Crime & Punctuation

Crime and Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the first novel in A Deadly Edits Mystery series. Mikki Lincoln has moved to Lenape Hollow, New York and purchased a beautiful one hundred ten year old home that used to be in her family. However, it is in desperate need of repairs and Mikki needs to find a way to finance them. Mikki utilizes her strengths of English and grammar to become a freelance editor and calls her business Write Right Wright. One day Tiffany Scott arrives on Mikki’s doorstep clutching an envelope to her chest. Tiffany has written a 1930s mystery that is based on real life gangland killings. Three days later, Mikki is visited by Detective Hazlett who informs her that Tiffany has passed away. While the police do not suspect foul play at this time, Mikki believes it is too coincidental and decides to do a little probing. Mikki learns that Tiffany’s husband has been buying up land to build a theme park. Many people are against the proposed venture including Tiffany’s grandmother, Ronnie North (who is also Mikki’s high school nemesis). After three people inquire if Tiffany left anything with her, Mikki takes a further look at the manuscript. What did Tiffany uncover while researching the material for her novel? Someone is not happy with Mikki’s sleuthing and attempts to shut her down. Can Mikki find the killer or will she end up the next victim? Crime and Punctuation has a unique premise with an older main character who has a freelance editing business. I like that Mikki has retired, uprooted her life and starting a new business venture. She is sixty-eight years old with no intention of sitting around her house twiddling her thumbs. I did find Mikki, though, to be slightly lackluster. The author failed to bring her fully to life (at least for me). Her home, though, sounds charming and I like that she is bringing the old beauty back to life. The town was a disappointment. We are introduced to some of the people who live in the area, but most of the shops are deserted (courtesy of Greg Onslow, Tiffany’s hubby). The small-town charm and coziness was missing for me (one of the things I love about cozy mysteries). The mystery was medium level. The author did provide some misdirection to throw readers off the scent of the real culprit. However, I found it too easy to identify the killer and figure out why the crime was committed. The pacing was slow and I was happy when it picked up in the last quarter of the book as we get closer to catching the killer (more action). There is a repetition of information along with speculation that seemed to be filler (I wanted more substance). There are grammar tips and explanations interspersed throughout the story (Oxford comma and difference between further and farther for example). I missed the humor and ease that is present in Kaitlyn Dunnett’s A Liss MacCrimmon Mystery series. I am rating Crime and Punctuation 3 out of 5 stars.

Whoever thought that being an editor could be hazardous to your life? Time consuming, occasionally frustrating, and with the inability to shut off that little voice that causes you to explain to harried civil service workers that they need a comma or apostrophe, or take note of the Oxford comma. Such is the new life of Mikki (Michelle) Lincoln, returning to her childhood home (and town) after the death of her husband left her at loose ends. Her high school reunion notice provided the perfect opportunity, and when her childhood home was for sale – she jumped at the chance, sight unseen. Of course, in the intervening half-century, the town has changed, and the house has aged – and mounting repair bills mean this retired English teacher has to find work, and find it fast, if she doesn’t want to be bankrupted by a money pit. After biting the bullet and getting her business started – a knock at the door brings a client – a first for her (and most editors), with an historic mystery suspense, loosely based on a series of mob-style killings. The author is a young girl from the small New York town, married well, and granddaughter of Mikki’s nemesis from school. The early chapters were promising, and Mikki takes on the client – setting a meeting with her the following week. Not many days later, the local police arrive at Mikki’s, her business card in an evidence baggie, it’s obvious that the card was soaking wet – laundered perhaps? But no, the young author is dead, and the fun now begins. I adored Mikki – at 60-something, she’s still dealing with the loss of her husband and her tendency to isolate herself because, (as she says) as an only child she was both self-sufficient and comfortable finding her own amusement. Coming back isn’t all bad, however, her best friend Darlene, has some ‘background’ information that piques Mikki’s curiosity, a proposed development of an amusement park to draw tourists, a rather curious series of main street businesses being bought out or closed, and plenty of threats from break-ins to warnings, being chased by a truck, and her ever-constant curiosity, as well as some ‘townie’ knowledge that would evade most incomers, Mikki has plenty to think on, and no real acceptance for her questions. Several twists, turns and plenty of potential suspects kept me wondering, right along with Mikki, and the final reveal at the end was perfection. Coming home was never so full of adventure! I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via NetGalley for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.