Alpine Gamble

Emma Lord #7

by Mary Daheim

THE ALPINE ADVOCATE IS ON A ROLL.
The big story is the five million dollar luxury spa that Los Angeles real estate developers want to build around Alpine's mountainside mineral springs--hot news and fierce controversy for Advocate readers, and for the paper's editor and publisher, Emma Lord.
Pro-spa Alpiners cite the prospect of sorely needed new jobs. Those against it predict glitz, sleaze, and an avalanche of "Californicators." No one foresees the murder that shocks the town. Aided by her House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, and tongue-tied Sheriff Milo Dodge, Emma lines up her biggest, blackest headlines and goes hunting--for a brilliant killer and the strange story behind an almost perfect crime. . . .
READ ALL ABOUT IT!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Cozy, Mystery Thriller

Paperback

First published January 1, 1996

About the author

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

Reviews

[Erin L]

It's been awhile, but I found a couple of these at my local used bookstore so it was time to go back.

The mystery is actually pretty well done. Although the author tends to like to telegraph things at the end of a chapter, which is a bit of a product of the era (90s) if I remember right. I found it more frustrating than I remembered at this point because it wasn't real subtle.

Emma's relationship status is something I completely forgot. There was briefly some hope here, but it was snatched away. Some day she may get tired of waiting for someone who has no interest in making her his priority. Or, at least I can hope this happens.

I also picked up the 8th in the series so I'll be reading it sooner rather than later.

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I typically enjoy the writing in this series, although I often find myself wishing Emma would be a little less judgmental with the women around her (particularly their weight and attractiveness). this story has many cozy elements and the mystery kept me guessing. one of my least favorite things about this series has been Emma's relationships with the various men in her life. this installment contained several improvements, which I did appreciate quite a bit. Emma's plans with Tom fall through when he returns to Sandra; it seems that Emma finally starts to question her commitment to Tom and perhaps develop an openness to other options. Additionally, Emma's son Adam barely appears in the story - when he does, he tends to be a brat that Emma indulges - and at the end of the story, it appears that Adam is finally going to experience some character development and maturity. Emma still tolerates a lot of nonsense from Leo, but maybe that will get better, too. I like seeing the characters progress and the town go through changes. I can relate this town to a place I lived in the Midwest, which I gather has changed significantly within the past 30 years. I'm interested to see what Alpine will look like at the end of the series.

[Zermeena · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed my visit in Alpine. California developers are threatening to build a spa on the hot springs. It turns out that the spot is remote and difficult to access. Emma manages to solve the mystery using threads of clues. My hope is that she has finally seen Tom for the loser that he is. She needs to move on to a serious relationship. Maybe things are headed that way with Milo.

[Gail Mathers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gamble

Really good. Lots of twists and t u end and puzzles. Red herrings galore. Fun reading. Characters great as always. Very enjoyable and never saw the ending coming. I loved the story the growth of the characters and how she weaved the story in and left you wondering who done it. I would never have guessed when one it was. You'll enjoy it.

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

News travels fast in Alpine. Developers from Los Angeles want to build a luxury spa and hotel on top of Spark Plug Mountain. Locals are quick to take sides - yes, we need jobs, but no, the mountain would be scarred and there aren't any decent roads to get up there. As editor of the local newspaper Emma Lord hears opinions from everyone she encounters. But one of the "Californicators" is found dead on the property where they planned to build. It appears as though he was the only person there at the time. This was a very good mystery with plenty of suspects. I did not figure out 'who done it'. Tom Cavanaugh and Emma were supposed to get together for a weekend which he cancels out at the last minute. Milo and Leo both seem like potential love interests as they work together to solve the case.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now that I have read all of the books in the second half of the series, I am reading or, in some cases, rereading the early books. This is a great one, both the mystery and the progression in the personal lives of the characters. What a great series!

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 7th book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alpine Washington needs jobs for its future and for the livelihood of its residents. Some developers are interested in developing a spa on a mountain that has hot springs. Still many of the residents oppose the building of the spa due to change to the environment on the mountain. Another big reason, is that the developers are from out of state so they are not trusted. About the time, when everything seems to be coming together for the building of the spa, a murder occurs.

Emma Lord the owner and editor of the Alpine Advocate, a weekly local newspaper, starts to investigate. Emma is naturally curious plus she wants news for her newspaper. Even if she wasn't a journalist, she would still become involved due to her personality. I did not have the mystery solved until the author chose to disclose it.

One of the reasons that this is one of my favorite cozy reads, is the characters. They are developed from book to book and as a reader you start caring for them. They are a likable group. Emma, Milo (the sheriff), Leo (the ad manager) and perhaps one of the most entertaining Vida(home and garden). There is always humor in the books. For me as a reader now of the first 7 books, the series seems to get even more enjoyable. That can't be said for some series where the opposite can happen. Looking forward to reading the next Alpine adventure, The Alpine Hero.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

The local library did not have this volume although when I started this series it had all but book 5. So I bought this and so my expectations rose with my "financial" commitment. I scanned a lot and just could not get intothe mystery part, probably because I had to know what turned out with Tom although I had inadvertantly read the beginning of the next book and so I knew the bottom line. There also seemed to be a lot of swearing in this one.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

So much better than The Alpine Fury, the previous book in this series. The mystery was easier to follow, and actually kind of compelling. The additional characters central to the mystery were also really interesting, not just thrown in there. Emma seems to be growing up a bit when it comes to Tom, and even Vida is in the mood for love. Great entry.

[Ailisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alpine needs jobs and a new business is the answer to the problem...just not from these two Californian businessmen. Alpine natives hate Californians, so it was a lost cause from the start. Another great book with an interesting twist in solving the murder. If a gunshot is heard, then it is up to Emma to find out who fires the gun.

[VJ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mary Daheim did it again. Completely befuddled me till the very last chapter or two. Along the ride, she thoroughly entertained me with small town life juxtaposed with big city slickers.

I love the little town that has layer upon layer upon layer added with each new book.

[Misty Farias · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually a really interesting cozy mystery and the person she winds up being romantically involved with I did not see coming (which is unusual in cozy mysteries). It was a quick read but interesting, I would be interested in reading her other books in the series.

[Glenda · Rating 3 out of 5]

entertaining

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a competent if not exciting seres, and definitely one of my favorites by the author

[M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Controversy surrounds the development of a luxury spa at Alpine's mineral springs, and leads to murder.

[Glenn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent entry in the Emma Lord series.

[Mary Kovarik · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good read. I find Mary Daheim's novels always entertaining.

[Monica Mason]

Good as I remember the other one I read years ago in the series.

[Geneva Freeman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my word Milo and Emma, FINALLY.

[Karen]

I registered a book at BookCrossing.com!
http://www.BookCrossing.com/journal/14640357