The Alpine Menace

Emma Lord #13

by Mary Daheim

Read all about it!

For once, Emma Lord, editor-publisher of The Alpine Advocate, isn’t thrilled by having an inside track. The Seattle murder of Alpine native Carol Stokes is generating headlines, but the accused killer is Emma’s long-lost cousin Ronnie, who swears he was out drinking when his girlfriend was strangled. But he can’t prove it, and neighbors claim they heard the couple fighting moments before the murder. Now Emma and supersnoop Vida, the Advocate’s house-and-home editor, must find another suspect. Someone who hated Carol enough to write a tragic ending to her life story. Someone who is preparing to edit Emma and Vida right out of existence…

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

297 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

About the author

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

Reviews

[Claudia Cheyne · Rating 3 out of 5]

Emma receives a phone call from her cousin Ronnie who is in a Seattle jail charged with the murder of his girlfriend. Ronnie is asking for her help because he had heard that she was "some kind of detective". Vida urges Emma to get involved since it is for a family member - and family is very important. What Emma discovers is sloppy police work, a court appointed lawyer who is new to the job and overwhelmed, witnesses who were never interviewed. Most of the story takes place in Seattle. I don't mind a change of setting. Emma compares the big city police to Milo's small town law enforcement capabilities. We meet new characters as well. I did not care for Ronnie. But later on we find out that he had a difficult childhood and his parents didn't really care about his well being. Also, Amber Ramsey and her baby are temporarily living with Emma. She was very annoying. The book had some good parts. I guessed wrong on who committed the crime.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable read in the Alpine series, this time set mostly in Seattle. While the mystery is good as a stand alone, it is probably better to be aware of Emma’s previous history to get the most out of it.

[Margaret · Rating 2 out of 5]

Overly complex and boring for my tastes.
I do appreciate the acknowledgement that not all victims of spousal abuse are females.

[Tricia Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery with some surprising twists and turns.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a good read. Onto to the next one.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 13th book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

[Elliott · Rating 2 out of 5]

sigh

[Monica Mason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Always good to visit Alpine and Emma Lord. This time she ends up in Seattle to help a less then smart cousin beat a murder rap.

[Grey853 · Rating 2 out of 5]

I usually like the Emma Lord mysteries, but this one didn't do much for me. For one thing, it's not even set in Alpine, but in Seattle. Emma has to go there to help find a way to save her cousin Ronnie from being railroaded for killing his girlfriend. He swears he didn't do it, and despite not knowing him very well, decides to investigate. She and Vida spend the book tracking down clues, but the resolution just didn't ring true to me.

It's readable, but not the best book in the series.

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Much of this book takes place in Seattle and Emma needs to be in two places. Is is Easter week and Emma learns that her cousin is a Seattle accused of a murder. Vida and her go to see if he his guilty. looking into the investigation Emma feels that he was framed. Emma finds Ronnie has an alibi at the time of the murder. Back in Alpine the O' Neil - Harquest fuel explodes and Emma returns to Alpine to write the story. Emma needs to help her cousin and Vida helps her.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best Emma Lords in a while! I've been really down on Emma lately, annoyed with her personal life and her decisions, but this takes her out of Alpine and out of her comfort zone, with a mystery that is really satisfying.

[Glenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the fact that this author places her stories in different parts of the Northwest. This mystery was well weaved together.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

Off to a VERY slow start!

[Glenn Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Emma Lord and sidekick Vida have to leave Alpine and solve a mystery in Seattle when Emma's long-lost cousin is accused of murder. Yet another good one.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

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

[Patricia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book in the series down, more to go. Cozy mystery.

[Janet Ankiel]

Not my favorite Alpine Tale. I found all the driving around tedious. Up on street down the other and then, back to the old neighborhood.
Yuck!

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 - Good