Off Season

Martha's Vineyard Mystery #5

by Philip R. Craig

There’s nothing like Martha’s Vineyard on crisp autumn days, after the season has ended. The “off-islanders” are finally gone and ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson is free to relax. But the natives are getting seriously restless this fall, with animal rights activists squaring off against deer slayers and environmentalists butting heads with land developers. Things have reached a boiling point, and it’s not long before verbal arrows become real ones. When a most unlikely victim is caught in lethal crossfire, Jackson can’t just sit idly by.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Cozy, Thriller, Adventure

248 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Author 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

Reviews

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 3 out of 5]

J.W. Jackson is a retired cop now living on Martha's Vineyard. He erks out his pension by fishing and doing odd jobs and rying to avoid the conflict between the animal rights group and hunters. When one of the best liked individuals on the island is killed, Jackson is hired to find the killer. He encounters a mob enforcer and uncovers sexual affairs placing his own life in danger.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Number five in the Martha's Vineyard cozy mystery series starring JW Jackson and his family, this is a great cozy read. I couldn't get enough of them when I "found" them in 1999. I enjoyed every one until the death of the author. Find them and read them.

[Sarah Faulkner · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy, fun mystery that takes you to the island... a new author to me and I'm already into another of his.

[Rick Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Major characters:

J. W. Jackson, investigator and narrator
Zeolinda "Zee" Madieras, J. W.'s fiancée
Mimi Bettencourt, a very vegetarian
Ignacio "Nash" Cortez, hunting rights activist
Chug Lovell, chubby but lovable
Angie Bettencourt, J. W.'s old girlfriend
Manny Fonseca, gun enthusiast
Phyllis Manwaring, ready to be wife of a senator
Heather Manwaring, her daughter, an attorney
Carl Norton, seller of land for conservation
Helene Norton, his daughter
Joey Percell, a mainland thug
Locale: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Synopsis: The island conservation group is purchasing a 50 acre parcel from Carl Norton, and holding a hearing to determine best use. This leads to conflict between animal rights people (led by Mimi Bettencourt) and hunting rights people (led by Nash Cortez).

J. W. Jackson is visiting Nash, when a stranger arrives. It is Joey Percell, ex-cop and now rumored to be with the Providence mob. Percell and Nash argue, Percell assaults him, and J.W. holds him until the police arrive.

Chug Lovell, a local back-to-nature type and archery enthusiast, is hanging out with attorney Heather Manwaring, but the word around town is that he is going to dump her for Helene Norton, daughter of Carl Norton. He also seems to have no obvious source of income. Then he is found dead, with one of his own arrows in him. Investigation shows lots of people had motives to do away with him.

Review: Reading the cover blurb, I thought oh, no, not a book of town political squabbles. While part of the story, they do not overwhelm the story line and it is nice to settle down with easy-going J.W. and Zee. I enjoy their repartée and even steal a few of their lines to use on my wife!

The story line is good and believable. I finished this one in two sittings (or, more precisely, two lyings - as in lying in bed). This one tells the story of how two cats acquired J.W. , in an amusing episode which really involves four cats. This is a good Christmas read as it occurs during that season.

[LJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

OFF SEASON - G
Craig, Philip R. - 5th in Martha's Vineyard series

Tempers flare between local hunters and animal-rights activists.

Another very enjoyable entry in a great series. Craig, as does Parker, includes simple recipes along with his murders, but that doesn't make this a light series.

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series. I am in the process of going back and reading all of the ones I missed throughout the series, and I am impressed that the quality is as high in the early books as it is in the later ones. Definitely one of my all-time favorite mystery series!

[Kathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another enjoyable trip to Martha's Vineyard, out of tourist season but with of course a murder and some unhappy sexual shenanigans. Craig's Jeff is a most likable person, and Craig's books are easy, non-threatening reading, a diet of which would be delicious but not entirely healthy.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. I am really enjoying the series. JW Jackson is such a great charactor. A really good read.

[Lorraine Wille · Rating 4 out of 5]

as is my tradition, i read this book while at martha's

[Niece · Rating 5 out of 5]

Setting Martha's Vineyard-retired Boston Police Officer-J.W. Jackson
Light mystery/light romance...good series/enjoyed!

[Anwnh5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy this series. I have been to the vineyard and can visualize when he is driving around. Good mystery, like the main characters.

[Marcy Graybill · Rating 4 out of 5]

An "oldie, but a goodie." I liked the characters and the plot.

[Allison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was okay. Perhaps if I had started this series at the beginning, I'd be more invested in the characters and all the backstories that filled easily 50% of the book, but jumping in at book 5 makes that difficult.

Secondly, the issues surrounding the murder were disgusting (sexual "deviancy"), and of course nothing really can be said about this on the back cover of the paperback. It was published in the late '80s early '90s. Some/most readers might not care, but I did. If I'd known, I'd never have read this book. Yes, I checked Goodreads reviews (not ever single one) but unless someone highlights such things in their opening sentence, it's not known.

Anyway... I liked the description of Martha's Vineyard in late fall through to Christmas. There were certainly many suspects once the murder was committed, so figuring out who was the offender took some thought (the "why" became obvious rather quickly).

Overall, this SERIES is probably good, but I don't recommend just picking up a random book in it. They don't stand alone very well.

[East Greenbush Community Library · Rating 5 out of 5]

Up front disclaimer, I am a true fan of the Martha Vineyard Mystery Series, and this one is a true gem that I happily found. As always, J.W. Jackson is enjoying his uncluttered life in his converted hunting shack home especially, as the title indicates, at a time when the tourists are few and he is engaged to Zoe, his lady love. But trouble is brewing in paradise as hunting enthusiasts and animal rights protectors are embroiled in escalating fights that threaten to become much more than verbal. The murder that takes place is not unexpected but the victim is since he seemingly had no part in the conflict. J.W. reluctantly but skillfully finds the murderer but at great risk to his own well-being and perhaps even Zoe's. This book also explained how J.W.'s cats, Velcro and Oliver Underfoot acquired their names. And, of course, J.W. continues to cook wonderful fish dishes for himself and Zoe.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson is happy that the tourist season on Martha's Vineyard is finally over. But there's trouble between the animal rights activists and hunters. And when a man who didn't seem to care either way is found killed by an arrow, J.W. is hired to find out whom the murderer is. I love all the Martha's Vineyard Mystery novels. I love J.W.'s personality and the relationship between his now fiancee, Zee. This author died, which is shame, but he was prolific and I look forward to a lot more of the series.

[Peter Hanson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the story and learned

I enjoyed the story and learning about the Vineyard, similar in many ways to Nantucket where we go. I like the wry humor, the character analysis, the doubts and the surprises. The interactions between islanders and off-islanders and between local police and state police is interesting. I like the morals of the protagonist, and his willingness to learn.

[Libraryassistant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually liked the main character in this— he’s kind of an odd mix of hard boiled and warm, even romantic. And he likes to cook and describe his food. There are some other skeevy things that happen which I didn’t need to know about. But there are some interesting characters and the setting of Martha’s Vineyard in the off season is fun too.

[Bob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Busy Little Island

Another enjoyable read in the series. I enjoy the change of pace, from the glitter books. The abundance of short sentences lends a little noir feel to the story without being too heavy. The characters are reminiscent to me of the Spenser series by the late Robert B Parker.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: J. W. Jackson; as Christmas approaches and a battle between hunters and animal rights activists simmers, JW is asked by a young woman to look into the murder of an islander who, it turns out, has a sinister side business

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love J.W. as always, but didn't care for the content of this one.

[Gerald D. Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story

All of the vineyard stories are good reads. Highly recommend for easy reading. Philip Craig books are super mysteries. Recommend.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one. Had to get it from PaperbackSwap. Makes me long for the old days - Summers on Cape Cod when we lived in Syracuse and then Boston

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining tale of island life , personalities and murder in a small community.

[Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

It takes a little to get used to the characters. Good story

[Ginny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fifth in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series, it is good, some plot twists and folksy.

[Cindy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Who knew so much went on off season.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books always make me so hungry. This one is a languorous mosey around the island and I appreciate the general easy, breezy style and tone. The mystery isn't complex.

[Philip Dolson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Delish!

[Hadassah Asaiah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it is about J.W. but I so enjoy being privy to his thoughts. These books feel like I'm reading someone's diary/memoir/autobiography and I love that.

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off Season by Philip R. Craig is the fifth book of his mystery series set on Martha’s Vineyard in the 1990s. Protagonist J. W. Jackson is a former Boston police detective, now living the ‘good life’ as a year-round islander. His great love is fishing – early in the story he describes in detail how he caught the biggest bluefish of his life. J. W. makes ends meet by working as a handyman and a caretaker, and he is well known to fellow islanders.

When island resident Chug Lovell is killed, lawyer Heather asks J. W. to investigate unofficially. He notices and deduces more from the deceased’s home than the off-island official investigators did, and he eventually solves the case. But what I enjoyed the most about this book in the series is its extensive description of the off season on Martha’s Vineyard. The author’s love for his home island is evident, and clearly ‘off season’ is his favorite.

“Once Labor Day comes and school begins, the island empties out. A hundred thousand tourists and summer people go away and ten thousand year-rounders once again have the place mostly to themselves. ... There is a nice emptiness about the whole island. You can feel space around you. The beaches are almost abandoned. You can walk the long beach between Edgartown and Oak Bluffs and not see anyone else. No more towels, umbrellas or kites. No more lines of parked cars. Only the water lapping at the sand. On South Beach, only a few cars still park at Katama while their owners walk the lonely, lovely, windy shore, hand in hand, looking at the cooling sea. Summer greens fade and are replaced by tans and browns. After the leaves have fallen, you can drive along the roads and see deep into the forests. Houses that you never knew were there come into view. Vistas hidden by verdant summer trees and bushes are now revealed. There is a sense of cozy roominess about the whole island.”

“In September and October, the waters are still warm enough for swimming, the air often comfortable enough for shirt sleeves, the gardens are full of fall veggies, the bluefish are back and the scallop and hunting seasons have begun. Later, when winter arrives, it rarely brings the cold or snows that hit the mainland, because the same surrounding water that cools the island in the summer warms it in the winters. By January the seed catalogues are being studied, and by March the question "Got your peas in yet?" can be heard among the gardeners. When you live on the Vineyard all year round, it's easy to understand why the tourists like it so much, but it's also nice to know that they mostly come only in the summer. The rest of the time the island belongs to you.”

Reading the series makes me interested in visiting Martha’s Vineyard; reading this book convinces me to visit ‘off season’. In this book especially, I enjoy the protagonist, his irreverent personality and descriptions of the island much more than the mystery, clues or solution. J. W. loves to cook meals for his ladylove Zee Madieras. He usually combines fresh seafood that he caught with fresh produce from his garden. But in this book he spends hours lovingly crafting his kale soup:

“Kale soup is a soup that is a meal. You boil a shinbone in water, then add a pound of cubed and braised stew beef and simmer that for an hour or two. Then you take out the bone and add onion soup mix (one of the really great packaged foods), chopped kale and a couple of chopped onions. You simmer everything until it's tender and then add some sliced linguica and cubed potatoes. When that stuff is tender, you add kidney beans and chili powder and maybe some pesto, and whatever leftover cooked veggies or soup you have around. A bit of salt and pepper and voila! Anything you don't eat right away, you freeze for future reference. With kale soup in the freezer, you can withstand an atomic attack.”

The Martha’s Vineyard mystery series is the late author’s loving tribute to life on the island with his wife Shirley Prada Craig. Together they published a cookbook, Delish! The J.W. Jackson Recipes – still in print. The author’s son Jamie Craig maintains the website http://www.philiprcraig.com in his father’s memory.