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111th out of 166 books
—
109 voters
The Diva Paints the Town (A Domestic Diva Mystery #3)
by
Krista Davis (Goodreads Author)
Color this Domestic Diva puzzled-from the national bestselling author.
When Sophie's neighbor-a reclusive professor-dies, his final wish is for the Domestic Diva to throw a dinner party in his honor, and he's planned everything down to the letter. But what no one planned for is the corpse of a student that Sophie finds in his house.
When Sophie's neighbor-a reclusive professor-dies, his final wish is for the Domestic Diva to throw a dinner party in his honor, and he's planned everything down to the letter. But what no one planned for is the corpse of a student that Sophie finds in his house.
Paperback, 293 pages
Published
February 2nd 2010
by Berkley
(first published December 23rd 2009)
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Jan 19, 2012
Kelly Knapp
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
everyone.
Recommended to Kelly by:
Daughter as Christmas gift
Sophie is in the middle of an annual home and garden event when her neighbor, Mordecai Artemus, dies and his attorney approaches her with Mordecai's last wishes. He asks Sophie to host a small, exclusive dinner party at the house for five students named in the will. The vast majority of his estate is left to his best friend, a dog. His neighbor, Nina keeps trying to get her hands on the dog, who was forgotten in the actions of the EMTs.
Sophie's frenemy, domestic diva Natasha, can't understand w...more
Sophie's frenemy, domestic diva Natasha, can't understand w...more
Well, imagine my surprise that I actually liked this book. I have to admit that after the last one, Diva Takes the Cake, I wasn’t all too fond of Krista Davis; but hoping that this book would redeem the series, I took the plunge and was delightfully surprised that Ms. Davis overcame her need to overly describe each and every nuance of the rooms and settings that the reader was introduced to.
Once again, Sophie Winston has over committed herself and her small event planning business. She is the he...more
Once again, Sophie Winston has over committed herself and her small event planning business. She is the he...more
Synopsis (from bn.com): When Sophie’s neighbor-a reclusive professor-dies, his final wish is for the Domestic Diva to throw a dinner party in his honor, and he’s planned everything down to the letter. But what no one planned for is the corpse of a student that Sophie finds in his house.
My thoughts: Well Sophie and Natasha, not so friendly design rivals, are at it again in the third installment of the Domestic Diva Mystery Series. Sophie with her level-headed, practical, and realistic design advi...more
My thoughts: Well Sophie and Natasha, not so friendly design rivals, are at it again in the third installment of the Domestic Diva Mystery Series. Sophie with her level-headed, practical, and realistic design advi...more
It's Valentine's Day in Old Town Alexandria, and Sophie Winston is busy running the local home & garden show at the convention center. When her rival Natascha decides to turn their recently deceased neighbor's home into a show house for the local design guild -- Sophie gets roped in as well as her ex-husband and friends. Things get even weirder when Sophie thinks she found a dead body in the show home, but the body disappears before she can report it… and then the young female cop investigat...more
I'm here to proclaim my total fail in the reading of this book. The score is not useless however. It stands to reason that as an aficionado (doesn't this word contain two f?) of mystery I could understand and enjoy it on some level. Despite my opening sentence, I've given this book one more star than its direct predecessor. There's something wholesome about the setting that makes me crave for more. It's a pity I got lost in the plot. There are too many faceless names in this book. Great books h...more
The third in the series, but still not as great as the first book. Sophie and her hints are really rather adorable but some parts of this book were just lost for me, there were ALOT of characters to keep up with.
Sophie's elderly neighbor has died and everyone in town is clamoring to get inside the mansion that he owned. Natasha, self-proclaimed decorator soon descends upon the house to "make it over" for her TV show. Sophie gets the task of cleaning out the living room where the deceased did mo...more
Sophie's elderly neighbor has died and everyone in town is clamoring to get inside the mansion that he owned. Natasha, self-proclaimed decorator soon descends upon the house to "make it over" for her TV show. Sophie gets the task of cleaning out the living room where the deceased did mo...more
I find myself loving to delve into these cozy mysteries. Sophie is up to her eyes in Rooms and Blooms showing off people's hard work, and then gets taken into a house contest for the late owner of her neighbor as they redo his house. But murder is never far off, as one of the professor's students is murdered and keeps disappearing.
Add to it a cop murder, and the stakes are higher than normal. It's up to Sophie and Nina to get to the bottom of murder gone crazy. I just love coming back here and...more
Add to it a cop murder, and the stakes are higher than normal. It's up to Sophie and Nina to get to the bottom of murder gone crazy. I just love coming back here and...more
Set in Old Town Alexandria, though doesn't mention many of the town's sights or landmarks. Sophie Winston, an event planner, is caught in the aftermath of her neighbor Mordecai's death. Lots going on--Rooms and Blooms show at local hotel for which Sophie's in charge; decorator showhouse in Mordecai's mansion, for which Sophie's given a room; longtime rival and now with Sophie's ex, Mars, Natasha is just not nice. Sophie hosts bequest party which leads to discovery of a body in basement. Will pro...more
Childhood acquaintances, neighbors, and big time competitors, Sophie and Natasha are at it again during the House and Garden Show in their Old Town Alexandria neighborhood. This third in the series, 'Diva' books, continues to charm, with chapters headed with letters asking for help in decorating this time around. Sophie has some wonderfully practical advice, while Natasha continues with advice that would make Martha Steward look dowdy and cheap.
Sophie is in the middle of running the towns House...more
Sophie is in the middle of running the towns House...more
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This is a clean murder mystery that is a who-done-it type book. This novel has a big listt of characters and I had to keep reviewing them in my mind to keep track of who they were a few times before it sank in. The story is engaging, the characters each have big persoalities and besides the mystery there are recipes, decorating tips and and renovation ideas. You wouldn't think you could meld those things all together in one book and make it work, but Krista Davis did it. I enjoyed the good read.
When a neighbor dies, Sophie is given the task of holding a bequest ceremony. She's also involved in a local design event as well as redecorating his home.
There are a lot of things going on in the book, lots of characters and clues to follow.
I really like Sophie and her recurring characters with the exception of Natasha. But every cozy needs an antagonist for balance, so I guess Natasha works to show us that Sophie can put up with a hell of a lot while investigating murders.
There are a lot of things going on in the book, lots of characters and clues to follow.
I really like Sophie and her recurring characters with the exception of Natasha. But every cozy needs an antagonist for balance, so I guess Natasha works to show us that Sophie can put up with a hell of a lot while investigating murders.
I love this series. It's just light, fun reading, but perfect for when I'm editing my own stuff and just need some yummy fluff. The only problem is I read it all in one sitting (plus a tiny bit this morning) and so now I have to wait forever for the next one. I don't even know if this one's actually out yet, as a friend got it for me at work. I have a long wait!
*I only review books that I think deserve 4-5 stars which is why all my reviews are so positive.
*I only review books that I think deserve 4-5 stars which is why all my reviews are so positive.
Feb 15, 2012
Pr Latta
rated it
3 of 5 stars
Shelves:
amateur-pi,
cozy-mystery,
first-person,
gentle-read,
humor,
mystery,
sense-of-place,
local-interest
In this third installment of Davis' Domestic Diva series, party planner Sophie Winston had me jotting down recipes and ideas for entertaining, as well as following her around Old Towne Alexandria. This time Sophie finds a body while decorating a room in her recently deceased neighbor Mordecai's home. Or did she? Takes place around Valentine's Day. In these gluttonous times, everyone can use the "lite" version of reading once in a while!
I love this series. I just do. There are so many helpful tidbits thrown here and there and this book surely delivers on those.
And this book was going so great in so many things but the ending was just... unsatisfying. Sometimes I wish the "normal person who's actually evil" switch wasn't used so often.
Is there something in the water that makes people into killers in that town or what? Geez.
And this book was going so great in so many things but the ending was just... unsatisfying. Sometimes I wish the "normal person who's actually evil" switch wasn't used so often.
Is there something in the water that makes people into killers in that town or what? Geez.
I really enjoy the series and am looking forward to reading the rest.
I liked this one more than the other 2...maybe b/c she's finally hitting a stride with the characters, maybe b/c of finally seeing some of the romance with Wolf & Sophie, or very potentially b/c her parents aren't in it as I am tired of the mother trying to put Sophie back in front of her ex husband. Or some combo of the 3, I'm not sure.
I liked this one more than the other 2...maybe b/c she's finally hitting a stride with the characters, maybe b/c of finally seeing some of the romance with Wolf & Sophie, or very potentially b/c her parents aren't in it as I am tired of the mother trying to put Sophie back in front of her ex husband. Or some combo of the 3, I'm not sure.
Sophie Winston is working on a large design event, but she's drawn into a mystery involving her reclusive, recently dead neighbor professor Mordecai Artemus, who left a message asking her to cater a bequest party. Five of his old students are supposed to get a box...but one of them is missing, and may have been murdered. Meanwhile, the professor's rundown house is being used as a showcase for designers in the statewide home and garden tour, which means Natasha, Sophie's long-time bete noire, is...more
I really enjoy this series and was glad I had book 3 on Nook waiting for the right day. It's a fun cozy series with characters you can like and are just quirky enough. Plus you get some great design tips! The mystery was good and I wasn't sure who was guilty until the end. Looking forward to book 4 one day soon!
This series just keeps getting better and better. The consistancy in my enjoyment of these books has made me a firm follower of Ms. Davis' books. I am anxiously awaiting the 4th installment of Sophie's life.
A fun addition to this series, which is light but has characters that are developing nicely and fun facts about, in this case, home decorating.
This is a terrific series and I highly recommend it. Excellent plot and pacing, realistic characters and fun dialogue. A first-rate cozy!
The contrast between Sophie's and Natasha's columns at the beginning of each chapter never fails to crack me up.
Enjoyable, but there were a lot of characters to keep track of. I will look for other books in the series. It reminded me a lot of the Goldy Bear catering series.
Read~May 30, 2010
4 Stars
FUN!!
Had NO idea "whodunit". Was REALLY surprised!! And this is WHY I really like this series. She writes really well and keeps you guessing. I mean, the person who I was SURE was involved was not. Not even remotely.
The characters are really growing on me, and I really adore the main character Sophie (she reminds me of myself, except she cooks WAY better than I ever will and is more organized in the kitchen). She is so normal and a perfect foil for her nemesis Natasha...more
Another nice, cozy installment of the "Domestic Diva" series.
Entertaining cozy mystery. Glad I don't live in Sophie's neighborhood.
Another fun read for this series. Really enjoyed it!
Fun easy read. Her books always make me hungry.
I can't get enough of this series! I hope Krista Davis continues on with more of these, because I'm hooked.
Fun read for summer - doesn't tax brain too much.
Jun 20, 2011
Joni
added it
Excellent series...my favorite!
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Krista Davis lives and writes in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia. She lived in Northern Virginia for many years and resided for a time in Old Town, Alexandria.
She really does have a gregarious Ocicat named Mochie who never ceases to amaze her. Daisy is based on one of her three dogs.
More about Krista Davis...
She really does have a gregarious Ocicat named Mochie who never ceases to amaze her. Daisy is based on one of her three dogs.
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