Dying for Chocolate

Goldy Bear, a divorced caterer, relocates to the Colorado mountains with her son to escape her abusive ex-husband. She takes a temporary cooking job for a wealthy local family while getting her catering business established in the new town. When a sudden death occurs, Goldy finds herself entangled in a murder investigation that threatens her fresh start. Her catering work continues amid mounting tensions, as she navigates relationships with local law enforcement and the town's residents. The story combines culinary details and murder mystery elements, featuring recipes interspersed throughout the narrative. Goldy's professional and personal challenges intersect as she works to solve the crime while protecting herself and her son. The novel explores themes of reinvention and resilience, showing how food and cooking can provide both livelihood and solace during difficult times. Its mountain setting serves as both refuge and potential trap for characters seeking escape from their past.

Readers appreciate the cozy mystery elements and cooking theme, with many noting the recipes are a highlight. The main character Goldy's personality and relationships create an engaging small-town atmosphere according to frequent comments. Likes: - Clear, easy-to-follow recipes that work in real life - Balance of mystery and cooking elements - Character development from the first book - Details about catering business operations Dislikes: - Some find Goldy's decisions frustrating and unrealistic - Romance subplot feels forced to many readers - Several reviewers mention the pacing drags in the middle - Multiple comments about too many food descriptions Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (24,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.5/5 (430+ reviews) Common review quote: "The mystery keeps you guessing but the recipes make you want to head straight to the kitchen" - repeated sentiment across multiple reader reviews.

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🍫 Dying for Chocolate is the second book in Diane Mott Davidson's long-running Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery series, which spans 17 books in total. 🍽️ The author includes authentic recipes throughout the book, making it a pioneer in the "culinary mystery" genre that combines murder mysteries with cookbooks. 🏔️ The story is set in the fictional town of Aspen Meadow, Colorado, which Davidson based on her experiences living in Evergreen, Colorado. 👩‍🍳 The protagonist, Goldy Bear, shares some traits with the author - both are caterers and cooking enthusiasts who developed their culinary skills while going through difficult divorces. 📚 The book was published in 1992 and helped establish Davidson as one of the first and most successful authors in the culinary mystery subgenre, paving the way for many similar series.