Not to Be

The first book in the Pen & Paintbrush Mysteries

Not to Be, the first novel in the Pen & Paintbrush Mysteries, 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.

Coming June 24, 2025

Katherine Ladny Mitchell

Katherine Ladny Mitchell wrote her first literary work—bound with rainbow-colored shoelaces—at age seven. Decades later, she still delights in weaving words together to craft intriguing, uplifting stories. 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 a handful of books: Dr. Hickerup, Mrs. Trimitup, Don't Settle for a Fairy Tale, and Not to Be. ​When she's not writing, you can find Katherine practicing her latest tap dance routine in the kitchen, taking tea with her husband, caring for and showing off her 40+ animals on her Tennessee homestead, and parenting her five Mitchell munchkins. She also enjoys fire-breathing and fire poi-twirling on occasion—just to shake things up.