Pros: Deliciously entertaining and completely filling
Cons: some parts referring to previous character exploits may confuse new readers of Davidson's
The Bottom Line: If you love to cook and are a murder fan, don't miss out on Davidson. With her books, you not only get a great mystery but also delectable recipes:)
thriftymommy's Full Review: Diane Mott Davidson - Double Shot
I have now read all of Diane Mott Davidson's books and this one, Double Shot, is sure to please even the most finicky reader!
About the book
Although you do not have to read all of her books with Goldy Schulz as the heroine, it may be helpful to understand the characters and the vague references to previous plots.
Goldilocks Catering has now entered a new stage: Goldy Schulz has leased an old, rustic restaurant for her catering events. Goldy is a mild mannered caterer and sleuth in the wealthier area of Colorado. She is the first ex-wife of "The Jerk" aka ex-felon Dr. John Richard Korman, father of her son, Arch, whom she divorced after years of abuse. She has now been married for two years to her policeman husband, Tom, and her son, Arch, is now fifteen. Marla, her ex-husband's second ex-wife, is her best friend and obscenely rich.
Just hours after a very public fight with "The Jerk", Goldy finds him dead at his rented house with her gun on the floor beside his body. Now, Goldy must delve into her ex-husband's sordid past to discover the murderer and clear her name.
My opinion
I just love Diane Mott Davidson's writing style. Davidson uses her culinary skills to entertain the reader with mouth watering-recipes and wonderful whodunits. In this book, Davidson's fans will not be disappointed.
Character development is very important to me and after reading all of Davidson's book, I love how she maintains the characters mannerisms and quirks throughout the entire book. The heroine and supporting cast of characters are entirely believable; Davidson strides to make down-to-earth characters whose actions match their personalities.
Plot development is another sticking point for me. Davidson does not give away too much of the whodunit in her well placed clues. Reading the book for a second time, the clues that are there still seem plausible. Davidson winds her plot to the climax where even the most picky reader can enjoy the subtle twists and turns of the language.
Davidson thrills me with her recipes that are located at the back of the book; I love to read about cooking but have yet to master her recipes even though the recipes are easy to follow. For Davidson, this book is the first of hers to have the recipes all in the back of the book. In her other books, the recipes would follow the descriptions of how the characters made the dessert or entree.
Davidson is quite familiar with Colorado and her setting in this book involve the forest fires that spread through Colorado during their last drought. The added realism of the setting made it possible to vicariously experience the Boulder Colorado area. Davidson's descriptive language makes Colorado seem like an ideal place to raise a family.
Overall, because I can go on forever, I highly recommend this new installment, Double Shot, by Diane Mott Davidson. There's no need to buy a separate cookbook with Davidson; her delicious menus with Goldy creating effortlessly a melange of mostly chocolate (and strawberries this time!) created around murder makes this a winner!
In her 12th mystery, Davidson whips up a rich souffl of murder and mischief as her trusty heroine Goldy Schultz gets caught up in a web of secrets and...More at Buy.com
New York Times bestselling author Davidson delivers her latest culinary cozy featuring Goldy Schultz. When Goldy is suspected of murder, she must find...More at Buy.com Marketplaces
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