The Diva Says Cheesecake!: A Delicious Culinary Cozy Mystery with Recipes (A Domestic Diva Mystery)

The Diva books usually contain a complex mystery, and Sophie, the heroine, doesn't always figure out things quickly -- although she snoops a lot! This story deals with the death of a well-liked tavern owner, Tate, and his complicated family and business lives. Complex without being confusing. However, Ms. Davis' usual characters were like stick figures through the first 2/3rds of the novel. Sophie, Nina, Mars, Bernie, Wolf, and even the usually over-the-top witch, Natasha, were blah. The author didn't instill life into them until the last third of the book when incidents and back stories tumbled out. In a cozy, the reader yearns to spend time with folks she's grown to enjoy, and watch them grow. Doesn't happen here. If you're a fan of the Diva books, read this one. If not, try one of the earlier ones so you get to know the characters.

The Diva Says Cheesecake! is the latest entry in the long-running “ A Domestic Diva Mystery” series. Although this is book fifteen, the story and series haven’t lost any of the fun and excitement it started with. The new edition adds more facets to the main characters and allows readers to indulge in their wildest cheesecake dreams in the setting of Old Town during a Midsummer Nights Dream festival.

A restaurant owner is found dead, and suspicion soon turns to murder. Was the victim an innocent bystander or something more? While the festival is in full swing and cheesecake flows like water, Sophie finds the body and starts investigating immediately. But when a friend is accused and arrested for the murder, she jumps into overdrive. It doesn’t take long before the killer notices, and Sophie tries to find a way to escape before it's too late.

The characters in this series are always fun to spend a few hours with. They are lively, entertaining, and filled with a sense of adventure. The location of Old Town is delightful, and a festival celebrating a Shakesperian play is most definitely a thrill. Cheesecake plays a massive part in this story; more than usual, it will always make your mouth water. The suspects are limited in number, mysterious in some cases, and almost every one of them could have done it and has a motive; some are a bit flimsy, but others are very believable. Evidence will take readers on a trail that leads to a place they may not have counted on and to a conclusion they will question.

The ending of The Diva Says Cheesecake! is satisfying yet has a sting of disappointment, not in the killer being caught but in the motive. This is an enjoyable read, like all of the books in this series. The title says everything a reader needs to know. Who doesn’t enjoy a festival and cheesecake mixed with murder? For me, it was all too easy to figure out who the killer was, even though the story became convoluted at times. But I still enjoyed reading to the end. However, keeping in mind that this is my personal opinion and not everyone will agree, I feel that Sophie is no longer growing as a character. I think something drastic needs to happen to shake things up in her life and keep this series from becoming stale.

As with all the books in this series, this holds your interest and is a quick read. Great writing and always a twist at the end.

The Diva--I love these books!!! The characters, the stories and situations, are all interesting, and the writing is excellent. I have read this series from the beginning, read most of these books more than once, and these books just keep getting better and better and better!!
So many twists and turns in this one--the ending was a total surprise .
As with all of these books, it ended too soon and left me wanting more. I so look forward to the next book in this series. (The recipes at the end of the books are interesting as well.)

Love the series!

Krista Davis has a way of transporting you to another place with her story descriptions. Awesome mystery!

Another fun ride with Sophie and company. When Bernie is framed for the murder of a fellow restauranteur Sophie will not stopped until there are answers! The whole gang is there to run around Old Town while trying to figure our who done it. Definitely a fun, fast read with the benefit of cheesecake! Absolutely worth your time!

The Diva series by Krista Davis is one of my favorites. I love the characters who feel like old friends, the setting and reading about all of the delicious meals and desserts that Sophie is making for her friends. The mystery flows so effortlessly into the story of everything that is going on in Old Town. When I'm reading this series I feel like I am there with Sophie and Nina investigating right along with them. There were several suspects that kept the story moving and the reader guessing. I can't wait for the next book in this great series!

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from the publisher through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Another great book from Krista Davis in the continuing Domestic Diva mystery series! I enjoy catching up with her characters and getting to know new ones. It was a good mystery that kept me guessing until the end. She includes several good recipes too. The only warning was don’t read this book when you’re hungry! I found myself craving cheesecake throughout the book!
I received an arc from Kensington Publishing.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the digital review copy. This review is my own opinion.

I’ve read all of the books in this series and they never disappoint. Hanging out with Sophie, Nina, Mars and the others is like being among friends.

Old Town is such a quaint setting and there is no shortage of intriguing if not eccentric characters in the neighborhood.

The Who’s Who of character list at the front of these books is also a great help keeping the backstories straight.

The mystery and atmospherics pulled me in right away. I just wish 5 books were published in this series a year instead of one. I recommend all of Krista’s books.