Dying For Chocolate

He would demand, "Do you know the significance of the last course? It is what will linger in the memory and on the tongue."
What does that best?
Chocolate. In spite of my fury, I smiled, remembering. ... I knew serving clients chocolate nurtured them emotionally. I read an article that said people crave chocolate, gorge on it in fact, when they have been let go by a lover, boss, or spouse." (pp. 94-95)

Goldy loves her chocolate. And it helps when things get crazy in Dying For Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson. But crazy doesn't begin to describe the situations in which Goldy finds herself again in the second book of this catering mystery series.

Goldy and her son Arch are living with friends after her ex-husband once again uses intimidation to harass her. The kitchen is a great set up for her catering business, the security is intense, and the neighbors are more involved in one another's lives that she could ever have imagined. When Phillip drives off the road and dies, Goldy finds the crash suspicious. And so does Schultz, the law enforcement who has eyes for the caterer. Goldy also finds herself fighting to use her name on the business and angry with a food critic in the local newspaper who can't even get the menu right. Crazy characters, unexpected secrets, and actual recipes for Goldy's menus make for a fast reading mystery that will leave you hungry and amused.

We were all quiet for a few minutes. I reflected on the people who had come to inhabit my life in the last month. That was what everyone wanted: to force love's issue. Adele and Weezie adored Brian and had tried to make the adoration mutual. I had cherished the illusion that Adele was my friend and confidante. Julian was enamored of Sissy. Sissy in turn had great affection for the idea of being married to a doctor. And I wanted to make Arch love me, so that he would choose to live with me instead of his father. (p. 320)

Although not quite as good as Catering to Nobody, I did very much enjoy Dying For Chocolate. Goldy always seems to find trouble and it continues to follow her right up to the very end. Schultz is always in the background with open arms. And Arch is into magic this time which gives Goldy something more to worry about. I recommend this book to others who enjoy a fun mystery.