Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson

Book Details
Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson
Paperback, 352 pages
1993, Crimeline
ISBN: 0553560247
Series: Book 2 in the Goldy Schulz series

Synopsis
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.

Review
While I love the Goldy Mysteries, I sometimes feel as if they are somewhat slow moving. This was one of those times. The story was interesting and gave a lot of details that provide great background information for some of the future books. The mystery itself kept me guessing until the very end. It was a great book that took a meandering path which seemed to drag on, killing the suspense and momentum. Great for fans of the series but not really worth the time for the casual mystery reader.

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