A Beautiful Place to Die

Philip R. Craig

Jul 2016 · Martha's Vineyard Mysteries Book 1 · Simon and Schuster

About this ebook

First in the series that’s “a breath of fresh air with a touch of murder most foul”—now a movie series on Hallmark Channel starring Jesse Metcalfe (Denver Rocky Mountain News).

Ex-cop J. W. Jackson searches for answers after a mysterious and deadly boat explosion on Martha’s Vineyard.

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. 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.

Praise for the Martha’s Vineyard Mysteries

“Fun . . . an enjoyable book . . . perfect for hot weather relaxing.” —Los Angeles Daily News

“An exciting adventure . . . [that] lets the reader become an islander for a while.” —The Houston Post

“Refreshing . . . entertaining . . . a nicely crafted mystery.” —Knoxville News Sentinel

“Spending time with Craig on Martha’s Vineyard is the next best thing to vacationing on the island itself.” —Minneapolis Star-Tribune

“Craig knows his angling and his sailing . . . but he also knows how to make engaging characters.” —The Philadelphia Inquirer

Ratings and reviews

I enjoyed the setting and the simple mystery that the book presented. I was looking for a break from the Loise Penny 3 Pines books of which I was a frequent reader which used to have a similar vibe (nice rustic, rural setting, lots of good food) but seem to have veered down a Dan Brown Da Vinci code type of super complicated ridiculous plots path in her two most recent offerings. I would recommend this book ifyou are looking for something not too serious, not too complicated and just like comfort food.

About the author

Philip R. Craig grew up on a small cattle ranch near Durango, Colorado, before going off to college at Boston University, where he was an All American fencer. He earned his M.F.A. at the University of Iowa Writers' Workshop. Craig was professor emeritus of English at Wheelock College in Boston before retiring with wife Shirley to Martha’s Vineyard, where he is well-remembered for his acclaimed Martha’s Vineyard Mystery series.