A freelance editor starts a new life in the Catskill Mountains—but someone is trying to delete her . . . “Entertaining . . . Cozy fans will be pleased.” —Publishers Weekly After splurging to buy her childhood home in the Catskills, recently widowed Mikki Lincoln emerges from retirement as a freelance editor. But it’s not long before Mikki realizes that the village of Lenape Hollow isn’t the … 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. 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 . . .
“The signature cozy style of Dunnett’s Liss MacCrimmon series translates easily to this editorially focused new venture.” —Kirkus
“Whoever thought that being an editor could be hazardous to your life? The final reveal at the end was perfection.” —I Am, Indeed
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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.
I’ve been waiting for [this].and it’s finally out. yay!! I love the title, love-love-love the cover, and the Deadly Edits series concept is so fun… Kaitlyn Dunnett is such a good writer-one of my favorites! I’m already hooked.
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!
I was in the mood for a fun, easy, breezy cozy, and this fit the bill. I loved it that the protagonist and her friend were both over 65 and retired, and both were forces to reckon with. Mikki had taught language arts, so when she was left a widow and moved home to her family’s old house, she became a freelance editor to earn extra money. The house had been neglected and needed work she otherwise couldn’t afford. The mystery felt low-key but was solid. This was a good, end-of-the-night, relaxing read.
The characters and dialog are excellent, and the plot is very good. Mikki, the heroine, is a bit bumbling in her investigative efforts. You would think a 68 year old amateur detective would be more discreet.
A good cozy mystery. I hope to see the characters develop in sequels!
As a person who also gets perturbed by misuse of words, misspellings, and the like in books, I enjoyed the humor in the constant corrections… plus, of course, the mystery:-)
There Aren’t Any Books By Kaitlyn Dunnett That I Haven’t Loved….With That Said, Crime and Punctuation Was a Wonderful Start To A New Series.Mystery/Murder/ Mikki (Retired)Didn’t Know That Her Freelance Editing Position Would Put Her In So Much Danger!! Great Read For Authors & Readers;)
Series: A Deadly Edits Mystery – Book 1
Author: Kaitlyn Dunnett
Genre: Cozy Mystery/Book/Editor
Publisher: Kensington Books
Page Count: 304
Coming out May 28th from Kensington Books is a new Kaitlyn Dunnett cozy series “A Deadly Edits Mystery” book one, Crime & Punctuation. This is a very enjoyable book which has the potential to be a new fan favorite cozy series.
Mikki isn’t your average amateur sleuth, but she is a character that readers can get behind. Mikki isn’t young, she is retired and a widow. She spends her days talking to her cat, Cal and renovating her childhood home. She never thought she would find herself starting over at her age. The death of her husband uproots her life. She finds that she needs to separate herself from the memories of their life together. What better place to do that than where she grew up?
Friends she played with and went through school with are still around, as is the girl from school she never got along with and bullied her throughout high school and before. You would think that childish nonsense would be above them at their age but apparently, old rivalries and insecurities never really end.
Characters in this book give the reader a warm feeling. Most of them are likable. Some characters are exactly what they are meant to be, antagonists, with a need to upset the happiness of those around them, forcing them to do and say things they really shouldn’t. The victim is sympathetic with the illusion of innocence. Readers will find that they really want to see justice done and the killer caught. Suspects are plentiful, each with a motive that is plausible. When the killer is exposed it comes as no surprise. The murderers motive seems irrational and yet, credible. In a world where people are killed every day for petty, illogical reasons the motive isn’t all that crazy.
Crime & Punctuation is easy to read, fast-paced, with twists and turns that will have readers happy and confused at the same time. You will fall in love with Mikki and cheer for her success. It is easy to sympathize with her plight, her fears, and her need to make things right. I am happy to recommend this skillfully crafted, pleasurable book and cozy series.
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.
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.
Mikki Lincoln is a widow in her late sixties who decides to move back to her childhood home and needs to earn money to finish her remodeling. She decided to use her expertise as a retired English teacher to start her own editing business. It is through this business that she finds herself involved in a real-life murder mystery. I found it difficult to become immersed in this story. I felt like it was a little slow- moving and it was very easy for me to predict the outcome. I also had a hard time finding any of the characters to be very likable. Even Mikki’s closest friend, Darlene, seemed standoffish at times. I wanted to like this one but it fell short for me.
Crime and Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnet is a new cozy series set in the Catskills and featuring a sweet and older protagonist than what is usually found in cozy mysteries today. I liked Mikki and applauded her move to start life anew after her husband died by returning to her childhood home.
The story began slowly setting up the small town and the characters and finally picked up the pace about 30% into the book. Ms. Dunnet’s descriptive writing made Lenape Hollow come to life as the book opened. The police rule the victim’s death as accidental but Mikki refuses to believe that and begins her own investigation. There were some twists, very few suspects and only Mikki’s belief that the death was actually a murder. An interesting afternoon read that can keep a reader entertained.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. My personal ratings is 3 1/2 stars. All of the above opinions are my own.