The prequel to this book, Hotel Paradise, is one of my favorite, read-over-and-over books. Unfortunately, it seems Grimes hadn't even read it recently before writing this. The first few chapters contradict previous events so many times I wanted to scream in frustration. It also seems to have lost the dreamlike, meandering quality I liked so much, as the 12-year-old narrator seems to have matured the 10 years or so that passed between the writing of the two novels, and is now looking back on the events that took place immediately following, while previously, she seemed to be telling about things as they happened. She explains things a lot more now. While some of this is exposition to remind us of what happened in the last book (with the aforementioned contradictions and just plain inaccuracies), it continues through new events, so that what seemed before to be a kid's eye view of things, is just plodding and mechanical. It was so disconcerting reading these virtually back-to-back; Emma didn't even seem like the same person. Sheriff Sam DeGehyn also seemed to have undergone an abrupt makeover. Emma's high praise of him being someone who didn't treat her like a kid and actually listened to her as though her thoughts were just as important as an adult's completely vanished, as he discounted her and her investigation of the murders, basically telling her to keep her little nose out of it. Especially if you consider Sam's actions in The End of the Pier where Sam is the only one who doesn't believe the convenient suspect is guilty, it's hard to see Sam here acting like he wants to pin everything on Ben, just because it's so coincidental and obvious. In fact, come to think of it, the two mysteries are quite similar in that there are several murders, an obvious suspect, and then a less obvious guilty party. Only Sam's attitude has done a complete 180 in terms of who he'd prefer to blame.Two other small nit-picks with Emma's character are that she seems to spend a lot of time going off places with strange men she just met, one even an admitted poacher(!), and aside from said poacher mentioning this one time, no one seems to have any problem with it. Second, I really could have done without Emma's intermittent descriptions of her imaginary vacation to Florida.(Emma's vacation is imaginary because her mom took off on a real vacation to Florida with Lola Davidow, co-owner of the hotel, and Davidow's daughter, ReeJane. Emma was not even invited.) In an almost-400-page book, a little more editing is definitely necessary. Also, who goes on vacation and leaves their two kids, aged 12 and 14, with no supervision except their 90 year old great-aunt, who never leaves the 4th floor, and a "slow-witted" dishwasher? If this story took place anywhere near reality, this kid would have been tragically raped, murdered, kidnapped, or burnt down the hotel instead of running around solving mysteries.I did like the way the story was wrapped up, and I do look forward to the third book, Belle Ruin, mostly because I haven't any idea what it could be about unless it's another mystery entirely. I didn't really think the first one needed such an extended wrap-up (the ambiguousness of Hotel Paradise's ending was part of its beauty), but it was interesting to find out more about the Deveraus and get some confirmation of certain theories. At this point, I'm not really sure whether to recommend this book or not. It's kind of a toss-up.
I had really liked the first book in this series, Hotel Paradise, and the second is yet another romp with our 12 year old heroine, Emma Graham. As she continues her delving into the 40 year old mystery of another young girl's death, the bodies begin to pile up--and so do her new friends.This book lets us continue to enjoy her quirky tribe of "assistants", Ulub and Ubb, who can't be understood without the help of Mr. Root to interpret. Emma bounces between her great-aunt Aurora's demands at the hotel and Ms. Bertha's as a customer--I get exhausted just thinking of all the running this girl does to take care of the hotel AND try to solve the mystery.My favorite addition to the story this time is Dwayne Hayden--mechanic and poacher--who introduces Emma to William (Billy) Faulkner and becomes a real supporter of this feisty young girl. He, the Sheriff Sam DeGheyn, and the mysterious Ben Queen form a triangle of men who care about Emma as she puts herself deeper and deeper into risk.Now onto Belle Ruin, the third book in the series. Really didn't want to put the first two down! :-)The only reason this one isn't a five star for me is the extraneous story of Emma's mother taking off for Florida with her annoying assistant and the woman's daughter (Emma's nemesis). First of all, I couldn't believe her mother left Emma in charge of the hotel and just went on vacation! This woman may be a good cook, but she's a lousy mother! And second, poor Emma tries to recreate Florida and have an imaginary vacation--which certainly shows this girl's imagination, but seemed an interruption to the story for me.
What do You think about Cold Flat Junction (2002)?
I still really enjoy this series but this sequel was not quite as good as its predecessor. Still the scenery and writing style of this series is pretty enchanting. I do feel that Emma lost some of her charm from the first one and comes across as more of a Nancy Drew wannabe. Still a large part of the mystery is revealed but there's still enough left to figure out that makes you want to keep reading the series. This series had a bit more "filler" than the other one as well and moved a bit slower, but it was still an enjoyable series and gives you at least a little bit of closure before moving on to the next story.
—Kelsey Hanson
I struggled to get into this book. This is my first of the Emma Graham series and I couldn't tell where she was going. The imaginary world of this 12 year old girl running in parallel with her detective work was a little hard to follow. She was rather intrepid for a 12 year old, who seemed to have plenty of money for cabs to get around, had no qualms about hanging out with adults and investigating in dark woods accompanied by older men. Her mother and her brother seemed to be there but only as props who really have no authority over her. I'm willing to accept these oddities in hopes that this girl who makes friends so easily will turn out to be as great a series as the Richard Jury one.
—Janet Meissner
Books are said to be driven by two of their four elements: character, plot, pace, plot and atmosphere. This book is all about atmosphere (in spades) and the character of twelve year old Emma Grimes who is changing and growing before our very eyes, but not her essence, which is as fixed as, say, a mule (to speak Emma-country language.) Wonderful and full characterization of other actors across Emma's stage come all from her eyes and are fascinating indeed. The intriguing mystery, one of which only Emma can perceive, marks this an all our winner with remarkable writing from Martha Grimes. Not to be missed.
—Lynne-marie
