The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg

A Domestic  Diva Mystery Book 18

Author:    Krista Davis

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN:    9781496743459

Kensington Cozies

320 Pages

$27.00; $12.99 Amazon

May 27, 2025

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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.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police.  Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found.  Now Sophie's appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise's death be connected to her viper's nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited?  What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress?  Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own?  There's a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer...

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Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is awaiting autumn, when two events cloud the atmosphere: first, her "frenemy" Natasha wants to hold a brunch at her home (which Natasha has always coveted) and insists that Sophie must be there, as it is to be filmed, and the person who is putting it on the air won't do it unless Sophie appears.  Feeling strong-armed by Natasha, she nevertheless agrees, but only on her terms.  

Then an interior decorator named Mitzi Lawson wants to meet with Sophie at a house she and her business partner Denise are renovating, Sophie is curious enough about it to agree.  But when Sophie arrives at the house, she finds the body of Denise, and figures out soon enough that Denise was murdered.  Things escalate when no one can find Mitzi, and Denise's wealthy relatives ask Sophie to investigate, since they know of her reputation for solving mysteries.

Reluctantly, she agrees.  Which might be a mistake, since when there is another encounter with the unknown killer, Sophie could very well be the second -- or third person to die...

This is the 18th book in the series and I have to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed watching Sophie grow and stand up to Natasha (which she did not do in book #1).  She's finally come into her own, happy with her life, friends with her ex-husband (and I am sure they are both still extremely fond of each other), and spends her off-time solving the occasional murder.  That's a full life, and more than I want in my own.  (I'm happy to watch and read about murders, but no thank you, very much).

Sophie has a lot going on here, with trying out recipes for brunch, dodging the figurative bullet, and trying to figure out who wanted Denise dead.  But things aren't as easy as sifting through suspects to find out who the murderer is.  There is a lot more detail, and when some of it comes to light, you think you have the right answer.  But it doesn't end there, and it takes a strange turn that is completely unexpected to decipher why the murder happened, and who the killer ultimately is.

In the end, this was another lively mystery by Ms. Davis that tells a story and shows us how everything comes together tightly in the end.  I thoroughly enjoyed the tale; the characters, and all the little quirks between them to come to a delightful end.  There are also some yummy recipes at the back (which I want to try).  Recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Diva-Poaches-Domestic-Mystery-Book-ebook/dp/B0DFRXP333/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7262905384

More on Krista Davis's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/d/krista-davis/

Sealed With a Hiss

 A Mrs. Murphy Mystery Book 33

Author:    Rita Mae Brown

Genre:     Mystery

Hardcover; Digital Book

ISBN #:    9780593874080

Bantam

240 Pages

$30.00; $13.99 Amazon

April 22. 2025

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

When a decades-forgotten car bobs to the surface of a local creek, with a body still in the driver's seat, it's up to Mary Minor "Harry" Haristeen and her beloved cats and dogs to save the say, in this latest mystery from Rita Mae Brown and her feline co-author, Sneaky Pie Brown.

Spring is in full bloom, and everything is blossoming just right for Harry in Crozet, Virginia.  Restorations to the long-shutted segregated school are nearly complete, and the school will be renamed to commemorate an important community member.  To honor the former students, Harry and her friends are hard at work planning a reunion.  It's a big affair, and the crew spends their days hanging plaques at the gym, arranging food, and writing speeches.

But the fifteen acres behind the school are enticing for more than just a school reunion.  One realtor soon reveals plans to buy the land and build over it -- unless the crew can find a way to stop the sale. 

In their search to prevent the purchase, they come across something unexpected: a dead body, which might not be the first to show up this season.  With a little aid from Tee Tucker the corgi and Irish Wolfhound Pirate, as well as feline sleuths Mrs. Murphy and Pewter, Harry just might have a chance at solving this mystery and preventing the land purchase once and for all.

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'Harry' Harristeen and her friends have just finished renovating the old segregated school, which has stood vacant for decades, and their hard work is finally rewarded.  Now they're going to open the school to visitors (and hopefully, donors) to help keep it in shape and as a historic and cultural reminder.  But then a real estate agent approaches them with a tasty offer of cash if they will agree to sell the land behind the school for a residential development.  He even promises to keep the school and grounds as it, and that the development will be good for both residents and the town of Crozet.

But something doesn't sit right with the offer, and Harry's instincts are telling her to turn it down.  Even when done, the agent still pushes, but no one understands why.  It doesn't help that Harry and her friend Lucas have found an old car at the bottom of a lake, and its owner is still inside, albeit a skeleton at this time.

But there are no clues to why the person was there -- until it's found he was murdered.  Now Harry wants to find out why...if she can keep from becoming another victim...

This is the thirty-third book in the series, and I have been captivated by it for years.  I'm not going to lie; I do miss the historical elements from the Colonial times which once were in every book; but I also realize not everyone is like myself and enjoys the past mingled with the present.  Ah, well....

However, it doesn't change the fact that Ms. Brown (and Sneaky Pie) are very talented writers.  She brings you into the story, and while she is telling it, you feel like you are part of the conversation.  Perhaps eavesdropping on those she has with Susan or Cooper...but I enjoy it just the same.  While Harry is voicing her thoughts, we progress along with the action, and even her husband Fair has a good part in this one as well.

Not to mention our favorite animals: Tucker, Pirate, Mrs. Murphy, and, of course, Pewter.  They have their own say in the story, and their own actions which prove to be just as valuable.  We understand that while they like their treats, they are extremely loyal to their people, and would do anything for Harry.

When we begin to understand that this murder is more than just about a land development, it comes almost too late for Harry; but we know that as intelligent as she is, she is also just as resourceful, and has help that we find comes from an unexpected new ally.  

The reason for the murder is rather sad, and a bit paranoiac, but nonetheless it is a murder.  Harry does what she needs to survive; and all ends just as it should.  The mystery is firm, well-written, and kept me reading throughout the story.  I highly recommend this and look forward to the next in the series.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher but this in no way influenced my review.

https://www.amazon.com/Sealed-Hiss-Mrs-Murphy-Mystery-ebook/dp/B0D9XWF7YZ/ref

Goodreads:    https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7211464009

More on Rita Mae Brown's Books:    https://www.fantasticfiction.com/b/rita-mae-brown/