Author: Krista Davis
Published: May 23, 2023 by Kensington Cozies
Format: Kindle, Hardcover 304 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: A Domestic Diva Mystery #16
First Sentence: The glowing and quite lengthy obituary of Edwin Stansfield painted him as a defender and guardian of the needy, as well as a paragon of humanity.
Blurb: Sophie is busy handling the first ever convention of the Association of Ghost Kitchens—restaurants that do delivery only—but she’s taking a little time out for a lunch meeting organized by A Healthy Meal. The group is dedicated to providing meals for children in need, and as a bonus, it’ll give Sophie the perfect opportunity to ogle the lavish Old Town home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield. Gerrie’s dining room is impeccably furnished, the table laden with gleaming crystal and prized china. If it weren’t for the dead man lying on the floor, everything would be perfect.
No one knows the victim—or at least, no one claims to. But a little snooping by Sophie reveals links to many local notables. In fact, not only was he a client of Geraldine’s late husband, an attorney—every member of the Stansfield clan knew the deceased. But only one knows what he was doing in Gerrie’s house.
Gerrie’s elegant abode looks spotless, but there’s plenty of dirty linen in those family closets. Now Sophie will have to get the killer to come clean before he spoils another appetite—for good. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: I have mixed feelings about the book. On a positive note, there are fewer repeated outfit changes than in previous books, the recipes at the end are tempting, and there is no need for Sophie to be ahead of the police. However, the story wanders at a meandering pace with no out-of-left-field excitement or gasps. Then it ends abruptly.
In the amateur sleuth genre, it is refreshing when the who-done-it is open-ended and unpredictable since my mental murder board was jumping in multiple directions.
Despite these criticisms, I still enjoy the series for its charming depiction of Old Town, the friendships, the food, and the occasional tackling of social issues.
Blurb: Sophie is busy handling the first ever convention of the Association of Ghost Kitchens—restaurants that do delivery only—but she’s taking a little time out for a lunch meeting organized by A Healthy Meal. The group is dedicated to providing meals for children in need, and as a bonus, it’ll give Sophie the perfect opportunity to ogle the lavish Old Town home of socialite Geraldine Stansfield. Gerrie’s dining room is impeccably furnished, the table laden with gleaming crystal and prized china. If it weren’t for the dead man lying on the floor, everything would be perfect.
No one knows the victim—or at least, no one claims to. But a little snooping by Sophie reveals links to many local notables. In fact, not only was he a client of Geraldine’s late husband, an attorney—every member of the Stansfield clan knew the deceased. But only one knows what he was doing in Gerrie’s house.
Gerrie’s elegant abode looks spotless, but there’s plenty of dirty linen in those family closets. Now Sophie will have to get the killer to come clean before he spoils another appetite—for good. (GoodReads)
My Opinion: I have mixed feelings about the book. On a positive note, there are fewer repeated outfit changes than in previous books, the recipes at the end are tempting, and there is no need for Sophie to be ahead of the police. However, the story wanders at a meandering pace with no out-of-left-field excitement or gasps. Then it ends abruptly.
In the amateur sleuth genre, it is refreshing when the who-done-it is open-ended and unpredictable since my mental murder board was jumping in multiple directions.
Despite these criticisms, I still enjoy the series for its charming depiction of Old Town, the friendships, the food, and the occasional tackling of social issues.
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