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Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery #7
The Grilling Season
A chilly reception....
Caterer Goldy Schulz has been hired to host a hockey party. But the proceedings won't be all fun and games. Unfortunately, her client won't be satisfied until Goldy adds a hefty serving of revenge.
An ex-husband from hell....
Patricia McCracken is certain that her obstetrician and her penny-pinching HMO are responsible for the loss of her baby. Now she is suing both, and she wants Goldy's advice on coming out on top. For Dr. John Richard Korman, aka the Jerk, is none other than Goldy's abusive ex-husband. Goldy knows all about John Richard's secret life--but even she is shocked when he's arrested for the murder of his latest girlfriend.
A dish best served cold....
As much as Goldy would like to see her ex get his just desserts, could he really be a killer? Soon she will find herself sifting through a spicy mix of sizzling gossip for clues to a mystery that threatens her catering deadline, her relationship with her son and new husband... and even her life.
Caterer Goldy Schulz has been hired to host a hockey party. But the proceedings won't be all fun and games. Unfortunately, her client won't be satisfied until Goldy adds a hefty serving of revenge.
An ex-husband from hell....
Patricia McCracken is certain that her obstetrician and her penny-pinching HMO are responsible for the loss of her baby. Now she is suing both, and she wants Goldy's advice on coming out on top. For Dr. John Richard Korman, aka the Jerk, is none other than Goldy's abusive ex-husband. Goldy knows all about John Richard's secret life--but even she is shocked when he's arrested for the murder of his latest girlfriend.
A dish best served cold....
As much as Goldy would like to see her ex get his just desserts, could he really be a killer? Soon she will find herself sifting through a spicy mix of sizzling gossip for clues to a mystery that threatens her catering deadline, her relationship with her son and new husband... and even her life.
401 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 2, 1997
373 people are currently reading
1967 people want to read
About the author
Diane Mott Davidson
76 books2,323 followers New York Times bestselling author Diane Mott Davidson wrote three novels before one was accepted for publication—when she was 41. She has since written 14 more mysteries, all featuring Goldy the caterer. In addition, she has written short stories and poetry for various publications. Davidson has won the Anthony Award from Bouchercon, and has been nominated for the Agatha, another Anthony, and the Macavity Award. In 1993 she was named Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers' Writer of the Year.
Davidson was educated at St. Anne's School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where her English teacher, Emyl Jenkins, encouraged her to become a writer. She attended Wellesley College, where she was named a Wellesley Scholar, before transferring to Stanford University, from which she graduated with a double major in Art History and Political Science. Several years (and one child) later, she received her MA in Art History from Johns Hopkins.
Davidson has volunteered for numerous organizations. She was a tutor in a correctional facility, rape-victim counselor, and served for 10 years on the Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. For years she taught the adult Bible study at her parish, where she was also licensed to preach.
Davidson has been married to her husband, Jim, for almost 40 years. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a basset hound.
Davidson was educated at St. Anne's School in Charlottesville, Virginia, where her English teacher, Emyl Jenkins, encouraged her to become a writer. She attended Wellesley College, where she was named a Wellesley Scholar, before transferring to Stanford University, from which she graduated with a double major in Art History and Political Science. Several years (and one child) later, she received her MA in Art History from Johns Hopkins.
Davidson has volunteered for numerous organizations. She was a tutor in a correctional facility, rape-victim counselor, and served for 10 years on the Board of Examining Chaplains of the Episcopal Diocese of Colorado. For years she taught the adult Bible study at her parish, where she was also licensed to preach.
Davidson has been married to her husband, Jim, for almost 40 years. They have three sons, a daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and a basset hound.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 325 reviews
May 14, 2020
Book Review
3 of 5 stars to The Grilling Season, the 7th book in the "Goldy Bear Schultz Culinary" cozy mystery series, written in 1997 by Diane Mott Davidson. This is one of my favorite series, as I always enjoy reading about Goldy's antics. In this one, though, we meet the ex-husband who abused her... so it was a little much to read about the things he did to her, but good to see she eventually stood up for herself. It offers a little help for potential victims, but not enough. Tho... perhaps not the purpose of the book, I do think it should do something to help in the end. Always good to see people survive, move on and have a much better life. Back to the book... Goldy is lovable, but when her ex-husband is accused of murder, what delicious revenge. Wonder if he did it? You'll have to read to find out as I won't give away the spoiler!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
3 of 5 stars to The Grilling Season, the 7th book in the "Goldy Bear Schultz Culinary" cozy mystery series, written in 1997 by Diane Mott Davidson. This is one of my favorite series, as I always enjoy reading about Goldy's antics. In this one, though, we meet the ex-husband who abused her... so it was a little much to read about the things he did to her, but good to see she eventually stood up for herself. It offers a little help for potential victims, but not enough. Tho... perhaps not the purpose of the book, I do think it should do something to help in the end. Always good to see people survive, move on and have a much better life. Back to the book... Goldy is lovable, but when her ex-husband is accused of murder, what delicious revenge. Wonder if he did it? You'll have to read to find out as I won't give away the spoiler!
About Me
For those new to me or my reviews... here's the scoop: I read A LOT. I write A LOT. And now I blog A LOT. First the book review goes on Goodreads, and then I send it on over to my WordPress blog at https://thisismytruthnow.com, where you'll also find TV & Film reviews, the revealing and introspective 365 Daily Challenge and lots of blogging about places I've visited all over the world. And you can find all my social media profiles to get the details on the who/what/when/where and my pictures. Leave a comment and let me know what you think. Vote in the poll and ratings. Thanks for stopping by. Note: All written content is my original creation and copyrighted to me, but the graphics and images were linked from other sites and belong to them. Many thanks to their original creators.
January 28, 2019
What I liked in my reading The Grilling Season:
1. Well-developed cast of minor characters.
2. Lots of new dishes and foods I might try.
3. Plucky, resilient protagonist.
4. Nicely done mystery plot that fooled me.
5. Vivid Colorado setting.
1. Well-developed cast of minor characters.
2. Lots of new dishes and foods I might try.
3. Plucky, resilient protagonist.
4. Nicely done mystery plot that fooled me.
5. Vivid Colorado setting.
February 27, 2014
I found this book frustrating and not as enjoyable as the others I have read in this series. Goldy's not very nice ex-husband found an occasion to break into her house and physically assault Goldy again and to make demands for her to help him by investigating a criminal charge filed against him for murder of his current girlfriend. Her son Arch demonstrated that he shares his father's genes by also rudely demanding that Goldy help his father by talking to people and proving him innocent. At first Goldy refused but then proceeded to do exactly that. Even when she was trying to help, Arch was quite obnoxious to her and finally informed her that he was moving out of her house to stay with a friend until after his father's hearing. I was totally disgusted with both father and son. Many of the characters in this book were obnoxious, rude, and unlikeable. I found myself wishing Goldy would tell her ex what she really thought of him and not allow him to treat her so badly again. I also wished she would quit trying to protect her son from the ugly truths about his father and that she would insist Arch stay at home. I also admit that I hoped Goldy would stay out of it and let the police handle it and determine whether the jerk was guilty or not. Look how many things he had gotten away with over the years!
July 10, 2016
I usually enjoy these more, but Arch was terribly frustrating in this one. . .
September 25, 2014
Audiobook
First off, if someone tries to car nap you or attacks you by your car, honk your frickin' horn!
Secondly, Goldy had been in an abusive relationship with her first husband where among other things he hit her thumb with a hammer. They now have a teenage son. As this story enfolds, his dad is accused of killing his girlfriend that he admits "mixing it up" with. Arch asks Goldy to help get the dad off. She tries but after the dad comes and beats Goldy up again, while she's standing there with a bleeding wrist and black eye, Arch tells her that he's going to leave because if she would have really been helping get the dad off, the dad wouldn't have come to the house angry and this wouldn't have happened. He tells her that he knows she deep down wants the dad to go to jail, but that's not fair. And then GOLDLY FEELS GUILTY!!!! Everytime Goldy turns around, Arch is saying he's going to live with his dad (who really doesn't want him). The narrator tries to portray him in a hurt soft spoken voice but really it should be narrated with a snotty sneer. After the black eye encounter, I would say, "Go ahead, live with your dad then. Just don't do anything to piss him off. If he 'mixes it up' with you, call me and I'll pick you up." What a selfish, uncaring kid! I know he still loves his dad and is not to blame, but when the evidence is all over his mom's body, how can he turn around and blame her? I think the author was totally off the mark with how she had this scene play out.
So the book went from 4 stars to 3 stars because of the TSTL moments with the car and the writer somehow thinking that she's portraying Arch sympathetically.
First off, if someone tries to car nap you or attacks you by your car, honk your frickin' horn!
Secondly, Goldy had been in an abusive relationship with her first husband where among other things he hit her thumb with a hammer. They now have a teenage son. As this story enfolds, his dad is accused of killing his girlfriend that he admits "mixing it up" with. Arch asks Goldy to help get the dad off. She tries but after the dad comes and beats Goldy up again, while she's standing there with a bleeding wrist and black eye, Arch tells her that he's going to leave because if she would have really been helping get the dad off, the dad wouldn't have come to the house angry and this wouldn't have happened. He tells her that he knows she deep down wants the dad to go to jail, but that's not fair. And then GOLDLY FEELS GUILTY!!!! Everytime Goldy turns around, Arch is saying he's going to live with his dad (who really doesn't want him). The narrator tries to portray him in a hurt soft spoken voice but really it should be narrated with a snotty sneer. After the black eye encounter, I would say, "Go ahead, live with your dad then. Just don't do anything to piss him off. If he 'mixes it up' with you, call me and I'll pick you up." What a selfish, uncaring kid! I know he still loves his dad and is not to blame, but when the evidence is all over his mom's body, how can he turn around and blame her? I think the author was totally off the mark with how she had this scene play out.
So the book went from 4 stars to 3 stars because of the TSTL moments with the car and the writer somehow thinking that she's portraying Arch sympathetically.
March 17, 2016
This is pretty dark for a cozy. I'm wondering now if these books *are* cozies. I think of cozies as fun escapes--I don't expect them to include men beating the crap out of their wives and girlfriends.
One of my difficulties with this series is that most of the characters are unlikeable. I can't stand the son, Arch--I realize he's a teenager, but what a morose little ingrate, seriously! Marla is beyond annoying, and if I had a husband who called me "Miss M," that would get old pretty fast. And the sick kid who just sleeps all day? Why on earth would Goldy have agreed to take him in when he's not a relative? The only person I really liked was Amy, who was made out to be some kind of hippie freak just because she owns a health store and believes in holistic medicine.
It did pick up near the end, and I didn't put it down until the case was resolved, but until that point, all the details about HMOs and "Babsie" dolls just dragged. I don't think I'll be revisiting this series.
One of my difficulties with this series is that most of the characters are unlikeable. I can't stand the son, Arch--I realize he's a teenager, but what a morose little ingrate, seriously! Marla is beyond annoying, and if I had a husband who called me "Miss M," that would get old pretty fast. And the sick kid who just sleeps all day? Why on earth would Goldy have agreed to take him in when he's not a relative? The only person I really liked was Amy, who was made out to be some kind of hippie freak just because she owns a health store and believes in holistic medicine.
It did pick up near the end, and I didn't put it down until the case was resolved, but until that point, all the details about HMOs and "Babsie" dolls just dragged. I don't think I'll be revisiting this series.
April 2, 2019
3.5 Stars rounded up to 4 Stars. I am really getting tired of Arch's attitude. He needs continuous counseling otherwise he may see it as acceptable to treat women as his father does.
June 13, 2022
Goldy is up to her old tactics in this great addition to the series. Looking forward to the next one.
September 19, 2019
This cozy mystery is apparently well known with mixed reviews. It is one of those cooking type mystery series. This is set in Colorado during summer time. Goldy Schultz is a caterer who discovered the body of her ex-husband’s current girlfriend. Her ex-husband is affectionately known as the Jerk. He is physically abusive to her. And has been able to get away so far in a small town community. Until now it seems.
Despite this heavy theme of domestic violence, the book remains light-hearted due to the fact that Goldy and others are resilient and have had therapy. However quite of the book is taken up with the ruminations on the past. This meant the story dragged and the mystery was as well developed. Despite these flaws, the rest of the book is pleasant read with chippy dialogue and look into catering and HMO.
Undecided if I would consider reading this series.
Despite this heavy theme of domestic violence, the book remains light-hearted due to the fact that Goldy and others are resilient and have had therapy. However quite of the book is taken up with the ruminations on the past. This meant the story dragged and the mystery was as well developed. Despite these flaws, the rest of the book is pleasant read with chippy dialogue and look into catering and HMO.
Undecided if I would consider reading this series.
Read
March 17, 2009Ah, the halcyon days of summer in Colorado—nothing like them. One woman wants to have a Stanley Cup party to belatedly recognize the achievements of the Colorado Avalanche hockey team; she’s also bent on getting revenge against caterer Goldy Schulz’s ex-husband, an abusive ob-gyn. Indeed, it’s the grilling season, and it’s the perfect time to find a bruised and beaten body in a ditch. Just ask Goldy; that’s exactly what she’s done. In hope of finding her abusive ex-husband at the home of his new girlfriend, Goldy drives there as this book opens only to find the woman’s body battered and lifeless in the ditch.
Goldy’s never felt entirely safe since the divorce, and the thought of a long prison term for her abusive ex has a certain amount of appeal. Despite how it looks, the abusive ex emphatically denies he killed the woman, and Goldy’s teenage son insists that his mom do all she can to clear his dad’s name. Obviously, that flies in the face of everything Goldy would like to see, but she cannot ignore the fervent pleading of her son, and so she sets out to investigate. Her ability to do that is hampered somewhat by the fact that she’s a witness—having found the body and even witnessed the arrest of her ex-husband.
This is another well-written book filled with some of the fun and memorable characters with which readers of this series are already familiar and a couple of new ones. This is a book where tempers explode and so does the occasional barbecue grill. And of course, there’s the suspenseful part near the end where Goldy’s life is endangered.
I very much enjoyed this book, but I confess I skipped the recipes. Most of what the caterer and amateur sleuth made in this volume just didn’t appeal to me. There aren’t any descriptions of sex in this book—a good thing for those who prefer to use their imagination rather than have things explicitly spelled out for them. There’s a smattering of profanity in here, but it won’t likely leap off the page and kill your enjoyment of the book.
Goldy’s never felt entirely safe since the divorce, and the thought of a long prison term for her abusive ex has a certain amount of appeal. Despite how it looks, the abusive ex emphatically denies he killed the woman, and Goldy’s teenage son insists that his mom do all she can to clear his dad’s name. Obviously, that flies in the face of everything Goldy would like to see, but she cannot ignore the fervent pleading of her son, and so she sets out to investigate. Her ability to do that is hampered somewhat by the fact that she’s a witness—having found the body and even witnessed the arrest of her ex-husband.
This is another well-written book filled with some of the fun and memorable characters with which readers of this series are already familiar and a couple of new ones. This is a book where tempers explode and so does the occasional barbecue grill. And of course, there’s the suspenseful part near the end where Goldy’s life is endangered.
I very much enjoyed this book, but I confess I skipped the recipes. Most of what the caterer and amateur sleuth made in this volume just didn’t appeal to me. There aren’t any descriptions of sex in this book—a good thing for those who prefer to use their imagination rather than have things explicitly spelled out for them. There’s a smattering of profanity in here, but it won’t likely leap off the page and kill your enjoyment of the book.
April 16, 2014
It has been a long time since I have read a Diane Mott Davidson book. I know, it is a love hate relationship with some readers, but there is something about Goldy that I like. Her capers might be on the silly side and her son reads more immature than his age, but that is what happens when your characters live is a small community in Colorado where everyone knows each other and Goldy shares the same abusive ex-husband with the lady down the street.
Goldy has been hired to cater the Babsie (think along the lines of a Mattel fashion icon with a very similar name) Doll Collectors convention, but that takes a backseat when the girlfriend of her ex-husband is found murdered with similar markings to those that brought Goldy to the emergency room on numerous occasions.
Everyone knows that Dr. John Richard Korman is volatile and abusive, so the imagination is not stretched too far when he is arrested for the murder.
Goldy’s adolescent son Arch begs for his mother to help prove his father’s innocence, which puts Goldy in a predicament. She fears this man, but would do anything she can for her son. What she finds out is that John Richard’s world is crumbling and Suz Craig, the now deceased girlfriend, was at the center of it.
Unfortunately, Dr. John Richard Korman is not the only one that is having issues with this manipulative, back-stabbing woman and as Goldy digs, more suspects are coming to light until the final moments on a glass slick floor in the middle of a doll convention.
I did not like the whiney tone of Arch or the ridiculous, seemingly pulled out of nowhere, reasoning behind the murder; but in a long series, there is a lot of give and take and sometimes one book will appeal to you more than others. That being said, I will continue and hope that Arch will grow up and Goldy will one day be able to leave her ex-husband in the past.
Goldy has been hired to cater the Babsie (think along the lines of a Mattel fashion icon with a very similar name) Doll Collectors convention, but that takes a backseat when the girlfriend of her ex-husband is found murdered with similar markings to those that brought Goldy to the emergency room on numerous occasions.
Everyone knows that Dr. John Richard Korman is volatile and abusive, so the imagination is not stretched too far when he is arrested for the murder.
Goldy’s adolescent son Arch begs for his mother to help prove his father’s innocence, which puts Goldy in a predicament. She fears this man, but would do anything she can for her son. What she finds out is that John Richard’s world is crumbling and Suz Craig, the now deceased girlfriend, was at the center of it.
Unfortunately, Dr. John Richard Korman is not the only one that is having issues with this manipulative, back-stabbing woman and as Goldy digs, more suspects are coming to light until the final moments on a glass slick floor in the middle of a doll convention.
I did not like the whiney tone of Arch or the ridiculous, seemingly pulled out of nowhere, reasoning behind the murder; but in a long series, there is a lot of give and take and sometimes one book will appeal to you more than others. That being said, I will continue and hope that Arch will grow up and Goldy will one day be able to leave her ex-husband in the past.
January 16, 2011
The Grilling Season was one of the weaker culinary mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson. Not nearly as light and fluffy as the usual topics covered, The Grilling Season dealt with Goldy's ex-husband being suspected of murder and her sons pleas to find the real killer. In any other (cozy mystery) situation this would be normal, but the history of John Richard's abuse against Goldy both in their marriage and after make it really hard to believe she would try to help him no matter what her son asked. Speaking of her son, the usually caring and good-natured Arch becomes increasingly hateful to his mother whenever she shows even the slightest hesitance of wanting to defend John Richard.
A lot of Goldy's actions and reactions in this novel seemed to ring not quite true. Although possibly an attempt to give the long-standing feud between Goldy and her ex-husband some finality, it just didn't seem right in the line of the rest of the series. Keeping the book from being a wash were the vast and always interesting residents of Aspen Meadow and all of the delicious-sounding food. The Grilling Season may be necessary to a series fan, but isn't quite worth a stand-alone read.
A lot of Goldy's actions and reactions in this novel seemed to ring not quite true. Although possibly an attempt to give the long-standing feud between Goldy and her ex-husband some finality, it just didn't seem right in the line of the rest of the series. Keeping the book from being a wash were the vast and always interesting residents of Aspen Meadow and all of the delicious-sounding food. The Grilling Season may be necessary to a series fan, but isn't quite worth a stand-alone read.
July 14, 2012
In many ways these books are much better than JoAnne Flukes. Goldy does not have a grating personality. However, Goldy always seems to be the victim. In this book more so than the others. After while it's hard to take and frustrating you would think Goldy would say enough and stand up for herself. In this book she is assaulted on three separate occasions and harassed/mistreated terribly on many others. It is really hard to enjoy a book when the protagonist is constantly a victim. This book does not deviate from the others such as there is a murder and Goldy has to solve it. This time around though Goldy is literally a human punching bag and its almost unbelievable and too much to bear. You would think there just are too many cruel people this is not realistic or at least the fact Goldy would not tolerate such treatment after a certain point. I think skipping this book in the series would cause minor confusion later for certain plot aspects however, skip it if you have a hard time reading about someone who is constantly being abused.
October 13, 2013
Once again I really enjoyed this Goldy Bear mystery. The characters are believable and the story line keeps you reading till you know the ending. I am on to my next in the series. Note these books stand well on their own and it not necessary to read them in order to understand one or the whole series.
January 5, 2017
I love this author's books but I was so distracted by Goldy's musings about the domestic abuse she endured while married to her ex-husband that I couldn't get into the actual murder mystery. It was very heavy-handed and I honestly was disappointed. I was looking for a light-hearted mystery and this wasn't it.
My Rating: 1 star
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Christmas present.
My Rating: 1 star
Disclaimer: I received this book as a Christmas present.
August 5, 2008
Another good mystery by this author. I really enjoy her books. They are easy to read and hard to put down. The recipes and cooking throughout made me very hungry!
September 25, 2019
Pleasant enough read about a caterer turned sleuth, meddling in a murder investigation despite being married to a cop and being a witness. The suspect is her violent ex-husband and father to her teenage son. She is nosey about the murder, but thinks her ex is totally capable of having killed his current girlfriend, but her son keeps nagging her to "help" his father get out of jail. He uses all the emotional blackmail at his disposal. The book was first published 22 years ago, but I'm sure even then Goldy's actions would have made evidence inadmissible in court.
Read quite quickly because I have a cold and didn't feel up to much else.
Read quite quickly because I have a cold and didn't feel up to much else.
June 19, 2024
Goldie’s son is spending the night with his friend and then will spend the rest of the weekend with his dad. Goldies drives by her ex’s current girlfriend’s house to ensure the ex isn’t there and finds the girl friend dead in the ditch in front of her house. Obviously beat up and in the ex’s usual pattern. She calls the cops and her husband the detective and then the ex drives up with a bunch of roses to apologise. He admits to Goldie that roughed up the girlfriend the night before but swears she was alive when he left. Of course the cops arrest him. But Arch is freaking out and pleads with Goldie to help his dad. A good read with great recipes.
September 20, 2025
The Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson is the 7th book in the Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series. Caterer Goldy Schultz finds the body of her abusive ex-husband's girlfriend in a ditch beaten to death, but she is shocked when he is arrested for her murder and investigates. I originally read this series many years ago when it was first published and it was nice to revisit the series. It was still very shocking in how much abuse Goldy was subjected to by her ex-husband and how he had avoided being held accountable until now. A wonderful mystery with delicious sounding recipes interspersed throughout.
May 10, 2023
really good, i have started liking the cozy mysteries, they are some good stories
October 5, 2022
This was a good read. I like this group of books. The books are entertaining with good humor and mastery combined.
Revenge must wait
The collection of revenge against anyone usually comes at a price and not everyone will pay the price to collect the revenge they need. If you read this book...keep this idea in mind.
Revenge must wait
The collection of revenge against anyone usually comes at a price and not everyone will pay the price to collect the revenge they need. If you read this book...keep this idea in mind.
July 19, 2015
This was an unexpected read for me. While on a family vacation this book caught my eye. After reading the back, my interest was peeked and I just had to read it. This book is a few books into a series, but it made a fantastic stand alone book. There were references at times to previous books, but nothing that made this book confusing or difficult to read.
Not sure how I would respond if my ex would be arrested for murder. Goldy does amazing! She is determined to find out if he really did it or not, and not for his sake, but for the sake of their son, Arch. She encounters so many obstacles and shocking finds along the way to the truth. Will she find the truth in time? Will the truth end up being what her son fears the most? Did this violent, abusive man finally cross that line to murder or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Will Goldy survive long enough to find the truth at the bottom of a pile of deception and lies?
I just loved the characters in this book! Goldy, Tom, Arch, and all the others were so well developed and just so full of personality. I felt like they were new friends of mine that I was getting to know throughout the book. They were funny, yet serious when need be, and very smart sleuths. Goldy was by far my favorite character and not just because she was the main one, but because she had such a great personality that was so fun to read and watch develop. Also, Goldy just had such an admirable way of dealing with everything from her catering business down to how to deal with her ex and her son. It wasn't just the characters that were well thought out though, the plot was amazing! Every moment was on the edge of my seat action and new discoveries. There was never a lull in action in this book.
This is a must read book for any mystery or suspense lover. This was a new author to me also and I think she is one of my new favorites to watch for other books of hers to read. The recipes along the way in the book was an interesting approach too. At first I found it odd, but then I found it pretty neat to see, as then when Goldy made these delicious sounding dishes I could see a real recipe and try it in my own home if I want to. Pretty neat idea. Then an even better idea...I found at the end of the book a table of contents of the recipes that were throughout the book, for easy finding even after I was done with the book. So neat!
5/5 Stars!
Not sure how I would respond if my ex would be arrested for murder. Goldy does amazing! She is determined to find out if he really did it or not, and not for his sake, but for the sake of their son, Arch. She encounters so many obstacles and shocking finds along the way to the truth. Will she find the truth in time? Will the truth end up being what her son fears the most? Did this violent, abusive man finally cross that line to murder or was he just in the wrong place at the wrong time? Will Goldy survive long enough to find the truth at the bottom of a pile of deception and lies?
I just loved the characters in this book! Goldy, Tom, Arch, and all the others were so well developed and just so full of personality. I felt like they were new friends of mine that I was getting to know throughout the book. They were funny, yet serious when need be, and very smart sleuths. Goldy was by far my favorite character and not just because she was the main one, but because she had such a great personality that was so fun to read and watch develop. Also, Goldy just had such an admirable way of dealing with everything from her catering business down to how to deal with her ex and her son. It wasn't just the characters that were well thought out though, the plot was amazing! Every moment was on the edge of my seat action and new discoveries. There was never a lull in action in this book.
This is a must read book for any mystery or suspense lover. This was a new author to me also and I think she is one of my new favorites to watch for other books of hers to read. The recipes along the way in the book was an interesting approach too. At first I found it odd, but then I found it pretty neat to see, as then when Goldy made these delicious sounding dishes I could see a real recipe and try it in my own home if I want to. Pretty neat idea. Then an even better idea...I found at the end of the book a table of contents of the recipes that were throughout the book, for easy finding even after I was done with the book. So neat!
5/5 Stars!
August 20, 2013
Review of Catering to Nobody: Book One
Review of Dying for Chocolate: Book Two
Review of The Cereal Murders: Book Three
Reveiew of The Last Suppers: Book Four
Review of Killer Pancake: Book Five
Review of The Main Corpse: Book Six
I am really sorry that I can't give this book the full write up it deserves at it might be my favorite book of the series yet but I've been reading these faster then I can write reviews for them and I now have six new books in this series to start. So I've put my foot down and refuse to pick up the next one (sob) until I've put the rest of my read books into Goodreads.
So this will be short. (Looks longingly at the pile.)
I loved this book. Finally we see a book that focuses on the Jerk, not just the past but the present. He's flittered around the edges, come and gone in only a few pages every so often, but now we get to see him in all his NOT glory. The best was seeing Tom try to protect Goldy and aid her through her emotional minefield. It was very touching.
And then there was the whole Arch mess. The author really worked hard to show his side as well as Goldy's (which of course comes through very clearly in the first person perspective of the book). But we get to see and understand Arch's predicament. He loves his father, he can't help that and Goldy wouldn't want to change that. At the same time, telling his mother she has to prove his father's 'innocence' when we're not sure the Jerk is was nearly impossible emotionally for Goldy, but she still tries. The worse part was when he accused her of doing nothing when she's dedicated so much time and hurt so much to do just that. And what he pulls at the end...it was hard. But at the same time, you can't completely blame him, he might lose his father who he loves. His already torn family is about to implode.
The mystery was quite good, though I did suspect before the end who it was.
Now, on to the next book!
Review of Dying for Chocolate: Book Two
Review of The Cereal Murders: Book Three
Reveiew of The Last Suppers: Book Four
Review of Killer Pancake: Book Five
Review of The Main Corpse: Book Six
I am really sorry that I can't give this book the full write up it deserves at it might be my favorite book of the series yet but I've been reading these faster then I can write reviews for them and I now have six new books in this series to start. So I've put my foot down and refuse to pick up the next one (sob) until I've put the rest of my read books into Goodreads.
So this will be short. (Looks longingly at the pile.)
I loved this book. Finally we see a book that focuses on the Jerk, not just the past but the present. He's flittered around the edges, come and gone in only a few pages every so often, but now we get to see him in all his NOT glory. The best was seeing Tom try to protect Goldy and aid her through her emotional minefield. It was very touching.
And then there was the whole Arch mess. The author really worked hard to show his side as well as Goldy's (which of course comes through very clearly in the first person perspective of the book). But we get to see and understand Arch's predicament. He loves his father, he can't help that and Goldy wouldn't want to change that. At the same time, telling his mother she has to prove his father's 'innocence' when we're not sure the Jerk is was nearly impossible emotionally for Goldy, but she still tries. The worse part was when he accused her of doing nothing when she's dedicated so much time and hurt so much to do just that. And what he pulls at the end...it was hard. But at the same time, you can't completely blame him, he might lose his father who he loves. His already torn family is about to implode.
The mystery was quite good, though I did suspect before the end who it was.
Now, on to the next book!
May 15, 2008
In Diane Mott Davidson's The Grilling Season, caterer and amateur sleuth Goldy Schulz once again finds herself in the soup. Goldy discovers the body of Suz Craig, lying in a ditch by the side of the road. Craig was a vice president of a local HMO, and also the girlfriend of Goldy's ex-husband, Dr. John Richard Korman. When her body is found, Dr. Korman (prominent ob/gyn) is arrested for her murder. Korman has a history of brutal physical and verbal abuse toward women, although most people in small Aspen Meadows know little about this violent side.
Goldy is a key witness in the case and is told not to interfere in any way with the investigation. But when she can't stand the whining of her 14 year old son, she agrees to snoop around. She quickly discovers that Suz Craig is not very well liked (personally or professionally) and that there are plenty of individuals with a good motive for the killing. Throughout her snooping, Goldy continually cooks and prepares for catering affairs. The book is sprinkled with a number of recipes for foods mentioned in The Grilling Season.
Goldy is a key witness in the case and is told not to interfere in any way with the investigation. But when she can't stand the whining of her 14 year old son, she agrees to snoop around. She quickly discovers that Suz Craig is not very well liked (personally or professionally) and that there are plenty of individuals with a good motive for the killing. Throughout her snooping, Goldy continually cooks and prepares for catering affairs. The book is sprinkled with a number of recipes for foods mentioned in The Grilling Season.
May 3, 2015
I picked this up as a travel read, knowing I would have a lot of time last week in airports and on planes.
The book turned out to be a good read. It fits in the genre of cookbook mysteries (I've read several mysteries by Tamara Myers, another genre author), where there are recipes throughout the book. The main character, Goldy, is a caterer married (in this book) to a police detective, living in small-town idyllic Aspen Meadow, Colorado. Nonetheless this, the 7th in the series, involves both a murder and an attempted murder.
The suspect is Goldy's abusive ex-husband, and the victim is his latest girlfriend, a woman liked by no one (apparently not even the boyfriend.)
While catering several affairs Goldy mulls over the clues, and while preparing and cooking the dishes (they DO sound tasty) she figures out the key(s) to the case.
Humorous, interesting, well-constructed to provide all the clues without revealing the ending, it was indeed a good read. I'll try another one or two, and see if Davidson can maintain my interest.
The book turned out to be a good read. It fits in the genre of cookbook mysteries (I've read several mysteries by Tamara Myers, another genre author), where there are recipes throughout the book. The main character, Goldy, is a caterer married (in this book) to a police detective, living in small-town idyllic Aspen Meadow, Colorado. Nonetheless this, the 7th in the series, involves both a murder and an attempted murder.
The suspect is Goldy's abusive ex-husband, and the victim is his latest girlfriend, a woman liked by no one (apparently not even the boyfriend.)
While catering several affairs Goldy mulls over the clues, and while preparing and cooking the dishes (they DO sound tasty) she figures out the key(s) to the case.
Humorous, interesting, well-constructed to provide all the clues without revealing the ending, it was indeed a good read. I'll try another one or two, and see if Davidson can maintain my interest.
October 1, 2015
I have been reading this series for awhile and really enjoy the series. In this installment, Goldy, our caterer sleuth has to figure out whether or not her abusive ex husband killed his current girlfriend or not. If it were up to Goldy, I don't think she would much care if her ex was guilty or not. The Jerk deserves to go to jail. That is what she calls her ex husband, the Jerk. However, her fourteen year old son cares about his father and asks Goldy to help him clear his father. So what is she supposed to do? Also, she found the body of her ex's current girlfriend in a ditch on her way to running errands. As it turns out, the girlfriend was no saint either. Personally, if it were up to me, I say throw the Jerk in jail and throw away the key. Goldy and Arch don't need him. I guess Goldy is a better person than I am.
March 26, 2017
The Grilling Season by Diane Mott Davidson is the 7th book of the Goldy Bear mystery series set in contemporary Colorado. When her ex-husband Dr. John Richard Korman ("The Jerk") is sued for malpractice by one of Goldy's friends, Goldy is forced to relive in memory the physical abuse she suffered until she escaped him. To make her emotional pain much worse, her teenage son Arch demands that Goldy prove The Jerk innocent of the murder of his bimbo girlfriend. Arch moves out of the house and leaves her alone, where she is forced to relive in person the physical pain, when The Jerk breaks in and attacks her again. Depressing story, with Goldy a vulnerable victim, too weak to refuse what she knows is a harmful and dangerous investigation. I remember liking the series in the past, so I will try one more before abandoning it.
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February 21, 2016Grilled in more ways than one!
I love this series. I am a huge fan of Goldie, Tom, Marla, Arch and Julian. Each book includes such a colorful cast of characters and the mouth watering recipes are to die for.
In this book you will be taken on a tour of HMO groups and the inner workings.
When an executive is killed, the evidence points to John Richard Korman, known simply as The Jerk.
Even though Goldie would love to see The Jerk fry for the murder, she can't, after all her son Arch is her pride and joy and she has no choice but to do what she does best, cook, ask questions and investigate.
You will meet up with Maguire again in this series as he is staying with Goldie and Tom while he recovers from an illness.
I hope you will love Goldie as much as I do.
I love this series. I am a huge fan of Goldie, Tom, Marla, Arch and Julian. Each book includes such a colorful cast of characters and the mouth watering recipes are to die for.
In this book you will be taken on a tour of HMO groups and the inner workings.
When an executive is killed, the evidence points to John Richard Korman, known simply as The Jerk.
Even though Goldie would love to see The Jerk fry for the murder, she can't, after all her son Arch is her pride and joy and she has no choice but to do what she does best, cook, ask questions and investigate.
You will meet up with Maguire again in this series as he is staying with Goldie and Tom while he recovers from an illness.
I hope you will love Goldie as much as I do.
August 2, 2021
I have no idea how these books are so popular. The writing is not good. The narrator is not like able. I don’t mind an unlikeable narrator if the author was clearly going for that but I don’t think it’s intentional. I do want to try the recipes.
Example of the lazy and sloppy writing: the mc picks her son up from a sleepover and says he didn’t get breakfast. She asks why not and he reports the mom of the house he was staying at swing a hot pan of frying bacon at one of the kids there and the bacon fell to the ground and so no breakfast. The mc reacts with what amounts to a shrug and “chicks amiright?” If I pick my kid up from someone’s house and get that story from her I’m going to be the one getting arrested for murder. She’s just a terrible mom.
Example of the lazy and sloppy writing: the mc picks her son up from a sleepover and says he didn’t get breakfast. She asks why not and he reports the mom of the house he was staying at swing a hot pan of frying bacon at one of the kids there and the bacon fell to the ground and so no breakfast. The mc reacts with what amounts to a shrug and “chicks amiright?” If I pick my kid up from someone’s house and get that story from her I’m going to be the one getting arrested for murder. She’s just a terrible mom.
August 9, 2016
I enjoy the Goldy Culinary Mysteries by Diane Mott Davidson. I love Goldy and Marla craziness. These 2 are always getting themselves into trouble way over their heads. This series is not any ground breaking literature, but it is entertaining. Each book is a fast paced, far fetched mystery. "The Grilling Season" stayed true to Ms. Davidson's cozy mystery structure. No blood and gore. No overthinking. Just plain old, what I call fluffy, light reading. I was slightly disappointed Marla did not play a bigger role in the story. If you are looking for a cozy mystery series to breeze through, I highly recommend the Goldy Culinary Mystery series. The recipes are pretty good too!
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