Product Description

There are two kinds of people on the island -- those who leave at summer's end...and those who are left behind.

Kendra and Mona are best friends, local girls who spend their summers catering to rich tourists and the rest of the year chafing against small-town life. Then Mona's mom marries one of the island's rich summer visitors, and Mona joins the world of the Boston elite, leaving Kendra and Martha's Vineyard behind. When Mona returns the following summer, everything is different. Now Mona spends her days sunbathing with her private-school friends, while Kendra works at The Willow Inn -- a job she and Mona once hoped to do together.

Unlike his sister, Mona's twin brother Henry hasn't changed. He's spending his summer the way he always has: with long, quiet hours fishing. Early mornings before work become special for Kendra as she starts sharing them with Henry, hoping he can help her figure Mona out. Then Kendra hatches a plan to prove she's Mona's one true friend. She'll uncover the identity of the twins' birth father, a question that has always obsessed Mona. And so she sets out to unravel the seventeen-year-old mystery of the summer boy who charmed Mona's mother. But are some secrets better off staying buried? ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Perfect beach book.
I'm a fan of Jenny O'Connell's books. I wasn't let down one bit in this latest book. I was hooked straight from the beginning and I cant wait to read book two in the series.

Courtesy of Teens Read Too
Mona and Kendra have been local island girls and best friends for years. But all that changes as Mona boards the ferry to the mainland at the end of the summer going into their junior year. Mona's mom has just married one of the richest summer island men, Malcolm. And with that new marriage comes Mona's move to the mainland (Boston) and her start at a private school. So Kendra is left alone for the year without her best friend or Mona's twin brother, Henry.

The story starts out with Kendra awaiting Mona's return to the island for the summer with her family. Though this time Mona will be living in Malcolm's house, one of the largest on the island. Kendra doesn't anticipate that things will be different now that Mona is one of the "summer people." But not long after Mona's arrival, Kendra notices that their conversation isn't as easy as it used to be. And Kendra had arranged a surprise for Mona, getting them both summer jobs at the new bed and breakfast, The Willow. But Mona doesn't have to work this summer. In fact, she doesn't have to do anything at all. The line between the summer people and the local people seems even wider this year for Kendra.

On the first day of work for Kendra, minus Mona, the chef in the kitchen requires extra ingredients, so Kendra is sent to the local store. While browsing the baking aisle, Kendra encounters Mona's brother, Henry. Surprised to see him up so early, the two of them start chatting. Soon, a routine develops. Shelby, the Willow chef, is constantly forgetting vital ingredients and, on a daily basis, Kendra goes to the local store, only to find Henry waiting for her. Henry gets up at 4am every day to go fishing. After accepting the invitation to go fishing with Henry on her day off, soon the two because inseparable.

Mona's Boston friends are also on the island and Kendra finds herself wanting Mona to choose between her and them. She feels Mona's changed far too much in the past year, and she doesn't recognize her anymore. Mona's friends all find Henry attractive, yet it's Kendra that has his attention. Kendra doesn't want Henry to tell Mona about the two of them, for fear that Mona will think Kendra is only using Henry. At Malcom's birthday party, everything blows up and Kendra runs off, leaving both Mona and Henry behind.

As the summer unfolds, Kendra comes to realize that maybe Mona isn't the only one that has changed. Everyone around Kendra seems to have moved on with their lives and left Kendra behind. Kendra has to realize that things do change and that life does go on, even if you don't want it to.

LOCAL GIRLS is a great summer read for anyone. It definitely made me wish that I was able to abandon everything for an entire summer and be one of the summer people on the island!

Reviewed by:Jaglvr ... Read more

Product Description
The thoroughly updated eighth edition of CapeCod, Martha’s Vineyard &Nantucket provideshundreds of select recommendations foractivities and things to see and do.Kim includes up-to-daterecommendations for lodgingsandhundreds of dining reviews, from clam shacksto four-star restaurants. She alsoprofilesoutdoor activities and the culturalopportunities that abound in theregion. 100 black & white ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Same as the Yellow Pages...
Sadly disappointed by this guide.It is completely lacking in opinion to the point where you are left guessing about a lot.Its almost as if this author didn't want to offend any of her friends on the Cape by giving reviews.Instead, she simply writes a short passage on each place that doesn't really provide much insight- meaning, I could gain the same information by going to the establishment's website.Since the author points out almost immediately how much she has frequented the Cape in comparison to other guide authors, you would expect her to have built up an arsenal of opinions.As a first time traveler to the Cape, I want to know where you, an experienced Cape Dweller, would NOT eat or the first place that you WOULD!Otherwise this guide becomes nothing more than a portable copy of the yellow pages. She doesn't use a rating system, no stars, not listed in order of preference, nothing.I was debating between purchasing this book or the Frommer's Guide and I now see I should have bought the Frommer's guide. You may not agree with everything the Frommer's authors have to say, but at least they are not shy in sharing their thoughts and opinions with you.When traveling to places as wonderfully eccentric as Provincetown for example, I would like to know what I'm in for before I plan a night out on the town.This is a reference book when I was seeking more of a guide.

Mostly spot on
It is a comprehensive book to be sure. My primary complaints tho were the restaurant recommendations. Some of her 'hits' were mediocre, and she missed a few gems that we got from the locals. Overall,a very handy book to use on the Cape.

Most comprehensive and best-researched guide book for the Cape & Islands
We have owned several editions of this book and we always look forward to the new edition. This one is no exception. The author provides a heft of research with real insider knowledge that makes this our most valuable Cape Cod guidebook resource. It's all presented in a very accessible manner. From on-target restaurant reviews to off-the-beaten path explorations, this book is an essential for both the seasoned Cape dweller and new visitors alike. Unlike many more "corporate" guidebooks, this is our most reliable resource because the author has the depth of knowledge of one who has returned to the topic many times with an eye for fine-tuning information. If you wanted to hire a personal guide to take you around Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, you'd want that guide to be Kim Grant. We often lend our copy to our visiting guests and they cling to it like a bible...they love it. Sine qua non. ... Read more

Product Description
Between Long Island Sound and the elbow of Cape Cod lies a richly varied cruising ground. Here is the definitive cruising guide to these waters, the newest addition to International Marine's acclaimed series. Its coverage extends to the headwaters of Narragansett Bay and miles offshore to the solitude of Block Island and Nantucket. It includes essential information on weather, currents, and pilotage. The unique harbor rating system shows at a glance what each anchorage offers in facilities, protection, and beauty or interest. Maps and photos help negotiate tricky channels or find that hidden marina. Also included are hiking trails, picnic spots, fishing, history, and wildlife. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Guide to the coast of summer
Throughly enjoyed this well written and researched book.Some of the places I'm very familiar with and others will be new adventures this and subsequent summers.Definitely encourages me to visit new harbors.Also, a lot of fun to have the back stories / history on this area.

A Cruising Guide to Narragansett Bay and the South Coast of Massachusetts: Including Buzzard's Bay, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard
Great guide to all the inlets in Narragansett Bay and surrounding areas. The book has all the place we know of and we agree totally and we can't wait to try out the places we didn't know about.
Thank you for a great book.

What an exciting piece of literature
Being very familiar with boating on Buzzards Bay i was drawn to expand my sea ventures.This book gave a great dipiction of the waters along the south coast of Mass and RI.I have already traveled to many of the destinations the book discussed.what a great service the author has done for the boating community

Thing I Never Knew
I lived and sailed Narragansett Bay all my life and never knew the history behind all I was looking at. Excellent book and great fishing section!

Cruising Masterpiece
I always wondered what those old ruinswere hidden on overgrown islands, the history of secluded anchorages.... Great naturalist, along the shore information. Excellent cruising guide! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Worst Fate for the Vineyard
Ted Kennedy's 1969 accident on Chappaquiddick, Martha's Vineyard, first put the Vineyard on the map. Several years later, the filming of the movie "Jaws" sealed the deal. The formerly quiet island became overrun with tourists. Some chiseled pieces of wood from the "Kennedy Bridge" before it was torn down and replaced with a safer bridge. And, some incessantly asked islanders if it was safe to swim in the water. As a former Vineyard resident, I saw its decline and I moved on.

everything Jaws
I purchased this book for my son who is a complete "Jaws geek".
He loves the book that he had read about in the "Jaws Log" by Carl Gottleib.
It is a must purchase for someone who has everything else "Jaws"!

A must have for any Jaws fan!
This book is a must for any Jaws fan.There is a lot in this book that will keep you saying, "Oh cool, I didn't know that."Things of that nature.Edith Blake has made a great book, with many intresting photos!Overall this book is a great buy!

Great book, though geared to Vineyard residents
I'm pretty sure that when Edith Blake was writing this book she had no idea that the film would be the worldwide smash that it was and that "Jaws" fans would snap up every bit of movie-related merchandise they could find, including her book.

I say that because it is obvious that Blake gives more than just a few nods to her fellow Martha's Vineyard residents and neighbors throughout the book.In fact, this book could have alternately been a serialized session of contributing essays for the Martha's Vineyard Gazette and would have hit its target audience smack on their heads.

Not that this is a bad thing necessarily.If it does occasionally come off sounding like a local reporter writing for local residents, then it does so with a refreshing lack of "big-time author grandiosity".The book could have used a better editor, though -- far too many spelling and punctuation errors.

For the "Jaws" fans who AREN'T Martha's Vineyard residents, then this book is a delightful, if somewhat slight, folksy account of Hollywood descending on a small Eastern town that normally would just prefer to be left alone.

The "Jaws" shoot ran way over schedule and tried the patience of more than a few locals, but the economic boon to the town during the off-season probably eased the inconvenience a bit.When the off-season turned into tourist season and the film crew was still on the island taking up valuable rental space, a few locals and businesses did get a bit testy.I imagine the success of the film and the tourist business that descended upon the island as a result made them change their tunes soon enough.

Incidentally, I first read this book as a 9 year-old in 1975 and kept theoriginal paperback for years and years.I jumped at the chance to repurchase this book and read it again with a fresh perspective and with about 200 viewings of the film under my belt.Admittedly, it made the book far more interesting, though it comes up short compared to Carl Gottlieb's "Jaws Log". But there's no way Blake could possibly hope to compete with Carl Gottlieb's insider perspective when it comes to "Jaws" production stories.

I love all things "Jaws" (except the sequels, of course) and would recommend this book to all fellow "Jaws" aficionados.Heck, I even flew to New England to visit Martha's Vineyard in 2006 on a self-guided tour of the film's locations.I'm such a movie geek.

Sidebar:One of my college professors was an employee at a hotel on the island during the bulk of the film's shoot and loved to tease me with tales of playing in weekend softball games with the "Jaws" cast and crew.Wish I could have been there for that. What a fabulous experience that must have been, both at the time and in later years when the film's cachelent so much to his memories of it all. ... Read more

Product Description
Victoria Trumbull, a fiesty, alert and lively 92-year-old protagonist, tracks murders (and murderers) on Martha's Vineyard, the lovely, sun-splashed island off Cape Cod. Double Murder includes the first two of seven books featuring Victoria. In Deadly Nightshade, villains suspect Victoria has witnessed a murder and must silence her. In The Cranely Orchid Murders, land developers and environmentalists are pitted against each other and is based on a real Island political debate. In both, the subject is...Murder. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (2)

Stalkers
Protagonist Victoria Trumbull returns in the latest Martha's Vineyard novel by Cynthia Riggs titled, Touch-Me-Not. Three generations of strong Trumbull women are featured in this novel, along with an interesting set of characters and a plot that draws on everything Victoria has learned over her ninety-two years. Although Victoria's daughter arrived on the Island expecting to move Victoria into some form of assisted living, it is Victoria who provides the needed assistance. Victoria and her granddaughter have a warm relationship and it's unclear who takes more care of whom. The theme of the novel involves stalkers and the havoc they wreak. A group of mathematical knitters provide lots of local color. Any reader who likes a simple mystery with compelling characters will find a lot to enjoy in this novel.

Rating: Three-star (Recommended)

a wonderful cozy
In his office at Watts Electrical Supply in Oak Bluffs, electrician LeRoy Watts uses a taser on his former assistant Jerry Sparks when the latter had the gall to threaten to blackmail him.Jerry crumbled to the office floor dead.LeRoy knows his nine year old twin sons Zeke and Jared will be coming by once baseball practice ends, so he places the corpse in a closet with plans to dispose of the body later.

After the kids leave, LeRoy removes the stiff from his office closet and places the corpse in a book storage shed at the West Tisbury library.Also at the library are the "mathematical" knitters doing Moebius strips and more.Their current project is a coral reef quilt to raise awareness of global warming.Knitter Maron asks nonagenarian Deputy Sheriff Victoria Trumbull for help with an obscene serial phone caller; and boat splicer Emily Cameron wants to know what happened to her boyfriend Jerry.Victoria is back in the middle of a murder mystery.

The latest ninety-two years young Victoria Trumbull police procedural (see Death and Honesty) is a wonderful cozy that uses Martha's Vineyard as an idyllic backdrop for mayhem and for family issues caused when the middle generation arrives to help her daughter cope with her elderly mother.At times the story line turns amusing for instance with LeRoy's efforts to dispose of the body only to have his family and later three law enforcement officials (including the heroine) visit him with none aware of Jerry's fate; mindful of Hitchcock's comedic The Trouble With Harry.Cynthia Riggs is at the top of her game with this strong Trumbull entry.

Harriet Klausner
... Read more

Product Description
Hardcover, 416 pages ... Read more

Customer Reviews (9)

A nostalgic time capsule
Although there are recipes in this cookbook that I would like to make, I didn't actually purchase this book for that purpose.I bought it to enjoy as a slice of history - a bit of my Grandmother's America if you will - and it certainly fulfilled my purpose.It is entertaining and enjoyable to read.

I only wish the author had included photos of the completed dishes.That addition would have made this book a 5 star in my opinion, especially since I don't actually intend to make most of the dishes myself and this would have increased my pleasure in the book.

Best Chiicken Salad I've Ever Eaten!
I ate the Chicken Salad Supreme at a luncheon and was so impressed I searched the Net for Mrs. Corbitt's recipes or cookbooks.The hostess had made one change to the original recipe - instead of using whipping cream, she used Cool Whip and it works great in the salad.

As an Oklahoman, all my life I've heard about the great food at Neiman Marcus in Dallas and now I can make it myself thanks to Mrs. MacDonald.I found the Helen Coribtt's Story particularly interesting and appreciate this background being included in the book.The recipes are all unique and I am looking forward to trying several in the coming months - especially the Carrot Cake.

Good for Entertaining
This book is one I have wanted for years.I have used it several times, successfully. Her tartar saucecan't be surpassed.A wonderful gift for anyone.

Great Cookbook
I seem to enjoy reading cookbooks in the same way other read novels.I found that this book had super recipes.I have been after the Neiman Marcus carrot cake recipe for years and years.Every-time I go to the cafe I just have to have the carrot cake it is my favorite.I always asked where I could get the recipe no one could tell me.I looked inside the Neiman Marcus Cookbook and they only had a picture of the carrot cake, no carrot cake recipe.I tried making the one in this book and it is fabulous.I think it tops the one at Neiman Marcus because it is homemade and fresh.I made it in a rectangle large brownie type baking dish (not a bundt) and added 1/2 cup raisins.It was fabulous.Next I am going to try making the monkey bread in my pop over molds.That sound super too.There are really many many great recipes in this book.I am very happy with my purchase.

Excellent Cookbook
This is such a great book.No matter what you want to cook, Helen has a recipe for it.All of the recipes are so good.

I will pass this book on to my children.

Cannon Flowers
DALLAS, TX ... Read more

Product Description
Indian labor was vital to the early economic development of the Los Angeles region. This first volume in the new series Before Gold: California under Spain and Mexico explores for the first time Native contributions to early Southern California.

Opening with a survey of the economic dimension of traditional southern California Indian cultures, Phillips then examines the origins and collapse of the missions, the emergence and expansion of the pueblo of Los Angeles, and the creation and decline of the ranchos. He closely considers the Indians incorporation into these foreign-imposed institutions and the resulting impact on the region s economy and society. While concentrating on the Tongvas (Gabrielinos), Phillips also considers Indians who entered the region from the south.

Based on exhaustive research, Phillips s account focuses on California Indians more as workers than as victims. He describes the work they performed and how their relations evolved with the missionaries, settlers, and rancheros who employed them. Phillips emphasizes the importance of Indian labor in shaping the economic history of what is now Los Angeles, Orange, and Riverside counties.

Featuring more than two-dozen illustrations and maps, Vineyards and Vaqueros demonstrates that no history of the region is complete without a consideration of the Indian contribution. ... Read more

Product Description
Many are called, but few answer.Who has time. We face many challenges in this life. We strive to be the best wives, mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends; as we we mold careers, tend households and keep a faithful balance of all that is required. But is this all there is? Women possess dreams, but who can pursue those dreams beneath the layers of paperwork and laundry? In Beyond the Vineyards,author D.K. Luffred delves into the essence of today's women. Through the words of short stories and reflective words, she addresses women's many challenges-from living in an unhappy marriage, to losing a lover, to suffering the pain of divorce and separation from one's children.

In "Pearl," a ski jacket evokes memories from twenty years ago when Marian thought she met the man of her dreams, but he was engaged to be married. In "Shequagah," Emma stays in a loveless marriage and hears a life message from a voice in a waterfall; she dreams of a better life.

Like the women in Beyond the vineyards, if we listen we can hear the voice telling us to wield a paintbrush, learn to sail, and plant a garden. We can accomplish these things if we are brave enough to make the dreams a reality, step beyond our comfort zone, and begin a journey of self-discovery. ... Read more

Product Description
Cape Cod, Nantucket and the Martha's Vineyard are threeof Massachusett's top vacation destinations, and there is no betterway to explore them than on a bicycle. Only cycling allows you to getaround these beautiful seaside areas easily while fully enjoying allthe sights and sounds they have to offer. This fully revised andupdated seventh edition includes: icons indicating which type of ridereach route is best suited for; charts describing the rides; locationsof bathrooms, picnic and food stops along each route; and specialappendices giving overviews of all rides and lists of bike shops andrental centers. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Spend a Week on the Cape & Islands!
This small book is a perfect size for tucking into one of your bike's bags and bringing along with you, so you have all the information with you as you go. The maps are reasonably well done and will complement your GPS in helping you find your way. The maps add in extra information such as local bike shops, rental spots, and the all important food and bathroom.

There is good background information on each area, although I would have liked color photos of the areas to help choose from the options.

It's nice to be able to scan the list, look at the mileage, the terrain and the views and figure out which route is perfect for a given day. Plus, with this area being so compact, it's perfect for going on a week long trip, hopping out on a different route each day.

Well recommended.
... Read more

Product Description
Potlucks are the friendliest of gatherings. As guests take part in the festivities, sharing their contributions—a dish of pasta, a bottle of wine, a bunch of wildflowers—they share a bit of themselves. Author Tamara Weiss knows this well. A self-described “organizer, assembler, and table setter,” she has all the qualities of the consummate host, as well as years of experience attending and planning potlucks. In Potluck at Midnight Farm, Tamara has captured a year of potlucks on Martha’s Vineyard, from brunches in a backyard garden to grill fests at twilight beside the sea. Each season brings together new faces, old friends, beautiful settings, and great food.

Collected here are more than a hundred recipes from Tamara and her guests, plus gorgeous photographs of the parties, so you too can share in the celebrations and garner ideas to create your own inspired gatherings. These dishes, at once lovely and hearty, are offered by people from all walks of life, from the island teacher to the world-famous celebrity. Each recipe is personalized with a brief anecdote of how the dish came about or why it has become such a party staple. All are wonderfully delicious. There are foods for every season and occasion: Mary Steenburgen’s Corn Spoon Pudding, Daphne’s Fried Chicken (which Bill Styron has served to Bill Clinton), and Grilled Corn Guacamole. Plus superb salads, like Tamara’s Summer Salad, with greens, sugar snap peas, mangoes, and sunflower seeds, and desserts to rave about: Lambert’s Cove Lemon Tea Cake, Judy Belushi Pisano’s Georgia Peaches with Raspberry Sauce, and the ultimate Butterscotch Brownies.

Potluck at Midnight Farm celebrates with charm and class the perfect companionship of food and entertaining, and welcomes readers just as if they were guests. And Tamara gives you all the advice and inspiration you need to send you running to organize your own spectacular potlucks. Amazon.com Review
Everyone loves potluck parties. Recognizing this, Tamara Weiss offers Potluck at Midnight Farm, a collection of 130 potluck recipes contributed by her friends and neighbors in Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts. The island is home not only to Midnight Farm, the gift shop Weiss owns with Carly Simon, but also to cooks whose recipes strike just the right relaxed yet sophisticated note. Their dishes, from Lighthouse Lasagna and Grilled Striped Bass with Wasabi and Ginger to Roasted Pecan Coffee Cake and Diane Sawyer's Cherry Pie, are easy-to-do crowd pleasers. Cooks interested in recipes for a wide range of informal gatherings--from backyard dinners to bring-your-own picnics--will find the book a valuable culinary resource.

"I am an organizer," says Weiss, and to prove it she offers useful tips for successful potluck events. (Pick a main course to give to food-bringing guests; direction is an obvious but often overlooked example.) The recipes are arranged by season and include menus like the one featuring Coriander Chicken, Beetroot Salad, Grilled Striped Bass with Papaya-Lime Sauce, and Fresh Fruit Tart, among other dishes. Other menus are equally appealing. With 190 color photos of the gatherings in various island locales, tips, and a foreword by Carly Simon, the book is a can't-miss guide to informal entertaining. --Arthur Boehm ... Read more

Customer Reviews (12)

Why buy a martha's vineyard book if you don't get martha's vineyard??!!
I read the reviews and had to grin. Martha's vineyard has a groove,..a flow all it's own,..and it is what it is. If you don't get Martha's Vineyard,..then I can understand why alot of people don't get the book. I was bothered by the celebrity comments,..because on the island everyone mixes with everyone,...leather faced fisherman,..the town bar fixtures, quirky characters and yes even the celebrities. Good book for those who love the island and get the mind set.

Simply a beautiful book!
This book was given to me as a hostess gift during our first cocktail party (Ina Garten and Barefoot Contessa inspired) from a friend who knows that I love all things New England, especially Cape Cod and the Islands.

The photographs are delicious in and of themselves, even inspiring a few unusual bouquets of flowers and eclectic ideas for table settings.There are a few recipes that seem unappealing to me, but that is true of any book. An author simply cannot please everyone!For the most part I have found these recipes to have different and creative twists on many favorite flavors.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the "magical" element of the Vineyard as well as its' celebrity life.This is certainly not a book for those who want to throw hot dogs on the grill behind a split -evel home - not that there is anything wrong with that!It is for those who want to add an element of style to their backyard picnic behind that same split-level home.Potluck at Midnight Farm is about doing things with grace, that is, a Vineyard-style grace.

Simply a beautiful book!
This book was given to me as a hostess gift during our first cocktail party (Ina Garten and Barefoot Contessa inspired) from a friend who knows that I love all things New England, especially Cape Cod and the Islands.

The photographs are delicious in and of themselves, even inspiring a few unusual bouquets of flowers and eclectic ideas for table settings.There are a few recipes that seem unappealing to me, but that is true of any book. An author simply cannot please everyone!For the most part I have found these recipes to have different and creative twists on many favorite flavors.

I recommend this book to anyone who has an interest in the "magical" element of the Vineyard as well as its' celebrity life.This is certainly not a book for those who want to throw hot dogs on the grill behind a split -evel home - not that there is anything wrong with that!It is for those who want to add an element of style to their backyard picnic behind that same split-level home.Potluck at Midnight Farm is about doing things with grace, that is, a Vineyard-style grace.

This is not the Vineyard
The New York Times was right: This book makes the Vineyard look like "a minimal-security prison for the criminally self-absorbed". There are so many better Vineyard-based cookbooks (like The Martha's Vineyard Cookbook--out now in its 3rd edition!)

The recipes are so-so but the text you have to wade through to get to them will ruin your appetite.

fun to own but you dont need to have
i bought the book because i have spent 25 years going to martha's vineyard--the book is inspiring because it makes you want to have a potluck party at your own home--but dont buy it simply for the recipes--they are fine--buy it because its a fun addition to your collection and inspires you to celebrate family and friends-- and martha's vineyard--
the author's friends (whom she touts as a very eclectic group) happen to include all of the island's celebs---which does make it fun to look at the pics and read their recipes-- ... Read more

Product Description
In the author's words, her book includes the island's fabulous collection of historic and contemporary tidbits, including those about people who come to the island in secret; celebrity scandals, as seen from the point of view of people who live on Martha's Vineyard; unsolved murders; sea monster sightings; paranormal events; shipwrecks; and some only on the Vineyard eccentrics and crackpots from the last 350 years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Yawn!
Vineyard confidential...it sort of has the ring of something naughty,doesn't it?"Murder and madness,love and loss,the sacred ,profane,and scandalous..."this is the way the volume is described on the back cover..On the front cover are drawings of Bill Clinton ,Ted Kennedy,and Princess Di,all known for thier own little scandals and peccidillos.."Dip into the pages of Vineyard confidential for a guided tour of the not quite respectable side of Martha's Vinyard.We guaranteel you'll find it memorable"...again quoted from the back cover...
First of all I would like to discover who the"we" in "we guarantee you'll find it memorable" is..I would really like to have a word with these people on the meaning of the word"Memorable"...Memorable, in my case, meant how memorably quickly I began yawning after opening up the book and reading it...
Sure there are stories about celebrities with scandals attached to thier names...Bill Clinton for example..He stayed at Martha's Vineyard,as this book points out,and while he was there NOTHING HAPPENED OF ANY NOTE..Bill Clinton stayed a lot of places,but so what?It was his escapades while in the white house with monica that made headlines ..Princess Di stayed at Martha's vineyard too..Her marriage to Prince Charles and her tragic death made headlines,but while she stayed at Martha's Vineyard NOTHING OF ANY IMPORTANCE HAPPENED,as this book so blandly points out..Jackie Kennedy had a house there and was known for her privacy wishes...Scandalous?Memorable?HARDLY !Her son ,his wife and his wife's sister died in a plane crash there..Tragic,but well-reported in the press..Vineyard Confidential adds nothing new to the details of that crash that appeared in all of the newspapers at the time,and the writing in fact detracts considerably from the sensationalism .
As for the rest of the book,ms Nadler,the author,contents herself with boring trivia...Two hundred year old murders of absolutely no significance,skunk stories,a few trite little tidbits concerning the filming of the movie"Jaws",a bank robber who used a bow and arrow,a pet pig,an extinct member of the chicken family,just the sort of UNmemorable stuff that you find in your own daily newspapers on a regular basis..
YAWN !
Ms.Nadler's bio in at the back of the book credits her with having "written for television comedies"but does not tell us which.Too bad,because given the banal nature of her writing in Vineyard Confidential listing the comedies on T.V. that she has written for may well have lost them audience interest.
While on the subject of television comedies,"Seinfeld",the landmark 1990s comedy was often billed as a show about nothing..It may be true,but the"nothing" it was about was often hilarious.Vineyard Confidential,for all of its back-cover hype is a book about nothing,but unlike"Seinfeld" it is utterly boring.

On the island
Among lots of other tidbits, the book has approving anecdotes of Pres. Clinton and speaks disparagingly of Pres. George W. Bush & Jackie O.If you have strong opinions about any of the above people mentioned, this may influence your enjoyment of the book.

The quirky side of American history.
Any with connections to Martha's Vineyard must have VINEYARD CONFIDENTIAL: 350 YEARS OF SCANDALS, ECCENTRICS, AND STRANGE OCCURRENCES. The author is an Island resident and gossip who shares fun anecdotes, tidbits of local history and color, and funny stories of both celebrities and island oddities alike. Maine libraries will find it a popular leisure read, Martha's Vineyard residents with an affection for their home's local color will love it, as will general readers with an interest in the quirky side of American history. ... Read more

Product Description
After former cop Jeff Jackson saves Geraldine Miles from her abusive boyfriend, someone--possibly the boyfriend--makes several mysterious attempts on Jeff's life. Reprint. PW. AB. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

more Colorado than Martha's Vineyard
This mystery brings the brother of a dead college girl out of his Army special forces unit, on a mission to avenge his sister's wrongful death.Somehow, our hero J. W. Jackson gets caught in the crossfire, and must stop this man from killing his friend, a college professor.The book also features a side story that at first you think may be the main story, but which disappears until the very end of the book.

I considered this a sub-par Martha's Vineyard book.Better to stay on the island, Mr Craig.

The title describes the action.
I have read every book in this series, but this is my favorite.We are treated to the usual ambiance of Martha's Vineyard (Craig really makes me want to go there!) with fishing trips followed by gourmet blue-fish andcrab dinners, but this also includes some real suspense and action with ourhero being pursued by a mysterious bad guy.If you want to be convinced toread the rest of the series, read this one first!

An excellent read
Yes it is out of print, but look for it in used bookstores.In fact look for the whole series.These are very good light reading.The characters are good and the stories keep you interested.I no longer fish, but Ienjoy reading about these characters who do love fishing, cooking, nudesunbathing, and other island type lifestyles.I don't think a lifestyle ofthis type would be for everyone, and I know it's not for me, I enjoy airconditioning, television, and the middle of the country, although a visitto Martha's Vineyard isn't beyond hope.

Find all of the out of print onesif you can, visit the library and find those you can and then plunge in andenjoy. ... Read more

Product Description
This beautiful collection of poems and photographs of the landscape of Martha's Vineyard is a serene and noble tribute to this lovely island. This book portrays the island's character more than any other volume on the subject, through the combination of Rose Styron's evocative lines and Craig Dripps's stunning images.

Styron evokes the rhythmic waves caressing the beaches, the lighthouses and fairways, and the lantern-lit night. She speaks of the oxen at Brookside Farm, foggy Chilmark Pond, and the limbs of the ancient oak in West Tisbury with a love of place born in the soul and painted in words.

The photographs capture in color the silvered tones of the poetry, conveying the spirit of Martha's Vineyard in all seasons. Feel the bright wash of sunlight during the late summer afternoon and the blustery gusts of autumn-- the life of this enchanted island is palpable in these pages.

KATAMA
This antique landscape rubbed by hand
shines through the mist like silvered hay.
Its hewn rail fence, greyed barn, sweet fields
where dusty birds hide, startled, focus day.
--Rose Styron
... Read more

Product Description
Martha’s Vineyard has long claimed a spot in the public imagination as a playground for presidents and celebrities, but also as a place where life can be simple and pure. This ideal of simplicity is exemplified by its fresh, local produce and fish just off the boat, prepared with minimal fuss. In this evocative cookbook, Tina Miller, who grew up on the Vineyard as the daughter of one of the founders of the Black Dog restaurant and who became a chef in her own right, presents the food that has made her the beloved chef/owner of two Vineyard restaurants.Organized seasonally, the recipes range from classic preparations of local fish such as Grilled Swordfish with Green Aioli or Grilled Bluefish with Lemons and Parsley Mayo to dinner party fare such as Lobster Pie with Sweet Peas, Leeks, Tarragon, and White Wine or Crispy Slow-Cooked Duck with Beach Plum Glaze.Local fresh produce grown on organic farms and sold at the farmer's market and farm stands around the island are showcased, too: Zucchini and Tomato Casserole with an Asiago Crust, Grilled Vegetable Gazpacho, Corn and Shiitake Timbale with Baby Greens, as well as Huckleberry Crostada, Roasted September Peaches with Walnut Crust and Sweet Cream, and Apple Brandy Cake.

Throughout, the magnificent photos of Alison Shaw depict the island—with its incomparable beaches, beguiling and diverse towns, and breathtaking scenery—and all those who still practice traditional ways of raising and gathering food.Fishermen still harvest swordfish and tuna using fishing lines rather than nets, prized bay scallops are still collected in freezing weather, and lambs are still raised on an eighteenth-century sheep farm in Chilmark.

For anyone who has never been to the Vineyard, here is a chance to experience this island paradise.And for everyone who knows and loves the Vineyard, this cookbook will be a year-round reminder of delicious memories. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Island Food, Classical Martha's Vineyard
Vineyard Harvest:
A Year of Good Food on
Martha's Vineyard
By Tina Miller with Christie Mathewson
Photography by Alison Shaw

This cookbook concentrates on the simple and pure. This simplicity is evidenced by uncomplicated, relatively short recipes. The book is a seasonal sequence of tempting dishes prepared from the bounty springing from the seas and soils of Massachusetts' Martha's Vineyard. Between many of the recipes are profiles of some of the caring citizens of the island.

Here's some recipe samplings:

Corn-Crusted Calamari with Roasted Red Pepper Remoulade -
With the simple ingredients, of cornmeal and cornstarch, the calamari is cooked. The Remoulade contains capers, chopped cornichons, garlic, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard and a touch of cayenne.

Strawberries with Sweet Crème Fraiche -
Just add sugar, lemon juice, heavy cream, sugar and vanilla.

Martha's Vineyard Mock Maki -
Combines cucumbers, lobster meat, red bell pepper, pickled ginger and sprouts. An accompanying dipping sauce contains soy sauce, lime, sesame oil, mirin and chopped scallions.

Zucchini and Tomato Casserole with an Asiago Crust -
Blend with shallot, bread crumbs, olive oil, seasoning and fresh basil.

Bumper-Crop Cucumber salad -
Calls for red onion, fresh dill, crème fraiche, lemon juice, olive oil and seasoning

Sold-Out Grilled Lobsters with Lime Butter -
Seems simplest of all - limes, lime zest, limes quartered and butter.

Watermelon and Champagne Parfait -
Mix raspberries, lemon zest, champagne and Chambord liqueur.

Broccoli Soup with Essence of Morels -
This is a mixture of olive oil, onion, chicken broth, seasoning, grated nutmeg and fresh spinach leaves

Great Pond Oyster Pan Stew -
Use butter, onion, a leek, cream sherry, a little ketchup, shucked oysters with their liquor, heavy cream, seasoning and a few dashes of hot sauce

Morning Glory Farm Pumpkin Crème Brulee -
Calls for heavy cream, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, eggs and sugar.

Vineyard Lobster Salad with Asian Twist -
Combine olive oil, sesame oil, fresh ginger, scallions, mirin, lemon juice, light soy sauce and mayonnaise

Two Winter Pizzas -
Smoked Salmon Roasted Red Onion Pizza:
Plus Crème Fraiche, fresh tarragon, olive oil and capers.
Spinach and Goat Cheese Pizza:
Plus red onion, olive oil, spinach leaves, fresh rosemary, parsley and garlic.

Red Cabbage Salad with Blue Cheese, Walnuts and Oranges --
Combine Orange juice, balsamic vinegar and olive oil for the dressing

Portuguese Codfish with Linguica and Littlenecks -
This calls for olive oil, onion, fresh thyme, clam broth, a diced tomato and tomato paste.

Reviewed by Marty Martindale, owner Food Site of the Day.

Well done!
This book is terrific. The recipes are tempting, the comments in between are interesting and informative, and Alison Shaw's photographs are extraordinary. It's a pleasure from beginning to end. Thank you, Ms. Miller and Ms. Shaw! ... Read more