What do you think?
Rate this book
Martha's Vineyard Mystery #5
Off Season
Tourist season may be over...
but the killing season has
just begun.
There's nothing like Martha's Vineyard on these crisp autumn days, after the season has ended. Now that the "off-islanders" are finally off the island, ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson is free to relax, fish, and make future plans with his lady love Zee. 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 the boiling-over point -- and it's not long before verbal arrows become real ones. And when a most unlikely victim is caught in the lethal crossfire, Jackson can't just sit by idly with a fishing pole in his hand. Someone has to lead the hunt for a killer, and J.W.'s the man -- even if there's a chance that he won't live to see next summer.
but the killing season has
just begun.
There's nothing like Martha's Vineyard on these crisp autumn days, after the season has ended. Now that the "off-islanders" are finally off the island, ex-Boston cop J.W. Jackson is free to relax, fish, and make future plans with his lady love Zee. 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 the boiling-over point -- and it's not long before verbal arrows become real ones. And when a most unlikely victim is caught in the lethal crossfire, Jackson can't just sit by idly with a fishing pole in his hand. Someone has to lead the hunt for a killer, and J.W.'s the man -- even if there's a chance that he won't live to see next summer.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
128 people are currently reading
362 people want to read
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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
January 7, 2017
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.
January 22, 2016
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.
November 10, 2013
An easy, fun mystery that takes you to the island... a new author to me and I'm already into another of his.
March 9, 2021
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.
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.
October 20, 2008
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.
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.
December 30, 2014
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!
February 12, 2013
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.
July 19, 2010
Another good one. I am really enjoying the series. JW Jackson is such a great charactor. A really good read.
September 7, 2011
as is my tradition, i read this book while at martha's
May 29, 2015
Setting Martha's Vineyard-retired Boston Police Officer-J.W. Jackson
Light mystery/light romance...good series/enjoyed!
Light mystery/light romance...good series/enjoyed!
January 27, 2015
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.
November 17, 2013
An "oldie, but a goodie." I liked the characters and the plot.
June 16, 2021
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.
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.
January 30, 2021
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.
May 28, 2018
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.
March 18, 2024
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.
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.
May 22, 2024
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.
April 20, 2025
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.
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.
February 8, 2026
This was good, but not as good as I remember the series being. For the most part, the action was luke-warm, although it did pick up at the end. The characterization I think mainly relied on you remembering the characters from the other titles in the series, so wasn't particularly enlightening. Overall, though, an enjoyable mystery read.
January 10, 2023
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
July 28, 2017
Love J.W. as always, but didn't care for the content of this one.
August 9, 2017
Great story
All of the vineyard stories are good reads. Highly recommend for easy reading. Philip Craig books are super mysteries. Recommend.
All of the vineyard stories are good reads. Highly recommend for easy reading. Philip Craig books are super mysteries. Recommend.
January 11, 2018
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
February 18, 2020
Entertaining tale of island life , personalities and murder in a small community.
August 2, 2020
It takes a little to get used to the characters. Good story
November 2, 2021
Fifth in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series, it is good, some plot twists and folksy.
February 20, 2022
Who knew so much went on off season.
April 20, 2022
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.
September 18, 2025
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.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews