Halloween is rapidly approaching in Georgetown. Florrie Fox, manager of Color Me Read bookstore and freelance coloring book artist, is embracing the season. Psychic and author Hilda Rattenhorst is set to do a reading at Color Me Read and the employees and locals alike are thrilled at the chance to hear some of Hilda’s ghost stories. Adding to the spookiness, someone has sent the owner of Color Me Read a skull. Strange things seem to be happening around Harry, the skull. At Hilda’s reading, everyone is shocked when Hilda shows up distraught claiming she saw a foot sticking out of a rolled-up carpet. Florrie and her policeman boyfriend go investigate and come up with nothing. Assuming Hilda is just trying to generate more buzz around her and her book, they shrug it off. But then Florrie discovers a body…well, she discovers a foot and lets the local police force do the rest. Is it an elaborate scheme to set up the owner of the home whose own home has a mysterious story to tell? Or is it someone close to Florrie who will silence her at any cost?

Get ready to curl up with this spooktacular installment in the Pen & Ink mystery series! MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES, in my humble opinion, is the best book in the series. The cozy fall season is in full swing in Georgetown. The vivid descriptions of the decorations about town, the crisp fall air, Harry the mysterious skull, and a glimmer back into the past with a retelling of a dual, all lead the reader into this perfect fall read. The characters are all developing at a great pace. I’m excited to see in future installments where Florrie and Jonquille’s relationship will take them.

The plotline was brilliant and perfectly executed. It had me turning the pages much too quickly to get to an ending I did not see coming. Talk about a plot twist! The various subplots, the bits of historical storytelling, and spooky sightings all added depth to the storyline that flowed seamlessly.

If you’re not familiar with this series, the covers of these books are meant to be colored by you! Not only do you get a great read, but you also get to unwind and color your very own book cover. How fun is that? Grab MURDER OUTSIDE THE LINES, a hot apple cider, and some fresh colored pencils and have yourself some quality “me” time! Enjoy!