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The Whole Enchilada #Giveway

August 19, 2013 by Michelle M

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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The Whole EnchiladaGoldy Schultz is a caterer, but she throws a Mexican potluck for her son’s and his best friend Drew’s joint 17th birthday party. When Drew’s mom, a good friend of Goldy’s, dies immediately following the party, she’s hearbroken in The Whole Enchilada by Diane Mott Davidson. While initially it looks like Holly died of cardiac arrest, small things quickly start adding up to potential murder. Goldy puts on her investigating shoes, along with her nosy friend Marla, and begins digging to find out who could have done this to their friend and why.

The Whole Enchilada is the sixteenth book in the Culinary Mystery Series featuring Goldy Schultz nee Goldy Bear. While I had niggling suspicions throughout the book that there were previous books in the series, there was nothing in the book that I needed to know from previous books, nor would previous books be ruined by my reading this first.

I had the sense from many of the characters that there was backstory to them that I didn’t know, but it wasn’t critical to the story. The only confusing thing was a friend of Goldy’s son Arch named Gus who appeared in the book but was never explained well. He was a minor character so something I could gloss over without too much of an issue, but every time he was mentioned, I wondered who he was and where he came from.

In The Whole Enchilada, Holly has pulled away from her friendship with Marla and Goldy. She seems to be keeping secrets from them, including why she moved back to Aspen from Denver and the fact that she sold her and her son’s Audis and lost her house in foreclosure. All three women are friends from their Amour Anonymous days, a divorcee support group, and the three of them were all well provided for by their excessively wealthy husbands, making Holly’s financial straits even more confusing.

Her murder isn’t the only mysterious act as Goldy quickly falls through Holly’s deck at her rented home and injures herself and there are other murders. They all appear to be tied together, but neither Goldy nor her sheriff husband Tom can find the common thread that explains it all.

From Goldy and Marla’s overbearing personalities to the Amor Anonymous, the book is a bit campy and overdramatic. Marla continually doling out hundred dollar bribes in cash to extract information from people tangentially related to the case is a bit of a stretch, but it’s still fun. You know you’re reading fiction, and it isn’t very realistic fiction, but that’s ok.

There are multiple issues and subplots occurring throughout the book, which keep it moving. It doesn’t simply focus on Goldy and Marla tracking down Holly’s killer for almost 400 pages. It includes interactions with her son – touching I found that she was working so hard to create a balance that wouldn’t alienate her 17 year old – and family, plus the craziness of running a catering business because no party she caters goes as planned, which is half the fun.

I don’t know that having read this book I need to race out and read the previous 15 books in the series, but Diane Mott Davidson is a New York Times best selling author, so I know there are plenty of enthusiastic fans who would heartily disagree with my enjoyment of the book without the need to go back and start from the beginning.

One note I did appreciate came at the end of the book. As Goldy is a caterer, there are several recipes in the back of the book for foods mentioned throughout the book. The enchiladas suizas that she made for Arch’s birthday party are there, as is Dad’s bread that helped save a suddenly larger dinner, plus more. There are several that I’m intrigued by and plan to experiment with – starting with the sugar free gelato (that I will quickly fill with sugar). I love when books that involve characters who have a passion for cooking share recipes.

Written by Michelle who is always looking to be inspired by new foods. See what she’s cooking up on her blog Honest & Truly! or follow along with her on Twitter where she is also @HonestAndTruly.

Win it!

One of you will win a copy of The Whole Enchilada.

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About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews.

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45 Comments

  1. Nancy says

    August 31, 2013 at 9:09 am

    FYI: Gus is Arch’s half-brother, the product of an affair his father had with another woman.

    Reply
  2. Sue Hull says

    August 30, 2013 at 11:12 pm

    Alittle of both.I’ve never read any of her books before,this sounds like a good read.Thank you 🙂

    Reply
  3. Monja says

    August 30, 2013 at 6:19 pm

    The delectable mystery, LOL, a bit of both! Thanks for a chance to win it!

    Reply
  4. Brigette Streeper says

    August 30, 2013 at 4:01 pm

    I never read a book from this author. I am definitely drawn in by title!

    Reply
  5. Melissa B. says

    August 30, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    I like food, but I think I’m more drawn to the mystery.

    Reply
  6. Jessica Wyatt says

    August 30, 2013 at 12:09 pm

    the mystery…the food is a bonus. 😉

    Reply
  7. T.h.Ransom says

    August 30, 2013 at 10:19 am

    For the Mystery

    Reply
  8. Diana Hatch says

    August 30, 2013 at 9:02 am

    I love reading mystery books!

    Reply
  9. Debby Chandler says

    August 30, 2013 at 8:48 am

    the mystery! I love a good mystery book.

    Reply
  10. Nancy says

    August 30, 2013 at 8:39 am

    In a book, I first look for mystery and then food and recipes are an extra bonus. I have read a large number of her mysteries and enjoy them. I can see how it would be confusing if you read just one in the middle of the series.

    Reply
  11. Charlene S says

    August 29, 2013 at 10:46 pm

    I’m drawn to the food.

    Reply
  12. katklaw777 says

    August 29, 2013 at 1:43 pm

    I luv a good mystery and have read others by this author and luv her work.
    The food is just a fun part of the story.

    Reply
  13. Ellie W says

    August 29, 2013 at 10:34 am

    Both. I’ve been reading this series from the beginning.

    Reply
  14. Melissa P. says

    August 29, 2013 at 6:17 am

    A good mystery book is my fave. The food is an added plus.

    Reply
  15. April Yedinak says

    August 28, 2013 at 10:54 am

    Both. I love foodie mystery novels.

    Reply
  16. michelle b. says

    August 28, 2013 at 5:01 am

    Both the food and the mystery

    Reply
  17. Barbara Platt says

    August 27, 2013 at 4:10 pm

    the food then the mystery

    Reply
  18. Debbie Welchert says

    August 27, 2013 at 3:43 pm

    I have to say a little of both.

    Reply
  19. Cristi says

    August 27, 2013 at 2:55 am

    I love good mysteries.

    Reply
  20. Sandi says

    August 26, 2013 at 11:07 pm

    I am a big fan. I love trying her recipes too

    Reply
  21. Bonnie Way says

    August 26, 2013 at 11:04 pm

    Both!!! Sounds like a great read. 🙂 Thanks for the review.

    Reply
  22. Amy L says

    August 26, 2013 at 9:36 pm

    I love Diane Mott Davidson’s mysteries!

    Reply
  23. Patricia says

    August 26, 2013 at 9:19 pm

    Mostly the mystery — but I do love a good recipe.

    Reply
  24. Anita Yancey says

    August 26, 2013 at 2:18 pm

    I am drawn to the novel for the mystery. I haven’t read any of her books, so I would love to try this one. Thanks for this chance.

    Reply
  25. Cindi says

    August 25, 2013 at 1:21 pm

    I have read other books that include recipes along with the mystery.
    They are fascinating…
    Many thanks, Cindi

    Reply
  26. DebbieKL says

    August 24, 2013 at 12:50 pm

    Mystery for sure!

    Reply
  27. Shelly Leatham says

    August 24, 2013 at 3:22 am

    Both, but being married to a chef pushes me more toward the food side!

    Reply
  28. Shari says

    August 23, 2013 at 3:28 pm

    Both! I’ve read one of the Goldy mysteries and I enjoyed both the food and the story. Would love to win this one.

    Reply
  29. Carol M says

    August 22, 2013 at 3:50 pm

    Both! I’ve read several of her books and enjoyed the mystery and the recipies!

    Reply
  30. angela says

    August 22, 2013 at 12:36 pm

    both! I’ve read and own all the books in the series…can’t WAIT to read this one!!!!

    Reply
  31. Julie says

    August 22, 2013 at 9:58 am

    Perfect timing! I am looking for a new book to read! I have recently discovered that Mom’s need time for themselves too and love to spend my time reading!

    Reply
  32. samantha w says

    August 21, 2013 at 10:50 pm

    the mystery mostly but the food too

    Reply
  33. DarcyO says

    August 21, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    I enjoy both the food and the mystery aspects.

    Reply
  34. rhonda says

    August 21, 2013 at 4:30 pm

    Perfect combo for me.

    Reply
  35. Ruth Hill says

    August 21, 2013 at 4:21 pm

    Actually both. I love this combination.

    Reply
  36. Jessica T says

    August 20, 2013 at 1:19 pm

    Both, I think! Sounds interesting!

    Reply
  37. Madonna says

    August 20, 2013 at 10:49 am

    I started reading these books because I like the food mystery books but now I read them because I like Diane Mott Davidson. I will be reading this one for sure. Love the whole series.

    Reply
  38. Sheila K. says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:38 am

    I love mysteries but food is good, too!

    Reply
  39. BusyWorkingMama says

    August 20, 2013 at 7:01 am

    I’m drawn to both the foo and the mystery!

    Reply
  40. Angela M. says

    August 20, 2013 at 5:28 am

    Definitely for the mystery–I love a good mystery!

    Reply
  41. DEBIJOT says

    August 19, 2013 at 7:22 pm

    I love a good mystery, of course I love a good chocolate cake too!

    Reply
  42. Anne says

    August 19, 2013 at 5:29 pm

    A combination of food and mystery. Great.

    Reply
  43. Christine Derrel says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:36 am

    Wow folks, what a giveaway!!! Book looks pretty cool IMHO!!!

    Reply
  44. Denise M says

    August 19, 2013 at 10:31 am

    a little of both, i am a fan of her previous books

    Reply
  45. stacie says

    August 19, 2013 at 12:49 am

    I have read a few of her other books and really liked them! Would love to read this one

    Reply

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