In the 15^th book in the Domestic Diva Mysteries, The Queen of Cheesecake, Bobbie Sue Bodoin, has asked event planner and advice columnist Sophie Winston to plan her Midsummer Night dinner to coincide with Old Town’s Shakespeare festivities and fireworks.  The dinner goes off without a hitch, but it also goes off without Bobbie Sue’s husband.  Bobbie Sue is not very happy with Tate, and he will have to answer for his absence, but it’s not to be as a killer has silenced the restauranter for good in THE DIVA SAYS CHEESECAKE.

Tate never gets to explain his absence at the party because Bobbie Sue and Sophie find him dead the next day in a pile of champagne and glass shards in the basement of Blackwell’s Tavern.  At first, it looks like an accident, but Bobbie Sue knows something is wrong with the scene in the basement.  Bobbie Sue thinks Tate was murdered and she wants Sophie to investigate.  Soon after, Sophie’s friend, Bernie, is arrested for Tate’s murder after blood evidence is found on his car.  Bernie manages a competing restaurant called The Laughing Hound.  Did Bernie kill Tate to eliminate the competition?  Sophie doesn’t think so and she starts investigating with her BFF Nina.  Soon the suspects start rolling in.  There’s Bobbie Sue’s ex-husband, her teenage son, clingy Coach Cosby, a grudge-holding assistant manager, and a swindling bartender.  There is also a clue in the cryptic note slipped into Sophie’s handbag hinting at illegal activities taking place at Blackwell’s Tavern.  Sophie has her work cut out for her, but with the help of her friends, she’ll find Tate’s killer and clear Bernie of the crime.  Hopefully in time to enjoy some delicious cheesecake!  And before she’s attacked again by a killer who is intent on keeping his plan from being ruined.

This is a delightful series and a great addition.  Sophie and her friends are fun and full of energy as they work to clear Bernie’s name.  There are plenty of suspects and red herrings that keep the fun rolling.  Sophie is tenacious and whips up delicious recipes as she crime solves and saves the day.   Peppered with memorable secondary characters that add great chemistry and charm to the mystery, you can’t help but enjoy yourself in Old Town Alexandria, Virginia.  The locals are just as flavorful as Bobbie Sue Bodoin’s cheesecakes.  THE DIVA SAYS CHEESECAKE is cleverly crafted and solved with logical steps through several diversions.   This is an all-around great time.   Delicious recipes are included!

Book Summary