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A Domestic Diva Mystery #16
The Diva Delivers on a Promise
In a delicious new Domestic Diva Mystery from New York Times bestselling author Krista Davis, entertaining guru Sophie Winston is coordinating a convention for ghost kitchens in Old Town, Alexandria–and trying to keep a killer from making a deadly delivery…
Sophie is busy handling the first ever convention of the Association of Ghost Kitchens—restaurants that do delivery only—but she’s taking a little time out for a lunch meeting organized by A Healthy Meal. The group is dedicated to providing meals for children in need, and as a bonus, it’ll give Sophie the perfect opportunity to ogle the lavish Old Town home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield. Gerrie’s dining room is impeccably furnished, the table laden with gleaming crystal and prized china. If it weren’t for the dead man lying on the floor, everything would be perfect...
No one knows the victim—or at least, no one claims to. But a little snooping by Sophie reveals links to many local notables. In fact, not only was he a client of Geraldine’s late husband, an attorney—every member of the Stansfield clan knew the deceased. But only one knows what he was doing in Gerrie’s house.
Gerrie’s elegant abode looks spotless, but there’s plenty of dirty linen in those family closets. Now Sophie will have to get the killer to come clean before he spoils another appetite—for good...
Sophie is busy handling the first ever convention of the Association of Ghost Kitchens—restaurants that do delivery only—but she’s taking a little time out for a lunch meeting organized by A Healthy Meal. The group is dedicated to providing meals for children in need, and as a bonus, it’ll give Sophie the perfect opportunity to ogle the lavish Old Town home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield. Gerrie’s dining room is impeccably furnished, the table laden with gleaming crystal and prized china. If it weren’t for the dead man lying on the floor, everything would be perfect...
No one knows the victim—or at least, no one claims to. But a little snooping by Sophie reveals links to many local notables. In fact, not only was he a client of Geraldine’s late husband, an attorney—every member of the Stansfield clan knew the deceased. But only one knows what he was doing in Gerrie’s house.
Gerrie’s elegant abode looks spotless, but there’s plenty of dirty linen in those family closets. Now Sophie will have to get the killer to come clean before he spoils another appetite—for good...
304 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
153 people are currently reading
8692 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 265 reviews
August 22, 2023
Another fun cozy from a favorite author!
May 11, 2023
This is book 16 in the Domestic Diva Mystery series. I haven’t read all of the previous books, but I have read several of them and think that they work as standalones. I really enjoy Krista Davis as an author and I think it’s her talent that has me loving so much a cozy mystery series about a domestic diva (which would not be my natural inclination). Sophie, our amateur sleuth, is headed to a luncheon with some of the ladies of town but when they get there they find a dead man, stabbed with the hostess’ knife. Sophie knows her friend couldn’t have done this so she can’t help but investigate. I really liked the twist sand turns the mystery took and found all the characters to be very interesting. I did enjoy that ghost kitchens were so prominently featured in this one as it was something I had never heard of before.
July 29, 2024
This is the first in this long series that I have read. I felt it was much too long and it didn’t really describe what city they were in ! Parts of it were good. I would maybe read another one. Recipes sound good .
December 31, 2022
The Domestic Diva series is one of my favorite!
Sophie and Natasha make this series believable, their odd friendship and competitiveness always making me laugh.
This story was well done and I had no idea what to expect from the reveal.
I think I'd enjoy meeting all the great people in this book, but maybe we could eliminate the whole discovery of a dead body!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
#TheDivaDeliversonaPromise #NetGalley.
Sophie and Natasha make this series believable, their odd friendship and competitiveness always making me laugh.
This story was well done and I had no idea what to expect from the reveal.
I think I'd enjoy meeting all the great people in this book, but maybe we could eliminate the whole discovery of a dead body!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
#TheDivaDeliversonaPromise #NetGalley.
May 31, 2023
Huge fan of this series because 1) Sophie is relatable, 2) Old Town is personal favorite of mine, and 3) I love the letters at the beginning of every chapter. I learn so much about different aspects of hospitality and feel like I am visiting with friends every time I pick up a book. The mysteries are always well plotted and there is always just enough to keep me guessing until the very end. Bonus points for finally letting me know how it’s possible to have food around for unexpected guests (I’ve been wondering for years how she always has something available. A great addition to the series and I highly recommend this for anyone who loves a little whodunnit with friends.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and @kensingtonbooks for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley and @kensingtonbooks for an honest review.
May 29, 2023
I've read all the previous books in this series and was very much looking forward to this one.
It was lacking in the interactions of the friends that was key in the earlier books.
The cover is really pretty.
It was lacking in the interactions of the friends that was key in the earlier books.
The cover is really pretty.
February 6, 2023
.I may not be a caterer, advice columnist or amateur sleuth but when I enter the cozy mystery world of Sophie Winston and her lovable and quirky friends, I become all three. Sleuthing with Sophie also makes me want to bake and snack and visit all the beautiful and historical settings of Old Town Alexandria. Ghost
kitchens who cook for those who need a intimate dinner or a large society gathering catered, are flourishing in Old Town. Even Natasha tries her hand at the new trend. The problem is someone has targeted a friend of Sophie's for the murder of a person who may or may not be connected to a kitchen. Now, Sophie is determined to help even if it puts her in the crosshairs of a murderer.
The book was classic Sophie with her talent for solving mysteries, catering and creating elegant dinners and decor, with her "down to earth" likability and straightforward manners and decorating advice column along with her fierce determination to protect those she loves.
Settle down in a cozy place and get ready for a "whodunit" that will keep you guessing and snacking. Be sure to check out the delicious recipes!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
kitchens who cook for those who need a intimate dinner or a large society gathering catered, are flourishing in Old Town. Even Natasha tries her hand at the new trend. The problem is someone has targeted a friend of Sophie's for the murder of a person who may or may not be connected to a kitchen. Now, Sophie is determined to help even if it puts her in the crosshairs of a murderer.
The book was classic Sophie with her talent for solving mysteries, catering and creating elegant dinners and decor, with her "down to earth" likability and straightforward manners and decorating advice column along with her fierce determination to protect those she loves.
Settle down in a cozy place and get ready for a "whodunit" that will keep you guessing and snacking. Be sure to check out the delicious recipes!
I received an ARC from NetGalley and the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 27, 2023
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Sophie is always busy and in this story, she has taken on the Association of Ghost Kitchens convention, their first, as ghost kitchens are a new thing. She is also working with A Healthy Meal, a group organized to provide children in need with healthy meals. The lunch meeting is being hosted by socialite Geraldine Stansfield in her beautiful home. The committee arrives ready to work out their plans but before they can even get started the luncheon comes to a screeching halt, thanks to the dead man on the floor next to the table with a knife in his chest.
Sophie tries to take control by calling 911 and keeping the other women away from the body. The dead man looks familiar but she can’t place him but it seems Geraldine Stansfield and her entire family knew him and they are not talking. No one claims to know what he was doing in the house or why he would have been killed there. Assuming the only ghosts around are the kitchens, Sophie knows to get The Healthy Meal and the people of Old Town back on track she is going to have to track down the killer, probably with Nina by her side.
________________
I love this series! The characters created by Ms. Davis are always engaging and doing interesting things. Sophie is down-to-earth and practical. Natasha is so crazy with her ideas and recipes and still hoping to win back Mars even though he seems pretty happy right now. Nina is the best friend ever, always up for a stake-out complete with snacks. Bernie too is always game to help Sophie especially when his business is involved. The author even gets the pets right. Daisy is such a good dog and I love that Mars and Sophie share custody. Mochie, Sophie’s ocicat has such a personality and clearly makes his wishes and demands known.
We are introduced to several new characters and all are unique, relevant to the story, and are allowed to evolve over the course of the story.
The mysteries contained in this story are so well written and plotted. Twists and turns, suspense and humor, clues and motives, all come together to keep the reader’s attention and on our toes. The author weaves together the main plots and subplots with such ease. The story flows perfectly. I really enjoyed tagging along with Sophie as she juggled everything she was involved in. When that final clue fell into place and Sophie stepped in I gave a little cheer. She is a strong woman and I loved the way she took control and empowered another character too.
The theme of ghost kitchens was so timely. Due to COVID, they’ve become a legitimate and even preferred alternative to starting up a full-fledged restaurant. These kitchens make food for delivery only. I loved learning about them and realized they are everywhere.
As always, the advice questions and answers that start each chapter are always a treat. Natasha’s advice probably should never be taken while Sophie’s responses are spot-on and helpful.
Ms. Davis has written another fabulous mystery. Her descriptive style makes it so easy to escape into the story. The characters are genuine and I have truly become invested in their lives. I hate when each book in this series ends because I always want more and never seem to be ready to leave Old Town.
Krista Davis never fails to deliver. The Diva Delivers on a Promise was truly a Perfect Escape. It’s an excellent addition to this series and I can’t for Book 17 next year to see what Sophie and her friends get into next!
Sophie is always busy and in this story, she has taken on the Association of Ghost Kitchens convention, their first, as ghost kitchens are a new thing. She is also working with A Healthy Meal, a group organized to provide children in need with healthy meals. The lunch meeting is being hosted by socialite Geraldine Stansfield in her beautiful home. The committee arrives ready to work out their plans but before they can even get started the luncheon comes to a screeching halt, thanks to the dead man on the floor next to the table with a knife in his chest.
Sophie tries to take control by calling 911 and keeping the other women away from the body. The dead man looks familiar but she can’t place him but it seems Geraldine Stansfield and her entire family knew him and they are not talking. No one claims to know what he was doing in the house or why he would have been killed there. Assuming the only ghosts around are the kitchens, Sophie knows to get The Healthy Meal and the people of Old Town back on track she is going to have to track down the killer, probably with Nina by her side.
________________
I love this series! The characters created by Ms. Davis are always engaging and doing interesting things. Sophie is down-to-earth and practical. Natasha is so crazy with her ideas and recipes and still hoping to win back Mars even though he seems pretty happy right now. Nina is the best friend ever, always up for a stake-out complete with snacks. Bernie too is always game to help Sophie especially when his business is involved. The author even gets the pets right. Daisy is such a good dog and I love that Mars and Sophie share custody. Mochie, Sophie’s ocicat has such a personality and clearly makes his wishes and demands known.
We are introduced to several new characters and all are unique, relevant to the story, and are allowed to evolve over the course of the story.
The mysteries contained in this story are so well written and plotted. Twists and turns, suspense and humor, clues and motives, all come together to keep the reader’s attention and on our toes. The author weaves together the main plots and subplots with such ease. The story flows perfectly. I really enjoyed tagging along with Sophie as she juggled everything she was involved in. When that final clue fell into place and Sophie stepped in I gave a little cheer. She is a strong woman and I loved the way she took control and empowered another character too.
The theme of ghost kitchens was so timely. Due to COVID, they’ve become a legitimate and even preferred alternative to starting up a full-fledged restaurant. These kitchens make food for delivery only. I loved learning about them and realized they are everywhere.
As always, the advice questions and answers that start each chapter are always a treat. Natasha’s advice probably should never be taken while Sophie’s responses are spot-on and helpful.
Ms. Davis has written another fabulous mystery. Her descriptive style makes it so easy to escape into the story. The characters are genuine and I have truly become invested in their lives. I hate when each book in this series ends because I always want more and never seem to be ready to leave Old Town.
Krista Davis never fails to deliver. The Diva Delivers on a Promise was truly a Perfect Escape. It’s an excellent addition to this series and I can’t for Book 17 next year to see what Sophie and her friends get into next!
May 4, 2023
This is the 16th book in this long running series. But only the 2nd book in the series that I have read. The first book I read is book #15 and honestly, most of my opinions on this series hasn't changed. But I do find myself warming up to it.
I said this in my first review with book #15, and I'll say it again for this book(#16). Not a great standalone book to read. But doable if not familiar with the series. Story is interesting but there is an onslaught of characters early on and I often found myself struggling to keep up with who each character is. And how they're related.
I am not a fan of Krista Davis's writing style. There is something about her prose that I find stark. But the plot was interesting. The mystery of not just one murder but 2 AND an attempted murder AND adding on to all the other odd events and wanting to know how they crossed over each other and why... Whew! It was a lot and kept the mysteries interesting. Not overwhelming, but exciting. I didn't find it a hard mystery to solve, but the relationships between the characters took time to work out. I really wanted the Jessica Fletcher moment when everything was laid out, explained, and resolved. We sort of get that at the end. Felt more like playing CLUE. (Col. Mustard, in the library, with the candle stick.) Solid 3 stars on this go around with the Domestic Diva Mystery Series. Nice cozy. And I'm willing to continue with it.
Thank you #netgalley & #Kensington for the kindle ARC.
I said this in my first review with book #15, and I'll say it again for this book(#16). Not a great standalone book to read. But doable if not familiar with the series. Story is interesting but there is an onslaught of characters early on and I often found myself struggling to keep up with who each character is. And how they're related.
I am not a fan of Krista Davis's writing style. There is something about her prose that I find stark. But the plot was interesting. The mystery of not just one murder but 2 AND an attempted murder AND adding on to all the other odd events and wanting to know how they crossed over each other and why... Whew! It was a lot and kept the mysteries interesting. Not overwhelming, but exciting. I didn't find it a hard mystery to solve, but the relationships between the characters took time to work out. I really wanted the Jessica Fletcher moment when everything was laid out, explained, and resolved. We sort of get that at the end. Felt more like playing CLUE. (Col. Mustard, in the library, with the candle stick.) Solid 3 stars on this go around with the Domestic Diva Mystery Series. Nice cozy. And I'm willing to continue with it.
Thank you #netgalley & #Kensington for the kindle ARC.
June 14, 2023
I’ve never been tempted to become a caterer or an advice columnist (unless that advice is related to books… come to think of it, I guess that’s kinda what my blog is lol) but after all the cozy mysteries I’ve read or watched and the true crime TV shows and podcasts I follow I’m basically an amateur detective, right? So if I can relate to nothing else about Sophie Winston, we can at least bond over sleuthing.
I’ve said this before but Sophie is such a great cozy mystery heroine – she’s sharp, savvy, and observant as well as compassionate toward others and a good friend. She also works closely with the police instead of against them, and in fact includes two of them among her circle of friends. She’s the kind of friend who always shows up and the kind of significant other her exes want to remain close to. (On that note, there are hints of some rekindling romance with one of them in this book and I’m here for it!) She values giving back to the community, too, but in The Diva Delivers on a Promise her charitable aspirations are temporarily tabled when the luncheon she attends features a dead body that was most definitely not on the agenda.
I really enjoyed watching Sophie and Nina investigate this case, with the help of their inner circle whom I also love (not the least of which are her dog Daisy and cat Mochie). Their instincts are spot-on even if they hand us a few red herrings in the process. This murder mystery was fascinating to me – ghost kitchens (which I’ve seen popping up on Door Dash but didn’t know the name for them), fraud, con men, family secrets. The list goes on. So many layers that were such fun to unpack as the story progressed.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a mouthwatering and entertaining cozy mystery to fill your weekend reading, The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis has got you covered! Have some snacks on hand because Sophie and her friends love to eat yummy food to fuel their sleuthing, and thankfully some of the recipes are included in the back of the book. The plot is well-crafted with several interesting twists, and the characters are – as usual – delightful to spend time with as you read.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I’ve said this before but Sophie is such a great cozy mystery heroine – she’s sharp, savvy, and observant as well as compassionate toward others and a good friend. She also works closely with the police instead of against them, and in fact includes two of them among her circle of friends. She’s the kind of friend who always shows up and the kind of significant other her exes want to remain close to. (On that note, there are hints of some rekindling romance with one of them in this book and I’m here for it!) She values giving back to the community, too, but in The Diva Delivers on a Promise her charitable aspirations are temporarily tabled when the luncheon she attends features a dead body that was most definitely not on the agenda.
I really enjoyed watching Sophie and Nina investigate this case, with the help of their inner circle whom I also love (not the least of which are her dog Daisy and cat Mochie). Their instincts are spot-on even if they hand us a few red herrings in the process. This murder mystery was fascinating to me – ghost kitchens (which I’ve seen popping up on Door Dash but didn’t know the name for them), fraud, con men, family secrets. The list goes on. So many layers that were such fun to unpack as the story progressed.
Bottom Line: If you’re looking for a mouthwatering and entertaining cozy mystery to fill your weekend reading, The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis has got you covered! Have some snacks on hand because Sophie and her friends love to eat yummy food to fuel their sleuthing, and thankfully some of the recipes are included in the back of the book. The plot is well-crafted with several interesting twists, and the characters are – as usual – delightful to spend time with as you read.
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
May 20, 2023
First off, thanks to #NetGalley for the chance to read this! Krista Davis is probably my favorite cozy author. She NEVER disappoints and this one is no exception to that rule. Love Sophie and all her cohorts. A good mystery and some good recipes to boot. Another home run in a first class series! A 10 for sure!
March 20, 2023
This series is one that made me fall in love with reading cozy mysteries so when I get the chance to read the newest one, I'm anxious to read it. Thank you to Netgalley and Kensington for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for a fair review.
Sophie is working a conference on Ghost Kitchens. That in itself was interesting enough for this read. But, of course there's a murder or two...no surprise there. The location is surprising and different which adds to the interest. Along with that, we have mysteries inside of mysteries. It's a fun read and kept me quite curious to the end.
On the personal side, we have all the friends there and Natasha who is so self involved all I can do is laugh at her.
I do have one request from Krista Davis. Whenever this series is set to end, I would love to see Sophie back with Mars. A simple request....
Sophie is working a conference on Ghost Kitchens. That in itself was interesting enough for this read. But, of course there's a murder or two...no surprise there. The location is surprising and different which adds to the interest. Along with that, we have mysteries inside of mysteries. It's a fun read and kept me quite curious to the end.
On the personal side, we have all the friends there and Natasha who is so self involved all I can do is laugh at her.
I do have one request from Krista Davis. Whenever this series is set to end, I would love to see Sophie back with Mars. A simple request....
March 16, 2023
I have loved this series from the beginning. I love the characters, the setting, the food...but, this one was a tad disappointing in the mystery department. I appreciated the insight into Wong's background and the fun of Nina and Sophie tailing people (with snacks!), but I felt there was just a hodgepodge of "mysteries" and none was the real focus. This installment felt like a Diva Mystery Light...the meat of a mystery wasn't there. Almost like a "in between" books installment.
That being said, I am still in love with the gang and will be back for the next installment.
That being said, I am still in love with the gang and will be back for the next installment.
May 28, 2023
Another great chance to visit with Sophie and company. I really loved this visit as all our favorite characters, major and minor figure in. Between her ghost kitchen convention, a very interesting concept, and her charity work Sophie runs into characters high, a Senator and low, a delivery driver, using his employer resources to further his own schemes, but who is the murderer? When a second murder takes place Sophie needs to scramble before there is more carnage. As usual a highly entertaining mystery that will leave you hungry!
August 27, 2023
There's just something so charming about the Domestic Diva series from Krista Davis. This is one of the first cozy mystery series I ever read, and it just keeps getting better and better. The characters are engaging, and I love that each chapter starts with a bit of entertaining advice from either Sophie or her diva rival, Natasha. The mystery in The Diva Delivers on a Promise centers around the phenomenon of ghost kitchens. I loved reading about them and found this another great edition to the series!
June 11, 2023
As someone who has been reading this series from the beginning [2008!! So crazy!!], I have huge expectations when I get a new one in this [great to me] series, and thankfully, with a minor caveat, this one delivers once again.
It is always so fun to visit again with book friends and I never realize how much I miss Sophie,Nina, Mars, Bernie, Daisy, and Mochie until I sit down with them again, and then I don't want the story end because I am enjoying my time with them so much, and friends, THIS was quite the story. Murder, blackmail, anger, bitterness and wanting something someone else has enough to want to kill them - it is all here in this book and all the suspects lead Sophie and Nina on a merry chase [and I LOVE how Nina has become a part of all the mysteries now; I just love her and how there is no competition between her and Sophie; just true friendship and caring - it is so refreshing] until the very end.
Unfortunately, that is where we reach the caveat - the end. Sigh. For such a great book, with so much going on, that end was...meh. Totally tepid and flat. And really, it was so unsatisfying. I am not sure what happened, but it was totally an ending that was unworthy of the book and the story that had just been told. While I cannot, in good faith, rate it less than 4 stars [because until the end, it is a fantastic story that I had to MAKE myself put down to move on to something else {like sleep LOL} and was almost a 5 star read for me; when you are sure it is one person and then that person becomes unavailable and you are left scratching your head, THAT is a sign you've been reading a great story], that end made it right on the border [in my own rating system] and certainly kept it from being higher.
All that said, I am so glad I was able to read this and I look forward to more adventures with Sophie and company. These books have been such a joy in my reading life and I have loved going on all the mystery adventures Krista Davis writes for us.
Thank you to NetGalley, Krista Davis, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
It is always so fun to visit again with book friends and I never realize how much I miss Sophie,Nina, Mars, Bernie, Daisy, and Mochie until I sit down with them again, and then I don't want the story end because I am enjoying my time with them so much, and friends, THIS was quite the story. Murder, blackmail, anger, bitterness and wanting something someone else has enough to want to kill them - it is all here in this book and all the suspects lead Sophie and Nina on a merry chase [and I LOVE how Nina has become a part of all the mysteries now; I just love her and how there is no competition between her and Sophie; just true friendship and caring - it is so refreshing] until the very end.
Unfortunately, that is where we reach the caveat - the end. Sigh. For such a great book, with so much going on, that end was...meh. Totally tepid and flat. And really, it was so unsatisfying. I am not sure what happened, but it was totally an ending that was unworthy of the book and the story that had just been told. While I cannot, in good faith, rate it less than 4 stars [because until the end, it is a fantastic story that I had to MAKE myself put down to move on to something else {like sleep LOL} and was almost a 5 star read for me; when you are sure it is one person and then that person becomes unavailable and you are left scratching your head, THAT is a sign you've been reading a great story], that end made it right on the border [in my own rating system] and certainly kept it from being higher.
All that said, I am so glad I was able to read this and I look forward to more adventures with Sophie and company. These books have been such a joy in my reading life and I have loved going on all the mystery adventures Krista Davis writes for us.
Thank you to NetGalley, Krista Davis, and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 21, 2023
Sophie Winston is an event planner whose latest event is a convention of delivery only "ghost" kitchens. However, it's while attending a committee meeting of a local group dedicated to making sure children in need have healthy meals to eat that she ends up investigating a murder.
The Domestic Diva series is one of my favorites and it's always great spending time with Sophie and her friends Nina, Mars, and Bernie. She and Nina make a great team looking into the murder and uncovering secrets that provide a motive for several Old Town Alexandria residents. Sophie and Nina often laugh at the antics of Sophie's longtime frenemy Natasha Smith, who has just started a cookie delivery business. However, I find her entitled attitude annoying to say the least. I enjoy the other main characters and have my fingers crossed that a development in Sophie's personal life will progress the way I'm hoping, but it was left up in the air.
The solution to the mystery is complicated, but the way things are wrapped up is satisfying. As always, each chapter begins with letters from either Sophie or Natasha's domestic advice column and there are recipes at the end of the book that sound tasty. If only I had Sophie's cooking talent!
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
The Domestic Diva series is one of my favorites and it's always great spending time with Sophie and her friends Nina, Mars, and Bernie. She and Nina make a great team looking into the murder and uncovering secrets that provide a motive for several Old Town Alexandria residents. Sophie and Nina often laugh at the antics of Sophie's longtime frenemy Natasha Smith, who has just started a cookie delivery business. However, I find her entitled attitude annoying to say the least. I enjoy the other main characters and have my fingers crossed that a development in Sophie's personal life will progress the way I'm hoping, but it was left up in the air.
The solution to the mystery is complicated, but the way things are wrapped up is satisfying. As always, each chapter begins with letters from either Sophie or Natasha's domestic advice column and there are recipes at the end of the book that sound tasty. If only I had Sophie's cooking talent!
I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Kensington Books. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
May 23, 2023
Sophie is looking forward to the get together at Geraldine Stansfield house where they will be discussing A Healthy Meal, an organization that provides meals for needy children. Everyone arrives and the set up is lovely that is all except for the dead body. Geraldine had run out for a moment so she says she doesn't know what happened to the young man. The cops arrive and it looks like Geraldine is their main suspect. Sophie believes her friend is innocent and agrees to look into things for her. She soon realizes that her friends family has many hidden secrets. Follow along as Sophie delves into those secrets in hopes of nabbing a killer and clearing her friends name.
September 6, 2023
When Sophie attends a charity luncheon for needy children at the home of neighbor Gerrie Stansfield, she never expects to find a dead body! When entering the dining room, one of the other ladies discovers a man lying with one of Gerrie's kitchen knives sticking out of his chest! Sophie isn't sure who he is but he looks somewhat familiar. Wolf and Wong recognize Russ Everett, a local lowlife. When Natasha's sister, Charlene, calls looking for help with her deliveries because her driver is missing, Sophie fears the worst but Irv does not match the description of the man on Gerrie's floor. After delivering a few meals for Charlene, Sophie and Nina find Irv lying in his van with a nasty blow to the head. Is he still alive? Who attacked him and why? None of this is Sophie's business as she has actual business downtown at the Ghost Kitchen Convention with Gerrie's soon-to-be-ex-daughter-in-law, Colleen. Sophie is not prepared to take on solving a murder but when Gerrie tearfully comes to Sophie, believing she'll be arrested for a crime she didn't commit and fearing one of her family members did, Sophie gives in to Gerrie's pleas and tries to help out. Then, another body turns up at Gerrie's and someone commits fraud first against Bernie and other restauranteurs and then Natasha's business, the friends are furious and want answers. Are all the events connected? They seem to circle back to Russ and the original murder. What was he up to and was one of Gerry's family or neighbors involved?
This was the best book in the series so far. Most of the time I feel like this series has way too many plot threads and some are unnecessary. This one dials it back a bit. It sounds like a lot but it's not and everything does come together in the end. The unnecessary plot was the cozy Natasha-Mars-Sophie triangle but it was minimal. I kept turning pages late into the night and never figured out who the murderer/s was/were or even why! I didn't even suspect some of it.
There is too much Natasha in this story for me. She never changes and I always want to slap her. Daisy didn't get to play a big role in the story as it is her week with Mars. Too bad. The cover is cute but inaccurate. Sophie manages not to be judgmental/sizeist/ageist for the most part. She's empathetic and tries to see all sides of the issue. She's smart enough to be wary of slimy men who try to win her over with their sleazy charm and I appreciate that. Nina is along for the ride but not quite as much as usual. Francie is mostly absent. I do not like how overprotective Mars and Bernie get whenever there's danger around Sophie. What, exactly, is going to happen if an intruder breaks in when one of the men is sleeping downstairs? The murderer will just kill him first! Sophie is smart and can take care of herself. She just needs to get better at security and she does, a bit.
Gerrie Stansfield is a domestic goddess of the old school variety. Now elderly, her family owns a restaurant supply business she spun off into a retail store. Literally no one needs any of that stuff or to entertain like that, especially for a charity luncheon. Maybe at a tea shop or fancy restaurant, yes but at home? No. Once again these people have way too much money and they make me glad I never got a job in Old Town. Gerrie is nice though and not pretentious or snobby in any way. Her father made his money the hard way as did her beloved husband. Gerrie is a grieving widow. Her husband Edwin, a lawyer, recently passed away. Edwin was a lawyer who had a reputation for being tough and gruff but Gerrie painted a lovely picture of a man who was devoted to his family, especially his only granddaughter. Both Gerrie and Edwin adore 12-year-old Penelope. Edwin had a special bond with the girl, surprising everyone! He took care of his family for many years and it's tough for Gerrie to cope but getting on with things is her way of dealing with her grief. She's arranged a charity luncheon to organize healthy meals for needy children. That's very admirable of her. Finding someone murdered in her home barely rattles Gerrie but I don't think it means she's guilty. She seems as devoted to her family as her husband was although I think he practiced tough love, she's more of an enabler. Her bond with Penelope is very sweet. Now it seems as if someone is gaslighting Gerrie!
My money is on Todd, her worthless son. He may have ADHD, it's not stated, but he reminds me a lot of someone who does have ADHD but is able to function better than Todd. Todd is a loser. He's always the life of every party, people find him charming, etc. etc. but he's a loser. He's lazy, not very bright or driven. As a child he had everything handed to him and he seems to expect to go through life that way even though his father tried hard to get his sons to get real jobs and work. Todd is a lazy parent too. He's not good with Penelope and when he's not there for her, she goes crying to her mother and then Colleen looks like she's too tough on Todd. Colleen is a good mother. She's a little helicopterish but not too bad. She just wants what's best for her daughter which is stability and structure. Penelope is a good kid but she's 12. She doesn't understand adult issues yet. Good thing she has her beloved "Cookie" (Gerrie) to comfort her and love her.
The murder victim, Russ, was known to the Stansfield family. Their history goes back generations, to Gerrie's childhood and Russ's grandfather. Gerrie feels the past is catching up with her and she's terrified. Wong and Wolf and even Bernie know Russ to be a low level criminal and Wong is not surprised Russ came to a bad end. Still, his death was sad because he seemed to be trying but not succeeding to be a better person. He had a past and it may have come back to bite him. I feel sorry for his mother. In this book we meet Eddie, Officer Wong's evil ex. Wong claims Eddie is a narcissist, a master manipulator and a con artist and she is terrified! Sophie has never seen Officer Wong like this before so she knows something must be very wrong with Eddie for Wong to be so upset. Eddie is slick and more clever than Todd and Russ. He knows how to get to Sophie and make her doubt what she feels is true. He'll come to a bad end sooner or later, whether from another con or the police.
Other suspects include Gerrie's eldest son Jim. Now come on! The man rescues elephants in his spare time! He runs Moss Restaurant Supply, his grandfather's business and I don't think it makes him a bad person that he made his administrative assistant redundant. Sophie and anyone younger than Betty can see what happened. As Sophie notes, all that bookkeeping stuff is automated now and secretarial schools are no more. However, his current secretary is pretty bad. She wants to get with Jim, probably a gold digger, and makes no secret of it. Who is the petite blond woman in the office? Was she eavesdropping on Sophie and Jim's conversation? Why?
Jim doesn't seem suspicious but Gerrie's neighbors, Senator and Mrs. Keswick do. Senator Albert Keswick is super nosy or guilty. He's first to come and look when the first victim is found. Why is that? He seems suspicious to me when questioned by Sophie. His wife is the suspicious sort. Even though she's not awake until after noon and doesn't love her husband, she still suspects him of having an affair with Gerrie. Is he? That sounds ludicrous but she's a grieving widow and might be quick to fall into the arms of another strong man. Did his wife kill Russ to frame Gerrie? That just sounds weird but maybe weird enough to be true. Another suspect is Jenna Ryder who was on the scene when the first body was found. She seems to know the man and ran out of the house very quickly. She has a secret and one she would kill to keep. It seems far-fetched and over the top but rich people do dumb stuff.
Todd's friend Dale seems a little slimy to me. What's with the aviator sunglasses? I think they're trying to plan a ghost kitchen but neither has the smarts to pull it off. Are they planning a scam? Is it tied to Russ's murder or Irv's attack or the second murder or all three? Todd's girlfriend and Dale's sister, Nicci, is sleazy too. She's the brassy type who senses easy pickings. She's trying to be Penelope's BFF or older sister, which would be OK if she's not angling for the stepmother position and custody of Penelope. Yikes! I don't suspect Dale and Nicci are clever enough to pull off any scams Russ was involved in or are the murderers but I'm not sure Dale is not involved with Todd in shady business connected to the murders. What about Irv? Innocent bystander and accidental victim or was he connected too? I got Irv and Russ confused because they both sound like losers who can't figure out how to live life honestly.
Some of the recipes sound really good even if the domestic column tips are silly and pointless.
This was the best book in the series so far. Most of the time I feel like this series has way too many plot threads and some are unnecessary. This one dials it back a bit. It sounds like a lot but it's not and everything does come together in the end. The unnecessary plot was the cozy Natasha-Mars-Sophie triangle but it was minimal. I kept turning pages late into the night and never figured out who the murderer/s was/were or even why! I didn't even suspect some of it.
There is too much Natasha in this story for me. She never changes and I always want to slap her. Daisy didn't get to play a big role in the story as it is her week with Mars. Too bad. The cover is cute but inaccurate. Sophie manages not to be judgmental/sizeist/ageist for the most part. She's empathetic and tries to see all sides of the issue. She's smart enough to be wary of slimy men who try to win her over with their sleazy charm and I appreciate that. Nina is along for the ride but not quite as much as usual. Francie is mostly absent. I do not like how overprotective Mars and Bernie get whenever there's danger around Sophie. What, exactly, is going to happen if an intruder breaks in when one of the men is sleeping downstairs? The murderer will just kill him first! Sophie is smart and can take care of herself. She just needs to get better at security and she does, a bit.
Gerrie Stansfield is a domestic goddess of the old school variety. Now elderly, her family owns a restaurant supply business she spun off into a retail store. Literally no one needs any of that stuff or to entertain like that, especially for a charity luncheon. Maybe at a tea shop or fancy restaurant, yes but at home? No. Once again these people have way too much money and they make me glad I never got a job in Old Town. Gerrie is nice though and not pretentious or snobby in any way. Her father made his money the hard way as did her beloved husband. Gerrie is a grieving widow. Her husband Edwin, a lawyer, recently passed away. Edwin was a lawyer who had a reputation for being tough and gruff but Gerrie painted a lovely picture of a man who was devoted to his family, especially his only granddaughter. Both Gerrie and Edwin adore 12-year-old Penelope. Edwin had a special bond with the girl, surprising everyone! He took care of his family for many years and it's tough for Gerrie to cope but getting on with things is her way of dealing with her grief. She's arranged a charity luncheon to organize healthy meals for needy children. That's very admirable of her. Finding someone murdered in her home barely rattles Gerrie but I don't think it means she's guilty. She seems as devoted to her family as her husband was although I think he practiced tough love, she's more of an enabler. Her bond with Penelope is very sweet. Now it seems as if someone is gaslighting Gerrie!
My money is on Todd, her worthless son. He may have ADHD, it's not stated, but he reminds me a lot of someone who does have ADHD but is able to function better than Todd. Todd is a loser. He's always the life of every party, people find him charming, etc. etc. but he's a loser. He's lazy, not very bright or driven. As a child he had everything handed to him and he seems to expect to go through life that way even though his father tried hard to get his sons to get real jobs and work. Todd is a lazy parent too. He's not good with Penelope and when he's not there for her, she goes crying to her mother and then Colleen looks like she's too tough on Todd. Colleen is a good mother. She's a little helicopterish but not too bad. She just wants what's best for her daughter which is stability and structure. Penelope is a good kid but she's 12. She doesn't understand adult issues yet. Good thing she has her beloved "Cookie" (Gerrie) to comfort her and love her.
The murder victim, Russ, was known to the Stansfield family. Their history goes back generations, to Gerrie's childhood and Russ's grandfather. Gerrie feels the past is catching up with her and she's terrified. Wong and Wolf and even Bernie know Russ to be a low level criminal and Wong is not surprised Russ came to a bad end. Still, his death was sad because he seemed to be trying but not succeeding to be a better person. He had a past and it may have come back to bite him. I feel sorry for his mother. In this book we meet Eddie, Officer Wong's evil ex. Wong claims Eddie is a narcissist, a master manipulator and a con artist and she is terrified! Sophie has never seen Officer Wong like this before so she knows something must be very wrong with Eddie for Wong to be so upset. Eddie is slick and more clever than Todd and Russ. He knows how to get to Sophie and make her doubt what she feels is true. He'll come to a bad end sooner or later, whether from another con or the police.
Other suspects include Gerrie's eldest son Jim. Now come on! The man rescues elephants in his spare time! He runs Moss Restaurant Supply, his grandfather's business and I don't think it makes him a bad person that he made his administrative assistant redundant. Sophie and anyone younger than Betty can see what happened. As Sophie notes, all that bookkeeping stuff is automated now and secretarial schools are no more. However, his current secretary is pretty bad. She wants to get with Jim, probably a gold digger, and makes no secret of it. Who is the petite blond woman in the office? Was she eavesdropping on Sophie and Jim's conversation? Why?
Jim doesn't seem suspicious but Gerrie's neighbors, Senator and Mrs. Keswick do. Senator Albert Keswick is super nosy or guilty. He's first to come and look when the first victim is found. Why is that? He seems suspicious to me when questioned by Sophie. His wife is the suspicious sort. Even though she's not awake until after noon and doesn't love her husband, she still suspects him of having an affair with Gerrie. Is he? That sounds ludicrous but she's a grieving widow and might be quick to fall into the arms of another strong man. Did his wife kill Russ to frame Gerrie? That just sounds weird but maybe weird enough to be true. Another suspect is Jenna Ryder who was on the scene when the first body was found. She seems to know the man and ran out of the house very quickly. She has a secret and one she would kill to keep. It seems far-fetched and over the top but rich people do dumb stuff.
Todd's friend Dale seems a little slimy to me. What's with the aviator sunglasses? I think they're trying to plan a ghost kitchen but neither has the smarts to pull it off. Are they planning a scam? Is it tied to Russ's murder or Irv's attack or the second murder or all three? Todd's girlfriend and Dale's sister, Nicci, is sleazy too. She's the brassy type who senses easy pickings. She's trying to be Penelope's BFF or older sister, which would be OK if she's not angling for the stepmother position and custody of Penelope. Yikes! I don't suspect Dale and Nicci are clever enough to pull off any scams Russ was involved in or are the murderers but I'm not sure Dale is not involved with Todd in shady business connected to the murders. What about Irv? Innocent bystander and accidental victim or was he connected too? I got Irv and Russ confused because they both sound like losers who can't figure out how to live life honestly.
Some of the recipes sound really good even if the domestic column tips are silly and pointless.
May 23, 2023
Caution - reading this book will cause you to be hungry. It is not advisable that you read this book with an empty stomach. The descriptions of the food being prepared are divine and will make your mouth water. This is another check mark in the winner's column for Krista Davis' wildly popular series.
Sophie Winston is an event planner. She is preparing for the Association of Ghost Kitchens. (There are no ghosts.) You will have to read more to find out what this means! The first item on Sophie's agenda is her attendance at a meeting with a group of women who run a charitable organization known as A Healthy Meal which provides food for children in need. She is especially excited because the meeting is being held at Geraldine Stansfield's house (Gerrie to her friends). Gerrie is known for her lavish parties, place settings, decorations and wonderful food. This party is about to come to halt when a dead body is found at the end of the lovely banquet table with a knife sticking out of his chest.
Sophie and friends are determined to solve this case and prove that Gerrie did not kill the man whose body was found on the floor of her dining room. The mystery in this one was very complex. I have to admit that I floundered about while trying to solve this mystery myself. There were simply too many suspects. The dirty laundry is about to be aired out for all of Old Town, Virginia to see, and heads are going to roll. There will be some blasts from the past for some of the characters as well. I enjoy a good, clean cozy mystery, and this book and this series are one of my top five to read. The descriptions of the table settings and decorations make me want to have a fancy dinner party myself. The characters are quirky and easy to like, except for Natasha. She is quite the diva, but Sophie has learned to let her comments and actions just roll off her back. After all Natasha is just Natasha and everyone knows it. Sophie always ends up coming out on top without saying a word.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
Sophie Winston is an event planner. She is preparing for the Association of Ghost Kitchens. (There are no ghosts.) You will have to read more to find out what this means! The first item on Sophie's agenda is her attendance at a meeting with a group of women who run a charitable organization known as A Healthy Meal which provides food for children in need. She is especially excited because the meeting is being held at Geraldine Stansfield's house (Gerrie to her friends). Gerrie is known for her lavish parties, place settings, decorations and wonderful food. This party is about to come to halt when a dead body is found at the end of the lovely banquet table with a knife sticking out of his chest.
Sophie and friends are determined to solve this case and prove that Gerrie did not kill the man whose body was found on the floor of her dining room. The mystery in this one was very complex. I have to admit that I floundered about while trying to solve this mystery myself. There were simply too many suspects. The dirty laundry is about to be aired out for all of Old Town, Virginia to see, and heads are going to roll. There will be some blasts from the past for some of the characters as well. I enjoy a good, clean cozy mystery, and this book and this series are one of my top five to read. The descriptions of the table settings and decorations make me want to have a fancy dinner party myself. The characters are quirky and easy to like, except for Natasha. She is quite the diva, but Sophie has learned to let her comments and actions just roll off her back. After all Natasha is just Natasha and everyone knows it. Sophie always ends up coming out on top without saying a word.
Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.
February 21, 2023
Join Sophie and Nina in Krista Davis' latest release in her Domestic Diva Series, as they take us through a lot of twists and turns to solve several mysteries that end up on their proverbial plate. In true Old Town fashion, many of those paths are filled with beautiful homes and decor', not to mention delicious food, and plenty of skeletons in the closets.
"Party planner extraordinaire" Sophie Winston is multitasking. Along with handling a conference for a unique new concept - Ghost Kitchens - Sophie makes time for her community obligations to attend a luncheon of the A Healthy Meal committee at the home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield ("Gerrie"). Gerrie did not disappoint. Her dining room is a setting to die for - literally - but the body on the floor with the knife protruding from his chest was not on the guest list. Given that it was Gerrie's house, dining room, and knife, she enlists Sophie to investigate. Initially, no one claims to know the man, but Sophie discovers that he is actually known to quite a few citizens of Old Town. However, it does seem that only one person knows why he was in Gerrie's house, and that is likely the person who killed him. Finding the answer to that question could be problematic.
I did not realize how much I had missed visiting Old Town and Sophie, Nina, and the gang. The camaraderie and humor are delightful. They are proof that strong intelligent female protagonists need not be brash, vulgar, or uncivilized. In fact, they restore a love for ladies luncheons, outdoor dinner parties, and spontaneous meals with friends. In fact, I have a strong desire to go shopping and buy all new table settings, indoor and outdoor. Of course, they also prove that murder and Mayhem can happen anywhere. This is an engaging mystery (more accurately - mysteries) that perplexes even Sophie, Nina, Wolf, and Wong.
Two tips: (i) Do not ignore the chapter introductions from Sophie's and Natasha's (sometimes dueling) columns. They can be informative and often hilarious; and (ii) I highly recommend this book, but strongly urge the reader to start with Book 1 in the series and read through. Krista Davis does not disappoint.
"Party planner extraordinaire" Sophie Winston is multitasking. Along with handling a conference for a unique new concept - Ghost Kitchens - Sophie makes time for her community obligations to attend a luncheon of the A Healthy Meal committee at the home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield ("Gerrie"). Gerrie did not disappoint. Her dining room is a setting to die for - literally - but the body on the floor with the knife protruding from his chest was not on the guest list. Given that it was Gerrie's house, dining room, and knife, she enlists Sophie to investigate. Initially, no one claims to know the man, but Sophie discovers that he is actually known to quite a few citizens of Old Town. However, it does seem that only one person knows why he was in Gerrie's house, and that is likely the person who killed him. Finding the answer to that question could be problematic.
I did not realize how much I had missed visiting Old Town and Sophie, Nina, and the gang. The camaraderie and humor are delightful. They are proof that strong intelligent female protagonists need not be brash, vulgar, or uncivilized. In fact, they restore a love for ladies luncheons, outdoor dinner parties, and spontaneous meals with friends. In fact, I have a strong desire to go shopping and buy all new table settings, indoor and outdoor. Of course, they also prove that murder and Mayhem can happen anywhere. This is an engaging mystery (more accurately - mysteries) that perplexes even Sophie, Nina, Wolf, and Wong.
Two tips: (i) Do not ignore the chapter introductions from Sophie's and Natasha's (sometimes dueling) columns. They can be informative and often hilarious; and (ii) I highly recommend this book, but strongly urge the reader to start with Book 1 in the series and read through. Krista Davis does not disappoint.
February 2, 2023
While 'The Diva Delivers on a Promise' has an interesting mystery the lack of progress or happiness in Sophie's personal life was off-putting. Over the course of the series she has had unfruitful relationships with three men and yet she remains single and boring even though cryptic messages or actions were a part of this book. I just want more hope than this offered. I will reluctantly stick with the series with the wish that more will be in store for Sophie.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.
May 9, 2024
Received as a Goodread's ARC giveaway, I have never read any books in this series.
So was I lost having joined the Domestic Diva on her 16th adventure?
Nope.
Krista Davis does a great job of creating a book that can stand alone while I'm sure entertaining those that know Sophia-an amateur (or even accidental) sleuth and professional caterer and columnist.
A light and cozy mystery, I like that it was smart enough to have me googling "what is a ghost kitchen" and then down the rabbit hole of why they exist and how the COVID pandemic created a need and.. well I digress,........... this is a smart and sassy little whodunit with a main character who is actually liked by local authorities and multi-tasks her way through charities, murder suspects and her perfect little pup, Daisy's needs. There's a smidge of a romance, and I do wonder if it's a rekindle, but that means I need to go back and read 1-15 to find out.
Special thank you to Kensington Books and Between The Chapters for the chance to read prior to publication!
#betweenthechaptersbookclub
So was I lost having joined the Domestic Diva on her 16th adventure?
Nope.
Krista Davis does a great job of creating a book that can stand alone while I'm sure entertaining those that know Sophia-an amateur (or even accidental) sleuth and professional caterer and columnist.
A light and cozy mystery, I like that it was smart enough to have me googling "what is a ghost kitchen" and then down the rabbit hole of why they exist and how the COVID pandemic created a need and.. well I digress,........... this is a smart and sassy little whodunit with a main character who is actually liked by local authorities and multi-tasks her way through charities, murder suspects and her perfect little pup, Daisy's needs. There's a smidge of a romance, and I do wonder if it's a rekindle, but that means I need to go back and read 1-15 to find out.
Special thank you to Kensington Books and Between The Chapters for the chance to read prior to publication!
#betweenthechaptersbookclub
May 15, 2023
The Diva doesn't just deliver a promise in this book, she delivers a great plot wrapped around interesting characters and a whole lot of fun between dead bodies! Once again, the author has woven an intriguing story of murder, mayhem and mystery to keep us entertained for hours while also enlightening us on an aspect of the restaurant industry that I was unaware of! I love the concept of ghost kitchens, just wish there were more of them near me! As usual, I would love to head to Old Town and meet up with Sophie and Nina for a glass of iced tea and a whole lot of fun, but alas meeting up with fictional characters just isn't in the cards for me so I'll have to make do with waiting for the next book in the Diva series to come out so I can see what happens next especially in Sophie's personal life!!
May 24, 2023
Sophie and Nina got in a lot of sleuthing together in this mystery because there was plenty to sleuth out. I liked the side mystery of the ghost kitchen scammer, and we got to learn more about Officer Wong and her disastrous marriage. I liked Gerrie and her granddaughter a lot—it’d be fun if they showed up in a future book especially now they’ve got a furry companion. Nina always cracks me up with her love of food which is always a good way to get her to do something, like maybe a stakeout or two?
The showdown was a really good one with the perp finally being caught and hauled away. The ending was typical cozy Sophie style—friends, food and a warm fireplace. And pups, of course!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
The showdown was a really good one with the perp finally being caught and hauled away. The ending was typical cozy Sophie style—friends, food and a warm fireplace. And pups, of course!
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
July 12, 2023
Event planner and domestic diva Sophie is on her way to a charity luncheon at wealthy Gerrie's house when they discover a dead body in the nicely arranged dining room. The dead man is a stranger to Sophie, but has a long, contentious history with Gerrie's now deceased husband and two very different sons. Gerrie begs Sophie to investigate and to try to keep her boys out of things. Sophie's friend police officer Wong is shocked when her narcissistic and criminal ex-husband returns after being away for two years. There are a lot of good meals and a lot of confusion before Sophie exposes the criminals.
October 11, 2023
August
This story involves ghost kitchens, charity, fraud, and murder. There was a little bit of romance too. I like Natasha less with each book. I keep hoping she'll leave, but it hasn't happened yet. The mystery was good. I couldn't decide who I thought the killer was, but it ended being someone else entirely.
This story involves ghost kitchens, charity, fraud, and murder. There was a little bit of romance too. I like Natasha less with each book. I keep hoping she'll leave, but it hasn't happened yet. The mystery was good. I couldn't decide who I thought the killer was, but it ended being someone else entirely.
February 13, 2024
The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis is the 16th book in The Domestic Diva series. Sophie Winston is an event planner and columnist in Old Town, VA. While attending a planning luncheon for a favorite children’s charity a dead body is discovered in the hostess’s dining room. Sophie, her best friend Nina and their group of close friends are planning on helping out.
This series is one of my all time favorites. “…Delivers on a Promise” is no exception. There are plots, subplots, red herrings and plenty of suspects. I would highly recommend this book and this series!
This series is one of my all time favorites. “…Delivers on a Promise” is no exception. There are plots, subplots, red herrings and plenty of suspects. I would highly recommend this book and this series!
June 13, 2023
I’ll always drop what I’m doing to read the latest Sophie story! She & Nina (and Mars, Bernie, and I guess Natasha) are just the best crew…who wouldn’t want to hang out, dine in, and sleuth with this gang?! I had never heard of a ghost kitchen, so this was definitely a fun, fast read.
January 6, 2024
The story centers around ghost kitchens. Sophie is at a charity luncheon when a body is discovered. The woman who lives in the house asks Sophie to find out who the killer is. The book was an easy read.
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