Crunch Time
Goldy Schulz/Culinary Mystery, No 16
Diane Mott Davidson
Read by Barbara Rosenblat

HarperCollins / William Morrow
April 5, 2011/ ISBN 9780062027504
Mystery / Cozy / Recipes
Amazon

Reviewed by Brenda Weeaks

The first Goldy Schulz mystery I listened to on tape was Dying for Chocolate. I was hooked from the start and still, actually, prefer listening to the series than reading it. Giving credit where credit is due, Barbara Rosenblat's narration also stayed with me long after turning the recorder off. And it's why I take notice of the books she narrates.

In Goldy's sixteenth mystery she deals with yet another murder in Aspen Meadow. Ex-copy/PI Ernie takes Goldy's friend and co-worker Yolanda in as cook and cleaner. Her hard-nosed aunt goes with her. (Yolanda is a character from a previous mystery.) She's dealing with a former boyfriend/stalker but I get the impression Yolanda doesn't need worry with wand-welding aunt Ferdinanda around. Unfortunately, ex-alcoholic PI Ernie is murdered and Goldy learns he left everything to Yolanda. Oh, and did I mention what's stashed under Yolanda's mattress? It's enough to make Goldy suspicious of her fellow caterer. Yolanda is just one of many suspects and the will is only one of many twists... Just when you think it's too easy and you know how it'll end, Davidson changes things up.

On the personal side Goldy and her dear hubby make a life-changing decision sure to excite series followers. And it looks like son Arch is actually growing up and thinking of others. (Limited whining scenes.)

It's a complex mystery with a lot going on -- including recipes. Rosenblatt reads the recipes at the end of the audio. Imagine listening to Rosenblatt's reading while testing the recipes - sure sounds like fun to me.

Reviewer's Note: Other Myshelf.com reviews in this series

Sticks and Scones
Chopping Spree
Double Shot
Fatally Flaky
Sweet Revenge