combining Jackson's protection of a rock star with Tapply's character searching for a missing girl. It was a great light read and now that Mr. Craig is casting his fishing line in heaven, it was a nice surprise to find a book about his character that I had not read.
April 10, 2009
Interesting collaboration and presentation; each author wrote his own character in this joint Martha's Vineyard mystery. The story lines come together neatly, but you knew they would. Craig & Tapply must have been good friends to have produced a work that flows so smoothly. Too bad there won't be more by the two together. But I have found a new author and new character to read up on.
August 16, 2009
Excellent; Continuing characters: J.W. Jackson and Brady Coyne (second of three combined character novels); Coyne is trying to find a girl who ran away from home two years prior and JW si helping to protect a pop star scheduled to appear in a special concert from the Vineyard; as dead bodies pile up and point towards a religious leader and his group, their plights come together (surprise!)
August 20, 2019
The second of three compilations between the late authors William Tapply & Phillip R. Craig featuring their protagonists Brady Coyne & J.W. Jackson. The interplay between the two amateur sleuths is clever and entertaining and the setting; beautiful Martha's Vineyard, is brought to life by two masters of the genre.
Two Big Thumbs Up !
Two Big Thumbs Up !
June 10, 2008
I liked this one a lot too. Good storyline, though parts are a bit far-fetched. Ending predictable and wrapped up too quickly.
September 15, 2013
Highly recommend any Philip R Craig books to mystery lovers. So sad he died so young but now I have all the William G Tapply books to read ahead of me.
April 15, 2014
I love reading both of these authors. I will miss them both.
October 29, 2014
Interesting characters and a plot with a twist I didn't see coming.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews