Dying for Chocolate [Hardcover]

Diane Mott Davidson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1992

Fleeing an abusive ex, caterer Goldy Bear moves herself, her son, and her business out to the ritzy Aspen Meadow Country Club area, where she witnesses the bizarre death of Philip Miller, a handsome local shrink.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

In this perky mystery complete with toothsome hi-cal recipes, Davidson ( Catering to Nobody ) brings back Goldy Bear, the cherubic culinary sleuth with Shirley Temple curls. Fleeing her abusive ex-spouse, a physician she dubs "The Jerk," Goldy and her teenage son Arch find a snug third-floor refuge in the Aspen Meadow, Colo., mansion of quirky Gen. Bo Farquhar, a retired munitions and terrorist pro who breezily detonates bombs while gardening and bird-watching. As the general's live-in gourmet cook, Goldly still has time to run Goldilocks' Catering and juggle two suitors--attractive psychiatrist Philip Miller and comfortably chubby cop Tom Schultz. Philip's shocking death--he careens off a cliff in a BMW after munching her brunch--casts suspicion on Goldy. Which of her foes might want to frame her? And who is the critic writing vicious reviews of her cooking in the Mountain Journal ? The plot spins along in good-humored fashion, while Goldy continues to whip up goodies for events like a disastrous "aphrodisiac dinner" for eight and a barbecue at which her luscious dessert smashes on the floor. When Arch vanishes, Goldly panics, but the author makes sure that all enigmas wind up in solutions that will surprise and please.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

Aspen caterer Goldy Bear (Catering to Nobody) is horrified when her new beau, psychologist Philip Miller, suddenly begins driving erratically, crashes, and dies, while she, right behind in her own car, is helpless. Is there any way in which his death might have been caused by a patient? Among his appointments last week were munitions stockpiler General Farquhar and his wife Adele, who accompanied teenager Julian, their boarder and charity student; and the day before Philip died, he had had lunch with Weezie Harrington, who, to Goldy's surprise, was supposed to be his lover. Did Weezie's lecherous husband kill him? If so, then who dispatched him later on in the week? Goldy again turns to handsome cop Tom Schultz for advice, while trying to sidestep the irrational rages of her own ex-husband. Delving into the pasts of the Farquhars and the Harringtons, she discovers an unacknowledged birth--which is brought to light between Goldy's pig-outs on chocolate. A flat second effort, which weighs Goldy down with a battering former husband (this year's mystery trend), pedestrian menu- planning, and a contrived plot. Son Arch, however, rings true and likable. -- Copyright ©1992, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 287 pages
• Publisher: Bantam Books; 1st edition (August 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 055308576X
• ISBN-13: 978-0553085761
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (40 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #820,103 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

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Keeps you guessing until an explosive ending!, July 2, 2000

By 

jeanne-scott (Virginia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dying for Chocolate (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

Dying for chocolate dives right in with the unexplained death under very odd circumstances of a very special friend of Goldy's after a catered event. Some death threats, some secrets, several anonymous food reviews and the birth certificate of a young man all play into this culinary mystery. This was one of the books by this author that I really enjoyed. The characters have real personalities and reactions you would expect. This story kept me guessing until the end as to who was guilty of murder and why. The ending was truly explosive! The recipes as always never fail to tempt you with such choices as Strawberry Super Pie, Scout's Brownies, New Potato Salad and the Chile Relleno Torta, along with six other possibilities. Can't wait for the next mystery from this author.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The book was good, but the cookies were GREAT!, June 21, 2001

By 

Jennifer L. Rogers (St. Louis, Mo USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dying for Chocolate (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I really enjoyed this book, the first I'd read by Davidson. The heroine, Goldie, is a single mom struggling to deal with her own business, her abusive ex, her dead boyfriend,her son, her helper, and her unconventional living situation. But, like any stalwart heroine, she still finds time for chocolate. The plot of the mystery is interesting, but what really sets this book (and the series apart) is Davidson's skill in portraying complex characters, rather than entertaining clue chasers. Goldie is an actual person who when faced with a mystery, can't just drop everything and solve it. She, like all of us, has to deal with work and family first. Congratulations, Ms. Davidson, on writing a smart, funny, compelling series about real people!

Oh yeah, and about the cookies. Exactly how big a batch can you make of lethal layers before it becomes unmanageable? I'm only asking because making them every few days is getting tedious. The books in this series are the only mysteries I own with grease stains.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great recipes, implausible mystery, August 31, 2002

By 

Linda A. Slott "Ladyslott" (Oceanside, NY) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dying for Chocolate (Goldy Culinary Mysteries, Book 2) (Mass Market Paperback)

I love the Goldy Bear series of books. Goldy, the main character is not perfect. A little over weight, a bad marriage behind her, an absent minded mother at times. Some how in her catering business, she seems to always stumble into crime.
Although the mystery in this book seems quite implausible, in particular the method of murder, watching Goldy solve the crime is part of the fun of the book. However the best part of the book is the description of food, and the tantalizing recipes scattered through out the book. I really am going to have to cook one of these dishes sometime soon.
The main storyline involves the death of Goldy's new boyfriend Phillip Miller. His death is called an accident, but Goldy doesn't believe that. Temporarily relocated to a wealthy part of town, and living as an in house cook to a rather eccentric family, Goldy determines to find out who killed Phillip. The only problem is, her real life such as catering parties and dealing with a pre-teen son keep intruding on her crime solving plans.
Entertaining, funny and easy to read, this is a good addition to the series.