The Alpine Kindred

Emma Lord #11

by Mary Daheim

MURDER IS RELATIVE

The brutal stabbing of local philanthropist Einar Rasmussen Jr. outrages folk in the old logging town of Alpine. But, strangely, editor Emma Lord of The Alpine Advocate can scarcely pry a word out of the victim's reclusive relatives. Sheriff Milo Dodge isn't much help either, now that he and Emma are no longer an item. So intrepid Emma goes solo, hot after a story that sparks through town like wildfire, fueled by rumor, malice, and the deadly antics of a maniac. . . .

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

320 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published November 28, 1998

About the author

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

Reviews

[Elliott · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think I hadn't enjoyed the last few books in this series as much, so I'm glad this one was different! Emma is at odds with Milo after their breakup, so she's not having much luck getting information about a variety of recent events (a stabbing, the discovery of some bones at the site of a warehouse fire) and ends up trying to conduct her own investigation. because Emma is in journalism, her involvement makes sense, which I really appreciate in cozies. also, it's not fun reading for me when Emma gets steamrolled by other people and comes across as spineless, and in this one there's less of Vida being a bully and more of Emma doing things on her own. I liked little details about Cupcake (Vida's pet bird), and I appreciate the developments in Emma's relationships with people like Leo and Carla. as much as this is a mystery series, the characters and their relationships are a big part of the stories, so I find myself focusing on how I feel about the characters when I'm trying ot rate the book. Alpine seems to finally be getting more diverse, although comments about how people look "exotic" date the text.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting mystery with a peek into the Gold Rush in the Pacific Northwest. As Washington is one of only 3 US states I have visited, I’m interested in insights into its history, especially the Scandinavian and Asian connections.
The outcome was interesting and perceptive.

[Diane Dunham · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I read The Alpine series I can never put them down. Have to keep reading to see who done it. Although I am a little sad that Milo and Emma broke up.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 - Very, Very Good

[Monica Mason · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always great reads.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is interesting watching Emma, Milo and Vita and how they interact to solve the crime.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 11th book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rating: 2.5

Maybe I need to read a different book before reading book 12. I still like this series but do some scan reading and, like I said, read it more to follow the characters than to find out about the mysteries. I think that is reflected in the score. Is the mystery getting in the way a bit? :0)
OK, I just woke up this morning after finishing the book and the review last night and thought, "Hey, did I finish that book?" This was because there was no real resolution to the story of Brigitta and the "chest of gold" side story. I also realized that having Beau come out of the woodwork right at the end is one of my pet peeves where the guilty person is someone who has not been introduced nor has been considered a suspect but is introduced at the last minute so you could not have guessed whodunit. There were unexpected twists at the end that must have side tracked me from these two pesky issues.

[Margaret]

The brutal stabbing of a local philanthropist outrages folks in the old logging town of Alpine. But editor Emma Lord can't get a word out of the victim's relatives or sheriff Milo Dodge. So intrepid Emma goes solo ...

Enjoyed this book!

[Rusty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have been enjoying this series but I found this one was not as well done as others that I have read. Daheim's murder plot and murderer was a lazy approach. Not much originality. And, yes, one of her friends/coworkers gets shot and almost smothered while recovering in the hospital.

[Ailisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great installment!

Mary Daheim had me worried about Vida for a moment there. We can't lose her, she's an integral part of the story. And once again, Emma in the end has a brush with trouble, but it wouldn't be a Emma Lord mystery without a few risks.

[Ellen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'd give it another half-star to get closer to four stars. Good story, and intriguing mystery, but -- having read a half-dozen of her Alpine Advocate books, despite a break of a few years -- I wasn't ready for another.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery in this one was really intriguing, but Emma's personal life is really a horrible downer.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great Mary Daheim. Very fun as usual. Postscript has some history about the real town of Alpine that existed as an old logging town. Now I'll have to go check that out!

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Kristen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Emma and this series, but agree with other reviewers that the constant moping about her personal life detracted from the story here.

[Glenn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent addition to the Emma Lord series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite. Emma is very maudlin after and it is tiresome.

[Bobbi Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book a lot as I do with all of Mary's books. Now have to get the next book and find out what's going on next.

[Pam Bales · Rating 4 out of 5]

Number eleven in the small town newspaper owner Jesse Stone series set east of Seattle on the western side of the Rockies, this is always an entertaining read.