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Emma Lord #25
The Alpine Yeoman
Mary Daheim’s bestselling novels, set in Alpine, a picturesque village tucked away in the Cascade Mountains, have charmed a generation of mystery lovers with suspenseful tales of the peril that bubbles up from below the serene surface of small-town life.
An ill wind blows through Alpine, but Advocate publisher Emma Lord and Sheriff Milo Dodge seem immune to the prevailing angst. The newlyweds’ domestic idyll is most definitely over when a dead man is discovered near the fish hatchery and nobody has a clue as to his identity. Vida Runkel may have insight, but Emma’s redoubtable House & Home editor is mad at the world and saying little. Moreover, whispers of scandal travel through the quaint streets when some high school girls mysteriously take a walk on the wild side. And then Milo’s dedicated deputy, Sam Heppner, a true yeoman, suddenly goes AWOL.
What’s happening in Alpine? If Milo knows, he’s not telling Emma. And Emma’s again headed for trouble when she starts snooping. The situation grows even more fraught when a shocking link is revealed between the mystery corpse and one of Alpine’s own, unearthing a long-buried dark secret. Tongues are wagging on Front Street—and the gossip contains an air of menace.
An ill wind blows through Alpine, but Advocate publisher Emma Lord and Sheriff Milo Dodge seem immune to the prevailing angst. The newlyweds’ domestic idyll is most definitely over when a dead man is discovered near the fish hatchery and nobody has a clue as to his identity. Vida Runkel may have insight, but Emma’s redoubtable House & Home editor is mad at the world and saying little. Moreover, whispers of scandal travel through the quaint streets when some high school girls mysteriously take a walk on the wild side. And then Milo’s dedicated deputy, Sam Heppner, a true yeoman, suddenly goes AWOL.
What’s happening in Alpine? If Milo knows, he’s not telling Emma. And Emma’s again headed for trouble when she starts snooping. The situation grows even more fraught when a shocking link is revealed between the mystery corpse and one of Alpine’s own, unearthing a long-buried dark secret. Tongues are wagging on Front Street—and the gossip contains an air of menace.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published March 25, 2014
83 people are currently reading
585 people want to read
About the author
Mary Daheim
94 books444 followersMary Rene Richardson Daheim was an American writer of romance and mystery novels.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews
January 16, 2016
This series continues as newlyweds Emma Lord and Milo Dodge are remodeling and adding on to her log cabin to make room for both of them. Emma is the publisher of the Alpine Advocate and Milo is the town Sheriff. When a dead body is found is found near the local fish hatchery they each need to get back to work and do their jobs even if it means irritating the other one. Emma has deadlines to meet and wants information. Milo has a killer to catch and has to hold things back from her. But together they make a wonderful team.
Dollycas Thoughts
I have loved this series from the beginning and truthfully to fully enjoy this story you really should start at the beginning. It is hard to get to know these characters and all they have been through if you try to read this story as a stand alone.
I do really think Mary Daheim tops herself with each and every book. She packs a lot into 350 pages. There are teenage girls missing, a dead body that nobody knows (meaning he isn’t from Alpine and the residents aren’t really interested), and then a deputy takes some time off and basically falls off the map. She has written a fantastic mystery with a twist that brings to light a secret that had been buried a long time.
What I also love about these stories are the subplots,
Vida and her grandson – he is in big trouble this time.
Mitch and Brenda are still dealing with their son in prison.
Amanda’s baby is due soon.
Ed has come up with another stupid idea.
Milo’s daughter Tanya is getting better, closer to Emma, and has even started dating.
and more!!
The story is full of humor too, from Milo and Emma crazy newlywed behavior, to the meals she tries to get him to eat, to him forgetting to tell her things she needs to know, like there are walls of the house coming down. I think it is cute the way they try to relax together with a drink at the end of each day but Milo wanting Emma to sit on his lap (and you know where that leads) was a little over the top for me.
Again this author has written an intelligent mystery with wonderful characters in a beautiful setting. The “Z” story should be very interesting. Be sure to check out her Bed and Breakfast series too!!
Dollycas Thoughts
I have loved this series from the beginning and truthfully to fully enjoy this story you really should start at the beginning. It is hard to get to know these characters and all they have been through if you try to read this story as a stand alone.
I do really think Mary Daheim tops herself with each and every book. She packs a lot into 350 pages. There are teenage girls missing, a dead body that nobody knows (meaning he isn’t from Alpine and the residents aren’t really interested), and then a deputy takes some time off and basically falls off the map. She has written a fantastic mystery with a twist that brings to light a secret that had been buried a long time.
What I also love about these stories are the subplots,
Vida and her grandson – he is in big trouble this time.
Mitch and Brenda are still dealing with their son in prison.
Amanda’s baby is due soon.
Ed has come up with another stupid idea.
Milo’s daughter Tanya is getting better, closer to Emma, and has even started dating.
and more!!
The story is full of humor too, from Milo and Emma crazy newlywed behavior, to the meals she tries to get him to eat, to him forgetting to tell her things she needs to know, like there are walls of the house coming down. I think it is cute the way they try to relax together with a drink at the end of each day but Milo wanting Emma to sit on his lap (and you know where that leads) was a little over the top for me.
Again this author has written an intelligent mystery with wonderful characters in a beautiful setting. The “Z” story should be very interesting. Be sure to check out her Bed and Breakfast series too!!
May 13, 2015
The Alpine Yeoman: An Emma Lord Mystery by Mary Daheim is a 2015 Ballantine publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher and Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.
As the twenty-fifth installment of this series opens, we find Alpine going through an unsettling and uneasy period. Emma and Milo are adjusting to married life, with some push/pull and a few awkward moments, Vida is in a bad mood, Mitch's wife is still very fragile, Leo is thinking of leaving the paper, and there was a dead body discovered by the hatchery, and no one can identify him, and equally upsetting is the disappearance of a couple of teenage girls, presumed runaways.
As usual, there is a lot going on in this small community of Alpine, but in this installment all the happenings had a menacing undertone to it. Not just a murder, but two runaways has Milo so busy he's meeting himself coming and going, and his deputy, Sam has gone off the radar.
There were quite a few shocking developments in this story which could have some long term repercussions for some the recurring characters in the series. This one had a bit of a darker tone that usual and it felt as though things were still a little unsettled as the story came to an end. So, I am eagerly anticipating the next book, to see if everyone settles back down into more characteristic modes or if the tides have shifted away from the norm in Alpine for good.
I really like catching up with Emma and Milo, although their banter felt a little forced in this installment, they are still a great couple. The mystery was sad, compelling, but a tad to “busy”. Still I enjoyed the read and it kept me entertained.
3.5 rounded to 4
As the twenty-fifth installment of this series opens, we find Alpine going through an unsettling and uneasy period. Emma and Milo are adjusting to married life, with some push/pull and a few awkward moments, Vida is in a bad mood, Mitch's wife is still very fragile, Leo is thinking of leaving the paper, and there was a dead body discovered by the hatchery, and no one can identify him, and equally upsetting is the disappearance of a couple of teenage girls, presumed runaways.
As usual, there is a lot going on in this small community of Alpine, but in this installment all the happenings had a menacing undertone to it. Not just a murder, but two runaways has Milo so busy he's meeting himself coming and going, and his deputy, Sam has gone off the radar.
There were quite a few shocking developments in this story which could have some long term repercussions for some the recurring characters in the series. This one had a bit of a darker tone that usual and it felt as though things were still a little unsettled as the story came to an end. So, I am eagerly anticipating the next book, to see if everyone settles back down into more characteristic modes or if the tides have shifted away from the norm in Alpine for good.
I really like catching up with Emma and Milo, although their banter felt a little forced in this installment, they are still a great couple. The mystery was sad, compelling, but a tad to “busy”. Still I enjoyed the read and it kept me entertained.
3.5 rounded to 4
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February 19, 2014I solved it! Okay, okay. *I* didn't solve the mystery, but I did finish narrating it, so I felt super smart. Course, that was just the characters speaking through me. A fun mystery. Love the developing relationships.
February 8, 2018
The Alpine Yeoman book #25 in the series Emma Lord Mystery by: Mary Daheim was a great read that pits police department against newspaper owner ( and married to the Chief of Police ). A good book that was well writing and a plot that was clean. What I really liked is how the Characters fit together through out the book. But what really was good was how Emma and Milo worked to have separate lives from work. I recommend you read this book.
May 31, 2014
This series appears to be gearing down for a final installment which one assumes will be with the next book, the 26th. I like the series and I liked how in this book, Milo and Emma's prickly relationship has translated into a semi prickly marriage. There was a lot of talk about dinner, yes, but hey, married people do talk about dinner. The mystery was ok not the best in the series, it was kind of convoluted, but it was alright. Also, I thought the twist with Roger and Vida was supposed to be the real "shocker" and is likely to be a large focus in the next book.
March 2, 2017
I liked Emma and how the newspaper ran in the small town. And I liked how Emma and her husband the sheriff worked together. I do wish I knew who was the killer in the story though. When a mystery ends and I don't know who the killer was I am very disappointed. There were too many characters to keep track of for me. I did like the small town setting.
October 12, 2021
I have enjoyed Mary Daheim's Emma Lord series over the last 5 years since I first discovered this charming "alphabet" series. As I have mentioned in many of my reviews, I read almost exclusively mysteries and I especially enjoy a good mystery series. I gave books 1, 2, 7, and 8 four stars. Most of the rest, with the exception of one (book 5) I rated a solid three stars. Some might frown at three stars, but in my book (pardon the pun), that's a good solid story and I'll read more from that author. Then I got to book 22 and I'm here to tell you, each of these last four books (The Alpine Vengeance, The Alpine Winter, The Alpine Xanadu, and The Alpine Yeoman) have left me hungry for more! Now I feel the need to pace myself with only three new books left for me to read in the series. But I'm having serious withdrawal from this Alpine cast of characters. One of the main reasons I love series is because of the development of the characters. These last four books have done a spectacular job of reeling me in and leaving with "book hangover" - I can't read the story fast enough because I want to know how it ends, but then I'm sad when it's over because I miss hanging out with my favorite Alpiners. I hope Ms. Daheim will continue the series, having gone through the alphabet once. I'm delighted to see she has started back through the alphabet again with books 27 and 28.
January 2, 2023
Emma Lord, publisher of the small town newspaper the Advocate, is trying to settle into finally being the wife of Alpine's sheriff Milo Dodge but it can be tough. Who knew that things can be so hectic in a rural village the likes of Alpine?
Well, for one, it took Emma and Milo nearly 20 years to get hitched. Then there is the noisy and ever-changing remodel of her log cabin to become their home — as well as the selling of his home, which is dicey because his daughter, who is living in the house after surviving a murder attempt. Then there are their respective jobs ... and its Alpine, where nearly everyone who is anyone is related to each other and nearly every family has something weird that has happened to them, is happening to them or will happen to them.
The latest is a dead body found by the local fishery and a suspicious hit and run that nearly killed another.
It all adds up to one crazy, nearly impossible cozy mystery by Mary Daheim, who has likable, down-to-earth characters, good dialogue, realistic journalist/police action and a nearly, but not quite, improbable ending. It makes for fun, light reading for a rainy or snowy weekend, heck even a summer day at the beach.
Well, for one, it took Emma and Milo nearly 20 years to get hitched. Then there is the noisy and ever-changing remodel of her log cabin to become their home — as well as the selling of his home, which is dicey because his daughter, who is living in the house after surviving a murder attempt. Then there are their respective jobs ... and its Alpine, where nearly everyone who is anyone is related to each other and nearly every family has something weird that has happened to them, is happening to them or will happen to them.
The latest is a dead body found by the local fishery and a suspicious hit and run that nearly killed another.
It all adds up to one crazy, nearly impossible cozy mystery by Mary Daheim, who has likable, down-to-earth characters, good dialogue, realistic journalist/police action and a nearly, but not quite, improbable ending. It makes for fun, light reading for a rainy or snowy weekend, heck even a summer day at the beach.
February 3, 2018
Finding The Truth.
First time reading Mary Daheim's Emma Lord Mystery. 800 gold stars. The Alpine Yeoman book #25 in this series will keep on on your set until the last page is done. You have a murder then a very bad accident were people are hurt bad, then you have High School Girls missing and if that's not bad your house is being rebuilt for the outside in. And when the braking news comes out not only is their two more killed but a family will be torn apart probably for good. An a very good deputy will be back on the job.
First time reading Mary Daheim's Emma Lord Mystery. 800 gold stars. The Alpine Yeoman book #25 in this series will keep on on your set until the last page is done. You have a murder then a very bad accident were people are hurt bad, then you have High School Girls missing and if that's not bad your house is being rebuilt for the outside in. And when the braking news comes out not only is their two more killed but a family will be torn apart probably for good. An a very good deputy will be back on the job.
November 23, 2018
Another great story
Mary Daheim has done it again. There are big happenings in Alpine and a few twists. Vida is caught in the middle but has no clue. Her loyalty to Roger, her grandson, has blinded her. Even Sheriff Dodge & Emma Lord are stumped. Daheim ties it all together so that almost everyone is affected. Not to give anything away but Roger finally gets caught. A great story!
Mary Daheim has done it again. There are big happenings in Alpine and a few twists. Vida is caught in the middle but has no clue. Her loyalty to Roger, her grandson, has blinded her. Even Sheriff Dodge & Emma Lord are stumped. Daheim ties it all together so that almost everyone is affected. Not to give anything away but Roger finally gets caught. A great story!
March 30, 2023
Overall, I liked the book and the format. In the beginning, I felt there was a rushed introduction to the characters who are new to the series as I am. I didn’t care for that. The storyline was well done. At no point did I feel like I knew who the killer was or why it happened.
The one thing I really don’t care for is how Milo talks to Emma and how much he brings up his ex. My dislike for him is enough to keep me from reading more of the series.
The one thing I really don’t care for is how Milo talks to Emma and how much he brings up his ex. My dislike for him is enough to keep me from reading more of the series.
December 6, 2019
Heppner
Very good. Read gives all the facts and it explains a lot of what was going on in Emma and Mills lives. Lots of fun lots of thinking and things aren't what they seem at all. I enjoyed it very much. So glad she writes these. Easy to read and clean. Very good characters and nice plotting. You will enjoy it.
Very good. Read gives all the facts and it explains a lot of what was going on in Emma and Mills lives. Lots of fun lots of thinking and things aren't what they seem at all. I enjoyed it very much. So glad she writes these. Easy to read and clean. Very good characters and nice plotting. You will enjoy it.
March 17, 2020
It was...okay. I have read many books in this series (this one is #25), and loved them, but this one just didn’t hold my interest. There was too much extraneous information surrounding the plot; in fact, I found myself skipping over several pages at a time to avoid it. I’m thinking it may be time for me to move on from this series, sad as it makes me to say it.
May 16, 2022
An awful lot of crime in Alpine but sheriff Milo is up to the job!!
As is his bride, Emma Lord the editor of the weekly newspaper and her staff. But this time, her local news writer ( read nosy news) Vida is in for a shock when her great grandson and spoiled "do no wrong" boy really gets into trouble.
As is his bride, Emma Lord the editor of the weekly newspaper and her staff. But this time, her local news writer ( read nosy news) Vida is in for a shock when her great grandson and spoiled "do no wrong" boy really gets into trouble.
September 18, 2024
Another excellent visit to the small town of Alpine. There are two mysteries, one involving a stranger found dead, the other girls from the high school going missing. There are many twists and turns, involving several ongoing characters in the series, and the ending contains some surprises, although the involvement of one character isn’t really a surprise. Good mystery in an ongoing series.
April 8, 2025
The owner of a small town newspaper and her sheriff husband get wrapped up in a body that was found, missing teens, and a death in a car accident. I felt this book was a whole lot of gossipy conversations. It was hard to figure out who all of those who were gossiped about were. I almost didn't finish it.
September 11, 2017
Honestly, this mystery was so confusing and had so many loose ends that barely tied up at the end, I was confused even AFTER I finished it. But I loved seeing how the characters' lives are evolving, and how the town of Alpine is still changing.
January 22, 2018
This is the first book I have read in this series. It was tough to get into - too much useless information to start, too many discussions about dinner. But eventually I got into it and enjoyed the book. But I don't think it ever satisfactorily solved the murders.
June 9, 2018
I started this book, bogged down in the multitude of characters, and set it aside.
But I had the first and middle books in the alphabetical series. After reading them, I had enough grasp of the usual cast of characters, to read and thoroughly enjoy this book.
But I had the first and middle books in the alphabetical series. After reading them, I had enough grasp of the usual cast of characters, to read and thoroughly enjoy this book.
December 5, 2022
What a total waste of time!! There are more sentences about smoking and meals than the mystery. I should have known better. The solution to the crimes is presented on one page and did not involve Emma or the sheriff. Kristi & Abby Tabby
June 11, 2023
I enjoyed this plot. It is a mystery without the explosions, fist fights and car chases of many current mystery novels. Good character development and great descriptions of the local environment. And it is written about a part of Washington with which I am familiar. Good book.
April 20, 2024
cute cozy mystery
Another installment in the Alpine mystery series satisfies as always. I look forward to returning to Alpine and it’s residents in the next installment in the series.
Another installment in the Alpine mystery series satisfies as always. I look forward to returning to Alpine and it’s residents in the next installment in the series.
June 24, 2019
Took forever to get to the point. Humorous story, but I personally know a "Vida" and it's not pronounced Veeda, it's Vyda! Drove me crazy.
June 26, 2020
I really enjoy this series and the characters. It will be fun to see what comes next. In this book I did like all the cooking Emma does.
October 15, 2020
Quick easy and better than the last installment. Somewhat repetitive with Emma and Milo’s past.
February 14, 2021
Not the best in the series. Skip it.
December 28, 2021
The 25th book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.
December 4, 2022
A mystery with a good plot and characters. the side stories about some of the characters seem to interrupt the flow of the plot.
May 5, 2023
I love the series but, I hate the way Milo has started to talk to Emma.
February 22, 2024
I love this series but the lives of the people in Alpine is getting old. Book moved too slow and if I didn’t read all the others I would have stopped. One more to go.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 100 reviews