An Interview with Krista Davis by E. B. Davis

 

“I’m ninety-eight years old. I don’t need an alibi.”

Krista Davis, The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg, Kindle Loc. 787

 

Northern Virginia’s own Martha Stewart returns in a brand-new mystery as an interior designer clashes with a killer . . .

Stylish brunches are all the rage this autumn in Old Town Alexandria, and everyone’s posting their parties on social media. But while Domestic Diva Sophie Winston juggles her event-filled calendar, she’s approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson—who is afraid someone is following her. The very next day Mitzi loses her best friend and business partner, Denise. The two were renovating a generations-old house where Denise died unexpectedly, and Mitzi fears that it wasn’t a medical condition to blame, but murder.

It could just be the shock talking, but Sophie agrees to help Mitzi involve the police. Then she receives a panicked phone call from Mitzi, and when she rushes to the old house, Mitzi is nowhere to be found. Now Sophie’s appetite for investigation is piqued even more than her appetite for eggs Benedict and mimosas.

Could Denise’s death be connected to her viper’s nest of in-laws or the house she was working on which her husband just inherited? What of the self-proclaimed etiquette expert with some improper secrets, or the scheming mistress? Or does the old house harbor secrets of its own? There’s a generous buffet of suspects to keep the Diva scrambling for an answer . . .
 
Includes delicious recipes and fabulous DIY decorating tips!

Amazon.com

Krista Davis needs no introduction here on WWK. I’ve interviewed Krista many times about her Domestic Diva Mysteries. The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg is her eighteenth book in the series. Talk about a winning streak!

 

Murder takes place in a family home in old town Alexandria, VA, Inger House, which has been passed down to the next generation for at least a century. A local interior designer, Mitzi, who thinks she is being stalked asks Sophie to find out the identity of her stalker. Arriving at Inger House, Sophie unfortunately finds Denise’s body. Mitzi and Denise were partners in the design business. When Denise’s husband, Mike, becomes the primary suspect, his parents and family ask Sophie to investigate. The victim was their daughter-in-law. There’s no way Sophie cannot investigate.

 

Thanks for once again providing me with fun hours of reading, Krista!

 

When Mitzi Lawson, an interior designer, asks Sophie to meet her the next day at Inger House, using its backdoor. Why does Sophie decide to get involved and follow her instructions?

 

All she knows is that Mitzi has a problem. She asked for Sophie’s help and Sophie obliges. Using the back door isn’t uncommon when a house is being renovated.

 

Why do people like Natasha ask questions they don’t really want answered?

 

Why do any of us do that? We’re hoping for confirmation from someone else.

 

What is the televised autumn brunch about? Why do they want Sophie?

 

The producer’s wife likes Sophie’s syndicated advice column, so they want her to be involved. Autumn brunches are all the rage. The program is about how to pull off a brunch. Making the food, etc.

 

Knowing Denise was likely murdered, why does Mitzi assume that someone is out to get her?

 

Because she thinks someone is following her.

 

What’s coastal grandmother style in interior decorating? Nancy Meyers style?

Coastal style relies heavily on whites and pale blue hues. It’s relaxing with an informal beachy feel. You have probably seen Nancy Meyers rooms in movies like Somethings Gotta Give. It blends easily with English Country style and timeless décor. Imagine neutral off-whites, warm wood cabinets and bookshelves, fireplaces, pillows, and books, books, books!

 

Is there really such a thing as black squid ink pasta? Does anyone eat it?

 

It does exist, and I’m told it’s popular.

 

Sophie bought out Mars’s half of the house when they divorced, but it was his Aunt Faye Winston’s house. Why didn’t Mars want the house?

 

Mars didn’t care about it. It needed updating and what would he do with a big old house? Besides he was living with Natasha who had a house of her own.

 

Was Mars close to his Aunt Faye? Did Sophie remind Mars of Faye?

 

Maybe Sophie does remind Mars of his Aunt Faye! LOL!

 

We learn a lot about Aunt Faye in this book. Does she actually haunt Sophie’s house?

 

Well, there are those who think so. After all, the portrait of her in the kitchen often slides askew a bit when Natasha visits. Sophie and I are firmly on the fence about it.

 

I’ll admit, I did buy pie boxes one time for a church charity sale, but Sophie just happens to have a disposable paper Bundt cake box for the Bundt cake she bakes to take to Denise’s family. What else might Sophie have in the way of food gift items? Individual brownie wrappers? Baskets?

 

Definitely disposable sheet cake trays with lids. Containers for brownies and chocolate chip cookies. Cupcake boxes with trays that cupcakes slip into so they won’t mash each other. Large cellophane bags to wrap gift baskets and charity auction donations.

 

Why does Natasha live in Old Town Alexandria if she likes mid-century décor? Is her old house transfixed or perhaps transbroken with a modern interior? Is she trendy?

 

Natasha tries to set the trend. As an expert on all things domestic with her own TV show, she thinks she should be the leader in setting trends. Her house is stylish, but she is struggling with her mother and her father’s second wife living with her and bringing their very different style into her home.

 

I was surprised that Wong and Wolf didn’t treat Sophie’s opinion with more respect. Why doesn’t Sophie get ticked off with them?

 

I think she did get frustrated with them, but they are old friends who know each other well. The police have to operate on facts. If there’s nothing there, there’s nothing to investigate. Sophie understands that.

 

I should know about air tags, but I don’t. What are they?

 

Air Tags are made by Apple. They are small discs about an inch in diameter. If you have an Apple phone or computer, you can track an Air Tag’s location. They’re very useful in luggage when traveling. In areas where cars are being stolen, some people are hiding them in their cars so they can locate them.

 

What is “tonal development?”

 

Colors have tones. Think of a color wheel and imagine the color red. On one side, reds begin to be orangey, and on the other side, reds begin to be purple. Tonal development means colors that are in the same tone, which go together well.

 

I’m not sure I would be happy being served Butternut squash for breakfast? What else goes with it?

 

You would be surprised by roasted butternut squash with veggies and kielbasa for breakfast. You’ve probably eaten potatoes for breakfast. People eat fish, too, like bagels and lox. Why not roasted butternut squash? However, that’s why we often offer more than one dish at a bigger brunch.

 

Are sheet-pan meals a new fad?

 

They have been around for years. I’m a huge fan because they’re so easy and delicious.

 

Why would weightlifters use insulin and how do they get it? Isn’t it by prescription?

 

Insulin is available without prescription from some stores. Some weightlifters think it builds muscle. It is not advisable to use it for that purpose.

 

Can enough insulin kill anyone, not just the diabetic?

 

Absolutely. Insulin lowers blood sugar whether you are diabetic or not. Diabetics have to monitor their blood sugar carefully to make sure it doesn’t get too low.

 

I have one recipe, only one, that calls for light brown sugar. I’m always stuck with a lot left over. Can you really substitute half white/half dark brown for light brown sugar?

 

You bet! I do it all the time. Works like magic.

 

How did pineapples become an icon of old Southern hospitality?

 

Pineapples arrived on a trade route in colonial times. They were rare and a big luxury. I’m told that a pineapple in front of the house meant one was open to entertaining guests. I’m also told that an upside down or perhaps sideways pineapple has become a symbol inviting the swinger community, so be careful how you display your pineapple!

 

What is next for Sophie and her gang? Any hints if her love-life will improve?

 

Sophie’s sister, parents, and some friends are staying with her for a Fourth of July celebration in THE DIVA HOSTS A MURDERER. It does involve a little romance, but not for Sophie. Coming in 2026!