Krista Davis crafts captivating mystery series that often feature delightful settings and engaging characters. Her stories blend suspense with charming elements, sometimes incorporating recipes that reflect her own culinary interests. Drawing inspiration from her beloved pets, Davis brings animal companions to life within her narratives. Her accessible style and well-plotted mysteries offer a satisfying reading experience for fans of the genre.
The book features a storyline that captivates readers with its engaging plot and well-developed characters. It explores themes of love, betrayal, and personal growth, set against a rich backdrop that enhances the narrative. The writing style is immersive, drawing readers into the emotional journeys of the characters. With its compelling twists and relatable conflicts, this edition promises to resonate with both new readers and fans of the original publication.
The story follows Holly, who discovers a black Labrador named Squishy while driving home to Wagtail, Virginia. After fostering Squishy at the Sugar Maple Inn, she notices the dog's unusual reaction to local lawyer Wendell Peyton, who is embroiled in a shady land deal involving Holly's boyfriend. When Wendell is murdered, hidden secrets surface, revealing the darker side of Wagtail's legal battles. As Holly navigates the mystery, she uncovers the truth behind Wendell's powerful influence and the motives of those around her.
Holly and Trixie meet a strange new dog in Wagtail that leads them right into murder. . . . Holly Miller is looking forward to finally taking a few days to relax. Enjoying an early morning on her terrace, she spots an unfamiliar reddish-gold pooch across the lake. She’s intrigued, but never expects to find the very same dog smiling at her in bed when she wakes up the next morning! Trixie and Twinkletoes appear to accept this cute stranger, but Holly doesn’t know to whom he belongs. Oma thinks the dog looks familiar, and it turns out the wayward pooch belongs to Holly’s cousin Josh. Holly knew her cousin well as a child, but she hasn’t seen him in over a decade. He’s camping with his girlfriend across the lake. Holly returns the cute dog to Josh’s campsite twice, but the second time, Josh and his girlfriend are nowhere to be found. Instead, a guest of the Sugar Maple Inn is dead in their tent. Now it's up to Holly and Trixie to suss out a sneaky killer.
Lifestyle maven Sophie Winston is coordinating a convention for ghost kitchens in Old Town, Alexandria—and trying to keep a killer from making a deadly delivery . . . 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 . . . Includes delicious recipes and fabulous DIY decorating tips!
Domestic diva Sophie Winston can whip up an elaborate event in her sleep, but as the hippest hostess she rarely gets to enjoy the full guest treatment. Which is why her best friend Nina Reid Norwood loops her in to the latest culinary craze: a pop-up gourmet dinner party. The celebrity chef, the epicurean menu, and the high-profile attendees are all a surprise, turning the decadent dining experience into the hottest ticket in Old Town Alexandria. But Sophie's just pleased as punch that she finally has an opportunity to join her fellow foodies in some fun. The posh party proves to be a recipe for disaster when Hollis Haberman sours spirits by bringing his own hot new dish--his young trophy wife. With Hollis's son and ex-wife in attendance, there may be more heat at the table than in the kitchen. But by aperitifs, Sophie discovers Hollis swallowing his last bits of air, and she must scramble to stop a killer before the swanky supper becomes anyone else's last meal.
When a famous pooch comes to Wagtail for some downtime, inn owner Holly Miller learns that murder never rests in this all-new Paws & Claws mystery in the New York Times bestselling series. America's favorite dog comes to pet-friendly Wagtail for some rest and relaxation, but Holly quickly discovers that this perfect pup is a total scamp who takes every opportunity to run off and misbehave. During an outdoor treasure-hunting game, the star dog and Trixie, Holly's beloved Jack Russell terrier, stumble across a dead body. Holly has more than murder to worry about, though, when a man shows up after reading an article featuring Trixie in a magazine and claims that he is the dog's rightful owner. Holly will need to prove that she is her pup's only parent and catch a killer to restore peace to her pet-loving happy place.
A delightful new story from a New York Times bestselling author perfect for fans of Joanne Fluke’s Hannah Swensen Mystery series! In this page-turning new book, entertaining guru Sophie Winston is faced with a midsummer nightmare when a celebration in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia, is the appetizer for murder… Old Town’s midsummer festivities are getting a tasty addition this year. To coincide with a public performance of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” Bobbie Sue Bodoin, the Queen of Cheesecake, has hired Sophie to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet on the waterfront. Bobbie Sue’s homegrown company is thriving, and since her baking dish overfloweth, she wants to reward her employees. Bobbie Sue has only one menu demand: no cheesecake! But her specialty isn’t the only thing missing from the evening—Tate, Bobbie Sue’s husband, is too much to her annoyance. Next morning, however, Tate’s dead body is discovered. Bobbie Sue insists she didn’t kick her spouse to the curb, and begs for Sophie’s help finding the real killer. Digging in, Sophie discovers an assortment of Old Town locals who all had reason to want a piece of Tate. Can she gather together the crumbs the killer left behind in time to prevent a second helping of murder?Includes delectable recipes and fabulous DIY decorating tips!
Visitors are arriving in droves to spend Thanksgiving in the mountains of pet-friendly Wagtail, Virginia. Many of them are bringing dog and cat gingerbread houses to enter in the contest that will be held in the new convention center. Wagtail resident Orly Biffle bequeathed the land to the town in his will, provided that they not cut down the grand old oak tree on the property. Orly's children are mighty miffed that they didn't inherit the prime piece of property overlooking the lake.
In this sixth installment of the series, Sophie Winston, a domestic diva, faces a whirlwind of chaos and intrigue. As she navigates the complexities of her life, she becomes embroiled in a mystery that challenges her skills and wit. With a blend of humor and suspense, the story explores Sophie's journey through unexpected twists, highlighting her resourcefulness and determination to uncover the truth amidst the turmoil.
