Brought to you by OBS reviewer Kayt

Synopsis:

In the latest novel in the national bestselling Domestic Diva Mystery series, it’s beginning to look a lot like murder…

The holidays are domestic diva Sophie Winston’s favorite time of year. But this season, there seem to be more mishaps than mistletoe. First, Horace Scroggins tumbles from a balcony during his office Christmas party. Then, Sophie’s neighbor takes a fall from his ladder while decorating his roof with lights. But it’s the cookie swap that really starts her wondering who’s naughty or nice….

Sophie arrives at the annual event with high spirits and thirteen dozen chocolate-drizzled gingersnaps. But when an argument erupts and a murder ensues, it becomes clear that the recent string of events is anything but accidental. Now Sophie has to make a list of suspects…and check it twice!

Review:

I have not read all the Domestic Diva Mysteries, but have read a few. I think this is my favorite. You do not need to read the series in order to enjoy this book. It was fast paced, had wonderful characters and kept you guessing. The Domestic Diva Sophie is at a party when the man who loves Christmas most in the neighborhood takes a fall and it is a bad one. His wife is Scrooge to his Santa. She doesn’t even go visit her husband in the hospital. Mr. Scoggins fall isn’t the last bit of “bad luck” to befall the neighbors. And nobody can figure out who is behind all of this.

Not only does Sophie try to figure out these mysteries, but it seems that the neighbors are involved in some off paternity issues as well. Will she ever be able to figure out who is who and who is related to whom and why no one knows? As the neighborhood gets ready for Christmas and the Clark Griswold award, the Christmas spirit seems far away. There is the cookie swap that almost turns into a slap down of the guests there. The body found in a garage wrapped as only a domestic diva could (her neighbor also the lady living with her ex-husband).  Sophie’s boyfriend (Alex the lawyer) is called to represent one of her neighbors. It could be so many of them. He can not tell her of course.

This cozy has so many suspects and so many twists and turns that it keeps the reader guessing till the end. This neighborhood is a hoot and filled with fun people, great Christmas ideas and so much intrigue. Not only is the mystery of who murdered and wrapped the body of Gwen (not a nice lady) one that keeps you and Sophie trying to understand why and who, but there is so much else going on that the reader never has a lull in the action. It is not overwhelming, but just the right amount of suspense and mystery to keep the reader involved throughout the book.

I would recommend this to anyone who has read any of the Domestic Diva Mysteries as I feel this is the best so far. Also any reader of cozies will enjoy this one. I think it can be read as a stand alone as well. There are several recipes at the end of the book that might interest anyone who likes to cook, bake or entertain. This series is not one of my favorites, but after this one, I may have to seriously rethink that choice.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*