Rating: 
Summary: Where was the editor for this book?
Review: As the Comic Book Guy in "The Simpsons" would say, "Worst episode EVER." There's no payoff to the story: the mystery's solution revolves around characters who have been treated so sketchily that it's impossible to care whodunnit or why. More annoying is the fact that Davidson's writing is becoming careless and repetitive. There are endless panegyrics to "heavenly" coffee and chocolate, tiresome flashbacks to previous books, and no depth to any of the main characters. Marla in particular has become hateful by this point. Why would anyone want to be friends with her?Even basic fact-checking is lacking. Arch could not get a tattoo in Colorado without Goldy's written permission, and the laser eye surgery he begs for is not performed on patients who are under 21, so it's unlikely "all his friends" have had the procedure. (Note, too, that the average fee for LASIK is about $4000 and dropping by the month; where did Davidson come up with that $8,000 figure? A copy editor should have caught this kind of detail.) Davidson has a weirdly personal hatred of lacrosse as well. Perhaps watching a few games is what constituted her "research" for this book. As a former mystery and series author myself, I suspect that Davidson is either getting bored or cranking 'em out too fast.
Rating: 
Summary: Charming and Cozy
Review: As usual, Diane Mott Davidson has written a charming, cozy mystery. It's a great book to curl up with on a cool autumn/winter evening. However, you may find the many wonderful recipes that are included inspire a trip to the kitchen for a late-night snack.
Rating: 
Summary: Wonderful Story - Terrible Reader
Review: Being a devoted fan of Mott Davidson, I was horrified at the destruction of the Goldie's personality by Joyce Bean as the reader for this book. They need to stay with Barbara Rosenblat! If you love the audios, don't waste your money...go out and buy the text version.
Rating: 
Summary: Fast-paced story, likable character
Review: Caterer and part-time mystery solver Goldy Schulz is finally out of her financial hole--her catering business is taking off. She's nowhere in the shopping league as some of her clients--who spend thousands of dollars a month on 'stuff' and then need to rent storage to keep it--but she can afford something nice for her son, at least. Unfortunately for Goldy, financial success is not the end to her problems. Her son, 15, is perpetually angry, one of her clients reminds her of her abusive ex-husband, and another is the near-victim of a hit-and-run, except he seemed to expect the attack. When the client ends up dead, Goldie and her assistant are high on the suspect list--and the other suspects are either clients or friends. Not a good situation for a caterer trying to make it in Colorado high society. With a little help from her cop-husband, Goldy goes to work tracking down the evidence. The victim's lifestyle made him plenty of enemies so there is no lack of suspects, but finding proof is more complicated. A number of abortive attempts to discover the truth, intermixed with cooking sprees, lead Goldy deeper into trouble but no closer to the truth. Worse, some of the clues come in the form of messages that look just like the kind that the victim used to use. Author Diane Mott Davidson writes an engaging novel. It's easy to identify with Goldy and her attempts to keep her family together, keep her head above financial waters, and to keep her friendships alive when paranoia is running wild. A few loose ends could have been better tied up--I'm still curious about Goldy's blackouts--shouldn't she see a doctor about them--and the coffee overdoses seem extreme. I'm even more confused about an explosion that came when one of her assistants poured burgandy on a flame. Wine certainly doesn't burn. And, really, Goldy is supposed to be smart--it took her a long time to figure out some of the obvious clues. These are small quibbles, however. CHOPPING SPREE is an enjoyable and fast read with something to say about cooking (good), coffee (very good), and shopping (dangerous in more ways than one.)
Rating:
Summary: Cooking in Colorado
Review: Caterer Goldy Schulz continues to cook and snoop in this eleventh installment in the Diane Mott Davidson series. Like all good series, this has an oddball and likeable lead, a eccentric supporting cast, a well-drawn setting and, of course, a moderately compelling mystery. In this one Goldy is riding high as the book opens. For a change, money is pouring in as the ultra-rich have made her "their" caterer. But soon all turns sour: her adored fourteen year old son turns surly and uncommunicative; she is almost run over by a runaway truck in the parking lot of a mall undergoing reconstruction; an old acquaintance from college is murdered; and her adored and trusted assistant Julian is arrested for the murder. But not to despair. Through hard work, despite several red herrings, and after hauling a friend out of waist-high muck from a floorless outhouse (!), Goldy solves the case. Truth and justice are restored in this well-written, fun mystery series. Give it a try.
Rating:
Summary: Still good, if not great
Review: Chopping Spree is a reliable Diane Mott Davidson entry.Goldie and Marla, Arch and Tom, Julian and the new assistant Liz- all are present, and as engaging as ever. Marla is a useful source of information and gossip among the well oiled set of "Aspen Meadows." However, I do miss Macguire.Yes, Arch's adolescent antics are not too charming, but Davidson seems to have a plan, and in the last section of the book, Arch shows signs of civility.I am not convinced that Arch's sometimes awful behaviour can always be linked to his father, John Richard (the Jerk) Korman.I always read Davidson's acknowledgements, and she states that her brother was a World Trade Center SURVIVOR. That may, or may not have anything to do with the few flaws in the book, but mercy, give her a break. I am willing to believe that any bumps in the story are due to the intense emotions we all felt, and the even greater ones she and her family might have experienced. It is still a good book in a consistently reliable series.Davidson has some thought provoking things to say about malls, materialism, and what really matters.I would really like to be on Marla's speed dial or buddy list!
Rating:
Summary: fun, food and mayhem......and great recipes too!!!!!
Review: Chopping Spree is another fun, food and murder mystery made to order by Diane Mott Davidson. This novel delves into the world of compulsive shopping, upscale mall managing and catering to those who shop there. Goldy is catering at an upscale jewelry leasing event when things go out of control. From hit and miss drivers, to competitive compulsive shopping, to murder, it all seems to unravel itself in Goldy's presence. As she tries to fit the pieces together, she soothes herself with luscious treats and delightful beverages that seem to aid her navigation through the criminal activities, as she attempts to pinpoint the motive for murder and thereby reveal the murderer. The novel is woven with some tantalizing recipes from Chocolate Truffles, to Strawberry Rhubarb Cobbler, a Grilled Mushroom Salad and Swedish Meatballs in Burgundy Sauce to name a few.
Her usual delightful array of friends, Marla and Julian and her wonderfully understanding and forgiving husband are all present in this novel. She also continues to cope with a teenage son who is testing his limits and his mother's limits as well.
Chopping Spree is a fun culinary mystery ....like the Murder She Wrote television series but with a super culinary twist and lovable main characters as well as those you love to hate!
Rating:
Summary: Stellar reading.
Review: Davidson has indeed done it again. This latest entery in the Schulz series is exceptionally well written. It clearly shows she hasn't lost her touch yet. It is well worth getting and reading.
Rating:
Summary: Chopping Spree
Review: Davidson's books are easy reads and good for vacationing, but no mind challengers. I've found that, after reading several over the years, I'm impatient with the main character who often comes across as a bungling, stupid "female". Not a good strong female role model. Luckily, the plot lines are at least interesting and the recipes make for a nice side bar.
Rating:
Summary: Murder, mayhem and great recipes!
Review: Davidson's culinary mysteries explore the complex world of family relationships with as much intensity as they explore the mystery of the specific crime Goldie is investigating. The glory of the Rocky Mountain region is also a huge part of the charm of this series, as well as the appealing recipes. Arch's transformation into a regular teenager with all the problems that entails, enriches the sub-text of this excellent story.
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