In Crime and Punctuation by Kaitlyn Dunnett, 69-year-old Mikki Lincoln has moved from her longtime home in Maine back to her hometown of Lenope Hollow in the Catskills after being newly widowed. Having bought her childhood home that is in dire need of major upgrades, Mikki realizes that she must find a way to supplement her income and hits upon the idea of becoming a freelance editor. One day she gets a visit from a local 20- something woman, Tiffany Scott, who has written a mystery set in the 1930s. However, before Mikki can get started working on the manuscript, Detective Hazlett visits her with the news that Tiffany has died, though he refuses to tell her how. But Mikki suspects foul play when the detective produces her business card that was found on Tiffany’s body and has clearly been soaked.
Mikki soon learns that Tiffany was the only granddaughter of Ronnie North, Mikki’s high school enemy, and was married to the richest man in the town. When several people inquire whether Tiffany left anything besides the manuscript with Mikki, Mikki decides to check the mailing envelope in which the manuscript came. Hidden inside the envelope is a small thumb drive, on which is not just the manuscript but some research files and one labeled blackmail.doc. In scouring through all the files, Mikki finds evidence that will reveal a murderer.
In Crime and Punctuation, I found a kindred spirit in the character of Mikki and just loved this book. The plot was creative, using an editor to solve the mystery, which she does through her careful reading of the text. The grammatical points that matter to the plot have clear explanations that even the most grammar-phobe of readers should be able to follow. As a grammarian and professional editor myself, I delighted in the details of editing that ultimately lead to the solution of the case.
The characters were relatable and very true to life. Besides Mikki, we see Ronnie, the rich snob who still seems to think she is in high school 50 years later. She continues to hold grudges that only a teenager would develop, such as the fact that Mikki always gave the correct answer in class. Tiffany’s husband, Greg Onslow, also typifies the rich developer who thinks building is the solution to all local problems, as he prepares to build an amusement park in their little town. With a lot of suspicion, but no proof, about his practices, Onslow comes across as slimy and greedy.
I especially appreciated the character of Darlene, Mikki’s close friend from high school. Her severe arthritis forced her to take early retirement from her position as head librarian in the local library, and she requires a motorized scooter to get around most of the time. As someone with a different, but equally disabling, medical condition, I could really relate to Darlene’s fluctuations in mood while coping with her medical issues. Yet she also serves to show hope as she refuses on most days to allow her arthritis to keep her away from the world.
I greatly loved Crime and Punctuation, not just because I loved the way the editor in Mikki solves the mystery. The characters seemed like very real people, with strengths and weaknesses with which we can all identify. And the non- grammar plot points were plentiful and enjoyable, so no matter what one thinks of grammar and punctuation, the reader is sure to enjoy this book. I give it five stars!
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