58 of 64 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Getting tired..., April 10, 2009
This review is from: Fatally Flaky: A Novel (Goldy Schulz Culinary Mysteries, No. 15) (Hardcover)
I've always loved this series, but the last couple books have been a disappointment. There's always a few things you can count on - there will be one or more really hateful characters, Goldy will get hit on the head and knocked unconscious at some point, Goldy will hide evidence from the police, and you'll be told over and over how many shots of espresso Goldy drinks at any given time. I understand if the author writes these books so you don't need to have read the books that came before it, but I'm starting to feel like I'm reading the same thing over and over, and the plot/mystery is just filler. I won't buy anymore of this series in hardcover, it's just not worth it. I'll wait for the paperback, or check the books out at the library.
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43 of 48 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
I really want to like her books....., April 9, 2009
This review is from: Fatally Flaky: A Novel (Goldy Schulz Culinary Mysteries, No. 15) (Hardcover)
I've read every one of the Goldy books and I honestly am not sure why I keep reading them. Force of habit? Out of a desire that the books themselves become as good as their premise promises they will be? I do know that the series is getting old fast and doesn't hold the spark of fun they had originally. The series hasn't gone BAD the way I feel others have (Scarpetta for one) but it is just tired.
Additionally I don't find any of the characters to be particularly likable (with the possible exception of Tom and he has been relegated to a very minor character...he cooks for Goldy and he consoles her when she gets in a pickle and that's about it.) The plots of these books are well designed, the writing isn't terrible but the people who live in the books.....well they leave a lot to be desired.
In Fatally Flaky, Goldy's godfather's best friend is murdered and then the godfather is murdered. Goldy keeps going on and on about how much she loved her godfather and what a wonderful man he was but with one exception he just wasn't written as a very compassionate, warm or particularly wonderful man.
My final gripe about this series is how do these people eat the way they do and not weigh half a ton? I know she runs a catering firm but really!
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19 of 20 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Only Half Way Through, April 19, 2009
This review is from: Fatally Flaky: A Novel (Goldy Schulz Culinary Mysteries, No. 15) (Hardcover)
This is completely out of character for me - writing a review when I'm only slightly over half way through the book. I'm writing this now because I'm not sure I'm actually going to finish it. This, in and of itself is a strange phenomenon when discussing any of DMD's books. I have been an avid reader of DMD's Goldy-the-Caterer books from day one, but I have to say I feel this one is not her best work.
Firstly, the writing is tedious and in some passages, amateurishly written. It's almost as if this were the author's first attempt at writing, not the 15th book in a series. Where was the editor, I wonder?
Secondly, who the heck is this godfather guy? He'd done so much for Goldy in her life and we just hear about him in her life now? Additionally, he's not even a likable character.
Thirdly, I used to have a catering business and am a professional harpist as well, catering and playing music for many wedding engagements over the years. It was the only way to have made ends meet in those lean times. However, NEVER would I accept an engagement from a family with a bride like Billie Attenborough. The way Goldy lets everyone walk all over her, it's amazing she's still in business. It's doubly amazing that Tom puts up with her constant interference in police business...It's a wonder Tom hasn't been fired by now - and BTW: he's the most likable character in the series.
I think there's still some freshness that can come out of this series, but it will take some serious thought on Diane's part. For instance; a 16-year-old in the household is no insignificant thing. With teenagers in the house, that typically takes center stage. However, Arch has become increasingly relegated to an 'extra' in her books. This feels totally unnatural.
It also feels like Marla and Goldy's relationship has gone cold; and the only thing they provide each other is gossip. There's no warmth.
I think what brought us all to the series is the spontaneity and wit of dialogue, more introspection by Goldy, the occasional bits of comedy, realistic daily challenges, the warm friendship between Goldy and Marla...the relationship between Goldy and her son, Arch...all of that seems missing now.
I'm going to make every attempt to finish this book. It may be that when I'm done, I'll need to revise what I've written here; in fact, I hope that's the case.
I think Diane is capable of so much more - she's proven it in the past. I'd like to look forward to seeing it in her next release.
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