A Domestic Diva Mystery Book 19
Author: Krista Davis
Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; Digital Copy (Audiobook Available)
ISBN #: 9781496743480
Kensington Cozies
320 Pages
$27.00; $12.99 Amazon
Mat 26, 2026
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With a big crowd descending on her Northern Virginia home, it's a good thing event planner Sophie Winston is an expert at entertaining. Whipping up patriotic pastries is as easy as pie for her, though meeting the man her widowed Aunt Melly just impulsively married in Las Vegas is a little more awkward. Especially when Melly's longtime, now heartbroken secret admirer is there too, which could lead to some fireworks.
But the house party really gets explosive when Sophie's favorite tour guide falls victim to a killer -- and evidence points to Sophie's own father. Will DNA really incriminate her dad? And what's the real story with her new uncle by marriage and the mysterious pal he's brought along with him? Some of the secrets Sophie's discovering are raising flags -- and while the police department casts suspicion on her father, she has to declare her independence as a detective to find the real culprit, and serve justice along with red, white, and blue cupcakes...
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Sophie Winston lives in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia and has made a career for herself by event planning. She's expecting a big houseful this weekend. Her parents, sister Hannah, friend Roscoe, Aunt Melly, and Melly's new husband, along with an old family friend are planning to stay at her home through Independence Day.
But all is not well when Sophie's elderly neighbor Dollie seeks out Sophie in a panic, telling her there's a dead man in her home. When Sophie investigates, there's no one there. The police refuse to take it seriously, stating the Dollie calls them all the time with false reports. But not too long after, the tour guide that Sophie hired is discovered dead behind Dollie's home, and the woman states she's never seen the man before.
Now Sophie is intrigued and wonders if the two are related. But intrigue is topped by anger when the police find her father's DNA on the dead man and her dad Paul becomes the chief suspect. While he refuses to take it seriously, Sophie knows better. Especially when a new homicide detective is assigned to the case, and he seems determined to pin the murder on Paul.
But there's more to the story: Melly's husband is acting suspiciously; Melly is being left gifts by a secret admirer; Dollie is hearing strange noises in her home; a man Sophie just met is also acting strangely; and there's another body...
With all this going on, will Sophie be able to find the truth or will her dad be prosecuted for s crime he didn't commit?...
This is the 19th book in the series, and I have grown to love the characters. Sophie has changed throughout the series, which I have enjoyed reading; and I've watched her become stronger and more independent. Her friends are always there to support her, especially her friend Bernie, and her ex-husband Mars is present as well.
The story line is written very well, and I loved the plot. There is a lot going on, and you have to read between the lines to figure out the clues. But they are there. You just have to look for them. I will say that the murderer was hidden nicely, but the more I read the closer I came to the truth. And the heart of the story is discovered very nearly toward the end, and something that I absolutely loved.
Yes, once again Sophie finds herself in danger, but of course she is also able to use her quick wits to free herself, and this time was no different. There are no threads left hanging and no cliffhangers. A delightful ending with bit of a hint of what will come next time 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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