1996 Media Books abridged audiobook on 5 compact discs, received in the mail from Arlington, Texas, USA, through PaperbackSwap. Read by Mary Gross; approximately 6 hours. (I just found the mass-market paperback version at the thrift store yesterday.) Read more at dianemottdavidson.com.

From AudioFile
Goldy Schulz, caterer and amateur detective, is once again embroiled in a murder investigation when her best friend is charged with murder. Mary Gross's narration at first seems too upbeat for a story involving murder, but it develops depth and complexity as the story progresses. She expresses Goldy's concerns and anxieties, as well as her joys (especially her husband and her cooking). The other characters are subtly and effectively characterized. This involving mystery satisfies one's need for entertainment--while leaving one hungry for all the great food described!

From the box
The relentless rain has dampened business and spirits at Goldy B. Schulz' Goldilock's Catering by washing away picnics and waterlogging weddings. Just as Goldy's bank account is about to dry up her friend Marla saves the day by setting up Goldy with a delicious job catering a gala for financial investors at a long closed local mine.

When the rain, a clever embezzlement scheme, and a missing boyfriend combine to turn Marla's party into a soggy disaster and Marla finds herself accused of murder, Goldy investigates and learns that a brilliant con artist has cooked up his own poisonous recipe for murder.

I read Catering to Nobody (the first book in the series) then listened to this (the sixth), and I didn't like it nearly as much. It wasn't the characters introduced in the books I'd skipped (including Marla's brother-in-law Gen. Bo Farquhar), nor was it what I missed (Goldy & Tom are married, she had an assistant named Julian, Marla had a heart attack). Maybe it's the lack of recipes (Sugarsnap Pea and Strawberry Salad, Sour Cream Cherry Coffeecake, Cinnamon Griddle Scones, Crab Quesadillas, Tomato-Brie Pie, and Gold Foil-Wrapped Fudge Bars) or Mary Gross's flat reading.