The Alpine Advocate: An Emma Lord Mystery

I, too, at first thought ok, I'll trudge through this formula book since it is short and is about the Pacific Northwest, my former home. Yes, the characters are standardized and I was especially irritated by the small-town-characters-formula which has been so well done and non-formula by William Faulkner and Ring Lardner. Then, of course, there are all the mystery-cop-spy-etc. TV shows which I love but have to bring in the city slickers go to a small town--and we all know what happens from there. There is one exception, as usual it is NCIS when as they drive to the small town "sing" the banjo song from Deliverance; moreover, there is a delightfully conscientious female detective who has done a decent job but is ignored. Beyond these distractions, I think Daheim does a creditable job on plot and language (style). I do not read this genre in order to try to figure out "Who done it" and thought I had it all figured out early on--well, she delightfully surprised be with completely credible different solutions by the ending. And, she does not use the technique I do not like which is to pack the earlier pages with so many characters it is hard to keep track of them, much over care about the culprit. Beyond that, I became increasingly impressed as I read on with Daheim's style and playful (at times) language. I was amused by the use of p.g for pregnant as it startled me back into her time period/values of the time and portrayal of the lengths people went to hide an illegitimate" birth. (I have never figured out how a baby can be illegitimate..) I enjoyed the simile: "She shuddered, sending ripples along the bustlline of her floral print blouse." which aptly fits the wearer. Name symbolism: the Dithers sisters. I suspect that she uses much more name symbolism than this one example. This image made me smile: "Oh I know I know" she insisted, waving her fork and sending lettuce in the direction of the two men across the aisle." And pulled me out of the frown upon encountering the cliche "throw in the towel." An occasional cliche is not too distracting, but the use of "mental" so common in formula writing makes me grit my teeth (cliche). Luckily I only found one use of the totally ridiculous image created by using the word "mental": "I gave a mental shrug." At least 30 years ago a writers' magazine use the idiotic "Bit his mental lip" for just how bad this usage is and how common it is in formula writing. There is enough that is impressive in this novel that I hope in subsequent ones someone has told the author to skip this image; moreover, "mental" has taken on the meaning of crazy. On faith that he next novel will be even better, I am awarding 4 stars--a rating much harder to get from me by more serious fiction.

I mistakenly read the 3rd book in this series before the first two. I had ordered all 3 so just dumb mistake. I didn't give the 3rd book a very good review as it just didn't hold my interest. This one also has, in my opinion, way too many descriptions of all the relationships of the people in this small town. It gets confusing. AND, the reason for the interest in the Mine Shaft is telegraphed way back in the first 1/4 of the book so after that you are just waiting for the book to catch up with what you already know. I can't really get a handle on the main character. She just doesn't seem to have much personality, she willingly puts up with total incompetence in her work place (only one woman has any sense) while striving to make a living at it. I mean, get real, either go broke or hire different people. The character of the EX is not well drawn and if there ever was chemistry between them it isn't there anymore or the writer is at fault. I just think these books could be a lot better.

ALPINE ADVOCATE; AN EMMA LORD MYSTER is the first book in the Emma Lord series written by Mary Daheim. As in her B&B series, Mary makes the reader feel as if they are part of the story line. Again, the reader will laugh, feel sad, at the people in the book, what is said, etc.Since I visited some of the towns, saw the river, the waterfalls, the creeks, and woods along the highway where the story takes place it is fun to me to picture these places while reading the books. Mary Daheim's books are well written and easy to read Especially if you ARE INTRESTED IN READING THE STORY LINE INSTEAD OF TRYING TO KNIT-PICK EVERY SENTENCE. The true cozy book reader is more interested in the story and what will happen to the people in the following books.

I am loving the alpine series. The characters are strong and witty. The stories move fast and leave the reader seeking more.

The book is in good condition. It came in good time. Very satisfied

I'm trying very hard to be fair here. This is the first Emma Lord I've read and the first book by Mary Daheim. So, I read extensively and therefore recognize certain "formats." I hate to use that word but can't think of any other way of describing the characters and the way the story unfolds. If a character grabs me in that first book, I'm apt to read the entire series and have done that. I do not care much for Emma or her background and her side kick, Vida, reminds me too much of a similar character in another series I'm re-reading. Maybe, if I had been introduced to Emma and Mary Daheim before reading other similar books, my "takeaway" would've been different. Sorry! Will I buy book 2? Probably.

Daheim writes well, often sparkles, though there are occasional failed metaphors or misused idioms. Her plot is good and twisty.I don't like the extent to which she or Emma Lord embraces, endorses, the bland stupidities of American consumerism. I don't think children should be thoughtless exploiters of their parents, and I don't think we get important insights from knowing whether you drank a Pepsi or a Coke.

Not my first Emma Lord book unfortunately but enjoyable anyhow. You should really read them in order. This first in the series is good as an introduction to the cast of characters. I just wish Emma was a stronger, grittier woman who would stand up for herself and her business.

I thought I'd figured out the ending halfway through. I had, but there was a twist added that no one could have foretold. I found the first half slow and a bit annoying because trying to figure out all the characters and where they fitted got a bit annoying. I finally did by the end of the book but other than to reinforce the character of Vida, I didn't see the need to include everyone who lived in the town.

First of a series very well written with interesting setting and characters