The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis: A Pen & Ink Mystery

Good Day!  It is the last day of November.  My sister (Happy Birthday, Nicole) and my maternal grandmother were both born on this day. Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox along with Steamed Open by Barbara Ross, Valentine Candy Murder by Leslie Meier and Hooks Can Be Deceiving by Betty Hechtman come out on December 18.  Now is the time to hint to your loved ones that you want an Amazon gift card (or one for your favorite book shop) for Christmas.

The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis is the second A Pen & Ink Mystery.  Florrie Fox is the manager of Color Me Read, a bookstore in Georgetown, Washington D.C. She also creates adult coloring books in her spare time.  Dolly Cavanaugh is introducing Florrie to estate sales and how you can sometimes find a diamond in the rough especially at sale run by Percy McAllister.  Florrie leaves Dolly browsing while she hurries off to work.  At the Hues, Brews and Clues Coloring Club later that day, Dolly shows Florrie the wonderful find she uncovered.  Dolly discovered a rare copy of The Florist, the earliest known coloring book which was published in 1760.  As far as Florrie can tell, it is an original.  Dolly left her purse at the store and requested that Florrie drop it off on her way home.  Florrie finds Dolly dead in her apartment clutching a piece of The Florist in her hand and sees someone fleeing out the back.  Dolly posted the news of her find on social media and people are anxious to obtain the rare book which has now disappeared.  When Dolly’s daughter asks Florrie to evaluate her book collection, and Florrie stumbles upon a skeleton hidden behind a bookcase in the attic. Zsazsa Rosca becomes the prime suspect in Dolly’s murder, and Florrie knows someone is setting her up.  Florrie studies the case and digs into Dolly’s past hoping to uncover some clues.  Can Florrie prove Zsazsa’s innocence?  Who is the skeleton in the closet? 

The Coloring Crook can be read alone if you have not had time to pick up Color Me Murder.  There is a colorful cast of characters in this series that aid Florrie in solving the crimes and in running the bookstore.  I like that Florrie creates adult coloring books and that sketching helps her think through the crimes.  The various mysteries in The coloring Crook are woven together into one entertaining cozy mystery.  While the older murder has a complete resolution at the end, I felt the Dolly’s whodunit was not explained completely.  I thought it unrealistic that Dolly’s daughter would be able to dispose of her belonging before the crime had been solved (the will had not been read nor probated).  The Coloring Crook is well-written with steady pacing and developed characters.  There are a number of characters and it can be hard to keep them all straight.  The coloring club for adults is a clever addition and the benefits of coloring is explained (helps stress).  There are many delightful cozy moments in The Coloring Crook.  Florrie’s romance with Eric is progressing nicely and they have something humorous in common.  I am giving The Coloring Crook 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  Krista Davis has infused The Coloring Crook with engaging characters, a charming bookstore, a cute cat, mouthwatering food, coloring, friendship, murder, books, romance and mayhem.  I look forward to returning to Color Me Read and Georgetown in the next A Pen & Ink Mystery.   If you pick up a hardcopy of The Coloring Crook, you can color the front and back cover.  

Thank you for visiting me today.  I hope I have helped you find a new book to read.  I will return tomorrow to review Tiny House in the Trees by Celia Bonaduce.  It is the third A Tiny House Novel.  May you have an enchanting day. Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

Color Me Murder: A Pen & Ink Mystery

I hope everyone had a delightful weekend.  His Risk by Shelley Shepard Gray will be out on March 6.  It is the fourth book in The Amish of Hart County series.  Krista Davis is the featured author today.  She is the author of A Paws and Claws Mystery series (wonderful cozy mystery series set in Wagtail) and A Domestic Diva Mystery series.  

Color Me Murder by Krista Davis is the first book in the new A Pen & Ink Mystery series.  Florrie Fox is the manager of Color Me Read in the Georgetown area of Washington, D.C.  At night she uses her artistic skills to create adult coloring books.  When Florrie arrives at work, Professor John Maxwell (her boss) asks if she is still looking for an apartment.  Florrie wishes to move closer to work to cut down on her commute.  Professor Maxwell offers Florrie his carriage house (rent free) on the condition that she move in that day.  Liddy Woodley, Professor Maxwell’s sister, wants her son, Delbert to live in the carriage house.  The last thing Professor Maxwell wants is his odious nephew living on the property.  After meeting Delbert, Florrie can understand Professor Maxwell’s feelings.  That night someone tries to break into the carriage house.  The next morning Florrie stumbles on the third-floor landing. The carpet was not lying flat.  Upon investigation, she finds a trap door which opens to reveal a hidden compartment.  Inside is Delbert with a spear sticking out of his back.  Professor Maxwell is arrested for Delbert’s murder, and he is relying on Florrie to solve the crime.  There are many people who disliked Delbert due to his various schemes.  Florrie, with the aid of her friends and her sketches, works to cover a killer and free Professor Maxwell.   

Color Me Murder was an entertaining cozy mystery.  The story drew me in right away.  I thought Color Me Murder was well-written and had a steady pace (and good flow) which made it easy to read. Krista Davis has an appealing writing style. Florrie Fox is a delightful character.  She works at the bookstore and designs adult coloring books which I found unique.  While working on solving the murder, she uses sketches (instead of notes).  Florrie interprets what she is told into visual images which aid her in solving the crime.  Florrie is creative, intelligent, loyal, likeable and she rolls with the punches. There are a couple of quirky characters in the story. Mr. DuBois, the butler, is a hoot. Professors Rosca, Goldblum and Bankhouse are friends of Professor Maxwell’s and are helpful in gathering intel for Florrie.  I do hope we get to see more of Professor Maxwell in the next installment (he is a lively gentleman).  The author provided lovely descriptions of Georgetown where the bookshop is located and Florrie’s new residence.  The mystery is well-constructed and clever.  Many readers will be surprised by the culprit’s identity.   All the loose ends tie together and are wrapped up neatly at the end of the book.  I appreciated that the focus of the book was on the mystery.  There is a touch of romance, two adorable animals (a cat and a dog), a beautiful old home with some hidden secrets, an unwanted admirer, humor, a gorgeous necklace and an unexpected ally for Florrie in Color Me Murder.  The cover of Color Me Murder (for those that purchase a hard copy) can be colored which ties into the story.  There are recipes at the end of the book.    I finished Color Me Murder with a grin on my face (no silly characters or inane antics in this story). My rating for Color Me Murder is 5 out of 5 stars (I loved it).   I am eager to read to the next A Pen & Ink Mystery.  Color Me Murder will be released on Tuesday, February 27.

Thank you for stopping by today.  Tomorrow I will return with my thoughts on Lethal Licorice by Amanda Flower.  May you have a day full of smiles.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader