From Publishers Weekly
The divine diva of the culinary cozy returns with a crime novel that will have fans of Goldy Bear Schulz, caterer and caffeinated sleuth, cheering as they race for the nearest pastry shop. The 12th carb-laden installment of Goldy's adventures (Chopping Spree, etc.) offers as its main course a toothsome corpse –du jour: Goldy's abusive ex-husband, Dr. John Richard Korman ("the Jerk"), whose shenanigans have annoyed a long-suffering Goldy and enlivened Davidson's series since its debut 14 years ago. After Goldy arrives at her new catering center to prepare for a memorial luncheon, she's attacked; when she comes to, she discovers that her kitchen is full of spoiled food and overrun with mice. She immediately suspects her longtime nemesis Korman, who's out of prison after serving less than a year for aggravated assault and living lavishly in Aspen Meadows with Sandee Blue, his "fifty-fourth conquest"—a young stripper, according to his other ex, Marla, Goldy's entertaining sidekick...This [novel] marks a turning point for Davidson, as the elimination of Korman provides a much needed jolt to the series. Her latest noir-flavored cozy may attract new readers to a sleuth who feverishly cooks through any crisis and whose recipes are now gathered at the back of the book. (Warning: do not read on an empty stomach!) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From AudioFile
Goldy, of Goldy Bear Catering--"Where everything is just right"--learns that her abusive ex, John Richard Korman, a.k.a. "the Jerk," has just been released from serving time for aggravated assault. Several violent attacks later, Goldy believes that John Richard is to blame...right up until she finds his body. Barbara Rosenblat's performance is as delicious as the usual medley of mouth-watering recipes sprinkled liberally throughout Davidson's book. Rosenblat makes mincemeat of the catty Aspen Meadow's Christian women's group, whose buxom and brainless snow bunnies emerge as so much puff pastry. Her rendering of strippers, thugs, and twisted clerics adds just the right spice to Goldy's twelfth culinary adventure, guaranteeing that Davidson's recipe for murder and mayhem won't lose its appeal, even with the low-carb diet craze. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

From Booklist
Colorado caterer Goldy Schulz pulls off a memorial luncheon despite having been hit from behind and her kitchen trashed the morning of same; a screaming match with her vicious ex at the same luncheon doesn't make it better. Her slimy doctor ex-husband turns up dead soon after. Of course Goldy finds the body, and of course discovers herself a suspect. Goldy never slows down, however: not a slew of sleazy secrets, most involving the nefarious ex; not approaching Colorado wildfires; not even her son's teen angst and genuine grief at his father's death keep her from cooking what needs to be served. Even for a Davidson, this plot is overstuffed by half and as crammed full of recipes as Goldy's walk-in freezer. GraceAnne DeCandido
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
New York Times–bestselling author Diane Mott Davidson serves up another fascinating mix of culinary delights, puzzling dilemmas, and foul play in this clever mystery featuring Colorado caterer and amateur sleuth Goldy Schulz. Even a double shot of the espresso she adores doesn't pack enough power to blast through the trouble Goldy's facing this time: Someone's out to sabotage her catering business. Her ex's impossible demands are complicating her life, her marriage, and her relationship with her teenage son. And, as she toils over her tricky recipe for a fulfilling life, she finds herself on the menu as prime suspect in a murder investigation where her means, motive and opportunity are impossible to deny. The only way Goldy can get herself out of this stew is to find all the right ingredients to transform this disaster-in-the-making into a buffet of accomplishments, happiness, and more. Sue Stone

FROM THE PUBLISHER

"The governor of Colorado has commuted the prison sentence of Goldy Schulz's ultra-handsome, ultra-charming, ultra-wealthy, ultra-venal ex-husband, Dr. John Richard Korman, otherwise known to Goldy as the Jerk. He's released, and soon afterward Goldy becomes the victim of threats, rumors, and violence." Then there's a murder and suspicion centers on Goldy. Suddenly, she is faced with the challenge of running her successful catering business while fending off two persistent detectives. Caught in a web of secrets and lies that could tear her family apart, Goldy must use all of her considerable powers of detection to find the real killer before she herself becomes a target.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

The divine diva of the culinary cozy returns with a crime novel that will have fans of Goldy Bear Schulz, caterer and caffeinated sleuth, cheering as they race for the nearest pastry shop. The 12th carb-laden installment of Goldy's adventures (Chopping Spree, etc.) offers as its main course a toothsome corpse -du jour: Goldy's abusive ex-husband, Dr. John Richard Korman ("the Jerk"), whose shenanigans have annoyed a long-suffering Goldy and enlivened Davidson's series since its debut 14 years ago. After Goldy arrives at her new catering center to prepare for a memorial luncheon, she's attacked; when she comes to, she discovers that her kitchen is full of spoiled food and overrun with mice. She immediately suspects her longtime nemesis Korman, who's out of prison after serving less than a year for aggravated assault and living lavishly in Aspen Meadows with Sandee Blue, his "fifty-fourth conquest"-a young stripper, according to his other ex, Marla, Goldy's entertaining sidekick. When Korman attends the almost-sabotaged event, he argues with Goldy over their son, Arch. Shortly afterward, he turns up dead alongside Goldy's missing gun, making her a prime suspect in an aromatic brew of murder and mayhem. This marks a turning point for Davidson, as the elimination of Korman provides a much needed jolt to the series. Her latest noir-flavored cozy may attract new readers to a sleuth who feverishly cooks through any crisis and whose recipes are now gathered at the back of the book. (Warning: do not read on an empty stomach!) Agent, Sandra Dijkstra. 9-city author tour. (On sale Oct. 19.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

AudioFile

Goldy, of Goldy Bear Catering—"Where everything is just right"—learns that her abusive ex, John Richard Korman, a.k.a. "the Jerk," has just been released from serving time for aggravated assault. Several violent attacks later, Goldy believes that John Richard is to blame...right up until she finds his body. Barbara Rosenblat's performance is as delicious as the usual medley of mouth-watering recipes sprinkled liberally throughout Davidson's book. Rosenblat makes mincemeat of the catty Aspen Meadow's Christian women's group, whose buxom and brainless snow bunnies emerge as so much puff pastry. Her rendering of strippers, thugs, and twisted clerics adds just the right spice to Goldy's twelfth culinary adventure, guaranteeing that Davidson's recipe for murder and mayhem won't lose its appeal, even with the low-carb diet craze. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2005, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews