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Tuesday, May 10, 2011
by Diane Mott Davidson
Goldy Schulz is thrilled to be catering a holiday breakfast feast for the staff of the Aspen Meadow Library. But little does she know that on the menu, alongside the Great Expectations Grapefruit, Chuzzlewit Cheese Pie, and Bleak House Bars, is a large helping of murder.
While setting up at the library, Goldy spots a woman lurking in the stacks who bears a striking resemblance to Sandee Brisbane—the Sandee Brisbane who killed Goldy's ex-husband, the Jerk. But Sandee is supposed to be dead. Or so everyone believes.
Goldy's suspicions mount when the body of Drew Wellington, a former district attorney, is found in a corner of the library with a map worth thousands of dollars stashed in his clothing. She's convinced that Sandee is involved.
But the holiday madness is only just beginning for Goldy. Soon she's drawn into the dangerous, double-crossing world of high-end map dealing. And like the ghost of Christmas past, Sandee keeps making an appearance. Could she be out to prove that revenge is sweet?
* * *
I must say, I do have to apologize because it was only now that I have heard of Diane Mott Davidson and her culinary mystery book series. The book was on sale and I was immediately attracted by its cover: a cupcake. I was thinking, “Hey, it’s probably one of those chick lit and catfight thing, might as well give it a try.” Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve read one of those. Well, I was wrong. Little did I know, this is already book 14 of a series of mystery, deaths, etc. in the little town of Colorado, and “Super Chef Goldy” is always there to save the day. Okay, that was harsh.
The book was okay. It wasn’t as intense as any mystery novels I’ve read, plus the pacing was a tad too slow, and I was able to know who the murderer was at my first guess. Still, there’s something about the book that made me want to finish reading it, plus the fact that I don’t want to put my $1 to waste. Haha.
There was never a time that Goldy, the main character, didn’t annoy me. I think she’s a narcissistic, self-centered woman who’ll do what she thinks is right since her second husband, who happens to be an investigator, was always there to save her smart arse. She actually reminds me of Harry Potter. I mean, she would’ve been dead a couple of times but was always saved by a supporting character. Plus she must’ve swallowed a gallon of Espresso in the entire 72 hours that they were trying to solve the case. I swear, I’m addicted to coffee but I wouldn’t be having more than 10 Espresso shots in a day. Please. No way.
I had a good laugh while reading this review by another reader:
“I can suspend reality and accept the coincidences of all those involved in the murders are in Goldy's life right now, that she's super-sleuth compared to the cops, and similar quirks associated with the murder-mystery genre. But Super Goldy, as she is in this book, is just too much. What human can set up for a catering event, and deal with cops after finding a body one evening, then the next day cater three events, plus run around town, deal with visitors dropping by, and taxi her son and his friends from snowboarding, and the next day get up early for church, crash a car, fall down a ravine (hitting treeS and rocks), run around town again, visit the ski slope and be knocked out, go to the hospital, get up the next morning for a quickie with her husband before catering another event...and solve a mystery. Did I mention that it was snowing the whole time?”
MAJOR LOL. Good point right there.
What I like about the book though is how the author included the recipes for the dishes she fixed during the story at the back of the book. As a matter of fact, I’m thinking of scourging every bookstore for her other novels just to have a copy of her other recipes. Unless I can get them off of the internet… well, I just might. Haha! And because I’m feeling extra generous, I feel like sharing these recipes to you guys, I mean for those who don’t have a copy of the book yet. Oh wait, will I get arrested for illegal duplication or something? I have to do a little research on that one first.
So for those of you who are up to a less mind-boggling and a very light reading, then this book’s just right for you.
And with that, I give this book a 3 out of 5 crowns. I would have given it two crowns if it wasn’t for the free recipes. Haha!
While setting up at the library, Goldy spots a woman lurking in the stacks who bears a striking resemblance to Sandee Brisbane—the Sandee Brisbane who killed Goldy's ex-husband, the Jerk. But Sandee is supposed to be dead. Or so everyone believes.
Goldy's suspicions mount when the body of Drew Wellington, a former district attorney, is found in a corner of the library with a map worth thousands of dollars stashed in his clothing. She's convinced that Sandee is involved.
But the holiday madness is only just beginning for Goldy. Soon she's drawn into the dangerous, double-crossing world of high-end map dealing. And like the ghost of Christmas past, Sandee keeps making an appearance. Could she be out to prove that revenge is sweet?
I must say, I do have to apologize because it was only now that I have heard of Diane Mott Davidson and her culinary mystery book series. The book was on sale and I was immediately attracted by its cover: a cupcake. I was thinking, “Hey, it’s probably one of those chick lit and catfight thing, might as well give it a try.” Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve read one of those. Well, I was wrong. Little did I know, this is already book 14 of a series of mystery, deaths, etc. in the little town of Colorado, and “Super Chef Goldy” is always there to save the day. Okay, that was harsh.
The book was okay. It wasn’t as intense as any mystery novels I’ve read, plus the pacing was a tad too slow, and I was able to know who the murderer was at my first guess. Still, there’s something about the book that made me want to finish reading it, plus the fact that I don’t want to put my $1 to waste. Haha.
There was never a time that Goldy, the main character, didn’t annoy me. I think she’s a narcissistic, self-centered woman who’ll do what she thinks is right since her second husband, who happens to be an investigator, was always there to save her smart arse. She actually reminds me of Harry Potter. I mean, she would’ve been dead a couple of times but was always saved by a supporting character. Plus she must’ve swallowed a gallon of Espresso in the entire 72 hours that they were trying to solve the case. I swear, I’m addicted to coffee but I wouldn’t be having more than 10 Espresso shots in a day. Please. No way.
I had a good laugh while reading this review by another reader:
“I can suspend reality and accept the coincidences of all those involved in the murders are in Goldy's life right now, that she's super-sleuth compared to the cops, and similar quirks associated with the murder-mystery genre. But Super Goldy, as she is in this book, is just too much. What human can set up for a catering event, and deal with cops after finding a body one evening, then the next day cater three events, plus run around town, deal with visitors dropping by, and taxi her son and his friends from snowboarding, and the next day get up early for church, crash a car, fall down a ravine (hitting treeS and rocks), run around town again, visit the ski slope and be knocked out, go to the hospital, get up the next morning for a quickie with her husband before catering another event...and solve a mystery. Did I mention that it was snowing the whole time?”
MAJOR LOL. Good point right there.
What I like about the book though is how the author included the recipes for the dishes she fixed during the story at the back of the book. As a matter of fact, I’m thinking of scourging every bookstore for her other novels just to have a copy of her other recipes. Unless I can get them off of the internet… well, I just might. Haha! And because I’m feeling extra generous, I feel like sharing these recipes to you guys, I mean for those who don’t have a copy of the book yet. Oh wait, will I get arrested for illegal duplication or something? I have to do a little research on that one first.
So for those of you who are up to a less mind-boggling and a very light reading, then this book’s just right for you.
And with that, I give this book a 3 out of 5 crowns. I would have given it two crowns if it wasn’t for the free recipes. Haha!
Till next Reader’s Nook, guys!
Much love!
Don't forget to smile! :)
-XOXO-
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