Crime & Punctuation

Freelance editor Mikki Lincoln, the heroine of this entertaining series launch from Dunnett (X Marks the Scot), is coping with renovations to her childhood home in Lenape Hollow, N.Y., when aspiring writer Tiffany Scott asks for help revising her fiction manuscript. Despite promising early chapters, Mikki finds the tale of violent gangsters far-fetched and full of clichés. After Tiffany drowns, Mikki begins to wonder whether the book’s characters have real-life counterparts—such as Tiffany’s husband, Greg Onslow, an entrepreneur who has a controversial theme-park proposal; his associate, Alan Van Heusen, who may have secrets in his past; and Onslow’s creepy security guard, Paul Klein, who has been following her. Ronnie North, Tiffany’s grandmother and Mikki’s supercilious former classmate, also has a motive: the shares of stock Tiffany left her. As Mikki’s suspicions grow, a burglary at her house suggests that she may be asking too many uncomfortable questions. Appealing supporting characters include Mikki’s loyal and resourceful friend, Darlene Uberman, and the ever-gossipy patrons of the local café. Cozy fans will be pleased. [em]Agent: Christina Hogrebe, Jane Rotrosen Agency. (June) [/em]