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The Grilling Season : A Culinary Mystery (The Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery Series)

The Grilling Season : A Culinary Mystery (The Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery Series)

List Price: $22.95
Your Price: $15.61
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Can't wait for more!!!!
Review: Finally we get to read more about the abusive ex husband and get more of an insight into Goldy's past. To learn about Goldy you really need to read ALL the books, and the tidbits about her ex have popped up throughout. I'd like to see one with the whole story of how he broke her thumb and what she went through to get to where she is now, not just solving crimes. She has a past so maybe her newest will "spill some more beans". Goldy is a likeable character and I really enjoyed the latest addition to the series and can't wait for more!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Bitterness spoils the fun
Review: Goldy is most fun when she has a fiesty attitude. In this mystery she's too pre-occupied with the Jerk. Memories weight her down. The plot and relationships get bogged down, too. Loose ends (such as the window damage left by her ex) aren't resolved. Not what I'd come to expect.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Another good read by Diane Mott Davidson
Review: Goldy's latest adventure is once again laced with wonderful sounding recipes and a mystery that I didn't quite have figured out till the very end. But Grilling Season is not up to par with Davidson's previous books. I missed the frequent interactions with the town's interesting characters. This story was heavily preoccupied with Goldy and the abusive Jerk; missing was humor and joy in Goldy's life. I wanted more of Tom and Marla and even the town's cigarette smoking/Jolt drinking "investigative reporter". And we were tantalizing introduced to some new characters only to never return to them (I hope to see more of Amy). And what is it with Arch!? Why does Goldy - wonderful, caring mother that she is - allow him to verbally berate her that way?! But by all means read this latest installment by Davidson; I'm looking forward to the next book.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: This was such a fun read!
Review: Grilling Season was the first Goldie book that I'd read. As soon as I finished it, I went to the used bookstore (sorry Amazon) and snatched up all the other Goldie books in stock. (I'm still looking for Cereal Murders and Dying for Chocolate and am excited to see that Mott Davidson has a brand new one out). I must preface by saying that I recognize that the plots are contrived to the point of being sometimes unbelievable and often the who-dunnit is ridiculously lame. BUT the characterization is so much fun; I love Goldie and Tom; I love the preoccupation with food and the recipes; I love the relationship between Goldie and Arch and Marla. The eccentric cast of small town characters reminds me of the Mitford series. Admittedly corny, but I feel that I know Goldie and want to know more about her past as well as what happens next!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Hockey pucks and "Babsie" dolls
Review: Hard-working caterer Goldy Schulz still manages to put her recipes together and deliver food to her clients while pondering whether her ex-husband, John Robert Korman, alias "the Jerk", has murdered his girlfriend. This is the seventh of the excellent culinary mystery series by Diane Mott Davidson, and the pacing, the plot, and the well-drawn characters, most of all plucky, likable Goldy, will draw you in.

Like all Davidson's books, this one is a satisfying read, especially for women. The inner lives of the people involved are convincingly and sympathetically presented, and the relationships she describes seem authentic. Recommended.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Too spineless
Review: I enjoy all of Diane Mott Davidson's books, but I found this one flawed by the totally unrealistic portrayal of Arch. How many sons would be furious with their mother because their father had abused and possibly killed another woman? And where is Goldy's backbone? She allows Arch to move out of the house to a friend's because he is angry with her. She allows him to berate her for things that are not her fault. She asks permission to speak to him! This is not a healthy mother-son relationship. The same with Maguire. Goldy is supposed to see to it that he eats, since he has lost so much weight from mononucleosis, but whenever Maguire says he doesn't feel like eating, she lets him not eat. As far as I can tell, she does nothing except put food in front of him that he doesn't like, after which he goes to bed. Goldy needs to develop the kind of backbone in dealing with teen-agers that she shows in defying the law on behalf of her friends.

Nevertheless I think readers of these mysteries will enjoy The Grilling Season. Just grit your teeth when Arch appears.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Annoying.
Review: I find the constant descriptions of food (recipes,what she is currently eating, what she is serving,etc.)both annoying and tedious. I have put the book down several times for this reason. Although I am more than halfway through the book, I find myself wondering if I should bother to finish it.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: I'm hooked!!
Review: I have never read any of Ms Davidson's books before, but after reading this one, I can't wait to start with the first book, and read them all!

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: Pass the salt, please
Review: I have read all of Davidson's books and this one seems a little bland. Although the characters are as lively as ever, this plot seemed too contrived. The jab at HMOs is certainly more subtle than the heavy-handed anti-domestic violence message. Let's get the Jerk out of the storylines. I'm hoping her new book is better. Still, not a bad summer read if you're just looking for a little escapism.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: If you like murder stories and cooking this lady is the Best
Review: I have read all of Diane Mott Davidson's books. They are an easy read and make you feel like part of the family. Would recommend them all! Watch Out Betty Crocker, the recipes are great! The chocolate comfort cookies will wow you! If you need to plan a dinner menu that is even included.


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