Like a Fish Out of Water

Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard #2

by Janice Thompson

When Priscilla discovers an inscribed World War I sword hidden behind a painting on her bedroom wall, questions abound. Was the sword used as a murder weapon in a generations-old village mystery, one that pitted a local war hero against a young villager? Will the discovery of it cast a negative light on her great-grandfather, who appears to be the chief suspect in the case? Can she prove her ancestor’s innocence without turning the whole island against her?
Priscilla narrows the large number of suspects until the real perpetrator is revealed. Along the way, she learns more about her great grandfather’s heroism during the Great War and comes to the realization that some battles are worth fighting, no matter how difficult.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Christian Fiction, Murder Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

Published January 1, 2017

About the author

Welcome to the wacky, wonderful world of inspirational author Janice Hanna Thompson, where romantic comedy rules the day! I hope you love to laugh, because I make it my goal to tickle your funny bone at every turn in my light-hearted tales.

Whether you’re looking for inspirational romance, quirky cozy mysteries, light-hearted historicals or fun books for younger readers, you will find it here. You will also find an abundance of non-fiction books, guaranteed to ease life’s burdens.

Why do I focus on the light-hearted stuff? Because life is hard! My readers lead busy, chaotic lives and need those special “Calgon, Take Me Away!” moments! Providing “Love, Laughter and Happily Ever Afters” brings me great delight. Lest you think it’s all fluff, think again!

Woven between the lines of each cheerful tale you will find the ultimate love story, one guaranteed to stir your soul and get your heart fluttering. Talk about a real happily ever after! There’s something for everyone on my site, so settle back in your chair, grab a cup of Earl Grey tea, and get ready to discover a light-hearted approach to life!

Reviews

[Glen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Priscilla has moved to Martha's Vineyard from Kansas. She inherited a lighthouse and the quarters for it. She's starting to settle in, when she finds a sword in a secret niche behind a wall. It belonged to her great-grandfather, and was the murder weapon in a killing long ago.

Finding the sword stirs up all kinds of controversy in the permanent residents, and Priscilla tries to figure out what actually happened, to put an end to the ill feelings.

Sort of like a middle aged Nancy Drew. There is no violence or anything. Sorry, bondage freaks, nobody gets tied up, either.

Sort of like easy listening in print.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book started out slow but did pick up about half way through. Priscilla finds a WWI sword behind a picture on her wall. She finds out that the sword may have been used in a murder almost a decade ago. The living relatives and great grand children are up in arms when their ancestor is suspected and the town becomes divided before Priscilla figures it out. She is also having major remodeling done on her home.

[Lindsey (Books for Christian Girls) · Rating 4 out of 5]

About this book:

“When Priscilla discovers an inscribed World War I sword hidden behind a painting on her bedroom wall, questions abound. Was the sword used as a murder weapon in a generations-old village mystery, one that pitted a local war hero against a young villager? Will the discovery of it cast a negative light on her great-grandfather, who appears to be the chief suspect in the case? Can she prove her ancestor’s innocence without turning the whole island against her?
Priscilla narrows the large number of suspects until the real perpetrator is revealed. Along the way, she learns more about her great grandfather’s heroism during the Great War and comes to the realization that some battles are worth fighting, no matter how difficult.”


Series: Book #2 in the “Mysteries of Martha’s Vineyard” series. Review of #1 Here!


Spiritual Content- Scriptures are read, remembered, thought over, & talked about; Prayers; Bible reading; Church going; Talks about God & praying; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Mentions of God; Mentions of prayers & praying; Mentions of Bibles & Bible reading; Mentions of churches, church going, choirs, pastors/preachers, & sermons; Mentions of Christians, godly men, & being saved; A few mentions of thanking God; A few mentions of those & events in the Bible; A few mentions of blessings; A couple mentions of a youth group’s mission trip; A couple mentions of saints; A mention of a miracle.


Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a form of ‘sissy’; Some eye rolling; Many mentions of a (rumored) murder, murderer, how it happened, & the bloody weapon (barely-above-not-detailed to boarder-line semi-detailed); Many mentions of gossip & rumors; Mentions of wars, fighting, wounds, & deaths/killing (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of a fire & deaths of parents and horses; Mentions of crimes & crime scenes; Mentions of dreams about battles & bloodshed; Mentions of a stolen item; Mentions of gambling, gambling dens, & debts; Mentions of drinking; Mentions of lies & lying; A few mentions of a husband leaving his wife; A few mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of suicide possibilities;
*Note: Mentions of actresses, celebrities, & movies.


Sexual Content- Many mentions of an out of wedlock pregnancy, dating, cheating, breakups, girlfriends, boyfriends, having a fling, & crushes; A few mentions of a married and engaged couples kissing & touching;
*Note: Mentions of wondering if a woman passed away in labor; A couple mentions of a woman’s curvy figure; A couple mentions of butting out of a conversation.

-Priscilla Grant
P.O.V. of Priscilla
272 pages

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star (and a half)
Early High School Teens- Three Stars
Older High School Teens- Four Stars
My personal Rating- Four Stars
While this book does deal with many mentions of a murder plus an out-of-wedlock pregnancy, it’s still very clean in the details. All of those parts are just said like facts—and in this fictional world, they are facts.
I definitely enjoyed this one more than the first book of the series, but I’m positive that’s because this one had some Janice Thompson humor and comments in it. So while it is about a 100 year old murder, it has some moments that lighten the plot up a bit. I’ll admit that I got lost a few times with who’s-who and how everyone is related, but I was able to follow along and found the entire book to be a good read. :)

Link to review:
https://booksforchristiangirls.blogsp...


*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.

[Rebecca (booksandbreggs) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another clean mystery...filled with more creme horns and pastries. 4/5 stars.

[Sheila Samuelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: 5 Stars!!
Review:
Even tho this is only Book 2 that ive read in this series, im really loving it.

The Characters are still so interesting and intriguing to read about. Pricilla is still my favorite and i still love how devoted she is to finding out The Mystery behind certain artifacts found around Martha's Vineyard.

The Setting was beautifully described which made me feel like i was actually in Martha's Vineyard while reading, especially when the scenery was described.

Overall Another Phenomenally Enjoyable and Intriguing Story in this Christian Cozy Mystery Series!! Can't wait to read more in this series in the future!!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good writing, developed characters and good pace. I found the book to be engaging and enjoyable to read. I will post my review soon.

[Morgan's Endless Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the mystery here, and the community was really great. And I did guess part of the ending a little early. Also loved the resolution.

[Melanie · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 70%, I just can’t.

[Pat · Rating 4 out of 5]

A sword in the wall behind a picture sparks Priscilla interest in a new mystery that divides the town.

[Read-n-Bloom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this #2 book in the Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard. Priscilla finds a sword behind a painting in the wall of her family cottage and it starts a whole new mystery to solve. It's well written. It's what I call a cozy mystery. I really like these types of mysteries. I like, again, that it's clean. No vulgar or profane language or activity. So my Christian friends will love this one, I believe.

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun installment in the Guideposts' Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard series. Priscilla Latham Grant discovers a World War I sword in a secret hiding place within her home. Little does she know that it is suspected of being a murder weapon in a case that has gone unsolved for a century. Anxious to clear her family's name, she's got to investigate the clues before the town becomes divided over the issue of who the murderer was.

It's a great summer read, and very highly recommended.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

#2 in the Mysteries of Martha's Vineyard by Guidepost. Excellent reading, low key but keeps your interest from page one. In trying to find out about the cottage Priscilla inherited she finds interesting history related to her family and the surrounding community.

[April · Rating 2 out of 5]

I discovered this book on the new arrivals shelf at the library. I was intrigued by the title, and I love a good mystery. I also love the small town ambiance. And this book had all of those things. It wasn't bad. I read it, and it was enjoyable enough, but I could have also easily put it down and never wandered what really happened. It was just kind of meh. Bland. Fell flat. The characters are believable, and interesting, but not very compelling. Sort of one-dimensional. And the plot is interesting, but not compelling. I felt mild curiosity, but not a deep longing to know how it ends. I liked this book, but I didn't love it. I wouldn't not recommend it, but I really wouldn't recommend it either because there's a host of better books out there.

Priscila is a recently widowed woman who gave up her farm in the Midwest to move to a cottage she inherited on Martha's Vineyard. Being new to town, she's still trying to get to know people and make friends in town, but she stirs up a hornet's nest when she unravels a mystery in her own home. In the wee hours of the morning, Priscila decides to take down a painting of a sword in her bedroom that she hates, only to discover that it conceals a secret trap door and that there is an actual sword just like the one in the painting hidden there. It turns out to belong to her great-great grandfather, and was suspected of being a murder weapon in a decades old murder that was never solved. Grandfather is a suspect, but unfortunately, so are many others in town, and when Priscilla begins to start to solve the case, she ruffles a lot of feathers and stirs up a lot of resentment in town. Can Priscilla discover what really happened and clear her great great grandfather's name once and for all? And more importantly, can she repair all the relationships her investigation has damaged? Read Like A Fish Out of Water to find out.

[Hanna McGehee · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book starts off slow and can be a bit confusing and repetitive at times (especially if you haven’t read the first book, which I haven’t). Overall, the mystery is good, the characters and unique and interact well and it’s a good read.
The confusion and repetition is likely responsible for the slow pace in the first act of the book. Again, I haven’t read the first book so the random introduction of Gary without explanation of who he is was jarring, but 50 pages in we get more information. Additionally, it feels like the same conversation about the sword is repeated numerous times in the first 100 pages. After Priscilla visits the cliffs the story picks up and the mystery goes from being talked about to solved.
The Christian worldview is evident and this is the epitome of inspirational fiction. It’s a good read, but the first few chapters require patience!

[Virginia Henderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an enjoyable read! Everything about this series is starting to grow on me: the beautiful setting, the colorful characters. The mysteries really draw you in. And I can prove that this is a good book with realistic characters, because for some time I was furious at one in particular. *Cough-Tilly-Cough*

I love a good mystery that keeps you guessing and this one certainly did. I believe the author orchestrated the ending perfectly and tied up all the loose ends. Loved the happy ending! I've already started book 3 and am so excited to see what trouble Priscilla finds herself in next time.

[Jo Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not exactly sure what the title has to do with the story--Priscilla discovers a sword hidden in her bedroom wall and learns it might have been used as a murder weapon in 1919. As she and her cousins try and solve the hundred year mystery, the locals whose long-dead relatives are on Priscilla's suspects list go to war against her.
Priscilla also learns that the cottage is a money pit and needs extensive work. How to pay for it? Sell the sword? Sell her farm in Kansas? Is she going to remain on Martha's Vineyard? Read the book to find out!
Oh, and I was pleased that her nagging, whiner daughter was mostly silent in this book.

[Gayle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Second in the Martha Vineyard Series. I had a little trouble keeping track of great great grandfathers, great uncle, etc., but otherwise a very enjoyable book. I'm usually into murder mysteries, so these are always a welcome change.

Priscilla Grant has found a sword in her bedroom wall and goes in search of its origin. Her cousins assist and in the process she starts to alienate every in town who is accusing her of accusing their ancestors of the murder of a man 100 years ago. In the process she builds a stronger relationship with her cousins and her Coast Guard Captain neighbor-Gerald O'Bannon. I can see a romance developing there.

[Patsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story takes place in Martha's Vineyard, a light mystery with a murder case over 100 year ago that was never solved. Priscilla finds a sword in the old house and it turn into a mystery that she and her cousins try to solve. Numerous town characters are also involved in trying to solve the problem. The book is entertaining and interesting the location and the characters were well defined. I liked the storyline and the settings were well written. This is a mystery with family history, inspirational, and a few laughs. I would recommend this book to anyone.

[MARY · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did enjoy reading this book. Priscilla cleared not just her Great-Grandfather but several other people, she also re-establish some friendships, found a piece of family history in her little cottage. She also has to go ahead and start to do the repairs on the out side of the cottage sooner than she wants too. Some where along the line I hope her and Gerald the Coast Guard Captain fall in love but I will just have to keep reading and see if I am right. I do like reading this series of books.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story was more fun than the first one. Overall, the characters were more likeable this time around. Also, the mystery was better, more interesting in this book. The setting and cover were as beautiful as the first book, and the food sounded just as delicious.

[Christy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another nice read from the vineyard. The history element to this one could be a little confusing at times with all the names. I do wish authors could embrace the writing better for older characters; instead of trying so hard to modernize them. I was hoping for a more genuine feel from Guideposts.

[Emily Prior · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75/5 stars

I liked this journey and another mystery for Priscilla to find. I like that there are the same characters and surching with history family characters too, I love that the end to get about with chicken's too!

[Melmo2610 · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always love a new to me story from Janice. She is a longtime favorite of mine and her stories never disappoint. This was a fun read, I liked the mystery and it had several surprises in the end. This series is charming and will be one I thoroughly enjoy.

[Janet Donath · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a perfect book for a lazy weekend read.

[Michelle Gregoire · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good read! Being a former resident of Cape Cod and visitor to the Islands this book brought me right back like I was there again. Easy read makes me want t to go back for a visit.

[Alisha · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.85

[Marilyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love reading about women starting over in life, especially with the help of their families. Oh the possibilities!

[Rosemary Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little slower to get into then the last one, but don't give up it does get better and has a wonderful ending.

[Alexjandro · Rating 3 out of 5]

its good so far

[Jenell Klinedinst · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book was good, fast easy read. Not graphic, but was a 100 year old murder. Looking forward to the third book.