"The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit" By Krista Davis: Review/Giveaway

Review by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and links to purchase it.

While Domestic Diva blogger and professional event planner Sophie Winston has been gearing up for the Do-It-Yourself Festival in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, her best friend Nina Reid Norwood is just returning from a long vacation in Portugal. Her husband may still be in Europe finishing up his medical convention, but a beleaguered Nina is more than ready to settle in back home after an exhausting series of tour bus expeditions. Her fellow vacationer Lark Bickford could be said to be even more drained from the gorgeous tour through Europe, as Sophie has the misfortune to find her body just outside of Lark’s home. Led to the body by the victim’s grandson, Sophie immediately notices that it has been set up to look as though Lark died by an accidental fall from her ladder. The investigating police realize this as well, and Lark’s predatory relatives quickly place themselves high on the suspect list by trying to sell her belongings before the crime scene tape is even removed. A mysterious drawing in the dirt left by Lark leads Sophie in many directions, and the clock is ticking on whether she can solve it before the murderer does.


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Sophie’s longtime nemesis Natasha continues to write competing lifestyle columns that frequently - and impractically – counter Sophie’s much more realistic and economical suggestions. It’s hilarious when the entries that begin each chapter seem to be offering opposing advice to those seeking help on the same matter, but from different involved parties (a charming example being Natasha’s advice to air out an aromatic dresser by leaving it on the curb for trash pickup, while sentimental Sophie offers hints on using charcoal or vodka as a cleanser). While Natasha values trends over sentiment, she herself is unable to sever her own connection to the home she bought with Sophie’s ex-husband Mars. Placing it on the market is causing no end of headaches: for Natasha because of her feelings for Mars and for Sophie because of Natasha’s insistence on complaining about it. As the list of victims increase and they all seem linked to the Portugal vacationers, Mars and Nina all end up holed up for protection in Sophie’s home as they attempt to unravel the puzzle of stolen jewels, disgruntled heirs, and the mysterious life of Lark.

 This fourteenth of the series starts with a bang as it quickly brings in readers to the large cast of Old Town Alexandria characters. Sophie’s ex-husband and ex-boyfriend are still very much a part of her life, and with Natasha just across the street, the antics never cease. An attack on Nina brings her and her foster pets even closer to Sophie for comfort, and their friendship is as relatable as it is enviable. Sophie’s time managing the DIY Festival will be fascinating for crafters and home improvement aficionados, and much can be learned from the advice columns and recipes. The tone is kept light despite the rather alarming number of crimes that ensue, but at this point, Sophie and her friends are accustomed to finding themselves in the midst of murder. The characters are so likable and their banter so delightfully quippy that readers will want to spend as much time as possible with them and their charm within the Domestic Diva series. 

To enter to win a copy of The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "diva,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen July 24, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. BE AWARE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN SHIPPING THE WINNING BOOK. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode went up this week.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won't see coming.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.

Comments

  1. Sounds interesting! Count me in!

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  2. Sounds great, please enter my name in the draw. crs(at)codedivasites(dot)com

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  3. I enjoy this author, count me in! tWarner419(at)aol(dot)com

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  4. Awesome series! Can't wait to read the Diva's latest adventures.

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  5. Always a good time with these characters.
    kozo8989@hotmail.com

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  6. Sounds interesting! Count me in!

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  7. I love the Diva! 3labsmom(at)gmail(dot)com.

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  8. This is my favorite series! I cant get enough of Sofie and her friends!

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  9. This is my favorite series! I cant get enough of Sofie and her friends!

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  10. I love this series so much! I just started The Diva Sweetens the Pie this evening!! Thank you for the chance. Vonjeffers12@gmail.com

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  11. I just adore this series. I just started The Diva Sweetens the Pie this evening!! Thank you for the chance. Vonjeffers12@gmail.com

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  12. I absolutely love this series. Great review. Thanks for the chance!

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  13. I love this series!
    Jess
    maceoindo(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  14. One of my favorite series! Can’t wait to read the latest!
    valleyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  15. One of my favorite series! Can’t wait to read the latest!
    valleyreader(at)gmail(dot)com

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  16. This sounds like a fun mystery. I love the cover. thanks for the chance.

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  17. Enjoy the mysteries by this author. Thanks for the chance to win!

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  18. sxygrndma48@yahoo.com
    I've been enjoying this series for years!
    Thanks for the chance to win.

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  19. sxygrndma48@yahoo.com
    I've been enjoying this series for years!
    Thanks for the chance to win.

    ReplyDelete
  20. This book sounds like a fun and enjoyable read - perfect for an entertaining summer day.

    Nancy
    allibrary (at) aol (dot) com

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