Krista Davis Books in Order: Domestic Diva, Paws & Claws, and Pen & Ink Mysteries
As of 2026, Krista Davis has 33 books across her three main mystery series. The Domestic Diva series is the largest, with 19 books; Paws & Claws has 10; and Pen & Ink has 4.
If you want to read all of Krista Davis’s books, the easiest approach is series by series, rather than trying to combine every novel into one publication timeline. The individual series have their own continuing casts and settings, while the three series are separate reading worlds.
Krista Davis Books in Order at a Glance
Here are the three Krista Davis mystery series and their current book counts:
| Series | Number of Books | Main Character / Setting |
| Domestic Diva Mysteries | 19 | Sophie Winston, Old Town Alexandria |
| Paws & Claws Mysteries | 10 | Holly Miller, Wagtail, Virginia |
| Pen & Ink Mysteries | 4 | Florrie Fox, Color Me Read bookstore |
| Total | 33 |
The official Krista Davis website currently lists all three series, while Penguin Random House identifies the Domestic Diva and Paws & Claws Mysteries among her major series.
Domestic Diva Mysteries in Order
The Domestic Diva Mysteries are Krista Davis’s longest-running series. The books follow Sophie Winston, an entertaining expert and amateur sleuth in Old Town, Virginia.
The series began with The Diva Runs Out of Thyme and currently contains 19 books, with The Diva Hosts a Murderer as the latest installment. Krista Davis’s official website lists the books sequentially, and the publisher identifies The Diva Hosts a Murderer as Domestic Diva Mystery #19.
1. The Diva Runs Out of Thyme (2008)
The first Domestic Diva mystery introduces Sophie Winston and her rival, Natasha Smith.
Sophie is an entertaining expert who finds herself caught up in murder when a Thanksgiving celebration turns deadly. What begins as a culinary and social competition quickly becomes a murder investigation.
This is the natural starting point for readers who want to experience the Sophie Winston series from the beginning.
2. The Diva Takes the Cake (2009)
Sophie’s sister Hannah is getting married again, but wedding celebrations quickly turn into a murder investigation when the groom’s ex is found dead.
Sophie once again finds herself investigating while trying to keep the wedding from descending into complete chaos.
3. The Diva Paints the Town (2010)
Sophie becomes involved with a decorating project that takes her to the home of her reclusive neighbor, Professor Mordecai Artemus.
When the professor dies and his Pomeranian inherits his sprawling home, Sophie discovers that there is considerably more to the situation than meets the eye.
4. The Diva Cooks a Goose (2010)
The fourth Domestic Diva mystery brings Sophie into a holiday investigation.
A Christmas celebration becomes complicated by theft and murder, giving Sophie another reason to put her amateur detective skills to work.
The novel also continues the series tradition of combining mystery with recipes and entertaining ideas. Krista Davis’s official description specifically highlights the book’s recipes and entertaining tips.
5. The Diva Haunts the House (2011)
Halloween provides the backdrop for the fifth mystery.
Sophie helps create a community haunted house, but the spooky atmosphere becomes much more serious when someone begins causing real trouble.
6. The Diva Digs Up the Dirt (2012)
Sophie finds herself involved in another murder investigation while Natasha develops a plan to make herself a television star.
The gardening and television themes give this installment another distinctive setting while maintaining the rivalry and character relationships established earlier in the series.
7. The Diva Frosts a Cupcake (2013)
A cupcake competition turns deadly when murder enters the picture.
Sophie has to investigate the crime while navigating the competitive world of baking and entertaining.
8. The Diva Wraps It Up (2014)
The eighth book takes place around the holidays.
What should be a festive season quickly becomes complicated when a man falls from a balcony during an office Christmas party.
Sophie once again has to balance holiday entertaining with an investigation.
9. The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss (2015)
Chocolate becomes the center of another Sophie Winston mystery.
Sophie is helping organize a major event for Amore Chocolates when the celebration turns into a murder investigation.
The official series listing describes the case as one in which chocolate becomes connected to a deadly mystery.
10. The Diva Serves High Tea (2016)
Tea takes center stage in the tenth Domestic Diva mystery.
When The Parlour opens in town, Sophie gets a new place to indulge her love of tea and pastries—but the shop also becomes connected to another murder investigation.
Penguin Random House identifies this as Domestic Diva Mystery #10.
11. The Diva Cooks Up a Storm (2018)
A trendy underground dinner club becomes the setting for a new murder.
Sophie must investigate after the exclusive culinary experience proves to be considerably deadlier than its guests expected.
12. The Diva Sweetens the Pie (2019)
Old Town’s annual Pie Festival becomes the scene of a murder when a celebrity judge is killed.
Sophie has to investigate the suspects while dealing with the chaos surrounding the festival.
13. The Diva Spices It Up (2020)
A celebrity ghostwriter dies while working on a project, leaving Sophie to investigate.
The thirteenth mystery continues to mix Sophie’s entertaining expertise with her increasingly familiar role as an amateur sleuth.
14. The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit (2021)
An international tour group becomes entangled in a series of suspicious deaths.
Sophie has to figure out what is happening before more people become victims.
15. The Diva Says Cheesecake! (2022)
Cheesecake and midsummer festivities provide the backdrop for another Old Town murder.
Sophie is hired to organize a dinner with a dessert buffet, but the event becomes a crime scene instead.
Krista Davis’s official site lists this as Domestic Diva Mystery #15.
16. The Diva Delivers on a Promise (2023)
Sophie becomes involved with a convention centered around ghost kitchens.
The event should be about food and business, but a dead body turns the convention into another investigation for Sophie.
17. The Diva Goes Overboard (2024)
Sophie and Natasha are once again surrounded by entertaining, social events, and murder.
The seventeenth installment continues the established Old Town setting and the evolving relationships between the series’ recurring characters.
18. The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg (2025)
Sophie is approached by local designer Mitzi Lawson, who believes someone is following her.
When Mitzi’s best friend and business partner dies shortly afterward, suspicions of murder emerge.
Sophie must determine whether the death was natural or something much more sinister. Krista Davis’s official listing places this immediately before The Diva Hosts a Murderer.
19. The Diva Hosts a Murderer (2026)
The Diva Hosts a Murderer is the 19th Domestic Diva Mystery and the newest book in the series as of 2026.
Sophie is dealing with Fourth of July celebrations, visiting relatives, and a family gathering when a murder throws everything into chaos.
The investigation becomes especially personal when evidence points toward Sophie’s own father.
As usual, Sophie has to sort through conflicting stories, family secrets, and suspicious characters while trying to identify the real killer.
The book was published in 2026 and is currently the latest Krista Davis release.
Paws & Claws Mysteries in Order
The Paws & Claws Mysteries move away from Sophie’s world and introduce Holly Miller, who owns the Sugar Maple Inn in the pet-friendly town of Wagtail, Virginia.
Animals are central to the series, but the books remain genuine cozy mysteries, with Holly repeatedly drawn into murder investigations.
Krista Davis’s official site lists 10 Paws & Claws books in order.
1. Murder, She Barked (2013)
Holly Miller arrives in Wagtail, Virginia, a destination famous for welcoming visitors with pets.
The town’s picturesque reputation takes a hit when a killer begins stalking the community.
The first book establishes Holly, the Sugar Maple Inn, Wagtail, and the animal-filled world that becomes the foundation for the series.
2. The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer (2014)
Wagtail prepares for Halloween, but a spooky celebration takes a darker turn when a murder shakes the town.
Holly once again finds herself investigating while surrounded by the pets and residents who make Wagtail unique.
3. Murder Most Howl (2015)
The Sugar Maple Inn becomes the center of another murder mystery.
A murder mystery weekend is supposed to be an entertaining event, but Holly soon discovers that someone has brought real murder to town.
4. Mission Impawsible (2017)
Holly and her grandmother are preparing the Sugar Maple Inn for a matchmaking event when murder interrupts the festivities.
The book continues the combination of pet-centered humor, community relationships, and traditional cozy mystery investigation.
5. Not a Creature Was Purring (2017)
The holiday season arrives in Wagtail, but Christmas cheer disappears when a beloved businessman is found dead.
Holly has another mystery to solve while trying to keep the holiday spirit alive.
6. The Dog Who Knew Too Much (2019)
A famous dog arrives in Wagtail for some rest and relaxation.
Unfortunately, Holly soon discovers that even celebrity pets cannot escape murder.
7. Big Little Spies (2021)
A pet detective is found dead while investigating a prominent missing dog.
Holly must work through the guest list and uncover which suspects have something to hide.
8. A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder (2022)
A fallen tree reveals a body hidden inside its trunk.
The discovery brings Holly and the people around her into another investigation, while the dogs of Wagtail seem to know more than they should.
9. The Dog Across the Lake (2024)
Holly notices an unfamiliar reddish-gold dog across the lake.
The mysterious animal eventually turns up at the inn, creating a mystery that involves both the dog’s identity and another suspicious death.
10. The Wagtail Murder Club (2025)
Holly discovers an adorable black Labrador named Squishy in a cage with a note asking someone to care for him.
When a member of a group of visiting attorneys dies under suspicious circumstances, Holly and her family become involved in another Wagtail investigation.
The Wagtail Murder Club is officially Paws & Claws Mystery #10.
Pen & Ink Mysteries in Order
The Pen & Ink Mysteries are set around Color Me Read, a bookstore in Georgetown, Washington, D.C.
The protagonist is Florrie Fox, a bookstore manager and coloring-book creator who becomes involved in murder investigations.
There are currently four books in this series. Krista Davis’s official site identifies A Colorful Scheme as Pen & Ink Mystery #4.
1. Color Me Murder (2018)
Florrie Fox manages Color Me Read bookstore while also creating intricate coloring books for adults.
Her peaceful routine changes when her landlord’s nephew disappears and Florrie discovers his body.
She begins investigating the suspicious death while trying to determine which of the people around her had a motive.
Krista Davis’s official site identifies Color Me Murder as Pen & Ink Mystery #1.
2. The Coloring Crook (2018)
Florrie becomes involved with a rare book that arrives at Color Me Read.
The discovery draws her into another mystery, bringing books, collecting, and murder together in classic cozy-mystery fashion.
3. Murder Outside the Lines (2019)
Halloween is approaching, and Florrie has arranged an event featuring a psychic author.
But the celebrity medium arrives in distress, and the event quickly becomes connected to murder.
4. A Colorful Scheme (2020)
Florrie attends the wedding of her boss and a famous romance author.
The wedding should be a celebration, but a guest is murdered, forcing Florrie to investigate the complicated relationships and rivalries among the literary crowd.
Krista Davis’s official site confirms this is Pen & Ink Mystery #4.
Should You Read Krista Davis Books in Order?
Yes, but primarily within each individual series.
You do not need to read Domestic Diva before starting Paws & Claws, or Paws & Claws before starting Pen & Ink. The three series have different protagonists and settings.
However, once you choose a series, reading it in publication order is the best approach.
For Domestic Diva, starting with The Diva Runs Out of Thyme lets you watch Sophie Winston’s relationships and the Old Town community develop over 19 mysteries.
For Paws & Claws, begin with Murder, She Barked to meet Holly Miller and discover Wagtail and the Sugar Maple Inn.
For Pen & Ink, begin with Color Me Murder to meet Florrie Fox and enter the world of Color Me Read.
What Is the First Krista Davis Book?
The first book in Krista Davis’s most famous series is The Diva Runs Out of Thyme, published in 2008.
It is Domestic Diva Mystery #1 and introduces Sophie Winston. The series has since grown to 19 books.
If you mean the first book in each of her three major mystery series:
- Domestic Diva: The Diva Runs Out of Thyme
- Paws & Claws: Murder, She Barked
- Pen & Ink: Color Me Murder
What Is the Latest Krista Davis Book?
The latest Krista Davis book is The Diva Hosts a Murderer, the 19th Domestic Diva Mystery.
It is the newest installment as of 2026 and follows Sophie Winston through a Fourth of July murder investigation involving her own family.
Her other currently completed series have these latest installments:
- Domestic Diva #19: The Diva Hosts a Murderer
- Paws & Claws #10: The Wagtail Murder Club
- Pen & Ink #4: A Colorful Scheme
How Many Krista Davis Books Are There?
For her three main cozy mystery series, there are currently 33 books:
- 19 Domestic Diva Mysteries
- 10 Paws & Claws Mysteries
- 4 Pen & Ink Mysteries
That gives readers 33 series novels in total. Current bibliographic listings also count 33 books across these three series.
The total can vary on websites that count editions, audiobooks, or other publishing formats separately, so the 33-book figure is best understood as the number of main novels in her three mystery series.
Which Krista Davis Series Should You Read First?
Your best starting point depends on the kind of cozy mystery you enjoy.
Start with Domestic Diva if you like food and entertaining
Choose Domestic Diva if you enjoy:
- cooking and recipes
- entertaining
- wedding and holiday settings
- amateur sleuths
- long-running character relationships
- Virginia community mysteries
Sophie Winston and Natasha Smith are the heart of the series, and the rivalry between the two women adds an extra layer to the mysteries.
Start with Paws & Claws if you love animals
Choose Paws & Claws if pets are a major reason you read cozy mysteries.
The Sugar Maple Inn, Wagtail, Holly Miller, and the many dogs and cats give this series a particularly warm animal-centered atmosphere.
The official series description emphasizes Wagtail’s identity as a pet-friendly destination.
Start with Pen & Ink if you love books
Choose Pen & Ink if you’re drawn to bookstores, writers, coloring books, and literary settings.
Florrie Fox works at Color Me Read bookstore, giving these mysteries a natural appeal to book lovers.
Krista Davis Reading Order: The Short Answer
If you want the simplest possible Krista Davis books in order list, read each series like this.
Domestic Diva Mysteries
- The Diva Runs Out of Thyme
- The Diva Takes the Cake
- The Diva Paints the Town
- The Diva Cooks a Goose
- The Diva Haunts the House
- The Diva Digs Up the Dirt
- The Diva Frosts a Cupcake
- The Diva Wraps It Up
- The Diva Steals a Chocolate Kiss
- The Diva Serves High Tea
- The Diva Cooks Up a Storm
- The Diva Sweetens the Pie
- The Diva Spices It Up
- The Diva Serves Forbidden Fruit
- The Diva Says Cheesecake!
- The Diva Delivers on a Promise
- The Diva Goes Overboard
- The Diva Poaches a Bad Egg
- The Diva Hosts a Murderer
Paws & Claws Mysteries
- Murder, She Barked
- The Ghost and Mrs. Mewer
- Murder Most Howl
- Mission Impawsible
- Not a Creature Was Purring
- The Dog Who Knew Too Much
- Big Little Spies
- A Good Dog’s Guide to Murder
- The Dog Across the Lake
- The Wagtail Murder Club
Pen & Ink Mysteries
- Color Me Murder
- The Coloring Crook
- Murder Outside the Lines
- A Colorful Scheme
For most new readers, The Diva Runs Out of Thyme is the best place to begin if you want Krista Davis’s longest-running series. If you prefer pets, start with Murder, She Barked; if you prefer bookstores and literary settings, start with Color Me Murder.
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