Poison by Punctuation is the second book in the Chalkboard Outlines series by author Kelley Kaye. The first book, Death by Diploma I read back in April and really enjoyed it. Whilst reading the books in order was beneficial, I don’t think there would be an issue with reading book two without reading book one first.

Amateur sleuths, English teachers Emma Lovett and Leslie Parker are back to do their thing, solve mysteries. After an eventful first year at Jefferson High School, Emma was hoping for a more relaxed second year but as luck would have it another body is found.

Student cheerleader Kisten Hollis is found dead in the changing rooms by Emma. After helping to solve the murder of night janitor Melvin in book one, Emma and her best friend Leslie once again got back into the swing of being amateur detectives. They know that the cheerleaders have been sent threatening letters but who would want to kill a student?

With plenty of suspects to choose from, the duo has their work cut out. This isn’t going to be an easy case but these two ladies don’t give up that easily.

It was nice to see Emma and Leslie back doing their detective work. The story was enjoyable if a little darker than book one. It is a cozy mystery so alongside the women’s teaching jobs and their detective work we get to see how their love life is going.

The book was an easy read and I did love the banter that Emma and Leslie had, they reminded me of two school girls sometimes, they also complement one another perfectly. I am a little concern for the safety of the other pupils and staff now that more murders are being committed at the same school!! So I am wondering who will be next in book three? 🙂

The pace felt a little slower than book one but still captivating. If you like cosy mysteries then this is definitely a series to read.

About the Author

Kelley (writes as Kelley Kaye and Kelley Kay Bowles depending on genre. Also know as Kelley Gusich) taught High School English and Drama for twenty years in Colorado and California, but her love for storytelling dates back to creating captions for her high school yearbook. Maybe back to the tales she created around her Barbie and Ken.

A 1994 MS diagnosis and many years of fertility struggles have (circuitously) brought Kelley, finally, to the life of writer and mother, both of which she adores. Death by Diploma, released by Red Adept Publishing in February 2016 and #1 for cozy mystery on Amazon in August that same year, is her debut cozy mystery, first in the Chalkboard Outlines® series. Book 2, Poison by Punctuation, was released April 24, 2018. Her debut Young Adult Paranormal, Down in the Belly of the Whale, received the 2017 Indie Book of the Year from Aionios Books, who published the book May 5, 2018.

Kelley has two amazing sons and a hunky husband who cooks for her. She lives in Southern California.

What did you think of the book? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!