Customer Reviews

Chopping Spree

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(13)
3 star:		(15)
2 star:		(10)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

In contrast to other reviewers, I find the plotting in this Davidson novel to be more complex and the suspicious characters to be better developed than in her previous books. The victim was a bad guy, a good guy, a two-timer, a lover who wanted (and maybe expected himself) to become faithful, a good friend, and an exploiter -- yes, all rolled into one interesting, attractive man. Likewise, the people who might have knocked him off hardly arouse indifference.

Solve riddles, read recipes, go to a Shopper's Anonymous meeting, sigh at the mistakes we all make with our children: yes, indeed, you can get a lot done reading this book. It is also a great introduction to what passes for springtime on the eastern slopes of the Rockies and to the burgeoning (some would say out of control) commercial and residential development happening here.

I had allowed myself to be put off by reviews here and finally picked up the book for a holiday weekend. I was not in the least disappointed -- except that it had taken me so long to get to it. The book engaged my brain, made me laugh out loud, and brought on ruminations about how life -- and our outrageous mistakes in it -- catches up with us all.

My devotion to this series can best be illustrated by the fact that I braved driving to the mall after eye surgery to get this latest installment. I wasn't disappointed, and a night and a half of eye strain later, I had digested a full buffet of emotional characters, clever clues, intriguing recipes, and interesting plot twists. Davidson writes well, and her main characters typically are likable and sensible. It's always nice to finish a book without once screaming at the main character, "Don't you get it, you moron?"

Unfortunately, the good elements of Chopping Spree were overshadowed by the negative behavior of Goldy's son. In the early books, he was described as an introverted prodigy. It was easy to feel motherly toward him as he struggled to fit in with other kids, despite his less-than-perfect family situation. However, in the last several books, his shyness has evolved into an abusive intensity that goes beyond teenage angst. He repeatedly verbally berates Goldy, and his self-absorption exceeds anything that should be acceptable in a real family. The most disturbing part of the story is that Goldy exercises no discipline and does not explain to him that his childish outbursts and tantrums would not be acceptable for a 4-year-old, much less a 14-year-old. Is Davidson trying to illustrate that Goldy still has doormat tendencies left over from her abusive marriage? Is she a proponent of no-discipline parenting techniques? (If this is the case, I hope she knows her way to the visitors' area in the local jail). Regardless of the author's motives, the abusive child-parent relationship threatens to overshadow all of the typical good qualities that make Davidson's series such a joy to read.

While Goldy's ex-husband is in jail, her marriage to policeman Tom Schulz is stable and happy and her catering business is successful beyond her wildest dreams. Her old school friend Barry Dean has commissioned her to cater an event at the Westside Mall but the evening ends in Barry's death and a trip to the hospital for Goldy.

The police question her, making it clear she's a suspect but they eventually arrest Julian, Goldy's assistant and a very dear friend. Julian's fingerprints are on the murder weapon, he failed a polygraph test, and a witness says that Julian tried to run Barry over earlier in the week. Despite the overwhelming evidence, Goldy knows he is innocent and sets out to prove it as only she can.

Readers will have a hard time deciding what is better: the mouth-watering descriptions of various recipes or the fast paced compelling story line. Diane Mott Davidson has once again constructed a clever and complex mystery starring a congenial heroine and her equally enjoyable friends. The protagonist's teen is so well drawn that every mother who raised a teenager will have a great deal of sympathy for Goldy.

Harriet Klausner

Chopping Spree is a reliable Diane Mott Davidson entry.Goldie and Marla, Arch and Tom, Julian and the new assistant Liz- all are present, and as engaging as ever. Marla is a useful source of information and gossip among the well oiled set of "Aspen Meadows." However, I do miss Macguire.Yes, Arch's adolescent antics are not too charming, but Davidson seems to have a plan, and in the last section of the book, Arch shows signs of civility.I am not convinced that Arch's sometimes awful behaviour can always be linked to his father, John Richard (the Jerk) Korman.I always read Davidson's acknowledgements, and she states that her brother was a World Trade Center SURVIVOR. That may, or may not have anything to do with the few flaws in the book, but mercy, give her a break. I am willing to believe that any bumps in the story are due to the intense emotions we all felt, and the even greater ones she and her family might have experienced. It is still a good book in a consistently reliable series.Davidson has some thought provoking things to say about malls, materialism, and what really matters.I would really like to be on Marla's speed dial or buddy list!

Reading a Goldy series book by Diane Mott Davidson is like coming home to a cozy fire with your favorite afghan and of course, a great cup of coffee (with a little of the finest chocolate on the side), and reading a long letter from a dear friend. I had read several uncomplimentary reviews of Chopping Spree, but being a fan of the series, I had to decide for myself. The rating of 3 stars is in relation to all books of any genre. Davidson has never claimed to be a world class author of fine literature. What she does claim is an ability to create a lovable cast of characters that you feel you know, and to create twists and turns that keep you guessing. Goldy's "annoying" tendencies to ignore common sense at times is part of what endears her to the reader. She is like a friend that exasperates you, but you "gotta love her." As to anyone who criticizes Davidson for Gold's son, Arch's behavior, has certainly never had a teenager! All in all, an as-usual FUN read. 'Can't wait for the next one!

This latest in the generally excellent culinary mystery series by Diane Mott Davidson, is a little less inspired than some of her other works. Even the recipes are more mundane----a quiche recipe you could find in a lot of cookbooks, a roast beef with burgundy recipe that has also been around a long time.

Goldy Schulz' teenage son Arch is in a difficult period now, and readers will miss his tractable sweetness of earlier books. Julian is in---catch this---JAIL as a murder suspect. Goldy's best friend Marla appears infrequently, as does her stalwart cop husband, Tom. For much of the book Goldy is on her own, trying to withdraw (without much success) from her twin pleasures of caffeine and chocolate, even as she suffers from various injuries incurred in the course of her investigation of the murder.

If you're new to the series, read some of the earlier books first to get to know Goldy, Tom, Arch and company. This one's a lesser light among many bright books.

Goldie the Colorado caterer is back - this time investigating strange shenanigans in the land of Shopoholics: the upscale local mall. Diane Mott Davidson's recipes and regular cast are back too - which is both good news and bad news for her devoted fans. Tom, Julian and Marla are great fun. Son Arch needs to go off to college - or the military would be even better! (See the reviewers' consensus here and from the previous installment of this series, "Sticks and Scones.") His whiney attitude and sense of absolute entitlement due to over-indulgent parenting are getting in the way of the stories - enough to make some of us reluctant to revisit this series. Davidson is so busy trying to deal with this brat that there are loose ends at the end!

Dr. Spock - No not Leonard Nimoy's character on Star Trek- the OTHER Spock -Dr. Benjamin Spock -the one who told Boomer's parents how to raise us, would not be amused. ;-)

Opening up a Goldy Schultz book is like curling up under an old quilt during a winter storm by a roaring fire with cocoa and chocolate chip cookies by your side. Theres just something about jumping into a Diane Mott Davidson mystery thats so comforting.

It must be, in part, due to the way Davidson has a talent for establishing a mood that few other mystery writers can. She transports readers to Goldys warm and inviting kitchen filled with an array of aromas, from Shoppers Chocolate Truffles to steamy espresso, described so tangibly that it makes you want to run in and whip up a batch of cookies and make a pot of coffee. This, intermingled with the soft snow falling outside in the icy, blustery Colorado winters, makes for some enjoyable reading.

To be able to mix this atmosphere with murder and still result in a fun, light-hearted book is Davidsons true talent. For the books are really not about the murders at heart, but about Goldy and how she deals with them.

Davidsons newest installment, "Chopping Spree", does not disappoint.

To fully appreciate this book, you need to read all the rest of the series in order. Its important to understand where Goldy, Arch, Julian, and Tom have been in terms of their lives to understand why they are the way they are today.

True, as other reviewers have said, Arch has become a spoiled-rotten brat, and Goldy fosters this in him while all the while spouting her distaste for the ultra-rich, materialistic classmates Arch attends school with.

To declare this a fault of the book, however, is absurd. Everyone has her own faults, and a protagonist of a novel should not be immune. Many teenagers display far worse behavior than Arch, and many parents cant say no to their children. Goldy is no different. While she hates materialistic values, she suffers from the guilt of the impact that previous ordeals in their lives, domestic violence, the Jerk being in jail, a new marriage, etc., have had on Arch. In turn, she spoils him.

If youre looking for a likeable character, Julian, Tom, and Marla all suffice.

The murder-mystery in "Chopping Spree" is intriguing and suspenseful but does fall a bit flat in the conclusion. It is a little incredulous how Goldy is able to put together some clues in the end that seem a little far-fetched, and the motives of the killer mirroring other relationships in the book is a little too coincidental.

Nevertheless, "Chopping Spree" is a fun book, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

In addition, if you ever get a chance to attend a book signing with Davidson, by all means go. It is interesting to hear how Davidson comes up with her ideas and how she goes about her research. She also shows up to every signing with a batch of homemade treats, a.k.a. Goldy-syle. Yum!

I have read every one of these books about Goldy Shulz. I could hardly finish this one. Goldy doesn't seem to realize that Arch is actually abusing her verbally. At this point Ms. Davidson should just write Arch out of the series (he could go to college or in the military). His existence doesn't add anything positive to the story lines and in fact I had to make myself finish this book because his antics were so annoying.

Caterer Goldy Schulz continues to cook and snoop in this eleventh installment in the Diane Mott Davidson series. Like all good series, this has an oddball and likeable lead, a eccentric supporting cast, a well-drawn setting and, of course, a moderately compelling mystery.

In this one Goldy is riding high as the book opens. For a change, money is pouring in as the ultra-rich have made her "their" caterer. But soon all turns sour: her adored fourteen year old son turns surly and uncommunicative; she is almost run over by a runaway truck in the parking lot of a mall undergoing reconstruction; an old acquaintance from college is murdered; and her adored and trusted assistant Julian is arrested for the murder.

But not to despair. Through hard work, despite several red herrings, and after hauling a friend out of waist-high muck from a floorless outhouse (!), Goldy solves the case. Truth and justice are restored in this well-written, fun mystery series. Give it a try.