Publisher's Weekly Review
Feisty, fiercely independent nonagenarian poet Victoria Trumbull makes a welcome debut in Riggs's first novel. Martha's Vineyard has been home to Victoria's family for several generations, and in a near century she has learned much about life. The unique location, only a short hop by plane or ferry to the mainland, makes this island an especially attractive holiday destination. But bad things can happen even in such a paradise and are more shocking because the pleasant low-key life is no preparation for murder. Elizabeth, Victoria's recently divorced granddaughter, is currently staying with her and working for Domingo, an ex-New York cop, now the Oak Bluffs harbormaster. When Victoria hears a scream across the water one balmy summer evening, she, Elizabeth and Domingo set off in the harbor launch to investigate. The floating eviscerated body they discover is only the first. From local Native Americans to the wealthiest visitors, no one is above suspicion as they dive into the complexity of the crime. Victoria's highly developed sense of right and wrong and her ethical compass steer them on a dangerous but inevitable course. Riggs enriches her characters by detailing their daily routines as they handle drugs, social justice, family problems, local politics and even computerization. The book's dedicatee, Dionis Coffin Riggs (1898-1997), native Vineyarder and poet, would seem to be the model for Victoria. Everyone should have such a terrific grandmother. Agent, Nancy Love. (May 14) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Kirkus Review
The first mystery from lifelong Marthas Vineyard resident Riggs tosses in what you might expect from her home baseclams, weathered docks, folksy localsas well as a couple of outré murders, one by disembowelment and another by harpoon stabbing. Victoria Trumbull, a crusty nonagenarian, hears but doesnt quite see the last struggles of Bernie Marble, who is soon missing most of his nether parts. Could his tragic loss have something to do with the reorganizing that new harbormaster Domingo, a former New York cop, is doing? Working with him to tidy up slip rentals and such is Victorias granddaughter Elizabeth. In no time at all Elizabeth and Domingo (who calls Elizabeth sweetheart till you feel seasick) are running afoul of the Harbor Advisory Committee; wondering how a retired professor can afford a $5 million house; deciding that Meatloaf, who drives the medi-van, is really a drug courier; and sidestepping a batch of thugs whod like to silence them permanently. No such luck, though. Domingos wall decoration, an antique harpoon, pierces Meatloaf, a DEA agent surfaces, and nightshade turns out to be growing in most everyones garden. Dojan, an irascible Gay Head Indian, drifts in and out, alternating with the Secret Service, on hand to safeguard the visiting president. Amateur sleuthing will save the day, along with a good whack from Victorias cane. Alternately cutesy and bloodthirsty, with no end in sight. Not even the last page offers the promise of relief, since Book Two is in the works.
Booklist Review
With a feisty, 92-year-old protagonist and a quaint Martha's Vineyard setting, Riggs' new series immediately suggests Jessica Fletcher. That's fine as far as it goes, but this charming debut merits praise purely on its own terms. To her credit, Riggs is not afraid to describe elderly poet Victoria Trumbull realistically--wrinkles and all. One night, while waiting for her granddaughter Elizabeth to return from her job patrolling the harbor, Victoria hears arguing and a scream across the water. Subsequent investigation by Elizabeth and her boss, harbormaster Domingo, turns up a dead body--and turns Victoria into a witness to murder. When another body is found, it's clear that Victoria could be next. First-rate plotting notwithstanding, it is Riggs' wonderful cast of characters that brings her novel to life. In addition to the endearing yet never sentimentalized Victoria, the supporting figures are uniformly compelling and thoroughly believable, especially the utterly tactless and fiercely loyal Domingo. Despite her advanced age, here's hoping Victoria Trumbull is solving crimes for many years to come. --Jenny McLarin
Library Journal Review
In this series debut by newcomer Riggs, 92-year-old Victoria Trumbull's keen hearing results in the discovery of a mutilated body in the harbor at Martha's Vineyard. But granddaughter Elizabeth, who works in the harbor office, and her boss, an ex-New York cop named Domingo, realize that the murderer may now target Victoria as a witness. Because the victim had ties to several town officials, the murder has ramifications that may affect the harbor office as well. The following days are filled with car chases, a spacey Wampanoag Indian, a missing harpoon, another murder, and additional suspects. Victoria's mordant wit and easy cleverness add to this vastly entertaining debut series. For all collections. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
