Victoria Trumbull has lived most of her ninety-two years on the Island. Martha's Vineyard, its magic and its history, is part of the texture of her life. Like other Islanders, she knows the sounds of the sea in calm and stormy weather—and she knows the sounds that do not belong. One evening while Victoria waits on the dock for her granddaughter to return with the harbormaster, she hears a chilling scream followed by a splash and the sound of tires skidding on sand. She investigates and discovers a mutilated body floating on the outgoing tide.

With her granddaughter, Domingo the harbormaster, a swarm of Island characters, and a few mysterious visitors, Victoria manages to get in a good bit of detective work. However, she isn't able to prevent further homicide. As the tension mounts, Victoria concocts a scheme to reveal the killer, yet still has time to prepare her traditional Saturday night supper of Boston baked beans.

Meanwhile, summer visitors bask on the beach, sail Island waters, and shop in the Island stores, oblivious to the death and disorder murder has brought to the the native Islanders' lives.

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