The Alpine Vengeance

Emma Lord #22

by Mary Daheim

Nestled in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, the charming little hamlet of Alpine is welcoming Thanksgiving with open arms, while Emma Lord, editor and publisher of The Alpine Advocate, feels her spirits sink. There will be no family and no friends—not even Sheriff Milo Dodge—to share the day. How, she wonders, has she managed to screw up her life so badly?

But on the Monday after the holiday, a call from Sheriff Dodge concerning a trio of alarming unsigned letters he has received leaves Emma no time to wallow. The writer asserts the wrongful murder conviction ten years ago of Larry Petersen, a onetime Alpine resident who has recently died in prison. The real culprit, the letters declare, has made a deathbed confession of the crime. Neither Emma nor Milo recognizes the repentant killer’s name. Even Emma’s stalwart House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, from whom no Alpine secrets are hid, is baffled. They decide that the whole thing must be a twisted prank.

Then a fourth letter arrives, threatening that if swift action isn’t taken to right this alleged perversion of justice there will be another death—most likely Emma’s or Milo’s. As rumors of a coming homicide spread along Front Street, a ripple of panic runs through the Valley of the Sky.

Is Milo the real target? Is Emma in danger? Should Vida run for cover under one of her biggest hats?

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

336 pages, Hardcover

First published March 29, 2011

About the author

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

Reviews

[V. Chisholm]

I had just finished the Alpine Fury and saw that the Alpine Vengeance was available on my Overdrive app. It was great to continue the tale of the Peterson family saga. Even though it was obvious a lot had happened to the other characters in the Alpine series during books G through U I’m glad I skipped ahead to see how the Petersons concluded. Now I’ll go back to the Alpine Gamble and continue through the series.

[Brian]

Like listening to an extremely nosy neighbor gossip about everybody in town. I've never read any other books in this series, but I felt like I was surrounded by people I'd never met before, like, hundreds of them. Didn't seem like there was much of a mystery, either.

[Nese]

If you are cozy mystery fan, you may want to add this series on your list since this book has everything a cozy mystery is supposed to have: a complex murder mystery, colorful and eccentric characters, close-knit relationships in a small town, nice story flow, descriptive writing style, surprise ending, and hopeful mood. I plan on reading rest of the books in this series.

[Elaine]

I don't think I have ever read a book in this series before but I picked this one up in a Little Free Library. It was interesting even though I would get somewhat lost with all the connections of the family members. It seemed a little complicated. But I did like the feel of the characters for the most part. And I sure do like Little Free Libraries!

[Lisa F]

This is one of my favorite series of books. I’ve been hooked by these characters since the very first book. It takes place in a quaint northwestern mountain town revolving around a newspaper and the police department and the murders they get involved in as they solve them.

[Jill Frederickson]

Rehash of previous plot and the characters are just not engaging. This series is out of stories.

[Linnea]

This had me waiting to see how all of the characters would end up. Even Craig.

[Darinda]

The 22nd book in the Emma Lord series. A light, cozy mystery.

[Nancy Ellen]

If you like cozy mysteries, this series is a fun read. I also learned a lot about the Pacific Northwest.

[Helen]

More development in the lives of the recurring characters, and an outcome to the mystery that I didn’t see coming.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk]

I can’t wait to read the next one!

[Jeff]

I really can't believe I use to love this series. I only finished this book because I bought it at a used book store.

[Mary Newcomb]

Once upon a time I liked this series. Now I believe it ran out of steam and I am deciding if I have it in me to read the last 4 books.

[Joe]

One of THE most boring books I’ ever read. Did we really need the name of everyone in Alpine? Ridiculous to say the least . In my 83 years I have never read such drivel.

[Janet Ankiel]

Daheim's collection of quirky characters always manage to intrigue and entertain. Newspaper owner Emma Lord, her loyal Vida of the eiditic memory, and the upstanding sheriff Milo manage to reveal their own humanity even as they research, report, and delve into a rich stew of the former logging town of Alpine's citizenry.

The impact of weather, especially autumn and winter conjure up my own history in snowy Michigan. These tales consistently have an intelligence about them that rises above the plethora of sappy "cozy*"
mysteries. Alpine is always a good place to visit.

[Judy Iliff]

This is one book for which I should have, perhaps, re-read the previous book in the series. Naw, I don't re-read books! It was a little confusing, however, trying to remember what had happened previously - and this is the only drawback, I think, to reading books in a series. This is also the reason I have the book a 3 rather than a 4. More distressing, though, is there are only 4 more books in this series, unless Daheim decides to start over with the alphabet, and I don't think that's going to happen!

Emma Lord is forced to revisit a murder committed in 1995 and related in The Alpine Fury when Sheriff Dodge receives anonymous letters stating the person accused of the murder is actually innocent. Then Larry Petersen, the man serving the sentence, dies while in prison, and another letter is received. Meanwhile, Craig Laurentis, the artist/recluse from previous books, is shot and maples are being poached. Vida interviews the two sons of Larry who end up having an argument during the broadcast, and Cole states his father told him he was innocent of the murder. Emma gets pulled into this mess and hope Petersen's family can help her unwind this mess.

I thought The Alpine Vengeance was a good, quick read. I thoroughly enjoy this series and think it's much better than her bed and breakfast series. Vida is getting more opinionated, if that's possible, and Milo Dodge is crankier. Emma has to find a new receptionist as Ginny is overwhelmed with her 3 children, plus she has a new reporter who's originally from Detroit and has no trouble comparing everything he sees to Detroit.

[Janis]

Odd tale of family ties gone wrong. Very convoluted and kind of hard to keep straight. Still and all it was interesting. The editor of a small town newspaper and her intrepid staff help solve who did what to whom. She's a sort-of friend to the town hermit/artist who tries to tell her the identity of the person who shot him and left him for dead in the woods. Since he is (a) sedated and incoherent and (b) the recipient of another try at murder by the same person it's hard for the editor to understand what he's trying to tell her. Along the way there is a seemingly less than bright woman who is foisted on the newspaper as receptionist when the real receptionist decides she can't come back to work after the birth of her third child. The ditz's two brothers come into town and air the family laundry on radio after the death (in prison) of their father. Their mother had come into town earlier than expected, then commits suicide. So many deaths, so much confusion.

[Grey853]

Part of the Alpine series, this one has an old case reopen when the man convicted of murder might not have been the real killer. Milo, the sheriff, starts receiving letters about the case and then so does Emma.

As usual, I like Emma a lot. She's strong-will and doesn't suffer fools lightly. I think in this one she finally realizes the depth of her feelings for Milo, which for me is a good thing. I think they're a strange, but oddly satisfying couple.

The biggest drawbacks of the book are the references back to the previous case and the huge list of names to keep track of as she works through the puzzle of who the real killer might be. At times it got very confusing.

Still, it's a solid story to add to the collection.

[Lynne Tull]

I have been with Emma Lord since the beginning of this series. I have always liked the stories, some more than others. I felt like this book was more about the life and times of a small time weekly newspaper owner/editor than about the mystery. The mystery was lost among the several stories that were going at the same time. I kept thinking that Ms. Daheim was getting ready to end the series, but that is not the case. On the last page, she gave us a carrot to entice us to read the next installment. I will say that I am getting tired of Emma mourning the death of Tom "the love of her life". Also, her whining about how guilty she feels about the mistakes she made, as a single/unmarried mom, in raising her son. It is time for her to forget the past and get on with her life.

[Bam cooks the books]

I enjoyed catching up with Emma, Milo, and Vida in this 22nd outing of the Alpine crew which takes place between Thanksgiving and Christmas and dredges up a 10 year old crime. Enjoyed all the side stories too which kept everyone confused. The twist ending was a total surprise to me; I still am not sure how Emma figured it out herself. Some nice personal tension in the story. My only complaint was that there were too many characters/familial ties mentioned and it was impossible to keep all that straight. In the end, it really didn't matter to the story. Let Vida keep that under her hat! :)

[Mary Kay]

I have not yet read any of the early books in this series (this is #22), so found the complex of local characters and family alliances a bit confusing. At the same time, I enjoyed the small-town feeling and recall visiting the setting as a child. The basic story was surprising and I guess realistic with the loose ends that were distractions in the hunt for the truth. I decided to read a couple of the author's books after seeing an announcement of a visit to our local library.

[Ehbooklover]

Too many characters and relationships to keep track of. The mystery involves a cold case from a previous novel ("The Alpine Fury") which I read ages ago and didn't remember. An average read, but I did enjoy the re-emergence of Emma and Milo's relationship. If you are interested in reading this series, do yourself a favour and start at the very beginning.

[Tisha]

A cozy mystery which I love. I like the Emma Lord series that takes place in the mountains in Washington State. I get all confused with all the characters in this small town but I enjoy the interactions between the main characters. I will I admit her earlier stories are better than this one but I am still looking forward to the next installment.

[Annie]

Unnecessarily convoluted. I generally really enjoy cozy mysteries but there were so many moments in this one that felt tacked on (sex scenes), extraneous (colds/flu/vomit scenes), or just excruciating (middle aged couple cooing cutesy pet names at one another).

Finished it (it was a grudge match) as part of the bookish nerds t'giving challenge.

[Caroline]

Mary Daheim has done it again. Although the Alpine saga has continued for quite some time, this book is still as entertaining as always with Emma progressing in her personal development and Vida Runkel still keeping track of everyone in Alpine. Very enjoyable read and I hope the series continues.

[Deb]

started reading this Alpine series years ago and just keep reading it whenever a new book is out. I like the characters and the writer. Place: East of Seattle in the mountains. Woman owns weekly newspaper; there's always a murder; not fast-paced; easy reading.

[Denise]

The newest Emma Lord book by Mary Daheim does not disappoint. The story is good and Emma and Milo see each other in a new light. If you like the series, you should like this addition.

[E]

I've been reading these books for years. Thank heavens she's almost at the end of the alphabet. I'm getting a little tired of all the talk about how everyone is related to everyone in the little town of Alpine. I think the earlier books were better. Still, I'll probably keep on reading them...

[Incandragon]

It's a fine genre mystery novel. I've only read 3, and I consider writing is better in this one that the earlier ones.

I'd give it a 3.5, because I'm never exactly grabbed by this series, but really I think it's one of the better formula-based mystery series out there.

[LibraryLady]

Latest in the Emma Lord/ Alpine series. Hermit artist Craig Laurentis is shot, his latest painting is disturbingly different and an convicted murderer may actually be innocent.