December's Books

A light and cozy mystery in Daheim’s long running series. Rodney Schmuck and his wife Millie book rooms for a wedding at Judith Flynn’s bed and breakfast. When they arrive at the inn, Rodney surprises Judith by announcing she is his long lost mother. Judith is sure she would remember if she had given birth, but can’t dissuade Rodney he’s mistaken. When Millie drops dead in Judith’s back yard, it’s almost too bizarre to believe. Judith, her husband the retired cop, and her cousin investigate.

My Mother was Nuts by Penny Marshall
Here Comes the Bribe by Mary Daheim

July's Books

Hillside Bed and Breakfast is full up with guests—Mr. and Mrs. Smith from New York City, are one couple—and Mr. Smith soon meets his maker. Judith McMonigle, owner of the bed and breakfast, and her cousin Renie, soon discover that none of the guests are who they seem. A light, amusing cozy mystery in a long running series.

Road to Nowhere by Jim Fusilli
Fish Tales: the Guppy Anthology by Ramona De Felice-Long (editor)
A Warrior's Heart by the students of the Pine Ridge Reservation
Legs Benedict by Mary Daheim
Secrets to the Grave by Tami Hoag
Cop Town by Karin Slaughter
Undone by Karin Slaughter
Taken at the Flood by Agatha Christie
The Alpine Legacy by Mary Daheim
Always Emily by Michaela MacColl
The Black Hour by Lori Rader-Day
She's Not There by Jennifer Boylan

The Alpine Legacy: an Emma Lord mystery by Mary Daheim

In ten words or less: Emma's foe Crystal Bird is found dead; suicide or murder?

Review: Crystal Bird, publisher of an independent newsletter, writes editorials pusing for community support of a battered women's shelter and other causes. Her attacks on Emma Lord, the owner of the weekly newspaper, have gotten personal. A mutual acquaintance has agreed to set up a face to cade meeting between the two women.
When Emma arrives at Crystal's house, Crystal is in her hot tub and is not interested in making peace. Crystal's body is discovered the next morning, an apparent suicide. Was Emma the last person to see her alive?

Why bother? Not as humorous as Daheim's other series. Emma Lord has put her life on hold for a married man, and had an affair with the local sheriff. She's investigating Crystal's death for the newspaper, but is she trying to prove something to the sheriff? This series will appeal to fans of investigative reporters with the bonus of an attractive Pacific northwest setting.