Emma Lord is back and better than ever! This time around, the amateur detective partners up with a rookie sleuth to investigate a string of murders in her beloved Alpine, Washington. For a small town nestled in the Cascade Mountains’ foothills, picturesque Alpine provides more than enough headlines to fill the pages of editor and publisher Emma Lord’s Alpine Advocate. The Labor Day edition’s lead … Labor Day edition’s lead story features controversial timber baron Jack Blackwell’s scheme to become Skykomish county manager. But the recent strangling deaths of two young women are all anyone can talk about.
After a third body is found, Emma’s husband, Sheriff Milo Dodge, suspects there’s a serial killer in their midst. The latest victim is the sister of a dashing newcomer rumored to be working for Blackwell. “Black Jack,” as he’s known to his non-admirers, has a long-standing rivalry with Milo. To discover if there’s any connection between the mogul and the murders, Emma recruits the Advocate’s receptionist, Alison Lindahl, to do a little digging.
Still recovering from a recent breakup, Alison welcomes the distraction. But when the investigation puts the eager protégé in the line of fire, Emma worries that the cub reporter’s career will be over before it even begins.
Praise for Alpha Alpine
“Part of what makes this series so great is touching base with the characters, returning to the idyllic locale of Alpine, and spying on all the drama and mayhem. . . . Fans of Emma Lord will love this one, but this one might [also] be a great place for people who haven’t read the series to jump on board.”—The Book Review
“Full of drama and action . . . I really tried to slow down and savor this book, but that was almost impossible. . . . I am already anxiously waiting for the next Emma Lord Mystery.”—Escape with Dollycas
“I always know I can count on a good read with a Mary Daheim book.”—My Merri Way
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I love everything Ms. Daheim writes. Her characters are interesting and her stories flow beautifully. Makes me look forward to her next story, just wished she wrote faster.
I live in the Seattle area and am impressed with the detail. The whole series is like this; she pays great attention to her writing and it shows.
When the murder of two young women rocks the town of Alpine their deaths are on everyone’s minds. It makes great news for Emma’s paper but it’s not something you want going on in your town. After a third body is discovered it looks like their is a serial killer living amongst them. Follow along as Emma tries to help her husband Sheriff Dodge figure out who the killer could be and why they are committing these murders. I have to say that this series just gets better with age. I’ve read it from the beginning and was happy that the author didn’t stop when she reached the end of the alphabet. The characters have become old friends and I love revisiting them with each new book. I can’t wait to see what happens next!
One of my favorite cozy series of all time.
I have read the whole alphabet series. They were fun light read, placed in familiar ,to me, territory, so locations were in my imagination….I could “see” where everything took place and know the weather….been there done that! I appreciate authors located in the Northwest with their tales locates in the Northwest.
Liked the series
I’ve read several of the Alpine books, but it has been awhile. I find they’re rather dull; of course you have to finish them just out of curiosity. I suspect too that reading them in order and recently might help.
I have read many of this author’s books and liked most of them but this one just didn’t do it for me. The relationship between her and her husband is so hard to read. I don’t remember it being this bad in other books but they barely say a kind word to each other. It made me very uncomfortable, especially the way he always patted her on the head. I didn’t like the story much and it didn’t hold my interest although I did finish.
I’ve read the entire Alpine series and always welcome another chance to visit with its many small town characters. If you’ve never read one, start at the beginning and enjoy getting to know this cast of enduring community.
I have read all of her books in both series my favorite is the cousins in the b&b series I do wish she would leave off some of her bad words they don’t add anything to the story line
I’ve read the first “alphabet” series and followed the characters trough the years of their lives. Love the storylines, and happy Alpine stories will continue. Great entertainment to hear more about my book-ish friends there.
I enjoy Emma Lord and the other characters in Mary Daheim’s books
I enjoy every book she has written
I love ALL Mary Daheim’s books they are well written and tell a fast moving entertaining story !
Easy read, typical cosy mystery.
So glad Emma is back. Love the humorous commentary and overall pleasant to read.
This is a quirky but interesting mystery novel. It is excellent light reading (in other words, don’t expect a suspenceful “Sherlock Holmes” kind of mystery) that easily kept me turning pages and reading on. There are a LOT of characters involved in this novel; some are introduced, some seem to have been in the small town all along, and then there is the locale which sort of becomes part of the story and almost another character.
The plot of the story doesn’t so much flow as what I would describe as “stroll” along. There are various “rabbit trails” that are explored as part of the “character building” in the novel as well as, sometimes, sort of just for fun. That being said, though, it is a very pleasant stroll and, as I always did as a kid visiting my granddad’s farm, I have always loved exploring rabbit trails.
I can easily recommend this as a pleasant way to while away some time with a good book.
Love this series from A to Z
Realistic small town community with quirky characters. Just enough mystery to keep me reading. Very enjoyable.
I’m so glad Emma lord is back. Same great writing, wonderful story line.