As the holidays have come upon us, so has the season of cooking, baking, and partaking of sweet treats. What better way to indulge than with Double Shot, the twelfth and latest mystery novel by the crème de la crème of culinary crime writers, Diane Mott Davidson.
Caterer and amateur sleuth Goldy Schulz is at it again, solving a murder case-in which she becomes the primary suspect-while whipping up tasty concoctions such as The Whole Enchilada Pie, Goldy's Nuthouse Cookies, and Handcuff Croissants. As always, all recipes are included in the book so we can try them out once the case is closed.
The story begins a couple of months after Goldy's dashing and abusive ex-husband, "the Jerk" who has caused her little but trouble since she met him more than fifteen years earlier, has been released from jail. Goldy finds herself threatened and attacked by an unseen foe, and someone has attempted to sabotage her successful catering business. When a murder is discovered, she becomes a prime suspect; as the plot unfolds, however, a bevy of suspects, motives, secret identities, and scandals begin to emerge, and Goldy is determined to find out the truth and clear her own name.
Caterer and amateur sleuth Goldy Schulz is at it again, solving a murder case-in which she becomes the primary suspect-while whipping up tasty concoctions such as The Whole Enchilada Pie, Goldy's Nuthouse Cookies, and Handcuff Croissants. As always, all recipes are included in the book so we can try them out once the case is closed.
The story begins a couple of months after Goldy's dashing and abusive ex-husband, "the Jerk" who has caused her little but trouble since she met him more than fifteen years earlier, has been released from jail. Goldy finds herself threatened and attacked by an unseen foe, and someone has attempted to sabotage her successful catering business. When a murder is discovered, she becomes a prime suspect; as the plot unfolds, however, a bevy of suspects, motives, secret identities, and scandals begin to emerge, and Goldy is determined to find out the truth and clear her own name.
Davidson's books are fun, and though Double Shot delves into some serious personal issues for Goldy and her son, Arch, it is an entertaining and lighthearted read. Though the premise of a gourmet caterer fighting crime on the side calls for a certain amount of suspension of disbelief, the stories don't stray into more incredible areas; it isn't as though Goldy's pets magically spell out clues for her by stepping on her computer keyboard, for instance. She's a smart cookie, with a source inside the police department (husband Tom is an officer), and we are willing to follow her as she cleverly dissects each event.
Several years ago, mystery writer Linda Barnes left her Michael Spraggue series behind, saying that in order to bring crimes to the amateur detective, she found she had to, well, kill off a number of his friends, family members or acquaintances. It was, she said, getting rather depressing for poor Michael. So I worry about Goldy's future a little. Fortunately, she doesn't seem to be in as much danger of this, as her marriage to Tom allows for a broader range of murder and mayhem to appear on (or near) her doorstep.
Several years ago, mystery writer Linda Barnes left her Michael Spraggue series behind, saying that in order to bring crimes to the amateur detective, she found she had to, well, kill off a number of his friends, family members or acquaintances. It was, she said, getting rather depressing for poor Michael. So I worry about Goldy's future a little. Fortunately, she doesn't seem to be in as much danger of this, as her marriage to Tom allows for a broader range of murder and mayhem to appear on (or near) her doorstep.
And while I wonder just how often book-worthy crimes happen in a small mountain town, Davidson's stories to date are compelling and the plots hold together so well that I find it easy to forget this minor point.
For readers who know and love the Goldy mysteries, you will love this one, too. The characters are lively as ever, and you won't want to miss some major developments in several ongoing story lines.
Those who don't know the books can easily start with Double Shot without confusion about what has come before; Davidson does an effective job of giving background information without drawing undue attention to it. Fans of "cozy" mysteries will recognize many of the conventions made most famous by Agatha Christie in her Miss Marple books. Like Miss Marple, Goldy is not a private investigator or a police detective but an amateur who has a good eye for detail and a good sense about people. The mysteries are set primarily in a small community, where everyone knows everyone else and any criminal activity becomes doubly shocking. The crime itself, particularly when it's murder, tends to take place "off stage" and without graphic description.
For readers who know and love the Goldy mysteries, you will love this one, too. The characters are lively as ever, and you won't want to miss some major developments in several ongoing story lines.
Those who don't know the books can easily start with Double Shot without confusion about what has come before; Davidson does an effective job of giving background information without drawing undue attention to it. Fans of "cozy" mysteries will recognize many of the conventions made most famous by Agatha Christie in her Miss Marple books. Like Miss Marple, Goldy is not a private investigator or a police detective but an amateur who has a good eye for detail and a good sense about people. The mysteries are set primarily in a small community, where everyone knows everyone else and any criminal activity becomes doubly shocking. The crime itself, particularly when it's murder, tends to take place "off stage" and without graphic description.
Davidson-who lives in Evergreen, Colorado-also drops in many elements of Colorado that residents and frequent visitors will know well, sprinkling in a variety of real businesses and suburbs; highlighting the summer wildfires; and even giving readers a quick lesson on virga, the rain that evaporates before it can hit the ground. (The weather forecasters in Colorado are truly fond of talking about virga; I have long maintained that we should change our state nickname to "The Virga State.")
In conjunction with her books, Davidson is often involved with dinners or other food-filled events for fun and as well as for charity fundraising. Fans can join her online Cooking Club, keep up with events, and learn more about her on her Web site, www.dianemottdavidson.com.
Double Shot is a tasty diversion, a perfect companion for a chilly afternoon or a long winter's night. Curl up with it as Goldy would, with a double espresso-don't forget the half-and-half.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go try out this recipe for Double-Shot Chocolate Cake. 'Tis the season!
In conjunction with her books, Davidson is often involved with dinners or other food-filled events for fun and as well as for charity fundraising. Fans can join her online Cooking Club, keep up with events, and learn more about her on her Web site, www.dianemottdavidson.com.
Double Shot is a tasty diversion, a perfect companion for a chilly afternoon or a long winter's night. Curl up with it as Goldy would, with a double espresso-don't forget the half-and-half.
And now, if you'll excuse me, I think I'll go try out this recipe for Double-Shot Chocolate Cake. 'Tis the season!
