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Martha's Vineyard Mystery #16
Vineyard Prey
Summer is a distant memory. Thanksgiving has come
and gone. Hunting season is in full swing on the Vineyard . . .
And some of the prey is human. Ex-cop, chef, and dedicated angler J.W. Jackson would do anything for his old 'Nam buddy and fishing companion Joe Begay. But when Joe asks to be smuggled back onto the Vineyard in secret, J.W. knows there's big trouble brewing. After his tour of duty officially ended, Joe was involved in highly sensitive covert government work. Now only Begay and one other former operative on his team -- the seductive and extremely dangerous Kate MacLeod -- are still alive. The three remaining shadow warriors died unexpectedly, quite possibly at the hands of a ruthlessly efficient killer known only as the Easter Bunny. J.W.'s beloved wife, Zee, and their two young children could easily get caught in the deadly crossfire if the assassin makes his way to their now desolate island. Or perhaps he -- or she -- is already there . . .
and gone. Hunting season is in full swing on the Vineyard . . .
And some of the prey is human. Ex-cop, chef, and dedicated angler J.W. Jackson would do anything for his old 'Nam buddy and fishing companion Joe Begay. But when Joe asks to be smuggled back onto the Vineyard in secret, J.W. knows there's big trouble brewing. After his tour of duty officially ended, Joe was involved in highly sensitive covert government work. Now only Begay and one other former operative on his team -- the seductive and extremely dangerous Kate MacLeod -- are still alive. The three remaining shadow warriors died unexpectedly, quite possibly at the hands of a ruthlessly efficient killer known only as the Easter Bunny. J.W.'s beloved wife, Zee, and their two young children could easily get caught in the deadly crossfire if the assassin makes his way to their now desolate island. Or perhaps he -- or she -- is already there . . .
Mass Market Paperback
First published May 24, 2005
51 people are currently reading
281 people want to read
About the author
Philip R. Craig
27 books102 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 52 reviews
December 13, 2020
Another interesting entry in the Vineyard mysteries series. This one is basically a stand-alone, in that the key players and action are the result of off-island Intelligence Community players and activities. Our Hero, J.W. Jackson gets involved through an old friend of his who lives on the island but is also some kind of player in the IC world. It appears someone (the infamous assassin known in Intelligence circles as the Easter Bunny???) is systematically killing members of a counter-terrorism team. That action has now come to Martha's Vineyard during the quiet winter off-season and J.W. gets involved. While the plot lacks credibility in many respects, the action is satisfying.
May 20, 2021
I went into this book hoping not to like it. I know that sounds weird, but I have SO many unread books. If I didn’t like it, I could get rid of it and a few others by this author. Only...I loved it. It hooked me right away. This was a fun action packed adventure set on Martha’s Vineyard. It’s a bit old and dated at times but that didn’t bother me. Turns out this series is a Hallmark series too! Now I’ll have to find other books in the series!
December 17, 2014
I really enjoy the mysteries in this series, and never tire of J.W., Zee, the kids, and their island. It is such a great series, and I was sorry to hear that the author passed away and there won't be many more for me to enjoy after this one.
July 14, 2018
This mystery/thriller makes for good summer or vacation reading. I was curious to find out who was behind the crimes and what the motivation was. While I doubt that I would have guessed the plot, it did not feel too farfetched.
November 21, 2020
Vineyard Prey by Philip R. Craig is the 16th book of the Martha's Vineyard contemporary mystery series set on Martha's Vineyard. Ex-cop J.W. Jackson is happy to live year-round on the island with his wife Zee and their children, Joshua and Diana. JW supplements disability pay (Boston PD) with maintaining vacation homes on the island for absentee owners, and fishing. Zee is an ER nurse. It's December, so JW is scalloping daily. He cleans his bushel catch for sale to local markets, reserving some for family meals.
JW served in Vietnam with Sergeant Joe Begay; they saved each other's lives from an attack, are close friends. Joe is officially retired from what JW calls "the spook business" but JW sometimes wonders...as now, when Joe needs JW's help. JW unexpectedly meets Kate, a team-mate of Joe's, and learns of a terrorist they refer to as the Easter Bunny.
Once again JW is caught in a dangerous situation. He sends his family into hiding; assists Joe and Kate as best he can. JW has more detailed knowledge of the island than the DIA agents who join in the hunt. His island contacts and recent maintenance task uniquely qualify him to find Kate when she disappears. Together they confront the killer in a deadly shootout. JW's intuition helps to link numerous deaths and provides means-motive-opportunity for DIA to resolve cases.
JW's adventures resonate with the author's love for the island and family, lightly seasoned with humor. Recipes are included: Scallops Tikka, Scallops in Sherry-Mustard Sauce, Scallops in Wine
JW served in Vietnam with Sergeant Joe Begay; they saved each other's lives from an attack, are close friends. Joe is officially retired from what JW calls "the spook business" but JW sometimes wonders...as now, when Joe needs JW's help. JW unexpectedly meets Kate, a team-mate of Joe's, and learns of a terrorist they refer to as the Easter Bunny.
Once again JW is caught in a dangerous situation. He sends his family into hiding; assists Joe and Kate as best he can. JW has more detailed knowledge of the island than the DIA agents who join in the hunt. His island contacts and recent maintenance task uniquely qualify him to find Kate when she disappears. Together they confront the killer in a deadly shootout. JW's intuition helps to link numerous deaths and provides means-motive-opportunity for DIA to resolve cases.
JW's adventures resonate with the author's love for the island and family, lightly seasoned with humor. Recipes are included: Scallops Tikka, Scallops in Sherry-Mustard Sauce, Scallops in Wine
August 31, 2022
Vineyard Prey by Philip R. Craig is # 16 in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery, J.W. Jackson cozy series.
J.W. is a retired Boston cop living in Martha's Vineyard.
In this book, he meets up with his Vietnam War buddy and sometime fishing companion, agent Joe Begay. Though friends, this time Joe asks for help of a secretive nature. Other agents are in danger and now two have died. One in the arms of J.W., in his own backyard.
While classified as a cozy series for the author's writing and story structure, it at times reads like a detective novel. This book is 239 pages long. Entertaining with a map of Martha's Vineyard at the beginning and recipes of J.W.'s own making during the story are at the back of the book. The protagonist calls his cooking "Delish."
Fun to read.
J.W. is a retired Boston cop living in Martha's Vineyard.
In this book, he meets up with his Vietnam War buddy and sometime fishing companion, agent Joe Begay. Though friends, this time Joe asks for help of a secretive nature. Other agents are in danger and now two have died. One in the arms of J.W., in his own backyard.
While classified as a cozy series for the author's writing and story structure, it at times reads like a detective novel. This book is 239 pages long. Entertaining with a map of Martha's Vineyard at the beginning and recipes of J.W.'s own making during the story are at the back of the book. The protagonist calls his cooking "Delish."
Fun to read.
March 27, 2023
Another nice glimpse into life on Martha’s Vineyard. Also an acknowledgment that the US is not innocent of having covert operatives whose mission it may be to take opponents out of the picture entirely. 😲
We were led along the wrong path for most of the book, then gradually were redirected to the reasonable slightly surprising conclusion.
Not sure why I picked this installment of the series to “read” ... I skipped quite a few of the previous books. So JW & Zee are now married w/two kids.
Maybe I should go back and resume the books in the right order. 😃
We were led along the wrong path for most of the book, then gradually were redirected to the reasonable slightly surprising conclusion.
Not sure why I picked this installment of the series to “read” ... I skipped quite a few of the previous books. So JW & Zee are now married w/two kids.
Maybe I should go back and resume the books in the right order. 😃
December 4, 2023
One of the best in the series with interesting characters and plot twists and minimal tangents into fishing, clamming, and sailing. This one has a mysterious hitman trying to kill Joe Begay and colleague Kate Macleod, but with JW's help they outwit him and unravel the motives behind the murder, which turns out to be somewhat bizarre and unbelievable (you have to accept that our most secure government agencies are filled with petty jealousies, revenge, and adultery).
Takes place in December with many Christmas references, so this is a holiday cozy.
Takes place in December with many Christmas references, so this is a holiday cozy.
May 9, 2023
It's been a while since I checked in with the Jackson family on the Vineyard, and it was nice to do so. This was a somewhat confusing story of international intrigue, the intelligence community, and double-crossers. It's right before Christmas, so it was nice to read about the island in winter. I thoroughly enjoyed this although it was light and, of course, has a happy ending along with some recipes that seem really yummy.
April 10, 2020
Winter and more info about Joe Begay's mysterious past sets this installment apart from its predecessors. This was bit more climatic than normal involving hiding Joe's and J.W.'s families either off-island or at another address. It's not part of JW.'s usual jobs to be confronting a hitman.
May 7, 2023
Excellent; Continuing character: J. W. Jackson; when his friend Begay tells him about someone from his past being after him, JW volunteers to help and finds himself in danger as various intelligence and police staff fail to find the threat
April 21, 2024
JW does a favor for his friend Joe Begay and is soon up to his neck in murder and all the alphabet government agencies you can name. Lots of twists, relatable characters and interesting setting on Martha's Vineyard.
June 11, 2017
an easy read. Took us to Dallas and Back.
September 12, 2017
Plenty of sneaking through the woods to spy in this book. And, the past can come back to haunt you! A mystery of cloak-and-dagger proportions set on the beautiful island of Martha's Vineyard.
November 5, 2017
really liked this under the radar series
April 14, 2020
Enjoyed the location of Martha's Vineyard in the winter. The mystery and suspense kept me turning the pages. Loved how the story developed
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 21, 2022
Another good detective mystery murder from Philip Craig. It was a bit slow in the beginning but moved right along. Great scallops recipes at the end of the book. A good reward for finishing it!
September 16, 2022
3.5 stars
March 20, 2023
I really apparently can only handle mysteries in my mystery month
February 28, 2009
In this book a guy named J.W Jackson tries to help his freind Joe Begay stop a killer who is out to get Joe and a girl named Kate. Joe and Kate boyh worked on a secret mission with three other people a few years back. Joe and Kate are the only ones from the mission still alive. So they believe they will be killed next. Joe has to move his family off of Marthas Vineyard and he moves into a different house. One day while him and J.W are walking to his house they see Joes car get blown up. The first person to notice the explosion is a guy named Struat Oakland who they are suspicious of since he was the first one at the house. A few days later Kate goes missing. So J.W goes to Oaklands to look and see if he can find anything that links Struat to being the killer. While searching he finds Kate tied and gaged in a closet. J.W quickly grabs Kate and take her to his house as Oakland is following them. Once at J.W house Oakland shoots Kate but she lives. To protect Kate J.W shoots and kills Oakland. The reason Struat wanted to kill Joe and Kate was because his sisters husband was badly hurt and he believed it was there fault.
What was good about this book was that it has alot of excitement in it and it is very hard to put down. What I didnt like about the book was that there are alot of things that are happening so it is easy to get confused and lost. I recomend this to people who like mysteries and adventures.
What was good about this book was that it has alot of excitement in it and it is very hard to put down. What I didnt like about the book was that there are alot of things that are happening so it is easy to get confused and lost. I recomend this to people who like mysteries and adventures.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2010
book on tape.
I read it years ago.
Even though I knew the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading/performed by Tom Stechschulte.
Terrific characters. Terrific voice!!!
Audio File wrote of Tom:
"Narrator Profile Tom Stechschulte
A recent reviewer said, "One difference between simply listening and having a listening experience is Tom Stechschulte." Tom seems to inhabit his characters and shares the full power of each with listeners. " Back to me: I heartily recommend listening to any book read by him.
NEW 8-27-10 I had this AGAIN on books on tape to take me to school prior to it opennng. Again, I enjoyed it but I should probably take a break from Veneyard Prey since I'mon the road to memorizing it.
August 27, 2010
I read it years ago.
Even though I knew the beginning, I thoroughly enjoyed the reading/performed by Tom Stechschulte.
Terrific characters. Terrific voice!!!
Audio File wrote of Tom:
"Narrator Profile Tom Stechschulte
A recent reviewer said, "One difference between simply listening and having a listening experience is Tom Stechschulte." Tom seems to inhabit his characters and shares the full power of each with listeners. " Back to me: I heartily recommend listening to any book read by him.
NEW 8-27-10 I had this AGAIN on books on tape to take me to school prior to it opennng. Again, I enjoyed it but I should probably take a break from Veneyard Prey since I'mon the road to memorizing it.
August 27, 2010
August 2, 2015
#16 in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series.
Martha's Vineyard Mystery series - J. W. Jackson, Martha's Vineyard part time detective, looks into the deaths of two islanders seemingly related to the building of a new mansion on Chappaquiddick's cliffs. A subplot involves "The Silencer", who is frying the expensive sound systems blaring top volume rap and rock from vehicles and homes of inconsiderate residents.
Martha's Vineyard Mystery series - J. W. Jackson, Martha's Vineyard part time detective, looks into the deaths of two islanders seemingly related to the building of a new mansion on Chappaquiddick's cliffs. A subplot involves "The Silencer", who is frying the expensive sound systems blaring top volume rap and rock from vehicles and homes of inconsiderate residents.
August 14, 2016
I loved this installment of the series and it confirmed how much I miss the story telling of Philip Craig. J. W. is my kind of guy, romantic, sexy, resourceful, appreciative of his environment, loving and loyal to his family and best of all tough. This was action packed when he realized who dunnit! Violent, graphic- just great!
March 6, 2011
Another J. S. Jackson story. I love how he loves and cares for his family and their great interaction. And yet he is a determined investigator, not put off by anything even being shot at and beaten up.
August 20, 2019
One of my favorite mystery/crime series featuring the multi-talented J.W. Jackson. Former Nam vet & Boston Cop who somehow manages to involve himself in the nefarious doings on Martha's Vineyard while scrambling to make a living doing various mundane chores for wealthy home owners and fishing.
August 4, 2014
A somewhat darker tale than is usual for Mr. Craig. JW finds himself embroiled in a deadly game among professional spooks, but finds the thread that unravels the mystery. Were it not for the violence, the background and coda are suitable for a cosy.
May 17, 2017
Love this series with J. W Jackson on Martha's Vineyard. This book is quick, a fun read that draws you in even though the mystery is simplistic. It's the characters, the food and the atmosphere that gets under your skin. Recommended!
March 13, 2016
Another wonderful story by Philip Craig. This one has a lot intrigue with different branches of the government involved but our hero keeps a low profile. The ending is very exciting and happy. All is well with JW and family.
January 10, 2024
Another good page turner
I greatly enjoyed this part of the mystery series. It was engaging, but not so complicated that you gave up. I am looking forward to the next book in the series
I greatly enjoyed this part of the mystery series. It was engaging, but not so complicated that you gave up. I am looking forward to the next book in the series
March 11, 2008
I enjoy all the Vineyard mystery Series
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews