The Diva Sweetens the Pie
Nothing heats up Old Town quite like the annual Pie Festival, and this year is no exception, especially since Sophie’s professional rival, Natasha Smith, is barred from participating. Sophie, meanwhile, has been asked to oversee the pie-eating contest. But the drama really rolls out when celebrity judge Patsy Lee Presley, host of television’s most popular cooking show, bites the crust during the competition, and Sophie’s friends are suspected of the crime.
As the folks of Old Town dish, the tough truth about Patsy’s meteoric rise to domestic stardom begins to leak. It turns out that Patsy’s sweet exterior hid a secret sour side, which alienated many of her closest allies, including a jilted ex-husband, a bitter ex-mentor, and a jaded ex-best friend. With the festival falling apart and her friends in danger of being boxed up for murder, Sophie must cobble together the clues and stop a flakey fiend from serving up any more deadly desserts.
Series: Domestic Diva – Book 12
Author: Krista Davis
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Business/Culinary
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 336
Rating: 
New from Kensington Books https://www.kensingtonbooks.com comes Krista Davis’ latest addition, “The Diva Sweetens the Pie,” in her Domestic Diva cozy mystery book series. A fun, easy-to-read, and exceedingly entertaining book from beginning to end.
Krista Davis knows how to keep her audience’s attention while giving them hours of delight. Her characters are well thought out, striking, and filled with comical as well as exasperating quirks, which makes them all the more endearing. The plot stays consistent, and although not necessarily unique on its own, the twist and turns make it fresh and stimulating.
Sophie is tolerant and forgiving of most things; she picks her battles. She is a modern woman with a tendency to be compassionate with just a touch of stubbornness. She loves her animals and pies. Her advice column is filled with helpful tips that have her audience clamoring for more. But… she sticks her nose into murder investigations and has a way of almost getting it cut off every time. Sophie is lovable, and her friends are wonderful individuals. Even her ex-husband gets a warm welcome and a slice of pie.
The location of Old Town is a picture-perfect setting for a murder mystery series. Old Town is a real neighborhood in Alexandria; it is picturesque, with buildings dating back to 1749. It boasts hundreds of restaurants, shops, and museums. Yet Old Town retains its rustic charm with cobblestone streets and red brick sidewalks. Giving visitors and residents the feel of a small town where everyone knows everyone.
This cozy mystery book has a full helping of mischievous characters, non-traditional relationships, and murder. The killer is smart and resourceful. Many readers will not guess who the killer is until the unveiling, the reveal leaving readers with a sense of satisfaction. Sophie’s pets are delectable; their antics make you want to curl up on a couch and cuddle.
I happily recommend The Diva Sweetens the Pie and the “Domestic Diva” series to readers who love baking, amateur sleuths, busybodies, and highly competitive divas. The baking tips and recipes are scrumptious and make you really want a slice of pie!
Fans of Krista Davis will enjoy other authors and series such as Bree Baker’s http://breebaker.com/ “Sea Side Mysteries” https://www.thecozyreview.com/no-good-tea-goes-unpunished/ or Mary Lee Ashford’s https://maryleeashford.com/ “A Sugar & Spice Mystery” https://www.thecozyreview.com/game-of-scones/.
About the Author:
Krista Davis lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She resided in Northern Virginia for many years and lived for a time in Old Town, Alexandria.
She really does have a gregarious Ocicat named Mochie who can open cabinets and leap to amazing heights. Her dogs, including a Golden Retriever who isn’t golden and won’t retrieve, consider Krista’s writing career a convenient second job that allows her to be available for her primary job as a door opener, canine cuisine chef, and walking assistant.
Krista’s fascination with mysteries was fueled by Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, and Agatha Christie. Like her protagonist, Sophie Winston, Krista loves to entertain friends and family but would just as soon leave the cleaning to someone else.
Contact Krista at krista@kristadavis.com
Contact The Cozy Review
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