Besides, I’ve taken to calling the whole episode “The Donaldson Case,” which annoys her no end. She keeps saying that, as Michael was totally innocent, his name shouldn’t be associated with it. I just ignore her.
I don’t think I mentioned the lovely presents our guests left for us. Fred made us a sculpture out of twigs and grass. Unfortunately, when we tried to relocate it to a suitable location, it rather fell apart.
Molly wrote us a poem:
Doveby House
Warm
Inviting
Telly
Bright
Sneezes
Tuesday
Needs a cat.
I don’t understand it, but I quite agree with the sentiment. I’ve just about worked up the nerve to ask Joan about getting one. I’ll keep you informed.
With all good wishes,
Janet Markham
Glossary of Terms
bin
trash can
biscuits
cookies
booking
reservation
boot
trunk (of a car)
car park
parking lot
chemist
pharmacist
cuppa
cup of tea (informal)
fizzy drink
carbonated beverage (pop or soda)
fortnight
two weeks
high street
the main shopping street in a town or village
holiday
vacation
jumper
sweater
lie in
sleep late
midday
noon
pavement
sidewalk
plasters
adhesive bandages (Band-Aids)
plug socket
electrical outlet
pudding
dessert
push chair
stroller
queue
line
saloon car
sedan
shopping cart
telly
television
till
check-out (in a grocery store, for example)
torch
flashlight
Other Notes
In the UK, dates are written day, month, year rather than month, day, year as in the US. (May 5, 2015 would be written 5 May 2015, for example.)
In the UK, when describing property with more than one level, the lowest level (assuming there is no basement; very few UK houses have basements) is the “ground floor,” and the next floor up is the “first floor” and so on. In the US, the lowest floor is usually the “first floor” and up from there.
When telling time, half six is the English equivalent of six-thirty.
Pensioners are people who are old enough to be collecting a retirement pension. (In the US they are generally referred to as senior citizens.)
A “full English breakfast” generally consists of bacon, sausage, eggs, grilled or fried tomatoes, fried potatoes, fried mushrooms and baked beans served with toast.
A semi-detached house is one that is joined to another house by a common center wall. In the US they are generally called duplexes. In the UK the two properties would be sold individually as totally separate entities.
Coming June 17, 2016
The Ellsworth Case
A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella
The bed and breakfast is now up and running and Janet and Joan are looking forward to welcoming their last guests before they take a break for Christmas. The news that someone is passing counterfeit currency around Doveby Dale is worrying.
Both couples that arrive at Doveby House seem odd to the sisters and so does William Chalmer's new friend, Karen Holmes. The library keeps turning up surprises, including a beautiful oak tantalus, while the police keep turning up more counterfeit twenty pounds notes.
Is it possible that some of their guests are counterfeiters? Why is Karen Holmes interested in the much older William Chalmers? And what other secrets will the library reveal?
Also by Diana Xarissa
The Markham Sisters Cozy
Mystery Novella Series
The Appleton Case
The Bennett Case
The Chalmers Case
The Donaldson Case
The Ellsworth Case (release date: June 17, 2016)
The Aunt Bessie Cozy Mystery Series
Aunt Bessie Assumes
Aunt Bessie Believes
Aunt Bessie Considers
Aunt Bessie Decides
Aunt Bessie Enjoys
Aunt Bessie Finds
Aunt Bessie Goes
Aunt Bessie’s Holiday
Aunt Bessie Invites (release date: April 15, 2016)
The Isle of Man Romance Series
Island Escape
Island Inheritance
Island Heritage
Island Christmas
About the Author
Diana Xarissa lived in Derbyshire, and then on the Isle of Man for more than ten years before returning to the United States with her family. Now living near Buffalo, New York, she enjoys writing about the island and the UK.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future under the pen name “Diana X. Dunn” and fantasy/adventure books for middle grade readers under the pen name “D.X. Dunn.”
She would be delighted to know what you think of her work and can be contacted through snail mail at:
Diana Xarissa Dunn
PO Box 72
Clarence, NY 14031.
Or find her on Facebook, Goodreads or on her website at www.dianaxarissa.com.
You can sign up for her monthly newsletter on the website and be among the first to know about new releases, as well as find out about contests and giveaways and see the answers to some frequently asked questions.