The Alpine Scandal

By Mary Daheim

Book Overview

Welcome to mystery lovers' favorite destination: Alpine, Washington, Mary Daheim's picturesque old logging town in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains. From the Venison Inn to the Upper Crust Bakery, Front Street is jumping-and the nerve center of the community is the office of The Alpine Advocate, Emma Lord's weekly newspaper, which keeps folks up to speed on everything from joyous weddings to sudden, violent death.

THE ALPINE SCANDAL

It's a quiet morning at the Advocate until the mail brings shocking news: a formal obituary for Alpiner Elmer Nystrom. As far as anyone knows, Elmer is alive and well. But he hasn't turned up for work, so Emma and her unstoppable House & Home editor, Vida Runkel, rush to the Nystrom home, where they find Elmer's lifeless body in the henhouse, half buried under straw. Not only has he been murdered, but his obituary had been mailed before he died. Though Elmer was well liked by everyone, the same cannot be said of his standoffish wife or his son, the town's new orthodontist.

Rumors fly-straight into the office of the Advocate. Why did Dr. Nystrom's new receptionist resign at the end of her first day? Why are the Nystroms' neighbors so close-mouthed? Who mailed that prophetic obituary? With Sheriff Milo Dodge in the hospital, it's up to Emma and Vida to get to the bottom of the tragedy. Alpiners love scandal, and with Elmer's murder, they'll get their fill.

The Alpine Scandal, number nineteen in this bestselling series, is as suspenseful and charming as its predecessors, a delicious look into the life of a small town where all inhabitants know one another-just not as well as they thought.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0345468171
• ISBN13: 9780345468178
• Release Date: January 2008
• Publisher: Ballantine Books
• Length: 320 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 4.3" x 7.0"

Customer Reviews

scooter

In my opinion the author is always very entertaining,not off color or gross and I enjoy the reading experience.s

Good Reading!

I love this type of mystery series. Enjoyed reading this book. Light, easy reading.

Who knew Elmer was going to die?

An obituary is received at the office of The Alpine Advocate, weekly newspaper in Alpine, Washington, of resident Elmer Nystrom. When Emma Lord, publisher, and Vida Runkel, House and Home editor, go to call on Elmer's wife, she tells them he's alive and well. When they go out to the henhouse to talk to him, they find his dead body lying on the floor half covered with straw. It is soon discovered that he was murdered. Strangest part was that his obituary was mailed before he died. It appears Elmer was well liked, although that can't be said of his wife or his son, the new orthodontist in town. Sheriff Milo Dodge ends up in the hospital. So Emma and Vida strive to find out who killed Elmer and why. As they start investigating, they uncover a few suspects and motives. Since Elmer was killed, there has to be at least one person out there who didn't like him. Can Emma and Vida uncover the identity of that person without putting themselves in danger? I really enjoy this series. This was one of my favorite books in this series. I always enjoy when Emma and Vida work together to uncover the killer. I love the setting of these books. I'm originally from Washington State and recognize many of the landmarks listed. I love Emma and her family. I always enjoy her interactions with her staff as well as the sheriff. I highly recommend this book and series.

The Alpine Scandal: an Emma Lord Mystery

Mary Daheim is one of my favorite mystery writers. This series is her best. This book was a tiny bit anti-climatic at the end, but was a worthwhile read, never-the-less. Enjoy and rollicking ride in Alpine!

Need an egg?

If so, don't look for one in the Nystrom chicken house. You could find yourself hurt or even worse there. This is the 19th book in the series that is my personal favorite cozy mystery set. It is amazing that a town of 7000 can provide so many adventures and so many murders. Granted, Emma and Vida have occasionally wandered away from Alpine, but most have occured right there. This time we find the local Chevy repair manager down in the henhouse. It seems impossible, as everyone in town seemed to like him. Well, maybe not everyone, but that is not evident for a while. The mystery is well drawn with some interesting twists and turns along the way. A number of "possible leads" end up having very plausible explanations. The story should hold the interest of those who enjoy reading books of this genre. For those of us who have read all the books, the more interesting play is often that retelling of smalltown life in the mountains. It was great to have Ben so prominently featured in this one. One hopes that Ben could be transferred to a permanent assignment there. The latest adventures of buffoon Ed Bronsky provide some chuckles. Vida is Vida. No more needs to be said. Milo's role is very interesting here. One sees a bit of vulnerability and even a tenderness that we have not seen so much before. Personally, I am a champion of Milo. I can hardly wait for Emma to come to her senses and realize that he stands head and shoulders above the likes of Tom, Rolf, and the other rather "plastic" men who have walked through her life. For those who are new to this series, I would urge you to take them in order. There is a terrific story there. Mrs. DaHeim does a wonderful job of painting her characters, both those who continue through and those who show up for only a few books and then move on. My personal favorites are "Alpine Christmas" and "Alpine Quilt", but I do believe there is great value in walking the complete path of life in Alpine, Washington, during the last 13 years. Enjoy your reading!