Jackson has known Julia and her family for many years and is vaguely acquainted with Ivy after she filmed a movie on the island last year (A Shoot on Martha’s Vineyard). He is surprised to learn that Ivy is being stalked, even though the accused stalker is in prison, charged with killing Ivy’s roommate. Ivy is convinced that the letters she is receiving are from Rick in jail and not a copycat. Jackson is not terribly worried since the island is fairly isolated this time of year.

When the girls experience a nighttime break-in, early in their stay, Jackson grows more concerned and suspects a pair of bullying brothers, Alberto and Alexandro Vegas, may be working with Rick from jail and immediately makes the mistake of confronting them and making unwanted enemies.

As the storm looms closer, the threats to Julia and Ivy increase and a suspicious fire in the town puts all the locals on edge. Jackson wonders if the Vegas are behind all the terror or if the secrets and evil go even deeper. Jackson must race against the storm to keep the ladies safe and tame the Vegas before Zee and his children return.

The Fatal Vineyard Season, the tenth in the series, is a disappointing entry in a normally entertaining series. Perhaps Zee’s absence has Jackson off his game. His normal keen detective sense seems to have been dulled, as was his common sense as he immediately confronts the bullies thinking he has a good cover. They make him immediately, and he ends up putting his family in danger also.

Even Jackson’s usual cooking and gardening acumen seems to fade with the fall season. Jackson also keeps repeating the phrase "Deelish" after a description of many of the meals he eats, which becomes very annoying.

The Vineyard setting continues to prove effective as the locals batten down for the nearing storm and close up their island after the summer rush. The final scene is tense enough, although the stalker is pretty easy to guess from the beginning. Fans of the series will want to read this entry and keep current with Jackson and his family, while new readers may want to start with an earlier entry.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry