The Appleton Case (A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella Book 1) Read online

  So you see, dear Bessie, Margaret Appleton wasn’t murdered at all, but Gavin was mixed up in something rather criminal anyway. I’ve taken to calling our little adventure “The Appleton Case,” which seems to annoy Joan for some reason.

  As for the foam party and the high heels, Joan and I have agreed that, even though we are around the same age as Margaret was, we’re quite happy to stick to sensible shoes and to stay out of nightclubs.

  Joan continues to see Michael about once a week. We’ve begun some minor redecorating in the two guest bedrooms and we would like nothing better than for you to be one of our first guests (of course we wouldn’t allow you to pay for your stay).

  We’ve yet to see or hear any more from our resident ghosts, but we haven’t had another full moon yet either, so you never know.

  Anyway, with The Appleton Case behind us, no doubt we will now be quietly settled in Doveby Dale for many uneventful years to come.

  Yours truly,

  Janet Markham

  Glossary of Terms

  biscuits

  cookies

  boot

  trunk (of a car)

  car park

  parking lot

  chemist

  pharmacist

  chips

  french fries

  crisps

  potato chips

  cuppa

  cup of tea (informal)

  estate agent

  realtor

  estate agency

  real estate agency

  flat

  apartment

  fortnight

  two weeks

  head teacher

  principal

  high street

  the main shopping street in a town or village

  holiday

  vacation

  jumper

  sweater

  loo

  restroom

  midday

  noon

  motorway

  highway

  pavement

  sidewalk

  petrol

  gasoline

  primary school

  elementary school

  pudding

  dessert

  queue

  line

  shopping trolley

  shopping cart

  telly

  television

  till

  check-out (in a grocery store, for example)

  Other Notes

  In the UK dates are written day, month, year rather than month, day, year as in the US. (April 2, 2015 would be written 2 April 2015 for example.)

  The “cloakroom” on the ground floor of Doveby House is what in the US would be described as a half-bath.

  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.

  An “en-suite” is a bathroom attached to a bedroom.

  A semi-detached property is one that shares one common wall with a neighbour. (Generally called a duplex in the US.)

  The DVLA is the “Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency.”

  When referring to time, in the UK they say “half something” rather than “something thirty”. (For example, half seven is seven thirty.)

  Foam parties were popular in Ibiza in the nineties, where foam canons or foam generators pumped out huge quantities of foam all over the dance floor.

  It has been pointed out to me that I talk about different biscuits, but don’t explain them. Digestive biscuits (usually just called digestives) are round, hard, slightly sweet and probably the most common biscuit in the UK. The closest US equivalent that I can come up with is a graham cracker, but digestives are less sweet and have a harder texture. You can find them covered with a layer of chocolate or even caramel and chocolate. Custard Creams are sandwich biscuits with a creamy custard flavoured centre.

  Coming September 18, 2015

  The second in the Markham Sisters

  Cozy Mystery Novella Series

  The Bennett Case

  Janet and Joan Markham are starting to feel settled in their new home. Now Joan is ready to start welcoming guests to their bed and breakfast, but Janet isn't so sure. When an unexpected visitor turns up, the sisters can't agree on what exactly they should do with the man, who is just a little too charming for Janet's liking.

  When the sisters learn that an escaped criminal might be hiding in their small Derbyshire village, they can't help but wonder if their guest is the man in question. A sudden rush of new arrivals to the area, all men around the same age as the escaped convict, has the sisters viewing everyone with suspicion. Was their first paying guest romantically involved with the previous owner? Why is he working so hard to charm Janet? With so many strangers around, all seemingly hiding something, can Janet resist doing a little bit of her own investigating?

  Also by Diana Xarissa

  The Aunt Bessie Cozy Mystery Series

  Aunt Bessie Assumes

  Aunt Bessie Believes

  Aunt Bessie Considers

  Aunt Bessie Decides

  Aunt Bessie Enjoys

  Aunt Bessie Finds (Release date: July 15, 2015)

  Aunt Bessie Goes (Release date: October 16, 2015)

  The Isle of Man Romance Series

  Island Escape

  Island Inheritance

  Island Heritage

  Island Christmas (Release date: December 1, 2015)

  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 the questions she gets asked the most.