Review and Giveaway: The Diva Haunts the House

The Diva Haunts the House (Domestic Diva - Book 5) by Krista Davis


Publication Date: September 2011
Publisher: Penguin Group USA
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pages: Paperback, 304pp
ISBN-13: 9780425243787
ISBN: 0425243788

(Received for an honest review from Berkley Prime Crime)


Purchase: Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, IndieBound


Krista Davis on the WEB: website, blog, facebook, twitter


Synopsis:


THIS HALLOWEEN, A MURDERER IS UP TO MISCHIEF...


Domestic diva Sophie Winston is getting into the holiday spirit, and her decorations for a community haunted house are so good, it's scary. Not to be outdone, rival domestic diva Natasha is throwing a spooktacular Halloween party at her house. But when Sophie arrives, she discovers one of Natasha's guests dead in the hair-raising Halloween display, and a pale fanged partygoer fleeing the scene.


The cause of death is not immediately apparent, but the victim does have two puncture wounds on his neck. While Sophie's boyfriend, homicide detective Wolf, investigates, rumors start to flying faster than witches on broomsticks. Could the killer be a real vampire - the same one rumored to have lived in Sophie's haunted house back when it was a boarding house? Good thing a domestic diva never runs out of garlic...


Thoughts:


All of you know that one person in your circle of friends who can cook anything, decorate for every season and always has perfect dinners and get-togethers, that is a domestic diva. In Krista Davis' Domestic Diva Mystery series, resident diva Sophie Winston, not only does all of those things well, but she also writes a column for the local paper with tips and ideas for those who wish to be domestic diva's as well. Davis is able to capitalize on the success of the food related television shows and networks by creating a series, with a culinary spin. But there is a lot more to this series than a few good recipes.

Davis has a knack for creating characters that are fun and engaging. Sophie reminds me of a young Martha Stewart with her hand in just about everything from crafting to cooking. But she also has a very observant and curious nature. She makes the perfect amateur sleuth, as she finds herself in the middle of murder after murder. In The Diva Haunts the House, Sophie is getting ready for Halloween and takes on the job of figuring out who killed Patrick, a local businessman, who nobody seemed to like. When he ends up dead in the middle of her diva nemesis, Natasha's holiday display, there seems to be a bit of controversy over whether the killer is alive or one of the undead and it's up to Sophie to find a solution.

There have been many cozy mystery series' that have popped up lately that have a paranormal flavor or bent. Some involving witches and vampires. I was slightly surprised when Davis chose to go the vampire route with this book, but it being Halloween, I could see the point. I thought she did a fantastic job of making the mystery seem a little on the supernatural side, but not letting that aspect of it overwhelm the mystery. The conclusion Sophie comes to in the end will leave readers satisfied and ready for the next installment in the series.

One of the things I really liked about this one was the fact that it was released in September which gives readers a chance to look at all of the great decorating tips and recipes that Davis includes in the book, in time to use them for their own Halloween parties and activities. Reading this one brought back a lot of great memories from my childhood and I'm sure other readers will enjoy the humor and nostalgia that comes from reading this one. The fall is one of my favorite times of the year and I love finding books that have fall themes and settings. 

I recommend this one to cozy mystery fans and culinary enthusiasts. To readers who love to decorate and to those who love Halloween. This is a great autumn read and the mystery is fun and is in keeping with the Halloween theme. I think readers who are interested in the paranormal may also find something in this book and it may turn them onto to a new genre!

The Diva Haunts the House is available NOW from your favorite bookseller.

I'm giving this one 4 out of 5 apples from my book bag!

Krista Davis is the national bestselling author of the Domestic Diva Mysteries. Her first book, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme, was nominated for an Agatha Award. Krista lives in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia with an Ocicat named Mochie and a brood of dogs. Her friends and family complain about being guinea pigs for her recipes, but she notices that they keep coming back or more.

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway here at Debbie's Book Bag for one copy of The Diva Haunts the House by Krista Davis.

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate.
~ US Addresses only (Publisher Request)
~ The Deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST October 11th.

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