Color Me Murder

Pen & Ink Series, Book 1

By: Krista Davis

Narrated by: Rebecca Mitchell

Length: 7 hrs and 43 mins

Publisher's Summary

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.

©2018 Krista Davis (P)2018 Tantor

Just right

Liked all the characters. The mystery had me guessing although I had my suspicions. So appreciate that I can enjoy some intrigue without extreme violence and suspense. Looking forward to following this group in the future

An interesting mystery but not dramatic

Florrie Fox works as manager of the Color Me Red bookstore in Georgetown and is invited by the owner, Professor John Maxwell, to move into the carriage house attached to his old estate in Color Me Murder by Krista Davis. She will get free rent, but the only condition is that she move in that same day in order to keep the professor's sister from moving her scam artist son, Delbert, into the house. The sister and Delbert show displeasure when they arrive and find Florrie living there. The next morning, Florrie goes to work to find a trap door in the stairs that was once used to store bootleg alcohol during Prohibition, and inside the hole is the body of Delbert, with a spear thrust through him. It doesn't take long before the police arrest Maxwell for the murder of his nephew.

Florrie decides to try to help Maxwell, but she gets so busy trying to run Color Me Red that she doesn't do much. However, she has the assistance of her friends Zsa Zsa and Professor Goldbloom, as well as the homeless man, Jim, who stays nearby the bookstore and keeps an eye on things. Then someone attacks Mr. Dubois, the aging butler, who only survives when Florrie hears his cries. He keeps complaining about ghosts, but the nurse writes that off as a result of his medication. When someone rigs Florrie's refrigerator to send an electric shock upon being touched, she realizes she is in trouble herself. So the nice Sgt. Jonquil with the beautiful blue eyes comes to protect Florrie by spending the night on her sofa. And they work together to locate the murderer and free Professor Maxwell.

Color Me Murder has an interesting plot and creative characters. It is the characters that drive the book, not the plot, which is fine but not particularly original. However, the characters made the book fun and enjoyable. I liked Florrie, the narrator, and her sister, Veronica. I especially liked the character of Jackie, the author who was Maxwell's second wife and who has disappeared and is in hiding. The conclusion was a bit of a surprise, but I really was happy with the hero of the book.

Rebecca Mitchell performs the audio version of this book. She makes the book enjoyable, using good expressions and voices for the characters. She helps to make the book more fun as I listen to it.

Color Me Murder was a fun book, but I didn't find it anything particularly special. It had its fun points at times, and I liked many of the characters. I give the book three stars.

Disappointing

A really simple book, more for high school students than adults. It sounded creative with the theme around an artist and bookstore, which attracted babe, but it was so simplistic and contrived, that I’m thinking about returning it. Probably good for a young girl

Flat, boring story with flat narrator

I only got as far as chapter 4. The book is very tedious and not believable or engaging. And the narrator sounds like a GPS voice or some other mechanized voice, and not like a human being who's reading a story. Definitely one of the worst audible experiences I have had. very disappointed.

Lettuce Sandwich

Maybe I am just too well read.
Although the outline of the story is excellent - it is the actual substance I found lacking.
To my view it was like expecting a steak sandwich and ending up with a lettuce sandwich.
There is ONE major superior choice / detail I thoroughly approved - I did not have to graze through ridiculous insane hot steamy trash of sex scenes.
I struggled to get through the book.
The over indulged information of surroundings and space fillers, as in the and description of the cook stove ....... Yeesh.
Yet, the hidden tunnel was never described clearly.
I had issues with the narrator - very monotone and flat, but when there is lack of substance, it is hard to do.
I won't recommend, I will be returning.
It had such promise......

loved it

Great characters and story. the narrator is also great. Can't wait to read the next one.

LOVED THIS NEW SERIES

A COLORING BOOK ARTIST, A BOOK STORE, FUN CHARACTERS, WHAT'S NOT TO ENJOY. I NEED THE NEXT INSTALLMENT.

Wonderful!!!!

Another awesome "Krista Davis" series!!!! Can't wait to hear #2!!! Very charming, adore the main character and her cat peaches!!!

Fun read

I liked this very much! The story is interesting and the characters are likable. I don't particularly like the narrator, especially the way she seems a little stilted at times, but overall I enjoyed the book.

great read!

loved every minute of it! good story, great characters. can't wait for the next one!