The Last Suppers (Goldy Schulz Book 4)

This is the 4th book in the series, first published in 1994. This book has an eBook and an audio file and is whisper-synced. The narrator is Barbara Rosenblat, who is a competent narrator, but she does tend to squeak. I bought this book because I watched a movie on Hallmark Movies and Mysteries and enjoyed it. The movie series is called “The Curious Caterer”, which I like better than “Goldy Schultz Series”. Often the book can be more enjoyable than the movie. The movie characters are less combative than the novel, which I prefer. Davidson does a good job of describing the Colorado scenery and weather.In this story, Goldy’s ex-husband, John Richard, only makes a shadow appearance. He is referenced, but no abusive behavior is manifested. The hero, Police Investigator Tom Schultz, is a phantom in this story because he is kidnapped in the second chapter! Davidson does a good job of balancing Goldy’s natural emotional response to Tom’s kidnap, and her determination to do all she can to solve the mystery and retrieve Tom for the killer before he is also killed. I did not like the part of the story that had Goldy catering her own wedding. It added a frenetic element the didn’t all much. Perhaps the wedding could have been at spring break, and Julian could have flown back from Cornell to prepare the food with Archie’s help.The food perspective of the story is getting better. If you are a longtime reader of Nero Wolfe, this part of the book will not entice you. I also think that Jennifer Ashley’s Below Stairs mysteries have a better development on the food side. The synopsis says, “five-star food”, but I would call it “three-star food”. If Davidson wants to take her food descriptions up a notch, I recommend she read Niki Segnit’s The Flavor Thesaurus. This book contains a great flavor wheel. The food pairings are incredible, and the descriptions are light-hearted and informative.On the mystery side, Davidson is also maturing her craft and the mystery is intriguing.A lot of the story happens at Goldy’s church, Tom is kidnapped while Goldy is waiting for him in the church. This is an interesting and insightful setting, which Davidson handles well.

I’ve read other books by Ms Davidson and this was another cute, fast read. Every once in awhile, “lite reads” are a must.

I have now read 4 books in this serie. It is hard to believe that one person would have such an eventful life but Diane makes it work through Goldy.

Again another wonderful ending and a new beginning that can bring hope for us who need hope, faith, and love.

From start to finish every book has been a page turner ! Look forward to reading the next in the series

I am a book worm. I know there are kindles, and other devices that I can read books on, but, I prefer holding while reading a book. I enjoy the Goldy Schulz series by Diane Mott Davidson. Having depression, as I do, its a good escape for me to read and get my mind on the story. THANK YOU

In the past, I have read all of the Goldy books in paper form. Loved the stories and the characters - and the recipes!Since I no longer have the physical books, I have decided to re-read them via Kindle. Am enjoying them just as must as before. I am not a real Kindle fan - still prefer paper - but it is convenient to be able to read them anytime/anywhere on my phone.

After the first 72 pages I was ready to toss the book without finishing it. It was an awful, plodding mess. But I had the book in my car when I went to a doctor appointment and needed something to read so I took it in and continued reading it got better. In the first third of the book too much time is spent giving the same details about myriad characters over and over again. I also found the way that the missing groom kept being referred to with his full first and last name by the bride and her son as clumsy and not true to the way people speak. It continually broke the rhythm of reading to puzzle over why on earth anyone would write that way.In the middle of the book the pace picked up, there was less distracting retelling of character relationships and the plot moved along. By the last third of the novel, it became very enjoyable and was a satisfying mystery. With some good editing this book would have been very good at 200 pages.