Lori C. (dollycas) reviewed The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (A Domestic Diva Mystery) on + 761 more book reviews
Dollycas's Thoughts
Is there anything better than brunch? The people of Old Town Alexandria don't think so. Everyone wants to hold one, and Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is ready to help them succeed. She is very busy, but when local designer Mitzi Lawson asks for her help, she can't say no. Mitzi thinks someone is following her, and then Denise Nofsinger, her best friend and business partner, is found dead in the Inger House by Sophie. It is an old family home that Denise and her husband have inherited, and Mitzi was helping her renovate. At first, the death appears to be a medical accident, but it is soon determined to be murder, and Mitzi is afraid she could be next.
Sophie wants to know what happened as much as Mitzi, so she encourages her to tell the police about her fears. But then she goes missing after a frantic call to Sophie.
Could Mitzi be involved in Denise's death? Or was she the next victim? Could someone upset about the inheritance be to blame? While Sophie gets ready for a big, important brunch that Natasha roped her into, she tries to find the missing designer and a killer.
I love this series.
Catching up with Sophie, Mars, Nina, Bernie, and even Natasha is always a good time. Ms. Davis has crafted such genuine characters with depth. They continue to grow with each story. In The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg she introduces the Inger Nofsinger family. Helena is at the helm of the family's real estate business where several family members are employed. Robbie and his wife, Mary, were up next to inhabit the family home, but Mary would rather be in the country with her rescued horses. Mike is their son and is married to interior designer Denise. She was excited about renovating and moving into the Inger House. These characters were interesting and cleverly written. It was easy to be drawn into their family drama. We were also treated to a short visit by Holly Miller from the author's Paws & Claws Mystery Series.
I really enjoyed that Mars' Aunt Faye was remembered in this story and that we learned more about her past. She was an incredibly strong woman for the time, and admired for the way she affected people's lives. Sophie now lives in her home. She bought out the house from Mars when they divorced. A picture of Aunt Faye hangs in the kitchen. Sophie feels the woman is watching over the goings-on in the house.
The mystery had a plethora of suspects. Sophie and her crew gathered around her kitchen table for some delicious meals while they went over the clues, threw out a few theories, and planned how to move the investigation forward. Ms. Davis filled the story with some fine twists and surprises. Clues were revealed at a perfect pace. Sophie was able to have people open up to her about things that happened decades ago, but were relevant to the current happenings. A found item answers a huge question after the killer is revealed. My eyes were glued to the pages as everything played out and was explained.
As always, the letters to Sophie and Natasha at the beginning of each chapter are fun. Sophie gives great common-sense, down-to-earth advice, while Natasha's advice reveals more diva-ish. Both reflect the women's personalities so well.
The book also includes 14 recipes appropriate for brunch or really anytime. Our family loves breakfast for our evening meal. Eggs Benedict, Sophie's Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Breakfast, Quick and Easy Baked Pears, Frittata for a Crowd, and Apple Cider Mimosas are just a few that your family and friends would enjoy.
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is a fabulous addition to this fantastic, long-running series. 18 books so far, I just can't get enough! Each book becomes my new favorite. I will be anxiously awaiting book #19! I can't wait to see what the author has in mind for Sophie and her friends next.
I highly recommend this entire series, and you can jump in anywhere because the author provides details so you won't feel lost, but I bet you won't be able to read just one.
Is there anything better than brunch? The people of Old Town Alexandria don't think so. Everyone wants to hold one, and Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is ready to help them succeed. She is very busy, but when local designer Mitzi Lawson asks for her help, she can't say no. Mitzi thinks someone is following her, and then Denise Nofsinger, her best friend and business partner, is found dead in the Inger House by Sophie. It is an old family home that Denise and her husband have inherited, and Mitzi was helping her renovate. At first, the death appears to be a medical accident, but it is soon determined to be murder, and Mitzi is afraid she could be next.
Sophie wants to know what happened as much as Mitzi, so she encourages her to tell the police about her fears. But then she goes missing after a frantic call to Sophie.
Could Mitzi be involved in Denise's death? Or was she the next victim? Could someone upset about the inheritance be to blame? While Sophie gets ready for a big, important brunch that Natasha roped her into, she tries to find the missing designer and a killer.
I love this series.
Catching up with Sophie, Mars, Nina, Bernie, and even Natasha is always a good time. Ms. Davis has crafted such genuine characters with depth. They continue to grow with each story. In The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg she introduces the Inger Nofsinger family. Helena is at the helm of the family's real estate business where several family members are employed. Robbie and his wife, Mary, were up next to inhabit the family home, but Mary would rather be in the country with her rescued horses. Mike is their son and is married to interior designer Denise. She was excited about renovating and moving into the Inger House. These characters were interesting and cleverly written. It was easy to be drawn into their family drama. We were also treated to a short visit by Holly Miller from the author's Paws & Claws Mystery Series.
I really enjoyed that Mars' Aunt Faye was remembered in this story and that we learned more about her past. She was an incredibly strong woman for the time, and admired for the way she affected people's lives. Sophie now lives in her home. She bought out the house from Mars when they divorced. A picture of Aunt Faye hangs in the kitchen. Sophie feels the woman is watching over the goings-on in the house.
The mystery had a plethora of suspects. Sophie and her crew gathered around her kitchen table for some delicious meals while they went over the clues, threw out a few theories, and planned how to move the investigation forward. Ms. Davis filled the story with some fine twists and surprises. Clues were revealed at a perfect pace. Sophie was able to have people open up to her about things that happened decades ago, but were relevant to the current happenings. A found item answers a huge question after the killer is revealed. My eyes were glued to the pages as everything played out and was explained.
As always, the letters to Sophie and Natasha at the beginning of each chapter are fun. Sophie gives great common-sense, down-to-earth advice, while Natasha's advice reveals more diva-ish. Both reflect the women's personalities so well.
The book also includes 14 recipes appropriate for brunch or really anytime. Our family loves breakfast for our evening meal. Eggs Benedict, Sophie's Butternut Squash Sheet Pan Breakfast, Quick and Easy Baked Pears, Frittata for a Crowd, and Apple Cider Mimosas are just a few that your family and friends would enjoy.
The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is a fabulous addition to this fantastic, long-running series. 18 books so far, I just can't get enough! Each book becomes my new favorite. I will be anxiously awaiting book #19! I can't wait to see what the author has in mind for Sophie and her friends next.
I highly recommend this entire series, and you can jump in anywhere because the author provides details so you won't feel lost, but I bet you won't be able to read just one.
