The JAWSfest Murders (A Martha's Vineyard Mystery) (Volume 1)
Reviews (68)
Great start to a new series of Vineyard mystery books!
I have been a lifelong Vineyard visitor, and have always enjoyed reading books about the island, especially fiction. The late, great Philip R. Craig began writing Martha's Vineyard Mystery books in the early 1990s, and I was hooked right away. After 17 or so entries in that series, Craig passed away, and I was hard-pressed to find other books that gave me the flavor of the island I became such a fan of in reading his books...until my friend Crispin started churning out his own series of Vineyard mysteries, and my happiness returned! This first book in his series was an instant joy to read. Crispin captures the island beautifully as he also has spent so many summers on the island himself. The storyline is pure mystery and thrills, all taking place in the midst of a very familiar event on the island. Crispin's use of character, location and descriptive storytelling made it not only a truly enjoyable first foray, but as I suspected might have happened, it ended all too quickly! Thankfully there's several more books for me to read, and as I get ready to head to the Vineayrd in a couple of days, Crispin's second book, DEADLY CATCH is already loaded onto my Kindle! The way Crispin tells his story makes the reader feel like they are right along with the characters on their journey to find out whodunnit...and that was a trademark Phil Craig method as well. It makes the story entirely more personal-feeling to me, and kept me invested in everyone involved in the entire caper...a big plus in my book. If the rest of Crispin's entries are as enjoyable as the first, I'm gonna have a slew of reading to do. I may have been a little late to the game of finding the series, but I'm glad I did, and I suggest anyone who likes a good mystery, and has a love for Martha's Vineyard as I do...and clearly as Crispin does, too, grab these books up and hit the beach! Well done, my friend!
It had me glued!
Hello from Idaho. The JAWSfest Murders had me guessing until the very end! Exceptionally written, the author, Crispin Haskins, has a strong ability to explain the protagonist's surroundings that is second to none. It is like you are there with "Charles" in Martha's Vineyard. I am convinced that I will visit Martha’s Vineyard someday, now more than ever!
Live every week like it's Shark Week!
I purchased all 4 Crispin Haskins Martha's Vineyard Mysteries yesterday, I have already devoured the first two and would be on the third if I didn't have to recharge my Kindle. If you have ties to Martha's Vineyard then you just want to keep reading to see what part of the Island this fabulous author will take you to next! If you don't already have those ties, then you'll wish you did! Laurie and Charles are such likable characters, I can't wait to follow wherever they go!
Just when I thought nothing else could be told about Jaws...............
"It's nice to read a book and know exactly what your talking about, the shops, Inns, restaurants, pubs, towns because of my 7 trips to the island... So descriptive, made me feel like I was there again- thank you." A well paced, very descriptive novel that was full of suspense, humor, and horror. Characters are very deeply thought out, and an ending that twists and turns and comes together tightley wrapped like a bow on a Christmas present. Crispin Haskins has amazed me and brought the love of the film "Jaws" back up to the top on people's mindes......but then again, I don't think it has ever left. Needs to be made into a film. LOVED IT!!!!!!!!
Best mystery I’ve read in quite some time!
I LOVED reading this mystery! The author beautifully describes some of my favorite places on Martha’s Vineyard in this book, and I can’t wait to jump into the next one. I went ahead and purchased ALL of the books in the series and hope Crispin keeps ‘em coming!
Super awesome read! Highly recommend!
Loved this book! If your are familiar with Jaws or the Vineyard this is a must read! The author has the characters walk you through the town and experience all the vision and smells you find on the island. The characters are well developed and you instantly feel at home with them. I highly recommend this read!
Just when you thought Martha's Vineyard was fresh out of fish stories...
Crispin Haskins delivers a brilliant page turner, a mystery to enthrall islanders and summerdinks alike, but most definitely aimed at pleasing the millions of moviegoers who were scared from the water after that initial viewing of JAWS, and moreso, the FINATICS who rushed back into the theatre, time and time again, never able to fully quench their appetite for Spielberg's masterpiece. I am one such person. One of maybe thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of people who adore this film like no other. Crispin has a firm grasp of what his target audience loves, and he displays it on every page, from beginning to end, amping up the suspense with every step through the woods, every swim stroke off the beach, every bridge jump into murky waters. I thought I had seen all there was to see at last years Jawsfest. Clearly I was wrong. Thank God for Crispin Haskins and this thoroughly enjoyable story that let's us all in on just what the Chief of Police and his amateur ichthyologist friend were up to while everyone else was busy drinking and singing "Show me the way to go home..." Brilliant work, Crispin!
This book will make you a FINatic!!
Loved this book. It starts out setting the stage on Martha's Vineyard with a description that is so vivid and charming you will want to go there yourself just to take a look. It is obvious the author loves this island in his descriptions, relayed through the main character Charles. Charles is a smart, thoughtful and unique guy with a dry wit that keeps you entertained. The friends he meets along the way in his adventure on the island are also quirky and all unique and believable in their own way. I liked how the characters, from all over the world, are somehow connected by JAWS. It makes for an interesting murder investigation, as you wonder if and how these murders and a movie could possibly be connected. The book kept me guessing, especially toward the end. I had a hard time putting it down - it got really intense! The story definitely has some unforeseen twists and surprises. It's very cleverly written. You will not be disappointed. I can't wait to read the sequel!
What a fun read!
Reading this book put me right on the island of Martha’s Vineyard. I really felt like I was there, making friends with the lead characters. The plot is fun too.
First of all the Vineyard is a wonderful place and if you’ve never been there
First of all the Vineyard is a wonderful place and if you’ve never been there , this mystery will make you put it on your travel list. Mr. Haskins captures its milieu wonderfully. Then there are the characters each unique and wonderfully created. The best is the mystery a real page turner with a surprise ending. A fine book to spend some time with.
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