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lakecake's review against another edition
3.0
As with a lot of the later Alpine books, this one had so many disparate threads to a mystery that wasn't really a mystery and then another one comes in that no one expected and STILL doesn't make that much sense. The best part was figuring out a couple of Alpine identities, but it really didn't need to take a whole book to do this. 3 stars for the fact that it's the last book in a series that I've been reading for years.
cj_mo_2222's review against another edition
4.0
I have been reading Mary Daheim’s Alpine series for a long time. I enjoy main character Emma Lord’s sharp wit and seeing the inner workings of a small town newspaper. The banter between Emma and her co-workers has always been amusing and the friendly bickering between Emma and Sheriff Milo Dodge entertaining. Best of all has been Emma’s friendship with co-working Vida Runkel. The two women don’t always see eye-to-eye, but have always been there for each other when it counted. Sadly that element is missing in the prior installment and much of this one.
I was glad to see Emma and Milo finally realize how much they love each other a few books back, but their funny squabbling has been replaced by two much mushiness, even for newlyweds. This book is a little better than the previous installment. Emma and Milo are still acting like teenagers going steady, but seem more like themselves. Vida is completely obnoxious in the beginning of the book. Although her tirades are somewhat humorous, Emma and Vida’s friendship has been the highlight of this series. I like when things get closer to normal by the end of the book and Emma could confide in Vida and trade theories about the strange things going on in Alpine. Those things are an eccentric young woman coming to town with a strange story about her parents being murdered and the current danger she is in, as well as a dead body found at the town dump. The various subplots are interesting, but the most important part of this book is the wrapping up of various things in the characters’ lives since I have come to care about these characters after reading each of the books in this series. I had assumed this would be the final installment of this series, but the author's website said this isn't the end.
I recommend “Alpine Zen” to readers of other books in the series, but new readers would be better off reading a few of the earlier books before reading this one.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I was glad to see Emma and Milo finally realize how much they love each other a few books back, but their funny squabbling has been replaced by two much mushiness, even for newlyweds. This book is a little better than the previous installment. Emma and Milo are still acting like teenagers going steady, but seem more like themselves. Vida is completely obnoxious in the beginning of the book. Although her tirades are somewhat humorous, Emma and Vida’s friendship has been the highlight of this series. I like when things get closer to normal by the end of the book and Emma could confide in Vida and trade theories about the strange things going on in Alpine. Those things are an eccentric young woman coming to town with a strange story about her parents being murdered and the current danger she is in, as well as a dead body found at the town dump. The various subplots are interesting, but the most important part of this book is the wrapping up of various things in the characters’ lives since I have come to care about these characters after reading each of the books in this series. I had assumed this would be the final installment of this series, but the author's website said this isn't the end.
I recommend “Alpine Zen” to readers of other books in the series, but new readers would be better off reading a few of the earlier books before reading this one.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Ballantine Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
I can't believe this is the last Emma Lord book! Glad to feel like she left us (and Emma) in a good place if there aren't any future events in Alpine.
This story was a tad bit confusing, perhaps because she wanted to make sure all of the characters got a bit of spotlight before the end, but it was enjoyable and heartwarming. Well, again, as heartwarming as a murder mystery can be. I will miss Emma, the people at the Advocate, and everyone in Alpine but will just pretend that things have calmed down, she has given up smoking (again), and that Alpine continues to be as lovely as Vida tells everyone it is!
This story was a tad bit confusing, perhaps because she wanted to make sure all of the characters got a bit of spotlight before the end, but it was enjoyable and heartwarming. Well, again, as heartwarming as a murder mystery can be. I will miss Emma, the people at the Advocate, and everyone in Alpine but will just pretend that things have calmed down, she has given up smoking (again), and that Alpine continues to be as lovely as Vida tells everyone it is!
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
The Alpine Zen by Mary Daheim is a 2015 Ballantine publication. I was provided a copy of this book by the publisher as a part of the LibraryThing early review program.
It's hard to believe we have gone from A-Z in the Emma Lord Mystery Series. While it seems to be a forgone conclusion that this book is the wrap up of the series, I hope that isn't the case. However, the story does seem to lean on the nostalgic side just a little and takes us down memory lane on a few occasions. The mystery was even kind of poignant.
A women calling herself “Ren” arrives in town claiming her mother, a one time Alpine resident, was murdered. Then a dead body is discovered in the dump, and while it may be a hippie, like it's suspected Ren's mother was, this is the body of a man. In the meantime, Ren has a breakdown of sorts and ends up in the hospital.
Emma's nose for news can't resist a good mystery, so she and Milo team up once again in their cute way to solve a mystery. But, if that weren't enough to keep them busy, it's seems Vida has finally cracked up and is in one long running foul mood from sun up to sun down, seven days a week... and the unseasonably hot weather is only making matters worse for all of them.
The mystery, while certainly puzzling, is not really the main focus in what could to be the last book in the series. However, some really shocking secrets are revealed involving some long time residents of Alpine.
Having settled into married life, Emma and Milo have perhaps moved out of the honeymoon phase a little bit, but their banter was as sharp as ever. It was wonderful to know that Emma is finally going to have some peace of mind in regards to a situation that has been the only stumbling block to her complete happiness and contentment.
The author reminds us in small ways of all Emma has gone through in the course of this series and it is so nice to see her finally settling into a stable relationship with most of the I's dotted and T's crossed. She is content and at peace I think, and although she and Milo often have conflicting agendas due to their perspective careers, they make a great detective team. So, even though we have worked through the alphabet- maybe the next title will have a number in it and those could go on for a finite amount of time- which would be fine by me.
It's hard to believe we have gone from A-Z in the Emma Lord Mystery Series. While it seems to be a forgone conclusion that this book is the wrap up of the series, I hope that isn't the case. However, the story does seem to lean on the nostalgic side just a little and takes us down memory lane on a few occasions. The mystery was even kind of poignant.
A women calling herself “Ren” arrives in town claiming her mother, a one time Alpine resident, was murdered. Then a dead body is discovered in the dump, and while it may be a hippie, like it's suspected Ren's mother was, this is the body of a man. In the meantime, Ren has a breakdown of sorts and ends up in the hospital.
Emma's nose for news can't resist a good mystery, so she and Milo team up once again in their cute way to solve a mystery. But, if that weren't enough to keep them busy, it's seems Vida has finally cracked up and is in one long running foul mood from sun up to sun down, seven days a week... and the unseasonably hot weather is only making matters worse for all of them.
The mystery, while certainly puzzling, is not really the main focus in what could to be the last book in the series. However, some really shocking secrets are revealed involving some long time residents of Alpine.
Having settled into married life, Emma and Milo have perhaps moved out of the honeymoon phase a little bit, but their banter was as sharp as ever. It was wonderful to know that Emma is finally going to have some peace of mind in regards to a situation that has been the only stumbling block to her complete happiness and contentment.
The author reminds us in small ways of all Emma has gone through in the course of this series and it is so nice to see her finally settling into a stable relationship with most of the I's dotted and T's crossed. She is content and at peace I think, and although she and Milo often have conflicting agendas due to their perspective careers, they make a great detective team. So, even though we have worked through the alphabet- maybe the next title will have a number in it and those could go on for a finite amount of time- which would be fine by me.