Goldy is a divorced mother of an eleven-year-old boy, Arch. She and Arch live in the small Colorado town of Aspen Meadows. Goldy makes her living as a caterer and the novel is sprinkled with delicious looking recipes. The town she lives in is small enough that Goldy seems to know just about everybody. It is so small that she seems to keep running into her ex-husband, Doctor Richard Korman (also known as “The Jerk” – which is a very appropriate “pseudonym”).
The story begins with Goldy preparing to provide the food and drink at the wake of one of Arch’s recent teachers, Laura Smiley, who has apparently and unexpectedly committed suicide. As the mourners are partaking of the refreshments at Laura’s house (the affair is being hosted by one of Laura’s aunts), Doctor Fritz Korman, Goldy’s ex-father in law falls suddenly and violently ill. The police are called because poisoning is suspected. Because Goldy was providing the food and drink, the police ordered her business suspended until the investigation is completed.
Goldy, who relied almost totally on the income from her business (because her child support payments from “The Jerk” are sporadic at best), can’t sit by idly while the police try to find the culprit, so she begins her own investigation. With the partial cooperation of the police investigator, Tom Schultz, Goldy sets about collecting as much information about Laura Smiley and Fritz Korman.
I really enjoyed rereading this first book in the series. I especially enjoyed Diane Mott Davidson’s 2001 introduction to the new edition of the book. In the introduction, she explains how she came up with the idea for Goldy and the series. The author reveals that in 1989 when she was shopping around the book, it was rejected by a bunch of publishers –“scores of editors rejected it”. In the early 80s another author had written three culinary mysteries:
Who would buy a culinary mystery in 1989?” When my wonderful agent, Sandra Dijkstra, pointed out to editors that no one—not a single author—had ever had a caterer (who offered recipes!) as a main character, the response was equally negative. Even more damning, the fact that Goldy had survived spousal abuse was seen as “too dark.” The recipes were viewed as “intrusive.” I felt strongly that both were necessary to explain who Goldy was…
So, Diane Mott Davidson was a pathfinder in the mystery world — culinary mysteries are still a huge sub-genre of Cozy Mysteries in 2019!
I find Goldy to be a very good mystery sleuth character. Her world seems quite real. Her relationship (or lack thereof) with her abusive ex-husband is just one of the elements that make the stories seem to be based in reality. Goldy’s son, Arch is another. Arch is a complicated little eleven-year-old whose character is developed much more than is common in Cozy Mysteries. Goldy has the kind of relationship with Arch that you would expect of a mother who is divorced and running a business that keeps her so very busy.
Back in the 90s when I first started reading these books, these elements, plus the rousing good mysteries, kept me coming back for more each time Diane Mott Davidson would publish a new one. After enjoying reading Catering to Nobody so much again, I might just reread them all!
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nancy says
These books were the first Cozy Mysteries I read and I loved them. I was disappointed when she stopped writing them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy, I loved them too. At least she wrote quite a few.
Alice M says
Me too have read em all and wished for more
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Alice M, seems like this is a consensus among all of us fans!
Kitty D says
I love this series and I was so disappointed when there were not any more of them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Kitty D, I’m with you on both sentiments.
Lynn Heritage says
You can always reread them — begin at the beginning and go on through to the end. And check out the cookbook if you like to cook!
Elaine Behrendt says
I have read this entire series and very much enjoyed them. I was very disappointed when I found out there were no more to come. These were the start of my enjoyment of cozy mysteries. Diane, where are you???
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Elaine Behrendt, these were some of the first Cozies I read and loved also.
Nora-Adrienne says
They were a fun read and I own at least 75% of them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nora-Adrienne, they were fun. I am seriously considering rereading them all!
Nancy Phillips says
I love Diane Mott Davidson. I have read every one of her books and
keep hoping that one day another will appear.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Nancy Phillips, unfortunately, it has been about six years now, so it is not looking good for a new book in the series.
Susy S says
Thanks for the review.
I have one of the books in this series sitting on my ‘Authors I haven’t read yet but sound interesting shelf’, so I think I will take it out and give it a try soon.
Unfortunately, it isn’t the first in the series, but I can handle one out of series. After that, I tend to get obsessive about reading them in order.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Susy S, I think you will enjoy it!
Ellie says
I don’t think it not being the first in the series will hamper your enjoyment, particularly if it is from the first half of the series. The first couple of chapters usually provide you a good overview of her history, but not in a overly repetitive way that makes you sick of it by the time you’re a few books in.
This series is what kicked off my love of cozy mysteries. My mother picked up a hard cover copy of Killer Pancake (I think it was the fourth in the series) at a rummage sale for me when I was in high school because she thought it looked like something I would be interested in. I then ended up scouring used book stores trying to find the earlier books and ended up reading them out of order until eventually I got them all and could afford to order them when new ones came out and then read the series in order. I also ended buying the books on Kindle when I finally got one even though I had purchased hard copies.
She’s definitely a good gateway to culinary mysteries if that isn’t your favorite subgenre and why I probably gravitate towards culinary cozies most.
No Lively-Payne says
I read one of her later books- so it was out of sync- but then began asking my library to find the first ones from other libraries. Now I can buy them & reread them at my leisure. I’m sad there aren’t more, but she wrote them & if she didn’t feel another story- then they ended before it was predictable.
Ginger (Bronx) says
I really liked the first one in the series. Goldy’s titles were ones I’d look for anytime i was in a book store. While I like to cook, I have no time to be elaborate about it! I read this series about as soon as the paperback came out for the first 9 titles, maybe. By that point I was reading several culinary series, as I recall, so picked up the “old favorite” Goldy titles less often than investigating someone new. You’ve inspired me to go back and reread Catering to Nobody, probably the second and third in the series too.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ginger (Bronx), I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Rita Ingersoll says
I have to agree wholeheartedly. I also have her cookbook. I still make some of her recipes and her story rang true to me, as well as others who have a “jerk” in their lives. This was my first cozy mystery but not my last by a long shot!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Rita Ingersoll, these were some of my first “modern” Cozy Mysteries also. Nowhere near me last either!
Mary VS says
Yes she was a groundbreaker in what has turned out to be a huge sub-genre of food-and-cozies! I have read all her books, and was very disappointed when I finally realized that there is nothing after the Enchilda. I keep hoping she might get a few more ideas! (She’s still alive, as far as I know….?) Two “gotta say”s: 1) she is a good writer and the books are very well done but MY GOSH THE HOMICIDE RATE IN HER TOWN IS ASTRONOMICAL!!!! and 2) you are killing me with your comment about the series getting its name changed. What’s the newer name? Does it involve an addition to Goldy’s full name? (that is an informed question, as I have read the whole series!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary VS, to your first “gotta say”, I agree completely. To your second, yes. I think it is an unfortunate spoiler (although not unexpected), but I guess the publisher thought it was a good idea for some reason.
Terri S says
I also loved this series and have read all of the books.
My question is why hasn’t there been any new titles since
The Whole Enchilada? Is Diane Mott Davidson still writing?
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Terri S, I can’t find any information about anything new after that book. I don’t know if there is any hope for more.
Reggy k says
Love this series have and read all of these in series just wish more were on the horizon
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Reggy k, looks like you are one of the many with that hope!
Marsha Bly says
I read her books from the beginning!! Loved them & highly recommend them to anyone who hasn’t read them!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marsha Bly, I’m with you!
Marla Lawless says
I loved this series and read every single one. I wish she would continue the series. It is fantastic.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Marla Lawless, I agree!
Glen says
Rereading books….I do like doing that. I have been known to repeat the whole series (27 books or so, written by Angela Thirkell. Not mysteries, but a saga of a town and the fold therein in England) at one time….no other books intuding. And now I have about four series clamoring in my head to be read. Darynda Jones. Tolkien. Donna Andrews. The Miss Dimple series. Sarah Andrews. Goodness. The list goes on. I think it might contain the whole of that bookshelf. (Let’s not look at the other bookshelves just yet!)
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Glen, my to be read list also contains a lot of rereading in my future. Deciding what should be next is a fun thing to do!
Linda M. says
Danna, do you know why Diane Mott Davidson stopped writing the Goldie Bear mysteries. They are all very good and I really miss not having new mysteries to read.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Linda M., sorry, but I do not know. A lot of us feel the same.
Sean Hagins says
I have this entire set. I had to do some editing to my books, as there was quite a bit of swearing (and even sexual scenes in a couple books) I don’t know if I would call this a “cozy” mystery with those things in them. It was completely unnecessary, and only keep these as I edited them
However the stories themselves are interesting and the cast of characters is fascinating
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Sean Hagins, I think that modern Cozies do seem to have a bit of those elements sometimes (for better or worse). In my addendum to my definition of a cozy, I talk a little bit about that trend.
Each person will have their own ideas about this, but the Goldy books seem to me to be okay in this regard.
Deb Gavin says
I was so excited when I saw this posting! At first I thought she wrote another Goldy book..her & Mary Daheim with the Bed & Breakfast books were the beginning of my long love for cozy mysteries.
Sad that the series ended.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Deb Gavin, I am sorry that I couldn’t have provided that sort of good news. However, I do think it is great that we still have the seventeen books in the series to reread.
Helga Thompson says
I had them all in hardcover! Couldn’t wait for the papsrbacks. Like a fool I gave them to my daughter in law, who is now my ex-D I L! Such a shame, about the books, I mean! I love that series!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Helga Thompson, On occasion, I’ve regretted giving away specific books too!
Bek says
I read a couple a year or so ago, and liked them, but didn’t, for some reason, put them on my list. THAT little oversight is now rectified!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Bek, in my case, I’m afraid my list is so long that I will never get to the ones past the mid-way point.
Susy S says
It looks like I have books 4, 5 and 6 in the series. I think I am going to ask around and see if anyone I know has number 1. Al long as I like the series, I will then by the rest. I don’t know HOW I have 3 books in my collection, but these things happen in my world.
Bek says
Tell me about it! Yesterday, I looked on my “to read” pile and saw a single book by Gail Oust. My reaction was, “HUH? WHAT?” I no idea where it came from, but it looks good!
Pam Walker says
I held off reading the last one knowing there would be no more, but started it this week. Have loved the whole series.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Pam, I’m glad you’ve been enjoying it!
Diane Zipay says
I was working at a bookstore when this book came out. (That was after school when I left the Library.) I read this book and enjoyed it. Before Dying for Chocolate came out, Diane Mott Davidson came to our store in Omaha. She was in town with several authors for a convention. She signed autographs for our customers and even brought chocolate treats for the sales staff.
I have enjoyed Goldy and these terrific books ever since.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Diane, it sounds like a good time! I’ve always wished I could meet more of my favorite authors.
Bek says
Neither will I, but I’m certainly going to enjoy trying!
Jane says
Her books were some of the first cozies for me and I have read them all. I’m so disappointed that she has stopped writing them.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jane, yes, it can always be a disappointment when a favorite author stops writing.
Mary says
I’ve been reading these books forever and have re-read (audio too) them at least 3 times. I’m in the middle of the series again. Even with all the other books I read, the Goldie books draw me in every time.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Mary, it’s always very comforting to return to an old favorite like this!
Ellen F. says
I, too, would like to see Diane Mott Davidson resume writing. She ended the last book in the series with Goldy contemplating having a baby — I think that would spin off a whole new set of story lines.
She was the first cozy mystery I encountered and remains the best. Her books were not formulaic/shallow/predictable. She is an excellent writer and set the gold standard high [excuse the slight pun] for other cozy mysteries.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Ellen, it certainly would be nice, though seems increasingly unlikely as years pass with no further entries.
Karen S says
https://www.denverpost.com/2015/10/19/diane-mott-davidson-compiles-favorite-recipes-stories-in-memoir/
The last paragraph may provide somewhat of a hint whether she will revisit Goldy. She did say in another interview “never say never”…she is 70, with a husband, grown children and grandchildren. But she gave us so many wonderful stories to savor again and again. The cookbook was perhaps the grand finale.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Karen, while I would be sad if it truly is the end, it’s at least nice that the books we do have are of such high quality.
Mary P says
I started re-reading the Goldy series two weeks ago. Loved them the first time around…loving them again now when a good read makes the day a little brighter. ?
Jeanne L. says
I too was very saddened when Diane Mott Davidson seemed to have retired from writing. And yes I have been rereading her books from time to time. In fact, I just finished rereading Dying for Chocolate. An excellent book. I would be so happy if Diane were to start writing Goldy again. I miss her.
Kitty D says
I love this series too and am sorry she isn’t still continuing it.
Kathleen Albinski says
If it’s true that the Goldie culinary series ended, then I feel like a lost a friend. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters and will miss them.
Sandy says
I am quite disappointed there are no more books in this series. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in October 1999. A friend and one of my doctors recommended this series. I started reading them and eventually read them all. I credit Diane Mott Davidson for helping me through my treatment. I am a 20+ year survivor. Thank you for such a wonderful series of books.
Kim Haas says
I just started reading this series during Covid lockdown. A few years ago was on a long road trip with my mom and she brought along the audiotapes for “Prime Cut.” I loved it and decided “some year” I would start reading all the books. This spring/summer has been the perfect time to start. I found a list online of all 17 books (plus cookbook) and decided to read them in order. Started with “Catering to Nobody” and am currently reading the 7th book, “Prime Cut.” Every book has been awesome.
Last week I made one of Diane Mott Davidson’s recipes, “Red ‘n’ Whites.” We LOVED them! This recipe is definitely a keeper. Can’t remember which book I copied it from, but is from one of the first 5-6 books.