“Mostly I do,” Joan said. “And I’m sure I’ll be fine once I’ve recovered from that lot. But we’ve been so busy with guests that you never told me what Alberta’s poetry is like.”
Janet made a face. “I never got past the first page,” she admitted. “I’ve never been overly fond of poetry, you know. Maybe you should read some of it and see what you think.”
“I will,” Joan said. “Once we’ve finished getting the house back into order.”
Janet nodded and then sighed as the washing machine announced that it was finished with a loud and high-pitched noise. “I’ll get that,” she told Joan. “You can tidy up in here.”
Joan nodded and rose to her feet.
“And once things are settled again, I’m going to ring the man at the historical society,” Janet told her. “If we can’t find any of Alberta’s relatives, I’m going to read her letters and diaries. I was thinking they might make a good book.”
“A book?”
“Why not? They must be full of details about life in the twenties and thirties, not to mention the sensational and tragic romantic subplot. It would be a bestseller.”
“I’m not sure about that,” Joan said.
“Well, it might be of interest to historians, at least local ones,” Janet amended.
“It might, at that,” Joan said. “Let’s see if we can find relatives first, though.”
“Yes, dear,” Janet said.
As she pulled sheets and towels from the washing machine, she started planning the book in her head. Having no idea what was in the letters or diaries, she could only plan in the most vague way. It was raining outside, so as she filled the tumble dryer, she wondered about pen names. Janet Markham didn’t sound very scholarly, she thought. She’d have to give the matter more thought.
Bessie, if you have any ideas about pen names, I’d love to hear them. I’ve rung Winifred Godfrey, but I’ve only spoken to his answering machine thus far. I’ve left two very polite messages.
Todd and Ted were quite upset when Molly was arrested. They felt terrible when they found out that she was stealing credit card details from their customers. It doesn’t seem to have hurt their business any, at least. Instead, it seems as if Doveby Dale has rallied around them. Of course, with the local grocer’s still shut, more people seem to be getting meals at the café, at least once or twice a week.
I’ve been referring to the whole unfortunate incident as the Irwin Case, although I do feel as if I should call it the Aggie Case, really. This is the second time in a row that she’s identified criminals, although I haven’t told anyone else about that.
I had a lovely dinner with William Chalmers, by the way. He was at his most charming. We haven’t made any further plans, but I know he will be asking again. More on that when I see you, I think.
Joan and I are both really looking forward to seeing you soon. I’ll send our itinerary in my next note. In the meantime, I hope all is well with you. Be warned, I shall be spending much of our holiday trying to persuade you to return the visit.
With kindest regards,
Janet Markham (and Aggie – who is also excited about meeting you)
Glossary of Terms
bin — trash can
biscuits — cookies
booking — reservation
boot — trunk (of a car)
car park — parking lot
chemist — pharmacist
chips — french fries
cuppa — cup of tea (informal)
en-suite — attached bathroom
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
midday — noon
pavement — sidewalk
petrol — gasoline (for a car)
pudding — dessert
puds — puddings (informal)
push chair — stroller
queue — line
saloon car — sedan
shopping trolley — shopping cart
telly — television
till — checkout (in a grocery store, for example)
torch — flashlight
uni — university (informally)
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.
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. A “terraced” house is one in a row of properties, where each unit is sold individually (usually called a row house in the US).
Acknowledgments
I’m grateful to Janice and Charlene, who keep beta reading for me for title after title. Thank you both!
Thanks to Denise, my editor, who works to correct all of the mistakes I make throughout every book. Her hard work is hugely appreciated.
And thanks to you, dear readers, who are the whole reason why I do this!
The story continues in…
The Jackson Case
A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella
Available September 15, 2017
When their neighbour, Stuart, asks for a simple favour, Janet and Joan Markham can’t refuse. They’re happy to let the man use their bed and breakfast, Doveby House, for a planning meeting. Stuart is part of a committee that’s putting together a charity fundraiser and the sisters are happy to support his efforts.
The committee members are an odd mix of retired London professionals and local characters, including Doveby Dale’s resident historian who has been ignoring Janet’s efforts to find out more about Alberta Montgomery, a former resident of Doveby House.
Can the sisters help Stuart put together a successful fundraiser? Can Janet get her questions about Alberta answered? Is there something criminal going on behind the scenes, and is it possible that someone from Doveby Dale is part of the conspiracy?
Also by Diana Xarissa
The Markham Sisters Cozy
Mystery Novella Series
The Appleton Case
The Chalmers Case
The Donaldson Case
The Ellsworth Case
The Fenton Case
The Green Case
The Hampton Case
The Jackson Case (release date: September 15, 2017)
The Isle of Man 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
Aunt Bessie Joins
Aunt Bessie Knows
Aunt Bessie Likes
Aunt Bessie Meets
Aunt Bessie Needs (release date: July 14, 2017)
The Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Series
Arrivals and Arrests
Boats and Bad Guys
Cars and Cold Cases
Dogs and Danger (release date: August 18, 2017)
The Isle of Man Romance Series
Island Escape
Island Inheri
tance
Island Heritage
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.
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.
Find Diana at:
www.dianaxarissa.com
diana@dianaxarissa.com
Table of Contents
Copyright
Table of Contents
Author’s Note
Letter to Bessie, part one
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Letter to Bessie, part two
Glossary of Terms
Other Notes
Acknowledgments
The Jackson Case
Also by Diana Xarissa
About the Author