I really wanted to like this book more - I mean, I am by no means an opposer of light literature and chick lit and light crime novels at all. It seemed to have a really interesting premise...But...The only redeeming qualities for me were the whodunnit kind of guessing game and that it was exciting. Other than that... ugh. I don't know if it was only the translation, but I felt it was badly written. Too many unnecessary details and filler sentences... and also, there were some sentences and structures where I was just thinking... now that is not good writing, that is how a 14-year-old writer wannabe would write.Oh, some quotes were good, too... like the description about which places women tend to go to on a fitness class, that is SO true. And I also liked the portrayal of everyone knowing more about the case than Goldy, but no one talking, and letting her be the main suspect, when they know about her situation, just because that's easier for anyone.The characters were not real enough... none of them. Also, I was SO annoyed by some of the characters... bad thing: I was most annoyed by the most central characters, whom the writer really wanted to show as good and of desirable morals and traits. Hell no! Goldy... she drove me crazy. She was the most selfish person in the story. She was all about "how unlucky I am, my business is ruined, blah-blah-blah", and I hated how she wanted to seem like someone chasing justice and be so sad about Laura, when she was ONLY doing it for herself. She wasn't even a good mother, she really didn't wanna get to know until a point what his son was doing or getting to know about it. She also didn't accept any advice or requests of other people. She was pointlessly odious to the people wanting to talk to her, yet was somewhat furious about it when Trixie did the same. Not to talk about that her accounts of having been a person in an abusive relationship was not real for me. It wasn't credible. It was like Goldy mentioned some of the things his ex did to her as shock factor mostly, sometimes even in a joking manner... I mean, if someone gets enough of a relationship like this, and feels bad about it, wouldn't go over it in a half, kind-of-joking manner.I was annoyed by Schulz, either. He was described as the nice guy... what I saw from him, well... He is unprofessional as hell, as a police officer. And rude and jerky, and of a bad sense of humour, and sometimes too aggressive in his ways, like dating. Talking degradingly to people who he doesn't agree with... and, of course... dating a suspect? (especially when he was telling Goldy off when she mentioned it) eating in her house on the first interrogation? Acting too informal and intrusive? I would be really nervous if the police worked the way he did in the novel, in my city... I would feel UNSAFE!Also, some other minor(?) problems:-A professional sounding caterer buying some of her stuff off of the nearby bakery? For real? Also for buying stuff in the supermarket...-This whole kind of sudden character showing/changing at the end wasn't that credible for me-Did she have to make Patty Sue THIS dumb? This is so stereotypical and not real at all-Why are all the pretty and shallower-described characters blonde? Again, stereotypes much...-Arch's mood swings are not real, either... (and I am saying this as a teen who had mood swings... but I've never had mood swings this dramatic, and happen this frequently... or if it happens, most of the times, the certain teen is either really mentally unstable or totally depressed, but Arch is not either)
What do You think about Catering To Nobody (2002)?
I will be riding on Vromans Bookstore's Mystery Bus to attend the LA Times Festival of Books. Diane Mott Davidson is the author on that bus this year and I thought it would be fun to read one of her novels, so starting at the beginning of her series. I liked the book. I found the writing a little confusing at times, but thought the story was entertaining. I would hope the writing gets better as the series continues, or maybe the reader just gets used to her particular style. Enjoyed listening to Diane Mott Davidson on the ride to the Festival of Books. She told a few stories and did so with Goldy humor.
—Teri
A genial debut that, in tone, is reminiscent of Susan Isaacs' Compromising Positions: chatty, sort of sexy, amusingly improbable. Divorced Colorado mom Goldy Bear supports herself and her sixth-grader son Arch with Goldilocks Catering, "Where Everything is Just Right." When her ex-father-in-law, a randy gynecologist, nearly dies from a sip of her lemonade, which had been poisoned, police investigator Tom Schulz closes down her business. To get it reopened as quickly as possible, Goldy begins an investigation of her own, which turns up a link between this incident and the sudden death of Arch's teacher Laura Smiley (an inveterate punster), as well as the death of Goldy's alcoholic ex-mother-in-law. While Arch and his chum Todd stage Dungeons and Dragons shenanigans and Schulz casually uses Goldy as his stalking horse/confidante, a tangled revenge tale emerges--involving a years-ago pregnancy and medical culpability. Somewhat too cute (recipes included) but funny, nonetheless. And certainly adequate fare for those in search of a friendly--though scatterbrained--heroine.I thought this story was ok. I was a little uncomfortable with the subject matter (daughter molested by stepfather, etc.) I was thinking more Agatha Christie. I enjoyed Barbara Rosenblat's reading to some degree but I do prefer George Guidall.
—Kris
DNF @ 43%I just can't work up the motivation to listen to an audiobook that has done nothing but frustrate me. I don't understand why a) the protagonist gets shit from everyone around her (particularly the men) - from her ex-husband, to her new LI, to the little 11 y/o shit she calls her son, b) or why the entire town is filled with idiots.The writing seems odd and the protagonist is annoyingly repetitive and as subtle as a slap on the face with her 'interrogations.' It's also disappointing that the one interesting thing about her: formerly being in an abusive marriage, has left no visible, major scars: physical, emotional or mental on her. I was hoping for a little more depth in her personality. Yes, time heals wounds and she might've decided to find joy in the present rather than think about her past, but as often as she comes in contact with her ex, I was hoping for more (serious) insight of her mental state during her marriage, rather than jokes about having cooking utensils thrown at her.
—Nidofito
