Murder Outside the Lines (Pen & Ink Book 3)

Murder Outside The Lines is a delightfully convoluted mystery that will have readers confused and longing for more. This one is a definite head-scratcher but in a good way. The readers’ inner sleuth will rear its head as they try to keep the evidence in order, the suspects and the killer insight, the red herrings contained, and the book store from being haunted. There is plenty of action and more than a touch of Halloween mischief in this third installment in the “A Pen & Ink Mystery” series. There is intrigue, mystery, a hint of the paranormal, and even a ghost or two. This book has exactly what every cozy reader is looking for during the spooky season.

It’s almost Halloween, and Florrie arranges for a local psychic to do a reading at the bookstore, only things don’t go according to plan. There’s a mysterious delivery, a psychic vision, a disappearing body in a rolled-up rug, and a murderer underfoot. This story is a ride readers will adore. Florrie is one of those characters readers either love or hate, it’s easy to do both, and the suspects in this book agree. Most of the characters from this series are likable and relatable, but some are just odd enough to keep the audience guessing every time.

The victim isn’t in the least sympathetic, the suspects are varied, and some are even scary; at times, there are more suspects than Halloween ghosts in a graveyard. The bookstore plays a pivotal part in the story, and many of the clues and suspects can be found within its walls. The evidence is peppered throughout the story, but many readers will have no idea who the killer is until the very end. Things come together as Florrie and friends question everyone and find answers that lead to more questions. In the end, they come to the correct conclusion, but not without a bit of danger and intrigue. Murder Outside The Lines is a wonderful cozy for the holiday season and throughout the year.

Murder Outside the Lines by Krista Davis is the 3rd A Pen & Ink Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. Fans of the series will be happy to finally get this new installment (we have been waiting so long). There is a great cast of characters in this engaging series. I like the variety of quirky characters with the majority of them being book lovers. Florrie Fox will need to keep her wits about her if she is to solve the latest whodunit. The book starts with the arrival of a skull and then we have the psychic who believes she saw a foot sticking out of rolled up carpet. When Florrie and her beau, Sergeant Eric Jonquille arrive at the location, they find nary a thing. On her way back to the bookstore, Florrie overhears a disturbance inside a home. When she finally gets inside, she finds one of the store’s customers bleeding out on the floor. This is just the beginning. There are plenty of incidents to keep this book hopping. This was a fun whodunit to solve. It was complex with plenty of twists, surprises, whirls, and turns. The reveal was complete and answered all of my lingering questions. Murder Outside the Lines is well-written with developed characters. I love that Florrie is not only the manager of a bookstore but that she designs adult coloring books. There are several different elements happening in the beginning of the book. It had me feeling like I was in the middle of something. I just needed to be patient. It all comes together with a great reveal. There were a few too many conversations for my liking on whether ghosts were real. It began to feel repetitious. I like that the author gave us a list of characters at the beginning so readers can reacquaint themselves with the cast (it has been some time since the last book). I enjoyed the authors descriptions of the Georgetown neighborhood, Florrie’s cozy cottage, and the bookstore. The author was able to strike a balance between too much and not enough. I like the spooky Halloween atmosphere in the story with my favorite being the skull that did not stay in one place. There are tasty recipes at the end. I look forward to Florrie’s next adventure in A Colorful Scheme. Murder Outside the Lines is an eerie cozy mystery with a screaming skull, a prophetic psychic, a disappeared rug, ghost quarrels, tasty treats, and Halloween hijinks.

This third book of the Pen & Ink series is finally here and not a disappointment. It is Halloween time and Color Me Read Bookstore in Georgetown in Washington, DC is getting into the spirit with a guest speaker, Hilda Rattenhorst, a medium and author. But the scary times really start when people are attacked and the bodies start showing up, seeming to fulfill some of Hilda’s predictions. Store manager and coloring book artist, Florrie Fox, is in the thick of things trying to solve the crimes, even though her boyfriend, Sergeant Eric Jonquille, tries to get her to stay out of it. The victims are all known to Florrie and the store staff and friends so the killer must be someone close to them. There are a lot of people in this small close neighborhood so everyone knows those involved. This is a story with action and suspense, twists and turns to unravel and secrets to expose. It was fun to read and return to the series with the quirky group of friends and acquaintances in a great setting and a little bit of a complicated mystery to solve. I am looking forward to the next book in the series.
i received a complimentary copy to read in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.