This is the 13th book in the Domestic Diva series. I'm a big fan of the author and the series, and I loved this latest installment. The characters are interesting and fun, and reading it is like visiting old friends you haven't seen in a while. I highly recommend this book!

Thanks to Kensington Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sophie is hired by a Senator's wife to help ghost write her cookbook when the previous ghost writer disappears. Sophie finds a secret code in the manuscript and starts poking around, ultimately helping to discover a dead body. Unable to leave the mystery alone she keeps talking to neighbors until she discovers who killed whom.
I like Krista Davis' books and find she's getting better as she goes on. In the early books Natasha really just irritated me, but she's mellowing and becoming more tolerable. Maybe it's because Sophie's mellowing towards her? If you like her previous books you wont' be disappointed with this one. #netgalley #thedivaspicesitup

Mystery, suspense, likeable characters both primary and secondary.
Book 13 in series can stand alone , but recommend reading others

This series has been one of my favorites and it gets better and better with each new book. This story has it all, murder, plot twists, and long lost family. A page turner like no other, this book is stuck in your hands until the very end.

4.5 Stars

This is the thirteenth book in the A Domestic Diva mystery series by Krista Davis.

I have read a couple of other books in this series and it is really growing on me. It is definitely a series I want to do a marathon on. I am really resonating with all the cooking and foodie cozy mysteries right now.

Basic premise: Mars asks Sophie to ghostwrite a cookbook for the wife of one of his clients. It appears as if Abby, the original ghostwriter, just left town. But when they find a dead body in the freezer in her basement, it seems as if this disappearance might mean something more sinister.

I enjoyed all the cooking references and food ideas brought up in this book. It always inspires me since I am not the greatest cook and am greatly learning from those who do make and create these recipes.

There are a lot of quirky characters in this series and I totally dig most all of the cast. The bumbling spy guy just cracked me up when he appeared in the scene. I do find that I am a bit mystified by Sophie’s relationship with Mars and Natasha. Mars dated them both and this easy comradery they find with each other is downright crazy and fascinating at the same time. With so many characters in the mix, it made the whodunit aspect of this quite difficult to figure out. I enjoyed Abby’s neighbor and former socialite, Edith. I do hope she pops up in a future book.

There was a bit of spy school going on behind the scenes in this story with all the code breaking, dead drops and hidden messages. Quite a fun aspect of the story, really.

I thought the little advice column snippets at the beginning of each chapter to be helpful when by Sophie and quite a hoot when by Natasha. Remind me again why Natasha has the tv cooking show and not Sophie? That particularly boggles my mind.

This is definitely a series you grow into but one you won’t want to miss!

If you love a good cozy mystery, definitely check this one out . You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.

I was given this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was another great addition to the Domestic Diva series. This time Sophie Winston is asked to replace another ghostwriter who left a new cookbook author high and dry. Mars, her ex-husband, asks her to help the author as his client is married to the author. Even though Sophie was looking forward to some time off, she can’t refuse.

Add in two dead bodies, Washington intrigue, and a newly discovered relative of Natasha’s, and Sophie is definitely kept busy in this book! I always like revisiting Sophie’s world and enjoy that the same group of friends are featured in all the books. As always, it is well-written and interesting. I love the letters to Sophie and Natasha that begin each chapter, especially since The author often uses West Virginia towns, which makes me like them even more.

Sophie Winston is at it again. Through the help of her ex husband Mars she stumbles upon a few murders and he becomes a suspect. In this story she helps to ghostwrite a cookbook. As always Krista Davis writes a witty, wonderful cozy. I love how she has tempered Natasha, a little and the fabulous recipes that Sophie makes and are included. Krista Davis remains my favorite author.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. While not the first in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. This was my first read of this series and the author does an excellent job of bringing you into the story. She also provides a list of characters at the beginning of the book in case you want to refer to them. The protagonist, Sophie Winston, owns an event planning company in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Located about 10 miles from downtown DC, Old Town residents are the movers and shakers in American politics. In this book, Sophie is asked by her ex-husband to ghost-write a cookbook for a politician’s wife after the previous ghost-writer disappears. While reluctant, the fee allows Sophie to make some much needed repairs to her home, so she agrees to meet the author. They hit it off, while the mystery of the previous ghost writer’s disappearance continues to interrupt the work. There end up being multiple deaths, spies, code-breaking and the Cold War. This is a well-done book and I see why so many enjoy Ms. Davis’ Domestic Diva series. Plus, the cookbook angle allows her to share some delectable recipes with the readers. Looking forward to the next in this series (and reading the first 12 books too!).

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and number thirteen did not fail me. This could be read out of order from the series, but why do that? I always like to start at the beginning. A fun and fast read, the mystery was full of twists and turns and kept me guessing just like a good mystery should do. Highly recommended for all the cozy mystery readers out there.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC. This review is also published to my Goodreads page.

Very enjoyable read, even if all the recipes made my mouth water as I was reading! I loved the mix of characters and really enjoyed the fall touches, especially the decorations. Good mystery too; I kinda was thinking I knew who the murder was, but the ending was certainly a delightful surprise to me.

Sophie's ex-husband convinces her to take on a job ghostwriting a celebrity cookbook. The original ghostwriter, Abby, quit unexpectedly just weeks before deadline and has disappeared. Soon Sophie is investigating whether Abby's disappearance was helped along by someone who wanted her out of the way.

There is a ton going on in The Diva Spices It Up, with a wide variety of subplots and plenty of quirky characters. Part of Sophie's job is to cook the recipes to confirm they work with the ingredient amounts listed, so there is a lot of cooking and baking. Recipes are included if you want to try some of the deliciously described meals. This book can be read as a standalone but it would be best to read it as part of the series. Recommended for fans of culinary cozy mysteries.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC. The opinions in this review are honest and my own.

Love this series its fall in old town. Sophie is asked to help write a cookbook for someone. When someone goes missing and then finds out there is a murder.. Sophie sets out to investigate before the killer kills again. To hear more read the book.

The Diva Spices it Up
What a great mixture of a cozy murder mystery spiced up with some delicious mouth watering recipes. Sophie takes on the job of ghost writer for Tilly’s cookbook and begins to unravel a mystery as woman start disappearing or turning up dea. It seems that she and her whole community of friends, and ex-husbands, gather together to solve these crimes.
The plot has many twists and turns and sinister characters turn out to be good while others turn out to be sinister. The character development is excellent.
I would recommend this book to my patrons.

THE DIVA SPICES IT UP is the thirteenth book in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis and despite what you might think about the number thirteen, this newest release is a charming delight! If you haven’t read any of the previous books in the series, Ms. Davis provides a list of characters at the beginning to help the reader keep track. Even though this series has been a long-time favorite of mine, I still like to refer to the list. In this newest book, protagonist Sophie Winston, owner of an event planning company, tries her hand at ghostwriting a celebrity cookbook. I liked how Sophie and her client immediately click and how down to earth they both are, which make them relatable to readers. On the other hand there is Natasha, Sophie’s somewhat frenemy and ex-girlfriend of Sophie’s ex-husband (but rest assured, there’s not a single love triangle in sight). She’s the sort of person that personifies a prima donna but instead of being annoying, the author finds ways to make her a sympathetic character. Ms. Davis uses an advice column question written to either Sophie or Natasha, at the beginning of each chapter, which allows the personality of each to shine through. I found it an effective way for the reader to get a better understanding of the characters.

THE DIVA SPICES IT UP weaves an intriguing story about code-breaking, spies, a dastardly murder, and a disappearance. I especially love that the author wrote a scene based on a dead drop experience she witnessed. While there are plenty of clues, this is a story I was happy to sit back and savor each word instead of trying to figure it out. Ms. Davis is quite adept at writing seemingly unrelated subplots and then pulling them together into one cohesive and compelling story at the end! It left this reader highly satisfied and anxious for the next book in the series.

I greatly enjoyed how the food aspect was woven into the storyline via the ghostwriting cookbook project and Sophie’s love to provide comforting and nourishing meals for her friends. I’m always impressed by not only the delectable dishes she prepares, but how she elegantly dresses her table and stylishly serves them. Sophie certainly lives up to her Domestic Diva name! Ms. Davis provides several recipes at the back of the book which all sound fantastic.

I haven't read this series in a long time. I really enjoyed it so will go back and look for previous books. I don't feel that not having read the prior books interfered with my enjoyment of this one. I like the mystery, and it kept me guessing throughout. I also liked the characters, their relationships and the setting.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Old town Alexandria Virginia maybe a small town, but when a third domestic diva arrives in town Sophie is hired to help her ghost write a cookbook for the newest arrival when the original ghostwriter suddenly quit and disappears. Sophie and Nina stop by the woman’s house to check on her and a call to the police ends up with a body of a woman being found in the freezer. Why would anyone do this to the woman?

When the results of a DNA test that Natasha has taken shows that she has a half-sister, Natasha is excited to meet her and throws a party. When her sister does not show, the party must go on and then Sophie see something in the corner of the yard. It turns out to be Natasha’s sister, who has been beaten and left for dead. How does all of this connect to the murder? And what about the strange code at the previous Ghostwriter have noted throughout the draft of the cookbook? That’s exactly what Sophia intends to find out.

With twists and turns and spies and lies, Sophie and the gang have a lot of ground to cover to find the killer before the killer finds them. Krista Davis never disappoints and the lucky 13th entry in the series is the best one yet! Be sure to check out all of the yummy recipes at the end of the book, you don’t want to miss them.

I love Krista Davis books, and The Diva Spices It Up does not disappoint. This book (and all her books) are fun to read, even though there was a murder. 

The Diva Spices It Up is a great mix of suspense, mystery, and some funny moments. The recipes included at the end of the book are always a bonus, especially the maple-glazed Brussels sprouts with bacon! And I will have to try the Homemade Pumpkin Spice Latte. 

The codes used in the book's mystery were pretty cool to figure out. I really enjoyed all the characters and the quaint-town atmosphere. Her books are a great way to escape and just relax and try to figure out the mystery with lots of interesting twists and turns, plus fun moments with good character development. 

I'm looking forward to more in the series.

The diva books are always good reads! I love to read about Sophie and her friends and their lives. This one is about cookbooks and families. The plot was a bit involved, and I got lost a couple of times. These books are so good, though, that that didn't matter to me. I always am immediately ready for the next book when I finish the current one.
I received an Advance Review Copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

This is favorite cozy mystery series. I’m always jealous of how Sophie always seems to have the ingredients she needs to make delicious meals.
There were lots of twists that definitely didn’t have the mystery figured out.

I keep saying I'm going to read more of this series, and I'm glad I picked this one up. A fun mystery with great characters and a spy theme.