Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed The Diva Goes Overboard (A Domestic Diva Mystery) on + 651 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Sophie Winston's frenemy Natasha Smith's mother Wanda is getting married. The groom is antiques dealer Orson Chatsworth and Natasha is happily planning the wedding and the engagement party. You know both will be lavish events.
A crowd of people attend the engagement party and Natasha has gone all out serving a variety of food boards catered by social media star, and the groom's daughter, Stella St. James. Charcuterie boards, butter boards, dessert boards, and more. Natasha has gone overboard on boards but everyone loves them until the groom crumbles to the ground and dies. At first, it is thought that Orson had a heart attack but it is later confirmed that he was poisoned. An event this big yields several suspects, including his daughter, an ex or two, and even Sophie.
Sophie jumps on board to investigate the murder ready to serve the killer his just desserts.
______
This is one of my favorite series. Seventeen books in, the topics are fresh and the characters continue to surprise me.
Sophie has a huge heart and is very down to earth. When working on an event, a new task, or a murder she gives it her all. Natasha is over the top but she and her mother, Wanda, haven't had an easy life. I was so happy that Orson was going to be in their lives. Sophie has a wonderful relationship with her ex-husband Mars. They get together often with their friends Nina and Bernie where the current murder is often discussed. Sophie and Mars share custody of their dog, Daisy, and Sophie has an ocicat named Mochie. All these characters are well-developed. Their interactions are true to life. It is very easy to get invested in their lives. I would love to jump into the pages and become part of their group. Even introduce my Daisy to Sophie's.
Finding Orson's killer was not easy. Ms. Davis has written a compelling complicated mystery with plenty of twists and turns including a surprising reading of Orson Chatsworth's will. Its contents really shook things up and sent the story in a very interesting direction. Then just when I thought all the clues were falling into place, the author served up another twist that stopped me cold. Sophie was working on some other mysteries too that were wrapped up in the last chapter. She really had her hands full in this story and she didn't disappoint. She is quite the sleuth.
Be prepared to have your stomach growl while reading The Diva Goes Overboard. In addition to all the trendy food boards described in detail, there is never a shortage of food when the characters in this series gather. Recipes for Salted Caramel Banana Pudding, Banana Walnut Bread, Summer Succotash, Bourbon Peach Ice Tea, Lavender Lemonade, and more are included in the back of the book. Each chapter also starts with a letter asking for advice from Sophie or Natasha and their fun replies.
The Diva Goes Overboard is a grand addition to this series and another Perfect Escape. I open the book and like Calgon, the story just takes me away. I am looking forward to book 18 already. My visits to Old Town Alexandria end too soon especially when I read the book all in one sitting. Until next year...
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Sophie Winston's frenemy Natasha Smith's mother Wanda is getting married. The groom is antiques dealer Orson Chatsworth and Natasha is happily planning the wedding and the engagement party. You know both will be lavish events.
A crowd of people attend the engagement party and Natasha has gone all out serving a variety of food boards catered by social media star, and the groom's daughter, Stella St. James. Charcuterie boards, butter boards, dessert boards, and more. Natasha has gone overboard on boards but everyone loves them until the groom crumbles to the ground and dies. At first, it is thought that Orson had a heart attack but it is later confirmed that he was poisoned. An event this big yields several suspects, including his daughter, an ex or two, and even Sophie.
Sophie jumps on board to investigate the murder ready to serve the killer his just desserts.
______
This is one of my favorite series. Seventeen books in, the topics are fresh and the characters continue to surprise me.
Sophie has a huge heart and is very down to earth. When working on an event, a new task, or a murder she gives it her all. Natasha is over the top but she and her mother, Wanda, haven't had an easy life. I was so happy that Orson was going to be in their lives. Sophie has a wonderful relationship with her ex-husband Mars. They get together often with their friends Nina and Bernie where the current murder is often discussed. Sophie and Mars share custody of their dog, Daisy, and Sophie has an ocicat named Mochie. All these characters are well-developed. Their interactions are true to life. It is very easy to get invested in their lives. I would love to jump into the pages and become part of their group. Even introduce my Daisy to Sophie's.
Finding Orson's killer was not easy. Ms. Davis has written a compelling complicated mystery with plenty of twists and turns including a surprising reading of Orson Chatsworth's will. Its contents really shook things up and sent the story in a very interesting direction. Then just when I thought all the clues were falling into place, the author served up another twist that stopped me cold. Sophie was working on some other mysteries too that were wrapped up in the last chapter. She really had her hands full in this story and she didn't disappoint. She is quite the sleuth.
Be prepared to have your stomach growl while reading The Diva Goes Overboard. In addition to all the trendy food boards described in detail, there is never a shortage of food when the characters in this series gather. Recipes for Salted Caramel Banana Pudding, Banana Walnut Bread, Summer Succotash, Bourbon Peach Ice Tea, Lavender Lemonade, and more are included in the back of the book. Each chapter also starts with a letter asking for advice from Sophie or Natasha and their fun replies.
The Diva Goes Overboard is a grand addition to this series and another Perfect Escape. I open the book and like Calgon, the story just takes me away. I am looking forward to book 18 already. My visits to Old Town Alexandria end too soon especially when I read the book all in one sitting. Until next year...
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Kensington Cozies, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
