This is the first book in the 'Goldilocks Catering' cozy mystery series.
Divorcée Gertrude (Goldy) Bear works hard at her business 'Goldilocks Catering' in Aspen Meadows, Colorado. Goldy needs the money to support herself and her 11-year-old son Arch, since child support from her ex-husband, gynecologist John Richard Korman, is sporadic and inadequate. Korman was a serial philanderer and wife-beater, and Goldy is still wary of his vicious temper.
Goldy's best friend is Marla Korman, John Richard's second ex-wife. The two women call their mutual former spouse 'The Jerk', and delight in trash-talking him over coffee and pastries.
As the story opens, Goldy is preparing to cater the funeral food for Arch's former teacher, Laura Smiley, who purportedly committed suicide. A large crowd is expected at the post-burial gathering, including John Richard and his new girlfriend. As if that's not awkward enough, Arch's grandparents - gynecologist Fritz Korman and his wife Vonette Korman - are also expected to attend.
Goldy prepares delicious food for the gathering, and asks Arch and Patty Sue - a 20-year-old girl who's boarding with Goldy temporarily - to help serve. The guests are enjoying the refreshments when Dr. Fritz Korman falls to the floor, writhing in pain. An ambulance is called, and John Richard shrieks at Goldy, claiming she tried to poison HIM and it backfired on his father.
The police are summoned, and discover Fritz WAS poisoned, by rat killer in his coffee. Luckily, the physician gets back on his feet and back to work in a few days. In the meantime, Detective Tom Schulz - a big handsome bear of a man - closes down Goldilocks Catering pending an investigation into the poisoning.
Goldy is desperate to re-open her business, so she decides to help Detective Schulz with his inquiries. Schulz isn't crazy about the idea, but he's attracted to Goldy, so he lets her (unofficially) assist.
Once Goldy gets the sleuthing bit between her teeth she pokes around everywhere, and makes some important discoveries. It turns out the deceased teacher, Laura Smiley, babysat for the Kormans 20 years ago, when they all lived in Illinois.
Around that time Dr. Fritz Korman was accused of inappropriate behavior, and moved his family to Aspen Meadows for a new start. Laura also moved to Colorado and took a teaching job.
Goldy finds out other things as well, and her compulsive snooping puts her life in danger.
In the course of the story Arch plays Dungeons and Dragons with his best friend Todd - and gets over-involved with the game's magic and violence; Goldy's boarder Patty Sue gets driving lessons - which don't go as planned; Goldy (secretly) caters a couple of gatherings; the townsfolk don costumes for a Halloween party; Fritz is poisoned AGAIN; someone dies; Goldy and Schulz start a relationship; lots of pastries are consumed; and more. To add to the fun, the recipes for Goldy's culinary creations are included.....both savory and sweet treats.
The story is set in the early 1990s, so people aren't running around with cellphones and 'feminists' supposedly aren't shaving their legs. (Was this EVER a widespread thing?)
Colorado is a wonderful setting for the novel and I enjoyed the story. I recommend the book to fans of cozy mysteries.
Recipes in the book include:
Dungeon Bars
Gingersnaps
Toffee
Guacamole
Rating: 3 stars
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