Rating: 
Summary: Enough of the JERK! Enough of the series.
Review: It was all I could do to listen to all of this book. As far as I am concerned Ms. Davidson goes over the top in this book in her treatment of the JERK and his rampages. He could show up far less often in this book to far better effect. So intensly mean and abusive is he that I had to turn off the tape and take a break from his tirades. For those who have not read it I will not say weather we see the last of him here. But in more recent books the adolescent Arch seems to take more and more after him. It is for that reason I will read no futher in the series.
Rating:
Summary: Blandest Meal in Recent Memory
Review: Mott seems to have used every cliche known to the English language in this slow-moving novel. Her use of the word "pittance" to describe her child support was lacking. She would have been better served to say that it was her "reason for living" Now that's sarcasm. As a first and last time reader of Mott, I feel her story line moves slowly, and her ending is anti-climactic. If I had known I would be reading a cookbook, I would have chosen Fanny Farmer.
Rating: 
Summary: interesting characters given great voice
Review: The audio version of the Grilling Season was given to me as a present. It's introduced me to an interesting new mystery writer and a wonderful new voice. This is the first Goldy mystery I've heard and DMD gives her a full and interesting life. A new husband, a difficult adolescent son, a threatening ex and a host of secondary characters give wonderful flavor to the story. The plot isn't for those interested in intricate twists and turns. But her writing is refreshing and captivating. The story is spiced by the voice of the reader, Cherry Jones, who really gives spirit and dimension to all the characters, but especially to Goldy. Cherry gives each character an individual voice, but really seems to understand the heart and head of Goldy. Maybe there's a movie here, starring Ms Jones?
Rating: 
Summary: Tuna and Suspects on Goldy's Grill
Review: The food is the best part of this entertaining mystery. The dishes all sound irresistible, and food as therapy is well displayed both through cooking and eating. If that were all there was to the book, it would be a five star effort.The story involves Goldy Schulz in some sleuthing when her ex-husband is charged with killing his latest girl friend. On the surface, it looks like he went overboard with his favorite activity of beating up women. Their son, Arch, is horrified and wants to protect and help his Dad. Reluctantly, Goldy tries to do the right thing, even though she cannot stand the vicious creep (referred to as The Jerk in the book). Unfortunately, Ms. Davidson chooses to turn Goldy into a punching bag for physical and mental abuse throughout the often-distressing plot. Her ex-husband hurts her, suspects hurt her, and her son treats her like something he stepped in. Now really, enough is enough. We all know that much such abuse occurs every day. I did not see that it advanced the plot or my understanding of it to have the heroine being constantly assaulted. On the other hand, Ms. Davidson's development of the theme is well done. She nicely captures the lassitude and passive cooperation of the victim mentality, and the utter insensitivity of the abusers. The mystery itself involves a sort of HMO gothic, filled with evil careerists who stop at nothing to advance their own ends. Where are the silver stakes when we need them? I thought that the legal aspects of the plot were badly flawed. Goldy is married to a police officer, and she repeatedly acts in ways that compromise the legal case against various suspects. Ms. Davidson needs someone who knows criminal procedure to look these stories over for her. Goldy's marriage would have lasted about 4 minutes if she had done these things as the real wife of a real police officer. Her abuses of the legal process are awful! If you are a devoted Diane Mott Davidson fan, you will probably enjoy the story enough to read it, but it will probably be your least favorite of her books. If you have not yet read her work, I suggest you skip this one and read any of the earlier ones instead. After you finish the book (if you decide to read it), I suggest that you think about how you could use comfort food in a healthy and supportive way to improve your life and the lives of those you love. Bon appetit!
Rating:
Summary: Tuna and Suspects on Goldy's Grill
Review: The food is the best part of this entertaining mystery. The dishes all sound irresistible, and food as therapy is well displayed both through cooking and eating. If that were all there was to the book, it would be a five star effort. The story involves Goldy Schulz in some sleuthing when her ex-husband is charged with killing his latest girl friend. On the surface, it looks like he went overboard with his favorite activity of beating up women. Their son, Arch, is horrified and wants to protect and help his Dad. Reluctantly, Goldy tries to do the right thing, even though she cannot stand the vicious creep (referred to as The Jerk in the book). Unfortunately, Ms. Davidson chooses to turn Goldy into a punching bag for physical and mental abuse throughout the often-distressing plot. Her ex-husband hurts her, suspects hurt her, and her son treats her like something he stepped in. Now really, enough is enough. We all know that much such abuse occurs every day. I did not see that it advanced the plot or my understanding of it to have the heroine being constantly assaulted. On the other hand, Ms. Davidson's development of the theme is well done. She nicely captures the lassitude and passive cooperation of the victim mentality, and the utter insensitivity of the abusers. The mystery itself involves a sort of HMO gothic, filled with evil careerists who stop at nothing to advance their own ends. Where are the silver stakes when we need them? I thought that the legal aspects of the plot were badly flawed. Goldy is married to a police officer, and she repeatedly acts in ways that compromise the legal case against various suspects. Ms. Davidson needs someone who knows criminal procedure to look these stories over for her. Goldy's marriage would have lasted about 4 minutes if she had done these things as the real wife of a real police officer. Her abuses of the legal process are awful! If you are a devoted Diane Mott Davidson fan, you will probably enjoy the story enough to read it, but it will probably be your least favorite of her books. If you have not yet read her work, I suggest you skip this one and read any of the earlier ones instead. After you finish the book (if you decide to read it), I suggest that you think about how you could use comfort food in a healthy and supportive way to improve your life and the lives of those you love. Bon appetit!
Rating: 
Summary: A great book in a delicious culinary mystery series
Review: The Jerk has been charged with murder and his ex, Goldy Schulz, owner
of Goldilock's Catering and a former victim of spousal abuse, thinks he is
very capable of having killed his girl friend, Suz Craig. Still Dr. John
Korman is the father of her teenage child and though Goldy thinks he
deserves punishment for his crimes to women, the amateur sleuth agrees to
investigate the case.
Goldy quickly learns that the deceased was the regional vice president
of Astute Care HMO that recently purchased her former husband's medical
practice. Suz controlled whether John deserved a bonus payment, cash he
might soon need depending on the results of a malpractice suit filed
against him (by one of Goldy's clients). Though the evidence continues to
stack up against John, Goldy realizes that other people had motive and
opportunity to have killed the hated Suz, who ruthlessly mistreated many
people in business and play. Now all she has to do is prove who actually
did it before she becomes their next course.
The insight into the lead protagonist's character (especially from the
perspective of her teenager and her ex-spouse) adds dimension to Goldy. The use of real events effecting the Colorado backdrop (such as the local
hockey team's Stanley Cup victory two years ago) adds a touch of
authenticity. However, THE GRILLING SEASON is not for those who like a lot
of spice in their meals because, like most culinary mysteries, the story
line simmers very slowly.
Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: A great book in a delicious culinary mystery series
Review: The Jerk has been charged with murder and his ex, Goldy Schulz, ownerof Goldilock's Catering and a former victim of spousal abuse, thinks he isvery capable of having killed his girl friend, Suz Craig. Still Dr. John Korman is the father of her teenage child and though Goldy thinks he deserves punishment for his crimes to women, the amateur sleuth agrees to investigate the case. Goldy quickly learns that the deceased was the regional vice president of Astute Care HMO that recently purchased her former husband's medical practice. Suz controlled whether John deserved a bonus payment, cash he might soon need depending on the results of a malpractice suit filed against him (by one of Goldy's clients). Though the evidence continues to stack up against John, Goldy realizes that other people had motive and opportunity to have killed the hated Suz, who ruthlessly mistreated many people in business and play. Now all she has to do is prove who actually did it before she becomes their next course. The insight into the lead protagonist's character (especially from the perspective of her teenager and her ex-spouse) adds dimension to Goldy. The use of real events effecting the Colorado backdrop (such as the local hockey team's Stanley Cup victory two years ago) adds a touch of authenticity. However, THE GRILLING SEASON is not for those who like a lot of spice in their meals because, like most culinary mysteries, the story line simmers very slowly. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: The Grilling Season
Review: This book is a MAJOR let down! What the heck is wrong with the main character Goldy .. someone who has supposedly suffered severe abuse from her ex, yet goes to his aid when he's accused of murder thanks mental and physical abuse that their son inflicts upon her! (Given his behaviour in this novel, why can't she see she's basically raising her son to be a carbon copy of her ex?)
Just what is Mott Davidson thinking?
Lets get real here.
Would any NORMAL woman allow herself to be subjected to this kind of unbelievable nonsense? Come to think of it, why the heck is Goldy still living in the same town as JRK if she's SO damn scared of him?
I can't believe there are future volumes regarding Miss Goldy who, IMO must love abuse or wouldn't have been tolerating this stuff for so long.
I can't say I'll be bothered reading them though!
Rating:
Summary: Great read, riviting
Review: This book series would make a great television series! I highly recommend both books and audio books for the series of "Goldie" mysteries!
Rating:
Summary: A mystery in good taste
Review: This is a fun book to read. You get recipes too since the sleuth is a caterer as well as one smart cookie. ha ha
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