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Summary
Author Notes
Diane Mott Davidson, best-selling mystery writer, was born in Honolulu. Davidson's mysteries center around the experiences of Goldy Bear, a divorced caterer who solves murders while also contending with her former husband, an abusive physician, and with raising her son in the community in which they all live. Each book also includes some of Goldy's menus and delicious recipes. Her novels include Catering to Nobody (nominated for the Anthony, Agatha, and Macavity awards for Best First Novel), Dying for Chocolate, Killer Pancakes, The Last Suppers, and The Grilling Season.
Diane Mott Davidson was named the 1990 Writer of the Year for Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers and received the Anthony Award for Best Short Story in 1992. She made The New York Times Best Seller List in 2013 for The Whole Enchilada.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
Publisher's Weekly Review
Intrepid Colorado caterer Goldy Bear, last seen in The Cereal Murders, caters her own wedding in this latest adventure set amidst the community of St. Luke's Episcopal church, where upper lips may be stiff but someone's trigger finger is limber. Goldy makes it to the altar on the appointed day but is left standing there when, moments before the ceremony, her beloved groom, Detective Tom Schulz, discovers the minister shot dead. When Tom disappears, Goldy goes into action and quickly learns that the passions raised by the the charismatic minister, who some believe had performed a miraculous healing, run deep. To locate the killer and her fiancé, Goldy relies on cryptic notes Tom left at the crime scene, while finding comfort and inspiration in his recipe file. Suspense builds steadily, whether Goldy is confronting physical danger or a short-notice request for dinner for 12. The solution iself may be something of a letdown, but the main course on Davidson's latest menu, served with lively pacing and characterization, is satisfying and tasty. Eleven recipes included. Author tour. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Booklist Review
Caterer Goldy Bear's wedding would have been perfect except for two minor problems--the priest is killed shortly before the wedding and her fiance, homicide detective Tom Schulz, is kidnapped from the scene of the crime. Frustrated with waiting for updates from the police, Goldy attempts to find out who ruined her wedding. Is the killer the organist, recently fired by the priest? Or the disgruntled theology student snubbed by the ordination board? Sandwiched between the suspense and Goldy's 10 gourmet recipes are layerings of criticism directed at organized religion. The scandals of Goldy's church snowball as she pursues the killer. Battles over church funds, building projects, and hymnal music lead to suspicious miracle healing and cleric egocentricity as well as corruptness. And although Tom Schulz's character is never more than one-dimensional, Goldy's realistic thoughts and reactions to events make her an interesting personality--and turn this book into a substantive mystery. ~--Caroline Andrew
Kirkus Review
It's a perfect day for caterer Goldy Bear's wedding to Furman County (Colo.) homicide investigator Tom Schulz--or it would be if somebody hadn't killed the priest and kidnapped the groom. Before he vanishes, Tom has time only to make a brief phone call to explain why he's late and scribble an even more cryptic note, which Goldy will have to decode in order to track him down and fix the guilt. Is the murderer Agatha Preston, who went to Father Ted Olson for counseling because she feared losing her husband, Bob, but ended up falling for the counselor? Is it Bob, the oil man who's plumb out of oil? Zelda Preston, Bob's possessive, conservative mother? Or Zelda's old crony Lucille Boatwright, self-righteous head of the Altar Guild? Though Davidson shifts uneasily from Goldy's well-etched tension over Tom's disappearance to her willingness to get involved in another round of leisurely amateur sleuthing, you'll be glad to know that Goldy eventually gets to prepare everything the original wedding menu had called for and to serve it all to her regular supporting cast (preteen son Arch, boarder Julian, etc.), most of them so much more engaging than the guest stars that it's a shame they have to get dragged through a detective story at all. Davidson (The Cereal Murders, 1993, etc.) deftly dovetails Episcopal intrigue and more formulaic genre mayhem, though the conflict between the old guard and those huggy-feely charismatics wears a little thin. Includes a dinner menu and ten recipes (seen but not sampled), in case you'd like to try and improve on Goldy's nuptial festivities. (Author tour)
Library Journal Review
The author of The Cereal Murders (LJ 10/1/93) offers more of the same: an appealing mixture of food and crime. A murder delays Colorado caterer Goldy Bear's second wedding when duty calls away the homicide-detective groom-to-be. Includes 12 original recipes. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Excerpts
Excerpts
"Hurry along now," chided Lucille as she pulled open the side door to St. Luke's. From inside the church, the high peals of organ music mingled with the buzz and shuffling of arriving guests. She shooed me into the sacristy, the tiny room adjoining the sanctuary where the priest ans acolytes put on their vestments before each service. On the counter next to the parish register lay two bouquets of the same type as the disputed altar flowers: luscious spills of creamy white stock and fragrant freesia, tiny pink carnations and white and pink sweetheart roses. There was one for me and one for Marla, who in addition to being best friend and matron of honor, was the other ex-wife of my first husband. Lucille informed me Marla was out in the narthex, "giggling wildly with that jewelry raffle committee, but what else would you expect?" She would send her back. Lucille's tone signaled her opinion of both the raffle committee and Marla, its chairwoman. Giving me another of her razor-edged glances, she commanded me to stay put. Arch craned his neck around the door to the sacristy. He pushed his glasses up his freckled nose and said, "I know. You're nervous, right?" "Remember your first day of seventh grade?" "I'd rather not." He scooted through the door and closed it softly behind him. "Hate to tell you, Mom, but your hat's on crooked." I smiled. Thin-shouldered and narrow-chested, Arch had taken great pains with his own scrubbed and buttoned-up appearance. But the kid-sized tuxedo only emphasized all the growing up he'd had to do in the last five years. First he'd escaped into fantasy role-playing games. Then he'd endured harassment at a new school. Only in the last few months had Arch found a sense of family support from two people-- Julian Teller, our nineteen-year old live-in boarder, and of course, Tom Schulz. For the first time in years, my son seemed genuinely, if precariously happy. Reluctantly, I turned to look at the crooked headgear in the long mirror behind the sacristy door. As I feared, the glass reflected a short, thirty-one year old female with blond corkscrews of hair protruding from a cockeyed hat that looked too sophisticated for her slightly rounded, slightly frecked face. I removed the odious beige silk thing, reseated it, and stabbed ferociously with the hat pin. I loathe hats. Even when catering the most elegant dinners, I never wear a chef's cap. But Father Olson had suggested my wearing a hat would appease the Altar Guild, whose many rules I was shattering by getting married in Lent, for the second time, with lots of flowers. Arch, on tiptoe behind me, frowned as he adjusted his black-and-silver-striped cravat. The tuxedo was a little big. Nevertheless, he looked absolutely dashing. I turned and gave him an impulsive hug. From the Paperback edition. Excerpted from The Last Suppers by Diane Mott Davidson All rights reserved by the original copyright owners. Excerpts are provided for display purposes only and may not be reproduced, reprinted or distributed without the written permission of the publisher.
