The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg by Krista Davis Is the eighteenth A Domestic Diva Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series or who may have missed a book (or two) along the way. Each chapter begins with a letter from a reader asking either Natasha or Sophie for advice regarding various household dilemmas (how many throw pillows is the right amount for example). As you would expect, Sophie offers helpful, friendly advice while Natasha’s reveals her character. I like all but one of the characters in this series (Natasha grates on my nerves after a while). I enjoyed catching up Sophie, Bernie, Nina, Mars, and the rest of the gang as well as the darling fur babies. I like the setting of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I can envision the area thanks to the author’s vivid descriptions. The mystery had several suspects, some twists and turns, and a red herring or two. The story had a slow start, but the pacing picks up as the story progresses. I was delighted with Holly Miller’s cameo appearance (from A Paws & Claws Mysteries). It was nice to learn more about Faye, Mars’ deceased aunt, who used to own Sophie’s home (I’m glad Sophie got the home in the divorce). There are delectable food descriptions throughout the story (recipes at the end of the book). The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is a charming cozy with scrumptious brunch recipes, a possible stalker, a dead decorator, shared canine custody, a fearsome Mitzi, odd occurrences, and a historic house.

Is someone targeting interior designers in Alexandria VA? That's the problem on Sophie's hands after first one then another is murdered. This latest in the long running series will be fine as a standalone because it's a classic cozy with recipes and decorating tips as well as a villain. I like that each chapter starts with a letter asking for advice. Sophie is a treat as are her friends. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. An easy read for fans of the genre.

4.25 stars
This is one of my favorite cozy series. I love the setting (Old Town Alexandria, Virginia as well as the characters. Although I'm not a fan of Natasha, I do love the rest of the main characters. I love event planner Sophie and her best friends Nina, Bernie, and Mars, who is also Sophie's ex-husband. They have a wonderful comradery whether they're just hanging out together or solving a case. In this book, they investigate the death of a local interior designer and how it might be related to events from the past.

This story involves a brunch that Natasha has convinced Sophie and Nina to help with. There are many descriptions of dishes that sound so good, along with recipes for many of them at the end of the book.

I also really like the clover format. Each chapter begins with a letter asking for advice on various domestic dilemmas and are answered by either main character Sophie Winston or her frenemy Natasha. The letters in this book are all related to the topic of brunch and the difference in tone and advice between Sophie and Natasha highlight their differences with Sophie being kind and down-to-earth and Natasha being self-centered and materialistic.

I enjoyed this book overall. I think it starts out a little slow, but definitely picks up as the book continues. In addition to the regular characters, fans of the author's Paws and Claws series will appreciate the cameo appearance by Holly Miller. In addition, Faye, the deceased aunt of Mars, plays an important role in this story. I highly recommend this cozy series.

I received an advance review copy from Kensington Books, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.

I really enjoyed this book because it's more than just a mystery book. It gives you some great recipes and decoration tips too. I'm always learning something new on how to entertain at home.

I love a trip back to Sophie Winston's world!

The latest adventure is a good one.

"Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder."

Sophie's knack for solving crimes continues to gain traction in her Virginia town and now people seek her out to help solve murders as they pop up.

In this one, there's a lot of support from her usual team of pals-- Mars, Bernie and Nina. Any previous hints of romance rekindling with Mars are not mentioned here at all and I still want it!

Natasha is also back to her original form. I am still missing Francie.

The mystery is kind of meh. I figured out some aspects of it and was underwhelmed by other aspects. But it was just nice to be back in Old Town.

Sophie gets tangled up with an interior designer, Mitzi, whose partner Sophie finds dead in an older home in the area.. While Mitzi is sure she is next, Sophie works to keep her safe. When another designer is found dead in the same house, the mystery grows. A great read which tells us a lot about Aunt Faye and paints Natasha in a softer light. It takes all of Sophie's group of friends to help solve the murders and the identity of a skeleton found in the same house. Well written and wonderful recipes at the end of the book. Can't wait for the next adventure!
Thanks to netgalley for an advanced copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.

“The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg” the 18th instalment in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis. I really enjoy this series! I really like Sophie, she is relatable, interesting and I love her relationship with her BFF Nina and her ex Mars as well as several other residents of Old Town. I liked how the characters were there for each other, no matter what was happening. It’s all about the brunches and something from aunt Faye’s past.

The mystery itself was interesting, full of twists and turns, red herrings all of which completely drew me into the story. I didn’t want to put the book down and read it till the wee hours.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I generally enjoy this series, especially the community around Sophie. This title doesn't feel up to the standard of the rest of the series for me, though. There's way too much family history and not enough forward momentum and tension. And the large cast of characters, many of whom we only see here and there, feels confusing to me. I'd give this one 2-1/2 stars.

I like Krista Davis and her books--maybe this particular series has just run out of steam?

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to read "The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg", because Krista Davis always has a good mystery to solve and, more importantly, characters I have grown to love. This book was perfect, including cameos of all the secondary characters. I just loved that!
The advice headings at the beginning of each chapter are fun and add a different perspective on decorating and entertaining. The recipes at the end are mouthwatering ---and all the ones I have tried are very good. It is fun to read the recipes behind the foods mentioned in the story, too.
Eighteen books in and the Magic is still there. Sophie agrees to a secret meeting with another decorator, at a home she is working on. When Sophie arrives the decorator, Mitzi, is no where to be found. While searching the house a body is found and the hunt is on. The pace speeds up and does not slow down until the end. I loved it and I am happy to recommend the book to others who enjoy cozy mystery thrillers, decorating, and new recipes.
Thank you #NetGalley, #KensingtonPublishing #KensingtonCozies #KristaDavis for the ARC I requested and received.

#TheDivaPoachesaBadEgg #NetGalley #DomesticDiva

Love stepping back with these characters. Always a good mix of action and real life struggles. And always a non stop read. This one jumps into action right from the start and never stops. And let me tell you this one has a super surprise!! You're gonna love it.

While ensuring everything was running smoothly at the House and Home Expo, Sophie was interrupted by a voice behind her whispering, "Don't look at me." What she couldn't have predicted was that this fleeting moment would cause her to become involved in a mystery with possible murders both past and present.

If you are searching for a consistently great cozy mystery series. look no further-this one is just what you need. I love how Sophie and her group of diverse friends work together gathering information and drawing conclusions and are always there for each other. This mystery had so many facets that it kept me busy trying to figure out how each character was involved and then it all wrapped up nicely at the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

"The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery #18)" by Krista Davis in a way is like every other Domestic Diva Mystery. Natasha ropes Sophie into some new way of trying to gain more fame for herself but by using Sophie and Sophie's house. Though this time she at least didn't break in (use her emergency key) to decorate how she thought Sophie should have. Sofie also didn't have a house full of overnight guests either, so that was a change. This one also seemed to have a bit more on the mystery side, which is also appreciated.

Sophie's friend Mitzi is freaked out and asks her to meet secretly at her recent interior design location. Sophie shows up to find Mitzi's business partner dead and Mitzi running late but obviously more freaked out upon finding out about her partner. Sophie helps Mitzi hide while investigating. The bodies keep adding up with another modern day death plus the discovery of skeleton. Honestly, I was thinking that all three were linked and committed by the same person. I was only a little close on what happened.

This book also sees a bit of a crossover with Krista Davis' Paws and Claws Mystery Series. There's a guest who visits Sophie from Wagtail.

Sophie and the gang are back in The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg - and this time Mars' late Aunt Faye features prominently. With a local interior designer found dead in suspicious circumstances in a historic Old Town home, another found murdered shortly after in the same location, and a third terrified that she's being stalked and is next on the list, Sophie's gang (Nina, Mars, Bernie, Natasha, Wolf, and Wong) are on the case! Add in a decades-old skeleton discovered in the same home, and the game is afoot! 5 stars to Krista Davis' fabulously fun new cozy!

Book 18 of A Domestic Diva Mystery

If you are a fan of decorating tips and clothing styles then this is the book for you.

Sophie Winston lives with her dog and cat in Old Town Alexandria. She actually shares custody of her dog with her ex-husband who lives right down the street with his roommate. Sophie, her ex, the roommate and a few friends are a very close knit group. They are often together doing everything from entertaining to sleuthing.

Mitzi is an interior designer. Her current project is renovating a gorgeous old mansion with her business partner and best friend, Denise. She asks Sophie to meet her there but instead of finding Mitzi, Sophie finds Denise who is dead on the kitchen floor.

Sophie is well-known for her sleuthing so the family that owns the generations old-mansion asks her to look into the murder. She starts asking questions and investigating the mansion only to find a second dead body.

Mitzi thinks she will be next and so goes into hiding. She won't come out until Sophie finds the killer.

This book is full of sleuthing, decorating and cooking. Interesting, even though a bit challenging to keep all the names straight.

Recipes and decorating tips are included.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is an absolutely delectable addition to the Domestic Diva series—a sparkling blend of mystery, charm, and mouthwatering brunch fare that will leave cozy mystery fans thoroughly satisfied.

From the first bite (er, page), Sophie Winston proves yet again that she’s the queen of elegance and investigation. While the town of Old Town Alexandria is obsessed with autumn brunches and Instagrammable mimosas, Sophie finds herself serving up more than just pastries when local designer Mitzi Lawson reveals a chilling fear: someone’s been following her. It’s the kind of statement you might shrug off… until Mitzi’s best friend and business partner is found dead in the very house they were renovating. A tragic accident? Not likely. And when Mitzi disappears without a trace, the situation shifts from suspicious to downright sinister.

Each twist keeps you guessing, with suspects ranging from shady in-laws to a mistress who’s all too smug, and even a so-called etiquette guru whose own manners might just be murderous. Every detail is served with a dash of sass, and Sophie’s quick wit and unflappable style shine through as she navigates the social landmines of small-town drama and killer secrets.

Elegant, funny, and smartly plotted, The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is like a perfectly curated brunch: the right mix of savory and sweet, with just enough bite to keep you coming back for more. Highly recommended for fans of culinary cozies, clever heroines, and brunches that come with a side of murder. Cheers! 🥂🍳🔍

1 of my favorite authors. She never disappoints. I'm hoping for more books in this series. Hopefully others enjoy it as much as I did.

I always look forward to my time with Sophie and her crew, and this visit is no exception! With brunch as a food theme and interior decorators falling right and left, the gang will have its hands full. As Sophie is wrapping up an interior design convention, she is approached by a local decorator asking Sophie to meet her without letting anyone know at a home she is decorating the next morning. When Sophie arrives, the original designer is not there, but another designer is there, and she is dead, murdered. When the original designer shows up at Sophie's house, terrified that she will be next, Sophie can't stay uninvolved. From there, we are on a wild ride. Is someone targeting designers? When a third designer is murdered at the original house, is it designers or the house? This is a wild ride through historic neighborhoods, looking at family histories and finding out that Mars' Aunt Faye may offer some answers in this crazy puzzle. I really loved the opportunity to learn more about Mars' aunt. We get tons of brainstorming sessions and lots of great recipes and surprising answers. Thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheDivaPoachesaBadEgg #DomesticDivaMysteries #KristaDavis #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book!

First off, Krista Davis is a fantastic author and I always enjoy reading her books. I did feel however that this isn’t the best example of her work. There were times when the cozy bogged down the mystery far too much instead of supporting it. We needed to move forward with the investigation rather than the domestic diva.

I think this was just a blip in the radar for this author. Perhaps after so many books in this series the characters are getting a little stale. I’ll definitely still want to check out more though, and see where it goes from here.

Three stars.

This series just keeps getting better and better. When I read it, it feels like I am returning to visit friends. This time we find Sophie mixed up in the murder of a local designer. When another body shows up, and it is up to Sophie to help figure out who did it to save a friend. I loved how there was a past mystery mixed in with a modern one. Add in all of the local characters, and it was a fun ride. I am looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you Netgalley, Kensington Cozies, and Krista Davis for the advanced copy of The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is the 18th book in the A Domestic Diva Mystery Series. Sophie Winston is approached at a convention by Mitzi Lawson telling her to meet her the next morning. Sophie decides to head over to the home to meet but discovers Mitzi’s design partner on the floor, Denise dead. With Mitzi dead, she goes in hiding. Sophie decides to figure out who the murdered is. Then another person dies, and a skeleton is found in the house.

I have always loved the Domestic Diva Series. They are the perfect cozy mystery. There is a murder and Sophie, and her friends help find the killer. This book followed the same formula and was very entertaining. I enjoyed seeing what Natasha would do in this book and trying to figure out who was the killer. This book was enjoyable, but I wish there would be more character growth. Each of the characters do the same things every time. I am not saying Sophie needs to date someone, but I wish it was more than just meeting to each and discuss the case. I also felt like this case was less high stakes for Sophie. Her life wasn’t in real danger until she had made the killer discovery and it was unclear why she was looking into this aside from just wanting to know.

This book is perfect for those who love mystery especially cozy mysteries. While this book is a standalone and you could follow along without reading the other books in the series, I think it would be best if you read at least some of the early books to know all the characters.

Thanks again Netgalley, Kensington Cozies, and Krista Davis for the advanced copy.