Diane Mott Davidson
Books: Mystery
Goldy the Caterer Mysteries: Catering to Nobody (1990), Dying for Chocolate (1992), The Cereal Murders (1993), The Last Suppers (1994), The Main Corpse (1996), The Grilling Season (1997), Prime Cut (1998), Tough Cookie (2000), Sticks and Scones (2001), Chopping Spree (2002), Double Shot (2004), Dark Tort (2006), Sweet Revenge (2007), Fatally Flaky (2009), Crunch Time (2011)
These mysteries aren't bad. Goldy the caterer's character is sometimes inconsistent, and her son becomes more and more irritating as the series continues. This series suffers from (in my opinion) two flaws: First, how many murdered people can on person know in one small town, and with the rate her friends are accused of murder or ARE murdered, I am surprised she has any friends left; Second, the initial books were relatively short, but each succeeding book becomes longer and longer, I somewhat preferred the shorter books.
I did try the recipe for Monster Sweet Rolls--Yummy!--though I cut the recipe down to a third. Two people can't eat that much.
Catering to Nobody, Audiobook (1990) narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #1
It’s
been a long time since I read this series. Probably the late 90s and
early 2000s. And I read them out of order back then, since I was picking
them up used.
I’m listening to this on audio as I needed a new series to listen to and I haven’t felt like actually reading the books, because of that I misjudged when this series came out. I was thinking early 80s.
She said, “Let’s get something hot to drink in the teachers’ lounge. They’re finishing up a meeting in there, so we can come back here to talk. We’ll have plenty of time.”
When we came to the smoke-filled faculty lounge, Miss Heath waved at the gray cloud with regal hand motions.
Plenty of smoking in public places.
But also this:
“I have to support Arch and me,” I said. “My ex-husband’s willingness to pay child support on time is tenuous at best.”
Characters: Goldy Bear, John Richard Korman, Archibald Korman, Marla Korman, Tom Schulz, Patty Sue, Dr. Fritz Korman, Vonette Korman, Laura Smiley, Patty Sue Williams, Pomeroy Locraft, Trixie Jackson, Janet Heath
Publisher: Recorded Books
August 2025 | Rating: 7/10
Dying for Chocolate, Audiobook narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #2
This one I hadn’t actually read before.
Determined to take control of her life, Goldy moves her business and her son to ritzy Aspen Meadow Country Club, where she accepts a job as a live-in cook. But just as she’s beginning to think she’s got it made–catering decadent dinners and posh society picnics and enjoying the favors of Philip Miller, a handsome local shrink, and Tom Shulz, her more-than-friendly neighborhood cop–the dishy doctor inexplicably drives his BMW into an oncoming bus.
She does a good job of Goldy’s reactions to death and trauma.
Characters: Goldy Bear, John Richard Korman, Archibald Korman, Marla Korman, Tom Schulz, General Bo Farquhar, Adele Farquhar, Marla Korman, Julian Teller, Philip Miller, Elizabeth Miller, Boyd, Armstrong, Weezie Harrington, Brian Harrington, Sissy Stone
Publisher: Recorded Books
August 2025 | Rating: 7/10
The Cereal Murders, Audiobook (1993) narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #3
Characters: Goldy Bear, John Richard Korman, Archibald Korman, Julian Teller, Marla Korman, Tom Schulz, Audrey Coopersmith, Heather Coopersmith, Headmaster Alfred Perkins, Macguire Perkins, Miss Suzanne Ferrell, Keith Andrews, Stan Marensky, Rhoda Marensky, Hank Dawson, Greer Dawson, Caroline Dawson, Father Olson, Egon Schlichtmaier
Publisher: Recorded Books
August 2025 | Rating: 7/10
The Last Suppers, Audiobook (1994) narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #4
Goldy
and Tom are supposed to be getting married, but as she waits at the
church she gets a call–Father Olsen was murdered and Tom was the one who
discovered him.
Characters: Goldy Bear, Archibald Korman, Julian Teller, Marla Korman, Tom Schulz, Father Theodore Olson, Father Doug Ramsey, Canon Montgomery, Mitchell Hartley, Horace Boyd, Helen Keene, Armstrong, T. Calloway, Lucille Boatwright, Zelda Preston, Agatha Preston, Bob Preston, Sarah Preston, Ian Preston
Publisher: Recorded Books
August 2025 | Rating: 7/10
Killer Pancake, Audiobook (1995) narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #5
Poor Julian. He has the worst things happen to him.
This time, it’s his girlfriend that is murdered.
Which reminds me of something that really bothers me.
1. Marla never really seemed bothered by the death of her sister. Sure, they hadn’t been close in years, but STILL.
2. Marla is Julian’s aunt. It’s stupid that they “lie” about the family only thing when Julian is the only one with true blood ties.
Also, glad found family is a recognized thing now.
Characters: Goldy Bear Schultz, Archibald Korman, Tom Schulz, Julian Teller, Marla Korman, Claire Satterfield, Nicholas Gentileschi, Harriet Wells, Stan White, Meredith Babs Braithwaite, Charles Braithwaite, Dr. John Richard Korman, Frances Markasian, Dr. Lyle Gordon, Reggie Hotchkiss, Dusty Routt, Sally Routt, John Routt, Colin Routt, Lane
Publisher: Recorded Books
August 2025 | Rating: 7/10
The Main Corpse, Audiobook (1996) narrated by Barbara Rosenblat #6
There is a LOT going on here, and a lot of it is WTFery.
Some of the things Goldy did should have gotten her locked up–not only because they were illegal, but because they were stupidly illegal.
There is a death at the end of the story that didn’t come as a surprise, since that character had been written into a corner and there wasn’t really any other way out for them. Of course, we’re to suppose that characters was looking for their ending, but still….
Mostly I was just pretty gobsmacked by the criminal acts Goldy seemingly got away with–and her stupidity in allowing Arch to come along.
Also, we have Checkov’s bloodhound.
I think it’s probably a good thing the library has reduced the number of Hoopla borrows we have each month. It forces me to step away from the series for a bit.
Characters: Goldy Bear Schultz, Archibald Korman, Tom Schulz, Marla Korman, Victoria Lear, Tony Royce, Captain Augustus Shockley, Macguire Perkins, Albert Lipscomb, Arch, Eileen Tobey, Edna Hardcastle, Whitaker, Sam Perdue, General Farquhar
Publisher: Recorded Books
September 2025 | Rating: 6/10
