Recently widowed, Mikki Lincoln leaves Maine behind and returns to New York to purchase her childhood home. To pay the bills, she decides to become an editor for hire, and her career starts off with a jolt when her first client, young Tiffany Scott, is found dead with Mikki's business card in her pocket. There's quite a bit going on behind the scenes in Lenape Hollow, and Mikki's inquisitiveness puts her life in danger more than once as she tries to discover what really happened to Tiffany. Was the story she'd left in Mikki's care the reason for her untimely death, was it a horrible accident, or could it even have been suicide? Very nicely crafted, and the ending definitely leaves the door open for future installments. Crime & Punctuation is a lovely start to Kaitlynn Dunnett's new Deadly Edits series, and I hope there will be many more books to enjoy!

Widow Mikki Lincoln comes out of retirement to work as a freelance editor after she buys her childhood home in the Catskills. She sets up a webpage to attract aspiring authors, to help them polish their manuscripts. She doesn't expect one of her first clients to come from Lenape Hollow, where she lives.

First-time novelist Tiffany Scott has written a murder mystery using info from Lenape Hollow's past. Soon after, Tiffany turns up dead, and the police show up on Mikki's front doorstep when her business card if sound in Tiffany's pocket. The police think the death was accidental, but Mikki is not so sure. So she starts asking questions, and finds herself drawn into local politics and a plan to open a theme park, that not everyone is thrilled about.

I really enjoyed the pacing of this story. It was strong and steady, to use a phrase. You get the sense that Mikki, who has been gone from Lenape Hollow for fifty years, still cares about her hometown. She wants to give Tiffany some closure, and the ways he does it, through reading and research, is perfect for her character.

There is a wonderful cast of characters that include people Mikki knew while growing up in Lenape Hollow. There were great scenes that showed how things that happen in high school can come back and bring out feelings that still have to be dealt with later in life.

The mystery was tight, and the ending surprised me, which is always a plus in my book.

Fun, fresh and entertaining, I found this to be a fast read that left me very satisfied. I look forward to the second book in this series.

I received an electronic copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Mikki London was a school teacher, she retired and then her husband passed away. To fill the time and make some money to help with her home renovation she becomes a freelance editor. She makes most of her contacts online so she is surprised when Tiffany Scott shows up at her home with a 500-page manuscript. She gets another surprise when she looks over the first few pages and is drawn in by both the story and the lack of grammatical errors. The story is a little graphic for her taste but is intrigued by its local theme.

When the young author dies 3 days later, just like the victim in the story Mikki immediately suspects foul play but it has been ruled accidental, maybe even a suicide. She tries to work with the police but gets nowhere. Then Tiffany’s grandmother is arrested, accused of killing her granddaughter. Again, Mikki tries to convince the police they have arrested the wrong person. Unfortunately only the killer is paying attention. Mikki may be joining her husband in the great beyond much sooner than planned.

I am sure Mikki London would cringe at all the typos and grammatical errors I make every day on this blog. I don’t do it on purpose. I always received good grades in English but I have forgotten so much of what my teachers tried to cram into my brain. I like that Mikki is an older protagonist, complete with hearing aids, something new for me in a cozy. She is taking great strides to carry on her life without her husband. Buying and renovating her childhood home is a huge undertaking. She hires help for the things she can’t do and takes on the projects she can complete, mindful that it is going to take time to get everything just right. She is also a reluctant sleuth. When she finds what she thinks must be a key piece of evidence she is not sure how to handle it but quickly finds herself digging for answers.

There is a character a lot like me, Darlene – challenged by our body’s betrayal. Mine due to an auto accident, her due to crippling arthritis. She doesn’t let it slow her down, electric scooter, walker, wheelchair, she gets to where she wants to go. She deals with a scary moment and my heart was breaking for her. She handled it just like I would have, thankfully her friend Mikki had her back. Together they make an amazing team.

The other characters in the story were well developed as well. I also enjoyed that Mikki has a feline companion, Calpurnia.

I found the mystery to be very interesting with a limited number of suspects. The pages were turning at a speedy pace. I followed along with the twists and turns, solved the mystery and reached the end. Surprised I had read the entire book in one sitting.

I really like Mikki and Darlene. I am hoping to visit them again soon.

A winning cozy mystery debut. This is the first book in this fabulous series . I was thrilled to read this debut series that features a protagonist of a certain age as most of us readers ! It is a very refreshing change to read about such a real protagonist .
Thank you for the ARC which does not influence my review.

Mikki Lincoln is 68 and has decided to move back to her childhood town in the New York Borscht Belt. She has also decided to purchase her childhood home. Now that she has moved into her old home and subsequent new home, she needs to make many necessary repairs. As a former school teacher she decides to utilize the internet to do advertising of editing of manuscripts to bring in extra cash. She proves to be a skilled editor with her first client who brings her a book manuscript.
When the client is soon murdered she decides to investigate on her own and in doing so finds out all is not idyllic in her old hometown. I loved her character, a smart savvy independent women of a certain age. How she is independent, driven and compassionate. I enjoyed how as a reader I see great potential for her as a protagonist in the next book. Her cats antics are adorable as is the name,, Calpunia. She is interesting and very real protagonist. She does not suffer fools and takes control of her life and of the sleuth. I love that she does not doubt herself , she strides forward with confidence.
This new series has everything I love in a cozy mystery - well developed characters that all add to the plot, a engaging location and a well crafted mystery with many twists and turns to the reveal . I loved it and look forward to further books in this wonderful series. A winning debut ! 5 stars for this new cozy debut.

his was fun. I like the older MC and the fact she hadn't settled into a stereotypical 'old lady'. Although recently widowed, she was wise enough to realise that she still needed to work to maintain and pay for her newly acquired childhood home in her hometown of Lenape Hollow, New York. She is a retired English teacher and decided to use her language skills to do some online editing work for prospective authors. One of her first clients is Tiffany Scott, a young lady married to the richest man in town, who has written a book and wants Mikki to edit it for her. Shortly afterwards, Tiffany is found drowned in Cedar Lake, which is within an area of local wilderness that has been purchased by her husband for his Wonderful World rejuvenation project.

I liked Mikki. She didn't spend time feeling sorry for herself - although she obviously missed her husband - and seemed content to be back in her childhood home and town, renewing old friendships and renovating her home. Mikki is curious and good with details, noticing and questioning things others miss. She is quite self-aware as well, realising that she needs to make an effort to integrate a bit more into the community, meet her neighbours, take better care of herself, etc. The cat, Calpurnia (Cal), is 'just' a cat in this story and has no special/magical attributes other than to keep Mikki company.

I did suspect the murderer, but there is any number of suspects and the plot is well done, although the police work is mostly completed in the background.

This is definitely a series I'll be continuing.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Crime & Punctuation is the first book in the new series Deadly Edits, and my first encounter with the author Kaitlyn Dunnett. This cozy hit all the right spots… murder, small town feel, engaging protagonist, many possible suspects.

Mikki Lincoln is a sixty-eight-year-old widow with a seven-year-old calico named Calpurnia (Cal for short). Mikki is once again living in her childhood home (following a 51-year absence), a hundred-and-ten-year-old, three-story house in Lenape Hollow in much need of renovations and updating. Out of necessity, Mikki has nurtured a post retirement business – editing manuscripts – to help pay for all the renovations that are necessary for this neglected home. This is a naturally good fit as Mikki’s background is a a language arts teacher.

Tiffany Scott knocks on Mikki’s door, then introduces herself and indicates that she got Mikki’s name and address from her search on the internet while she was looking for an editor. Discussions ensue and before you know it, Mikki has another client…and a decent sized editorial job. Tiffany has written a murder mystery set in the early 1900’s.

“I am not an expert in the time period,” I warned her. “It’s your responsibility to make sure the details are right.”

” I’ve done tons of research,” she assured me.

I began to read. My eyes widened as an exceedingly graphic description of a murder unfolded. The writing was… vivid.

I love words, and Tiffany had chosen hers well in these first passages. She’d also avoided making any grammar or usage errors, something that would have jerked my right out of the story.

With this introduction to the novel, Mikki takes on Tiffany as a client. Then the fun begins. Shortly thereafter, Tiffany is found dead – in a similar fashion to the murdered individual in her book…hmmm… something seems odd to Mikki and thus the sleuthing begins. Many red herrings were put in the reader’s way – making the journey interesting, albeit at times a bit slow.

I was a bit worried about Mikki as it seemed there were many people out to harm her! With Mikki being a senior citizen, I did have my concerns about her being able to stay out of harms way. With people breaking in and trying to run her off the road…it was just plain nerve racking at times to read. Luckily Mikki is quick on her feet and a wee bit agile ☺ But there were certainly enough “bad” guys around!

I really enjoyed Mikki reconnecting with local residents. It amazed me how they could just pick up their friendships after nearly five decades of being apart. A number of side stories with her old pals which added some much needed depth to the story. I did find the depth of description of the town a bit lacking. I did not get a really good sense of the layout and spirit of the town, though this may well have something to do with the fact that there was a major project being proposed by Mongaup Valley Ventures.

I quite enjoyed the love/hate relationship Mikki had with Ronnie North, Tiffany’s grandmother. They have a history and let me just say this made their interactions interesting.

What I liked was that the murderer was hiding in plain sight and I did not put two and two together until very close to the actual reveal. Just the way I like my cozy mysteries. And of course – one cannot help to love Calpurnia’s attitude – so like a spoiled cat and not a very successful guard cat either! Though we all know, cats have a mind of their own and as far as guarding, well that is just wishful thinking on the human’s part, if I do say so myself.

A final note – I LOVED the book cover. Very clever. It certainly caught my eye.

I look forward to continuing on with this series, though I do hope the action and intensity pick up a bit for book #2, should there be one. I think I will add one of Kaitlyn’s other series to my reading wish list as this was my first interaction with her writing – and I did find the style easy to read and enjoyable.

*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the 1st book in Deadly Edits mystery series, and it's off to a good start. Mikki Lincoln is a widow, who comes out of retirement to earn money for house repairs. When a young lady, Tiffany, brings her a manuscript to edit then turns up dead, and Mikki is determined to find out why. This book is a fun read, with intelligent older women. I found this book to be a quick read, with well developed plot and characters. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. If you love cozy mysteries like I do, than I recommend this book.

I received this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

When I saw that Kaitlyn Dunnett had started a new series, I knew I had to read it. Well, now I have another series to add to my must read list. Honestly, I think I may like this one even better, if that's possible. Here we are introduced to a very real and likable character, great for those over 60. Mikki Lincoln is 68 and going strong, ready to embark on a new chapter of her life since the death of her husband. Needing to change things, she starts with a move back to her childhood home and house, a town in the New York Borscht Belt, a place she left after high school. Now that she has moved into her old home/now new home, she sees that she will need a bit more cash to make necessary repairs. Her solution is to return to some more of her roots, this time her years as a high school english teacher. With the internet, being a book doctor editing manuscripts, is perfect for her retirement plans.
One thing Mikki didn't figure into her new chapter? The murder of one of her first clients, a very sweet young woman who has written a novel centering on a fictional murder. Sounds straight forward, they are good to go but Mikki has barely started reading the manuscript when the police come calling and she decides to do some snooping on her own. Well, it's one way to get to know what has been going on in her old/new town since she has been away. It's changed....a lot. And not for the better.
This new series has everything I look for in a mystery - well developed characters, a nice setting and a satisfying mystery. Now I'm looking forward to the next entry. My thanks to the publisher Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

Crime and Punctuation

by Kaitlyn Dunnett

Crime and Punctuation features a retired Language Arts (English) teacher who decides to take up editing to fund the remodeling of the 110 year old home she lived in until she was seventeen. At age sixty-eight, newly widowed, Mikki returns from Maine to Lenape Hollow in New York’s Catskills and purchases the three story home of her childhood which has not been maintained properly.

Although Mikki intends for her business to mainly come through online sources, she is approached shortly after opening her enterprise by Tiffany, a young, enthusiastic, and well-funded new author. Mikki accepts her as a client and three days later there is a murder.

Lenape Hollow is a small town where news travels fast. Mikki finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation that involves old friends and enemies and brings up long forgotten memories. Tiffany’s book is fiction, but it is based on Mafia activity in the 1930’s. Her husband and his associates have been involved in some shady deals in the past and may be the models for some of the book’s unsavory characters. Crime and Punctuation is a good mystery with lots of suspects. It is not difficult to figure out who the murderer is, but it is fascinating to watch it play out. The book is well-paced and the main character Mikki is an interesting and likable character. Her honesty in her introspection is refreshing and not belabored. Mikki’s age is certainly older than the typical cozy mystery heroine, but that fact provides a different perspective that is interesting.

I have always enjoyed language, word study, and even grammar. Fresh out of college, I taught middle and high school English for a year while waiting for an elementary teaching position to open up. I was excited to teach, enjoyed the subject matter, and particularly related to the twelfth graders ready to embark on their next adventure in life. So in Mikki I find a kindred spirit with her references to the Oxford comma. Its use in Tiffany’s manuscript actually helped solve the case. On the other hand, I don’t think a reader needs to be obsessive about grammar to appreciate this latest mystery by Kaitlyn Dunnett.

I would like to extend my thanks to netgalley.com and to Kensington Books for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 5/5

Category: Mystery

Notes: #1 in the Deadly Edits Mystery Series

Publication: May 29, 2018—Kensington Books

Memorable Lines:

I can dress in my best, freshly pressed and pristine, and within five minutes, I look as if I’ve slept in my clothes. Don’t even talk to me about scarves! No matter how I tie them, they just hang there, limp and unflattering, feedbag instead of fashionable.

Thunderclouds scudded into Van Heusen’s face so fast that I expected it to start raining at any moment. My uneasiness about being alone with him returned just as quickly.

“Excuse me. Is Mr. Onslow available?” The redhead looked up, mouth opening in a startled, lipstick-circled O and heavily mascaraed eyes widening. I wondered if my question had been too complicated for her.

I received this book from netgalley in return for an honest review.

Mikki, a retired teacher and a widow, returns to her small town and buys her family's old home, a money pit that she is having to sink all her savings into to renovate. To earn additional income, she starts her own editing business. A local, Tiffany, shows up at her home with a novel she has written in secret. Tiffany is a the wife of a wealthy business owner as well as the granddaughter of Mikki's high school nemesis. Just after this exchange, the Tiffany is found dead, appearing to have drowned in her favorite lake. Was it an accident? Was it suicide? Was it murder?

Armed with Tiffany's manuscript and a flash drive of her research, Mikki begins looking into Tiffany's death. Convinced the police have it all wrong, Mikki starts asking questions around town. People are starting to take notice of her "investigation" and not everyone is pleased that she is poking around in their business. By doing so, she is putting a bullseye on herself in the process.
The truth always comes out it the end, but at what cost?

This is the first book that I have read by Kaitlyn Dunnett and the first book in this new series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. I love cozy mysteries, small towns, and literary novels (books about/within books). This book gripped me from the start. I had an idea from the get go of "who dunnit" but it didn't take away from the story. I loved the friendship of Mikki and Diane. I did find that for an older woman, Mikki was very agile. There is a particular scene that was a little far fetched for me.

I will definitely look into more of Dunnett's books as well as continue on with this series at it progresses.

The idea alone, an editor being wrapped up in a murder investigation while editing a murder mystery novel, brought me in instantly. This is the story of Mikki who moves back to the town she grew up in in the Catskills region of New York. This happens to be an area I am familiar with and I found the real life issues in that area nice to read about. Many times in Cozies we are given the perfect town where the downtown is not struggling and the shop owner sells more product than Macy’s in Harold Square. The Catskills once a vacation Mecca is not that anymore and Kaitlyn Dunnett navigates the story like a pro.
I think that this series is going to be a great one and I look forward to more Mikki adventures.

Synopsis: After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. With her ability to spot details that others fail to see, it’s not long before Mikki earns clients—and realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn’t the thriving tourist destination it was decades ago. Not with a murderer on the loose . . .
When perky novice writer Tiffany Scott knocks at her door holding a towering manuscript, Mikki expects another debut novel plagued by typos and sloppy prose. Instead, she finds a murder mystery ripped from the headlines of Lenape Hollow’s not-too-distant past. The opening scene is a graphic page-turner, but it sends a real chill down Mikki’s spine after the young author turns up dead just like the victim in her story . . .
Mikki refuses to believe that Tiffany’s death was accidental, and suspicions of foul play solidify as she uncovers a strange inconsistency in the manuscript and a possible motive in the notes. Then there’s Tiffany’s grandmother and husband, who aren’t exactly on friendly terms over the local area’s planned rejuvenation efforts . . .
Unable to convince police that they are focused on the wrong suspect, Mikki must rely on her keen eyes to catch the truth hidden in Lenape Hollow. As she gets closer to cracking the case, only one person takes Mikki’s investigation seriously—the cunning killer who will do anything to make this chapter of her life come to a very abrupt ending . . .

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley all opinions are my own and I chose to write an honest review.

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.

Readers of Kaitlyn Dunnett's first Deadly Edits cozy mystery may learn quite a few helpful tips about proper English usage, but they're also going to read an engaging story featuring a main character they're going to love. Mikki Lincoln is sixty-eight years old, wears hearing aids, and knows all about the Oxford comma. Until his death, Mikki's husband was the center of her world, but now Calpurnia the cat is the only other living soul in the childhood home that she's busy fixing up. Mikki realizes that she has to relearn how to make friends, but she has already found one: Darlene, a former head librarian who had to take early retirement due to her crippling arthritis. Her mobility has been affected so much that she gets around on a combination of walker, electric scooter, and wheelchair.

Mikki and Darlene prove that you don't have to be perky, toned, hunk-on-the-brain twentysomethings to solve crimes, and that's good news for many readers amongst us. Both of them are intelligent, honest, and filled with common sense. (I also love Darlene's way with her electric scooter.)

I have to admit that learning the differences between copyediting, line editing, and developmental editing was fascinating, and so was the fact that the author brought in the area's ties to Murder, Inc. as part of the mystery. Actually, the only thing I didn't like about this delightful book is the fact that Dunnett seemed to telegraph the identity of the killer. But... with so many other things-- and characters-- to enjoy, it really didn't matter all that much. In fact, I'm looking forward to my next visit with Mikki and Darlene. (Never underestimate the power of two "old" women!)

I really enjoyed reading this book. The mystery was very interesting. I like that the main character is an older woman. In most cozy .mysteries the main character is a young female. I like Calpurnia the cat. I really want to read the next book in this series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and the publisher for an honest review.

I love previous works by this author, so when I saw a new series, I just had to sink my teeth into it. The author did not disappoint. I love how the character is different. The main character is older, has a unique occupation and circumstance. Also, jumping right into the mystery, the reader is hooked right from the beginning. A really strong start to a new series.

Crime And Punctuation is the first book in the Deadly Edits Mystery series.

Mikki Lincoln, 68 and recently widowed, has sold her home in Maine and has moved back to her childhood town of Lenape Hollow, NY and was able to purchase the home she grew up in. Unfortunately, the house needs extensive repairs so she resumes her former career and starts an editing business, primarily via the internet. One day, a Tiffany Scott, showed up at her door and asks Mikki is she would be willing to edit her manuscript. Mikki quickly reads the first three chapters and is impressed with the quality of writing agrees to take on the project.

Three days later Detective Hazlett calls on Mikki and informs her that Tiffany Scott’s lifeless body has been found and on her person was Mikki’s business card and he want to know what dealing she might have had with Tiffany. After explaining her connection with Tiffany, Hazlett informs her that her death is being treated as murder.

Later that day Mikki goes to visit a childhood friend, Darlene Uberman, to learn more about Tiffany. Mikki learns that Tiffany is the granddaughter of her high school nemesis, “Ronnie” Rappaport and was married to one of the richest men in town, Greg Onslow. Onslow owns Mongaup Valley Ventures. She also learns that Onslow has been using heavy-handed methods to get businesses to sell their stores to MVV. Onslow’s dream is to develop the land around Chestnut Lake into a Disneyland like park. She also learns that Tiffany has reportedly made out a will favoring her grandmother with her stake in MVV. Ronnie Rappaport and Tiffany are supposedly against the development of Chestnut Lake.

Once Mikki gets into Tiffany’s manuscript she feels that very possibly someone didn’t want to see it published, but first, she has to learn who might have the most to lose.

I really enjoyed this book a lot. It was a well-plotted and told story that kept me turning the pages to see where the story would take me next. I also thought the characters were all interesting and well developed and will be looking forward to learning more about them.

I’m looking forward to reading the next book in this new series.

A very good start for a new series. A bit darker and more serious than most cozy mystery, it's a well written and interesting book.
The cast of senior characters are described in a realistic way, with their health and life problems. Mikki, the heroine, is a sensible woman going through big changes in her life, the grief of losing her lifetime companion and the problems of reacquainting with her hometown.
The mystery was good and kept guessing till the end.
I look forward to read the next instalment in this series.
Many thanks to Kensington Books and Netgally for this ARC in exchange of a honest review

Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett is the first book in the new cozy Deadly Edits mystery series. The main character in this series is Mikki Lincoln who is in her sixties and starting over in her life after her husband’s passing.

Mikki and her husband had lived in a remote area taking care of their land themselves for years but after losing her husband Mikki felt it was time to find an easier place to spend her retirement years. As if it were fate at the very time she began to feel out her options Mikki ran across an ad for her old childhood home in the Catskills being for sale and bought it sight unseen.

Now after the move Mikki finds the house she left over forty years ago needs a little more work than she ever could have imagined on her retirement funds so Mikki starts a side business as a freelance editor. With a website up and running Tiffany Scott finds Mikki and requests her services for her manuscript. After negotiating terms Mikki sets to work but before she knows it a policeman is at her door informing her of Tiffany’s death. What at first looks like an accident Mikki thinks may be more after reading what Tiffany had written in her book.

Having once read another cozy by Kaitlyn Dunnett and really enjoying it I have been meaning to read more of her work so when seeing a brand new series I knew this was a must try. Imagine my excitement when easily becoming engaged and really enjoying this book. Full of all of those little quirky cozy things I love I flew right through the pages of Crime & Punctuation.

What really won me over with this one was the fact not only the lead seemed realistic but those around her and her frisky feline. While Mikki is an older character she still had plenty of energy to investigate but nothing over the top that she didn’t also feel her age and her cat, Cal, had a few incidents that cat loves will probably relate to. The mystery unraveled at a nice pace with plenty of suspicion to go around so in the end I’d definitely recommend checking out this new series.

I received an advance copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

A delight to read about a woman of retirement age in a cozy mystery. Mature enough not to be one of those TSTL (too stupid to live) characters, but involved in solving a crime while trying to maintain her safety. It is put in peril a few times adding suspense and excitement to the story. I look forward to her further adventures.

Crime & Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett is a true cozy.
Starting with the main character, former language arts teacher who after buying childhood home realises she needs funding to refurbish her home and therefore offers her skills as a freelance editor. One day a young woman, Tiffany knocks on her door claiming she needs editing for the book she has written, Next day that young woman is found dead and Mikki gets visit from the police she her business card has been found on the body.
Rumors start flying around about Tiffany's death, her husband and her grandmother, who is Mikki's high school arch nemesis. Reading the manuscript Mikki realises that death may not be an accident as everyone claims. Since police do not share her views Mikki realises she needs to investigate herself with the help from her high school best friend, former librarian.
I really like the setting, and descriptions on house renovation. I like how the author has managed to depict a serene surrounding with nice and freindly people while the whole time there is something sinister lurking under the surface just waiting to reveal itself.
Particularly interesting is the fact that sleuth is an elderly lady with many physical limitations, and how the story slowly unrevels while we get to know Mikki's former classmates and how they turned out 40 years later.
Clever plot with intelligent dialogue makes this a real treat for all mystery lovers.