AHHHHHH to return to magnificent Martha's Vineyard with JW Jackson, his wife Zee and their 2 children Diana (the huntress ) and Joshua. Philip Craig has written a wonderful series of mysteries, which I also see as an armchair travel guide to the Vineyard..the 'real' Vineyard. His descriptions of different parts of the Island are give you a real feel for the area. The stories, I believe are a bit too gritty to be classified as 'cozy' mysteries. In my opinion the do for the Vineyard what Robert Parker's mysteries did for the Boston and the suburbs.
This is another outing with JW which brings his past (as a Boston cop, vet, etc) into play as a long absent friend makes a surprising appearance on the Island, and brings a lot of 'baggage' along with him. We also find the beloved Bonzo, a reoccurring character, making a headline. And of course there is always, smouldering in the background, the conflict of bringing modern-day to the Island and the conflict of year-round residents with tourists and vacationers.
If you love the Vineyard, like I do, or want to learn more about it, and also read a first class mystery, this is the series, and this particular book is a definite positive contribution to this collection.
Now for the sad news. This is Philip Craig's last novel, as he passed away shortly after finishing this book. He will be long remembered as one of the greats, in my book anyway.
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