I know I was disappointed in Krista Davis’ last Domestic Diva mystery, but the sixteenth, The Diva Delivers on a Promise, makes up for it. This time, Sophie Winston and her best friend, Nina, seem to have plans for what they do. They’re not just running around guessing one person after another is a killer.
Sophie Winston is an event planner and she’s on the board of “A Healthy Meal”, a charity that provides food for needy kids. The board has gathered at Gerrie Stansfield’s home when one of the women screams because she sees a dead man on the floor by the dining room table. He’s been stabbed with a knife. When the police arrive, Gerrie’s able to identify him as Russ Everett who once worked for the family kitchen supply business. But, what’s he doing wearing a hat from “Dinner at Home”, a local business providing delivery service? Before Sophie can ask that question, she finds multiple messages about “Dinner at Home”. The delivery man, Irv, is missing, and the owner needs Sophie’s help in delivering that days meals. Sophie and Nina finally find Irv, knocked out and covered in blood in the delivery van. And, his hat is missing, probably worn by the murder victim at the Stansfields.
Sophie’s involved more than she would like with the Stansfield family. Colleen, Gerrie’s daughter-in-law, is running an event at a local hotel, and Sophie is the event planner. It’s all about ghost kitchens, restaurants without dining spaces. The owners supply meals through delivery services, but don’t have brick-and-mortar restaurants. Even restaurants are getting into the business, often using another name for the ghost kitchen. Gerrie’s son, Todd, who is separated from Colleen, is attending the conference with a buddy. And, he seems very interested in the subject.
But, it’s Gerrie who worries Sophie. She knows she’s on the top of the suspect list, but she fears one of her two sons might have killed Russ Everett. She begs Sophie to look for the killer. As usual, Sophie and Nina dive in to help a friend.
I’ve always enjoyed the Domestic Diva mysteries. By now, after sixteen books, the latest one is like catching up with old friends. There’s an entire cast of Sophie’s friends who sit around her table, enjoying her food. Those recipes are also available in the books. The food always sounds wonderful, but, if you’re like me, it’s Sophie and her friends who bring me back time after time.
Krista Davis’ website is https://www.kristadavis.com/
The Diva Delivers on a Promise by Krista Davis. Kensington Books, 2023. ISBN 9781496732798 (hardcover), 304p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I downloaded a galley from NetGalley to review for a journal.
