Diane Mott Davidson Dark Tort

Dark Tort

Diane Mott Davidson

Harper Collins, May 2006, $24.95

ISBN: 0060527315

Caterer Goldy Schulz prepares breakfasts, snacks and occasional lunches for the legal staff and clients of Hanrahan & Jule law firm in Aspen Meadow, Colorado. However, when she arrives early to set up the day's menu, Goldy finds the corpse of paralegal Dusty Routt, a victim of strangulation.

Dusty's mom, already distraught over the recent death of her son while in police custody, believes law enforcement will do nothing to identify her daughter's killer. Knowing that Goldy has solved homicides, she asks the caterer to investigate. Though she knows better, Goldy feels sorry for the grieving woman and agrees. With help from her husband Tom the cop, gossipy clues from the caterers extended network, and her son Arch the student driver, Goldy begins to find the recipes for murder starting with the key ingredients of motive and opportunity.

This thirteenth Goldy culinary mystery is a delightful fresh and original amateur sleuth tale that readers will enjoy (except for die hard dieters - numerous recipes included). The story line is fast-paced as Goldy quietly makes inquires and taps into the caterer network to learn more about the law firm's employees and partners. Arch's driving lessons will hit home to parents of teens as Goldy ages gracefully. Diane Mott Davidson is in top form with this tasty whodunit.

Harriet Klausner