As I was starting this 27th book in the Emma Lord series, I realize that this is the longest series I've read. It's like going to visit old friends in a (fictitious) town I've visited many times. I was so happy to hear that Mary Daheim was continuing this series beyond Alpine Zen. This is another great Alpine mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I struggled between trying to make the story last longer, and reading more because I really wanted to know what was going to happen next. There were several newcomers to Alpine, which made it more difficult for news editor Emma and her police chief husband Milo to solve the mysteries happening around town. There was a lot less of Vida in this book, which I have to admit I missed. I received an advance copy of this book and was happy to provide my honest review. I hope this series keeps going and going!

Alpha Alpine, the second book in the Emma Lord Mystery series, returns with fervor. Emma Lord Dodge continues her drive to make the Alpine Advocate a top-notch newspaper as well as making her marriage to Milo Dodge, the Sheriff of Alpine, work. It is the beginning of September and the big Labor Day picnic and there is also a vote pending in Alpine. It is Jack Blackwell’s, “Black Jack”, intention to get the residents of Alpine to vote him in as the City Manager and relinquish the Syknomish commissioners’ strength on Alpine. If Jack win’s the vote, he would then have control over the Sheriff’s office. This would only add fuel to the fire as to the relationship between Jack and Milo. Two young women are found strangled in abandoned houses. When a third is found, Sheriff Dodge is fearing a serial killer is on the loose. Emma is concentrating on writing an editorial about not just the pending vote but also the topic of abuse in relationships. She is also delivered the news Vida, House and Home Editor of the Alpine Advocate is considering retirement which means a replacement needs to be found. Alison Lindahl the temporary receptionist has been hired and named as the office manager. When Alison bemoans the breakup with her boyfriend, Emma encourages her to try her luck as a stringer for the paper. This is in hope it will draw Alison’s pining for marriage. This book is action packed and you will need to give your solid attention to keep all the items straight. Although I haven’t read the first book in this series, but am sure I will, I was able to understand each character and keep track of their importance.

Absolutely love the characters in the book. Ms. Daheim gives you just enough clues to try to solve. Her writing is funny with a hint of seriousness. It is because of this author I started reading cozies.