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.