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Not to Be
The first book in the Pen & Paintbrush Mysteries
Not to Be introduces us to journalist Kathy Waters as she’s thrust—unwillingly—back into covering hard news when her role in a community theatre production of Hamlet puts her center stage in a murder investigation. As a former news writer still taking anti-anxiety medication, Kathy would rather forget opening night altogether. But her editor won’t have that.
With this new assignment forcing her to face uncomfortable realities, Kathy finds support from a surprising source—her snarky younger sister, Liz. Having both witnessed the crime from opposite sides of the curtain, the Waters sisters must combine Liz’s eye for detail with Kathy’s way with words to catch the killer before their own relationship is threatened.
Not to Be introduces us to journalist Kathy Waters as she’s thrust—unwillingly—back into covering hard news when her role in a community theatre production of Hamlet puts her center stage in a murder investigation. As a former news writer still taking anti-anxiety medication, Kathy would rather forget opening night altogether. But her editor won’t have that.
With this new assignment forcing her to face uncomfortable realities, Kathy finds support from a surprising source—her snarky younger sister, Liz. Having both witnessed the crime from opposite sides of the curtain, the Waters sisters must combine Liz’s eye for detail with Kathy’s way with words to catch the killer before their own relationship is threatened.
- GenresMystery
356 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 22, 2025
4 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Katherine Ladny Mitchell
11 books10 followersKatherine Ladny Mitchell wrote her first literary work - bound with rainbow-colored shoelaces - at age seven. A lover of singing, writing, and rhyme, Katherine started playing with words as a child and never outgrew the habit.
A graduate of Covenant College with a B.A. in Sociology, Katherine has freelanced for years with narratives and articles in Tea Time Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, a local health magazine, and a couple anthologies. She's also authored three books available on Amazon.com and signed a book contract with Bandersnatch Books for her new cozy murder mystery, Not to Be, due to be released in the summer of 2025.
When she's not writing, you can find Katherine singing and dancing, taking tea with her husband, caring for 50+ animals on her new TN homestead, and educating her five Mitchell munchkins. She also enjoys fire-breathing and fire poi-twirling on occasion - just to shake things up.
Follow Katherine's homesteading hullabaloo, tea time stories, and publishing journey by joining her Cup & Quill Substack community!
A graduate of Covenant College with a B.A. in Sociology, Katherine has freelanced for years with narratives and articles in Tea Time Magazine, Chicken Soup for the Soul, a local health magazine, and a couple anthologies. She's also authored three books available on Amazon.com and signed a book contract with Bandersnatch Books for her new cozy murder mystery, Not to Be, due to be released in the summer of 2025.
When she's not writing, you can find Katherine singing and dancing, taking tea with her husband, caring for 50+ animals on her new TN homestead, and educating her five Mitchell munchkins. She also enjoys fire-breathing and fire poi-twirling on occasion - just to shake things up.
Follow Katherine's homesteading hullabaloo, tea time stories, and publishing journey by joining her Cup & Quill Substack community!
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
December 5, 2025
This mystery novel was EXACTLY what I needed it to be. After reading the first chapter, I was all in. I finished it in less than a week.
Kathy Waters is a frontline reporter for her local Tennessee newspaper, but she’s also a literature nerd and amateur actress. The book opens during dress rehearsal for a production of Hamlet, and I was immediately drawn in by the fun character dynamics…just imagine a company of colorful drama queens and kings. Everyone is stressed, squabbling, and sneaking around, and everything comes to a head on opening night when the star of the show doesn’t make it to curtain call.
Kathy’s editor commands her to report on the police investigation, and she ends up sleuthing around and getting into all kinds of trouble, along with her artsy sister, Liz.
This was such a refreshing, enjoyable read. Kathy is relatable with an interesting backstory, and I’m definitely here for the next installment of this series. I wonder if we will again be treated to the wonderful world of community theater or if Kathy will move on to a different venue in book two.
Kathy Waters is a frontline reporter for her local Tennessee newspaper, but she’s also a literature nerd and amateur actress. The book opens during dress rehearsal for a production of Hamlet, and I was immediately drawn in by the fun character dynamics…just imagine a company of colorful drama queens and kings. Everyone is stressed, squabbling, and sneaking around, and everything comes to a head on opening night when the star of the show doesn’t make it to curtain call.
Kathy’s editor commands her to report on the police investigation, and she ends up sleuthing around and getting into all kinds of trouble, along with her artsy sister, Liz.
This was such a refreshing, enjoyable read. Kathy is relatable with an interesting backstory, and I’m definitely here for the next installment of this series. I wonder if we will again be treated to the wonderful world of community theater or if Kathy will move on to a different venue in book two.
August 13, 2025
Goodness, I enjoyed this book so much! Having lived in Chattanooga during my college years, the setting was particularly delightful to me. Still, even for a reader unfamiliar with this quirky Tennessee city, NOT TO BE is a fun, exciting read. The eccentric cast of characters kept things lively, and the plot had plenty of twists and turns that kept me guessing. I look forward to reading more books in this sister-detective series!
July 8, 2025
Makes me laugh out loud - awesome character building! Enjoying immensely.
June 24, 2025
This is the kind of mystery I love—enough twists and turns to keep it interesting but without too much violence or gore. I can't wait to see where this series goes. It's only going to get better.
November 17, 2025
This is my favorite kind of mystery, not too cozy, but also not to violent. It's just focused on fun characters and a fun puzzle of who really did it. If you're looking for your next mystery series this is a great one to try next!
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews