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blazingstar's review against another edition
1.0
Really dislike the relationship and bickering of the protagonists.
cj_mo_2222's review
4.0
I had assumed that “The Alpine Zen” was the final installment in the long-running Emma Lord series. I had read these books from A to Z and was pleasantly surprised to see “Alpha Alpine” in the new Emma Lord Returns series. The book picks up where the last one ends and doesn’t miss a beat. Emma and Milo are very much in love and enjoying married life when they’re home or out together after work. However, when they’re on the job (Emma as owner of the local newspaper and Milo as sheriff), they still engage in their usual friendly bickering and competition over solving cases. They make a great team, even though they can’t share everything the other learns due to potential conflicts of interest, and that makes things awkward but interesting.
The last few books in the Emma Lord series had lost some steam, but this one is up to the author's usual standards and seems comfortable but fresh. Vida is back to bossing Emma around, although she isn’t as involved in the investigation as usual, and other members of the “Alpine Advocate” seem more like themselves. Alison, the young receptionist for the newspaper, seems to have a knack at sleuthing, and works well with Emma during the investigation into two recent murders. Emma can have a sharp tongue, but as long as it’s not overdone, I enjoy her sarcastic sense of humor. The book is entertaining, and I hope it’s the first of many more Emma Lord mysteries.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
The last few books in the Emma Lord series had lost some steam, but this one is up to the author's usual standards and seems comfortable but fresh. Vida is back to bossing Emma around, although she isn’t as involved in the investigation as usual, and other members of the “Alpine Advocate” seem more like themselves. Alison, the young receptionist for the newspaper, seems to have a knack at sleuthing, and works well with Emma during the investigation into two recent murders. Emma can have a sharp tongue, but as long as it’s not overdone, I enjoy her sarcastic sense of humor. The book is entertaining, and I hope it’s the first of many more Emma Lord mysteries.
I received this book from NetGalley, through the courtesy of Alibi. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
yetanothersusan's review against another edition
4.0
I guess going through the alphabet once wasn't good enough for Emma Lord, or Mary Daheim. I was delighted to see another cozy featuring the quirky characters of Alpine, Washington. As the town votes on the future of its leadership, Sheriff Dodge is dealing with a potential serial killer and an attack by his old nemesis Jack Blackwell, who thinks he can get in a position to remove Dodge from office and scare Emma into submission. I have enjoyed how Ms. Daheim has had her characters evolve. Faithful readers will wonder whether Vida really will make good on her promise to retire. Just like Emma ponders, what will the Alpine Advocate be like without her presence? Ms. Daheim starts to fill Vida's shoes a bit with the added involvement of Alison as Emma's sidekick. I always like it when there are multiple characters to draw from in each story. Ms. Daheim continues to keep the series fresh.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
A copy of this book was provided by NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Alibi in exchange for an honest review.
booksuperpower's review against another edition
4.0
Alpha Alpine by Mary Daheim is a 2017 Alibi publication.
It feels so good to touch base with my old book friend, Emma Lord!!
Once I’d turned the final page of ‘Alpine Zen’, I felt certain the series was at a close. The ending of ‘Zen’ was almost perfect and set the stage for Emma and Milo to peacefully move forward with their life and marriage, free of some heavy personal burdens standing in their way.
But, deep down I hoped it wasn’t really the end. To my great delight I discovered Dahiem was continuing the series and wasted no time requesting this latest installment from Netgalley!!
For those following the series, the story picks up where we left off, more or less, with most of the loose ends tied up.
But, ‘Jack Black’ is back up to his old tricks, giving Milo plenty to worry about. But, the atmosphere in Alpine, turns a little dark and tense, when a young woman is found murdered and Milo suspects she might be the latest victim of a serial killer.
Emma believes there could be a connection between Jack Black and the murders, so she commissions her receptionist, Alison, to do a little sleuthing on the side. However, Emma soon begins to worry that Alison has started to enjoy playing detective a little too much, which could land her in the killer's cross hairs.
The mystery here touches on some timely issues, and seemed just a tiny bit edgier to me for some reason. But, the familiar characters we’ve come to know are here, and the banter between Emma and Milo has settled into newlywed bliss, but with an 'old married couple' slant to it. They are such a cute couple and laugh out loud funny sometimes. For those just joining us, you may find their banter a bit shocking, but once you get to know them, you will see just how crazy they are for each other.
For me, part of what makes this series so great is touching base with the characters, returning to the idyllic locale of Alpine, and spying on all the drama and mayhem. But, even if you haven’t read all the books in the series, or are starting out with this one, the crime elements are exceptional, the characters were exactly on cue, and the dialogue is sharp and witty.
Every time I read a book in this series, I wish I had the time to go back and read the series from the beginning, because it really is that good.
Fans of Emma Lord will love this one, but this one might be a great place for people who haven’t read the series to jump on board, as well. Obviously, there is some history you may feel you are missing out on, but this installment also has a ‘fresh start’ feel to it. Reading ‘Alpine Zen’ would set the stage for you a little better, but you won’t need to read all the twenty-six installments to catch up.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It may not be the strongest chapter of the series, but after twenty-seven installments, it is still fresh, still sharp, and Emma and Milo are as delightfully cranky as ever.
4 stars
It feels so good to touch base with my old book friend, Emma Lord!!
Once I’d turned the final page of ‘Alpine Zen’, I felt certain the series was at a close. The ending of ‘Zen’ was almost perfect and set the stage for Emma and Milo to peacefully move forward with their life and marriage, free of some heavy personal burdens standing in their way.
But, deep down I hoped it wasn’t really the end. To my great delight I discovered Dahiem was continuing the series and wasted no time requesting this latest installment from Netgalley!!
For those following the series, the story picks up where we left off, more or less, with most of the loose ends tied up.
But, ‘Jack Black’ is back up to his old tricks, giving Milo plenty to worry about. But, the atmosphere in Alpine, turns a little dark and tense, when a young woman is found murdered and Milo suspects she might be the latest victim of a serial killer.
Emma believes there could be a connection between Jack Black and the murders, so she commissions her receptionist, Alison, to do a little sleuthing on the side. However, Emma soon begins to worry that Alison has started to enjoy playing detective a little too much, which could land her in the killer's cross hairs.
The mystery here touches on some timely issues, and seemed just a tiny bit edgier to me for some reason. But, the familiar characters we’ve come to know are here, and the banter between Emma and Milo has settled into newlywed bliss, but with an 'old married couple' slant to it. They are such a cute couple and laugh out loud funny sometimes. For those just joining us, you may find their banter a bit shocking, but once you get to know them, you will see just how crazy they are for each other.
For me, part of what makes this series so great is touching base with the characters, returning to the idyllic locale of Alpine, and spying on all the drama and mayhem. But, even if you haven’t read all the books in the series, or are starting out with this one, the crime elements are exceptional, the characters were exactly on cue, and the dialogue is sharp and witty.
Every time I read a book in this series, I wish I had the time to go back and read the series from the beginning, because it really is that good.
Fans of Emma Lord will love this one, but this one might be a great place for people who haven’t read the series to jump on board, as well. Obviously, there is some history you may feel you are missing out on, but this installment also has a ‘fresh start’ feel to it. Reading ‘Alpine Zen’ would set the stage for you a little better, but you won’t need to read all the twenty-six installments to catch up.
Overall, I enjoyed this story. It may not be the strongest chapter of the series, but after twenty-seven installments, it is still fresh, still sharp, and Emma and Milo are as delightfully cranky as ever.
4 stars
dollycas's review against another edition
5.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
When I reviewed The Alpine Zen back in May of 2015 I was excited to see on Ms. Daheim’s website that the series was not ending just because we had reached the letter Z but I found that the wait would be longer than usual for book 27. Now 2+ years later I was thrilled to download it to my Kindle. It was worth the wait.
Over the years these characters have become old friends. Emma and Milo have to balance work and home life but they do it amazingly well. Their dialogue is realistic and at times quite comical. Their bickering with each other reminded me of my own parents at times. But this couple is still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, they try to relax each evening with a drink and that usually leads them behind a closed bedroom door.
Vida is thinking of retiring from the newspaper, I will believe that when I read it. The new receptionist, Alison has jumped in with both feet, even helping Emma with her investigations. The rest of the newspaper staff is still there putting out stories online and on paper.
Milo’s daughter is doing much better and is dating a police officer, but her world is rocked when a body is found in her basement. That is not the only body found either.
The mystery itself is very interesting because there are so many things happening in Alpine. County politics is on the ballot and the vote is so close it required several recounts. An explosion at the newspaper causes major damage but no major injuries. And murder is definitely on the rise in Skykomish county. Everything may be connected to timber baron Jack Blackwell. He and Milo have never gotten along and he would like nothing better than getting Milo off the force. Milo would like nothing better to put “Jack Black” behind bars.
I really tried to slow down and savor this book, but that was almost impossible. The story has a very quick pace and we meet several new characters. The author weaves everything happening together seamlessly. Full of drama and action, I admit I was sad when I reached the end. I am already anxiously waiting for the next Emma Lord Mystery.
This is a long running series and I always recommend they be read from the start, but Ms. Daheim has included plenty of details so you shouldn’t feel lost if you start with this one. After you finish you most likely will want to go back and read them all. 🙂
When I reviewed The Alpine Zen back in May of 2015 I was excited to see on Ms. Daheim’s website that the series was not ending just because we had reached the letter Z but I found that the wait would be longer than usual for book 27. Now 2+ years later I was thrilled to download it to my Kindle. It was worth the wait.
Over the years these characters have become old friends. Emma and Milo have to balance work and home life but they do it amazingly well. Their dialogue is realistic and at times quite comical. Their bickering with each other reminded me of my own parents at times. But this couple is still in the honeymoon phase of their relationship, they try to relax each evening with a drink and that usually leads them behind a closed bedroom door.
Vida is thinking of retiring from the newspaper, I will believe that when I read it. The new receptionist, Alison has jumped in with both feet, even helping Emma with her investigations. The rest of the newspaper staff is still there putting out stories online and on paper.
Milo’s daughter is doing much better and is dating a police officer, but her world is rocked when a body is found in her basement. That is not the only body found either.
The mystery itself is very interesting because there are so many things happening in Alpine. County politics is on the ballot and the vote is so close it required several recounts. An explosion at the newspaper causes major damage but no major injuries. And murder is definitely on the rise in Skykomish county. Everything may be connected to timber baron Jack Blackwell. He and Milo have never gotten along and he would like nothing better than getting Milo off the force. Milo would like nothing better to put “Jack Black” behind bars.
I really tried to slow down and savor this book, but that was almost impossible. The story has a very quick pace and we meet several new characters. The author weaves everything happening together seamlessly. Full of drama and action, I admit I was sad when I reached the end. I am already anxiously waiting for the next Emma Lord Mystery.
This is a long running series and I always recommend they be read from the start, but Ms. Daheim has included plenty of details so you shouldn’t feel lost if you start with this one. After you finish you most likely will want to go back and read them all. 🙂
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