Sweet Revenge

Sweet Revenge follows caterer Goldy Schulz as she investigates a murder that occurs at a holiday party she's catering. The victim is found in a nearby library, and Goldy realizes she has connections to both the location and the deceased. Between managing her catering business during peak holiday season and dealing with threats to her own safety, Goldy pursues leads about the victim's past. Her investigation brings her into contact with academics, rare book dealers, and local characters in her Colorado mountain town. The story combines culinary details and recipes with elements of mystery and suspense. Goldy must balance her responsibilities as a caterer and mother while working to solve the crime before she becomes the next target. This twelfth installment in the series explores themes of justice, revenge, and the complexity of human relationships in small-town communities. The holiday setting provides both festive charm and darker undertones as secrets from the past emerge.

Readers describe this as a light, cozy mystery with detailed recipes and cooking scenes. The plot moves at a steady pace and many found Goldy's catering work added engaging details. Liked: - Recipes that tie into the story - Clear descriptions of Colorado setting - Steady plot progression - Character development from previous books - Blend of mystery and cooking elements Disliked: - Some found Goldy's actions unrealistic - Too many descriptions of coffee drinking - Several readers felt the ending was rushed - Multiple reviewers called the murder solution predictable Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (14,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (185 ratings) Common reader comment: "The recipes are the best part" One frequent criticism noted by reviewers: "Goldy makes reckless choices that no real person would make just to advance the plot" Critical consensus suggests this works better as a culinary novel than a mystery.

State of the Onion by Julie Hyzy A White House chef solves murders while managing state dinners and political intrigue.

Death by Darjeeling by Laura Childs A tea shop owner in Charleston investigates murders between brewing perfect cups and running her business.

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke A Minnesota baker uses her connections in the community to solve crimes while testing recipes for her cookie shop.

Dying for Chocolate by Diane Mott Davidson A caterer-turned-sleuth tackles another culinary mystery with recipes included throughout the investigation.

Catering to Nobody by Diane Mott Davidson The first book in the Goldy Bear series introduces the culinary sleuth and her catering business amid a poisoning investigation.

🗨️ Sweet Revenge was the 14th book in Davidson's popular Goldy Schulz culinary mystery series, which began in 1990 with Catering to Nobody. 🍽️ The author, Diane Mott Davidson, worked as a caterer herself before becoming a writer, lending authenticity to her protagonist's culinary adventures. 📚 Like all books in the series, Sweet Revenge includes several original recipes that readers can try at home, including Chocolate Coma Cookies and Chuzzlewit Cheese Pie. 🏔️ The series is set in the fictional town of Aspen Meadow, Colorado, which Davidson based on Evergreen, Colorado, where she lived for many years. 🎭 The plot centers around both a murder at a library and the death of a former district attorney, weaving together multiple mysteries that protagonist Goldy must solve while catering holiday events.