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csnurr's review against another edition
2.0
What are these NAMES? DELBERT? DuBois? Jonquille? Also four different characters called Professor Maxwell/Glodblum/Bankhouse/Rosca. Confusing plot with a lot of clues that lead to nowhere. Just such an oddly written book.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
5.0
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 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.
edshara's review against another edition
3.0
This was a decent read, however, their was way to much telling going on. Things that could have been left unsaid, were described in detail and it was so unnecessary. Not enough clues were given for the reader to try and figure out the “who dunnit”. So many different paths, that I just stopped trying and read the story. I did enjoy the setting and the characters. Overall this was cute and since I checked out the second book in the series too, I’ll give it a go. Hopefully it gets better.
shawn2024's review against another edition
5.0
I loved Florrie Fox, the manager of Color Me Read. She delves into trying to find out who the real killer of the Owners Professor John Maxwell's nephew really is. I actually got choked up at the end in a good way. I am looking forward to reading the Coloring Crook.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
COLOR ME MURDER, the first book in the brand new Pen & Ink Mystery series by Krista Davis was everything I had hoped and so much more! The reader is introduced to Florrie Fox, a delightfully creative protagonist. She has a kind and loyal heart and I loved the relationship she has with her family, especially her sister. It’s refreshing to see close-knit families portrayed on the page. Ms. Davis includes a cast of characters at the beginning of the book so that you can reference if needed. I felt that the author was judicious in bringing new characters to the page, so I never got confused about who was who. But it was nice to know the list was there if I needed it. The story quickly pulled me in and allowed me to get a good sense of who the main characters are, especially Florrie, while the murder mystery provided page-turning suspense. I found Florrie’s method for collecting and organizing clues by sketching what she had seen or heard to be very unique and added to the enjoyment of the story.
The mystery was well plotted and kept me guessing as Florrie uncovered suspects, including her own sister… which puts her loyalty to the test. There are so many creative twists and turns in the book and I love how the author expertly weaves together humor with mystery, adds adorable animals and admirable humans, hidden secret passageways with a missing author, and then ties it all up with an exciting conclusion! And if a delightful tale isn’t enough, Ms. Davis provides several delectable recipes at the back of the book and if you purchase the print copy, you will have your very own cover to color with your own creative style.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The mystery was well plotted and kept me guessing as Florrie uncovered suspects, including her own sister… which puts her loyalty to the test. There are so many creative twists and turns in the book and I love how the author expertly weaves together humor with mystery, adds adorable animals and admirable humans, hidden secret passageways with a missing author, and then ties it all up with an exciting conclusion! And if a delightful tale isn’t enough, Ms. Davis provides several delectable recipes at the back of the book and if you purchase the print copy, you will have your very own cover to color with your own creative style.
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
kristirose's review against another edition
3.0
An Okay Cozy Mystery
Florrie Fox is a bookstore manager by day and a coloring book artist by night. She cannot believe her luck when her boss offers to let her live in his cushy Georgetown carriage house for free. However, her good fortune takes a bad turn when she finds out that her boss's nephew is determined to take up residence there. When the nephew is found murdered, her boss is wrongly accused. Who actually murdered
Delbert? Can Florrie discover the truth?
I normally love Krista Davis's mysteries. I am a huge fan of her Paws and Claws series. I pre-order her books and set reminders so that I can begin reading them on release day. I picked up this book on the basis of the author. I am not a fan of the coloring book trend. Perhaps that is why this book missed the mark for me. Something just fell flat about the storyline, particularly at the end. I probably won't pick up future installments in the series.
Florrie Fox is a bookstore manager by day and a coloring book artist by night. She cannot believe her luck when her boss offers to let her live in his cushy Georgetown carriage house for free. However, her good fortune takes a bad turn when she finds out that her boss's nephew is determined to take up residence there. When the nephew is found murdered, her boss is wrongly accused. Who actually murdered
Delbert? Can Florrie discover the truth?
I normally love Krista Davis's mysteries. I am a huge fan of her Paws and Claws series. I pre-order her books and set reminders so that I can begin reading them on release day. I picked up this book on the basis of the author. I am not a fan of the coloring book trend. Perhaps that is why this book missed the mark for me. Something just fell flat about the storyline, particularly at the end. I probably won't pick up future installments in the series.
daisyl's review against another edition
5.0
This was such an enjoyable read. This is the 2nd book by Krista Davis that I have read and love her characters.