The Alpine Xanadu

The small town of Alpine is abuzz over newspaper editor Emma Lord's engagement to Sheriff Dodge--but the gossip mill shifts when foolish Wayne Erik electrocutes himself while climbing a power pole during a storm. However, the sheriff doesn't believe it's an accident, and the fun begins in this comic mystery. Laugh-out-loud moments escalate with an attempt on the life of the richest man in town and reports of indecent behavior at the local high school. Tanya Eby's clever individualized portrayals of the cast of eccentrics reward listeners' attention. Her smart interpretations of witty one-liners combine with clever plot twists to keep listeners laughing and guessing. The amusing portrayal of Alpine's new psychiatric hospital is wickedly entertaining. Eby's careful pacing and understatement capture the spirit of this zany mystery. G.D.W. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine