Dark Tort: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Culinary Mysteries) [Hardcover]

Diane Mott Davidson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2006

The New York Times bestselling author cooks up a knockout treat featuring the irrepressible caterer Goldy Schulz

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

Goldy Schulz has a lucrative new gig, preparing breakfasts and conference-room snacks for a local law firm. It's time-consuming, but Goldy is enjoying it -- until the night she arrives to find Dusty, the firm's paralegal, dead.

The poor young woman also happened to be Goldy's friend and neighbor, and now Dusty's grieving mother begs Goldy to find out who murdered her daughter. Just because the police are on the case doesn't mean Goldy can't do a little snooping herself.

While catering a party at the home of one of the firm's lawyers, she manages to overhear an incriminating conversation and ends up discovering a few clues in the kitchen.

Before long, Goldy is knee-deep in suspects, one of whom is incredibly dangerous and very liable to cook Goldy's goose.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

At the start of bestseller Davidson's delicious 13th culinary adventure featuring caterer Goldy Schulz (after 2004's Double Shot), Goldy stumbles over the body of neighbor Dusty Routt, a paralegal at Hanrahan & Jule, a boutique law firm in Aspen Meadow, Colo., with which Goldy has a lucrative contract to provide breakfasts and occasional lunches for its attorneys and well-heeled clients. By all accounts, Dusty's future was bright, no longer overshadowed by a tragic, poverty-stricken past. Her untimely death shatters her mother and grandfather, still reeling from the death of her brother while in police custody. When Dusty's mother, who distrusts the police, asks Goldy to investigate, the caterer feels she can't refuse. Between catering jobs, teaching son Arch how to drive and assuaging her own grief, Goldy chases down clues with the help of her policeman husband, Tom, and her catering partners. Though a few stones remain unturned (perhaps intentionally), Davidson delivers another entertaining whodunit with delectable recipes. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

Caterer Goldy Schulz firmly believes that food is sustenance for the soul as well as the body. She has proved her theory in 12 previous mysteries, but she puts it to the test again in this delectable read. Arriving at a local law firm to ready breakfast for clients of one of the attorneys, she trips over the body of 20-year-old Dusty Routt, a young employee who lives down the street from Goldy. When Dusty's distraught mother, who has no faith in cops, begs Goldy to find out who killed her daughter, Goldy's curiosity kicks in, and she cobbles together a list of clues that lead back to the law firm and to paintings of food by artist Charlie Baker that decorate the firm's walls. The identity of the killer is a nice surprise, but a lot of the fun comes from the food. As usual, Davidson does more than just describe Goldy's yummy dishes; she gives us recipes (the "Strong-Arm Cookies" are exceptionally good). In the subgenre of foodie mysteries, Davidson remains the master chef. Stephanie Zvirin
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 320 pages
• Publisher: William Morrow; 1ST edition (April 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060527315
• ISBN-13: 978-0060527310
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (72 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #821,228 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Diane Mott Davidson is the author of more than ten bestselling mysteries. She lives with her family in Colorado.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Catering to Lawyers Can be a Killer Job..., June 7, 2006

By 

L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Dark Tort: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Culinary Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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!

19 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Continuing Continuity Problems, April 17, 2006

By 

Newt (Madison, MS United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Tort: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Culinary Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delicious Mystery, May 3, 2006

By 

Yum Yum "mystery lover" (Denver, CO United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Tort: A Novel of Suspense (Goldy Culinary Mysteries) (Hardcover)

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.