The Diva Goes Overboard is the seventeenth cozy mystery in the A Domestic Diva Mystery series. Event planner, Sophie Winston, is well known around Old Town in Alexandria, Virginia, both for her planning and entertaining skills and her amateur sleuth status. Whenever a murder takes place in Old Town, Sophie always seems to be close by and jumps in to help the police solve the case. Sophie is known Natasha Smith her whole life and they have a love her relationship. Natasha is set on being the new Martha Stewart, but it’s not going as well as planned. When Wanda, Natasha’s mother, and Orson, a local antique dealer, get engaged Natasha is set to pull off the perfect wedding, but when Orson is murdered during the engagement party all bets are off. With a murder to solve and an unexpected inheritance, Sophie is about to become busier than usual.

I have loved this series from the very beginning and am always excited to see a new book coming out. Sophie Winston is one of my favorite characters ever and I want to be her when I grow up! She is so fun, smart and determined when it comes to solving cases and her life seems fun, minus the murder. I love the community that has been built in this series and am always happy to see these old friends again. This series will keep you enthralled the whole was through and if you are a cozy mystery fan and haven’t checked it out yet, you definitely should. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Sophie and hope we don’t have to wait long!

When Krista Davis releases a book, you buy that book. The Diva goes Overboard is no exception. Once I opened, it I was hooked.


Sophie finds herself caught up in another murder. This time, she is drawn into it by the victim himself. Oscar was asking Sophie to meet him in the morning. Then he collapses. Everyone thinks he had a heart attack. Till they find out it was poison. Now she finds herself with an Antiques Shop and more Questions than answers. Who did it? Was it the Fiancé? Was it the old business partner? Maybe the ex-girlfriend? Also, why does he have those pictures hidden in his secret office? Will she be able to figure this out before anyone else dies? Luckily, she has her friends to help out. You know they won't let her down.


Now I just have to wait for the next book in the series. It's the only bad part of reading a Diva book. There is a silver lining. You can cook up some of the recipes while you wait.


Thank you to NetGalley, Krista Davis, and Kensington Publishing for allowing me to read the ARC. I'm already preordered for my physical copy.

There are so many aspects of Krista Davis’ Domestic Diva cozies that I enjoy. As in previous books, she has a list of characters in The Diva Goes Overboard. (Yay, I think all books with over ten characters should do this.) Because I’ve read almost all the books in the series, Sophie Winston and her friends are familiar, and it feels as if I’m catching up with old friends. I love the setting of Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. I probably wouldn’t recognize it now, but I spent some time there when I was in grad school. And, it’s always fun to see what domestic hints Sophie and her frenemy Natasha have for those who consult them for help. I’ve had the same complaint, though, in the last couple books. Sophie and her best friend, Nina, tend to jump to conclusions.

Natasha’s mother is engaged to a wealthy local businessman, Orson Chatsworth, and the engagement party is well-attended. Because it’s outside, there are people who might not have been invited, including Orson’s ex-wife, and an ex-girlfriend. When Orson keels over, poisoned, during the party, there are quite a few suspects. But, Orson’s family members have a #1 suspect, Sophie. Why did Orson leave Sophie his antiques store?

Sophie didn’t know the man well, but he had asked to meet with her. When she learns Orson was being followed, she thinks he knew someone wanted to kill him. She’s guessing he wanted her to investigate his death. But, she really didn’t know Orson well, and she’ll have to dig into his past and his history.

Chatsworth’s family might suspect Sophie, but her small circle of friends support her, and are sworn to secrecy as they help her hunt for the truth and a killer. As always, Natasha supplies moments of comic relief in her desperate search for happiness as a domestic diva and TV celebrity. But, I’m guessing that anyone who has returned to the seventeenth book in the series is like me. It’s a chance to reunite with old friends.

THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD by Krista Davis
The Seventeenth Domestic Diva Mystery

Natasha’s mother, Wanda, and Orson Chatsworth are getting married. An older couple, they have no intention of waiting around so Sophie Winston is called in to quickly help Natasha arrange an engagement party. Everyone is enjoying the charcuterie boards until Orson suddenly collapses. The party quickly ends once he’s taken away by ambulance. Word soon gets out that Orson has died, and more than one person thinks it’s murder. His fiancée is devastated, his family is angry, and Sophie is stunned. There are any number of suspects, including members of the man’s family, and even Sophie isn’t above suspicion. With help from her good friends, Sophie will once again put her sleuthing skills to use to uncover a killer.

I really enjoyed Sophie Winston's seventeenth adventure. There are lots of interesting characters and personally, I think Sophie is too good a person. I'd be done with Stella, the way she and her mother treated her. But, Sophie is a better person than I and looks out for her...and Natasha for that matter. Puzzles were layered in THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD. Not only do we have the mystery of who killed Orson, but then there's the mystery of the pictures in the secret room. The more Sophie uncovers, the more questions get raised. I love the puzzling aspect-so many possibilities.

What consistently amazes me is how Sophie can whip up these delicious goodies in the kitchen so easily and that friends come over, they hang out and discuss murder. How does everyone have the time? And energy? I was continually salivating as I read-I want that salted caramel banana pudding! Recipes are included, but who knows if I'll have the energy to make anything. At least charcuterie boards are easy. I appreciate all the tips included, although I tend to do charcuterie without bothering with a board!

THE DIVA GOES OVERBOARD is a delicious mystery chock full of secrets. By the end of this great story you'll not only be entertained, but ready to entertain!

I can't believe this series is at 17 books already, and that surprise comes from this series still having interesting stories to tell with each entry. Characters are used cleverly in this one, and there are, of course, fun references to and uses of the theme of this one (the craze of food boards of various kinds).

I am always excited when a new book comes out in The Diva series and this one did not disappoint. Even though this is the 17th book in this series, it is still fresh, exciting, and engaging. The characters are so down to earth and very relatable.

In this book Sophie has more than a murder to solve so she enlists her friends to help. As they work to solve it, they learn something about Orson that just doesn't sound like him but it may answer some questions about the secret room in the store Sophie inherited. Of course we can't forget about Natasha who makes everything about her.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy for my honest review.

This series just keeps getting better and better! I love when we get to meet more of the residents of Old Town but still have tons of time with our regular friends. This one had so much going on and I enjoyed every minute of it. The mystery was well developed and I had no idea who the murderer was until the final reveal. I also loved the various charcuterie boards that were mentioned and will probably try a few. A great addition to the series and I can’t wait to see what happens next!

The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis is set during the summertime, and Sophie is up to her elbows in trouble.

Who could have killed Orson Chatsworth?

Sophie Winston
Sophie is back to solve another mystery. Okay, so maybe that wasn’t her intention. She just wanted to celebrate her childhood best friend’s mother’s new engagement and possible wedding. I have to say that, even though I skipped quite a few books from my last read, Sophie has come into her own. She loves her business of doing conventions and loves to be surrounded by friends. Not only that, but she is friends with not only Natasha but Mars as well. Yup, the same couple that she disliked in the first book. I have to say that I like this version of Sophie, and I hope to see how she becomes this version by going back to her other books.

Another thing that I like about Sophie is that she has surrounded herself with friends who stand by her no matter what, like solving another mystery that she has no business solving.

Orson Chatsworth
The victim happens to be Orson Chatsworth. He was a wealthy individual with a loving family and an ex-wife who didn’t care for him. Orson moved on to two different people but found his forever person in Wanda. The victim had plenty of secrets, though, and maybe one of those got him killed. One never knows until one starts digging into a person’s background. I honestly felt so bad for Orson and the people he left behind in a way that didn’t suit him. I did guess who did it but not why or how until our sleuth explained everything.

Five Stars
I am giving five stars to The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis, and I recommend it to all readers who love a good, cozy culinary mystery. Sophie is a great person and does some amazing things. I love how the little Ask Sophie or Ask Natasha letters either represent the chapter we are going into or nod to the last one while hinting at what to expect in the chapter you are about to enter.

Don’t forget to check out the recipes in the back. The recipes are Avocado and Egg Toast, Lavender Lemonade, Onion Confit, Avocado Spread, Mars’s Favorite Walnut Pesto, Salted Caramel Banana Pudding, No Cook Version of Banana Pudding with Salted Caramel Sauce, Banana Walnut Bread, Cold Mocha Coffee with Ice Cream, Roasted Potatoes, Summer Succotash, Peach Cake, and Bourbon Peach Iced Tea.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis.

Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

It was great having a visit to Old Town Alexandria with Sophie and her friends again and of course seeing what newest craze Natasha came up with this time for her business. She’s like a pesky relative who doesn’t really mean any harm, but everything she does is always about her lol. Sometimes she’s a real train wreck waiting to happen 😂. I’m not lying, wait’ll you read the scene that has to do with water.

Sophie and her pals had one heckuva of a mystery to solve this time and nothing was adding up…until it did and Sophie was able to figure out what happened. Orson was a smart man to leave her what he did and make that request he made. There was definitely plenty of suspects and a pretty cool twist was discovered toward the end.

The usual explanation session I’ve come to love about this series (along with them brainstorming along the way) was with Sophie and her close friends which always means including Wolf and his update of the case at hand. And Sophie’s always right in her element when she had a party for everyone and gets to take care of their food needs. She might not have actual kids of her own but over these seventeen books she’s definitely taken on a mom role more than once.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by Kensington Cozies via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Sophie is at it again, but this time she is literally thrust into the middle of the murder investigation by inheriting a business from someone she only knew passing at social events! Who is the killer? The ex-wife? The daughter? The daughter's soon to be ex? The ex-girlfriend? The ex-business partner or someone from a very distant past? The plot is deliciously woven with many twists, turns and potential red herrings....or are they??? I absolutely adore the characters in this series and while I usually wait for the audiobook, I was just too impatient so was thrilled to get my hands on a copy earlier than planned! The characters are well thought out and written in such a believable manner. You just know that they could be your friends and neighbors if only they were real! My only complaint is that once again, I devoured the book too quickly, so I am back to waiting for the author to write a new Diva book for us!

In Krista Davis' latest Domestic Diva novel, The Diva goes Overboard, Sophie and her friends are gathering to celebrate the engagement of Natasha's mother, Wanda to wealthy antiques dealer, Orson Chatsworth. Natasha has planned a fancy party, catered by Orson' s daughter Stella who specializes in food boards- butter, fruit, dessert and the familiar charcuterie. Orson makes an appointment to meet with Sophie, but before the party ends, he collapses and is rushed to the hospital where he later dies. When Orson's will video is watched everyone is shocked by his different bequests, especially when he leaves the valuable antique store to Sophie. Of course this upsets everyone including, Stella, her soon to be. x-husband, Jordan, Orson’s first wife Myra and Wanda.
Sophie is determined to figure out why she is the heir and searches the closed store, where she finds a secret room with photographs of 5 young women. When Joan Jankowski, one of the five is murdered Sophie's search for the killer becomes harder, so Bernie, Nina and Mars help her with an expanding list of suspects.
Many plot twists and suspects, several food boards and a real dive overboard into the Potomac are all entangled as Sophie and friends try to discover the identities of the young women and their connection to Orson.
Well written, great characters and a totally surprising ending, all combine to make this a 5 star addition to the Diva Series!

Excellent cozy mystery with plenty of twists and turns and suspicious people. Sophie has her work cut out for her solving this one.

Love Sophie and crew. The recipes and the ideas for charcuterie boards sound delicious . Not sure about a butter board though. I may need to look it up.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I love this series. I enjoy all the little domestic tips and tricks. Charcuterie boards are a big rage. When her friend's mother Wanda becomes engaged to a local business man Edwin, Sophie suggests that the engagement party features this pretty boads. All is going well until Edwin is poisoned at the party. Then Sophie finds out that Edwin has left her his very lucrative antique store. Who would want him dead, his daughter, his fiance, his ex-girlfriend, his ex-wife, and ex-business partner? Sophie sets out to ask questions and figure out why Edwin left her the store and not his own daughter. There is a mystery inside a mystery and Sophie unravels Edwin's past.

This series is so fun. I love her friends, Mars, Bernie, and Nina. The animals are always a fun touch And Natasha's ever outlandish business ideas are so entertaining.

The Diva Goes Overboard is book #17 in the Domestic Diva Mystery series by Krista Davis.

I want to be Sophie’s neighbor! She always throws great impromptu get togethers. Sophie and her friends are likable, well-developed characters. I enjoy the mysteries but the characters are what keep me coming back. This story was full of surprises and a lot of crime. All the twists kept me guessing until the end. I like the letters to Sophie and Natasha and there are a lot of recipes at the end. Can’t wait for the next book!

Thank you to the author, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

An entertaining addition to the series, filled with old friends, new characters and a mystery that will keep you guessing until the end!

While out walking her dog, Daisy Sofie Winston witnessed a car on fire. She later learns it was Orson Chatsworth car. Orson is set to marry Natasha's mom Wanda in a couple months. At the engagement party Orson collapses and later dies. Was it an accident or murder? At the reading of the will Orson leaves his antique store to Sofie!! But why?? After finding a letter in a secret room Sofie begins to investigate Orson's death. But the more she digs the more she realizes Orson was not the man he claimed to be. Was it his past that caused his death? And why did he had pictures of several women tacked on his wall? Will Sofie ever be able to figure out what's going on or will she become the next victim of foul play?

The Diva Goes Overboard by Krista Davis is the latest book in one of my favorite cozy series and it is excellent! In this series, event planner Sophie Winston and her friends get together and eat delicious meals while discussing the latest suspicious death in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia. Their rapport is so fun, it always makes me wish I could be a part of that friend group! Sophie's frenemy Natasha is as annoying as ever, but luckily doesn't overtake this book. Natasha and Sophie write competing advice columns and in this book the letters revolve around charcuterie and other types of food boards.

The mystery in this book is about an acquaintance of Sophie's who dies under suspicious circumstances at his engagement party - and leaves his antique store to her in his will! Sophie is shocked but determined to find out why she was the beneficiary and who was responsible for Orson's death. There are a few different twists and turns in this engaging cozy. The initial mystery is interesting, but then things really get intriguing when another bombshell drops about halfway through the book. This is a fast-paced fun read with a satisfying ending, even if one aspect was a little unrealistic.

There are recipes at the end if you would like to recreate some of the food and drinks that Sophie, Nina, Mars, and Bernie enjoyed in the story. I enjoy catching up with Sophie, but the book works fine as a standalone as well. 4.5 stars

I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley, Kensington Books, and Kensington Cozies. My review is voluntary and unbiased.

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.

While Sophie's unexpected inheritance is causing a lot of gossip, she is most worried about photos she found in a hidden room and a suspicious death. To solve the case, Sophie and her group of wannabe detectives (plus one real one) spring into action but a second murder makes them realize just how dangerous the situation is.

Once again, author Krista Davis has put together an intricate mystery that will keep you guessing until the end and topped it off with vivid descriptions that bring the story to life. Another great Domestic Diva Mystery! Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are mine.

I have enjoyed this entire series and was pleased to receive this 17th in series for review. Thank you to Net Galley, To the publisher and to the author for the opportunity. My review opinons are my own. This next in series has a wonderful array of characters and a intriquing sleuth.

In this next in this beloved series our protagnist Sophia is excited to be a guest at a posh engagement party. Sophia is usually working at parties and looking forward to being a guest . The party is sure to be extravagant as its put on by a known rich family. The day is beautiful and the food very elegant until the groom is poisened. Sophia and every one present is suspect. Sophia puts on her excellent investigator skills to try to find the suspect before the wrong person is accused. Each person at the party is then sequestered by police much to the chagrin of all the guests. The race is on to find the killer before another death occurs.

The sleuth kept me guessing to conclusion. I loved the build up of suspects and red herrings the author presented. The characters are all lilkable and added to the fun. This series is endearing for its excellent writing. great sleuthing and fun plots. Sophia is a smart savvy protaganist who has a inate talent for finding clues and solving cases.
I look forward to the next in series. Well done to the author.