Mary Daheim: Mysteries featuring a small town newspaper editor

Last week, I picked up The Alpine Betrayal by Mary Daheim at a used book store. There are about 10 books in the series, which features Emma Lord, the editor of a small town in northern California.

I've read through Chapter 7, about 80 pages. So far, I am enjoying it. The local color is interesting. The main character is fleshed out well. There is a cast of secondary characters, some of whom are described in detail and some of whom get only passing notice.

I just waded through a two-page scene in which the author introduced more than a dozen new characters by name and terse description. There's no way I can keep track of that many characters, particularly when they're thrown at me like bullets from a machine gun.

But I still like the author and look forward to exploring more of the series.