Customer Reviews

Dark Tort

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(24)
3 star:		(17)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

The 13th installment in the Goldilocks Catering Mystery series starts out with a big thud...over a dead body that is. Now catering for the law firm of Hanrahan & Jule (H & J), Goldy Shultz trips over the body of good friend and paralegal-in-training, Dusty Routt, while entering the law firm late one evening. Goldy was to meet Dusty there for a cooking lesson, as Dusty wanted to learn how to cook from the skilled caterer. Goldy struggles to deal with the death of her neighbor and friend, who has struggled her entire short life. Her family has dealt with several tragedies including the death of Dusty's brother while in police custody, the blinding of her grandfather while he was imprisoned, and the statutory rape of Dusty while she was in high school. Dusty seemed to be pulling herself out of her catastrophic past with a new job at her uncle's law firm, and was seen wearing a very expensive bracelet before her death. Goldy is once again pulled into solving another mystery by the plea of Dusty's mother, and quickly learns that the case will not be an easy one to solve.

I have really enjoyed this series, and the recipes that go along with it. I love the interactions between Goldy and her husband, Tom, and the relationship with Marla. Arch's learning to drive was also a source of amusement in this book, as well. I do, however, feel sorry for Goldie with all of the tragedy in her life (she is always finding someone close to her that has died). She drinks coffee and espresso like crazy, and I cringe every time she reaches for another cup. However, the mysteries are great, and have a lot of twists to them. There were some elements to the story that were left open (hopefully for the next book in the series), and I loved the chance to "visit" these great characters once again.

The first book in the series is called "Catering to Nobody". Enjoy!

I have read all the books in this series, starting shortly after the first one (Catering to Nobody) was published. I have made the recipes, read the books often, and generally enjoyed the series.

That said, Dark Tort disappoints the faithful readers with *severe* continuity problems (which have popped up in other recent books). In Dark Tort, we are reintroduced to the Routts, Goldy's neighbors from Killer Pancake. Unfortunately, the "back story" for the Routts has changed dramatically. Any reader who recalls Killer Pancake will immediately notice the differences. While not necessarily integral to the conclusion of the mystery, it does affect Goldy's investigation and it *completely* affected my enjoyment of the story.

In addition to the problem with the Routts, there are other characters who would normally have made an appearance before (particularly an elderly parishioner). By bringing them in now, there is a level of frustration.

I have often overlooked the factual inaccuracies (usual as it relates to civil law) of the Goldy Bear series because I genuinely enjoy the characters and the stories. This time, the continuity problems and other factual issues hampered my enjoyment of the book. (Not to mention the continued decision to put the recipes at the back of the book, leaving no connection between the recipe and the story.)

So, devoted readers of the series: beware. But if you are new to the series, enjoy the Goldy mystery. In all likelihood, you will find it a quick, light, and entertaining read.

In Dark Tort, Diane has yet again combined an excellent mystery with some very special and memorable characters. Included on the list, is, of course, her talented, clever and lovable protagonist, Goldy, who is a caterer. Also talented and lovable is Goldy's husband, Tom, who is not only a skilled detective, but a also very good cook. Goldy has an extended family (which she keeps extending, much to the reader's delight). We sometimes get recipes from Julian, a remarkable young man whom Goldy took under her wing some time ago. As the family grows, we meet more cooks (and get more recipes).

Goldy's best friend Marla, who couldn't boil water (even at high altitude), is another endearing character who appears in Diane's books, as is her teenage son, Arch.

To the mix, Diane adds the results of her excellent research skills. To top off her creation, she gives us recipes for some marvelous munchies, created by Goldy as well as some members of her family, so that we may eat while we eagerly await her next book.

Having devoured Dark Tort, I plan to prepare and devour her asparagus quiche this weekend.

I am afraid I have never purchased a Goldy book from Amazon. I attend Diane's book signings at local bookstores. I have met Diane and find her delightful.

Dark Tort deals with the antics of the members of a medium size law firm. The issue that leads to the murders is a complicated probate matter. I am a lawyer and I have done probate work. Diane has figured out its complexities.

I've met lawyers who are mirror images of Diane's characters. As a result, although I've enjoyed all the Goldy books, I found Dark Tort especially amusing.

In addition to my addiction to mysteries, I enjoy cooking. I am looking forward to preparing and eating that quiche, as well as to the next Goldy book.

I usually check Amazon before purchasing anything, be it a book, electronic, or strange gadget. I respect the opinions that others write on the site and usually use them to decide whether I want to read, use, or buy whatever it is I'm looking at.

The reviews have been mostly positive for this book. I have always liked Diane Mott Davidson's books, and I devoured each of the previous Goldy Schulz mysteries with glee (although I must admit that I couldn't get my hands on a copy of Double Shot at my local libraries so I never read it, and I did not like "The Last Suppers" at all).

This book was pretty slow, and the charcters underdeveloped. I didn't like Goldy at all in this novel; I found her to be much more annoying than in previous books. The mystery kind of took a back seat to Goldy's grief, and after reading a couple hundred pages I was surprised to find that nothing had even happened in the case's development. The killer was a somewhat random choice with quite a weak motive and there were still several subplots that were not solved. Even the recipes in this installment were not particularly mouth-watering!

All in all this book wasn't worth the time and I'm glad I paid only the holding fee at the library to read this, instead of purchasing it on Amazon like I was going to.

I have every book in the Mott Davidson catering mystery series. Dark Tort was not anywhere near as good as the previous books because Davidson has moved away from the very elements that attracted me to her characters in the first place.

In Dark Tort, Goldy does virtually no cooking. In fact, she appears to be moving away from catering and into sleuthing. What makes Goldy Bear's adventures so wonderful is Goldy and her catering business. Davidson's talent is her ability to describe scenes and characters for all of your senses. Her descriptions of Goldy's cooking, personal relationships, family life and interactions are really what attracts me to these books. Dark Tort leaves all of those aspects out.

Diane - if you read these, please go back to your roots!

Goldy Schulz is the busiest caterer around - not only does she have the catering market on the local church and local affairs, but she helps solve mysteries to boot! And does both with equal aplomb.
This series has maintained its excellence and continues to entertain, not only with great plots, characters, but with great recipes noted in the plot - have actually made some of the recipes in the past, and they actually are great!

I have read all of Davidson's previous Goldy Bear mysteries and always found them to be page turners. Sadly, this one was not. I actually couldn't finish it. Maybe I'm in the minority, but it didn't rise to the previous books' level of excellence, at least in my opinion.

Gody Bear is back but it's not quite all it used to be. I liked the books better when the recipes were in each chapter. I enjoy the cooking descriptions and this book has the interesting addition of describing food related art which was different. I'll definitely read the next in the series.

"I tripped over the body of my friend Dusty Routt at half past ten on the night of October 19."

And so begins Diane Mott Davidson's 13th adventure of can't-take-no-for-an-answer caterer Goldy Schulz. Goldy has served this author well, winning her an Anthony award and placing her on the New York Times bestseller list. No wonder - Goldy's likable, energetic, smart, and shares delicious recipes.

This time out Goldy has a new gig - she caters breakfasts and snacks for a local law firm. (By local, the setting is Aspen Meadows, Colorado, slightly west of Denver.) Hanrehan & Jewel isn't exactly a mega law firm but it's big time for Aspen Meadows. Goldy loves her job with them as did the late Dusty who was being trained to be the firm's second paralegal.

Now, when Goldy goes to the firm's office that night she's loaded down with supplies. So tripping over an inert form sends her skittering toward a heavy coffee table and doing serious damage to her tail bone. She's sure it's some kind of a joke, after all the lawyers are the kind of jokesters who put green food coloring into her cheddar omelettes and plant live moths in her folded tablecloths. But, this is no joke; it's deadly serious.

She suddenly remembers what her husband, Tom, a sheriff's department investigator, had always told her, "Never stay alone at a crime scene that hasn't been secured." She got out of there as fast as she could. Realizing that she had left her cell phone in her car, she heads for the nearest shopping center and a telephone. From then on this fast paced tale takes on a life of its own.

Dusty had been both friend and neighbor. When her bereft Mom implores Goldy to find her daughter's murderer, our kitchen sleuth can't refuse. Fortunately or almost unfortunately for Goldy she's working a lawyer's party when she happens to hear a very interesting conversation. Before she knows it she's in a real stew, and fears she'll end up someone's main course.

Davidson, as always, closes this culinary caper with 23 pages of recipes, everything from a mouth-watering Chicken Piccata Supreme to Strong-Arm cookies, rich with pecans, cherries, and chocolate chips.

Enjoy!

- Gail Cooke

OK, so maybe this wasn't the best in the Goldy series but to those who gave it only 1 star I take exception. To those who reviewed the book before even finishing it, I take even greater exception. The fact is that, after 13 books, I still love Goldy, Tom, Julian and Marla. I can sympathize with her over Arch's continued teenage angst and sometimes feel like he needs a good swift kick. It was mentioned that Goldy's continued mourning over her friend's death got old. The story takes place over a one week period. I am sorry for anyone who could get over finding their friend murdered in such a short time. As with all of the Goldy books, this one makes you chuckle at times, get the munchies always, and make you feel like Goldy is someone you wouldn't mind having for a neighbor. Although, with her habit of finding dead people, maybe not. The potential for becoming a victim might be too high.