Color Me Murder by Krista Davis is the first book in the new cozy Pen & Ink Mysteries series. Before even starting to talk about the story in this book I’d just like to say what a creative and wonderful idea for book to be printed with a cover that you can color yourself. Adult coloring books are the newest fad so why haven’t I seen this done before now I have no idea but even having read the story I’m ready to buy a copy for my own collection.

Now as you can imagine the author has created a tale within the pages of the creative cover to match by introducing readers to Florrie Fox who is an artist that creates adult coloring books herself and if that wasn’t enough to gain your curiosity about Florrie she also works by day in the Color Me Read bookstore owned by Professor John Maxwell.

The professor knows that Florrie has been searching for a place to live closer to the bookstore so when his sister insists that his nephew be able to move into the carriage house behind the professor’s mansion he offers it free of charge to Florrie as long as she can quickly move in and make it look like she’s been there all along.

However, after moving in to the carriage house Florrie finds that the nephew, Delbert, isn’t the greatest of men and feels a bit unsafe being around him. But little did Florrie expect to find Delbert’s dead body hidden in the bookstore. Before Florrie knows it she has a murderer to find to help save the beloved professor whom police are certain committed the crime.

I’m sure if everyone wonders after my opening to this review if I gave this book five stars simply because I loved the cover, no thankfully that isn’t the case. I have to admit I had high hopes for the plot too and was a bit nervous the story wouldn’t live up to my cover love on this one but I’m glad to say I really enjoyed reading the book too.

This one is full of all of the things that I love with a cozy mystery, unique and likable characters, a nice setting, some cute and cuddly critters to make me aww and plenty of suspects and clues to form a very solid mystery to solve while enjoying everything else. And on top of all of that there are also recipes at the back for the foodies out there to enjoy too. After this opening I’ll be sure to be looking out for the next book in this series to see what happens with these characters in the future.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

My creative side absolutely adored this book. The idea of Florrie sketching out clues and ideas was simply amazing. I wish that the carriage house really existed - it sounds absolutely stunning. The mystery was great with a nice amount of humor in it.

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis is the can't put down first book of the new A Pen & Ink cozy mystery series. The contemporary story revolves around smart, affable Florrie, manager of Color Me Read bookstore and coloring book artist. As a reader of Krista Davis's other series, Domestic Diva and Paws & Claws, I was already a fan. Color Me Murder does not disappoint, and had me laughing and crime-solving along the way. This book combines some of the things I expect and enjoy from Krista Davis – murder, humor, pets, and recipes! The characters are well-developed and engaging. I hate to say it, but bring on the next murder! Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was already a big fan of cozy mysteries by Krista Davis. Her Paws & Claws series is one of my favorites. After reading this first book in her new series, I know the Pen & Ink Mysteries are also going to be on my favorites list!

Florrie Fox works at a bookshop, Color Me Read, in Georgetown. Professor John Maxwell owns the shop. He's a bit of an eccentric and known for dashing off to exotic places on all sorts of adventures (what can you expect from someone who has the Indiana Jones theme as the ringtone on their cellphone). Professor Maxwell's family is well known in Georgetown and quite wealthy. He offers Florrie his carriage house to live in, rent free. He has a craptastic nephew and wants to prevent him from thinking he can move into the carriage house. It's a win-win situation -- Florrie gets a place in Georgetown two blocks from work without a huge rent, and Professor Maxwell doesn't get his horrid nephew Delbert living in his backyard. It all goes to plan....but Florrie is barely moved in before the nephew is showing his true colors, stating he will inherit the shop and the house soon enough and Florrie will be out a place to live and lose her job. And then someone tries to break into the carriage house! Florrie is sure it was Delbert. What a jerk! She tells Professor Maxwell, and he promises that he will take care of the problem. Imagine Florrie's surprise when a hidden trapdoor is found in the bookshop the next day....and inside.....Delbert's dead body. She knows the Professor would never murder anyone -- even his horrible nephew. The detective on the case is a jerk....so she starts looking into the case herself to help the Professor. Many people probably wanted to kill Delbert.....or had at least thought about it.....but who was it that stuck a spear through his chest and dumped his body into the tiny space under that trapdoor?

I loved this book!! Florrie is an artist and publishes adult coloring books. When she's thinking through a problem or gathering clues she draws in her sketchbook. As a main character she is intelligent, strong and resilient. Add in some interesting and quirky side characters, a bit of romance and a bookshop......great start to a new cozy series!!

The front and back covers of the book can be colored as well. I would have a hard time coloring on a book.....so mine would stay white....but the concept is so creative and cute! I think I would scan the front and back covers and color the copies! I can't bring myself to write in a book. :) There are also recipes in the back of the book.

I can't wait for the next book! :)

Krista Davis is also the author of the Domestic Diva and Paws & Claws cozy mystery series.

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**

This is a well-crafted cozy. The main character is a young artist who manages a bookstore called Color Me Read, which stocks her own hand-drawn coloring books as well as more traditional titles. The mystery involves the death of a character who had alienated so many people that it's a wonder he survived as long as he did, and the police captain has captivating blue eyes. Florrie's detailed drawings figure in solving the case - of course! My only cavil is that we don't get to see her drawings. (However, the cover of the paperback edition will be a drawing that can be colored! Very cool indeed.)

This is a amazingly colorful book in a new series by Krista Davis. It is sincerely different from her other series, yet has the same great characters and writing that I have come to enjoy from her. The setting was perfect for a mystery and I loved how Florrie had a sort of Double life from bookstore clerk to coloring book artist. I highly recommend this book to everyone who loves a great mystery.

This book is not what I was thinking it would be, but as I read I enjoyed the mystery. The suspense drew me in deeper into the story. The idea is interesting and the reader will be drawn into the pages.

Since I am a fan of the Domestic Diva series by Krista Davis, I was curious when I saw that she has a new offering that is not animal obsessed (Paws and Claws series). I know, people love their pets, but occasionally cozy mystery writers take the animal part of the genre too far.

From the beginning, I had a hard time getting past the old-fashioned names of lead characters Florrie and shop worker Helen, since the names tend to make the characters sound older than they are. When their actual ages were mentioned, I had to stop and re-read the previous pages to come at them from a different angle.

For the last five years, twenty-eight year old Florrie Fox has managed Color Me Read, a bookstore, in the heart of Georgetown, for the absentminded Professor Maxwell. When she is not answering customer’s queries, she spends her time doodling adult coloring books and still answering to her overprotective parents.

With the offer of housing in the professor’s carriage house, only two blocks from the store, Florrie jumps at the chance to live in the community that she loves. Little did she know that by accepting she was stepping into a family drama and now with “Delbert the awful” dead in the store and the professor accused of his murder, Florrie and a curious band of Maxwell devotees gang together to solve the case before Professor Maxwell is sent away for good.

The story is simple and the characters interesting, but for a first in a series, there were too many to keep track of. I hope that in future installments, Krista Davis will separate Goldblum and Bankhouse a little more, create more conflict with Detective-Sergeant Zielony, and expand upon Maxwell’s kidnapped, and presumed deceased daughter, since everyone can see that there has to be more to that story.

I'd really looked forward to this and was, sadly disappointed. Frankly, it failed for me on the Georgetown level. Georgetown has fantastic atmosphere and is a terrific community but that's not captured here. I don't know where Davis has been but it's not in DC. I can't imagine how much a house with a two story carriage house and swimming pool and fish pond and gardens etc would cost. Gazillions. Second, Florrie's family and their attitudes were way outdated. Third, I could not for the life of me envision the trapdoor etc. It just didn't make sense. The mystery of who killed Delbert is good but the externals- the logistics - were not. I was also struck by the odd way the DCPD was described. Again, more like something you'd find in a small town, not in DC. I know I'm the odd person out so thanks to Netgalley for the ARC and wish Davis best of luck with the book. BTW- the recipe for the raspberry bread at the end indicates you should put it in a bread pan. How big? Well, there's any left over make muffins is not the answer. PS I can't think of a coffee shop in Georgetown with a carry out window where one can buy bear claws (not a DC thing) but there are lots of real nice places here.

This is the first book in a new series and I was quite curious about it as Krista Davis is one my favourite cozy authors.
It is a mystery and It is also the history of the travel of the heroine from being a spineless and mousy character to a woman with flair and sassy.
On a general level it is quite a good mystery, interesting cast of characters and really well written.
On the other side I hope that in next instalment there will be less hyper-anxious parents and more the Washington characters.
I am curious about the next instalment as I want to see where the heroine evolution will bring her.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books.

Florrie Fox loves her job at Color Me Read, a bookstore in Georgetown. It allows her to be around books and to help others find something to read as well. In her off time, she makes intricate drawings for her series of adult coloring books. She's not exactly happy to be living with her parents which is why she jumps at the chance to live in her boss's carriage house. He needs an occupant in order to make sure his sister's spoiled son doesn't move in. Florrie is slightly worried about the nephew, especially when the man shows up at the bookstore and threatens to fire her. But Professor Maxwell, her world-traveling boss says that he'll take care of his nephew that weekend. So when Florine finds the nephew dead in the book store, run through with a spear, she is not surprised that her quiet boss is a suspect but she is shocked when he's actually arrested as the murderer.
With Professor Maxwell depending on her, Florine works with a variety of people (his butler, his friends, and his ex-wife (who has some pretty big issues of her own) to solve the issue of what really happened to the professor's nephew.
I didn't love the ending. The solution to the story was a bit convoluted and came mostly out of left field and the absolute ending was just a little too twee. Florrie was an okay character but unless she develops some flaws (at least a little more depth) she's going to become annoying very quickly.

Three stars
This book comes out February 27
ARC kindly provided by NetGalley

Book Description
By day, Florrie Fox manages Color Me Read bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. By night, she creates her own intricately detailed coloring books for adults, filling the pages with objects that catch her eye. There's plenty of inspiration in her new apartment--a beautiful carriage house belonging to Professor John Maxwell, Florrie's boss. He offers the property to Florrie rent-free with one condition--she must move in immediately to prevent his covetous sister and nephew from trying to claim it.

When the professor's nephew, Delbert, arrives, he proves just as sketchy as Florrie feared. But the following morning, Delbert has vanished. It's not until she visits the third floor of the store that Florrie makes a tragic discovery--there's a trap door in the landing and a dead Delbert inside. The esteemed Professor Maxwell is an obvious suspect, but Florrie is certain this case isn't so black and white. Doodling clues, she begins to consider other colorful characters on the scene, all with a motive for murder. With a killer drawing closer, Florrie will need to think outside the lines . . . before death makes his mark again.

My Thoughts
I recently attended my first Adult Coloring Class at the library where I met some nice people and spent a relaxing hour rediscovering a childhood pleasure. The book description stated the main character, Florrie Fox worked in a bookstore(how could I not love that), and designs adult coloring books. Those two things along with the amazing cover drew me right to this book. The story kept my interest and once murder entered the pages, I was quite taken with Florrie and the characters around her.
Lately, my reading taste veers from psychological thrillers to mysteries and Color Me Murder was a well written cozy mystery. I didn't figure out whodunit until the author's reveal and I certainly wouldn't hesitate to read additional books in this series. I love a mystery with multiple suspects that keep me guessing who the actual killer is and with the exception of Florrie's cat, Peaches, I turned a wary eye on almost every character in this book. No spoilers here, so all I will say is if you like this type of book, I recommend Color Me Murder.
Thank you, Krista Davis, Kensington Books and NetGalley for the digital copy to read and review. I did Google the author after I finished reading this book and see that she has also written a Domestic Diva Mystery series as well as Paws & Claws Mysteries, which is a nice discovery since I can read her other books while waiting for Florrie's next adventure.

On February 27th, Kensington will release Color Me Murder, Krista Davis’s new Pen & Ink series. This is Krista’s third series. I loved her Diva and Paws and Claws series, but there was something about this series that really touched me. I went to AU and GWU so I’ve spent many fun hours in Georgetown in D. C., the setting of this series. Although it brought back memories—that wasn’t the attraction—it was the main character, Florrie Fox (even if her mother ticked me off).


Florrie creates coloring books for adults and children. Her acuity and sensibility combined with her artistic talent makes her a smart person with good moral grounds. Her artistic eye for detail, which she uses to recreate scenes and people while on the case, allows her to put the pieces of the mystery together. And although she doesn’t cook or bake for a living, she manages to feed friends and family with her quick recipes, listed in the back pages.


Welcome back to WWK, Krista. E. B. Davis

[This is the start of my interview, which will publish on 2/21/18]

Florrie Fox is the manager at Color Me Read bookstore. Her boss, Professor Maxwell, offers to let her live in his carriage house rent free because he doesn't want his nephew, Delbert, to move in. When someone tries to break in to the carriage house, everyone suspects it was Delbert, so no one is shocked when he disappears. But when Florrrie finds Delbert dead in a trap door in Maxwells' office, the police immediately suspect the professor. Florrie knows the professor isn't guilty. Florrie works with Mr DuBois, Maxwell's butler, and her family to prove his innocence. I loved all the characters. Norman just can't take a hint. I felt as if I already knew the characters.

I'll start off by saying that I didn't plan to finish this in one sitting, but i did. The story and the characters sucked me in and I couldn't put it down. I love Krista Davis Paws and Claws series as well as her Domestic Diva series. Her writing is just so well done. The mystery had me guessing right up until the end.

I received this book from Net Galley in exchange for review.

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis is an incredible first in a new series.
I didn't want it to end. I kept puttering around the house, trying to keep my hands off my kindle.
It didn't work, I kept hearing Florrie calling me, teasing me, taunting me.
I caved in and finished it. I was so sad it ended but so excited to find this beautiful gem of a story, between the gorgeous covers of coloring pages!

The story is brilliant, well crafted and well told. I immediately fell in love with Florrie. Everyone needs a Florrie in their life.

As manager of Color Me Read, Florrie loves her life, surrounded by books, friends and her own published adult coloring books. The artist in her is always active, sketching on anything she has handy, including an envelope and a napkin.
The only thing missing is a place to live in Georgetown, something affordable that is.
When her boss, Mr. Maxwell makes her an offer, she hesitates, thinking it's too good to be true. Little does she know that by moving into his carriage house, she soon becomes the target in a crime so unbelievable, it will leave you speechless.
There are so many colorful characters in this story, I wish I knew them all.

I have to admit that Norman cracked me up, poor Florrie couldn't escape from him. Florrie's kindness to Jim was so sweet, I was so happy that he became a huge part of the story.

Fans of cozy mysteries will fall in love with Color Me Murder. The setting, the characters and the story line all meld together to create a wonderful story.
Readers be warned, make yourself comfortable when you open this book, because once you step inside, you won't want to leave.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Color Me Murder which was provided by NetGalley and the publisher.

I love all of Krista Davis’ cozy mystery series and this new series is no exception. I look forward to seeing this series develop.

I love this author’s ‘Domestic Diva’ series and this new series reminded me a lot of that writing style that I enjoy so much. The set up for this new series is perfectly cozy as the protagonist works in a bookshop and lives in a beautiful carriage house on the grounds of her eccentric boss’s mansion. I really enjoyed the quirky characters (complete with a proper butler and hot cop)and the Georgetown setting was unique and fun. I’m looking forward to more in this series.

I love that I have a fantastic new cozy series and new characters to love! The protagonist, Florrie Fox, manages the Color Me Read bookstore, sketches in her free time, and has her own adult coloring book line! How awesome is that! She moves into a gorgeous carriage house owned by her nice, wealthy employer, Professor John Maxwell, and becomes friends with his butler, Mr. DuBois, who has a flair for the dramatic! I chuckled at a lot of his scenes.

The story provides a compelling mystery which is all solved neatly at the end. I enjoyed all the secrets that come to light during the book. There’s humor, and a cute cat and dog to love. The book is a page-turner, and thrilling to lose yourself in, and I highly recommend this Debut to Cozy Mystery fans! The author includes delicious sounding recipes at the end.

Color Me Murder has everything that makes a great mystery--setting, plot with many layers, cast of suspects and of course a body. Color Me Read is a bookstore in the area of Georgetown in Washington, DC where artist and adult coloring book designer Florrie Fox is the manager and where the owner's nephew, Delbert, is found with a spear in his back. The shop is in an old building with a secret compartment in the staircase dating back to prohibition. The only reason that Florrie found the body is because the rug was not lying flat and when she pulled it back, she found a hidden door in the floor. When she opened the door, the body was in the compartment. Delbert was very cunning, devious and lived off the success of others and generally not liked. Lots of people could have wanted him dead but his uncle and bookstore owner, Professor John Maxwell, is the prime suspect. Florrie doesn't believe that Professor Maxwell killed Delbert and sets out to prove his innocence. Ms. Davis does a great job spinning a tale of twists and turns that involves many suspects with a reason to get rid of Delbert. I love the setting of a murder in a bookstore in Georgetown. Florrie is an interesting person with her artistic ability to draw people and things that she sees. She compiles them in a sketchbook of the crime that is helpful for an overview. The ending has a twist that I didn't see coming. I am hoping that this is a new series since there is a large cast of interesting and quirky characters that I could see needing their own story. And maybe a little romance with Florrie and a certain police officer that was a great help to her during this dangerous and tense time is in the future. This is my first book by Krista Davis but I want to go back and check out her other series.
Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A brilliant 1st book in a new series, I couldn't put it down .
I loved getting to know Florrie her family and friends especially Eric Jonquille who seams to have caught Florries eye.
A lot of twist and turns throughout and not giving to much away a connection towards the end between people came together as to why and who the killer was .
Many thanks in giving me a chance to read this brilliant new book and look forward for her next in the series.