Prime Cut

Prime Cut by Diane Mott Davidson opens with Goldy helping her old semi-retired teacher cater a modeling session at a local historic cabin. She needs the gig for money to finish a remodel of her kitchen, abandoned by the local no-good contractor.

Soon Goldy has to contend with two deaths, food sabotage, competition from a showy but crap caterer, and a missing heritage cookbook. If you know anything about simple codes you'll figure out big chunks of this mystery well before Goldy does. I certainly did, but I still had fun waiting for Goldy to put it all together.

Prime Cut is the eighth in the Goldy Bear Culinary Mysteries. I'm listening to the Recorded Books productions as I can get a hold of them. That means I'm reading them out of order. show more I could read the paperbacks my library has but I think Barbara Rosenblat makes this series something extra special.

I like to listen to the Goldy books while I'm doing chores, especially cooking. Although the books all have about a dozen recipes included, I haven't tried any of them. I either already know how to make the included dish or it's not something I would normally eat. That said, it's still a fun series to cook to. show less

I enjoyed this book but I believe there are many readers who would be absolutely enthralled with this cozy mystery. It is a mystery that blends the world of caterers and fashion shoots within a beautifully described picturesque setting of Aspen Meadows, Colorado. The key character is energetic Goldy Bear, caterer and amateur sleuth. Season the mixture with a homestead museum and an ex-husband in prison. And don't forget the pièce de résistance, an endearing (current) husband who is not only a detective on the local police force but can grill and cook AND can design and remodel a home kitchen left in shreds into a culinary dream workspace for home creations and business extravaganzas.

This novel was my first introduction to the author, show more Diane Mott Davidson and my first read in the series. Delightfully, it can be read as a stand-alone. Chapters are sprinkled liberally with recipes that are described in mouth-watering detail. If you enjoy culinary mysteries, this one should be quickly folded on to your wish list of reading treats. show less

Not really sure about the accuracy of the title, but loved it any way. Goldy's food world is crashing down all around her. Tom, her husband, has been suspended for something he did not do; Goldy's kitchen is a mess thanks to a contractor who has taken her money but not finished the work (said contractor later turns up dead); there is a new caterer in town who is undercutting Goldy's prices and taking her clients. And then there is her ex-husband and even though he is in jail, he is still being a thorn in the flesh for both Goldy and Marla (the other ex-wife). Loved the mystery of it all and the sumptuous recipes that are included.

A friend of mine gave me earlier books in this series a number of years ago. As with all books of this type, it does strike me as odd that no one seems to care that dead bodies show up all around this caterer. Only one in town or not, I think I'd prefer an event with no dead bodies, even if I had to hire someone from the next big town to get it!

Other than that, this is the standard installment for this series with a few twists. Goldy has some competition in the catering world for a change. Though, of course, that bit works itself out by the end of the book--she might still have some competition, but at least it will be on more equal footing.

This mystery combines models, buried treasure, and a vengeful ex-spouse. An unlikely combination but Ms. Davidson makes it work. I enjoyed seeing Julian back in the picture and I loved how Tom created a new kitchen for Goldie - that's a husband!

Goldy Shultz, caterer, has a mess on her hands. The contractor who was repairing her kitchen window, broken by her now incarcerated ex, has stopped work. He left her commercial kitchen a disaster, and Goldy is worried about a pop in inspection by the health department. There’s. New caterer in town who is undercutting her business. Tom, her detective husband, is on an unpaid leave due to a conflict with the district attorney over the death of their contractor. Goldy’s old boss has hired her to help cater some photo shoots. The death of her old boss and their contractor causes headaches on Mille levels. She can’t even confide in her best friend who is in the midst of an IRS audit, complements of their ex husband reaching out from show more the prison. Even, the local museum is having problems; someone broke in and stole a bunch of historical cookbooks. But, life goes on as Goldy tries to sort things out.

It was a decent read. Lots of characters to help stir the plot and misdirect. Humor and action were average for this series. It was a decent quick read, but nothing to write home about. show less

I'm enjoying this series but have discovered that I'm hungry all the time while reading it. Could be there is not one page that doesn't describe food being cooked, eaten, displayed. :) I think it's some sort of subliminal message.