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A Domestic Diva Mystery #19
The Diva Hosts a Murderer
Not yet published
Expected 26 May 26Old Town Virginia’s entertaining guru and occasional sleuth Sophie Winston – a young Martha Stewart in the making – juggles Fourth of July fireworks, a houseful of guests, and homicide in the latest Domestic Diva culinary mystery from New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis.
With a big crowd descending on her Northern Virginia home, it’s a good thing event planner Sophie Winston is an expert at entertaining. Whipping up patriotic pastries is as easy as pie for her, though meeting the man her widowed Aunt Melly just impulsively married in Las Vegas is a little more awkward. Especially when Melly’s longtime, now-heartbroken secret admirer is there too, which could lead to some fireworks.
But the house party really gets explosive when Sophie’s favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer—and evidence points to Sophie’s own father. Will DNA really incriminate her dad? And what’s the real story with her new uncle-by-marriage and the mysterious pal he’s brought along with him? Some of the secrets Sophie’s discovering are raising flags—and while the police department casts suspicion on her father, she has to declare her independence as a detective to find the real culprit, and serve justice along with her red, white, and blue cupcakes . . .
Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!
With a big crowd descending on her Northern Virginia home, it’s a good thing event planner Sophie Winston is an expert at entertaining. Whipping up patriotic pastries is as easy as pie for her, though meeting the man her widowed Aunt Melly just impulsively married in Las Vegas is a little more awkward. Especially when Melly’s longtime, now-heartbroken secret admirer is there too, which could lead to some fireworks.
But the house party really gets explosive when Sophie’s favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer—and evidence points to Sophie’s own father. Will DNA really incriminate her dad? And what’s the real story with her new uncle-by-marriage and the mysterious pal he’s brought along with him? Some of the secrets Sophie’s discovering are raising flags—and while the police department casts suspicion on her father, she has to declare her independence as a detective to find the real culprit, and serve justice along with her red, white, and blue cupcakes . . .
Includes delicious recipes, fabulous decorating tips, and easy entertaining hacks!
- GenresCozy MysteryCozy
Kindle Edition
Expected publication May 26, 2026
2 people are currently reading
202 people want to read
About the author
Krista Davis
36 books3,260 followersKrista 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
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
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Sophie Winston lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and has made a career for herself by event planning. She's expecting a big houseful this weekend. Her parents, sister Hannah, friend Roscoe, Aunt Melly, and Melly's new husband, along with an old family friend are planning to stay at her home through Independence Day.
But all is not well when Sophie's elderly neighbor Dollie seeks out Sophie in a panic, telling her there's a dead man in her home. When Sophie investigates, there's no one there. The police refuse to take it seriously, stating the Dollie calls them all the time with false reports. But not too long after, the tour guide that Sophie hired is discovered dead behind Dollie's home, and the woman states she's never seen the man before.
Now Sophie is intrigued and wonders if the two are related. But intrigue is topped by anger when the police find her father's DNA on the dead man and her dad Paul becomes the chief suspect. While he refuses to take it seriously, Sophie knows better. Especially when a new homicide detective is assigned to the case, and he seems determined to pin the murder on Paul.
But there's more to the story: Melly's husband is acting suspiciously; Melly is being left gifts by a secret admirer; Dollie is hearing strange noises in her home; a man Sophie just met is also acting strangely; and there's another body...
With all this going on, will Sophie be able to find the truth or will her dad be prosecuted for s crime he didn't commit?...
This is the 19th book in the series, and I have grown to love the characters. Sophie has changed throughout the series, which I have enjoyed reading; and I've watched her become stronger and more independent. Her friends are always there to support her, especially her friend Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars is present as well.
The story line is written very well, and I loved the plot. There is a lot going on, and you have to read between the lines to figure out the clues. But they are there. You just have to look for them. I will say that the murderer was hidden nicely, but the more I read the closer I came to the truth. And the heart of the story is discovered very nearly toward the end, and something that I absolutely loved.
Yes, once again Sophie finds herself in danger, but of course she is also able to use her quick wits to free herself, and this time was no different. There are no threads left hanging and no cliffhangers. A delightful ending with bit of a hint of what will come next time in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
But all is not well when Sophie's elderly neighbor Dollie seeks out Sophie in a panic, telling her there's a dead man in her home. When Sophie investigates, there's no one there. The police refuse to take it seriously, stating the Dollie calls them all the time with false reports. But not too long after, the tour guide that Sophie hired is discovered dead behind Dollie's home, and the woman states she's never seen the man before.
Now Sophie is intrigued and wonders if the two are related. But intrigue is topped by anger when the police find her father's DNA on the dead man and her dad Paul becomes the chief suspect. While he refuses to take it seriously, Sophie knows better. Especially when a new homicide detective is assigned to the case, and he seems determined to pin the murder on Paul.
But there's more to the story: Melly's husband is acting suspiciously; Melly is being left gifts by a secret admirer; Dollie is hearing strange noises in her home; a man Sophie just met is also acting strangely; and there's another body...
With all this going on, will Sophie be able to find the truth or will her dad be prosecuted for s crime he didn't commit?...
This is the 19th book in the series, and I have grown to love the characters. Sophie has changed throughout the series, which I have enjoyed reading; and I've watched her become stronger and more independent. Her friends are always there to support her, especially her friend Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars is present as well.
The story line is written very well, and I loved the plot. There is a lot going on, and you have to read between the lines to figure out the clues. But they are there. You just have to look for them. I will say that the murderer was hidden nicely, but the more I read the closer I came to the truth. And the heart of the story is discovered very nearly toward the end, and something that I absolutely loved.
Yes, once again Sophie finds herself in danger, but of course she is also able to use her quick wits to free herself, and this time was no different. There are no threads left hanging and no cliffhangers. A delightful ending with bit of a hint of what will come next time in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
THOUGHTS: This is not my first Krista Davis book, but I have not read all of the books in the series. That being said, you don’t need to (though you should!). There is enough information scattered throughout that you know who the characters are and their relationships to each other.
Sophie is a hostess definitely with the “mostest”. She can whip up fantastic food, decorate like nobody’s business (though it is hers), and offer advice “Ann Landers” style to people who write in to her. I love that there are little tidbits like this at the beginning of the chapters. And I love Sophie’s more than her rival’s!
In this story, multiple family members and friends descend on her home for the Fourth of July. Since she lives in the general DC area, various tours are arranged, but when the tour guide ends up dead—and Sophie’s father is accused because of DNA on the body, Sophie goes into sleuth mode. Plus she has to figure out how to help her aunt Melly get rid of a nasty new husband who turns out to be more con man than husband. And I absolutely loved how Melly handles this!
I loved the characters. There’s a lot going on in this story with a lot of people and a lot going on. I did figure out the perp pretty early on, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love the story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for this ARC.
Sophie is a hostess definitely with the “mostest”. She can whip up fantastic food, decorate like nobody’s business (though it is hers), and offer advice “Ann Landers” style to people who write in to her. I love that there are little tidbits like this at the beginning of the chapters. And I love Sophie’s more than her rival’s!
In this story, multiple family members and friends descend on her home for the Fourth of July. Since she lives in the general DC area, various tours are arranged, but when the tour guide ends up dead—and Sophie’s father is accused because of DNA on the body, Sophie goes into sleuth mode. Plus she has to figure out how to help her aunt Melly get rid of a nasty new husband who turns out to be more con man than husband. And I absolutely loved how Melly handles this!
I loved the characters. There’s a lot going on in this story with a lot of people and a lot going on. I did figure out the perp pretty early on, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t love the story.
Recommended.
Thanks to Kensington and Netgalley for this ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒃𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒘𝒐 𝒅𝒂𝒚𝒔, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰 𝒂𝒍𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒔𝒎𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒓𝒐𝒖𝒃𝒍𝒆.
The 19th installment of this endearing series has Sophie Winston facing something so horrible, so dreadful, that I could barely stand the tension--house guests. Nothing makes me twitch more than having people in my house for more than a few hours, and here she is doing it for a prolonged time.
It's the grand Fourth of July celebration in Old Town, and Sophie is hosting both immediate and extended family. Her Aunt Melly has brought her new husband, who isn't making any new friends, and with her longtime secret admirer also in attendance, the atmosphere is electric.
Of course it wouldn't be a diva mystery without a body, and it's the local tour guide who is found under mysterious circumstances. Even worse, Sophie's dad is arrested for the crime because of supposed DNA evidence. Once again, Sophie has to pause her domestic duties to find the real killer. I loved the many sub-plots, including the hint that Sophie may not be finished with a past relationship, and meeting her extended family. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the early copy. This one is slated to publish May 26, 2026.
The 19th installment of this endearing series has Sophie Winston facing something so horrible, so dreadful, that I could barely stand the tension--house guests. Nothing makes me twitch more than having people in my house for more than a few hours, and here she is doing it for a prolonged time.
It's the grand Fourth of July celebration in Old Town, and Sophie is hosting both immediate and extended family. Her Aunt Melly has brought her new husband, who isn't making any new friends, and with her longtime secret admirer also in attendance, the atmosphere is electric.
Of course it wouldn't be a diva mystery without a body, and it's the local tour guide who is found under mysterious circumstances. Even worse, Sophie's dad is arrested for the crime because of supposed DNA evidence. Once again, Sophie has to pause her domestic duties to find the real killer. I loved the many sub-plots, including the hint that Sophie may not be finished with a past relationship, and meeting her extended family. Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the early copy. This one is slated to publish May 26, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
The Diva Hosts a Murderer is the 19th book in the long running Diva mystery series by Krista Davis. I always enjoy books by Krista Davis and this book is no different. All of the usual characters are back with the addition of some of Sophie’s family from out of town. It’s fun to watch her interact with her own family and all of her friends. This book includes another of her Old Town neighbors who may or may not have found a body in her house and a mystery involving US history. It wasn’t particularly hard to figure out who the murderer was, but it was enjoyable to follow along with Sophie as she figured it out. This series is like a nice, easy read without swearing or gore and I just really enjoy the characters and Old Town setting.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Kensington Publishing and Kensington Cozies.
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Event planner and sometime sleuth Sophie is planning her next event a Fourth of July celebration. There will be than just firecrackers n the air as murder s on the menu. Throw in a secret admirer to keep things interesting. Evidence points at her father as she tries to find a killer before her dad ends up in the slammer,
I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.
Event planner and sometime sleuth Sophie is planning her next event a Fourth of July celebration. There will be than just firecrackers n the air as murder s on the menu. Throw in a secret admirer to keep things interesting. Evidence points at her father as she tries to find a killer before her dad ends up in the slammer,
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Is there anything better than hanging out with Sophie Winston while she is solving a mystery. Oh how I wish I lived in her neighborhood, without being the one killed if course. An exciting and engaging mystery.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
cute and great cozy mystery with some fantastic vibes throughout. would recommend this one, and I feel like I need to read all the previous ones. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
“ The Diva Hosts a Murderer” the 19th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.
I really enjoy this series! This time we have Sofie's family visiting for the 4th of July, but the house party really gets explosive when Sophie’s favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer—and evidence points to Sophie’s own father. 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.
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.
I really enjoy this series! This time we have Sofie's family visiting for the 4th of July, but the house party really gets explosive when Sophie’s favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer—and evidence points to Sophie’s own father. 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.
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.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews