The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg

A Domestic Diva Mystery #18

by Krista Davis

Northern Virginia’s own Martha Stewart returns in a brand-new mystery as an interior designer clashes with a killer . . .

Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police. Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found. Now Sophie’s appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise’s death be connected to her viper’s nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited? What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress? Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own? There’s a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer . . .
 
Includes delicious recipes and fabulous DIY decorating tips!
 

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary

320 pages, Paperback

First published May 27, 2025

About the author

Krista Davis lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia where she writes mysteries. She lived in Northern Virginia for many years and resided for a time in Old Town Alexandria where her Domestic Diva Mysteries take place.

Krista also writes the Paws and Claws Mysteries, which debuted with MURDER, SHE BARKED. Her Pen & Ink Mysteries featured covers that can be colored! Read the book and have fun coloring the cover.

WEBSITE: https://www.kristadavis.com

NEWSLETTER: https://bit.ly/3Wi0jcR

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/KristaDavisAu...

INSTAGRAM: www.instagram.com/kristadavisauthor

Reviews

[Luffy Sempai · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mediocre cozy despite a few early chapters, at which point the author simply gave up. This series should be wrapped up, but that will happen far off in the future. I wish Krista Davis the best, and I hope she lives long, but I can do without her books and must do so, as she is no longer a good writer.

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I always look forward to my time with Sophie and her crew, and this visit is no exception! With brunch as a food theme and interior decorators falling right and left, the gang will have its hands full. As Sophie is wrapping up an interior design convention, she is approached by a local decorator asking Sophie to meet her without letting anyone know at a home she is decorating the next morning. When Sophie arrives, the original designer is not there, but another designer is there, and she is dead, murdered. When the original designer shows up at Sophie's house, terrified that she will be next, Sophie can't stay uninvolved. From there, we are on a wild ride. Is someone targeting designers? When a third designer is murdered at the original house, is it designers or the house? This is a wild ride through historic neighborhoods, looking at family histories and finding out that Mars' Aunt Faye may offer some answers in this crazy puzzle. I really loved the opportunity to learn more about Mars' aunt. We get tons of brainstorming sessions and lots of great recipes and surprising answers. Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheDivaPoachesaBadEgg #DomesticDivaMysteries #KristaDavis #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 stars
This is one of my favorite cozy series. I love the setting (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia as well as the characters. Although I'm not a fan of Natasha, I do love the rest of the main characters. I love event planner Sophie and her best friends Nina, Bernie, and Mars, who is also Sophie's ex-husband. They have a wonderful comradery whether they're just hanging out together or solving a case. In this book, they investigate the death of a local interior designer and how it might be related to events from the past.

This story involves a brunch that Natasha has convinced Sophie and Nina to help with. There are many descriptions of dishes that sound so good, along with recipes for many of them at the end of the book.

I also really like the clover format. Each chapter begins with a letter asking for advice on various domestic dilemmas and are answered by either main character Sophie Winston or her frenemy Natasha. The letters in this book are all related to the topic of brunch and the difference in tone and advice between Sophie and Natasha highlight their differences with Sophie being kind and down-to-earth and Natasha being self-centered and materialistic.

I enjoyed this book overall. I think it starts out a little slow, but definitely picks up as the book continues. In addition to the regular characters, fans of the author's Paws and Claws series will appreciate the cameo appearance by Holly Miller. In addition, Faye, the deceased aunt of Mars, plays an important role in this story. I highly recommend this cozy series.

I received an advance review copy from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kirsti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

First off, Krista Davis is a fantastic author and I always enjoy reading her books. I did feel however that this isn’t the best example of her work. There were times when the cozy bogged down the mystery far too much instead of supporting it. We needed to move forward with the investigation rather than the domestic diva.

I think this was just a blip in the radar for this author. Perhaps after so many books in this series the characters are getting a little stale. I’ll definitely still want to check out more though, and see where it goes from here.

Three stars.

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Girl, get you an editor.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

2025 Butler Library Bingo [Summer Reading] #17

Reading a Domestic Diva book is like coming home to friends you love and cannot wait to spend time with again, and this one was no different for me. Spending time with Sophie, Nina, Mars, Bernie, Mochi & Daisy, and yes, even Natasha [squid ink pasta egg casserole anyone? IYKYK] was just what I needed, made me smile, and stretched my brain over this mystery; it also left me wishing I could get another book immediately. ;-)

The story was good [I love when there are interesting side stories along with the main mystery], the mysteries were VERY good [and ultimately, very sad. What people will do...smh], the community that Sophie has built [I LOVED how Mars' Aunt Fay came into play here and some of her history with the main characters was very cool to read] is just so encouraging and fun to spend time with WHAT is up with Wolf and his wife? Could there be trouble there?, and overall, this was a great way to spend a couple of days! Well done.

Thank you to NetGalley, Krista Davis, and Kensington Publishing/Kensington Cozies for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie is busy working when a tap on her shoulder reveals interior designer Mitzi Lawson acting like a spy, whispering to Sophie to meet her at the old house she's fixing up the next morning. Sophie arrives a little early to discover the door open and Mitzi's business partner, Denise Nosfinger, lying on the floor minus a pulse. Wong and a team of first responders arrive quickly but not fast enough to save Denise who appears to have died from natural causes. Mitzi is positive Denise was murdered and she is next. Mitzi goes on the run and asks Sophie to help her. The following day, after Denise is pronounced dead, Wolf and Wong have a few questions for Sophie and her keen eye for detail and answers to their questions lead Wolf to believe Denise was murdered. Was Mitzi right all along? Who would murder an interior designer? The police suspect Denise's husband Mike killed her for some reason. The family is desperate to clear his name and want to hire Sophie. She can't make any promises - only that she will try to find out the truth whatever that may be. When Mitzi goes missing, Sophie begins to wonder just how Mitzi is mixed up in the murder. Could she really be the killer and not the victim? When the search for answers leads her to friends of Mars's late Aunt Faye, it leads Sophie to wonder whether Aunt Faye holds the key to solving the mystery. Meanwhile, Natasha blindsides Sophie (as usual) with the news a TV crew wants Natasha to host a brunch at Sophie's house! Sophie agrees to co-host a brunch for all their friends WITH conditions. She enlists the aid of her friends and followers to plan the perfect party.

This was an enjoyable story. It's not as complex as most of the others and that's OK by me. It was complicated enough to keep me guessing who the killer was and wondering what happened to Mitzi. I did figure out what happened to the person who died in the past. That was kind of obvious. It was fun getting to know Aunt Faye, who only appears as a portrait in Sophie's house. I liked all the autumn cozy details. The story is set just now, right before Halloween, when the leaves are changing and pumpkins and gourds decorate doorsteps. The recipes sounded amazing- aside from Natasha's. Yes my dad has been known to buy and eat squid ink pasta but not in a brunch casserole. I think he'd draw the line at that. I just LOVED having Holly Miller of Wagtail come to visit (Murder, She Barked). Sadly she doesn't bring Trixie to sniff out an important clue but she does get into the sleuthing action. She finds her first dead body without Trixie's help. Too bad she leaves so suddenly. She does invite Sophie, Nina and the pets to visit Wagtail for a big event and I hope we are invited too! Cozy mystery fans will also note a letter for Sophia's column from "Restaurant Critic Hayley in Key West" who I assume is the heroine of the Key West Food Critic mysteries. An Appetite for Murder.

I'm so happy Sophie finally grew a backbone and stands up to Natasha! It's about time. Natasha accuses Sophie of being bossy and treating Natasha like a child. Well girl, if you're going to act like one... Natasha is so self-centered. Her advice column actually has mostly helpful hints this time at least. She also lets Sophie co-host and plan the brunch event. She seems to have given up looking for a sugar daddy and thinks Mars will return to her. No way no how. He seems to be enjoying the bachelor lifestyle with Bernie. Mars is crazy about Daisy and he's a good dog dad but he nearly gets them into trouble using the dog as an excuse.

There are a whole lot of new characters in this novel. Mitzi is odd. She's terrified she will be killed next. At first I thought she was paranoid and then she disappeared and I was worried about her just as much as Sophie was. I didn't think Mitzi was the murderer though. It crossed Sophie's mind. Surely anyone who loves animals and is kind to their pets can't be a killer? Why kill her business partner? Denise seems like she was well-respected and loved, even if she had design plans I don't think should be done to an historic house.

I gather Denise and Mike were relatively newly married. By all accounts they were very much in love. He may have an alibi for the time of murder but it's not iron clad I guess. He seems to move forward with his life pretty quickly but is kind of going through the every day motions without thinking. I think he's genuinely grieving and doesn't know what else to do except go to work. His family is quite prominent in Old Town Alexandria and very wealthy. By rights, the old Inger place should have gone to his parents when his grandparents decided to downsize but his mother, Mary won't leave her horses. Both his parents seem a little shifty to me. Mary's alibi is her horses so obviously not much of one. She's a bit hysterical about saving her son, which I understand, but she isn't helping matters if she's hiding something from Sophie. I think she's smart enough to know not to reveal anything she might know or suspect even IF her son IS the murderer. Her husband, Bob, is an affable guy but kind of... thoughtless and acting kind of suspiciously. He would be happy to move into the old family home in town but his wife doesn't want it. I don't see why they can't live in town during the week and go out to the country on the weekend. They can remodel the downstairs bedroom if they want. They're just a weird couple who don't really interact. I wonder if Denise wasn't good enough for the family and they just waited until the opportunity to act? Seems kind of heartless and cruel just to kill her and not pressure Mike into leaving her. I'm sure he has a prenup.

The matriarch of the family, Helena, is a tough lady. She's the brains behind the business and as sharp and shrewd as any man. Money is no object when it comes to saving her grandson. She KNOWS he didn't kill his wife or so she says. She doesn't say SHE didn't do it and not everything she tells Sophie checks out. She did seem to learn of the murder awfully fast. Helena and her sister Jacky Finch had a rough childhood and Helena learned to rely on her wits and protect her sister. With the help of Aunt Faye, she became a competent, successful, formidable woman. Jacky seems a little more normal and more chill than her big sister. She and her husband, Stu, have joined a gym. She enjoys yoga while he works out in the gym. They seem like a happy couple and were at the gym at the time of the murder. Helena's husband, Truman, is nominally the man in charge of the business but he lacks the brains and the get up and go to actually run a successful business. He comes across as a country squire type. He's charming, friendly and likable but also slimy. I didn't really like any of these people except maybe Mike because I felt so bad for him. He's only in his 20s and under his grandmother's thumb. She expects him to take over the business one day.

Poor Mike is being courted by Rachel Powers, a rival interior decorator. Rachel seems to want to step into Denise's shoes in more ways than one. She's horrible and comes on way too strong. Could she have killed Denise? I think there's a strong probability she did. Her boss Lillith Rollins isn't very likable either. She's quick to turn on Rachel when she thinks Rachel might be a murderer.

The character in the present I liked best was "Auntie" Annie Griggs. At 98, she's one of those old ladies who says what's on their mind and doesn't care if it sounds rude. She isn't rude, thankfully, she just knows what she wants to say and how to get her point across. Her mind is as sharp as ever and she takes a liking to Sophie. Annie was friends with Mars's Aunt Faye back in the day and the only person who can get away with referring to Mars as "Little Marshall." LOL! (There's no mention of Aunt Faye's sibling who had to be Mars's parent.) Aunt Faye was amazing and one tough lady. She was a trailblazer and didn't let a pesky little thing like sexism get in her way of achieving her goals. I disagree with her "act like a lady" mentality but agree with how she took two motherless girls under her wing and taught them how to be mature, independent, lovely young ladies. I think she would have liked Sophie and would be pleased to have Sophie living in her house.

This story is perfect for reading this time of year and it's a quick read for a change. I enjoyed it and look forward to more of Sophie's adventures, especially now she's started standing up to Natasha.

[Alison · Rating 2 out of 5]

Probably the weakest entry in the series but at this point I'm just here for the cozy vibes. I definitely wouldn't recommend this book to newcomers to the series but if you're already in love with the characters and setting it's a comfortable read.

[Carrie Shields · Rating 3 out of 5]

"𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆𝒔 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒅𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕'𝒔 𝒓𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒕."

The 18th installment in the Domestic Diva series, I found this one to be a little slower and not as engaging as the others. There's a lot going on in this book, beginning with the brunch that Natasha is organizing at Sophie's house, and then interior decorator named Mitzi Lawson covertly engages with Sophie, wanting her to meet at a house she and her business partner Denise are renovating. Sophie's curiosity is piqued, so she agrees; however, when she arrives at the house, she finds Denise dead.

As per usual, Sophie investigates, but this one felt like she was going through the motions. I felt a staleness in the characters that I hadn't noticed before. There's been no movement with the secondary characters and their relationship to Sophie, so that was concerning. While I appreciated that Aunt Faye was finally included, I thought she would be a bigger part of the mystery.

Overall, it was a fun read, and I'll definitely read the next installment with high hopes. Thank you to Kensington Books for the early copy. This title is expected to publish May 27, 2025.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Is there anything better than brunch? The people of Old Town Alexandria don’t think so. Everyone wants to hold one, and Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is ready to help them succeed. She is very busy, but when local designer Mitzi Lawson asks for her help, she can’t say no. Mitzi thinks someone is following her, and then Denise Nofsinger, her best friend and business partner, is found dead in the Inger House by Sophie. It is an old family home that Denise and her husband have inherited, and Mitzi was helping her renovate. At first, the death appears to be a medical accident, but it is soon determined to be murder, and Mitzi is afraid she could be next.

Sophie wants to know what happened as much as Mitzi, so she encourages her to tell the police about her fears. But then she goes missing after a frantic call to Sophie.

Could Mitzi be involved in Denise’s death? Or was she the next victim? Could someone upset about the inheritance be to blame? While Sophie gets ready for a big, important brunch that Natasha roped her into, she tries to find the missing designer and a killer.

I love this series.

Catching up with Sophie, Mars, Nina, Bernie, and even Natasha is always a good time. Ms. Davis has crafted such genuine characters with depth. They continue to grow with each story. In The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg she introduces the Inger Nofsinger family. Helena is at the helm of the family’s real estate business where several family members are employed. Robbie and his wife, Mary, were up next to inhabit the family home, but Mary would rather be in the country with her rescued horses. Mike is their son and is married to interior designer Denise. She was excited about renovating and moving into the Inger House. These characters were interesting and cleverly written. It was easy to be drawn into their family drama. We were also treated to a short visit by Holly Miller from the author’s Paws & Claws Mystery Series.

I really enjoyed that Mars’ Aunt Faye was remembered in this story and that we learned more about her past. She was an incredibly strong woman for the time, and admired for the way she affected people’s lives. Sophie now lives in her home. She bought out the house from Mars when they divorced. A picture of Aunt Faye hangs in the kitchen. Sophie feels the woman is watching over the goings-on in the house.

The mystery had a plethora of suspects. Sophie and her crew gathered around her kitchen table for some delicious meals while they went over the clues, threw out a few theories, and planned how to move the investigation forward. Ms. Davis filled the story with some fine twists and surprises. Clues were revealed at a perfect pace. Sophie was able to have people open up to her about things that happened decades ago, but were relevant to the current happenings. A found item answers a huge question after the killer is revealed. My eyes were glued to the pages as everything played out and was explained.

As always, the letters to Sophie and Natasha at the beginning of each chapter are fun. Sophie gives great common-sense, down-to-earth advice, while Natasha’s advice reveals more diva-ish. Both reflect the women’s personalities so well.

The book also includes 14 recipes appropriate for brunch or really anytime. Our family loves breakfast for our evening meal. Eggs Benedict, Sophie’s Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Breakfast, Quick and Easy Baked Pears, Frittata for a Crowd, and Apple Cider Mimosas are just a few that your family and friends would enjoy.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is a fabulous addition to this fantastic, long-running series. 18 books so far, I just can’t get enough! Each book becomes my new favorite. I will be anxiously awaiting book #19! I can’t wait to see what the author has in mind for Sophie and her friends next.

I highly recommend this entire series, and you can jump in anywhere because the author provides details so you won’t feel lost, but I bet you won’t be able to read just one.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery #18)" by Krista Davis in a way is like every other Domestic Diva Mystery. Natasha ropes Sophie into some new way of trying to gain more fame for herself but by using Sophie and Sophie's house. Though this time she at least didn't break in (use her emergency key) to decorate how she thought Sophie should have. Sofie also didn't have a house full of overnight guests either, so that was a change. This one also seemed to have a bit more on the mystery side, which is also appreciated.

Sophie's friend Mitzi is freaked out and asks her to meet secretly at her recent interior design location. Sophie shows up to find Mitzi's business partner dead and Mitzi running late but obviously more freaked out upon finding out about her partner. Sophie helps Mitzi hide while investigating. The bodies keep adding up with another modern day death plus the discovery of a skeleton. Honestly, I was thinking that all three were linked and committed by the same person. I was only a little close on what happened.

This book also sees a bit of a crossover with Krista Davis' Paws and Claws Mystery Series. There's a guest who visits Sophie from Wagtail. Very briefly.

[Debra Jo Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my top 5 series of all time and this book did not disappoint.  This installment had a little bit of a different vibe for me but not in a negative way.  I felt the murders were a little more on the darker side, which I found very interesting.  There was a historical element that shined a light on Aunt Faye and I was happy to learn more about her and what kind of force she truly was.  
 
Can I please, please, please just say how much I want to be friends with Sophie, Nina, Mars, and Bernie?!?!?!
 
I was happy to see names like Francie and Humphrey mentioned in this book.  I hope they come back soon.  
 
OHHHH and a shout out to a guest appearance (no spoilers) but I sure hope there is a crossover in the future.
 
I rated this book 4.5/5 stars.  The only reason for the less than perfect rating was that I did not like how dismissive Wolf and Wong were in this book.  
 
I, of course, cannot wait for more!
 
I had the digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing.  I had the audio copy via Hoopla.  Hillary Huber is my favorite narrator and she truly brings these characters to life.  I will always recommend this series on audio and everything she narrates.
 
Bring on book 19!!!

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

“One never knew what secrets people had and what they might be willing to do to protect them.”

I’ve loved every book I’ve read in the Domestic Diva Mystery series, but I think The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg might be my new favorite. And I think it’s because every single one of my guesses was wrong as far as whodunit and why. I know, that sounds weird, but I just mean that the twists and turns in this one really kept me on my toes and fully engaged in the story because they were so surprising. I thought for sure I knew who the victim would be. Nope. Then I thought for sure I knew who the killer was. Nope again, because that person winds up dead, too. I guessed (incorrectly) a couple more times before finally settling back and enjoying the reveals as they came. My mind still whirred with possibilities, though. I just didn’t voice anything officially after my third or fourth strike haha.

One of the things I love most about this series, besides the amiable and down-to-earth Sophie, is the fact that it’s set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. This translates into homes that have compelling histories, like the Inger House in this particular book. And when you have houses with compelling histories, especially those long-owned by prominent and wealthy families, you have settings that are ready-made for mysteries. Such is certainly the case in The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg. Secrets, murders, a missing person, a possible affair… all somehow rooted in the Inger House… Sophie just keeps uncovering layer after layer and drawing me deeper into the investigation right along with her. And the house becomes its own character in a sense, which I loved. Of course this is all happening while she’s preparing to host a brunch that will filmed for a TV show, so also be prepared to battle food cravings with all the delectable dishes she whips up for her friends and acquaintances. (Seriously, I need a friend like Sophie who will cook yummy food for me no matter when I stop by!)

Bottom Line: The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis blends stunning twists, engaging characters, and family secrets, along with decor tips and delicious recipes as only a cozy mystery can do. It’s always fun to hang out with Sophie, Mars, Bernie, Nina, Mochie, Daisy, Wolf, and Wong on the pages of a Domestic Diva Mystery, and this latest installment is no exception. The supporting characters also really intrigued me this time around, and so did all the different layers to the murders Sophie is trying to help Wolf and Wong solve. In fact, while I had just started to decide I knew whodunit when Sophie does the same, I was still honestly expecting it to turn out to be someone(s) else in the end. As a bonus, if you’ve read other books in this series and wondered about Sophie’s ex Mars’ Aunt Faye whose portrait hangs in what’s now Sophie’s house, you will enjoy getting to know more of her story in this book, too! I loved the role Faye played in the plot, right down to the very last word, despite having passed away long ago. Clever writing all around!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Anita (Hearts and Whodunits) · Rating 5 out of 5]

While Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson who's afraid someone is following her. The next day Mitzi loses her business partner, Denise. The two were renovating an old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder. Sophie agrees to help Mitzi find the truth. Can Sophie scramble up some clues to the truth behind the murder before another body is found.
I absolutely love reading this series. Sophie is an elegant amateur sleuth who helps her friends and loved ones when needed. The side characters are always fun to read about; it's like visiting a bunch of friends. The way the author describes the setting makes it come alive in my imagination, and I feel like I'm right next to Sophia figuring out whodunit. The plot was confounding enough that I was surprised when the culprit was revealed in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery, and I hope there are many more to come. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for this advanced reader's copy. This review is my honest opinion.

[Lisa Malmquist]

Sophie Winston is a a domestic Diva. She is working on the stylish summer brunches with several new dishes to try.
But her friend, Mitzie Lawson asks for her help as she thinks she is being followed.
Just after that, her friend, Denise and partner in the home design business, is found dead in a house they are designing.
Sophie gets to work trying to figure out the case. Is it connected to the old house that is being re-designed? Or is it somehow a family member of the family involved in the old house they are working on? In the meantime, Mitzie disappears and Sophie is worried that something has happened to her friend. LOts of skeletons in the closet and family secrets to sort out. Fun series!

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg” the 18th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis. I really enjoy this series! I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her BFF Nina and her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I liked how the characters were there for each other, no matter what was happening. It’s all about the brunches and something from aunt Faye’s past.

The mystery itself was interesting, full of twists and turns, red herrings all of which completely drew me into the story. I didn’t want to put the book down and read it till the wee hours.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jaimes_Mystical_Library · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent continuation of the Domestic Diva Mystery series. I loved following Sophie and her friends again and how the mystery started off right away. This mystery kept me guessing throughout the story and I found it to be a quick and fun read. I also appreciated how this book has a list of the cast of characters in the front of the book as well as recipes in the back. Overall this was a great read that cozy mystery readers should love.

Thank you to the author for the gifted copy.

[Jane · Rating 3 out of 5]

It grabs you from the start to the finish. Easy read, great characters

Thank you to Krista Davis, Jett and Kensington for the arc of this book

[Christine Barth · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series is just so cozy and chill

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I loved best about this book was learning more about Aunt Faye! What a wonderful lady! Another good mystery in this terrific series! I wish I was Sophie's next door neighbor. My mouth waters just reading what she makes to eat for her friends when they stop over. The only thing that got on my nerves was Mitzi's behavior. Omgosh! She was really annoying. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[Ruth Cook · Rating 4 out of 5]

The narrator does a great job portraying the characters in this fun mystery series.

[Rea Carver · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have loved this series since the first book. Sophie, Nina, Mars, Bernie and Natasha never fail to make it a fun read. Good mystery that had so many suspects it was hard to pinpoint the killer. Highly recommend this series!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is always a fun time catching up with Sophie, Nina, Bernie, Mars and Natasha.
Sophie is an advice columnist and event planner. She gets cornered into meeting with an interior designer.
Mitzi is fearful for her own life after her business partner Denise is killed. She asks Sophie for help. Sophie and her friends are on the case and obviously have their work cut out for them. Especially when Mitzi disappears.
I really enjoy this series, always a great escape from reality for a while.

I received an ARC, thank you Krista Davis and decided to voluntarily review it.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Winston is back with another winning addition to the Diva series! I have loved this series from the first book, but each one just takes the characters a step further into greatness! This book is definitely a must read, although I do highly recommend that you read the series in order. You'll get hours more enjoyment and you'll get to know the characters, the town and the businesses more intimately! Sophie stumbles across a body while trying to help another young woman who is being stalked. Perhaps the cases are connected or perhaps it's coincidence, but Sophie and crew need to figure it out before another body drops as Sophie may be running out of time on this case! The plot is extremely well written handing you multiple potential suspects, red herrings, overlapping issues and of course lots of laughter, banter, food and fun as well as lovable furry creatures! Added bonus, a slight crossover with Holly from the Wagtail Series this author writes making a cameo appearance! I love when authors sprinkle in characters from their other series' to add to the fun! Sounds like a crossover in the Wagtail series is going to be coming in the future as well, but you'll have to read that series to find out when, where and why! FYI: I also recommend that series, but must admit the Diva series is my absolute favorite must read cozy! Also, if audio is your jam, then this series is a must listen. The narrator does a divine job of bringing the characters uniquely to life!

[Laura Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally enjoy this series, especially the community around Sophie. This title doesn't feel up to the standard of the rest of the series for me, though. There's way too much family history and not enough forward momentum and tension. And the large cast of characters, many of whom we only see here and there, feels confusing to me. I'd give this one 2-1/2 stars.

I like Krista Davis and her books--maybe this particular series has just run out of steam?

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ziahalloween · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis is the 18th installment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series. I have read all of the previous installments in this series, and I always look forward to reading the latest addition (and rereading the previous books, too!) I absolutely love returning to Old Town and reuniting with this cast of characters, especially our lead, Sophie Winston. The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg did not disappoint! The mystery was well-developed and provided plenty of twists and turns that resulted in a satisfying conclusion. The autumnal vibes and learning more about Aunt Faye made reading this all the more enjoyable. I already cannot wait to return to Old Town to solve another mystery alongside Sophie and her lovable friends and family.

5.0/5.0 stars!

Thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an ARC of The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis. My comments are an independent, honest review.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie and the gang are back in The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg - and this time Mars' late Aunt Faye features prominently. With a local interior designer found dead in suspicious circumstances in a historic Old Town home, another found murdered shortly after in the same location, and a third terrified that she's being stalked and is next on the list, Sophie's gang (Nina, Mars, Bernie, Natasha, Wolf, and Wong) are on the case! Add in a decades-old skeleton discovered in the same home, and the game is afoot! 5 stars to Krista Davis' fabulously fun new cozy!

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#TheDivaPoachesaBadEgg #NetGalley is another fun cozy mystery featuring Sophie, Nina, Mars, Bernie, and of course, Natasha.
Sophie is one of my favorite characters and this book really kept me guessing until the end.
I love reading anything by this author, and the domestic diva series has been a long time favorite.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great story, it kept me guessing till the end. There are several mysteries, a couple set in the present, and one cold case. Even then, I didn't see the cold cases' solution! I love visiting with Sophie and her crew and every time I finish a book in the series, I want to make a trip to Alexandria VA, it just sound so great!! The only problem I have with these books is that the food sounds so good, I am constantly looking for good things to eat.

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and this latest book did not disappoint. I love the setting of these books and the characters feel like old friends. Thumbs up from me!