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

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

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

This is the second book I read in this series and I wasn't a fan of the first one. This one was happy-sleep-deprivation and cannot-stop-reading type of cozy mystery.
A solid story featuring historical house renovation, plenty of suspects, an unusual way to kill, and plenty of twists
I liked the characters: Sophie and Nina are well done and the parts about aunt Faye were moving. Natasha is a sort of comic and over the top character but she can become a bit too much selfish and self-centered.
I thoroughly enjoyed this story and can't wait for the next
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Sophie Winston has a busy calender going on right now so when she is approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson for help she really doesn't have the time. Mitzi is worried that she is being followed and wants Sophie to help. When Denise, Mitzi's business partner, suddenly dies she worries that it wasn't from natural causes. Sophie agrees to help but doesn't really dive in until Mitzi disappears. With her attention captured Sophie starts a more in depth investigation. Will she figure out what really happened to Denise? Will she find Mitzi? Jump in and find out where the clues take her!

Happy 18th release in our beloved Diva series. I adore this series. The protagonist is a multi talented event planner and a catering expert. The recipes included are divine. All our favorite characters are here and some new history that adds suspense. I enjoyed that the sleuth had a historical aspect. A very enjoyable next in series.
Thank you to the author and publisher. My review opinion is my own.

Domestic Diva Mystery devotees will delight in this latest series entry. Event planner and caterer Sophie Winston and her friends find themselves drawn into multiple murder investigations as well as a related missing person case. Sophie discovers a local interior designer dead in the landmark Old Town home she is redecorating. The death is quickly determined to be murder and almost immediatley the victim's business partner goes into hiding to safeguard her own life--a wise move considering that in short order another interior designer is also murdered in the house.

The victim's husband's family offers a multitude of suspects but not many obvious motives. As events unfold, Sophie and bestie Nina discover a skeleton, evidence of an earlier murder from decades before, in the same home. As always, it's fun to watch Sophie and her crew decipher clues in short, pithy chapters that all begin with au currant decorating and cooking advice.

Don't go into this series expecting realism or angsty character development but expect a pleasant visit with characters that have become comfortable and familiar as well as a mystery that will challenge you to put the puzzle pieces together before Sophie and her friends.

Full Disclosure--NetGalley and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.

Event planner Sophie Winston is browsing the tables of the latest expo she’s helped organize when she's surprised by a covert approach from an acquaintance. Mitzi Lawson is half of one of the best interior design firms in Old Town Alexandria, where both she and Sophie work and live. Using cloak and dagger tactics, she gives Sophie instructions to meet her at a worksite the next morning, but slips away before explaining why.

Bemused by the subterfuge, Sophie shows up at the Inger House as requested, and is shocked to discover Mitzi’s partner, Denise Nofsinger, lying just inside the back entrance. An unconscious Denise looks like she fell while reaching for the door. Sophie immediately calls 911 and begins resuscitation efforts, to no avail.

Mitzi arrives shortly after the paramedics do, and is devastated by Denise’s death. She eventually confides in Sophie that she thinks that someone has been stalking her, and worries that that same person may have murdered Denise. Thing is, she has no idea why either she or Denise would be the target of a stalker and killer.

Sophie is happy to help Mitzi feel safer, but after another body is found, Mitzi does a disappearing act all on her own. Every sinister event that’s occurred recently seems to have something to do with the Inger House and the family who owns it. With paranoia understandably on the rise, will Sophie be able to get to the bottom of the numerous deaths and disappearances before a killer takes yet another life?

This was another winning entry of the Domestic Diva mystery series, as Sophie juggles her sleuthing with work and whatever latest shenanigans her hilarious frenemy Natasha drags her into. In The Diva Poaches A Bad Egg, that means a festive fall brunch where Natasha is determined to push the limits of good taste in more ways than one. Her exasperating antics serve as a madcap counterpoint to the far more serious secrets festering at the heart of Inger House.

As always with this series, there were over a dozen food and drink recipes included for dishes described deliciously in the book. Most, if not all, of these are perfect for brunch (or anytime you like breakfast foods!) I decided to try out this recipe for my family’s dinner the other night:

QUOTE
Sophie's Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Breakfast

1-2 large, lipped baking trays
1 large butternut squash
3 shallots
1 red bell pepper
2 zucchinis
12 ounces kielbasa, sliced
Olive oil, 3-4 tablespoons + extra
drizzle of maple syrup
1 tablespoon thyme
2 teaspoons salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
6-8 large eggs

Preheat the oven to 425.

Peel the butternut squash with a vegetable peeler until the orange portions show. Cut the large part off. Cut the tubular portion in half, lengthwise, and cut it into ¾-1 inch squares. Scoop out the seeds and do the same with the bottom portion, discarding the hard part at the end. Scatter all the pieces on the baking sheet.

Peel the shallots and cut them into quarters. Add to the baking sheet. Cut the red pepper into small bite-size pieces and add to the baking sheet. Do the same with the zucchinis. Cut the kielbasa into slices and add it to the baking sheet. Drizzle the olive oil over the squash mixture, then the maple syrup. Using your hands, toss until everything is covered with the oil and syrup. Sprinkle the thyme, salt, and black pepper over the baking sheet and toss again to spread. If you have too much for a single layer on one baking sheet, then place part of it on another baking sheet and roast them at the same time. Roast 20 minutes.

Remove the baking sheets from the oven. Make 6-8 wells for the eggs. Crack the eggs individually in the wells. Roast for another 7 to 9 minutes. Serve by placing the veggie and kielbasa mixture on a plate and top it with one of the eggs.
END QUOTE

Weirdly, there were no red bell peppers available on my family’s last grocery run, so we made do with an orange pepper instead. There was a slight difference in sweetness, and certainly in color, but my family had no complaints about the results overall!

I personally adored this dish. Sophie says in the book that she never appreciated butternut squash until she roasted it, and I definitely feel the same way! The roasted squash is a delicious and healthy basis for the rest of the ingredients here, which you can likely experiment with to include other proteins and vegetables, in accordance with personal taste and whatever you might have on hand. Regardless of what you put on the tray though, it’s hard not to appreciate a sheet pan meal for ease of assembly and clean up, especially when the results are as tasty as this was!

Next week, we head to Europe to take a stab at a regional delicacy while running into far too many corpses. Do join me!

Dollycas’s Thoughts

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

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

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

I love this series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

5.0/5.0 stars!

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

I always enjoy Sophie's mysteries. When Sophie's friend, Mitzi, asks Sophie for help, she is glad to help. But when she shows up, she finds a dead body. The person is Mitzi's business partner. It all revolves around a house they were redecorating, and the business partner was going to move into. The house has been in the family for many years. When someone else is found dead in the house and a skeleton is found closed up in the wall, it is up to Sophie to find the murderer. She even digs up some old family secrets. Is it one of the family members? Is it an outsider? Will the killer come after Sophie?

When a friend is suspected of killing her business partner, Sophie and the gang are on the case. But when you said friend disappears, the gang is trying to solve more than just a murder. Who would want to kill an interior decorator and why? That’s what Sophie and the gang aim to find out without becoming targets for the killer.

I fell in love with cozy mysteries while reading one of the books in this series. This is what changed everything for me. Not only this series, but everything that this author writes is a grand slam as far as I’m concerned.

This is one of those mysteries where everyone seems to be a red herring and they all want to accuse each other. I found it quite enjoyable, though I was still able to figure out whodunit despite a lot of misdirection.

Sophie Winston, an advice columnist and event planner, gets roped into a clandestine meeting with an interior designer after a brief encounter at a design convention she put together. When she arrives at the meeting site, a little early, she finds the designer's partner unresponsive on the floor of the meeting home. Unfortunately, she is too late to save the woman, the daughter/granddaughter-in-law of a prominent family in her suburb. No one understands why this woman was killed because she appeared to have no enemies. That doesn't stop the constant finger pointing within the family and Sophie is asked to find out who really "dunit." The motive goes back farther than anyone thought.

I read this book in one sitting. All the delicious food they make in these diva series makes me so hungry! I want to know the size of Sophie's freezer that she has all this food she can whip out and cook up in a matter of minutes. I wish I had her motivation. I love the friendly rivalry between Sophie and Natasha, though sometimes I think Natasha is more mean than she is portrayed to be.

I look forward to more books in this charming series. My thanks to Kensington Cozies and Netgalley for this ARC.

One of my top 5 series of all time and this one did not disappoint. This installment had a little bit of a different vibe for me but not in a negative way. I felt the crimes and reasons were a little more sinister, which I found very interesting. There was a historical element that shined a light on Aunt Faye and I was happy to learn more about her and what kind of force she truly was.

Can I please, please, please just say how much I want to be friends with Sophie, Nina, Mars, and Bernie?!?!?!

I was happy to see names like Francie and Humphrey mentioned in this book. I hope they come back soon.

OHHHH and a shout out to a guest appearance (no spoilers) but I sure hope there is a crossover in the future.

I rated this book 4.5/5 stars. The only reason for the less than perfect rating was that I did not like how dismissive Wolf and Wong were in this book.

I, of course, cannot wait for more!

I had the digital copy of this novel from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing. I had the audio copy via Hoopla. Hillary Huber is my favorite narrator and she truly brings these characters to life. I will always recommend this series on audio and everything she narrates.

Bring on nook 19!!!

What a wild and tangled bunch of secrets and family drama Sophie stumbled into when an interior designer asked her to help find who killed her business partner. It’s always fun when Sophie sleuths with her friends either all together or usually just her and Nina or Sophie, Mars and Bernie.

When another body turned up along with a surprise found at a wealthy family home, Sophie and her pals had their work cut out for them. In true Sophie style, she quite literally beat the killer in the showdown. The story ended with all the explanations and everyone having a good time sharing food and fellowship.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Krista Davis returns with the latest installment in her long-running cozy mystery series (18 books and counting), featuring Sophie Winston. Living in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, Sophie’s job as an event coordinator brings her in touch with a diverse population in the Washington, DC, area. Luckily, the most interesting people live hear Sophie in Alexandria. These include her ex-husband, Mars, and best friend, Nina. Oh, and her frenemy, Natasha, makes another appearance.
In this outing, Sophie’s concluding a major event in DC when she encounters a fellow Alexandria resident, Mitzi, who wants a surreptitious chat the next morning at a historic property near Sophie’s home. Unfortunately, upon Sophie’s arrival, she discovers Mitzi’s dead partner on the floor and no Mitzi. This puts Sophie in the middle of both current and a historic mystery. Aided by her friends, Sophie’s up for yet another challend as the Domestic Diva.
I always enjoy this series. I will caveat that, in this one, you do have to suspend a bit of disbelief about them leaving skeletal remains instead of waiting for the police to arrive. While the reason moves the plot forward, this does beggar belief, given Sophie’s friendships with the local police.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is book #18 in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.

I want to be one of Sophie’s friends! She is so good at entertaining them at a moment’s notice. I enjoy how each chapter starts with a question for Sophie or Natasha. In this book, we learn more about Mars’ Aunt Faye. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing until the reveal. As much as I enjoy the mysteries in the series, my favorite part is the characters: Sophie, Mars, Nina, Nina, Bernie, Natasha, Wolf, Wong, Francie, Daisy, and Mochie. Each book is like an annual get together with a group of friends. The way they treat each other and always there to support each other is wonderful! This book is a few hours of an entertaining escape from reality. I recommend this book and the entire series.

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is the eighteenth cozy mystery in the A Domestic Diva Mystery series. Sophie Winston is in the middle of juggling events when Mitzi Lawson reaches out to her afraid someone is following her. Right after Mitzi contacts Sophie her business partner winds up dead. After finding the body, Sophie takes a personal interest in the case when it’s declared a murder. With the help of her friends Sophie is determined to get to the bottom of the mystery before it’s too late.

I have loved this series since I started reading it and this newest book didn’t disappoint. I love Sophie so much and she really makes this series for me. The supporting characters are also all really great and add so much to this series. This mystery pulled me in from the beginning and didn’t let me go until the secrets had been unraveled. I really enjoyed how everything tied together in the end. This is one of my all time favorite cozy mystery series and I really loved this book as well. I can’t wait to see if anything else comes for Sophie and her friends!

Krista Davis has yet to do any wrong by this series. Great setting- I loved the detailed descriptions of a historic home in this one- and the usual cast of characters enchant.

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

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

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

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

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

THE DIVA POACHES A BAD EGG is the eighteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mysteries by Krista Davis. I just adore revisiting Old Town Alexandria and catching up with protagonist event planner Sophie Winston and her pals. I especially enjoy her close friendship with her BFF, Nina, and her ex-husband and co-dog parent, Mars. They show how to support each other no matter the circumstances, and their banter brings a lightness to the story. The author keeps each new installment in the series fresh and inviting with the various themes, and this newest book is no exception. I also greatly enjoy the advice column starters to every chapter, with Sophie answering some of them and her frenemy, Natasha, answering others. It gives a good glimpse of the personalities of both women and you can’t help but admire Sophie and her genuine good nature. This series is a strong example of a character driven cozy mystery, and while you can read this as a standalone, it’s been a joy following along with Sophie over the course of the series and seeing the growth of the individuals.

This time around, it seems interior designers are being targeted by a killer. One of Sophie’s friends, Mitzi, is fearful of her life after her business partner was murdered, and begs Sophie for help. When Mitzi disappears, Sophie and her pals put their heads together to try to find her and find out who might be targeting the interior designer. There are twists and some surprises I didn’t see coming that kept me on my toes. The author keeps the pace on track, interspersed with strategy sessions around meals, to discuss clues and share what the friends know. As the pieces fell into place and the culprit was apprehended, the details of why the crimes were committed were brought to light, going back decades. The author does a wonderful job weaving the old with the new, and bringing the story to a cohesive and satisfying conclusion.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis has Sophie Winston trying to solve a murder case and a stalking case while working her own job.

Can Sophie keep Mitzi from going into hysteria over this?

Sophie Winston
Sophie Winston tries to stay busy with her advice column and her catering business. She doesn't want to get involved in another murder investigation—except our sleuth always ends up getting involved. Sophie is getting a lot better at her investigations and always thinks of things that don't make sense. I still like Sophie a lot, and I learn some things about cooking from her. Sophie does have a hard time saying no to people, and that is something that I can relate to.

The Mystery
Mitzi Lawson approached Sophie Winston during a convention to meet at Mitzi's client's house to talk. Sophie found Mitzi's business partner and current client, Denise. Mitzi thinks she may be next and does not want to be seen or talk to the police, which makes it hard for Sophie to talk to her. Sophie had a hard time with this one, and I was surprised at who did it. I didn't see it coming.

Five Stars
My rating for The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis is five stars. I love coming back to Old Town Alexandria to be with Sophie, Mars, Nina, and the others to solve a new crime. Ms. Davis is an awesome writer, and I always love to imagine the places in the stories and the wonderful food she talks about. Escaping the heat to cool off in the fall in Virginia is nice and short-lived.

Ms. Davis has recipes in the back of the book. The recipes are Eggs Benedict, Sophie's Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Breakfast, Sheet Pan Pork Tenderloin, Hazel's Doughnut Holes, Frittata for a Crowd, Applesauce Spice Sheet Cake with Caramel Frosting, Pumpkin Spice Ice-Cream Roll, Easy Baked Apple Parfaits, Quick and Easy Baked Pears, Apple Sharlotka, Sweetened Whipped Cream, Apple Cider Mimosas, and Pumpkin Spice Brunch Coffee.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

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