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.
The Appleton Case (A Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novella Book 1) Page 9