Top reviews from the United States

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, but only for those who like to READ GREAT BOOKS!

Reviewed in the United States on December 16, 2025

Format: Paperback

I HIGHLY recommend The Case of the Misplaced Modifiers! You do not want to miss this one!

What a fun and engaging read! My head is still spinning as I consider how cleverly this mystery was crafted; how did Bobbie Hendrick do it? I loved the detail of place and characters; I am ready to learn more. This is not only a very enjoyable read, but educational too! The extras at the back of the book are fun and helpful bonuses.

Brava! Well done! Bring on the next in the series!

5.0 out of 5 stars A Delightful Read

Reviewed in the United States on December 9, 2025

Format: Paperback

The Case of the Misplaced Modifiers by Bobbie Hendrick is an enchanting cozy mystery chock full of plays on words, little-known grammar usage, and whimsical characters. There are no dead bodies and very little blood (unless you mistake the corrective red ink for blood), but the mystery titillates nonetheless. Who stole the adjectives? What happened to the adverbs, and where did all those Swifties come from? (Tom Swifties, not Taylor.) I found myself smiling all through this magical tale of mystery and suspense, savoring each new mystical twist. A delightful read!

5.0 out of 5 stars A DAY WITHOUT ADJECTIVES, COULD YOU SURVIVE?

Reviewed in the United States on November 27, 2025

Format: Paperback

If you are looking for a original, refreshing, delightful book to read, aren’t we all, then this book is for you. What a unique plot; a mystery involving grammar. Dare I write more. I fear MARIAH MISTRA’s red pen correcting my grammar.
Enjoy the humor, wit, and sensitive observations woven in this story that may leave you wondering if you are misplacing your modifiers.

5.0 out of 5 stars Witty plays on words and “grammar”

Reviewed in the United States on November 17, 2025

Format: Paperback

Very clever and perfect for anyone who loves words, stories, and putting English teachers and book lovers into peril. Light-hearted.

5.0 out of 5 stars Perfect Plotting for the Punctilious

Reviewed in the United States on November 11, 2025

Format: ebook

The Case of the Misplaced Modifiers is a witty and word-loving mystery that brings grammar to life in the most delightfully quirky way. When former language agent Mariah Mistral faces a crime wave of stolen words, she investigates a world of oddball characters, punny suspects, clever clues, and grammatical chaos. Funny, imaginative, and full of heart, this is the perfect read for mystery lovers and grammar geeks alike.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun, Quirky Mystery with a Grammatical Twist!

Reviewed in the United States on November 8, 2025

Format: ebook

The Case of the Misplaced Modifiers by Bobbie Hendrick

If you are tired of reading about heavy global issues and want a creative and fun read, this book is for you – especially if you have an interest in grammar and linguistics. Try it, even if you are not a grammar nerd.

It’s set in the fictional town of Predicate, Ohio on Lake Erie. Spoiler alert- I’m from a town which reminds me of Predicate. The main character, Mariah Mistral, is a retired grammar specialist and veteran of the Comma Wars who decides to open a bookstore. But it's not just any bookstore... There’s a special cat, magical powers, red pen that automatically corrects grammatical errors, a psychic barista, and a spouse and quirky friends you can’t help but like. There are also groupies called Tom Swifties (remember Tom Swift?) and Taylor Swifties. A bunch of robotic bookworms steal all the adjectives and need to be stopped from wreaking more havoc by the grammar police. To top it all off, her estranged niece oversees the police efforts, and her young grandson is a prime suspect.

What I liked-
• Fun, quirky, whimsical tone of the story telling -- Lots of very clever language, character names, and puns. It’s not just for the grammar insider. –Anyone can understand it and there’s also a helpful glossary at the end to remind you what all the grammatical terms mean.
• Loveable characters – Mariah and friends were people I’d like to know, and I feel like I do know some of them.
• Different than your usual mystery read, police procedural or sweet story. The charming wit keeps you reading and on your toes.

What I’d change-
• Length – Some twists and turns made it longer than I’d like. I should admit that it’s partly my bias, because I’ve rarely seen a “new-ish” book or movie that I didn’t think would benefit from being a little shorter and more concise.

Summary
If you are looking for a different-than-the-usual, lighthearted read and you really like wordplay, this book is for you.

5.0 out of 5 stars Fun Read for Language Lovers!

Reviewed in the United States on November 3, 2025

Format: ebook

This novel blends a cozy mystery with a humorous romp through the world of grammar. Filled with clever wordplay and timely popular references, it is an homage to the love of words. Bookshop owner Mariah Mistral, who just can’t leave a grammatical error uncorrected, is on the case when adjectives and adverbs start disappearing from printed material in the Ohio town of Predicate (“where all the action is”). The list of suspects is long, the idiosyncrasies of the characters are endearing, and the puns are plentiful. I found it utterly charming! This is one for all those language and grammar lovers out there.