What do you think?
Rate this book
Martha's Vineyard Mystery #1
A Beautiful Place to Die
Former cop and Vietnam vet Jeff Jackson's quiet life casting for bluefish on Martha's Vineyard is interrupted when his fishing partner's son is almost killed in a mysterious boat explosion, prompting him to investigate
211 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1989
399 people are currently reading
1488 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews
April 11, 2023
So I think I know the vibe that Philip was going for. I think he was aiming for James Lee Burke. You know, ex cop, atmospheric setting (regional! almost a character itself!), a man’s man who hunts and fishes, a good (regional!) cook, has an eye for good looking women.
That vibe.
Except Phil falls short.
Comes off as a little misogynistic. A bit racist here and there. Very 1989 I guess.
This series was recommended to me by someone that has usually not steered me wrong. Also I wanted to start reading some cozy mysteries that had recipes. Maybe do some cooking (shhhhhh ~ I know I am bad at cooking /: you don’t have to eat it). So maybe I will try the next one.
Maybe.
I did put Philip’s cookbook on hold at the library.
That vibe.
Except Phil falls short.
Comes off as a little misogynistic. A bit racist here and there. Very 1989 I guess.
This series was recommended to me by someone that has usually not steered me wrong. Also I wanted to start reading some cozy mysteries that had recipes. Maybe do some cooking (shhhhhh ~ I know I am bad at cooking /: you don’t have to eat it). So maybe I will try the next one.
Maybe.
I did put Philip’s cookbook on hold at the library.
February 27, 2023
5 stars for the nostalgia. I grew up in a fishing village, walking distance from the beach. Now I live 3200’ up on a West Virginia mountain. Philip Craig transported me many miles and many years.
March 13, 2023
When a boat blows up off Martha's Vineyard, a Vietnam Vet ex-cop investigates. Predictable from the first page. Very smug.
November 6, 2011
First Line: The alarm went off at three-thirty.
During his years as a Boston cop, Jeff "J.W." Jackson got a bellyful of seeing the evil that people do to one another, so when he decided to retire, he bought a place on Martha's Vineyard. Now he spends his time working out in his garden, fishing, cooking, and getting to know a new nurse on the island.
When a local's boat explodes off the coast, killing a well-liked young man, Jackson finds himself being drawn into the investigation. His island sanctuary is being poisoned with drugs and death, and he's determined to do something about it.
Philip R. Craig has a deceptively smooth writing style that drew me right into the story, and J.W. Jackson's self-deprecatory sense of humor put me in his cheering section immediately.
The strength of this book is the depiction of the life and the people of Martha's Vineyard. I could smell the salt air and hear the cry of the gulls wheeling overhead. Between J.W. and island life, I almost didn't notice that the plot was rather thin and had practically no tension. In the case of A Beautiful Place to Die, this didn't really matter because I enjoyed the background so much.
In many ways, this first book in the series seems to have been written as the foundation for all the books to come. While some series start off with grabbing you by the throat and filling in the details later, Craig starts his by telling us, "This is where everything happens. Here's the guy you want to pay close attention to, and here are his neighbors. Come back tomorrow, and I'll tell you a story or two about what goes on here."
I look forward to coming back for more stories.
During his years as a Boston cop, Jeff "J.W." Jackson got a bellyful of seeing the evil that people do to one another, so when he decided to retire, he bought a place on Martha's Vineyard. Now he spends his time working out in his garden, fishing, cooking, and getting to know a new nurse on the island.
When a local's boat explodes off the coast, killing a well-liked young man, Jackson finds himself being drawn into the investigation. His island sanctuary is being poisoned with drugs and death, and he's determined to do something about it.
Philip R. Craig has a deceptively smooth writing style that drew me right into the story, and J.W. Jackson's self-deprecatory sense of humor put me in his cheering section immediately.
The strength of this book is the depiction of the life and the people of Martha's Vineyard. I could smell the salt air and hear the cry of the gulls wheeling overhead. Between J.W. and island life, I almost didn't notice that the plot was rather thin and had practically no tension. In the case of A Beautiful Place to Die, this didn't really matter because I enjoyed the background so much.
In many ways, this first book in the series seems to have been written as the foundation for all the books to come. While some series start off with grabbing you by the throat and filling in the details later, Craig starts his by telling us, "This is where everything happens. Here's the guy you want to pay close attention to, and here are his neighbors. Come back tomorrow, and I'll tell you a story or two about what goes on here."
I look forward to coming back for more stories.
May 23, 2012
The guy made a living writing and living on Martha's Vinyard. And he can cook. And shoot. And he marries the girl of his dreams. And she can shoot. And they raise kids. I love the Vinyard.
Read
September 14, 2022This is SUCH a good series! And there are lots of them! I read all of them long ago when they first came out. They just get better and better as the characters develop and new ones are added. Highly recommend.
March 5, 2009
A BEAUTIFUL PLACE TO DIE (Unl. Inv.-J.W. Jackson-Martha's Vineyard, MA-Cont) - G
Craig, Philip R - 1st in series
From Fantastic Fiction: During his career as a Boston cop, Jeff "J. W." Jackson saw enough of the evil that men do to last a lifetime. So he retired to the serenity of Martha's Vineyard to spend his days fishing for blues and wooing a sexy nurse named Zee. But when a local's boat mysteriously explodes off the coast, killing an amiable young drifter, Jackson finds himself reluctantly drawn back into the investigative trade. For there is a serpent loose in paradise -- and it's contaminating Jackson's lovely, peaceful island with its poisonous venom of drugs and death.
I love the setting of Martha's Vineyard. The plot is fairly light. I do enjoy that the character loves to cook and is an ex-cop, which gives a bit more weight.
Craig, Philip R - 1st in series
From Fantastic Fiction: During his career as a Boston cop, Jeff "J. W." Jackson saw enough of the evil that men do to last a lifetime. So he retired to the serenity of Martha's Vineyard to spend his days fishing for blues and wooing a sexy nurse named Zee. But when a local's boat mysteriously explodes off the coast, killing an amiable young drifter, Jackson finds himself reluctantly drawn back into the investigative trade. For there is a serpent loose in paradise -- and it's contaminating Jackson's lovely, peaceful island with its poisonous venom of drugs and death.
I love the setting of Martha's Vineyard. The plot is fairly light. I do enjoy that the character loves to cook and is an ex-cop, which gives a bit more weight.
July 30, 2017
J.W. Jackson is a former, slightly disabled cop who now lives in Martha's Vineyard. A fishing boat explodes and the sister of J.W.'s family friends believe it wasn't an accident. Out of the business for a while J.W. promises Susie he will do some digging. This is the first "Martha's Vineyard Mystery Introducing Jeff Jackson" and I really enjoy it. I love J.W.'s character and his developing romance with Zee. It really makes me want to vacation there!
May 19, 2019
Glad to find this series, based on a recommendation on a Sunday book thread I follow. Reminds me a bit of the Spenser books - manly, but sensitive deep down, protagonist. Lovely setting. I figured the killer out in this one, but it was still a good story. And with characters that I am interested in following. Yay for a new, to me, mystery series. Even if they *don't* have them at my library.
April 12, 2018
I'm a Cape Cod gal (in part), so this series is making me very nostalgic. Like Tapply's Brady Coyne, Jackson spends a lot of time fishing and drinking beer, so kick back in your lawn chair with a growler. Lots of fun and well-plotted.
April 6, 2025
This is my second reading of this novel set on Martha's Vineyard. A Beautiful Place to Die sets the stage for readers to appreciate Philip R. Craig's first in an enduring mystery series.
Even though it was originally published in 1989, the story does not appear to be dated. Protagonist J.W. Jackson is a former Boston policeman who was forced into early retirement after being shot in the line of duty.
Five years later, with a bullet still lodged in his back, he lives in a cabin he inherited from his father. J.W. soon becomes an avid bluefish fisherman.
When a fellow fisherman, wildly casting into the surf, catches him and not a fish, J.W. decides to have a "talk" with him. One problem: "he" is a beautiful woman named Zee. Instead of getting into a fight, he teaches her how to properly cast out a line. And so a romance begins.
One problem arises to slow down the budding romance: a murder takes place. Almost everyone thinks it was an accident. The exception is a young girl who becomes his client.
Very well written, the tale turns dangerous when a persistent killer comes after J.W.
Read this book and see how J.W. manages to survive and live to get the girl in this clever book laced with humor and action along the way.
Even though it was originally published in 1989, the story does not appear to be dated. Protagonist J.W. Jackson is a former Boston policeman who was forced into early retirement after being shot in the line of duty.
Five years later, with a bullet still lodged in his back, he lives in a cabin he inherited from his father. J.W. soon becomes an avid bluefish fisherman.
When a fellow fisherman, wildly casting into the surf, catches him and not a fish, J.W. decides to have a "talk" with him. One problem: "he" is a beautiful woman named Zee. Instead of getting into a fight, he teaches her how to properly cast out a line. And so a romance begins.
One problem arises to slow down the budding romance: a murder takes place. Almost everyone thinks it was an accident. The exception is a young girl who becomes his client.
Very well written, the tale turns dangerous when a persistent killer comes after J.W.
Read this book and see how J.W. manages to survive and live to get the girl in this clever book laced with humor and action along the way.
August 31, 2021
A good summer read, if you are a fan of Martha's Vineyard you will enjoy this mystery series. a friend recommended this author, Philip R Craig and it didn't disappoint.
August 7, 2018
While I enjoyed picturing the bits of the island that were mentioned even though this book is almost 30 years old (like me!...oh shit...) the mystery genre has never been a favorite of mine. It always has the potential to really be something but it's normally not much of anything. The majority of this book was about fishing and a awkward flirting as well as old timey 'oh golly gee whiz!". It was amusing but ended abruptly.
March 4, 2023
Really good story, fast read
February 18, 2021
Definitely not the Hallmark version! A different look at J.W and Zee. Good read
December 28, 2011
This is the first book in the Martha's Vineyard's Mystery series by Philip R. Craig. I discovered this series at my local library and although I'm not very familiar with Martha's Vineyard itself, I love reading about my home state of Massachusetts.
This story was darker than I expected, but still very readable. It had a bit of a Spenser vibe to it, if Spenser had retired to Martha's Vineyard to fish. Perhaps it's just the Massachusetts connection...
In any case, I liked the characters and I enjoyed the story. The sheer amount of narrative that focused on what J.W. was making for dinner seemed a bit much, but I love seafood (especially from New England) and it made me hungry. We just got our fill of New England seafood over Thanksgiving (steamers, lobster, etc.), but I'm getting a craving for some more.
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read and I will certainly look for more of these mysteries at my local library.
new word: enow, swain
interesting quote:
"Chesterton argued that children, being innocent, prefer justice, while adults, being sinners, prefer love." (p. 203)
This story was darker than I expected, but still very readable. It had a bit of a Spenser vibe to it, if Spenser had retired to Martha's Vineyard to fish. Perhaps it's just the Massachusetts connection...
In any case, I liked the characters and I enjoyed the story. The sheer amount of narrative that focused on what J.W. was making for dinner seemed a bit much, but I love seafood (especially from New England) and it made me hungry. We just got our fill of New England seafood over Thanksgiving (steamers, lobster, etc.), but I'm getting a craving for some more.
Overall, it was a quick, enjoyable read and I will certainly look for more of these mysteries at my local library.
new word: enow, swain
interesting quote:
"Chesterton argued that children, being innocent, prefer justice, while adults, being sinners, prefer love." (p. 203)
July 24, 2013
Nice light cozy featuring an ex-cop who becomes involved in a drug-related murder on Martha's Vineyard. He and his nurse girlfriend track down a killer, then become the prey when the killer turns on them. I like the simple writing style. It's straightforward and relaxed, with some light humor. J.W. is an avid fisherman, so there's a lot of talk about that, especially when he meets his girlfriend at the beach as she tries to learn how to cast. I will definitely continue with this series.
February 23, 2024
Interesting and quick read. Was written before the time of cell phones so they still had to be creative when faced with troubles. Not my usual cozy mystery. Look forward to reading the other 18 in this series.
Read this book for the second time before passing in to my brother who loves to go fly fishing. A fun read
Read this book for the second time before passing in to my brother who loves to go fly fishing. A fun read
May 28, 2011
I loved this first book in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery. I am not a fan of fishing but even this book made it seem easy and fun. Lots of ideas on how to cook things too. I can hardly wait until the next one. I have it, but will start it next month sometime.
July 24, 2011
The setting (Martha's Vineyard) is attractive but the characters are one dimensional. Too much description of the protagonist's fishing "business" and female characters are very thinly drawn. Would not continue to read this mystery series.
June 3, 2024
interesting mystery — I liked most of the puzzle pieces, which the author dealt with quickly (only 211 pages). however, LOTS of fishing content. like, too much fishing content.
June 1, 2023
Like many people, I'm sure, I discovered this author via the Hallmark Channel series of the same name. Comments about the series (it doesn't follow the books, complained about to varying degrees, for one) piqued my interest to find out what was different. And I assumed the books would be significantly better because a book has a lot more room to explore a character's background and motivation.
In some ways, this was true. In others, it wasn't. To avoid any hint of spoilers, I'm going to hide the next part of my review.
One thing I didn't like was the constant beer drinking, practically from morning til night. And it never seemed to impair his behavior.
I liked this book well enough to go on to the second in the series, which I'll start reading later this month.
In some ways, this was true. In others, it wasn't. To avoid any hint of spoilers, I'm going to hide the next part of my review.
One thing I didn't like was the constant beer drinking, practically from morning til night. And it never seemed to impair his behavior.
I liked this book well enough to go on to the second in the series, which I'll start reading later this month.
January 12, 2022
About 20 years ago I read several books in this series and loved them. I decided finally to go back and read the first which is very good.
J. W. Jackson is a retired Boston policeman who lives on Martha's Vineyard, gardening, fishing, and cooking (mostly seafood). Early in the book he goes to fish bluefish, and Zee Madieras is already there trying to learn to fish before others get there. J. W. asks her if she wants him to teach her, and he does. Meanwhile, his fishing friend George Martin arrives with his daughter, Susie. His son Billy and friend Jim are taking a last boat ride before Jim goes home to Utah. As they watch, the boat comes into view and then explodes. Billy was sitting on the bow and is rescued, but Jim went down with the boat. When George sees the explosion, he has a heart attack. Fortunately, Zee is a nurse and she goes to George while Jackson calls emergency.
The son, Billy, and drug problems as a teenager, and he was sent to sent to a special place to get clean. However, it seems he is now selling drugs at Brown to earn money, although at first it isn't clear how he gets them. Jackson begins doing some investigating even though he thought he was done with it. At the same time, he's falling in love with Zee. He learns a little too much, and someone is chasing him with a gun! I'll stop here not to spoil the story!
J. W. Jackson is a retired Boston policeman who lives on Martha's Vineyard, gardening, fishing, and cooking (mostly seafood). Early in the book he goes to fish bluefish, and Zee Madieras is already there trying to learn to fish before others get there. J. W. asks her if she wants him to teach her, and he does. Meanwhile, his fishing friend George Martin arrives with his daughter, Susie. His son Billy and friend Jim are taking a last boat ride before Jim goes home to Utah. As they watch, the boat comes into view and then explodes. Billy was sitting on the bow and is rescued, but Jim went down with the boat. When George sees the explosion, he has a heart attack. Fortunately, Zee is a nurse and she goes to George while Jackson calls emergency.
The son, Billy, and drug problems as a teenager, and he was sent to sent to a special place to get clean. However, it seems he is now selling drugs at Brown to earn money, although at first it isn't clear how he gets them. Jackson begins doing some investigating even though he thought he was done with it. At the same time, he's falling in love with Zee. He learns a little too much, and someone is chasing him with a gun! I'll stop here not to spoil the story!
February 8, 2022
It’s summer on Martha’s Vineyard. The June tourists are in evidence everywhere, and the bluefish are biting. Former Boston cop J.W. Jackson dreams of days like these; these days are the reason he came to the vineyard. Hoping to be the first to catch a bluefish for the season, he arrives at his usual parking place only to find it occupied. The woman is sadly incompetent at the craft of fishing, but Jackson gives her the rudimentary lessons she needs to land the first bluefish of the season. She’s a nurse at the local hospital. After the two of them combine their catches to sell to the local fish market, they drive to another location nearby where they watch in horror as a boat explodes.
The boat owner’s daughter draws a reluctant Jackson into an investigation of the explosion. Whoever demolished that boat nearly killed her brother, and another passenger died before medical help arrived.
Jackson’s reluctant investigation takes him into the seedier part of Martha’s Vineyard, and the answer he ultimately arrives at endangers his life not once, but twice.
This is also a great book because you get to see how Jackson and the woman who would become his wife in future books come together the first time. It’s a lovely story very much worth visiting for the first time or revisiting if you haven’t read the series in a while.
The boat owner’s daughter draws a reluctant Jackson into an investigation of the explosion. Whoever demolished that boat nearly killed her brother, and another passenger died before medical help arrived.
Jackson’s reluctant investigation takes him into the seedier part of Martha’s Vineyard, and the answer he ultimately arrives at endangers his life not once, but twice.
This is also a great book because you get to see how Jackson and the woman who would become his wife in future books come together the first time. It’s a lovely story very much worth visiting for the first time or revisiting if you haven’t read the series in a while.
February 26, 2020
A good, easy read. If you're looking for a page-turner this book starts off a little on the slow side but still engaging. The pace slowly escalates as Jeff (a.k.a JW) helps the MVPD with the investigation. The last 50-75 pages are of the page-turner variety.
I found the main character Jeff, a "retired" Boston detective, a likable character so setting up his social circle of friends/community, friends, and the descriptive narrative of fishing/clamming on Martha's Vinyard entertaining. The book isn't what I would describe as dark and overbearing.
I'm still looking for a replacement for Robert B. Parker's Spenser/Hawk/Susan characters in terms of complexity and the dynamics of their relationships but this isn't it. I will give the next book in the series a read.
I found the main character Jeff, a "retired" Boston detective, a likable character so setting up his social circle of friends/community, friends, and the descriptive narrative of fishing/clamming on Martha's Vinyard entertaining. The book isn't what I would describe as dark and overbearing.
I'm still looking for a replacement for Robert B. Parker's Spenser/Hawk/Susan characters in terms of complexity and the dynamics of their relationships but this isn't it. I will give the next book in the series a read.
August 12, 2023
I gave this book 3 stars, and I feel guilty because it is kinda better than that, say 3 1/2 stars. It is kind of a guy book, but TBH the protagonist is a guy, sooooo. It was a pretty darned good mystery thriller, and there was fishing in it so that’s good, not boring fishing, the fun kind. I saw the plot twist waaayyyy before the protagonist got it, and we don’t see anything that he doesn’t see. BTW, I really like Jeff (JW), but I thought he was much older than he actually is. So, it’s a good book, good characters, great location, appropriately tangled plot. A satisfying read. I’ll read more in the series. Oh! The food described in it was mouth watering!
July 12, 2017
The first book in a murder mystery series set on Martha's Vineyard, MA. Martha's Vineyard is one of my favorite places. The descriptions in the story were enough to take me back and I could visualize the locations where the action transpired. The main character, JW Jackson, was formerly a Boston MA cop who, after having been shot, was no longer able to do that job. Instead he's a fisherman. But he just can't let go of investigating and after he witnesses a boat explode, he's driven to solve the case. The book is a fun, light read that entertained me on a rainy day. Enjoy!
July 14, 2020
A friend who knows I am partial to mysteries set in New England gave me this one. A Beautiful Place to Die is the first in a long series set in Martha's Vineyard and featuring the retired Boston cop, J.W. Jackson. It was well crafted, featuring what appears to be authentic details of life on the Vineyard. There was enough discussion of surf casting for blues to make me want to take the next ferry over! Since this is the first in a series, i didn't feel too bad when I finished it - there are more! Lots more!
October 24, 2020
Maybe 3.5.
I liked it - it seemed the right level of gritty. It had a good pace, plausible dialogue, and distinctive but not farfetched characters. The breaks to marvel over food and fishing were not too distracting & “added to the ambiance”.
About the only thing that miffed me a tad was that the reader had figured out whodunnit, but there were about 20-30 pages left in the novel. Turns out, it took that long to tie up most of the loose ends (but not all - life doesn’t work that way, after all).
I look forward to more from this series.
I liked it - it seemed the right level of gritty. It had a good pace, plausible dialogue, and distinctive but not farfetched characters. The breaks to marvel over food and fishing were not too distracting & “added to the ambiance”.
About the only thing that miffed me a tad was that the reader had figured out whodunnit, but there were about 20-30 pages left in the novel. Turns out, it took that long to tie up most of the loose ends (but not all - life doesn’t work that way, after all).
I look forward to more from this series.
May 25, 2021
An easy read with a likeable MC. I consider this one pretty close to a cozy mystery, although there is some violence entailed.
But my favorite aspect of this first novel in a series is the developing relationship of J.W. and Zee. Their witty bantering is enjoyable and shows two mature (not old, just not young...) individuals that are comfortable in their own skins and slowly finding that they relish each others company.
The mystery in the book was interesting and the glimpse of life on Martha's Vineyard among the not-rich was refreshing. I'll be reading the next in the series.
But my favorite aspect of this first novel in a series is the developing relationship of J.W. and Zee. Their witty bantering is enjoyable and shows two mature (not old, just not young...) individuals that are comfortable in their own skins and slowly finding that they relish each others company.
The mystery in the book was interesting and the glimpse of life on Martha's Vineyard among the not-rich was refreshing. I'll be reading the next in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 143 reviews