The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit

A Domestic Diva Mystery #14

by Krista Davis

"With Old Town's DIY Home Decorating Festival in full swing, Sophie's swamped, juggling a bumper crop of artisans, antique dealers, and decorators for the busy street fair. Still, when her best friend Nina suddenly needs a ride from the airport, Sophie is happy to help...until she sees Nina disembarking in a state of disarray. It's obvious the trip to Portugal soured somewhere along the way. But after one of Nina's traveling companions turns up murdered the following day, Sophie knows something is truly rotten... Though the crime scene is staged to look like an accident, Sophie isn't fooled and peels off to conduct her own investigation. Her only clue is a strange image the victim scratched into the soil before dying. Could it point to a cryptic killer in Old Town? A bitter travel adversary? Or a cursed artifact smuggled back from the trip? As the mystery grows, so does the body count, and if Sophie doesn't pluck the murderer soon, her best friend may be the next to fall.."--

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

463 pages, Paperback

First published May 25, 2021

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

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry, but have to give this one a three-star rating even though I love this cozy series! Set in Old Town Alexandria, VA, book #14 has a DIY Home Decorating Festival theme. What I love about this series are the helpful tips at the beginning of the chapters, from cooking, baking, organizing, hosting, or restoring furniture - love the variety! The mystery was okayish and I have little interest in the investigation.

[Tina Loves To Read · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the 14th book in A Domestic Diva Mystery series. I have not read the other books in this series, but I did not feel lost while reading this book. I have to say that I really loved the characters in this book. The mystery was good, and it kept me guessing. I did not guess the twist. I have to say this was a fun cute cozy mystery, but I do think that there was a few times in the book I felt there was just to much going on. I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher (Kensington Publishing Corporation) or author (Krista Davis) via NetGalley, so I can give honest review about how I feel about this book. I want to send a big Thank you to them for that.

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

This review was first posted on Mystery and Suspense. Check it out for features, interviews, and reviews. https://www.mysteryandsuspense.com/th...


In this 14th book in the 'Domestic Diva' series, amateur detective Sophie Winston investigates two murders. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Event planner/amateur sleuth Sophie Winston lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, a cozy enclave that harbors an eclectic group of residents.



A cadre of Old Town citizens just returned from a trip to Portugal, right in time for the DIY Festival organized by Sophie.



The festival venue will be comprised of a large tent for hourly DIY demonstrations, like re-finishing furniture and quilting.....



.....and small tents for vendors selling everything from wreaths and children's rockers to golden Oreos, plants, and fresh herbs.



On the first morning of the DIY Festival Sophie strolls over to see how things are going and stops at the home of socialite Lark Bickford, one of the visitors to Portugal. Lark's daughter and son-in-law, Paisley and Frank Eames, are setting up their tent in front of Lark's house while their six little boys are running around playing and fighting.



Needing help, Paisley asks Sophie to please get Lark, but that turns out to be impossible......because Lark is lying dead beside a ladder in her backyard. Lark's death is clearly meant to look accidental, but Sophie is certain Lark was murdered, and the police agree.



That night Sophie's best friend Nina, who also went to Portugal, gets a fright when someone tries to break into her house.



And the next day another member of the Portugal expedition is murdered. Unable to fathom what's going on, and being concerned for Nina's safety, Sophie, her ex-husband Mars, and their friend Bernie form a protection squad for Nina.



When they're not working, the threesome - plus two dogs and a cat - hang out together, share delicious meals, and look out for intruders.

Though Sophie is friendly with the police, she's unable to finagle much information out of Officer Wong.....



.....or Detective Wolf Fleishman.



So Sophie looks for a connection between the Old Town deaths and the jaunt to Portugal. Nosing around Sophie hears something about crown jewels and gold coins, and comes to suspect one person after another of the murders.

The mystery at the center of the story is engaging, but much of the book's fun lies in Sophie's fashion sketches, culinary descriptions, and home improvement tips - which are scattered through the narrative. For instance, Sophie depicts people's outfits (Lark was fully dressed in blue pedal pushers, a blue and white tunic top with three-quarter-length sleeves, a chunky white necklace, two bangle bracelets, one blue, one white, and lapis earrings);



dinners (pork tenderloin with mango salsa and berry trifle for dessert);



and home tips (to spruce up an old blue lamp, paint it to match your décor and put a pretty finial on it).



The novel has a rich array of interesting characters including Sophie's dog Daisy and cat Mochie. The animals are cute and coddled, and when Sophie stops at Bean Time for a mocha latte, Daisy gets a Puppucini.



This enjoyable cozy mystery is perfect for light reading.

Recipes in the book include:

Freezer Chocolate Chip Cookies


Bourbon Chocolate Chip Blondies


Pork Tenderloin with Mango Peach Salsa


Oven Roasted Potatoes with Bacon


Sugar Snap Peas


Chocolate Mayonnaise Cupcakes


Pear Upside-Down Skillet Cake


Berry Pecan Coffee Cake


Rum Runners


Thanks to Netgalley, Krista Davis, and Kensington Publishers for a copy of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is the 14th book in the long-running Diva series. I was late to the party with this series but was able to binge-read it last year to be caught up for this release. This is a very entertaining series and fans will not be disappointed. Once again, Ms. Davis provides her fans with a well-plotted mystery that will leave her readers guessing until the end. One of my favorite parts of this series is the friendship between the characters. Ms. Davis has created a diverse group of characters that are well-rounded, mature, while at the same time leaving plenty of room for these characters to continue to grow and evolve. All of the regular cast of characters make appearances in this book as they are called on to help keep Nina safe and help Sophie solve two murders.

The author starts out the book with a great hook that just keeps leading from one incident to another, including two murders. Sophie and friends must determine if the events are all connected and if so how and why. This plot has a lot of layers and as each one is peeled back something else rises to the surface that adds to the mystery. I will say, about 3/4 of the way through the book I got overconfident and was positive I had solved the mystery. That should have been my first clue at how wrong I was. There are plenty of clues to sift through and a number of misdirections that if followed will lead readers to where I ended up - wrong. The mystery is wrapped up nicely and the reader will be satisfied at the conclusion.

This is a terrific series and the author just keeps delivering one entertaining read after another. I look forward to each new book knowing that I am going to be taken on a delightful journey with an engaging mystery solved by characters that by now feel like old friends. Fans of this series are sure to be delighted.

I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit by Krista Davis is book fourteen in the 'Domestic Diva Mystery Series' and was a great read! With plenty of delectable dishes, such as Bourbon Chocolate Chip Blondies and also a generous portion of friends, an Ocicat named Mochie, and murder this was a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner. (I really fancy trying Nina's Rum Runners, too!) The plot was solid and entertaining and the characters were a very likeable bunch of friends. I appreciated how they cared and supported one other.

The writing style of Krista Davis was very appealing and I was perfectly comfortable reading this cozy as a standalone novel. The surprising twists and turns kept me invested in the story until its thrilling conclusion.

Overall, a delightful read that I highly recommend so dive in as soon as you can!

I received a complimentary copy of this novel, at my own request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit ” is the 14th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis. I really enjoy this series and must read the earlier books and get caught up. 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 liked how the characters were there for each other, no matter what was happening. The food, don’t get me started, I think I gained 10lbs just reading about the different things they ate. The great thing is there are recipes at the back of the book!

The mystery itself was interesting, full of twists and turns which completely drew me into the story and I didn’t want to put the book down.

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.

[Janilyn Kocher · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this series. It’s so soothing and comforting to slip back into the close community old Old Town Alexandria, VA. Except someone keeps bumping off Sophie’s neighbors. A trip to Portugal seems to be the connecting factors in the murders. I had one figured out halfway through due to a clue that kept popping up. However, my Nancy Drew failed me on the other culprit. The animals continue to add ambience, especially a new little hound named Muppet. The gang converges on Sophie’s and cook up some tasty meals while they try to work out who is behind the mayhem. I always like Les ring what’s new in Sophie’s world. I wish she would get back with Alex. Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington for the early read.

[Mallory · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 14 in the Domestic Diva mystery series. I haven’t read the others, but one thing I love about cozy mystery series’ is that I typically can jump in anywhere and never feel lost. I did feel like this book had a lot going on, and I was a little skeptical about what felt like a week like DIY festival. Overall I really liked these characters and I can see why they are so popular. Sophie is managing the event, but when people who just returned from a trip to Portugal are murdered or robbed she and her friends try to figure out who it is before one of their own is next. I loved the animals in this story and felt like they were some of the best characters, The mystery was good and there were some decent red herrings that kept me reading to find out what had happened.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit by Krista Davis is the 14th A Domestic Diva Mystery. This cozy can be read as a standalone if you are new to this entertaining series. Sophie Winston is organizing Old Town Alexandria’s DIY Home Decorating Festival. When Paisley needs Sophie to locate her mother for help with her rowdy brood of boys, she is happy to help. Unfortunately, Lark is found dead in her back garden and is not from natural causes. Lark left them a cryptic clue to help. When another woman is found dead in a similar manner, Sophie wonders if something happened on their recent trip to Portugal. Sophie must gather the clues and sift through them so she can identify the guilty party. I thought The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit was well-written with developed characters. Sophie Winston is a friendly and relatable character. I like how various characters are still friendly despite previous relationships and residents of the community are there for each other in times of need. I love the setting of this book. The author provided beautiful descriptions of Old Town with its beautiful old homes. The DIY Home Decorating Festival was fun. There were some great items being sold along with some interesting demonstrations (I want a festival like that in my town). I especially loved the word images of Paisley’s hand painted furniture. The whodunit was a delight. I enjoy a good mystery that is thought out and complex. I had a good time solving this mystery. It was fun following Sophie as she asked questions and collected clues. I appreciated that Officer Wong and Detective Wolf are friendly. Detective Wolf does not discount Sophie There was a lot going on in The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit. Besides the whodunit and the festival, Sophie has houseguests, Paisley’s rowdy children (I do not know how she does it) plus her irritating husband (she needs to get a divorce), Natasha carrying on about her house, and the dashing new medical examiner Dr. Chryssos who takes an interest in Sophie. There are mouthwatering food descriptions (made me hungry). There are recipes at the end of the book. I enjoyed reading The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit and did not want it to end. Cozy mysteries like this one are rare. The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is a diverting tale with cute canines, a fun festival, tasty treats, a clever clue, boisterous boys, a dashing doctor, and an astute amateur sleuth.

[Micky Cox · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie Winston is back and running the DIY festival with great professionalism, if you don't count a black eye or two, until a dead body or two pops up and it looks like her best friend may be in a killer's crosshairs! The gang is back in action working hard to figure out the crime and trying to keep Nina safe! Fantastic setting, superb characters that you both love and love to hate as well as a wonderful plot to keep you on the edge of your seat. This addition to the series is quite wonderful as there is a deep pool of suspects to chose from and just when you think you have it figured out, the pool shifts and you see someone else who appears more guilty! I absolutely love this series and if you haven't started reading it, then you are absolutely missing out on the fun!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Sophie Winston has organized a DIY Home Decorating Street Fair and it looks to be a rousing success until a dead body is found in one of the backyards. Lark Bickford had just returned from a trip to Portugal. Sophie’s best friend Nina was on the same trip so she knew the trip did not go totally smoothly but could it have led to Lark’s murder? The victim did leave a clue to the killer’s identity but Sophie just can’t figure it out. When another woman from the trip is killed Sophie knows she has to step up her investigation or Nina could be next.

This series is so much fun. I love the way the characters have grown over the course of this series. In this story, Natasha is still dealing with the aftermath of her divorce from Mars but she does have some family around for support. Sophie is really on firm footing and happy with her life which is a good thing because Nina really needs her best friend right now. I love the way Mars and Bernie jump on board to help too. Sophie’s home again becomes the gathering spot to compare notes while noshing on whatever food she has whipped together. Sophie’s dog Daisy again steals my heart as does Mochie, her cat.

We are introduced to a new family, Paisley and Frank Eames, and their 6, yes 6! rambunctious boys. Paisley has some beautiful painted furniture for sale and was hoping her husband and her mother Lark would help with her tent and the boys but her mother’s death throws a real monkey wrench into her plans. Officer Wong and Detective Wolf Fleishman are on the case along with the new medical examiner Dr. Peter Chryssos who was also on the Portugal trip. These characters really came to life over the span of the story both for the good and for the bad. All the characters are very realistic. A certain little boy really tugged on my heartstrings while one of his brothers was just a little devil.

The mystery was complicated with a variety of subplots weaving in and out of the main plot. Several suspects came to light with different motives. I had several theories of my own and by the end, I learned I was partially right in one aspect and totally wrong in every other. I loved the twists that started to unfold from almost the beginning of the book. The author is a real expert in dropping clues while misdirecting her readers at the same time.

Krista Davis is an excellent storyteller. She has kept this series fresh and by the time I flipped the last page I was already excited for book 15. These characters are like old friends that I can’t wait to meet up with again. There is always a top-notch mystery that I can escape right into. I love the question/answers at the beginning of each chapter. Sophie’s answers are more my style but Natasha’s answers always crack me up.

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is an entertaining whodunit that can be read all on its own but I strongly suggest the series be read in order to really get to know Sophie, Natasha, and all their friends.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

What could be better than a trip to Old Town to visit with Sophie and her crew. Sophie Winston is in charge of the DIY festival in town. A murder occurs. Then Nina's house is broken into and another murder happens. Are they all connected? It would appear that way since all three victims had just come back from a trip to Portugal. Sophie and her friends rally to keep Nina safe. I loved all the twists in this book. Every time I thought I had the mystery figured out, another twist was thrown in. I was shocked at who the culprit was. Krista Davis writes truly believable characters that continue to grow with every book. I love the cast of Sophie, Mars, Nina, Bernie, and yes even Natasha. This is a series that I will keep coming back for more. I received this book from Kensington books and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series anyway, but I really enjoyed this book. All the usual friends are here, including Old Town, the setting for these books. Event planner Sophie Winston is in charge of Old Town's DIY festival, but dead bodies keep turning up. After two women who were on the same trip to Portugal are killed, Sophie and friends fear that her friend Nina may be the next victim. After all, she was on the trip too, and someone tried to break into her home. Nina swears that nothing happened on the trip that points to any reason for the deaths, but the group of friends try to figure out what is happening.
I have to admit that I was wrong about the murderer, and didn't realize who it was until the reveal. There were plenty of red herrings to throw me off. Oh, and let me caution you that this book features such wonderful food, you may be hungry the entire time you read it!

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spring - Alexandria, VA

The story involves a DIY fair, murder, gold, secrets, and obsession. There were a lot of crazy people running around town in this story. I liked that some things weren't what they seemed to be. One involving the first victim was my favorite. I thought the story didn't need the last chapter. I was happy not knowing what happened to that object.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE DIVA SERVES FORBIDDEN FRUIT is the fourteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis. From the charming cover to the endearing characters to the well-plotted mystery, this newest release captures it all! I always look forward to visiting Old Town Alexandria, VA and catching up with Sophie Winston and her friends. With the backdrop of creative festivals, this time around a DIY Home Decorating Festival, the characters exhibit their strengths in spades. Sophie is an expert at organizing and hosting large events while solving a multitude of problems. Natasha (Sophie’s frenemy) is a house decorating diva, however impractical her designs may be, but they do provide lighthearted humor! And Nina (Sophie’s best friend) has always been there to lend support to the multitude of bad situations Sophie finds herself in. However, in this newest release, Nina is the one needing all the support she can muster when her traveling companion is brutally murdered shortly after returning home from Portugal and finds that she might be the next victim on the killer’s list.

From the first, Ms. Davis sets up intriguing scenarios that tie in to the international travel and the ongoing festival. I was captivated as the story unfolded and each clue sent my mind scurrying off in a tangent direction. At times the crimes committed were heartbreaking but the author’s interjection of heartwarming community spirit and friendship kept the book from becoming dark. There are suspects aplenty and lots of subplots to keep track of, but in the end all the threads of the story are pulled together in a cohesive conclusion. And best of all, the ending gives the reader a heartening surprise that left a smile on my face.

Sophie is known for her generous hospitality and shows her affection and love for her friends by feeding them – all the time! So many mouthwatering meals, snacks, and desserts are served at Sophie’s table, that the reader will be left famished as they read the tasty descriptions. Fortunately, there are several recipes, both savory and sweet, at the back of the book which all sound fabulous.

I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Sophie Winston's best friend Nina returns from a trip to Portugal, death makes a violent return to charming Old Town in Alexandria , Virginia. It's up to Sophie and her sleuthing friends to keep Nina safe and figure out this international mystery.

The Domestic Diva series is one of my favorites and this book didn't disappoint. The mystery, friendship (what great fun seeing Mars, Bernie, Nina, Francie, Humphrey & even Natasha all together again), the charming descriptions of Old Town and the DIY (Do It Yourself Festival) that serves as a wonderful background for the mystery and of course - the delicious food and drinks that Sophie creates (recipes included).. The author weaves entertaining background stories for the supporting characters and in this book Natasha's family situation was funny and heartwarming. With all the action, the murder mystery doesn't get lost and I love that I feel like I'm right there detecting with Sophie. The characters are like old friends and I'm ready for another visit!

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book 14. I Love these Characters in these series. Especially Sophie and her ex husband Max. Natasha is Max ex too. But when they got divorced. She had lived in his old home the one they shared together awhile ago. Natasha always and still was competing to be better than Sophie. ( they have known each other at a young age) She had pageants when they were young and now they both have a Blog. Nina is Sophie best friend in neighbor. She is a Pet rescuer and adopts animals ( mostly dogs ) to their forever home. She had a little pup that she growing fond of while she foster her. This book in the series is about a wealthy woman Lark that her father and her grandfather were Jewelers. Of very expensive and rare jewels. ( they made them) Her daughter Paisley had 6 kids and a mean SOB of a husband Frank ( and don't get started on his mother the witch). He thought the world involved around him ( their family were a boisterous bunch) Lark could not stand him ( and the same go for him and his mom). Well Lark had died in a really weird scene. A ladder was right beside her and was very very late and to top it off she was positioned wrong. Bennett ( the son and bro) and Frank started taking all of Lark belongings ( and there were valuable items displayed on the table set up with Sophie DIY Festival. ) Sophie thought it rather strange they had done that just a few day after Lark had died. Then Paisley and her husband kept on screaming while kids were off to do destructive things. ( Tommy was the oldest young boy) he was a very smart ( had found his grandma Lark first) and would listen intently to the adults. Then some other lady died Euclie (that had gone on a vacation with Lark, and Nina) They all started talking together including Bernie ( Max and Sophie friend and best man at their wedding a long time ago) and thought that Nina must be in danger since she was on Vacation at the same place and at the time. But come to find out there were a whole lot of mean hateful people that wanted their hands on some Jewels that were so highly expensive that no one could knew exactly where they were hiding. There were 2 murders and 2 different killers one of them had copied the other just get off the cops radar. These are goid books. But sometimes they can be over the top unrealistic, but that really gives us something fun and different and excited about reading more and more. Will always read her series.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sophie picks up her friend from the airport after a cruise, on top of all the other things she has to do with the festival going on. The next day a woman who was on the cruise is murdered, leading to two other murders. Sophie is afraid for her friends life and wonders what happened on the cruise to cause people to be murdered.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good friends, food and a murder. Sophie's friend Nina just returned from a not so great trip to Portugal but little did she know that things were going to get even worse. When one traveler is murdered and Nina's house is broken into Sophie and her friends spring into action. There seems to be a reason the travelers are being targeted but can they figure out why before more people are affected.

This is one of my favorite series. The author does an excellent job with descriptions, the characters are interesting and the mystery engaging. Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm never disappointed when I read a book in the domestic diva series. Sophie and Natasha are such great characters, they always make me laugh out loud.
Sophie is preparing for the DIY Home Decorating Festival, as well as looking forward to her friend Nina's return from a long trip.
When a neighbor's sudden death rocks their small town, Sophie finds herself involved in another murder investigation, and her friend Nina could be the next victim.
Poor Sophie finds herself on the wrong side of a few fists, but nothing keeps her down.
I really liked this book, there was so much going on, and the Natasha drama never fails to make me laugh.
I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next with these lovable friends.
#TheDivaServesForbiddenFruit #NetGalley

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

THED DIVA SERVES FORBIDDEN FRUIT, the 14th entry in the delightful Domestic Diva Mystery Series, is a charming adventure full of great food and even better characters.

The cozy world building Davis achieves in all of her writing keeps her books among my favorites. The relationships between the recurring characters are warm and realistic. I wish I had a group of friends like Sophie, Mars, Bernie, and Nina. Even Sophie’s nemesis Natasha is fun, providing clueless advice and humor. The glorious food descriptions, and recipes included in the back of the book, are drool worthy.

This book dives into the murders of two members of a group of local Old Town residents that travel to Portugal. Is it all a big coincidence or tied to the vacation? The mystery is well plotted and executed, the pace good throughout. There are several suspects, clues, and misdirection to keep readers guessing. I did not figure it all out ahead of Sophie.

THE DIVA SERVES FORBIDDEN FRUIT is a great representation of the wonderful cozy mystery genre. It is sure to please old and new readers alike. Highly recommended.

I received an ARC of this title from Kensington Books through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 14 in this mystery series

Sophie Winston is getting ready for the DIY home decorating festival street fair. Nina her best friend needs a ride from the airport where she is coming home from a trip to Portugal with other friends from the neighborhood. Sophie is surprised to see Nina looking in a state of disrepair and with no shoes on at the airport, Sophie can only assume the trip wasn’t a pleasant one.

When one of Nina’s traveling friends ends up murder in what looks like a accident Sophie isn’t fooled and starts investigating on her own.

As the mystery unfolds so does the victims, and there are many suspects. If she doesn’t solve it soon Nina could be the next one to die.
To save her friend and catch a killer Sophie has to pull out all her investigating know how.

I love visiting with Sophie and her friends on all there escapades. I love this series and can’t wait for the next book!!

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sophie is up to her eyeballs with work now that the DIY Home Decorating Festival is in town. Dealing with all the different people like decorators and artists is definitely a full time job. No matter what she is doing it doesn't keep her from helping any of her friends in need. Her neighbor Nina needs a ride from the airport and she is happy to help although she is shocked by her appearance when she gets off the plane. By the looks of things Nina's trip to Portugal must not have gone as planned. The following day they learn that someone from Anna's traveling group turns up dead. It looks to be an accident but Sophie is sure its murder and decides to look into things herself. Things get even more mysterious when more people end up dead. Sophie knows she has to figure out who the killer is before her friend Nina becomes the next victim. Will Sophie figure out just who the killer is or will they get away with murder?

[OpenBookSociety.com · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://openbooksociety.com/article/t...

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Daniele

This fourteenth entry in the charming Domestic Diva Mystery series is full of food, friendship, humor, and murder. The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is as fresh as ever and delightful cozy reading.

Event planner Sophie Winston is busy with Old Town’s DIY Home Decorating Festival but never too busy to help out her best friend and next door neighbor Nina when she needs a ride home from the airport. Nina is a wreck…obviously her group trip to Portugal did not end well. A member of the travel group is soon found dead, and it initially looks like an unfortunate accident, but Sophie is not convinced. When another of the group also dies, and there is an attempted break-in at Nina’s house, Sophie, Mars, and Bernie move into action to keep Nina safe and solve the crimes.

Krista Davis’s Domestic Diva series has always been a favorite, and it continues to set a high standard in the cozy mystery genre. The mysteries are well plotted, and Davis is a talented storyteller, but the highlight of these books for me is the camaraderie between Sophie and her ex-husband and friends…and, of course, all of the talk of delicious food (recipes are included in the back of the book). Sophie is such a warm and caring character. I find all the characters, with the exception of Natasha, to be so relatable, and this far into the series they feel like old friends. I wish I could hang out in Sophie’s kitchen and enjoy dinner and conversation. I thought I had these murders all figured out but was surprised by how it all played out. The more Sophie investigates, the more suspects with good motives she finds. There are clues and lots of red herrings sprinkled throughout the tale. Readers can count on Davis to consistently spin smart puzzles.

The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit is sure to please both established fans and new readers alike. I hope there are many, many more books including Sophie and friends to come. Highly recommended.

[Dawn Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh how I love visiting with Sophie and her friends and this one did not disappoint; after several just average cozies, it was so good to dive into one that I knew I'd love and thankfully, that was the case here.

This was a really good read; I love Sophie, Nina, Bernie, and Mars together [I look at them as the Fantastic Four] and how well they work together to keep Nina safe [and later, Sophie as well] and to solve the mystery. ALLLLL while doing their regular jobs!! IMAGINE THAT!!!! Which again just proves that adults CAN do their jobs [I will give here that Sophie's job makes it easier to do both, but she STILL DOES IT before snooping] and solve mysteries. Other authors should take note. Seriously.

Return from a whirlwind overseas trip, murder, mayhem, out-of-control children, out-of-control husbands and a DIY craft fair is the setting of this book and it just keeps you guessing from beginning to end. I was SURE I knew who the killer was but was wrong this time [though my second guess was correct], which is always a plus and there are a couple of unexpected zingers in this one [one that includes Natasha of course LOL] and that keeps it hopping. All-in-all, this was a very good, very enjoyable read!! Well done!!

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

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another seriously good read in a wonderful series. You know you are always going to get an interesting venue, amazing food talk, a confounding mystery and a visit with old friends when you read Ms Davis' Diva series. This time while Sophie is handling a do it yourself fair, she needs to deal with a neighbor's murder and someone going after her best friend Nina. What follows includes gold coins, murders and Crown jewels, you definitely want to be around for the ride!

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite mystery series because I love the main character, event planner Sophie Winston. The friendships portrayed between her and her best friends make these books a pleasure to read. I would love to have a friend like Sophie. In between planning and running events and making treats for friends, she is able to solve crimes that her ex-boyfriend, Wolf, isn't able to, at least now without Sophie’s help. I also really like the Old Town Alexandria, Virginia setting and the descriptions of the wonderful homes and events in the area.

The murder mystery in this book is a little confusing but it did keep me guessing. Even though the book is part of a series, it reads as a standalone. I've enjoyed others in this series more, but still really liked the book. The books in the Domestic Diva series are always entertaining, although I’m continually baffled how people tolerate the rudeness of Natasha, Sophie’s frenemy. I’m sure many consider her funny, but I find her very annoying. When Natasha isn’t in the mix, I love the camaraderie between Sophie and her friends Nina, Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars. As much as I enjoy the friendship between Sophie and her ex, I admit to holding out hope for Sophie and Mars to get back together as a couple.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing an advance copy of this ebook. The book was provided to me at no cost, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story for this series! I love Sophie and her crew of humans/animals! The way they work together keeps you into the story. I have to say that I kind of figured out a small part with the ending but not 100%. It was fun guessing what was going to happen. This story didn't focus on a romance for the main character but threw in some little things. Not sure if the author will give her a permanent guy but I hope the series goes on for awhile so that maybe she has a chance!! Also, I loved the way it ended!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I haven’t read a Domestic Diva Mystery for a while now. But it was nice picking up where I left off. A great mystery with such likable characters. Krista Davis is a wonderful author. And she kept me guessing until the end. I definitely won’t wait so long to read the next book.

[Anna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another five star read from Krista Davis! I always love visiting Sophie and the gang in Old Town. I couldn’t guess the murderer, which I love! So many twists and turns, loose ends that always tie up in the end. This whole series is a great treat and I can’t recommend it enough to every cozy reader! Thank you to Kensington for sending me a copy!