Davidson, Diane Mott

PERSONAL:

Born in Honolulu, HI; married Jim Davidson (an electrical engineer), 1969; children: Jeffrey, Jonathan, Joe. Education: Attended Wellesley College; Stanford University, B.A., 1970; Johns Hopkins University, M.A., 1976; studied at the Bishop's School of Theology and the Ilif School of Theology. Hobbies and other interests: Cooking.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Evergreen, CO. Agent—Sandra Dijkstra Literary Agency, PMB 515, 1155 Camino Del Mar, Del Mar, CA 92014-3115.

CAREER:

Writer and novelist. Worked as a teacher and as a volunteer Sunday School teacher with the Episcopal Church, volunteer rape counselor, volunteer tutor at a juvenile correctional facility, and a political party caucus chair. Licensed lay preacher in the Episcopal Church. Served on the Episcopal Church's Diocesan Board of Examining Chaplains for ten years.

MEMBER:

Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Named Writer of the Year, Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers, 1990; Anthony Award for best short story, 1992.

WRITINGS:

"GOLDY BEAR SCHULZ" SERIES

Catering to Nobody, St. Martin's Press (New York, NY), 1990.

Dying for Chocolate, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1992.

The Cereal Murders, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1993.

The Last Suppers, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1994.

Killer Pancake, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1995.

The Main Corpse, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1996.

The Grilling Season, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1997.

Prime Cut, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 1998.

Tough Cookie, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 2000.

Sticks and Scones, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 2001.

Chopping Spree, Bantam Books (New York, NY), 2002.

Double Shot, William Morrow (New York, NY), 2004.

Dark Tort, HarperCollins (New York, NY), 2006.

ADAPTATIONS:

Novels adapted for audio include Catering to Nobody, 1997; Dying for Chocolate, 1997; The Cereal Murders, 1997; The Grilling Season, Recorded Books, 1997; Prime Cut, BDD, 1998; Tough Cookie, BDD, 2000; and Sticks and Scones, BDD, 2001.

SIDELIGHTS:

Diane Mott Davidson had been writing for years when she and her husband settled in Evergreen, Colorado, but it was only after her youngest son was in preschool that she began to focus her work. She wrote in a café that also did catering, and Davidson's interest in the business gave her the idea for her successful series of culinary mystery novels starring Goldy Bear, a small-town caterer and the mother of a young son named Arch. Goldy is divorced from an abusive husband, and by the fourth book, she has married Tom Schulz, an investigator with the Aspen Meadows sheriff's office.

Davidson calls on her husband, her sons, their friends, and even the United Parcel Service deliveryman to try out new recipes for her stories. Since she lives at a high altitude, over 8,000 feet, her sisters on the East Coast test them at sea level for her, and Davidson adds notations for high-altitude cooking to the recipes that require them.

In the series opener, Catering to Nobody, Goldy's former father-in-law nearly dies when someone adds poison to the lemonade prepared by Goldilocks Catering for the wake of her son's former teacher. Goldy's business is shut down while Tom looks for the killer, but Goldy begins an investigation of her own. A Kirkus Reviews contributor called the novel "a genial debut … chatty, sort of sexy, amusingly improbable."

A Publishers Weekly reviewer described Dying for Chocolate as a "perky mystery complete with toothsome hi-cal recipes." Goldy is being stalked by her physician ex-husband and takes a job with a retired general and former Pentagon terrorism expert for the summer while a security system is installed in the house she shares with her son. Arch finds a new swimming coach and mentor in Julian, the family's handyman, while Goldy enjoys the company of two men, Tom and psychiatrist Philip Miller. When Philip dies after his car plunges from a cliff, Goldy is left to solve his death and unravel the plot connections. A Kirkus Reviews writer called the character of Arch "true and likable." A Publishers Weekly contributor commented that Davidson "makes sure that all enigmas wind up in solutions that will surprise and please."

The class valedictorian at a pricey prep school is murdered in The Cereal Murders, strangled with Goldy's extension cord. Tom helps get her out of the jam, then is kidnapped in the next story, The Last Suppers, just as he and Goldy are about to marry. In addition, the priest who was to marry them is killed. A Kirkus Reviews contributor wrote that Davidson "deftly dovetails Episcopal intrigue and more formulaic genre mayhem, though the conflict between the old guard and those huggy-feely charismatics wears a little thin."

In Killer Pancake, Goldy and Julian—now her assistant—have a catering gig preparing a low-fat luncheon for Mignon Cosmetics, which is introducing a new line of makeup. The company is picketed by animal rights activists, then Claire, a sales associate and Julian's girlfriend, is killed in a hit-and-run in the parking lot. While trying to comfort Julian, Goldy juggles two jobs and consoles friend Marla Korman, who suffers a heart attack. As she gets into her investigation and learns about Claire's past, her own life is threatened. Armchair Detective reviewer Liz Currie wrote that "as always, Davidson keeps readers guessing up until the last second…. All Davidson's books feature mouth-watering recipes from Goldy's catering menus, and the recipes in Killer Pancake continue that tradition."

BookBrowser Web site reviewer Harriet Klausner called The Main Corpse "emotionally gratifying while simultaneously fun to read." Goldy's business is down, and Julian has left for school. Goldy investigates a catering client, Prospect Financial Partners, when Marla becomes a murder suspect. Marla, who invested in the gold mine the company is promoting, has learned that the mine is a fake, and her boyfriend, a partner, is missing. Currie called The Main Corpse "a strong entry in this enjoyable series."

In The Grilling Season Suz Craig, girlfriend of Goldy's former husband, is murdered, and Goldy is sure he is capable of the crime. But Arch asks her to help his father, and she agrees for her son's sake. Susan Scribner, who reviewed the novel for the Mystery Reader Web site, noted that the series "takes a darker turn in this installment."

A new caterer is underbidding Goldy in Prime Cut, and she has also been abandoned by a contractor who has left her business in shambles. Then Goldy finds the body of the missing contractor, and an old friend is arrested on circumstantial evidence. Booklist reviewer Stuart Miller wrote that "good characterizations and a zippy style make this another enjoyable installment in this appealing series."

In Tough Cookie Goldy's kitchen is closed by the health inspector, and she does a live spot on the local PBS cooking show. Everything that can go wrong does, and after the show she finds the friend she was to meet dead in the snow. She becomes a suspect and a target when her catering van is demolished and she is threatened via telephone. Miller noted that the best recipe in this outing is Davidson's chocolate coma cookies.

Goldy is preparing Elizabethan food at a castle that was shipped from England and reassembled in Colorado in Sticks and Scones. The owners, who intend to turn the castle into a conference center, invite Goldy, her son, and her dog to stay with them after a rock is thrown through Goldy's window. As the story progresses, Tom is shot and Goldy attacked. Her ex, just out of prison, may have ties to a murder victim. "Goldy's an engaging companion and her recipes are divine," wrote GraceAnne A. DeCandido in Booklist, and added: "Wait till you try the scones."

Julian, once again Goldy's assistant, is arrested in Chopping Spree for the murder of Goldy's old school friend. In another BookBrowser review, Klausner commented that "readers will have a hard time deciding what is better: the mouth-watering descriptions of various recipes or the fast-paced, compelling story line."

In Double Shot, a brazen attacker is out to disrupt Goldy's latest project, a memorial luncheon for prominent local physician, Dr. Albert Kerr, a former colleague of her noxious ex-husband, John Korman. Her kitchen is severely vandalized, and on the way to the luncheon, she is attacked and beaten by an unknown assailant. During the luncheon itself, Korman, recently released from jail, arrives and starts a vicious argument with Goldy over visitation rights with Arch. When Goldy takes Arch to his father's home for the visit, she finds Korman shot to death; worse, it looks as if he was shot with Goldy's own missing .38 pistol. She is immediately suspected in Korman's death, but no matter how much he might have deserved to be shot, she did not do it. Goldy's best friend Marla Korman, John's other ex-wife, hires powerhouse attorney Brewster Motley to represent her while Goldy's husband Tom applies his own skills as a policeman and detective to help ferret out the guilty parties. Despite the efforts of friends and family, Goldy's situation looks grim, but suspects soon turn up, and it becomes clear that John Korman had more enemies than aggrieved ex-wives. "Double Shot represents an upturn for the series. The relationships are sharper and more realistic and Goldy's work is a bit more believable," commented Shannon Bloomstran on the Mostly Fiction Web site. Further, a Publishers Weekly critic observed that the book "marks a turning point for Davidson, as the elimination of Korman provides a much needed jolt to the series." Readers who have enjoyed previous outings with the "chatty, hardworking Goldy will be pleasantly energized" by this novel, commented Janice Nimura in People.

At the beginning of Dark Tort, Goldy arrives at the offices of Hanrahan & Jule, an upscale law firm that hires her to provide food services for staff and clients. To her surprise, she discovers the body of Dusty Routt, a twenty-year-old paralegal whose hard work and dedication were just beginning to help her overcome a tragic and impoverished past. Dusty's death is traumatic for her mother and grandmother, who are still in shock from her brother's death while in police custody. Soon, Goldy is asked by Dusty's mother to investigate the young woman's death. Unable to refuse, Goldy's search brings her uncomfortably close to suspects within Hanrahan & Jule, and draws unexpected connections between the case and the firm's collection of high-concept food paintings by artist Charlie Barker. In this installment of the series, "Davidson delivers another entertaining whodunit with delectable recipes," remarked a Publishers Weekly reviewer. "Goldy and her coterie always provide some enjoyable moments," mused a contributor to Kirkus Reviews. Booklist reviewer Stephanie Zvirin concluded: "In the subgenre of foodie mysteries, Davidson remains the master chef."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

PERIODICALS

Armchair Detective, spring, 1996, Liz Currie, review of Killer Pancake, p. 234; winter, 1997, Liz Currie, review of The Main Corpse, p. 96.

Asia Africa Intelligence Wire, December 5, 2004, Mary Kennard, ‘Davidson Serves 12th Deadly Course,’ review of Double Shot.

Belles Lettres, winter, 1991, review of Catering to Nobody, p. 41.

Booklist, August, 1990, Stuart Miller, review of Catering to Nobody, p. 2158; August, 1992, Mary Carroll, review of Dying for Chocolate, p. 1998; October 15, 1993, Stuart Miller, review of The Cereal Murders, p. 420; October 1, 1994, Caroline Andrew, review of The Last Suppers, p. 241; September 1, 1996, Stuart Miller, review of The Main Corpse, p. 66; August, 1997, Stuart Miller, review of The Grilling Season, p. 1884; September 1, 1998, Stuart Miller, review of Prime Cut, p. 69; March 1, 2000, Stuart Miller, review of Tough Cookie, p. 1198; March 15, 2001, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review of Sticks and Scones, p. 1357; November 15, 2004, GraceAnne A. DeCandido, review of Double Shot, p. 564; March 15, 2006, Stephanie Zvirin, review of Dark Tort, p. 30.

Kirkus Reviews, July, 1990, review of Catering to Nobody, p. 968; June 15, 1992, review of Dying for Chocolate, p. 748; August 15, 1994, review of TheLast Suppers, p. 1086; September 15, 1995, review of Killer Pancake, p. 1310; August 1, 1996, review of The Main Corpse, p. 1098; August 15, 1997, review of The Grilling Season, p. 1261; February 1, 2000, review of Tough Cookie, p. 151; October 1, 2004, review of Double Shot, p. 941; February 15, 2006, review of Dark Tort, p. 163.

Library Journal, May 15, 1998, Juleigh Muirhead Clark, review of The Grilling Season, p. 132; October 1, 2004, Jennifer Burek Pierce, review of Double Shot, p. 65.

New York Times Book Review, November 7, 2004, Dwight Garner, review of Double Shot, p. 28.

People, September 30, 1996, Cynthia Sanz, "Murder on the Menu," p. 34; November 8, 2004, Janice Nimura, review of Double Shot, p. 59.

Publishers Weekly, June 29, 1990, Sybil Steinberg, review of Catering to Nobody, p. 89; June 22, 1992, review of Dying for Chocolate, p. 48; September 20, 1993, review of The Cereal Murders, p. 64; September 5, 1994, review of The Last Suppers, p. 96; August 28, 1995, review of Killer Pancake, p. 105; July 22, 1996, review of The Main Corpse, p. 228; July 7, 1997, review of The Grilling Season, p. 53; August 17, 1998, review of Prime Cut, p. 51; February 21, 2000, review of Tough Cookie, p. 69; March 12, 2001, review of Sticks and Scones, p. 66; September 13, 2004, Melissa Mia Hall, "Cold (and Bloody) Catering," interview with Diane Mott Davidson, p. 61, and review of Double Shot, p. 61; March 6, 2006, review of Dark Tort, p. 47.

School Library Journal, March, 1994, Pam Spencer, review of The Cereal Murders, p. 246.

Washington Post Book World, March 26, 2000, Maureen Corrigan, review of Tough Cookie, p. 13.

ONLINE

BookBrowser,http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ (January 24, 1998), Harriet Klausner, review of The Grilling Season; (March 8, 1998) Harriet Klausner, reviews of Killer Pancake and The Main Corpse; (January 1, 2000) Harriet Klausner, review of Tough Cookie; (May 4, 2002) Harriet Klausner, review of Chopping Spree.

Bookreporter.com,http://www.bookreporter.com/ (June 4, 2007), Roz Shea, review of Tough Cookie; Debbie Ann Weiner, review of Sticks and Scones.

Diane Mott Davidson Home Page,http://www.dianemottdavidson.com (June 4, 2007).

Mostly Fiction,http://www.mostlyfiction.com/ (January 16, 2005), Shannon Bloomstran, review of Double Shot.

Mystery Reader,http://www.themysteryreader.com/ (June 4, 2007), Susan Scribner, review of The Grilling Season; Eleanor Mikucki, review of Sticks and Scones.