Nancy G. (ComfyReader) reviewed The Diva Paints the Town (Domestic Diva, Bk 3) on + 330 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
Well, imagine my surprise that I actually liked this book. I have to admit that after the last one, Diva Takes the Cake, I wasnt 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 head of Rooms and Blooms, the Old Town, Virginias annual home and garden show. But right in the middle of this even, her reclusive neighbor dies leaving a request that Sophie prepare a very specific meal for his benefactors. OK, that is strange, but no stranger then all the others things that she has been hired for and since the economy took a turn, she cannot turn down a paying job. Tasked with a specific meal, room arrangement plans, packages containing keys, puzzle pieces, Sophies mind goes into overdrive immediately.
But this is just too much secrecy for Sophie and when the bodies start piling up she knows she is in way over her head and with her boyfriend Wolf having to lay low because of his own ties, Sophie and her band of over the top friends must work this one out on their own.
Add to this her nemesis Natasha suddenly having to turn Mordecais home into a show piece for the home tour, Sophie is definitely in way over her head. But there is romance in the air and that is always enticing.
I enjoyed this fast paced read all the way until the very end which I felt was a bit rushed and jammed together. I actually had to reread the last couple of chapters to cement how each character tied the ending together. Though good and it did eventually did make sense, I suggest that you slow down and put the pieces together one at a time and decided for yourself which parts are necessary for the story and which parts just confused the ending.
Once again, Sophie Winston has over committed herself and her small event planning business. She is the head of Rooms and Blooms, the Old Town, Virginias annual home and garden show. But right in the middle of this even, her reclusive neighbor dies leaving a request that Sophie prepare a very specific meal for his benefactors. OK, that is strange, but no stranger then all the others things that she has been hired for and since the economy took a turn, she cannot turn down a paying job. Tasked with a specific meal, room arrangement plans, packages containing keys, puzzle pieces, Sophies mind goes into overdrive immediately.
But this is just too much secrecy for Sophie and when the bodies start piling up she knows she is in way over her head and with her boyfriend Wolf having to lay low because of his own ties, Sophie and her band of over the top friends must work this one out on their own.
Add to this her nemesis Natasha suddenly having to turn Mordecais home into a show piece for the home tour, Sophie is definitely in way over her head. But there is romance in the air and that is always enticing.
I enjoyed this fast paced read all the way until the very end which I felt was a bit rushed and jammed together. I actually had to reread the last couple of chapters to cement how each character tied the ending together. Though good and it did eventually did make sense, I suggest that you slow down and put the pieces together one at a time and decided for yourself which parts are necessary for the story and which parts just confused the ending.
Helpful Score: 1
Now you see me...now you don't. â Sophie Winston's reclusive neighbor, Professor Mordecai Artemus, has died--and left his sprawling home to his Pomeranian. Sophie feels a tad guilty for not having befriended Mordecai. But at least she's not as heartless as her nemesis, Natasha, who's descended upon the house with a crew of interior designers and contractors to renovate the place for the statewide Spring Home and Garden Tour.
Even Sophie's been assigned a room to decorate: the family room, where the Professor did most of his living--and where he died. In the midst of cleaning, spackling, and painting, Sopie uncovers a second body--but when she looks again it's disappeared! Now Sophie has to hammer away to discover the truth about the missing man, before her best friend gets nailed for murder...
Even Sophie's been assigned a room to decorate: the family room, where the Professor did most of his living--and where he died. In the midst of cleaning, spackling, and painting, Sopie uncovers a second body--but when she looks again it's disappeared! Now Sophie has to hammer away to discover the truth about the missing man, before her best friend gets nailed for murder...
Susie F. (chefdetective) reviewed The Diva Paints the Town (Domestic Diva, Bk 3) on + 75 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
What can I say! My new favorite author. I love this series and I am reading them in order! Now if I can just find where I stashed the 4th in the series. I've read one a day they are that good - characters interesting and so much fun. If you haven't tried them do so!
Helpful Score: 1
This is really a great set of mysteries! The characters are well developed and seem like real people, the setting and plot are well planned, story well written with lots of suspects, twists and turns! A GREAT READ!!!
Heather F. (AZmom875) -
I was so thrilled by book one. Mildly annoyed by book two because her sister and mother were so annoying. Book 3 was great. I think the added old mystery, and puzzle solving really added to the book. Plus her family does not show up for this one.
The neighbor Mordeica, dies and leaves his estate to his dog, Emmalina who is now missing. Why that is important will be revealed later. Mordecia is a recluse overall, ever since his wife left him for another man, but it is rumored that she didnt leave but that she is dead. The rumor also is that there is a dead body hidden in the house.
Add these two feuding ladies, who sling insults at each other, and some other fun characters. You have a great book of old unsolved mystery, new mystery, and home renovation, and tons of pets, a bird, 3 dogs, a mother cat and her kittens.
The neighbor Mordeica, dies and leaves his estate to his dog, Emmalina who is now missing. Why that is important will be revealed later. Mordecia is a recluse overall, ever since his wife left him for another man, but it is rumored that she didnt leave but that she is dead. The rumor also is that there is a dead body hidden in the house.
Add these two feuding ladies, who sling insults at each other, and some other fun characters. You have a great book of old unsolved mystery, new mystery, and home renovation, and tons of pets, a bird, 3 dogs, a mother cat and her kittens.
Debra S. (daskvorc) -
Charming, quick and distracting read - good cozy! Will read more by this author!
Great addition to a wonderful series!! I love the characters and the humor and mystic that surround them. I really enjoyed the setting in this book. There were several mysteries going on and they all kept me guessing until they were finally revealed. Can't wait for the 4th book to be released!
First of all, let me say that this book was much better than the book prior. Sophie's mother and sister are not part of this book for which I was grateful.
Sophie's neighbor, Professor Mordecai Artemus, has died and left all his estate to his dog. Sophie feels badly that she never attempted to befriend the professor, but she doesn't have time to deal with that for she is in charge of the annual home and garden expo "Rooms and Blooms". Keeping two hundred builders, landscapers, interior designers, and home product companies happy, working, and not feuding is taking her attention and time. Unfortunately, her nemesis Natasha, is one of the two hundred! Along with this, Natasha in her zeal to win a coveted decorating award, takes over Mordecai's house and assigns rooms to different designers to renovate the house for the statewide Spring Home and Garden Tour. That would be fine, except Sophie finds a body in the window seat of the room she is to redecorate. However, when she gets the proper authorities there, the body is gone. Wolf can't help her which delights Detective Kenner no end, so Sophie must help herself and her best friend Nina (who thinks she may have accidentally killed the man in the window seat).
This book was a good read. I didn't see the situation on the last page coming at all, and I must confess that I smiled. Sophie will be in a bind at the beginning of the next book, I am sure!
Sophie's neighbor, Professor Mordecai Artemus, has died and left all his estate to his dog. Sophie feels badly that she never attempted to befriend the professor, but she doesn't have time to deal with that for she is in charge of the annual home and garden expo "Rooms and Blooms". Keeping two hundred builders, landscapers, interior designers, and home product companies happy, working, and not feuding is taking her attention and time. Unfortunately, her nemesis Natasha, is one of the two hundred! Along with this, Natasha in her zeal to win a coveted decorating award, takes over Mordecai's house and assigns rooms to different designers to renovate the house for the statewide Spring Home and Garden Tour. That would be fine, except Sophie finds a body in the window seat of the room she is to redecorate. However, when she gets the proper authorities there, the body is gone. Wolf can't help her which delights Detective Kenner no end, so Sophie must help herself and her best friend Nina (who thinks she may have accidentally killed the man in the window seat).
This book was a good read. I didn't see the situation on the last page coming at all, and I must confess that I smiled. Sophie will be in a bind at the beginning of the next book, I am sure!
Lynn P. (thecatsbooks) - , reviewed The Diva Paints the Town (Domestic Diva, Bk 3) on + 3 more book reviews
Very Good-looking forward to next book
