Prime Cut

Diane Mott Davidson

Goldy Schultz' life is in chaos. A contractor started some simple window repair work in her kitchen. He "accidentally" knocked down some cabinets, making the hole in the wall larger. Then he took the money for the work and disappeared.

Her best friend, Marla Korman, is being audited by the IRS. Marla is the richest woman in Aspen Meadows. She is also the ex-wife of Goldy's first husband, "The Jerk". For now the Jerk is in jail, making them both breathe easier.

Goldy's cooking teacher, Chef Andre Hibband, is catering a modeling shoot in the historic cabin of Aspen Meadows' founding father - who died in jail because he finally was caught while stealing. Goldy helps him with the serving to help earn some money to bolster her business.

Then there is Craig Litchfield, the new caterer in Aspen Meadows. He is trying to undercut Goldy's business, and seems to be succeeding. Somehow he has obtained her customer list and pricing sheet. They are now in a tasting competition for the annual autumn historic fundraiser. Goldy has catered it for the past 5 years without any sort of tasting trial beforehand.

Goldy really doesn't need anything else going on in her life. But when she stops to visit a friend, she finds the dead body of her contractor. Her friend is arrested. And her husband is suspended from the police for inappropriate behavior in the field pending review. What next?

This is another cute, cozy mystery featuring Goldy the Caterer and her family. There are some wonderful sounding recipes in the novel. It's fluff, not to be taken seriously, yet keeps the reader's interest. If the reader prefers a mystery (or series) with grit, this isn't it. I enjoyed it, and recommend it for a way to while away a couple hours.

Catering to Nobody
Dying for Chocolate
The Cereal Murders
The Last Suppers
Killer Pancake
The Main Corpse
The Grilling Season
Prime Cut
Tough Cookie
Sticks and Scones
Chopping Spree
Double Shot
Dark Tort
Sweet Revenge
Fatally Flaky