Devi Nair
š±š Read on Kindle š 329 pages ā± Read time: 5 hours š·ļø Publisher: Kensington Cozies š Expected publication: May 26, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Listen, I came for the murder mystery. I stayed for the "Dear Sophie" versus "Dear Natasha" showdown at the start of every chapter. Those competing advice columns are pure comedic gold. Sophie's practical hosting wisdom versus Natasha's snooty superiority complex had me giggling into my Kindle at 2 a.m. The "Dear Sophie" tips are genuinely useful (I'm absolutely trying that ice bucket hack), while Natasha's responses drip with such ridiculous pretension that you can't help but love to hate her.
But the real twist here is that the murder mystery is a total side quest. And I mean that as the highest compliment. What Krista Davis in The Diva Hosts a Murderer is something far more delicious than whodunit mechanics. It's a full blown celebration of found family, messy biological family, and how those worlds collide over holiday weekends. Sophie doesn't just solve crimes. She orchestrates domestic miracles. Watching her flawlessly host her entire extended family, navigate Aunt Melly's impulsive family drama, soothe a heartbroken family friend, AND track down a killer is like watching a conductor lead an orchestra while simultaneously defusing a bomb. The woman is goals.
The real mystery is how Sophie manages to remain so gracious under all that pressure. Meeting all her relatives and found-family members felt like crashing the best family reunion ever. Solving Melly's romantic mystery was the perfect icing on what turned out to be a brilliant chocolate cake of a book.
Would I recommend it? If you love cozy mysteries that prioritize heart over formula, this is your book. The Domestic Diva series continues to deliver warmth, wit, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning pages between giggles. Sophie Winston remains one of the most competent, lovable sleuths in the genre, and this installment proves that family drama, when handled with humor and grace, can be just as compelling as any murder plot.
š±š Read on Kindle š 329 pages ā± Read time: 5 hours š·ļø Publisher: Kensington Cozies š Expected publication: May 26, 2026 š ARC provided by NetGalley
Listen, I came for the murder mystery. I stayed for the "Dear Sophie" versus "Dear Natasha" showdown at the start of every chapter. Those competing advice columns are pure comedic gold. Sophie's practical hosting wisdom versus Natasha's snooty superiority complex had me giggling into my Kindle at 2 a.m. The "Dear Sophie" tips are genuinely useful (I'm absolutely trying that ice bucket hack), while Natasha's responses drip with such ridiculous pretension that you can't help but love to hate her.
But the real twist here is that the murder mystery is a total side quest. And I mean that as the highest compliment. What Krista Davis in The Diva Hosts a Murderer is something far more delicious than whodunit mechanics. It's a full blown celebration of found family, messy biological family, and how those worlds collide over holiday weekends. Sophie doesn't just solve crimes. She orchestrates domestic miracles. Watching her flawlessly host her entire extended family, navigate Aunt Melly's impulsive family drama, soothe a heartbroken family friend, AND track down a killer is like watching a conductor lead an orchestra while simultaneously defusing a bomb. The woman is goals.
The real mystery is how Sophie manages to remain so gracious under all that pressure. Meeting all her relatives and found-family members felt like crashing the best family reunion ever. Solving Melly's romantic mystery was the perfect icing on what turned out to be a brilliant chocolate cake of a book.
Would I recommend it? If you love cozy mysteries that prioritize heart over formula, this is your book. The Domestic Diva series continues to deliver warmth, wit, and just enough intrigue to keep you turning pages between giggles. Sophie Winston remains one of the most competent, lovable sleuths in the genre, and this installment proves that family drama, when handled with humor and grace, can be just as compelling as any murder plot.