Author: Krista Davis
Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781496732798
Kensington Cozies
304 Pages
$27.00; $13.77 Amazon
May 23, 2023
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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 dedication 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 many 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...
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Sophie Winston lives in Old Town, Virginia, and is an event planner. She's doing her first ever ghost kitchen event -- where they only do delivery -- and everything seems to be running smoothly so far. She's also looking forward to the meeting of the members of A Healthy Meal, which is going to be held at society maven Geraldine Stansfield's home. She's longing to see the inside of the home for the first time. With everyone gathered, Sophie hears a scream, and it's discovered that there's a man in the dining room with a knife sticking out of his chest. After calling 911, it's found that no one seems to know who he was. Not even Gerrie. And no one knows how he got there. With rumors beginning to fly that Gerrie killed him, she asks Sophie's help in proving her innocence. What can Sophie do, but comply?
Now she's trying to figure out who wanted him dead, and why he was there. But when things start to get sticky, Sophie is drawn into an investigation of people not being where they're supposed to be, lies on top of lies, Gerrie avoiding questions all around, and even more intrigue and secrets. Suddenly she feels as if she's in a movie, and she can't figure out the ending...
This is the sixteenth book in the series, and it's a very good example of why Krista Davis is one of my favorite writers. In full disclosure, I hated the first book, but I have fallen in love with this series over time. Sophie is not only intelligent, she knows how to keep a secret, and she doesn't bail on either her friends or anyone she's trying to help.
What I really like is that she's learned to ignore Natasha and her dramatics. Natasha would wear anyone out. I'm just grateful I don't know anyone like her. While she's always trying to one-up Sophie, it's Sophie who always gains the upper hand, merely by being kinder and more understanding...and patient.
But it seems the killer is beginning to figure out what Sophie is doing, and has no intentions to let her win. Even if it means following her. Then there's the issue of a problem with the ghost kitchens, and between the two, it's taking up a lot of her time.
As the story progresses, we learn more about the Stansfields and their history, which surprises her. But even so, she's determined to help Gerrie, which isn't easy. When a near-tragedy occurs, Sophie will have to up her game and move faster to solve the murder.
In the end, when everything comes together, it was a surprise; but worth the read. I cannot tell you how much I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley, but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Krista Davis's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/krista-davis/
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