Happy Friday! Not much has changed with the weather since my last Friday Reads post. The weather pattern is in a rut – hot, humid, rainy. Ugh. I got no other words for it. So my plan for the weekend is again to stay inside with the A/C and read.

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.

I am enjoying this book so far. Florrie is charming and the cast of characters surrounding her are very interesting individuals. I’m quite fond of Mr. DuBois, Professor Maxwell’s butler. Yes, a butler!

What are you plans for the weekend? What book are you currently reading?

Happy Friday! The weekend is just a few hours away and here in Connecticut we’re going to get another slap of humidity and rain for an extended duration, like all the way to next Thursday at last check. That’s way too long for oppressive humidity. Way too long. So my big plans for the weekend includes air conditioning and reading.

The premise of this book captured my imagination and interest. It’s been a long time since I’ve read a book that wasn’t a mystery or suspense. So immersing myself in this book has been a welcomed break from my usual reading. And this is the first book I’ve read that takes place in two eras – 1949 and present day.

I’m cheering for Charlotte, she’s standing up against her parents because she wants to do something they oppose. She’s determined to make a career for herself in advertising when all she really can expect to be is a typist, maybe a secretary if she gets lucky. Olivia is trying to save her job at the upstart advertising agency she joined after they lost an major account.

Their lives will intersect and I’m almost at that point in the book. Maybe instead of bemoaning the impending weather I should be grateful for the opportunity to stay inside curled up with this book.

What are you reading this weekend?