The Alpine Winter

Emma Lord #23

by Mary Daheim

The picturesque town of Alpine in Washington’s Cascade Mountains is decked out in holiday finery, but family troubles are brewing at the Alpine Editor and publisher Emma Lord is fretting over how her brother and her son€”both priests€”will react when she confesses her passionate affair with Sheriff Milo Dodge; House & Home editor Vida Runkel realizes that her spoiled grandson has gone off the rails; and Emma’s star reporter goes AWOL after learning that his son has escaped from prison. And yet another Alpine family is singing the Christmas blues when Postmaster Roy Everson shows up with bones that may or not belong to his mother, who’s been missing for the last sixteen years.But the most disturbing holiday dilemma is the body found in the cave on Mount Sawyer. The decomposed corpse is that of a mature male, so it can’t be Mama Everson. Is there a connection between this long-ago disappearance and the gruesome bones discovered ear

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

320 pages, Hardcover

First published November 29, 2011

About the author

Mary Rene Richardson Daheim was an American writer of romance and mystery novels.

Reviews

[Linnea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tied together some characters in the past and great story with Mil0 and Emma.

[Cynthia · Rating 2 out of 5]

Story was kind of all over the place. Not the best Alpine I've read.

[Cheryl A · Rating 3 out of 5]

The latest installment in this long running series is one of the best. Mary Deheim has continued to develop the characters of the fictional town of Alpine, giving them all a sense of depth despite the comical aspects, which is no easy task.

The action picks up 3 weeks after the events of The Alpine Vengeance, with Sheriff Milo Dodge still out of town and newspaper owner Emma Lord out of sorts. Emma is more than a little peeved with her brother, priest Father Ben and her son, priest Father Adam. She is also a little peeved with herself, examining her feelings for Milo and dealing with fallout from the event of Thanksgiving. Rounding out the crisises are House and Home reporter Vida's grandson Roger, reporter Mitch's wayward son Troy, a woman missing for 16 years and a decomposing body found in the mountains.

This series started out as a typical cozy mystery series and has evolved into something more. All of the character have been fully developed, given depth while keeping their quirks. Real life issues - death, drugs, adultery, mental illness - are treated with respect and the effects of these on the fictional inhabitants are illustrated with care and understanding.

Interpersonal relationships drive this series and I recommend it for those who enjoy a cozier mystery with characters with depth. Do yourself a favor and start with The Alpine Advocate and watch your new friends in Alpine, Washington as they bumble through life.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this latest Alpine book which I read back to back with Alpine Vengeance so I didn't lose the story thread this time around. I noticed one thing: Emma's character morphs with whomever she is dealing with. She is feisty with Milo--as in "Don't try to control me!"; almost subservient with Vida who keeps acting like SHE owns the paper; ultra-religious with her priestly brother, snarly with him when she reverts to their childhood relationship. Her son, who she claims is the only adult in the family, is now wealthy yet she bends over backwards to buy him gifts? Buying his love? Tell him to break down and use some of his inheritance on himself, Emma! And what a nasty bunch of gossips the Alpiners have turned out to be! Thank goodness Milo and Emma are now engaged or they might have been tarred, feathered and run out of town on a rail, lol. The mystery was second to the romance in this story but it was a fun read and had a dramatic twist to who-dunit. Personally I was hoping for more Christmas atmosphere since I was reading it in December but that's neither here nor there, is it? :) Can't wait to read the next installment in the Emma-Milo drama. I'm sure the fur will fly and the heat will sizzle off the page.

[Judy Iliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another hit for Daheim with her Alpine series. Less than three weeks have elapsed since the end of the previous book The Alpine Vengence. Emma is rather disgruntled that neither her brother nor her son, both priests, were able to make it to Alpine for Thanksgiving. They promise to be home for Christmas, though. To add to her stress, Emma realizes that she's in love with her on again/off again lover, Milo the county sheriff, and she needs to tell both her brother and her son. Vida realizes that Roger, her grandson, has "gone off the rails", as one reviewer stated; and Emma's star reporter disappears when his son escapes from prison. In the mean time, bones are found in a cave, and the local post master shows up with bones that may or may not be those of his mother who disappeared 16 years ago.

Character development and description of setting are, I think, Daheim's forte. Her plot development is always spot on, in my opinion.

If you've been reading this alphabet series, you won't be disappointed with W; if you haven't read them, I highly recommend you start. I will be sad when Daheim gets to Z.

[Dany · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series by Mary Daheim. With this one it definitely felt like the author is gearing up for the end if the series, presumably just three books away. The "mystery" was a little weak and the subplots disjointed but there was a star in this one, being Emma's relationship. I was pleased with the direction being taken on that front. This is not the book to start with if you've never read any in the series, the last few have referred quite a bit to events in prior books which can be difficult to keep track of even if you did read those books. But worth reading if you are a fan of the series and have been with it since A,B & C. :)

[Elaine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Seems like I missed one or two in her series, but not really tempted to go back to catch up. Not a lot of mystery, but a lot of gossip. Saved from the dreaded one star by mostly likeable characters.

[Geri Hoekz · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mostly enjoy this series although I find the gossipy parts distracting at times and it can be hard to follow the plethora of family names, histories and backstories. This one didn't seem to flow as well as some, plotwise. And I kept wondering why Emma would be so concerned about what her son & brother thought about her personal life. Still, it was nice that she finally recognized the value of one particular aspect of her life. I often jump into series somewhere in the middle but with this series it's best to start at the beginning.

[Laurann Cowan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the first quarter of the book a little slow. Emma was spending a great deal of time on a guilt trip. However, the action picked up considerably after that. The eccentric characters in her life are always entertaining. Things are winding down in Alpine as this alphabet series had only 3 letters left to reach the conclusion.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Returning to this series is like returning to old friends. Christmas brings Emma’s son and brother for a visit, but also produces several mysteries attached to some bones being found. And is the arson related, or completely separate, not to mention the escaped prisoner, with connections to the Advocate?
Altogether, a very absorbing mystery.

[Beverly Knudsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed most of this book but there were a few spots where the language could have been "less rough" .I am willing to give the author another chance. My sensitivity is not everybody.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book had many and varied storylines. I would have enjoyed more focus on fewer events. A must read for fans of the series.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 23rd book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

[Leisa Persall · Rating 4 out of 5]

just recently finished this book. it was pretty good except for some technical errors ie, slam down receiver of a cell phone. No cell phones have receivers.

[Angela S · Rating 1 out of 5]

A Romance Novel

I find the books in this series hit or miss, but this one’s just a romance novel. I hope the next one’s better

[Lois · Rating 3 out of 5]

Way to many characters! I did not find the two main characters interesting.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

liked the surprise ending. Characters are an interesting read.

[Thomas Bruso · Rating 4 out of 5]

At the start of Mary Daheim’s 23rd lively entry, “The Alpine Winter,” publisher and editor Emma Lord is up against a salvo of nasty goings-on in and around the picturesque town in Washington’s Cascade Mountains.

Christmas has arrived in the sleepy Town of Alpine and everyone at The Alpine Advocate, including Emma, is up to their neck in crime and holiday stress. What appears to be century-old bones surface in a cave outside Alpine, people go missing and Emma, working tirelessly on being a caring mother to her needy, long-distance priest son, Adam, tries juggling a new romance with Sheriff Milo Dodge.

Postmaster Roy Everson appears at the newspaper bearing grim news: he believes he has unearthed bones of his late mother, who has been missing for 16 years. But that is only the start of this calamity. The most distressing news arrives a few days later when a decomposed male body is discovered in the cave at Mount Sawyer.

Is there a connection between the ancient bones and this decomposed body? When Dodge returns to Alpine from a recent family trip, a grueling, perplexing investigation ensues, pitting neighbor against neighbor, and Milo and Emma find it difficult to flee the ensuing mayhem to find quiet time for each other.

As with past novels, it is the scandal, intrigue and feisty characters that make these mysteries a fun escape. For readers who have followed Lord’s front-page adventures from the series inception (“The Alpine Advocate”), you are in for an entertaining holiday treat.

[Denise Zendel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 23rd outing for small-town newspaper publisher Emma Lord finds Emma and Milo finally acknowledging their feelings for each other. Emma is worried about how her priest brother and priest son will take the news. Milo is still technically married to Old Mulehide, which is a problem for Emma's brother, and Emma is afraid her son will think she is dishonoring the memory of his father.

All the recurring characters pop up in this story, and it's good to hear from them all. Vida Runkel, Emma's House and Home Editor, is dealing with her terror of a grandson; Emma's star reporter, Mitch goes off the rails when his son breaks out of prison; and the post master brings a box of bones that may or may belong to his missing mother.

In between doing her job, taking tentative steps to a real relationship with Milo, spending time with her brother and son, and trying to figure out what's going on with her star reporter, Emma also has to figure out who has it in for her - literally, someone tries to burn down her cabin with her in it, and then tries to blow up Milo.

All the plot threads are skillfully drawn together by the end, making for a very satisfying ending. Some series tend to grow stale for me, but not this one. This is just as good as book 1. I do recommend reading these in order, as one builds on the other.

[Lynne Tull · Rating 3 out of 5]

How can I say that I do not like this book since I started with #1 and am still going at #23. Emma has finally gotten over Tom the father of her son. This is the Tom whom she mourned for at least 10 books. However, she has now started to obsess over her guilt about have an affair with Milo, the sheriff. It is hard for me to believe in this day and time that anyone obsesses about an affair. Especially if they are single and really in love with the other person...and their son and brother live many miles from her and never come to see her...that is until this book. So, I do like this book and I like this series and its cast of characters. I don't think there are many more installments to go. After all, we are to 'W". All we have left is 'X,Y,&Z'. Do you think we have three more?...or maybe just one 'XYZ's of Alpine'? If you read it, start with 'A', 'The Alpine Advocate'. I wouldn't want you to miss the thread of the story. I always read series in order regardless of the fact the author (or publisher) feels obligated to bring you up to date in every book. This book spent about 1/3 of its pages reminding us of past books. That being said, I do intend to put this series in my list of 'cozy' mysteries not to be missed.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

Emma Lord is a grown woman with a grown son. Both her son and brother are priests. The first part of the book had far too much Catholic theology for my tastes. The idea of her brother condemning her for sleeping with Milo because he was divorced was insulting and annoying. The fact that she took his opinion seriously really didn't sit well.

In fact, the whole book seemed off to me. There was far too much gossip and not enough mystery. Emma's character just didn't ring true to earlier books in the series, either. She runs a paper, but can't seem to run her personal life worth a damn.

All the bickering between her and Milo bothered me. To me that doesn't show passion or a great romance, just two people who don't know how to treat one another.

The only reason it's got a two star is because I did like her son and some of the secondary characters.

I've read several books in the series and by far this is the weakest.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Christmas approaches, not everything is merry and bright in the town of Alpine, Washington. A decomposed corpse is found in a cave on Mount Sawyer. Emma's brother and son, both Catholic priests, are home for a visit, and Emma is worried about their reaction to her affair with Sheriff Milo Dodge. There are troubles with the lives of the newspaper's staff. And finally, someone attempts to kill Emma and Milo. Just typical events in a small town. In many ways, that is why I only gave the book three stars. It is more about the goings on in a small town than the mystery. The identity of the corpse is only background to the relationships, and the murder attempt happens at the very conclusion of the plot. Maybe if I had started at book #1 I would feel more connected, but this was a cozy about relationships with a mystery background. Probably will not read another in the series.

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

#23 in the Emma Lord newspaper publisher in the fictional small town of Alpine in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains mystery series. The time setting is December before Christmas until New Years while Emma’s Catholic priest borther and her son, also a priest, are visiting. Things are hectic and intense for Emma coming off of a harrowing experience 3 weeks earlier in the previous novel as she balances her visiting brother and son, putting out the weekly newspaper with a short handed staff while balancing her personal issues and developing relationship with the town sheriff. There also as series of mysteries twisted into these events: a body is discovered in a mountain cave, a Seattle layer is pursuing a staff members whose son has escaped from prison and a family's search for their missing mother.

There is a light tone to the story which is filled with interesting characters.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have read this series since the beginning. While this entry might have been a might difficult for some to follow, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Not being highly religious, I struggled a bit with the Emma/Milo/Ben story line; it didn't lessen the enjoyment, just wasn't real for me. As always, looking forward to the next installment, but that gets us one book closer to the end of the alphabet and likely the end of the series. :(
If you're new to the Alpine series, don't start in the middle of the series... Go back to the beginning! I got a little torqued reading negative reviews by those who haven't followed all along. Get a grip.... You can't really expect to get all the nuances and fun out of the characters coming in at book number 23!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's the Christmas season, and Emma Lord has a houseful of guests. Her brother, Father Ben Lord and her son, Father Adam Lord are visiting. Emma and Milo are trying to find some time together but between family, friends, and The Alpine Advocate, time just isn't on their side. In addition, Sherriff Milo is dealing with his family as well. This is Emma, so naturally she stumbles (literally) into another mystery. However, the killer does not want Emma or the Sherriff to solve this one. In between trying to stay alive, and worrying about what her family will think of her relationship with Sherriff Milo, Emma has a lot on her plate. This book has a lot of action, romance and family drama. I really enjoyed this book.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a pretty good read, although there are some things that I wish Daheim would change. The Vida character is getting a bit irritating, as many other reviewers have said, you'd think that Emma would put Vida in her place. And come on with the hats, give it a rest. However, it seems like the Emma/Mila relationship is finally morphing into something reasonable (how long do you carry a torch for Tom after all), but the mystery here is pretty darn good, and it kept my interest. So even with a few irritating character flaws, overall the book was well written, the characters developing, and the who dun it was a good one. Looking forward to picking up the next in the series (Xanadu).

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Lord owns and runs a small town newspaper and solves crimes on the side. Her brother and her son are both Catholic priests and are stationed far away from her so she doesn't see them often, but this year they both are free to visit her at Christmas. They don't know that she is having a serious relationship with the sheriff, but they learn about it and approve of her choice of a future spouse, eventually.

Emma gets in the middle of a murder of someone found in a cave in the mountains outside of their town, Alpine, Washington. The murderer starts after Emma and her beau, trying to burn her house down, blow them up, making staying alive a difficult proposition.

[Mardie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to agree with many of the previous reviewers. I love reading these Emma Lord books but this one was a bit hard to follow. I also had to stop from time to time to figure out who was who. The plots just didn't flow well. That being said, I do enjoy reading this series and am eager to see how the series ends. The only way to have it make sense would be for Milo's wife to die so they don't have to go through waiting for an annulment.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 1 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Mary Daheim's Bed and Breakfast series and I've read a couple of Emma Lord mysteries, but not for years. I picked this one up for Christmas. IMO, Christmas mysteries should stand alone, but there were so many references to past crimes it became annoying. I almost gave up but it's rare for me to do that. I can't even tell you what it was about, other that Emma is a newspaper editor, because there were too many mysteries along with too many characters. Skip this one!