Emma Lord, editor and publisher of The Alpine Advocate, is disgruntled that her family wasn't able to join her for Thanksgiving. The following Monday, the Sheriff, Milo Dodge, comes to her with a series of cryptic letters about a murder that took place years before. To add to the mystery, maples are being poached from the surrounding forests and a reclusive artist named Carl Laurentis is found shot just after delivering a new painting to the local art gallery.

Emma and Milo have an on and off romance but the situations that arise put a whole new light on their relationship. When Emma starts getting letters from the same source, they actively re-open the investigation. The man who went to prison for the murder tells his son he was innocent and then dies suddenly. The investigation will take on a new urgency with the probable suicide of the divorced wife of the convicted man.

While I have read other books by Mary Daheim and enjoyed them, this one was a little dark for me. Emma is a cynical, slightly bitter character with a sarcastic way. The mystery was good and kept me guessing until the last minute. I might have enjoyed to story more had I not started with this book, the 22nd installment in the series.