Sophie has been hired to plan a dinner and dessert buffet for Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake. The party is a way for Bobbie Sue to reward the employees of her successful company.

When Bobbie Sue’s husband fails to arrive for the party she is not alarmed, until he is still missing the following day. Sadly, his body is found in the basement of his restaurant and Sophie agrees to help find his killer.


This is the fifteenth book in the Domestic Diva mystery series and the first I have ever read. It was able to stand on its own, but left me wanting to read the series from the beginning to answer some questions I have about Sophie’s relationship with her ex-husband.
The book takes place in the heat of summer in Washington DC. The author’s vivid descriptions left me feeling the temperatures.
I recommend this book.

Sophie Winston, the Domestic Diva, has been hired to cater a dinner for the employees of the Cheesecake Queen, Bobbie Sue Bodoin, to celebrate their business successes. Bobbie Sue's husband, Tate, fails to appear not just at the dinner but for the children's events. When Tate hasn't shown up by the next morning, Bobbie Sue is frantic and Sophie tries to help find him. She does, dead in the shop basement. Why would someone kill Tate? A rival? Do the police really believe that Sophie's friend Bernie could be the killer?

This was great mystery where all the minor characters take front and center helping to clear Bernie, protect Sophie and solve the mystery.

Set in Old Town, Alexandria, VA, The Diva Says Cheesecake is full of restaurants, cheesecake, locals, and murder suspects. Sophie, an event planner, always has the ingredients on hand to make cheesecake--it helps her, and the locals, and the police officers think through murder cases. Lots of time is spent with tea, coffee, and cheesecake to discuss who killed Tate, a restaurant owner married to Bobbie Sue, the Queen of Cheesecake. Once readers realize cheesecake is going to turn up with every twist of the crime investigation, they will find a good murder mystery. Recipes and baking tips included.

Old Town’s midsummer festivities are getting a tasty addition this year. To coincide with a public performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet on the waterfront. Bobbie Sue’s homegrown company is thriving, and since her baking dish overfloweth, she wants to reward her employees.

Bobbie Sue has only one menu demand: no cheesecake! But her specialty isn’t the only thing missing from the evening—Tate, Bobbie Sue’s husband, is too, much to her annoyance. Next morning, however, Tate’s dead body is discovered. Bobbie Sue insists she didn’t kick her spouse to the curb, and begs for Sophie’s help finding the real killer. Digging in, Sophie discovers an assortment of Old Town locals who all had reason to want a piece of Tate. Can she gather together the crumbs the killer left behind in time to prevent a second helping of murder?
Amazon.com

Krista Davis is back for the fifteenth book in the Domestic Diva mysteries series, The Diva Says Cheesecake. Kensington released the book yesterday, and as the book is set in late June, it appropriately starts the summer reading season with a cozy murder mystery accompanied by lots of cheesecake, summer breakfasts, and outdoor dinners. And there maybe a new romance, but that’s just my guess for book sixteen of the series. I’m sure Krista won’t tell!

Doing her job well is all that concerns main character Sophie Winston. She plans the Queen of Cheesecake’s company dinner and helps the woman find her stray husband or at least his body. Unfortunately, the husband is the victim of murder by champagne bottle, in Sophie’s opinion, the perfect drink that goes with cheesecake. A convenient pairing or a perfect frame?

Please welcome Krista Davis back to WWK! E. B. Davis
What are quiet fireworks?

They are fireworks that dazzle, but come without the loud noises that accompany regular fireworks. People with PTSD, some children with autism, dogs, and horses have awful reactions to the sounds. More dogs get lost on July 4th, than any other day because they are frantic to get away from fireworks. Imagine trying to control a hysterical horse! There are towns that are beginning to transition over to quiet fireworks. I hope more will join that movement.

What is a Thundershirt, which Sophie’s dog Daisy likes?

It’s a stretchy wrap designed for dogs. It’s meant to be tight, sort of like swaddling them. Like other things, it works for some dogs and not for others. I understand some rescues use them for terrified dogs.

Natasha is having a hard time with her living arrangements and her personal goals. But, her ego still has no bounds. She complains to Sophie about how successful Joanna Gaines has become, as if Joanna is her competition. Is Joanna Natasha’s idol? Is Natasha that driven for success?

Martha is Natasha’s idol. She wanted to be the Martha Stewart of the South and now feels like Joanna Gaines took that position. Natasha has always wanted fame. It all goes back to being abandoned by her father. She has a need to overcome those feelings of rejection.

Sophie tries to make cheesecakes without baking them. Does she omit the eggs and add sweetened condensed milk?

Sophie loves to bake with eggs. And I don’t think she used sweetened condensed milk in any of her recipes. The Blackberry No-Bake Cheesecake was a work in progress for Sophie and me last summer. But I think we finally nailed it!

When did Mars buy a B&B? Is it open for business? Who runs it?

It’s not actually a B&B. Mars and Bernie bought it as an investment just before The Diva Sweetens the Pie. It’s like an Air B&B. Basically a house available as a short-term rental.

Why does Sophie help young Liddy put her horrible ex-boyfriend in his place?

Because Sophie is cool! Didn’t you want to put him in his place?

Is it true that the FDA hasn’t approved CBD as a food additive? What’s the story with CBD? Why would Natasha bank a new business on it if it weren’t approved?

Apparently CBD is not approved. https://www.fda.gov/media/131878/download
Natasha doesn’t always have the best judgement about these things. She does, however, want to be ahead of the curve when it comes to new ideas.

Is there no place safe from garlic? Even in breakfast eggs? What’s next, garlic toothpaste?

Try some garlic powder in your scrambled eggs. You’ll be surprised!

Do Pina Coladas go with Chinese?

They’re great with Chinese! A lot of other drinks are, too, but Pina Coladas are festive and fun.

What makes Japanese cheesecake different? Does it have a Panko crust?

LOL! There’s no Panko in a Japanese Cheesecake. It contains less cream cheese and has a light airy texture reminiscent of a chiffon cake. It’s also not overly sweet, but my tasters loved it!

Mars finally tells Sophie about Bernie’s childhood and how Bernie’s nose was broken. Being affluent doesn’t necessarily mean easy street. Do people make assumptions about wealthier children that might not be true?

I think people make assumptions about everyone, wealthy and poor! Everyone’s story is different. There’s no way of telling what they’ve been through until you get to know them.

Under-ringing drinks is a way that counter-help steals money from restaurant management. Can it only be accomplished on cash sales?

Cash would be easiest, but I suspect you might be able to charge the drink and then take the difference out of the cash drawer.

Is the Organization of Research Chefs real? It sounds like a good organization.

I made up that name because I don’t like to upset anyone, but there is a Research Chefs Association. They are responsible for food and food product development.

I know that vermillion snapper is often foisted off as red snapper, which now cannot be caught. But vermillion snapper is red and tastes almost the same. What types of fish are substituted for others that are of a much better quality? Is it true that one out of five fish is caught illegally?

Illegal and unreported fishing is a huge problem. Apparently one out of five wild-caught fish is procured illegally. Red snapper might be tilapia! Wild-caught salmon can be replaced by farm-raised salmon. Mis-labeling is rampant because once it’s filleted, it very hard to tell which fish it is. Cheaper tuna and shark are often substituted for more expensive varieties. Pricey sea bass might actually be perch.

Will we find out if Natasha won Bobbie Sue’s cheesecake contest?

She did not win. No spoilers here, but Bobby Sue was very happy about the winner!

What’s next for Sophie?

Next is The Diva Delivers on a Promise. But it won’t be out until 2023.
However, I’m not finished! This year, I still have A Colorful Scheme coming on August 30th and A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder on September 6th.

Another fantastic edition in the Diva series. I’m always impressed that 1) these could be read as a stand alone book and that 2) it doesn’t bore with a recap of the character/history for those of us that have read them all. The characters continue to develop and while I always *think* I know who dunnit, I’m always left guessing until the end. Fantastic summer read that makes me even more eager for the next installment.

I really enjoy The Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis & the latest installment, The Diva Says Cheesecake, is equally as delightful as its predecessors.

The midsummer motif and the upcoming Fourth of July festivities provide a mood-setting backdrop as Sophie investigates a murder to give one friend some answers & to save another from prison. She is a terrific protagonist – caring, smart, loyal, and savvy – and her friends are just as well-drawn and engaging. From bestie Nina, quirky Francie, and sweetheart Bernie to even quasi-nemesis Natasha and (because Sophie is the kind of person who stays friends with her exes) Mars & Wolf, they are fun to hang out with on the pages … murder notwithstanding.

Krista Davis always crafts a well-layered mystery that keeps you guessing & holds your interest all the way through. The Diva Says Cheesecake! is no exception. The murder of a local restaurateur (and husband of the Queen of Cheesecake) introduces a bevy of suspects for Sophie & friends to sift through including restaurant staff, his family members & their circles, other restaurateurs, a mysterious stranger, and one of Sophie’s close friends. Just about the time I thought I had it figured out, another plausible suspect came across our radar and I had to rethink the clues I’d isolated.

Bottom Line: Grab a slice of your fave cheesecake and curl up with the latest sleuthing adventures of Sophie and friends in the Domestic Diva series from Krista Davis! A cleverly plotted mystery shares the pages with continued character development and mouth-watering food, as well as a setting that readers will feel a part of. The fact that each chapter opens with a sometimes-related DIY advice question and a corresponding answer from Sophie or Natasha ties in the theme of the series and adds further fun to the story. I’m already looking forward to my next visit with the Domestic Diva and her friends …. and trying to scrounge up some pumpkin cheesecake to assuage my book-indued cravings.

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

Sophie is hired to organize a dinner for cheesecake queen Bobbie Sue Bodoin. Bobbie Sue's husband does not show up for the event and is later found dead. Bobbie Sue enlists Sophie's help to find the killer. Sophie agrees, especially after her good friend, Bernie, is accused of the murder. I love this series. Sophie and her crew of friends Sophie and Natasha's advice columns at the beginning of each chapter. I can't wait to read the next book. I received an advanced copy from kensington and netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

One of the things I really like about this long running series is the small sense of community in the Old Town area of Alexandria that outlines the friendships and businesses in Sophie Winston's life. I couldn't have read this at a better time. It is midsummer in the book, and a local festival, complete with a performance of Shakespeare's play, are on tap. Sophie is hired by a local entrepreneur, Bobbie Sue (aka the Cheesecake Queen) to organize a dinner and dessert buffet for her. When her husband is a no show, it's maddening, but it's not until the next morning that murder comes into play. There are plenty of suspects and all of the usual cast get prominent roles, plus new characters that fit right in. I can't believe how many there are in this series, but they remain really good reads.

When Sophie Winston, cook extraordinaire, is asked to cater a dinner for Bobbie Sue Bodoin's employees, she's more than happy to do so. The meal goes off splendidly, except for the fact that Bobbie Sue is upset with her husband Tate, who promised to be there to see their son Spencer run a race, and watch his daughter Jo in a ballet routine. At first Bobbie Sue is irritated, but the next morning she's frantic because Tate hasn't come home. She asks Sophie's help in finding him, and Sophie agrees. But what she doesn't agree to is finding Tate's body in the basement of his restaurant -- dead. Now the primary suspect is is rival in business, Sophie's good friend Bernie.

While Sophie knows Bernie couldn't be a killer, the evidence is climbing toward him killing Tate. But she, along with all Bernie's friends, are determined to find the true killer. When Sophie is attacked, she knows the killer is out there, even if the police still think it's Bernie. Sophie needs to use all of her wits to evade a killer who might be nearer than anyone knows...

This is the fifteenth book in the series, and I have to say that I enjoyed it immensely. This series just seems to keep on getting better with each book. I like the fact that Sophie isn't bending over backward to please Natasha, and even talks back to her when Natasha thinks she's making a 'helpful' remark. Natasha is still as annoying as always, allowing her mouth to speak before her brain can process...or maybe she's just wired differently.

Bernie's friends rally 'round him loyally, and this book is as much a mystery as it is showing what true friendship looks like. I loved the warmth between the friends and the fact that they are so comfortable and caring with each other. I especially liked the scenes where Nina was trying to figure out what was going on with her husband. They were definitely humorous.

I knew who the killer was the moment that person stepped on the page, but it's the why and how that I wanted to see Sophie figure out. It was indeed worth reading the entire book to come to the climax of that moment in time. When the killer is discovered and the reason discerned, it shows you can never understand the reasoning of other people. So sad.

In the end, it all came together in a nice package, with the story being long on friendship, a few subplots thrown in that were all interesting (poor Natasha can't get a break), and the ending being both satisfying and worth it all. There are also quite a few yummy recipes thrown in at the back if you want to try them (I know I am going to). Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

Not a great standalone book to read. But doable if not familiar with the series. This is the first in the series that I have read. Story is interesting but there is an onslaught of characters early on and I often found myself struggling to keep up with who each character is. I Like reading cozy mysteries but I dislike the stories where everyone assumes the main character Is investigating the mystery/murder. And they mention on every other page that the amateur sleuth is or should' be investigating. It doesn't need to be said so often. The story was interesting. I enjoyed the setting and was able to visualize the neighborhood and restaurants. I did find myself saying out loud, more than once, "why aren't you telling the detective? " That did happen less often the more I read. The murder is solved at the end and all though it made kind made sense, it felt awkward. 2.5 stars.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Sophie is one of those characters whom I like- a lot- but who sometimes doesn’t get the “someone is trying to kill you vibe” and acts foolishly. She is not in Darwin territory but for a very smart lady, she can be a bit slow on the draw. It does not spoil the story. It is a good one. A restauranteur is found dead in the basement of his place. At first glance it looks like he fell while reaching for a bottle of wine in his cellar. Appearances can be deceiving and soon one of Sophie’s friends is arrested for the crime. Sophie is confident that he is innocent but someone has gone to great lengths to frame him.

As it turns out, before the conclusion, we discover that several somebodies have tried to “fix” things so that the guilty party is not discovered. That only leads to more and more confusion, including a couple of attempted murders. It is not until she is confronted by the killer that Sophie realizes who it is. I confess. I twigged about half way through the book. But to give Sophie some slack, it turns out there was another crime being investigated at the same time as the murder and since many of the same people are involved, it could have muddied the waters.

Still it was an entertaining read and I give it four purrs and two paws up.

Old Town’s midsummer festivities are getting a tasty addition this year. To coincide with a public performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet on the waterfront. Bobbie Sue’s homegrown company is thriving, and since her baking dish overfloweth, she wants to reward her employees.
Krista Davis does it again this is a MUST READ! I love Old Town the place and characters are get we see Sophie on the case again while trying to get a dinner party organized and she does not disappoint us! The twist this book takes are great I feel like I should know that I am never really gonna know who the killer is even though I think I do. This one was a stumper for sure! I can not wait for the next book I love falling into her stories.

Warning - you will want copious amounts of cheesecake after reading this book. It's everywhere and it all sounds delicious.

Sophie Winston's event planning business is booming and she is hired to host a dinner for the Queen of Cheesecake's factory employees at a swanky river-front restaurant and a fireworks display. The Queen's husband does not come to the event and later is found dead under mysterious circumstances, possibly involving a cheesecake. When Sophie's very good friend is clearly being framed for the murder, she puts on her sleuth hat and starts investigating. There are red herrings abound but if you look closely you'll know whodunit.

I love these light cozies with decorating tips and delicious recipes. Sophie is such a fun and relatable character to hang out with and the supporting cast, especially Nina and her dog Muppet, make the story all the more delightful. I always look forward to hanging out with Sophie in the pages and see what she gets up to next.

The Dive Says Cheesecake is a fantastic cozy mystery! This was my first Krista Davis book and I thoroughly enjoyed. She had me guessing the entire time. I really enjoyed Sophie as a character along with her group of friends. I hope there will be more from Sophie and friends in the future.

As always, Krista Davis delivers a delightful read. The food alone with make your mouth water. Great cozy mystery which is a fast and easy read. Cozy mysteries are my junk food and this one definitely was a good one. Great characters!

Thank you to #netgalley and #kensingtonbooks for allowing me to read the eARC of this book. All opinions expressed above are my own.

The Diva Says Cheesecake! A Domestic Diva Mystery
By Krista Davis
Kensington
June 2022

Review by Cynthia Chow

On the other side of the Potomac from Washington, DC, Old Town Virginia is celebrating the 4th of July with Independence Day parties and Midsummer Night Festival events. Domestic Diva columnist and event planner Sophie Winston has been hired to coordinate a number of parties, including a Midsummer Night dessert party for the staff of Blackwell’s Tavern. Since the owner’s wife Bobbie Sue Bodoin is a baker known as the Cheesecake Queen, cheesecakes are off the menu for the lucky but cheesecake-inundated workers. It looks as though Tate Bodoin will be unable to enjoy the night’s treats though, as after going missing Sophie has the horror of finding his body in the tavern’s basement. It doesn’t take long for Bobbie Sue and the police to declare his death a murder, or for Sophie’s friend Bernie Frei to be declared a suspect.

A public argument and then bloody evidence seems to indicate that someone has Bernie in the frame for the death, so Sophie and her bestie Nina Reid Norwood begin investigating who could have wanted the tavern owner dead. Tate’s assistant manager seems a little overly distraught, and Marsha Bathurst was indeed the first to make accusations towards Bernie. Sophie’s boyfriend Detective Wolf Fleishman isn’t apologetic about his suspicion or questioning of Bernie, making their romance a little rocky even without the continual presence of her ex-husband. Things are actually going relatively well with Mars Winston now that he has finally separated himself from Natasha, Sophie’s lifelong nemesis and a competing lifestyle writer. At loose ends now that she’s living with her rediscovered new family, Natasha is seeking out yet another new business venture that she hopes will gain her fame and fortune. There’s a lot going on in this historic Virginian town, but not even anonymous letters hinting at illegal activities or a physical attack will keep Sophie from producing fabulous recipes or bring a murderer to justice.

This 15th in the series continues to remind readers why they have fallen in love with these likable, charming characters. Natasha is as outrageous and snobby as ever, but her brittle exterior hides an insecurity and actual good heart that she does her best to hide. The descriptions of step-by-step desert and meal preparations are as enjoyable to read as they are relaxing for Sophie, who puts together all of the clues during these meditative times. Adorable pets are as plentiful as the recipes included at the end, making this series a requirement for any cozy reader’s bookshelves. The mention of “quiet” fireworks should resonate with any pet owner accustomed to their furry companions hiding out under furniture and traumatized by seasonal explosions. The humor and affection the characters have for one another feels so natural and built-in that readers will also feel right at home within this funny, satisfying, food-filled mystery.

Old Town Alexandria, Virginia celebrates midsummer festivities in a big way which includes a public performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”
On the same evening Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie Winston to organize a dinner on the waterfront as a reward for her hardworking employees.
Bobbie Sue is spreading herself thin that evening with her dinner, her daughter's performance and her son's race. On top of everything her husband Tate is a no show for everything.

Very early the next morning Sophie and Bobbie Sue search for the still missing Tate and find his dead body in the storage basement of his restaurant.

Sophie's good friend soon becomes the prime suspect and Bobbie Sue begs for Sophie’s help finding the real killer

This was a fun read with some good recipes.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Midsummer in Old Town means some fun. In addition to Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” performance this year the “Queen of Cheesecake” Bobbie Sue Bodoin is hosting a dinner for her employees down by the waterfront. She has hired Sofie to organize the affair with one strict demand – No Cheesecake on the dessert buffet!

The dinner goes off fabulously with only one hitch. Bobbie Sue’s restauranteur husband Tate failed to show up at the event. Bobbie Sue shrugs it off until about 4 A.M. when she calls Sophie for help. Tate has still not come home. Sophie grabs Nina and they meet Bobbie Sue at his restaurant. While doing a thorough search Sophie finds Tate’s body. Bobbie Sue swears she had nothing to do with the man’s death and begs Sophie to help her find the killer. Can she come up with the right recipe to catch a murderer? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

I look forward to every book in this series as soon as I finish the last one because these characters are so fantastic. They are realistic, engaging, and fun. I would definitely be friends with Sophie and Nina if I could jump into the book. Francie is a hoot and doesn’t hold back. Mars may not have been the right man for Sophie but he is a great friend. Bernie finds himself needing his friends in this story and they all really step up. Natasha is . . . well Natasha and every good group of friends seems to have a Natasha. It is such a joy to tag along with these characters. No matter what is happening in their world they always pull together and I love that!

Catching the killer was not an easy task and Sophie doesn’t give up even after she is threatened and hurt. Ms. Davis filled this story with some wild twists and turns. All the misdirection did exactly what she planned, I was drawn completely into the story. It grabbed me so tight that was unable to put the book down which means Krista Davis is responsible for my latest book hangover finishing the book just before 3 a.m.

Ms. Davis is an amazing storyteller. Her descriptive details flow so effortlessly, easily taking her readers to Old Town Virginia, and all it has to offer. She mixes up the characters’ daily lives with a marvelous mystery throwing in an ample amount of humor and a dash of romance. She also includes mouth-watering descriptions of food and not just the cheesecake, but Oh! My! The Cheesecake!!! I cheated and purchased one for the grocery store the next day to curb the cravings caused by this book. I am sure it wasn’t as good as Bobbie Sue’s Bodoin’s but it did the trick at least until I wrote this review. I think my husband may need to make a stop on his way home. She does include 12 “delectable” recipes at the end of the book. I can already feel my waistline expanding.

The Diva Says Cheesecake is my new favorite book in this series! I LOVED IT! It is so good it deserves more than 5 stars! You will find this book on my Best Reads of 2022 and it receives my Paradise Rating!!

The Diva delivered as she always does :) Lots of delicious descriptions of food (especially cheesecake!), small town charm, and fun characters. A delightful weekend read!

The Diva Says Cheesecake by Krista Davis is an entertaining cozy mystery with Sophie Winston who lives in Old Town along with her small group of mystery solvers. This time it is doubly important as it is Bernie Frei who has been accused of murder; a murder he did not commit. Even the police don't' seem fully convinced. The victim was Tate Bodoin, a rival restauraneur in Old Town, and husband to Bobbie Sue, commonly known as the Cheesecake Queen, who sold to restaurants and caterers. He was found face down in a pile of glass in the basement of his restaurant by his wife, and Sophie, whom she had called when he didn't come home. Sophie immediately called the police and the investigation had begun. Sophie and Tate had had a good marriage, and two kids: Spenser, Bobbie's from an earlier relationship, who was now a teenager; and Jo, who was an aspiring ballerina at the ripe old age of ten. This was going to be difficult. But, Bobbie Sue had support so Sophie could do her own thing.

There were plenty of people to suspect of this murder, other than Bernie, but he was chastened when he was released by the police. This is a small community of friends: Mars, Sophie's ex-husband, was Bernie's roommate (and friend); Natasha, who lived down the street from Sophie, was the woman who interfered with Sophie and Mars' marriage. Nina, Sophie's best friend, lived across the street and was at Sophie's as much as she was at home. This was a terrific story, as much about manipulation as about murder. Several strong manipulators were at work in this story, making the reader question everyone. Sophie is a strong character with Natasha seemingly wanting to be her. It's kind of amusing to watch. This is a well-done cozy and Sophie is a strong lead of a band of interesting misfits who do seem to solve crime.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Diva Says Cheesecake by Kensington, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #kensington #kristadavis #thedivasayscheesecake