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The Smith Assignment
When Joan and Michael go away on a fortnight’s holiday, Janet and Edward are left to run the bed and breakfast in their absence. They had been warned that the top-secret government agency which had formerly employed them might be sending guests to stay during the fortnight, but Janet wasn’t expecting the guests who actually arrived.
Mr. Jones, Edward’s former handler, arrived first. He was followed by two men who seemed perfectly ordinary in every way. On their first night in Doveby Dale, the trio headed to the local pub. The next morning, as their guests enjoy breakfast, the local radio shares the news that one of their fellow pubgoers was murdered. And it very quickly becomes evident that the three guests at Doveby House are high on the list of suspects.
Without knowing why they’re in Doveby Dale, it’s difficult for Janet and Edward to work out whether any of their guests had a motive for the murder or not, but it doesn’t take them long to find motives for the dead man’s closest friends. The man’s mysterious past also suggests possible motives, but those seem to point back at the Doveby House guests. Janet and Edward are determined to find the killer and help Mr. Jones and the agency as much as they can in this nineteenth book in the series.
Mr. Jones, Edward’s former handler, arrived first. He was followed by two men who seemed perfectly ordinary in every way. On their first night in Doveby Dale, the trio headed to the local pub. The next morning, as their guests enjoy breakfast, the local radio shares the news that one of their fellow pubgoers was murdered. And it very quickly becomes evident that the three guests at Doveby House are high on the list of suspects.
Without knowing why they’re in Doveby Dale, it’s difficult for Janet and Edward to work out whether any of their guests had a motive for the murder or not, but it doesn’t take them long to find motives for the dead man’s closest friends. The man’s mysterious past also suggests possible motives, but those seem to point back at the Doveby House guests. Janet and Edward are determined to find the killer and help Mr. Jones and the agency as much as they can in this nineteenth book in the series.
228 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 7, 2026
About the author
Diana Xarissa
297 books272 followersDiana started self-publishing in 2013 and over a decade later she now has over a hundred books available for readers. Writing remains her passion and she has no plans to stop writing in the foreseeable future.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
Diana grew up in Erie, Pennsylvania, and earned a history degree from Allegheny College. She met her husband, an Englishman, while living and working in Washington, DC. Following their marriage, she moved to Derbyshire. A short while later, the happy couple moved to the Isle of Man.
During their years on the island, Diana and her husband welcomed two children, and Diana completed a master’s degree in the history of the island. In 2008, the family made the decision to move to the US. Now empty-nesters, Diana and her husband are living in the suburbs of Buffalo, New York, and contemplating moving somewhere that doesn’t get snow.
Diana also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future as Diana X. Dunn and Young Adult fiction as D.X. Dunn.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
August 19, 2026
Diana never disappoints. I found it hard to put the book down and kept reading just one more chapter until it was the early hours of the morning (3.15am). Lucky I am retired. Diana keeps you rivetted but her cosy mystery plots are not disturbing, just interesting, wanting you to find out the perpetrator of the crime but also not wanting the book to end, I always look forward eagerly to the next book in each series.
August 10, 2026
Who Loves Who?
Quite good! One of a group of friends ended up dead. This is a classic “who done it” with lots of clues. Janet and Edward are involved because they are in charge of the Bed and Breakfast for a fortnight. Fortunately, Mr. Jones is in on the second story incorporated into the plot. Good reading!
Quite good! One of a group of friends ended up dead. This is a classic “who done it” with lots of clues. Janet and Edward are involved because they are in charge of the Bed and Breakfast for a fortnight. Fortunately, Mr. Jones is in on the second story incorporated into the plot. Good reading!
August 10, 2026
Lovely
Edward and Janet’s stories are always fun and interesting. I do enjoy their relationship. I’m glad for Mr. Jones, I like him and he respects Janet. Looking forward to for the next one.
Edward and Janet’s stories are always fun and interesting. I do enjoy their relationship. I’m glad for Mr. Jones, I like him and he respects Janet. Looking forward to for the next one.
August 13, 2026
The Reason why I Read Every Book Diana Xarissa Wtites
Great story! Well written, and I didn't find any typos. Diana keeps the integrity of the characters, over all her many series, and I love every character.
Great story! Well written, and I didn't find any typos. Diana keeps the integrity of the characters, over all her many series, and I love every character.
September 14, 2026
I enjoy this series. It's easy to follow, the characters are likeable. I know it's not usual that the suspect confesses right away but it wrapped up the story.
September 20, 2026
enjoyed the book
September 22, 2026
Great read
As always, this was a complex problem with mostly agreeable characters. I always enjoy this series with its smart and loving couple solving/saving the day!
As always, this was a complex problem with mostly agreeable characters. I always enjoy this series with its smart and loving couple solving/saving the day!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews