The Donaldson Case Read online

  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 trolley

  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.