Murder Outside the Lines (Pen & Ink)

I love Krista Davis' books, it was a long wait for this third book in the series. As I remembered I love Florrie the main character, the supporting cast, Color Me Read, and the great Carriage house. I love that she draws to figure people, places and things out, as well as to do her coloring books. If you are a fan of ghost stories and Halloween this is right up your alley and the timing is perfect. This is not a theme I am necessarily crazy about, but as usual this is a well written tale that will suck you right in. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

This is the third book in Krista Davis's 'Pen and Ink' cozy mystery series, but it works fine as a standalone.

*****

Amateur sleuth Florrie Fox is the manager of the Color Me Read bookstore in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, DC. This is the perfect job for Florrie, because she loves to read mysteries AND she creates her own line of adult coloring books. The bookstore's owner, Professor John Maxwell, has an office on the building's third floor, where he entertains his erudite friends.

It's the Halloween season, which is serious business in Georgetown. Residents compete to have the most elaborate decorations, stores have seasonal events, and ghost sightings increase dramatically. For Color Me Read, Florrie has scheduled a reading by psychic author Hilda Rattenhorst, who says she can speak to the dead. To heighten the ghoulish atmosphere, Professor Maxwell has received a package containing a human skull, with a note claiming the sender, Ellis Willoughby, is in a dangerous situation.

When clairvoyant Hilda Rattenhorst arrives at Color Me Read to give her reading, she's disheveled and flustered, claiming to have seen a rolled up rug with a foot sticking out. Hilda says she feels the vibes of a murderer in the room, and - as if to reinforce Hilda's observations - a loud shriek reverberates through the building. Florrie and Professor Maxwell don't believe in ghosts or psychics, and think Hilda is just putting on a show. However, a body in a rolled up rug is soon found in Georgetown, and the victim is identified as a Washington, DC resident named Manny, who works at the bakery where Florrie shops.

The police, including Florrie's boyfriend Sergeant Eric Jonquille, launch a murder investigation, and Florrie takes an interest in the proceedings. There are numerous suspects for Manny's murder because he had disreputable friends; was accused of cheating in a judo competition; and was generally disliked.

Georgetown seems to be experiencing a crime wave because Florrie's delivery man is bitten by a snake; Professor Maxwell's friend is attacked and almost killed; Florrie's acquaintance is knocked out in his apartment; and a private detective is found dead. Florrie suspects these incidents may be connected, and makes her own inquiries, bringing pastries and pumpkin cookies to loosen people's tongues.

On a more personal level, Florrie helps a friend with marital problems and she and her cat Peaches provide comfort to the Professor's butler, who's afraid of ghosts.

In between shifts at the bookstore, detective work, and assisting her friends, Florrie is enjoying the Halloween season. She walks her dog Frodo past the decorated Georgetown houses to look at the vampires, witches, corpses, coffins, giant spiders, and skeletons; hears ghost stories from Professor Maxwell's friends; goes on a ghost tour with her colleagues; sees a headless spirit walk through a cemetery; and gets dressed up for Halloween.

The story has numerous threads and a large cast of characters, but the diligent reader will be rewarded with an entertaining mystery filled with surprises. There are also recipes for Russian tea, cinnamon apple pancakes, pumpkin cupcakes, and French apple cake.

Though this is a Halloween themed book, it's a fun read for any time of year.

Fall is in the air with Halloween fast approaching. Florrie Fox has a special author appearance planned for Color Me Read, author and psychic Hilda Rattenhorst. However, when Hilda shows up, she claims to have seen a carpet wrapped up with a foot sticking out of it in a nearby doorway. Florrie and her boyfriend, Eric, who is also a police officer, head out to check it out only to find nothing when they arrive. Then, during her talk before signing books, Hilda claims to feel a killer’s presence in the audience. As Florrie is trying to figure out if it is a publicity stunt, one incident after another begins to happen. What is going on?

Even for a Halloween themed cozy, I was a little surprised at the number of potential supernatural elements we got at the beginning of the book. As the crimes took center stage, that began to recede a bit. I did feel the plot could have used better focus. There are quite a few elements to the story, and it felt like it was wandering in the middle. But things came together for a satisfying climax. I was once again charmed by the Georgetown neighborhood where Florrie lives and works. It was great to get reacquainted with the characters and see the next chapter in their lives. This book is for you if you are looking for a charming fall cozy.

Didn’t enjoy this as much as the previous books, but still liked the book and the characters.

The plot will keep you guessing until the end. Characters are very likeable and make you want to know what happens to them. A great read.

I have followed the Pen and Ink series since a book 1. I love the characters and how Krista brings the alive. This one is a must read.

Krista Davis always delivers a fascinating, entertaining, and warm story line. Written with compassion, humor, and flair for the who done it. You will laugh, you will sit and scratch your head in wonder, and you will still be surprised up to the very end. And you can color your book cover with your favorite colored pencils, pens, markers, or paints. Enjoy!!!!!

This is Krista Davis' best series. Florrie Fox is a wonderful heroine. Her compassion shines through, and the surrounding cast is terrific. This mystery is a spooky one. Halloween horrors. All handled with aplomb. The ending (no spoiler!) was a tad sad, but it felt real to the oddball plot. I look forward to the 4th book in this wonderful series. Highly recommended!

If you like the "Domestic Diva" and "Paws and Claws" series, you'll like "Pen and Ink" too. Halfway through the first book I ordered the next two. I enjoy the cozy formula- a cadre of characters to get attached to and follow from mystery to mystery. At the end of the day I just want to curl up with something light and entertaining and this one didn't disappoint. I was even inspired to buy a set of coloring pencils and try coloring the cover. Maybe instead of recipes at the end of the book we could have a few pages to color.

This is a good series with interesting characters written by an excellent author. I always purchase Krista Davis books and my only complaint is that they don't come out often enough.
I enjoy this series because the characters are all so different yet come together to make a really interesting read. I particularly enjoy DuBois, the butler--a minor character but he adds so much to the story.
This mystery was really interesting--I won't give out any information to spoil a great read, but if you are looking for a Halloween story with lots of twists and turns, this is your book.
This is the third book in this series, and I would highly recommend reading the other two before this one so you can get to know the characters and the setting.
I am looking forward to the next book in this series as well as Ms. Davis' other series.