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A Domestic Diva Mystery #13
The Diva Spices It Up
She's a young Martha Stewart...in Old Town Virginia!
New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis delights with the 13th in her enormously popular and completely charming Domestic Diva Mystery series. When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away?
New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis delights with the 13th in her enormously popular and completely charming Domestic Diva Mystery series. When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away?
352 pages, Hardcover
First published April 28, 2020
412 people are currently reading
2758 people want to read
About the author
Krista Davis
36 books3,256 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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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 293 reviews
April 17, 2020
Upon arriving for my visit, I was excited to hear that sophie was going to be ghostwriting a cookbook! Sounds fun...right?? It was until the cookbook author tells her the last ghostwriter
The last writer didn’t just quit...she seems to have vanished. And sopie being sophie...we had to go check up on/snoop out the real story. Well instead of getting the dirt about the cookbook author from the ghostwriter...I mean she is a politicians wife….we find her body….stuffed in a freezer. Well turns out it wasn’t her body…..
My thoughts:
I generally really love this series. This installment was not my favorite of the series, but still solid. I couldn’t get over her fascination about watching someone take a can out of a trash can...I mean sure it may be weird, but what is weirder to me is following the person because they took a can out of the trash can. I also thought their was too many moving parts to the story, and as always, I did not care for Natasha...although we did get to see a softer side of her with her sister.
I did think the writing, characters, and setting were great as usual with Krista Davis’s books. Even though i mentioned that the story was confusing in parts...I did think it came together in the end well. It was wrapped up real pretty...just like a domestic diva is supposed to!
I will be looking forward to the next book, and in the meantime.....trying some of her domestic diva tips and recipes!
For more book fun check out my blog @: http://beachbumbookworm.com/
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. I would like to thank Netgalley, the author Krista Davis, and the publisher for this opportunity.
April 25, 2020
Dollycas’s Thoughts
In this 13th installment of this fun series, Mars hooks Sophie up with Tilly Stratford, a renowned lifestyle guru, to finish ghostwriting her celebrity cookbook. Sophie is already planning to renovate her bathroom with the money she will make. But first, she needs to find out what happened to the previous ghostwriter who quit without warning and disappeared.
Diva Natasha has some drama of her own as she finds she has a new relative through DNA testing. She better keep her eye her business though or someone may just snatch her dream job away from her while she is taking care of family matters.
__________
This is truly one of my favorite cozy series and not just because the author always serves readers a delightful mystery to solve. What I really love is the relationships that have evolved over the course of the series and continue to grow in each new story. Sophie and Mars really care about each other even knowing they just can’t work as a couple. Now that he has divorced Natasha the relationship is even more comfortable. The fact that Sophie is with Alex and that everyone coexists is so refreshing. Also while Natasha and Sophie will never be besties, Sophie is strong enough to be there when Natasha beckons. All the character development is marvelous and the dialogue is realistic.
Now this mystery was quite a twister. Many subplots roll around together leading to a compelling conclusion. Turns, misdirection, and a fair share of red herrings keep everyone on their toes. One body, then another, a suitcase caught by a fisherman, and it is still mystifying how everything fits into this puzzle. I was kept guessing the whole way.
As for spicing things up, I loved that Sophie took on ghostwriting a cookbook and the whole process she followed. From trying out the recipes and making them better to working with Tilly Stratford and the discovery Sophie made within the pages. The food and recipes were great but the way the cookbook played into the whole whodunit was brilliant.
The Diva Spices It Up is an excellent addition to this series. I recommend the whole batch but you can jump in anywhere as Ms. Davis always gives plenty of background on these fabulous characters. I truly can’t wait for the next Domestic Diva Mystery.
In this 13th installment of this fun series, Mars hooks Sophie up with Tilly Stratford, a renowned lifestyle guru, to finish ghostwriting her celebrity cookbook. Sophie is already planning to renovate her bathroom with the money she will make. But first, she needs to find out what happened to the previous ghostwriter who quit without warning and disappeared.
Diva Natasha has some drama of her own as she finds she has a new relative through DNA testing. She better keep her eye her business though or someone may just snatch her dream job away from her while she is taking care of family matters.
__________
This is truly one of my favorite cozy series and not just because the author always serves readers a delightful mystery to solve. What I really love is the relationships that have evolved over the course of the series and continue to grow in each new story. Sophie and Mars really care about each other even knowing they just can’t work as a couple. Now that he has divorced Natasha the relationship is even more comfortable. The fact that Sophie is with Alex and that everyone coexists is so refreshing. Also while Natasha and Sophie will never be besties, Sophie is strong enough to be there when Natasha beckons. All the character development is marvelous and the dialogue is realistic.
Now this mystery was quite a twister. Many subplots roll around together leading to a compelling conclusion. Turns, misdirection, and a fair share of red herrings keep everyone on their toes. One body, then another, a suitcase caught by a fisherman, and it is still mystifying how everything fits into this puzzle. I was kept guessing the whole way.
As for spicing things up, I loved that Sophie took on ghostwriting a cookbook and the whole process she followed. From trying out the recipes and making them better to working with Tilly Stratford and the discovery Sophie made within the pages. The food and recipes were great but the way the cookbook played into the whole whodunit was brilliant.
The Diva Spices It Up is an excellent addition to this series. I recommend the whole batch but you can jump in anywhere as Ms. Davis always gives plenty of background on these fabulous characters. I truly can’t wait for the next Domestic Diva Mystery.
April 28, 2020
Sophie is looking forward to a little break after doing four back to back events but it isn't meant to be. Her ex-husband has asked for help, the wife of the man he works for is putting together a cookbook and needs a ghostwriter. Her previous writer up and quit and the finished product is due in a few weeks. Sophie agrees and is excited to meet the woman she will be helping with the cookbook, Tilly Stratford who was on a tv show many years ago. While working on the recipes Sophie notices some weird abbreviations in the margins and that they don't seem to have anything to do with cooking. She decides to visit the previous writer in hopes of getting some questions answered. Things don't go as planned though, she ends up finding a body in a freezer. As more and more weird stuff happens Sophie knows she must investigate herself and figure out just what in the world is going on. There are plenty of suspects but no one person is jumping out as the culprit. Will Sophie be able to comb through all that she has learned and come to the right conclusion or will a killer get away with murder.
May 9, 2020
Another fun cozy. Sophie takes on a cookbook ghostwriting job that leads to solving mysteries. This one has an autumn feel with spice theme; sweets, drinks, food and hosting.
May 31, 2020
With the world so dark, sometimes escaping to a cozy mystery fits the bill--the familiar, lovable characters bring comfort and the bad guys always get caught. I enjoy Krista Davis's Diva series for those reasons, and THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is an excellent entry. You'll wish you were being fed along with Sophie's inner circle of friends.
September 5, 2022
Sophie is supposed to be taking a much-needed break from working when her ex-husband, Mars, askes her to ghostwrite a cookbook for celebrity turned political wife Tilly Stratford. Sophie is tempted to say no but as her bathroom tile is falling off the wall as she thinks about saying no, she realizes the money will come in handy and agrees. Tilly is all down home sweetness and southern cook. Her previous ghostwriter did most of the work but simply up and quit and disappeared one day. Abby added annotations to the recipes and she was going to make it sound like Tilly. In order for Sophie to get a feel for Tilly's voice and cooking style, they have to get together and cook! There's no shortage of amazing recipes to try but since fall is fast approaching, they focus on pumpkin! The one thing Sophie can't figure out on the manuscript is the strange codes Abby wrote above some of the recipes. Mars is working for Tilly's husband Wesley on some campaign image issue or another and Wesley seems very on edge about the missing Abby. Tilly's daughter Briley's best friend Schulyer's mom, Mia, is missing as well. What could have happened? Then Natasha's newly discovered half sister fails to appear for the dinner party Natasha is throwing and when she turns up, she's been beaten nearly to death. Sophie is convinced there must be a connection between the three ladies but what was it? Others believe Charlene's boyfriend beat her up and there's no connection. Can Sophie figure out what happened before another woman turns up missing? Will Mars be able to solve Wesley's problem if it turns out he had something to do with Abby's disappearance?
As usual there is a LOT going on in this book. I never did figure out what the mystery was all about or connect the dots but as it turns out, I guessed the major clue pretty early on. I didn't realize THAT was going to be the central mystery though. Some of the details about life in Old Town seem pretty silly. I lived in Washington, DC, went to school near Embassy Row and never once saw someone do a dead drop. I would have assumed drugs if I had. I liked the autumnal feel of the novel, being that time of year already when the days and warm but nights are becoming cool. I enjoyed the pumpkin recipes but there's a major error in the Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe. What she makes is a pumpkin steamer, suitable for kids and non coffee drinkers like me. Add THAT to your coffee for the PSL or add it to hot chocolate or drink it plain. I find it has a bit of an after taste I don't quite like though. I was puzzled by the codes and felt let down because I don't think that's the way the cypher works! If I had thought of that I still wouldn't have known what the code spelled out anyway.
I liked seeing Sophie and Mars sleuth together. I appreciate how they can still be friends and co-dog parent together. They love each other but she is not in love with him. Sophie is happily single at the moment. Mars hasn't brought up getting back together since his breakup with Natasha. That breakup seems amicable, aside from Natasha not paying him for his half of the house. Natasha is becoming more human! Some of her hints and tips, especially the hospital gift, were actually good ideas. I liked her instead of flowers... idea more than Sophie's! Who knew? Natasha still has deep seated dad issues. She's discovered a half sister she never knew she had and perhaps knowing that her dad did the same thing to someone else will help her heal. I was pleased at her growth. Instead of thinking about herself, Natasha thought about someone else for a change! Instead of fleeing the scene at the first sign of trouble, she stuck by her sister.
Nina plays a lesser role here, in favor of Francie. Francie is nosy but not as bad as Nina. She's a good friend and good neighbor. Humphrey is still MIA! What happened to him? What happened with Sophie's sister? Has she had any better luck with men? Why hasn't her niece been back to visit and where is that adorable boy chef? Has he been to visit? I miss Humphrey. He was weird and creepy but funny.
Tilly Stratford was a child star and that experience has shaped her adulthood. She's a really fun person. She's down home sweet and a good home cook. Sophie and Abby seem to think her recipes need more umph but I'm sure they're fine for the average palatte. Tilly is a sweetheart and a good friend. She's an amazing mom. I love her attitude towards her teenage daughter and neighbor. I wish all moms would be like that. Yet, I don't fully trust Tilly because she's asked to take over Natasha's show! Surely that can't happen so Tilly must be a villain. Plus what the heck happened to Abby and what must Tilly know that she isn't saying? Or perhaps Tilly doesn't want to see. Tilly's husband Wesley is a politician worried about his image. He seems on edge and worried about something. Sophie thinks perhaps he was having an affair with Abby and I think so too. His handler friend, Jericho, is a shark. He can sniff out any scandal and out it. Mars doesn't trust him and neither does Sophie. He wants intel about the investigation and Sophie is suspicious why. Did he have something to do with Abby's disappearance? I'm betting so.
Abby sounds like a nice person. She was quiet, unassuming, maybe a bit boring. She still loved her ex-husband, Benton Bergeron. He seems supicious to me because Sophie keeps seeing him around town in odd places doing mysterious things. He seems to be following her and even asks her out. Um creepy much? I'm not sure what I think about him. He seems charming, a bit mischievous maybe and Mars likes him so maybe he's not a bad guy but... his ex-wife is missing and they were still close. Does he know what happened to her?
Next door to Tilly is the Hendrickson family. Dr. Pierce is an OB-GYN and never home. In contrast, his wife Mia is a hellicopter parent/smother to rival Beverly Goldberg. Yikes! Their daughter, Schuyler, is never allowed to go anywhere, do anything or be alone. She's barely allowed to go to school. Mia also sounds like she was one of those wealthy housewife types you see on TV. I don't think I would like her. Tilly accepts Mia because their daughters are friends and because Tilly seems to like everyone. Why would a hellicopter mom just up and disappear without a trace? Sounds suspicious to me. Her husband may have gotten fed up with her. Her daughter may have had too much smothering and snapped? Who else did Mia annoy? Maybe she ran away with a lover and plans to come back for her daughter?
Charlene Smith, Natasha's half-sister, is still a mystery. She seems nice and accepts Natasha into her life even though they've lived near each other for years and never knew they were related. They look alike so I find that hard to believe. Wouldn't someone ask Charlene if she knew Natasha and were they related? Charlene's boyfriend, Fred, seems inoccuous enough. He's bland and boring, nondescript and always home. Yet the neighbors are suspicious of him. They don't trust him for some reason. I think he's just a middle-aged bachelor who hasn't given much thought to home decor or nosy neighbors.
One such neighbor is Eunice Crenshaw, an elderly socialite who is very sensitive about aging. She's come to the point where she can't take care of herself easily and refuses to put in hearing aids. Turning the TV up works just fine for her, thank you! She's alienated her friends or they've all died. Only one is pushy enough and alive enough to help her out. Being chair ridden explains why Eunice missed all the drama! She's funny enough once she stops being prickly and starts interacting with the world again. I would imagine if she had heard something, she would have let the police know but they would have dismissed it thinking she was being a nosy old lady. Her old friend Sam Bamberger is hilarious and a very charming old man.
This was another good entry in the series and I want to try Grandma Peggy's Pumpkin Bundt Cake but not quite yet.
As usual there is a LOT going on in this book. I never did figure out what the mystery was all about or connect the dots but as it turns out, I guessed the major clue pretty early on. I didn't realize THAT was going to be the central mystery though. Some of the details about life in Old Town seem pretty silly. I lived in Washington, DC, went to school near Embassy Row and never once saw someone do a dead drop. I would have assumed drugs if I had. I liked the autumnal feel of the novel, being that time of year already when the days and warm but nights are becoming cool. I enjoyed the pumpkin recipes but there's a major error in the Pumpkin Spice Latte recipe. What she makes is a pumpkin steamer, suitable for kids and non coffee drinkers like me. Add THAT to your coffee for the PSL or add it to hot chocolate or drink it plain. I find it has a bit of an after taste I don't quite like though. I was puzzled by the codes and felt let down because I don't think that's the way the cypher works! If I had thought of that I still wouldn't have known what the code spelled out anyway.
I liked seeing Sophie and Mars sleuth together. I appreciate how they can still be friends and co-dog parent together. They love each other but she is not in love with him. Sophie is happily single at the moment. Mars hasn't brought up getting back together since his breakup with Natasha. That breakup seems amicable, aside from Natasha not paying him for his half of the house. Natasha is becoming more human! Some of her hints and tips, especially the hospital gift, were actually good ideas. I liked her instead of flowers... idea more than Sophie's! Who knew? Natasha still has deep seated dad issues. She's discovered a half sister she never knew she had and perhaps knowing that her dad did the same thing to someone else will help her heal. I was pleased at her growth. Instead of thinking about herself, Natasha thought about someone else for a change! Instead of fleeing the scene at the first sign of trouble, she stuck by her sister.
Nina plays a lesser role here, in favor of Francie. Francie is nosy but not as bad as Nina. She's a good friend and good neighbor. Humphrey is still MIA! What happened to him? What happened with Sophie's sister? Has she had any better luck with men? Why hasn't her niece been back to visit and where is that adorable boy chef? Has he been to visit? I miss Humphrey. He was weird and creepy but funny.
Tilly Stratford was a child star and that experience has shaped her adulthood. She's a really fun person. She's down home sweet and a good home cook. Sophie and Abby seem to think her recipes need more umph but I'm sure they're fine for the average palatte. Tilly is a sweetheart and a good friend. She's an amazing mom. I love her attitude towards her teenage daughter and neighbor. I wish all moms would be like that. Yet, I don't fully trust Tilly because she's asked to take over Natasha's show! Surely that can't happen so Tilly must be a villain. Plus what the heck happened to Abby and what must Tilly know that she isn't saying? Or perhaps Tilly doesn't want to see. Tilly's husband Wesley is a politician worried about his image. He seems on edge and worried about something. Sophie thinks perhaps he was having an affair with Abby and I think so too. His handler friend, Jericho, is a shark. He can sniff out any scandal and out it. Mars doesn't trust him and neither does Sophie. He wants intel about the investigation and Sophie is suspicious why. Did he have something to do with Abby's disappearance? I'm betting so.
Abby sounds like a nice person. She was quiet, unassuming, maybe a bit boring. She still loved her ex-husband, Benton Bergeron. He seems supicious to me because Sophie keeps seeing him around town in odd places doing mysterious things. He seems to be following her and even asks her out. Um creepy much? I'm not sure what I think about him. He seems charming, a bit mischievous maybe and Mars likes him so maybe he's not a bad guy but... his ex-wife is missing and they were still close. Does he know what happened to her?
Next door to Tilly is the Hendrickson family. Dr. Pierce is an OB-GYN and never home. In contrast, his wife Mia is a hellicopter parent/smother to rival Beverly Goldberg. Yikes! Their daughter, Schuyler, is never allowed to go anywhere, do anything or be alone. She's barely allowed to go to school. Mia also sounds like she was one of those wealthy housewife types you see on TV. I don't think I would like her. Tilly accepts Mia because their daughters are friends and because Tilly seems to like everyone. Why would a hellicopter mom just up and disappear without a trace? Sounds suspicious to me. Her husband may have gotten fed up with her. Her daughter may have had too much smothering and snapped? Who else did Mia annoy? Maybe she ran away with a lover and plans to come back for her daughter?
Charlene Smith, Natasha's half-sister, is still a mystery. She seems nice and accepts Natasha into her life even though they've lived near each other for years and never knew they were related. They look alike so I find that hard to believe. Wouldn't someone ask Charlene if she knew Natasha and were they related? Charlene's boyfriend, Fred, seems inoccuous enough. He's bland and boring, nondescript and always home. Yet the neighbors are suspicious of him. They don't trust him for some reason. I think he's just a middle-aged bachelor who hasn't given much thought to home decor or nosy neighbors.
One such neighbor is Eunice Crenshaw, an elderly socialite who is very sensitive about aging. She's come to the point where she can't take care of herself easily and refuses to put in hearing aids. Turning the TV up works just fine for her, thank you! She's alienated her friends or they've all died. Only one is pushy enough and alive enough to help her out. Being chair ridden explains why Eunice missed all the drama! She's funny enough once she stops being prickly and starts interacting with the world again. I would imagine if she had heard something, she would have let the police know but they would have dismissed it thinking she was being a nosy old lady. Her old friend Sam Bamberger is hilarious and a very charming old man.
This was another good entry in the series and I want to try Grandma Peggy's Pumpkin Bundt Cake but not quite yet.
April 9, 2020
“The Diva Spices It Up” is the 13th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.
She's a young Martha Stewart...in Old Town Virginia!
When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away?
This is the third book I have read in the domestic diva mystery series by Krista Davis. Even though I haven't read all the earlier books I was able to follow along, so this can be read as a stand alone book.
I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I was drawn into the story right away and couldn't put the book down. It had lots of twists and turns to keep me guessing till the very end.
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.
She's a young Martha Stewart...in Old Town Virginia!
When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away?
This is the third book I have read in the domestic diva mystery series by Krista Davis. Even though I haven't read all the earlier books I was able to follow along, so this can be read as a stand alone book.
I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I was drawn into the story right away and couldn't put the book down. It had lots of twists and turns to keep me guessing till the very end.
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.
December 18, 2021
I like the general idea of The Diva Spices It Up. The protagonist, Sophie, is asked to help ghostwrite a cookbook for a politician's wife. The previous ghostwriter left the job without a trace. When it becomes clear that her disappearance was not an accident, Sophie and others in Old Town Alexandria start investigating.
The blurb is what drew me into this story and I was excited to see how it'd unfold. Sophie and her friends make for an extremely competent investigative team and I liked seeing how they worked together to work out the case.
However, I felt that the mystery itself had too much going on. Too much was crammed into the book, making the mystery feel extremely fast-paced. At points, the book almost reads like a cozy thriller. This isn't something I'm opposed to. I love thrillers and I wish there were more thrillers with a cozy feeling to them.
But, thrillers are usually better at at least somewhat accurately describing intelligence gathering and hacking, which are surprisingly two themes that you can find in this book. I appreciate that Davis included because those are two things that I've never seen in a cozy before and I always love finding creative takes on the genre.
I don't expect fictional novels to be completely realistic in every way, but I felt that these elements were not very well executed and it really distracted me from my enjoyment of the novel. There's one part of the novel which was particularly stereotypical and arguably offensive which I did not enjoy.
Spoiler about that part:
Overall, this book had potential. I just think that Davis bit off more than she could chew.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
The blurb is what drew me into this story and I was excited to see how it'd unfold. Sophie and her friends make for an extremely competent investigative team and I liked seeing how they worked together to work out the case.
However, I felt that the mystery itself had too much going on. Too much was crammed into the book, making the mystery feel extremely fast-paced. At points, the book almost reads like a cozy thriller. This isn't something I'm opposed to. I love thrillers and I wish there were more thrillers with a cozy feeling to them.
But, thrillers are usually better at at least somewhat accurately describing intelligence gathering and hacking, which are surprisingly two themes that you can find in this book. I appreciate that Davis included because those are two things that I've never seen in a cozy before and I always love finding creative takes on the genre.
I don't expect fictional novels to be completely realistic in every way, but I felt that these elements were not very well executed and it really distracted me from my enjoyment of the novel. There's one part of the novel which was particularly stereotypical and arguably offensive which I did not enjoy.
Spoiler about that part:
Overall, this book had potential. I just think that Davis bit off more than she could chew.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
April 21, 2020
Oh how I love this series; every time I get to read a new one it is like meeting up with old friends that you have not seen in awhile and it is really almost always a lovely and fun visit. And this book was no exception. And the fact that I had no idea who the killer was or what was REALLY going on just made it all the better.
This book finds Sophie ready to relax after a month of back to back engagements. She is looking forward to some time off, some relaxation and quiet time. But it is not to be - Mars comes to her and proposes a job that would entail her to reno her bathroom AND learn about the world of cookbooks. So Sophie takes it and finds herself right in the middle of an intrigue and a disappearance and then of course, a murder. Or two. Add Natasha and her annoyingness [which I am finding bugs me less so perhaps like Bernie, I am starting to like Natasha more], the amazing revelation she has to share and all that comes from it, and some new and fun characters along with some old favorites and it is a well-rounded book. And it is one crazy, wild, puzzling ride. And it keeps going until the very end!!! And the reveal was very well done [some of the newer authors could take notes from Krista Davis].
I love this series and recommend to everyone I know that reads cozies. Krista Davis is an excellent author and I am so glad that this series has continued. I know this is just coming out, but I am already looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This book finds Sophie ready to relax after a month of back to back engagements. She is looking forward to some time off, some relaxation and quiet time. But it is not to be - Mars comes to her and proposes a job that would entail her to reno her bathroom AND learn about the world of cookbooks. So Sophie takes it and finds herself right in the middle of an intrigue and a disappearance and then of course, a murder. Or two. Add Natasha and her annoyingness [which I am finding bugs me less so perhaps like Bernie, I am starting to like Natasha more], the amazing revelation she has to share and all that comes from it, and some new and fun characters along with some old favorites and it is a well-rounded book. And it is one crazy, wild, puzzling ride. And it keeps going until the very end!!! And the reveal was very well done [some of the newer authors could take notes from Krista Davis].
I love this series and recommend to everyone I know that reads cozies. Krista Davis is an excellent author and I am so glad that this series has continued. I know this is just coming out, but I am already looking forward to the next one!
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 3, 2021
This story starts strong with a great opening that immediately sparked my curiosity and with continued teasers kept me entertained and guessing to the very end. I enjoyed the characters, setting and how everything tied together neatly in the end.
I have read and enjoyed all 13 books in A Domestic Diva Mystery series and look forward to future additions. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
I have read and enjoyed all 13 books in A Domestic Diva Mystery series and look forward to future additions. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
April 29, 2020
The Diva Spices It Up
A Domestic Diva Mystery, Book #13
Krista Davis
5 Stars
Synopsis:
She's a young Martha Stewart...in Old Town Virginia!
New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis delights with the 13th in her enormously popular and completely charming Domestic Diva Mystery series. When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Even though this is the first book that I have read in this series, I did not have any trouble keeping track of who everyone was, I did not even have to check the character list. I liked the way that Sophie and Mars, her ex, got along. That is an unusual thing for exes. I thought that all of the characters added a lot to the story.
I really enjoyed the beginning of each chapter,where there was an advice column questions for either Natasha or Sophie and their answers. This gave us a better insight into these two characters and helped us get to know them better.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. The mystery was not easily solved and I did not know who the culprit was until it was revealed.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
A Domestic Diva Mystery, Book #13
Krista Davis
5 Stars
Synopsis:
She's a young Martha Stewart...in Old Town Virginia!
New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis delights with the 13th in her enormously popular and completely charming Domestic Diva Mystery series. When a celebrity ghostwriter dies on the job, it's up to Sophie Winston, Old Town, Virginia's favorite entertaining expert and sporadic sleuth, to whip up an impromptu investigation...
Sophie never considered ghostwriting as a side gig, until former actress and aspiring lifestyle guru, Tilly Stratford, trophy wife of Wesley Winthrope, needs someone to write her celebrity cookbook. Sophie agrees, hoping she'll earn enough bread on this assignment to finish her bathroom renovations. But as it turns out, Sophie isn't the first foodie to get a taste for recipe ghostwriting, and if the marginalia are any indication, this project could be a killer...
Wesley claims professional ghostwriter, Abby Bergeron, suddenly abandoned Tilly's cookbook with no warning. But Sophie quickly discovers that Abby may be more ghost than writer now...and her disappearance was no accident. So Sophie cracks open a fresh investigation but sifting the seasoned murderer from this sampling of salty suspects won't be easy. Will Sophie savor another case closed or will the culprit simply melt away? (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Even though this is the first book that I have read in this series, I did not have any trouble keeping track of who everyone was, I did not even have to check the character list. I liked the way that Sophie and Mars, her ex, got along. That is an unusual thing for exes. I thought that all of the characters added a lot to the story.
I really enjoyed the beginning of each chapter,where there was an advice column questions for either Natasha or Sophie and their answers. This gave us a better insight into these two characters and helped us get to know them better.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. The mystery was not easily solved and I did not know who the culprit was until it was revealed.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
April 27, 2020
The latest addition to the “A Domestic Diva Mystery” series, The Diva Spices It Up, from Krista Davis, is available tomorrow. Published by Kensington Books. This latest book is a wonderful fast read that leaves readers heads spinning.
Sophie has investigated a lot of murders but nothing like this! She is taking a break from her event planning business. Taking on a side gig as a ghostwriter for a celebrity who needs to finish writing her cookbook after the original ghostwriter suddenly quit. This was odd enough, but when the former ghostwriter turns up missing and presumed dead, Sophie’s odd job turns into a legitimate mystery that takes everything she has and everything she can find to solve.
Event planning can be a pain under the best of circumstances, but ghostwriting can be murder. Sophie has missing people, murder, and espionage, in short, a disaster. As usual, Sophie is up to the challenge, but even she has a hard time figuring out what happened, to whom or why. The other characters in this book, such as Sophie’s ex, her neighbors and friends try their best to help, and in some cases, hinder her investigation. Still, they all add intrigue, excitement, and information that ultimately allows her to find a killer and clear up a mystery, or two, or three.
This new edition in the series is filled with twists, turns, and red herrings. Sophie’s event planning business does not play a part in this story. The location of Old Town is still exciting and filled with history, culture, and eccentric personalities. There are multiple subplots that add enjoyment and interest to the story and give readers a better look at Sophie’s world. Krista Davis is a flawless writer and can craft an immensely enjoyable story using almost any plotline. It can be difficult to keep a long-running series fresh, but the author achieves it with ease in The Diva Spices It Up. I am happy to recommend this new book in the series to readers and lovers of cozy mysteries.
Sophie has investigated a lot of murders but nothing like this! She is taking a break from her event planning business. Taking on a side gig as a ghostwriter for a celebrity who needs to finish writing her cookbook after the original ghostwriter suddenly quit. This was odd enough, but when the former ghostwriter turns up missing and presumed dead, Sophie’s odd job turns into a legitimate mystery that takes everything she has and everything she can find to solve.
Event planning can be a pain under the best of circumstances, but ghostwriting can be murder. Sophie has missing people, murder, and espionage, in short, a disaster. As usual, Sophie is up to the challenge, but even she has a hard time figuring out what happened, to whom or why. The other characters in this book, such as Sophie’s ex, her neighbors and friends try their best to help, and in some cases, hinder her investigation. Still, they all add intrigue, excitement, and information that ultimately allows her to find a killer and clear up a mystery, or two, or three.
This new edition in the series is filled with twists, turns, and red herrings. Sophie’s event planning business does not play a part in this story. The location of Old Town is still exciting and filled with history, culture, and eccentric personalities. There are multiple subplots that add enjoyment and interest to the story and give readers a better look at Sophie’s world. Krista Davis is a flawless writer and can craft an immensely enjoyable story using almost any plotline. It can be difficult to keep a long-running series fresh, but the author achieves it with ease in The Diva Spices It Up. I am happy to recommend this new book in the series to readers and lovers of cozy mysteries.
March 26, 2020
Sophie's ex-husband convinces her to take on a job ghostwriting a celebrity cookbook. The original ghostwriter, Abby, quit unexpectedly just weeks before deadline and has disappeared. Soon Sophie is investigating whether Abby's disappearance was helped along by someone who wanted her out of the way.
There is a ton going on in The Diva Spices It Up, with a wide variety of subplots and plenty of quirky characters. Part of Sophie's job is to cook the recipes to confirm they work with the ingredient amounts listed, so there is a lot of cooking and baking. Recipes are included if you want to try some of the deliciously described meals. This book can be read as a standalone but it would be best to read it as part of the series. Recommended for fans of culinary cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
There is a ton going on in The Diva Spices It Up, with a wide variety of subplots and plenty of quirky characters. Part of Sophie's job is to cook the recipes to confirm they work with the ingredient amounts listed, so there is a lot of cooking and baking. Recipes are included if you want to try some of the deliciously described meals. This book can be read as a standalone but it would be best to read it as part of the series. Recommended for fans of culinary cozy mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.
April 24, 2020
Once again Sophie to the rescue! First she is saving a cookbook then she is solving a murder, all in a day or two's work right! I absolutely love this series. It is written in a manner that makes the storylines so real that you feel like you are visiting old friends rather than just reading a book. While the murder plot is the central theme of the book, other storylines are woven throughout to add depth and substance to the books. In this book aging at home is an issue that is woven into the storyline seamlessly and deftly. A subtle reminder that giving up ones independence can be difficult and lonely, yet the way it is written into the storyline is uplifting and sweet. If you haven't started the Diva series yet, you really should as you are in for a delightful treat, not to mention some fabulously wonderful culinary delights and recipes as well as home tips sprinkled throughout!
April 18, 2021
I could not put this one down!! I really enjoyed trying to figure out the clues along side Sofie and her friends.
May 17, 2021
This was one of the best books in the series so far. Several murders, lots of suspects, several twists, and a lot of food!! I couldn't put this one down!!
May 7, 2020
This takes place in the autumn. The story involves a found sibling, missing women, a kidnapped child, a cookbook, a code, and spies. The main mystery was interesting. It involved a lot of twists. I also liked most of the rest of the storylines. I didn't like the spy one, though. I thought that it was unnecessary. Also, the main character was a little too obsessed about it.
April 26, 2020
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is the thirteenth entry in the long running Domestic Diva Mystery series, and is indeed lucky thirteen. Always having considered this one of my favorite series, the characters, setting, and murder mystery are as fresh as ever.
In this installment, event planner and domestic diva Sophie steps into a new role as cookbook ghostwriter when congressman’s wife and aspiring lifestyle guru Tilly Stratford’s original ghost writer abruptly quits and disappears. Sophie soon finds herself embroiled in quite the investigation when the body count begins to rise. Espionage, domestic drama, politics, kidnapping, and murder are all on Sophie’s plate, and it is quite tasty to figure everything out alongside Sophie.
Author Davis always crafts a quality, complex mystery, and here is no exception. There are several subplots woven in, and they all come together to make a great tale. As much as I enjoy the puzzle, it is the characters that keep me coming back for more. I adore Sophie. She is down to earth and relatable, and I can only hope to be as welcoming as she is. I enjoy all of the meal and snack prep, and the details about table linens and dishes. They are dispersed throughout the book but never become tedious or boring, and the talk of food always makes me hungry (luckily, there are recipes included in the back of the book). All of the characters, including unlikable Natasha, are endearing, and, at this point, I feel like they are all old friends. Meeting Eunice and Sam is a particular treat, and I hope they pop up in future installments.
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is just about as perfect as a cozy mystery gets. Highly recommended!
I received and ARC of this title from Kensington Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
In this installment, event planner and domestic diva Sophie steps into a new role as cookbook ghostwriter when congressman’s wife and aspiring lifestyle guru Tilly Stratford’s original ghost writer abruptly quits and disappears. Sophie soon finds herself embroiled in quite the investigation when the body count begins to rise. Espionage, domestic drama, politics, kidnapping, and murder are all on Sophie’s plate, and it is quite tasty to figure everything out alongside Sophie.
Author Davis always crafts a quality, complex mystery, and here is no exception. There are several subplots woven in, and they all come together to make a great tale. As much as I enjoy the puzzle, it is the characters that keep me coming back for more. I adore Sophie. She is down to earth and relatable, and I can only hope to be as welcoming as she is. I enjoy all of the meal and snack prep, and the details about table linens and dishes. They are dispersed throughout the book but never become tedious or boring, and the talk of food always makes me hungry (luckily, there are recipes included in the back of the book). All of the characters, including unlikable Natasha, are endearing, and, at this point, I feel like they are all old friends. Meeting Eunice and Sam is a particular treat, and I hope they pop up in future installments.
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is just about as perfect as a cozy mystery gets. Highly recommended!
I received and ARC of this title from Kensington Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
March 24, 2020
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is the thirteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis and despite what you might think about the number thirteen, this newest release is a charming delight! If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, Ms. Davis provides a list of characters at the beginning to help the reader keep track. Even though this series has been a long-time favorite of mine, I still like to refer to the list. In this newest book, protagonist Sophie Winston, owner of an event planning company, tries her hand at ghostwriting a celebrity cookbook. I liked how Sophie and her client immediately click and how down to earth they both are, which make them relatable to readers. On the other hand there is Natasha, Sophie’s somewhat frenemy and ex-girlfriend of Sophie’s ex-husband (but rest assured, there’s not a single love triangle in sight). She’s the sort of person that personifies a prima donna but instead of being annoying, the author finds ways to make her a sympathetic character. Ms. Davis uses an advice column question written to either Sophie or Natasha, at the beginning of each chapter, which allows the personality of each to shine through. I found it an effective way for the reader to get a better understanding of the characters.
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP weaves an intriguing story about code-breaking, spies, a dastardly murder, and a disappearance. I especially love that the author wrote a scene based on a dead drop experience she witnessed. While there are plenty of clues, this is a story I was happy to sit back and savor each word instead of trying to figure it out. Ms. Davis is quite adept at writing seemingly unrelated subplots and then pulling them together into one cohesive and compelling story at the end! It left this reader highly satisfied and anxious for the next book in the series.
I greatly enjoyed how the food aspect was woven into the storyline via the ghostwriting cookbook project and Sophie’s love to provide comforting and nourishing meals for her friends. I’m always impressed by not only the delectable dishes she prepares, but how she elegantly dresses her table and stylishly serves them. Sophie certainly lives up to her Domestic Diva name! Ms. Davis provides several recipes at the back of the book which all sound fantastic.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
THE DIVA SPICES IT UP weaves an intriguing story about code-breaking, spies, a dastardly murder, and a disappearance. I especially love that the author wrote a scene based on a dead drop experience she witnessed. While there are plenty of clues, this is a story I was happy to sit back and savor each word instead of trying to figure it out. Ms. Davis is quite adept at writing seemingly unrelated subplots and then pulling them together into one cohesive and compelling story at the end! It left this reader highly satisfied and anxious for the next book in the series.
I greatly enjoyed how the food aspect was woven into the storyline via the ghostwriting cookbook project and Sophie’s love to provide comforting and nourishing meals for her friends. I’m always impressed by not only the delectable dishes she prepares, but how she elegantly dresses her table and stylishly serves them. Sophie certainly lives up to her Domestic Diva name! Ms. Davis provides several recipes at the back of the book which all sound fantastic.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
May 25, 2020
I love this series and it's group of characters! I'm not sure why, but I always feel like I'm coming home when I read these. It definitely has earned it's status of cozy with me!! I didn't see the outcome the way it happened. It wasn't hugely spectacular but it fit perfectly. I REALLLLLY hope this series continues! If not, I'll be rereading it (well once I get a home where I can unbox all my books :-) !)!
October 28, 2020
Sophie is so endearing. She feels like a friend and I find myself thinking about her long after I close the book. I adore her true friendships with so many and how she generously hosts friends at all hours of the day.
Fantastic recipes in this one!!
Fantastic recipes in this one!!
April 23, 2021
A big change for Natasha in this story. The main character Sophie gets involved in a murder case with spies and missing people. The story is set in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. The book contains recipes. It was an easy quick read.
May 3, 2021
good book.
April 28, 2020
Author Krista Davis really spices up this mystery. The book draws you in from the start. The mystery is full of twists and turns and red herrings. The characters are relatable and interesting. As Sophie tries to find out what happened to the previous ghostwriter, the suspects seem to multiply. This leaves her with no shortage of possible suspects. I look forward to the next in the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
March 24, 2020
I love Krista Davis books, and The Diva Spices It Up does not disappoint. This book (and all her books) are fun to read, even though there was a murder.
The Diva Spices It Up is a great mix of suspense, mystery, and some funny moments. The recipes included at the end of the book are always a bonus, especially the maple-glazed Brussels sprouts with bacon! And I will have to try the Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The codes used in the book's mystery were pretty cool to figure out. I really enjoyed all the characters and the quaint-town atmosphere. Her books are a great way to escape and just relax and try to figure out the mystery with lots of interesting twists and turns, plus fun moments with good character development.
I'm looking forward to more in the series.
The Diva Spices It Up is a great mix of suspense, mystery, and some funny moments. The recipes included at the end of the book are always a bonus, especially the maple-glazed Brussels sprouts with bacon! And I will have to try the Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte.
The codes used in the book's mystery were pretty cool to figure out. I really enjoyed all the characters and the quaint-town atmosphere. Her books are a great way to escape and just relax and try to figure out the mystery with lots of interesting twists and turns, plus fun moments with good character development.
I'm looking forward to more in the series.
April 19, 2020
This series is beginning to lose its appeal. Just your usual straight to the end with no bumps in the road, whereby the middle of the book, the reader had it all figured out, and the espionage which Krista Davis tried to plant was neither a bonus nor important to the storyline.
With Sophie being in-between jobs, her ex-husband Mars offers an interesting proposal - why not take on the job of ghostwriting a cookbook. How hard could it be he asks. He just so happens to know of an up and coming homemaking personality, who just so happens to be the wife of one of his clients. What he didn’t tell her was that the last ghostwriter walked off the job with no notice. Not good. But what they both find out later is even worse.
With a half-written manuscript and odd notes in the margin, Sophie jumps in only to discover there is more going on in Old Towne, Virginia than meets the eye. It also appears spies are running amok, a missing child may have been found, Natasha’s half-sister has made an appearance, and a bathroom falling into disrepair only adds to the stress of a looming deadline. It is now up to Sophie and her band of neighbors and friends to figure out why people are dying and only then will their little community return to its quiet self.
Krista Davis throws some odd things into the book which didn’t add to the story and only appeared as distractions. Multiple storylines are good and can add greatly to the overall narrative, but she went a bit far afield. I wish she would get back to where the books began and even bring back the haunted aspect that was once mentioned in regards to a picture hanging in the house.
With Sophie being in-between jobs, her ex-husband Mars offers an interesting proposal - why not take on the job of ghostwriting a cookbook. How hard could it be he asks. He just so happens to know of an up and coming homemaking personality, who just so happens to be the wife of one of his clients. What he didn’t tell her was that the last ghostwriter walked off the job with no notice. Not good. But what they both find out later is even worse.
With a half-written manuscript and odd notes in the margin, Sophie jumps in only to discover there is more going on in Old Towne, Virginia than meets the eye. It also appears spies are running amok, a missing child may have been found, Natasha’s half-sister has made an appearance, and a bathroom falling into disrepair only adds to the stress of a looming deadline. It is now up to Sophie and her band of neighbors and friends to figure out why people are dying and only then will their little community return to its quiet self.
Krista Davis throws some odd things into the book which didn’t add to the story and only appeared as distractions. Multiple storylines are good and can add greatly to the overall narrative, but she went a bit far afield. I wish she would get back to where the books began and even bring back the haunted aspect that was once mentioned in regards to a picture hanging in the house.
August 1, 2020
This is another delightful book in the Domestic Diva series. I won it in a Goodreads Giveaway several weeks ago but only received it this week due to shipping delays caused by the Coronavirus. Sophie agrees to ghostwrite a celebrity cookbook for Tilly Stratford, wife of Wesley Winthrope, a Washington Congressman, for whom Mars, Sophie's ex-husband works. The ghostwriter who had been working on Tilly's cookbook, Abby Bergeron, had left with no warning and then disappeared. Sophie hopes to earn enough from this job to renovate her bathroom. Several dead bodies are discovered, and confusing explanations given as Sophie investigates the missing persons while doing her ghostwriting job. The novel has surprises, twists, and turns. Natasha's previously unknown half-sister, Charlene Smith, is introduced.
August 25, 2022
This was a really good Domestic Diva mystery that had me guessing almost till the end. There were a lot of red herrings. The story line moved quickly and had all the favorite characters from previous books plus a few new characters. I love Sophie and all the surrounding characters. A great easy read that will be hard to put down
June 7, 2020
Not my favorite of the series. Why doesn't Sophie get annoyed by everyone dropping by for meals or magically appearing whenever they want? Where does she store the multitude of dishware in so many patterns and designs?
June 10, 2020
The Diva Spices It Up by Krista Davis has Sophie Winston looking forward to relaxing after four weeks of catering back to back conventions. Then Mars Winston, Sophie’s ex-husband, asks if she would be willing to be a ghostwriter for a cookbook. Tilly Stratford, wife of Congressman Wesley Winthrope, lost her last ghostwriter suddenly and the gig pays well. Sophie agrees to the job after her shower begins falling apart while she is in it. Sophie is going through the stack of recipes for the cookbook and finds some odd notations made by Abby Bergeron, Tilly’s former ghostwriter. Sophie decides to visit Abby’s house with her best friend, Nina to ask her about the notes. She also wants to check up on her since no one has seen or heard from Abby since the previous Friday. The back door is open, and a body is discovered stuffed into the basement freezer. Abby’s neighbor, Eunice Crenshaw asks Sophie to investigate (like she would not on her own). It turns out that Abby is not the only woman to have gone missing recently and she also had a connection to Tilly. Something sinister is happening in Old Town Alexandria and Sophie intends to get to the bottom of it.
The Diva Spices It Up by Krista Davis is an engaging cozy with mystery, mayhem, and murder. It is the 13th A Domestic Diva Mystery and I believe that it can be read as a standalone. I have only read one book many years ago, and I had no trouble following along. Krista Davis never disappoints with her developed characters and wonderful settings. Sophie Winston is a freelance event planner who is wore out after handling four conventions in four weeks. She is looking forward to some downtime with her cat, Mochie and dog, Daisy. Unfortunately, Mars Winston needs Sophie to do him a favor. His client’s wife, Tilly Stratford’s cookbook ghostwriter quit without notice and the cookbook is due to the publisher in just a few weeks. Sophie’s bathroom needs a remodel (tiles fall off while she is in the shower), so the generous salary would come in handy. Sophie did not count on getting drawn into a mystery. There is quite a bit happening in this twisty whodunit. A welfare check finds a body in the freezer of the ghostwriter’s home, a suitcase pulled out of the river by a fisherman, two missing women, mysterious code, and another lady is beaten badly. There are subplots going on at the same time. Sophie spies a man doing some odd things about town. She wonders what he is up to and is it related to the main case. Tilly’s husband, Congressman Wesley WInthrope has had his email hacked and the contents are being bandied about social media causing an uproar. The mysterious code was intriguing (what mystery reader does not love a cipher). I had just watched a movie that helped me figure out that part. The author did a wonderful job plotting out this knotty mystery. I like how everything came together at the end. I had a good time following the clues and arriving at a solution. I could not wait to see if I had landed on the correct resolution. There are delectable items cooked up in between sleuthing sessions. Sophie is a whiz in the kitchen (she should be on television, not Natasha). There are recipes at the end including one for macaroni and cheese. I like how well Mars and Sophie get along even though they are divorced. I enjoyed the secondary characters like Eunice, Frannie and Nina along with the cute animals. The Diva Spices It Up is a pleasing and puzzling cozy mystery with a missing mother, curious code, located luggage, a confusing cat collar, a stiff in the freezer, and a horrible hacker.
The Diva Spices It Up by Krista Davis is an engaging cozy with mystery, mayhem, and murder. It is the 13th A Domestic Diva Mystery and I believe that it can be read as a standalone. I have only read one book many years ago, and I had no trouble following along. Krista Davis never disappoints with her developed characters and wonderful settings. Sophie Winston is a freelance event planner who is wore out after handling four conventions in four weeks. She is looking forward to some downtime with her cat, Mochie and dog, Daisy. Unfortunately, Mars Winston needs Sophie to do him a favor. His client’s wife, Tilly Stratford’s cookbook ghostwriter quit without notice and the cookbook is due to the publisher in just a few weeks. Sophie’s bathroom needs a remodel (tiles fall off while she is in the shower), so the generous salary would come in handy. Sophie did not count on getting drawn into a mystery. There is quite a bit happening in this twisty whodunit. A welfare check finds a body in the freezer of the ghostwriter’s home, a suitcase pulled out of the river by a fisherman, two missing women, mysterious code, and another lady is beaten badly. There are subplots going on at the same time. Sophie spies a man doing some odd things about town. She wonders what he is up to and is it related to the main case. Tilly’s husband, Congressman Wesley WInthrope has had his email hacked and the contents are being bandied about social media causing an uproar. The mysterious code was intriguing (what mystery reader does not love a cipher). I had just watched a movie that helped me figure out that part. The author did a wonderful job plotting out this knotty mystery. I like how everything came together at the end. I had a good time following the clues and arriving at a solution. I could not wait to see if I had landed on the correct resolution. There are delectable items cooked up in between sleuthing sessions. Sophie is a whiz in the kitchen (she should be on television, not Natasha). There are recipes at the end including one for macaroni and cheese. I like how well Mars and Sophie get along even though they are divorced. I enjoyed the secondary characters like Eunice, Frannie and Nina along with the cute animals. The Diva Spices It Up is a pleasing and puzzling cozy mystery with a missing mother, curious code, located luggage, a confusing cat collar, a stiff in the freezer, and a horrible hacker.
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