It’s interesting how many cozy mysteries begin with the premise of a family asking the main character for help in clearing a family member of a crime and end with that same family regretting the decision when the MC uncovers some family secret. My main issue is how comfortable Sophie was in inserting herself into people’s lives. How does she have so much free time?

I have read many of the books in this series, it amazes me the author can keep the story fresh and interesting in the same locale. Always a new murder! Sophie gets involved in the murder of two interior decorators in a beautiful old house. Along with her regular gang of friends, she pokes and prods until the murderer tris to kill her too. The motive seemed very weak to me. I always enjoy Sophie and Natasha and the food along the way. It was an added treat to hear from Aunt Faye again.

It grabs you from the start to the finish. Easy read, great characters.

Thank you to Krista Davis, Jett and Kensington for the arc of this book

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is the perfect fall read! I love these cozy mysteries and this one had just the right amount of scary to keep me on the edge of my seat!

Ms. Davis gives us an eclectric group of characters from the rich to the hard working class. She adds murders and mystery, who killed them and why. The are suspects, some hard to accept and others that have apparent motive and opportunity. The main character Sophie with the help of others help the police and try to stay safe. Well plotted and told. I recommend.
I requested and received a NetGalley arc gratis and offer my opinion in the same.

As usual, Krista Davis brings readers back to Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, where she reintroduces us to old friends, new recipes, decorating tips, and a mystery. The eighteenth book in the Domestic Diva series, The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg, also brings a character from Davis’ other series. Holly Miller from the Paws & Claws series is a friend of Sophie Winston, the Domestic Diva, and she stops in for a short visit.

It’s a whispered phone call that propels Sophie and her friends into a murder investigation. Interior designer Mitzi Lawson asks to meet Sophie at the Inger house the next day. Mitzi and her business partner are decorating the house for the new generation from the Nofsinger family, Matt and Denise. But, when Sophie arrives at the house, she finds Denise’s body and Mitzi is missing. When the Nofsingers ask Sophie to investigate, she warns them it might be a family member who is the killer, and she won’t hide that from the police. But, with Mitzi’s disappearance, the mystery heats up.

The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is set in the fall in Old Town, and the decorations and fall foods are played up. I’ve said before that for me, the pleasure in this series comes from a return to old friends. Fortunately, there’s a Cast of Characters because there are so many family members it’s hard to keep them all straight. But, I think many fans of the books return for Sophie and her friends, and those characters are memorable.

Domestic Diva Sophie Winston is awaiting autumn, when two events cloud the atmosphere: first, her "frenemy" Natasha wants to hold a brunch at her home (which Natasha has always coveted) and insists that Sophie must be there, as it is to be filmed, and the person who is putting it on the air won't do it unless Sophie appears. Feeling strong-armed by Natasha, she nevertheless agrees, but only on her terms.

Then an interior decorator named Mitzi Lawson wants to meet with Sophie at a house she and her business partner Denise are renovating, Sophie is curious enough about it to agree. But when Sophie arrives at the house, she finds the body of Denise, and figures out soon enough that Denise was murdered. Things escalate when no one can find Mitzi, and Denise's wealthy relatives ask Sophie to investigate, since they know of her reputation for solving mysteries.

Reluctantly, she agrees. Which might be a mistake, since when there is another encounter with the unknown killer, Sophie could very well be the second -- or third person to die...

This is the 18th book in the series and I have to say that I've thoroughly enjoyed watching Sophie grow and stand up to Natasha (which she did not do in book #1). She's finally come into her own, happy with her life, friends with her ex-husband (and I am sure they are both still extremely fond of each other), and spends her off-time solving the occasional murder. That's a full life, and more than I want in my own. (I'm happy to watch and read about murders, but no thank you, very much).

Sophie has a lot going on here, with trying out recipes for brunch, dodging the figurative bullet, and trying to figure out who wanted Denise dead. But things aren't as easy as sifting through suspects to find out who the murderer is. There is a lot more detail, and when some of it comes to light, you think you have the right answer. But it doesn't end there, and it takes a strange turn that is completely unexpected to decipher why the murder happened, and who the killer ultimately is.

In the end, this was another lively mystery by Ms. Davis that tells a story and shows us how everything comes together tightly in the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the tale; the characters, and all the little quirks between them to come to a delightful end. There are also some yummy recipes at the back (which I want to try). Recommended.

I was given an advance copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

A good cozy mystery by a wonderful author. Good writing details and led me on a fun chase with clues. Would highly recommend this book and author. Nice recipes too.

#TheDivaPoachesaBadEgg #NetGalley is another fun cozy mystery featuring Sophie, Nina, Mars, Bernie, and of course, Natasha.
Sophie is one of my favorite characters and this book really kept me guessing until the end.
I love reading anything by this author, and the domestic diva series has been a long time favorite.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

I love this series! It has everything I enjoy - a mystery that keeps you guessing, a likable main character who is smart and relatable, good friends, adorable animals, a setting in Old Town Alexandria,Virginia that is rich with history and delicious recipes.

Sophie's event planning business has slowed down a bit and she's enjoying the wonderful Autumn weather. When the family of a murdered interior decorator is found murdered, they turn to Sophie for help and she and her friends are on the case. The supporting characters are well written (especially the annoying Natasha), and add humor and are great amateur "detectives". The questions posed to Sophie who writes an domestic diva advice column and the competing column with Natasha, are fun and useful.

A " whodunit" with a engaging mystery, friends and heart.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington and the opinions in this review are my own

I always enjoy the Domestic Diva series, and this was no exception! I’ve read all of Davis’s mysteries, so I wasn’t sure that she could still fool me, but I didn’t know who the killer was for a long time. At the beginning, I had a hard time remembering all the members of the Norfinger family and who was related how (and approximately how old that made various generations), so I did have to keep referring back to the character list. Eventually they all became well-defined enough for me to tell them apart— I was just thrown by so many new people at once. I always miss Francie and Humphrey when they aren’t around, but I liked Nina, Mars, and Bernie being involved!