Double Shot (2004)

This was a so-so read. It read like an abridged book (which it was), meaning I had a little trouble keeping track of the characters and the transitions were a little abrupt. The story itself was decent enough, the writing was okay. I may have enjoyed this more had it not been abridged. ( )

Double Shot. Diane Mott Davidson. 2004. Haven’t read one of these light delightful novels in years. Goldy Schulz is a caterer, married to a policeman who manages to solve mysteries while cooking up delicious-sounding recipes! In this one her ex has been killed and she’s being questioned as a suspect so she and her zany friend also an ex of the ex decide to find out who really killed him. Recipes are included in the back of the book. These books make you hungry! ( )

This book had a twist in it that was expected to happen at some time and the time fast and was spelling binding. Anyone who has read the books with Goldy will understand! ( )

This is a game-changer book., so it's a don't miss this one in the Goldy series. Of course, as usual, I was irritated by the way she molly coddles that son of her's and puts up with stuff that makes me wonder. Anyway, I know to expect that and it's why her book series will probably never get 5 stars from me.

Other than that, it's a great story with plenty of the characters we love to read about in a cozy mystery. ( )

When caterer Goldy Schulz is attacked and her food deliberately spoiled while catering a funeral lunch, she suspects her attacker was her ex-husband, Dr. John Richard Korman, who was recently released from jail. While Goldy is concerned that someone is trying to sabotage her business, she is also worried about her husband, Tom, who has been depressed ever since he lost a case and a guilty defendant was let free. And then there is health inspector Roger Mannis who is making Goldy's life very difficult by doing his best to find health violations while she is catering. Goldy soon has bigger worries when she discovers the body of someone who was murdered and she becomes the chief suspect when the police think her gun was used in the murder. Goldy realizes she is being framed and tries to figure out who the real murderer is from a long list of suspects. While she is trying to save her business and investigate the murder, Goldy is dealing with problems with her son, Arch. Not only does he blame her for the murder, but it's clear he's keeping secrets from her. Goldy certainly has a lot on her plate.

"Double Shot" is a well done mystery. The murder in the book takes the series in a direction that could have hurt the series but instead makes it stronger. The book has some memorable characters, including Sandee, John Korman's latest girlfriend, and Brewster Motley, the attorney defending Goldy, who looks more like a surfer than an attorney. Author Diane Mott Davidson works the catering aspects seamlessly into the story and I liked the fact that Goldy's cooking isn't always perfect. The fact that she burns some fruit pies makes her more of a real character. The mystery itself is well plotted, with plenty of suspects. The motive for the murder is a sad one and readers may sympathize more with the murderer than the victim. Most of the plot lines are neatly wrapped up at the end and things that I didn't think were related to the plot, like out of control forest fires, actually turn out to be very important rather than mere filler. One of the plot lines is deliberately left vague, which may frustrate some readers, but I liked it. However, there were a couple of things I didn't like about the book. I found it hard to believe that Goldy didn't lose any of her customers while a murder suspect. And at the end of the book, Goldy has a new enemy who no doubt will be featured in future books. It would be nice if Goldy had some personal peace in at least one book, but that's probably not going to happen.

"Double Shot" is a good mystery. ( )