A Case of Vineyard Poison

Rating:
Summary: Like the rest of his books
Review: Craig's biggest downfall is the third-rate dialogue he employs. It's often trite and unrealistic, I criticism I noted in another review of one of his books. The storyline is actually better in this book than in others. There's an unexpected twist that throws you at the end, which makes it better reading than Craig's other works. As with his other "Martha's Vineyard Mysteries," the story centers on another adventure with retired Boston cop (and Vineyard resident), J.W. Jackson. He finds a dead girl in his driveway, and goes about solving her murder. There are subplots that don't really add to the story, and as I said above, the dialogue is crap. I'm sure the reason I keep reading Craig's books is that if you are a Vineyarder (as I am), there are few better ways to conjure up images of the island than his books. His descriptions of such things as the traffic jams and night life on the Vineyard are incredibly realistic and offer a respite to someone like me who only gets to spend a week or two per year on the island. Non-Vineyarders would do better to find something else.

Rating:
Summary: Certainly knows the lay of the Island!!
Review: Excellent character in JW Jackson. Also Zee, his wife. Having known the author and his wife, I see a lot of both of them in the characters portrayed in all his books. Congratulations on another winner!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent light reading
Review: JW Jackson is an excellent character. Find the first four books in the series and enjoy. Martha's Vineyard sounds interesting and the lifestyle of the characters makes good reading. Find them and those that follow and enjoy.

Rating:
Summary: Best read with Vineyard sand in your shoes
Review: OK, the "Vineyard" series does not represent great literature. However, that's not the point about these 'atmospheric' novels is it? You read these kind of books while you're on the Cape or to bring you mentally back to the place. This one has a better plot that the others I have read in the series but the dialogue remains the weak point. Enough with the fishing and the traffic jams too, please. All in all, since we go to the Cape every year, this series is a fun read for me. However, if you want read a good series with excellent dialogue and a strong sense of place, find one of the Dibdin novels. They are set in Italy and they are wonderful.

Rating:
Summary: murder, poison, herbology
Review: there is death in the air in marthas vineyard this mystery is filled with money laundering murder and enough humor and romance to satisfy any reader . One of Craigs best so far I'm reading thie series in order. Good reading took me 3 days to finish it!!!

Rating:
Summary: Mystery or fishing story
Review: This novel seems to be a little bit of mystery added into a story about fishing on Martha's Vineyard with a travelogue of the island. The author puts a little too much emphasis on the fishing. An interesting basis was developed for the crime, i.e., manipulating inter-bank transfers, with intelligent criminals fumbling the implementation, but maybe there are one too many characters/complications/side issues.

Rating:
Summary: Mystery or fishing story
Review: This novel seems to be a little bit of mystery added into a story about fishing on Martha's Vineyard with a travelogue of the island. The author puts a little too much emphasis on the fishing. An interesting basis was developed for the crime, i.e., manipulating inter-bank transfers, with intelligent criminals fumbling the implementation, but maybe there are one too many characters/complications/side issues.