{"product_id":"the-compass-rose-emily-steele-9798262526222","title":"The Compass Rose: A Martha's Vineyard Mystery","description":"\u003cb\u003eWhen paradise becomes a crime scene, some secrets are buried deeper than ancient bones...\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eDetective Lieutenant Mac Thornfield came to Martha's Vineyard to escape his past-not to uncover deadly conspiracies hidden beneath New England's most exclusive island paradise.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBanished after a corruption case destroyed his Boston career, Mac thought Martha's Vineyard would mean nothing more challenging than tourist complaints and bicycle thefts. \u003cb\u003eThen a red-haired bartender washes up dead near the legendary Jaws Bridge, and everything changes.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eA MURDER THAT EXPOSES ISLAND-WIDE CORRUPTION\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eScarlett \"Red\" Chandler wasn't just mixing cocktails at the elite Whaler's Club-she was documenting crimes that reach into the highest circles of island society.\u003c\/b\u003e When Mac discovers she died trying to expose systematic looting of sacred Wampanoag burial grounds, he realizes this \u003cb\u003eisland mystery\u003c\/b\u003e goes far beyond a simple drowning.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThis gripping detective fiction\u003c\/b\u003e plunges readers into a \u003cb\u003epolice procedural\u003c\/b\u003e where every clue leads deeper into a web of: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eArchaeological theft\u003c\/b\u003e targeting Native American sacred sites\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eFederal cover-ups\u003c\/b\u003e that reach from Martha's Vineyard to Washington\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSmall town secrets\u003c\/b\u003e protected by old money and newer corruption\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eA conspiracy\u003c\/b\u003e that someone will kill to keep buried\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFROM EDGARTOWN'S HARBOR TO AQUINNAH'S ANCIENT CLIFFS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs Mac navigates this treacherous \u003cb\u003eMartha's Vineyard mystery\u003c\/b\u003e, he must decode: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e✦ The marine biologist\u003c\/b\u003e whose tidal data doesn't match the crime scene\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e✦ The Boston detective\u003c\/b\u003e who arrives to \"help\" but wants the case closed fast\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e✦ The philanthropic patriarch\u003c\/b\u003e whose foundation funds suspicious archaeological surveys\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003e✦ The compass rose tattoo\u003c\/b\u003e that might be the key to everything\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eWith his former partner working against him and pressure mounting from local politics and federal authorities, Mac faces an impossible choice: \u003cb\u003ehis career or his conscience.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePERFECT FOR READERS WHO LOVE: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eLouise Penny fans\u003c\/b\u003e craving atmospheric mysteries with moral complexity\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eTony Hillerman style mystery\u003c\/b\u003e enthusiasts who appreciate respectful cultural storytelling\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWilliam Kent Krueger readers\u003c\/b\u003e seeking authentic small-town detective work\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNevada Barr fans\u003c\/b\u003e who love mysteries set in stunning natural locations\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eC.J. Box style\u003c\/b\u003e procedurals with environmental and cultural themes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eJohn Dunning mystery\u003c\/b\u003e lovers who appreciate literary depth\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWHAT MAKES THIS COZY MYSTERY SERIES SPECIAL: \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"A masterful debut that weaves together history, mystery, and moral complexity against the stunning backdrop of Martha's Vineyard. Emily Steele has created something truly special.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e- Advance Reader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\"Finally, a mystery series that treats Native American culture with the respect and complexity it deserves while delivering edge-of-your-seat suspense.\"\u003c\/b\u003e \u003ci\u003e- Advance Reader\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cb\u003eNew England mystery\u003c\/b\u003e combines: \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAuthentic island atmosphere\u003c\/b\u003e with the charm of Martha's Vineyard\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eRespectful cultural storytelling\u003c\/b\u003e that honors Wampanoag heritage\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eComplex moral questions\u003c\/b\u003e wrapped in compelling detective fiction\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eAtmospheric police procedural\u003c\/b\u003e elements that feel authentically local\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eDISCOVER THE MYSTERY EVERYONE'S TALKING ABOUT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eSome secrets are worth killing for... and some places are worth dying to protect.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerfect for fans of character-driven detective fiction with heart, atmosphere, and respect for the complex histories that shape our most beautiful places.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e Emily Steele\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798262526222\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Independently Published\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/27\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 514\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 1.50lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.00h x 6.00w x 1.03d","brand":"Emily Steele","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":50921132753151,"sku":"9798262526222","price":21.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_42a9b999-14ec-4fce-afda-39157178598c.jpg?v=1793817860","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/the-compass-rose-emily-steele-9798262526222","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}