Synopsis: Mansions are going up all over the vineyard, and of course there is a group of people who are against this development. This is all fine until two people are murdered. This leads J.W. to secretes linked to prominent families.
Review: Slightly twisted plot with the ending given away about three chapters before the end of the book at a senior ladies baseball game. ( )

J.W. investigates the bludgeoning deaths of a nightwatchman at a new mansion that is going up and the lothario son of a rich woman who dislikes new megamansions. J.W. also figures out who has been silencing loud sound systems on the island. An okay mystery but I guessed the culprit abotu halfway through the book. ( )

Life and death as usual on Martha's Vineyard. A pleasant, if not thrilling or very mysterious, read. JD to the rescue and investigation. Wonder what if anything the real police do in this place. Crime related to gentrification and adult child relationships. ( )

Review of the audiobook version: It is the beginning of the summer tourist season on Martha's Vineyard and the locals have two unsolved murders on their hands. One happened at the under-construction colossal home of a company executive with island ties; the other at the home of a long-time resident. A retired cop offers his aid to the mother of one of the victims, who seeks to clear his name in the first murder. He becomes entangled in a web of island love, money and hatred.

I originally picked up this mystery because I have friends on the Martha's Vineyard and I enjoy reading books about places I have visited. I don't think residents of the Vineyard would appreciate the sweeping generalizations of the island's denizens (all the potential stereotypes are there -- the rich, the hermits, the hapless tourists, etc.).

From the standpoint of a mystery, I was a bit disappointed because the clues rather blatantly pointed to whodunnit without any red herrings to keep you guessing. It was just a matter of when and how the murderer would be revealed, which is only half of what I look for in a mystery.

I did enjoy the narration of this book. The voice of the narrator reminded me of Tom Bosley (the dad from Happy Days) and he did a good job of distinguishing between the characters.

In sum, this was not a gritty murder-mystery. It was a light and entertaining read, keeping me occupied on the way to work. I give it 3 out of 5 stars. ( )

Turf wars in the pricey Chappaquiddick area can be heated. Its homeowners' association rules with an iron set of standards. Lately, the construction of an unusual mansion has caused much contention. When, in quick succession, two deaths occur that seem to be linked to the house, JW Jackson offers to help the local police. Now he must navigate the tricky waters of old money and elite family connections to solve the cases. ( )