A Deadly Vineyard Holiday

Martha's Vineyard Mystery #8

by Philip R. Craig

At first, the girl J. W. Jackson encounters strolling alone along South Beach seems like your typical teenager. But there’s nothing typical about young Cricket Callahan, the spirited only daughter of the vacationing President of the United States. Why is the feisty First Kid so intent upon eluding her Secret Service guardians, and why does the President want J.W. and Zee to watch over her? The answer comes in the form of a dead body. Not even executive privilege can shield the President’s daughter from harm unless Jackson roots out a vengeful killer who may be hiding among the President’s most trusted.

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

244 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 7, 1997

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

[Rick Mills · Rating 3 out of 5]

Major characters:

Cricket Callahan a.k.a. Debby Jackson, daughter of the president
Joe & Myra Callahan, the president and first lady
Karen Lea a.k.a. Karen Jackson, Secret Service agent
Walt Pomerlieu, Secret Service agent
Ted Harris, Secret Service agent
Joan Lonergan, Secret Service agent
Jake Spitz, FBI agent
Burt Phillips, writer for a scandal sheet
Kenneth Eppers, a retired spook
Barbara Miller, a retired spook

Locale: Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts

Synopsis: The president, Joe Callahan; first lady, Myra Callahan; and teenage daughter Cricket Callahan are vacationing on Martha's Vineyard. J. W. Jackson encounters Cricket while surf fishing. She is frustrated with the constant surveillance by the Secret Service and wishes to get out by herself. She winds up at J. W.'s house with the Secret Service keeping an eye in the background.

J.W. notices a car stationed at the end of his driveway. It is occupied by Burt Phillips, a writer for a scandal sheet, The National Planet. J. W. flattens his tire to strand him until the authorities can take a look at him. Phillips walks up the drive to the neighboring wildlife refuge, where he is later found dead from a broken neck.

J.W. learns there is concern about a possible attack on Cricket, and it is suspected that one of the Secret Service agents may be in on the plot; and may have been responsible for Phillips' death. This makes returning her to the compound unwise. Cricket changes her appearance and assumes a false identity of Debby Jackson, a cousin; and enjoys some time on the island as an un-famous teenager.

Review: A good adventure if you can suspend disbelief a bit, and envision the Secret Service A). losing track of one of the presidential family, and B). allowing her to stay with unknown J.W. Jackson instead of in the secure compound. The Secret Service agents come off as thugs, and I am sure they are much more professional in dealing with the public than portrayed. I hope so.

Those things aside, a good page-turning read of the "if you can't trust the government, who can you trust?" situation. It is amusing when J.W. learns a presidential visit to his home is imminent. What to do first? Mow the lawn? Shave? Put on clean clothes? Fix something to eat? I read 3/4 of the book in one sitting, only stopping as I was getting sleepy.

PS. There is no particular holiday - as mentioned in the title - involved. Think of holiday meaning "presidential vacation."

[Avid Series Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Deadly Vineyard Holiday by Philip R. Craig is the 8th book in the Martha's Vineyard mystery series set on Martha's Vineyard in the late 20th century. J. W. Jackson is a former Boston PD detective who fled the big-city after being wounded in action. He lives year-round on Martha's Vineyard with his wife Zee. J.W. works independently, primarily fishing, supplementing his meager income with handyman and/or caretaker responsibilities at vacation homes (none in this story). Zee is an ER nurse at the island hospital. They live a simple life in J.W.'s rustic home in the woods, formerly a camping/hunting lodge. J.W. grows his own vegetables and enjoys cooking "Delish" meals with his fresh catch. The author's love for the island is obvious in every book of the series.

While fishing for bluefish on the beach one early morning, J.W. meets a young teenage girl. She's interested in his fishing, so J.W. teaches her how to cast and lets her land one. She takes off suddenly, disappearing from the beach just before a car full of Secret Service types arrives at J.W.'s fishing spot. J.W. resents bullying, so he just states he saw her and she left. Later when he gets home, he finds her stowed away in his vehicle. Big Trouble - she's the president's daughter. J.W. and Zee feed her pancakes and notify her parents and Secret Service she's safe. But Cricket wants to stay with them for an island holiday away from her public life..

Plot twists detail all the complications that ensue while trying to keep her incognito and show her a good time. J.W. wonders what is the big deal, why is she watched so closely...then through contacts from previous cases, J.W. learns about threats made against her. He cleverly outwits the bad guys, keeps her safe, and figures out who sent the threats. All in time to host the president and his wife for a clambake. Recipes included: Stuffed Bluefish, Ritz Scallops, Clams Casino. Enjoy a vicarious island holiday with a relaxed lifestyle. I love this series!

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

While the sense of place and people is still good, the plot is just an implausible and silly mess.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

POTUS and family visit Martha's Vineyard on holiday, but their 16-year-old daughter wants to escape the confines of their secure compound and experience real island life. She befriends JW on the beach and winds up at his home. Meanwhile a reporter for a scandal rag is murdered nearby and JW's car and house are bugged, which leads JW to believe that the daughter is the target of some criminal activity. He hides her and and the female Secret Service agent assigned to be her bodyguard, and they end up having a great time going all over the island. But eventually the gig is up as it turns out to be an inside job - one of the Secret Service agents is on the take.

This is a PG-rated murder mystery, and the murder is not really an integral part of the story. The story is Martha's Vineyard - the island, the beaches, the fishing/clamming, the people, and the landscape. JW always describes what roads he is taking and describes the landscape. When he goes fishing or clamming he takes us there and describes what he does and how he does everything. The part about the president's daughter seems farfetched; would the Secret Service ever allow the daughter of the POTUS to be unaccounted for?

[Rick Silva · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former Boston cop turned professional beach-bum J.W. Jackson meets a teenage girl on a Martha's Vineyard beach, and teaches her some fishing basics. After the girl makes a hasty exit, Jackson is accosted by a group of secret service agents. Turns out, the girl is the daughter of the vacationing (fictional) President of the United States. First-daughter Cricket Callahan just wants a normal vacation out of the spotlight, and JW Jackson and his wife are going to help her have one. In spite of a revenge-minded stalker who might be part of the presidential entourage, and the murder of a tabloid reporter.

A few other reviewers have pointed out that the plot of ludicrous. It is. But in a fairly delightful way. It also stays in pretty cozy territory beyond the requisite one murder, and I was happy that it didn't veer into some of the fairly obvious tropes it seemed to be heading for.

Also, it ends with delicious description of a clambake that brought back some happy memories. Three seafood recipes are included at the end.

This was fun. It avoids getting too deep into politics or too grim, and the characters are likeable and mostly don't take themselves too seriously. The author includes plenty of local flavor with the Marthas Vineyard setting.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to wonder whether other reviewers read the same book I did. The premise was so ridiculous that it colored everything else in the book. The president's daughter, fictitious but clearly based on Chelsea Clinton (to the point of having the same initials), is allowed to stay with relative strangers on Martha's Vineyard. Right. Then she is rendered unrecognizable by a haircut and big glasses. WHAT? On what planet would any first daughter, especially one as famous as Chelsea, not be recognized? MAYBE not by passersby on the street, but certainly by new friends with whom she spent days. The whole set-up was just so silly that the mystery part of the story didn't matter. I enjoyed reading about Martha's Vineyard and the veiled references to John Belushi and Carly Simon, but the plot was boring.
And teenagers don't talk like these did.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straining credulity a bit, but with fun and many twists, this Vineyard mystery has the President of the U.S. vacationing on the Vineyard with his wife and teenage daughter. Can you see the problems already??? J.W. happens across that teenage "escaping" on the beach early one a.m. Well, he covers for her with the Secret Service come shortly after her. Then...he has to keep covering as the plot becomes a little more serious with a dead body, listening devices, a friendly male teenager. AND, there are some recipes included for the sumptious food mentioned in the story! Fun!

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

JW gets dragged into more police work that he really didn't want to do but having morals - he has to protect the President's daughter vacationingon the island, there's talk about the headless horseman that makes him think a murderer is wandering the island or just plain hiding. Two strange men are searching for two ancient soapstone eagles - which pits them against some of the most powerful figures in the Vineyard's art world, who will go at nothing to get what they want. This was an adventrous read, well written and a couldn't put down book! Most enjoyable series!

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer on Martha's Vineyard, a visiting US President with his teenaged daughter, and some disgruntled staff - what could go wrong? This book shares more of the Vineyard towns and lifestyle as our lead character and his wife work to keep the 16 year old daughter of the president of the US safe. With a few surprising twists, this has been one of the fastest moving, most enjoyable books in the series.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent; Continuing character: J. W. Jackson; while fishing one morning, JW is joined by a teenager, who turns out to be the vacationing President's daughter; he arranges to allow her to have a vacation of her own, absent most of her minders, but doesn't count on someone attempting to do her great harm

[bekah_boo_books · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was a nice escape to Martha’s Vineyard, but I wasn’t a huge fan of the story. The dialogue in particular was “off” sometimes. If I see more of his work out in the wild I might pick it up, but I won’t go buying this series on purpose. And now I really want to have the experience of a clam bake..sounds yummy and fun!

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Presidents Daughter gambit.

[Anwnh5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. Makes me want to go visit the island again.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love this mystery series - fun and easy reads!!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just adore this series and these characters. Each book is a lovely little escape.

[T-Roy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book sat for a few years on my TBR pile and I finally chose it, and others, to take to the beach. Great easy beach read.

[Cheryl · Rating 2 out of 5]

Interesting enough that I finished the book. It was written 25 years ago and felt dated and sexist. I did appreciate the humor, but overall, I would not read another book by this author.

[Philip Dolson · Rating 5 out of 5]

J. W. does it again!

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The latest installment in one of my favorite series. This one needed more fishing and cooking, though, I thought.

[Wayne Zurl · Rating 3 out of 5]

A DEADLY VINEYARD HOLIDAY by Philip R. Craig

I like the Martha’s Vineyard mysteries for several reasons. However, this was not my favorite. Rather than another of the series’ cozyish former-Boston-cop-turned-amateur-sleuth stories, this seemed more like a vintage Disney movie—Herbie the Love Bug meets the Secret Service, starring Dean Jones as Jeff Jackson and Annette Funicello playing the lovely Zee.

It begins well enough: Our hero, J.W. “Jeff” Jackson is spending one of his early mornings surf casting and meets a teenage girl. Nothing off-color or sinister here. Then as another 4WD vehicle is seen coming down the beach, the girl disappears. That’s when Jeff meets a platoon of secret Service agents from the President’s executive protective detail who try a Gestapo routine on the ex-cop while looking for the President’s errant daughter.

Unable to find her and unable to strong-arm Jeff into telling them something he doesn’t know, the feds go on their way and Jeff heads home with a cooler full of bluefish, only to find first daughter, Cricket Callahan, hiding under a tarp in the back of his Land Cruiser.

And the story gets more unbelievable from there. Seems that not only has Cricket gotten fed up with her restrictive lifestyle, but the Prez has been receiving death and/or dismemberment threats against his daughter from person or persons unknown. Neither the Secret Service nor the FBI have been able to find the antagonist, but they think it may be a member of the presidential entourage.

So, because Cricket wants to enjoy her holiday on Martha’s Vineyard, everyone agrees to evacuate her from the presidential compound to temporarily live with the Jacksons. Hmmm. From there, we witness a series of mysterious cars following Jeff and/or his wife Zee while Cricket (disguised with a new hairdo, floppy hat, and big glasses) and a very young-looking agent tag along to the beach, the ice cream parlor or other not so terribly secure places. Unfortunately, neither the agent nor Jeff think to contact the Secret Service supervisor to have the cars checked out, get an ID from the plate number, or have a secondary team of mobile agents tail the happy vacationers. I could spend more time leading up to the ending, but I’d rather not.

I will say that after about 200 pages of stretching my suspension of disbelief to the breaking point, Mr. Craig provided several chapters of really tight prose more worthy of his reputation.

But then the ending seemed too convenient with an explanation a bit too contrived. However, it tied things up, the bad guys did not triumph, and all is again tranquil on the Vineyard for Jeff and Zee to go surf fishing, dig clams, rake scallops, and drink beer and martinis on their balcony overlooking Sengekontacket Pond.

Having thoroughly bitched about the literary value of the book, I still found it entertaining because of the setting and Jackson’s nautical pursuits.

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

A DEADLY VINEYARD HOLIDAY - VG
Craig, Philip R.

Cricket, the president's runaway daughter, who has taken up temporary residency with fisherman, cook, and sleuth J.W. Jackson and his wife, Zee, is being stalked by a killer or killers in the Secret Service, and J.W. must protect the vulnerable young girl.

The Martha's Vineyard gives these books a little different feel from other books. The characters work. I really like that J.W. has grown and his life changes with the series. Although I could do without him constantly using the work "delish," I enjoy that the author includes simple reciepes without making the book into cozies. This was one of the best books in the series so far.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

the president is staying on martha vineyard for his vacation. his daughter gets away from her security detail and meets a man on the beach fishing. she then hides in his truck to get away from security. she then convinces her parents to let her stay at the mans house with hsi wife and have a real vacation from the white house - except that some one is after her and the man she is staying with, an ex cop, figures out who it is that is threating her.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Craig has written a good book. It is one of a series and this is the only one that I have read.

This mystery involves the daughter of he President of the United States who just happens to meet the hero of the story on the beach, and then in his truck, and then in his home.

The mysteries go on from there but you will find that it is very readable and interesting.

I enjoyed it.

J. Robert Ewbank, author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Nancy H · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is #8 in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series and is just as good as all its predecessors. In this one, J.W. and Zee become surprise hosts to the daughter of the President of the United States, and have to protect her from someone who is trying to harm her. What makes that even more dangerous is that the attacker could possibly be in the inner circle around the President, but no one knows who the real 'Shadow' is. A quik, easy, and good mystery read.

[Shelbylynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another winner!

I liked that you got a hint of what J.W. and Zee might be like as parents when they watch over Cricket. This one, like the last couple, have kept me guessing. I figured out bits, but I couldn't quite put it all together until almost the end. I'm looking forward to the next book, especially since we will see Zee and J.W. either with their first baby or soon to have that baby.

[Kathie · Rating 5 out of 5]

More interesting than the last one and easier to follow as I knew the characters. A lot of JW in this one and not as much of Zee but really she deserves a break after all she has gone thru in the first couple of books. Ready to start #9. I recommend this series to others. So far I just didn't like one of them.

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#8 in the Martha's Vineyard Mystery series.

Cricket, the president's runaway daughter, who has taken up temporary residency with fisherman, cook, and sleuth J. W. Jackson and his wife, Zee, is being stalked by a killer or killers in the Secret Service, and J. W. must protect the vulnerable young girl.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very quick read that takes place on Martha's Vineyard. A mystery. Don't pay full price but if you see any of Philip Craig's books for cheap, pick one up. There's a ton of them. I really liked it.

[George · Rating 5 out of 5]

Part of the Martha Vineyard mystery series. J.W. Jackson and his wife Zee become involved in a plot to injure the president's daughter while the family is vacationing on the island. JW works to unravel the plot trying to protect the daughter. Lots of twists and turns and an engrossing mystery.

[Pam Bales · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I miss this series. Philip R. Craig wrote a whale of a tale in my opinion. It's family life with a little suspense and murder thrown in on Martha's Vneyard. If you are looking for a great cozy series, give this one a try.