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Markham Sisters #2
The Bennett Case
Please note that this is a novella length story (around 25,000 words). The story is complete, no cliff hanger endings.
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?
This new series of novella length stories will be quick reads with lighter story lines (and a lot fewer bodies) than the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series by the same author. This is the second novella in the series. They are best read in alphabetical order, like the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books. You do not have to read that series to enjoy this one.
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?
This new series of novella length stories will be quick reads with lighter story lines (and a lot fewer bodies) than the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series by the same author. This is the second novella in the series. They are best read in alphabetical order, like the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery books. You do not have to read that series to enjoy this one.
108 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 18, 2015
228 people are currently reading
87 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
228 books264 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 - 29 of 35 reviews
November 25, 2018
"Janet sighed. 'We aren't very good at this detecting thing.'"
"'No, I suppose not,' Joan answered."
"The Bennett Case" (2015, *Vellum) is second in the Markham Sisters series of cozy mysteries by Diana Xarissa. This novella is set in 1998 in Doveby Dale, a fictional town in Derbyshire, England. From the author's note: "You don't have to read the books in the series in order, but the characters will develop as the series goes along, so I recommend that you do." The Markham sisters first appeared in Aunt Bessie Decides , which is book four in her Isle of Man series of cozy mysteries.
*This book was "created with Vellum," which appears to mean that Diana Xarissa self-published this book.
I actually read this story in A Markham Sisters Collection - ABCD , figuring I'd have the option of reading up to four novellas within my August Kindle Lending Library loan. I had to move on after two books in order to keep up with the my reading schedule, but may borrow it again someday. Click here to see my review of the first book in this series.
Rating: 4 Stars
The plot: This series centers around sisters Joan (who likes to cook and does everything by the book) and Janet (whose curiosity tends to get the better of her). The Markham sisters are both in their 60's and are retired schoolteachers. At the beginning of book one, they purchased a bed-and-breakfast, which they are now trying to get "up and running."
All of the Markham Sister novellas begin and end with a letter to Bessie, "without giving away any details from the Bessie series." From Janet's letter to Bessie about The Bennett Case: "Things were moving along quite nicely last month until we had a very unexpected visitor. Little did we know that his arrival was just the first in what would begin to feel like a rush in newcomers to the neighbourhood."
Christian elements: When Janet's curiosity comes into play, "she couldn't stop herself from trying." Come on! Sure she could! I intensely dislike this phrase because it implies that we do not have control over what we choose to do. I believe this book would pass muster for readers of Christian/inspirational fiction.
Is it clean/chaste? Yes! There's at least one kiss.
What I liked:
*The mystery is extremely cozy. It was definitely an atypical mystery, and I appreciated that. This was true of book one also, and I'm wondering if the trend will continue throughout the series. A side effect of this is that it certainly makes for a more plausible set of stories.
*As in book one, this book followed English spelling conventions and included a glossary at the back of the book for the English terms.
*At one point, Janet says, "And I taught French at our village primary school for many years as well." I was pretty confident this was a result of poor researching on the part of the author and was poised to put it in the "didn't like" section of this review. However, I looked around on the internet, and apparently, learning foreign languages is common in English primary schools! Color me surprised!
What I didn’t like:
*I think it's a bit of a stretch of the imagination to suppose that the sisters' first mystery was in August of 1998 and the second in September of the same year. My mother and I used to watch Murder She Wrote, and she was fond of saying that she would never invite Jessica Fletcher anywhere. Because wherever she goes, there's bound to be a murder! Maybe the Markham sisters are supposed to be like that - a pair of mystery magnets. And the reader just accepts it because he wants to read mysteries with a familiar heroine!
***********
The bottom line: This is a super-clean, super-cozy mystery, and I recommend it to fans of such. I've decided I want to continue reading Ms. Xarissa's books, so next time I need an X, I'll probably read The Chalmers Case.
"'No, I suppose not,' Joan answered."
"The Bennett Case" (2015, *Vellum) is second in the Markham Sisters series of cozy mysteries by Diana Xarissa. This novella is set in 1998 in Doveby Dale, a fictional town in Derbyshire, England. From the author's note: "You don't have to read the books in the series in order, but the characters will develop as the series goes along, so I recommend that you do." The Markham sisters first appeared in Aunt Bessie Decides , which is book four in her Isle of Man series of cozy mysteries.
*This book was "created with Vellum," which appears to mean that Diana Xarissa self-published this book.
I actually read this story in A Markham Sisters Collection - ABCD , figuring I'd have the option of reading up to four novellas within my August Kindle Lending Library loan. I had to move on after two books in order to keep up with the my reading schedule, but may borrow it again someday. Click here to see my review of the first book in this series.
Rating: 4 Stars
The plot: This series centers around sisters Joan (who likes to cook and does everything by the book) and Janet (whose curiosity tends to get the better of her). The Markham sisters are both in their 60's and are retired schoolteachers. At the beginning of book one, they purchased a bed-and-breakfast, which they are now trying to get "up and running."
All of the Markham Sister novellas begin and end with a letter to Bessie, "without giving away any details from the Bessie series." From Janet's letter to Bessie about The Bennett Case: "Things were moving along quite nicely last month until we had a very unexpected visitor. Little did we know that his arrival was just the first in what would begin to feel like a rush in newcomers to the neighbourhood."
Christian elements: When Janet's curiosity comes into play, "she couldn't stop herself from trying." Come on! Sure she could! I intensely dislike this phrase because it implies that we do not have control over what we choose to do. I believe this book would pass muster for readers of Christian/inspirational fiction.
Is it clean/chaste? Yes! There's at least one kiss.
What I liked:
*The mystery is extremely cozy. It was definitely an atypical mystery, and I appreciated that. This was true of book one also, and I'm wondering if the trend will continue throughout the series. A side effect of this is that it certainly makes for a more plausible set of stories.
*As in book one, this book followed English spelling conventions and included a glossary at the back of the book for the English terms.
*At one point, Janet says, "And I taught French at our village primary school for many years as well." I was pretty confident this was a result of poor researching on the part of the author and was poised to put it in the "didn't like" section of this review. However, I looked around on the internet, and apparently, learning foreign languages is common in English primary schools! Color me surprised!
What I didn’t like:
*I think it's a bit of a stretch of the imagination to suppose that the sisters' first mystery was in August of 1998 and the second in September of the same year. My mother and I used to watch Murder She Wrote, and she was fond of saying that she would never invite Jessica Fletcher anywhere. Because wherever she goes, there's bound to be a murder! Maybe the Markham sisters are supposed to be like that - a pair of mystery magnets. And the reader just accepts it because he wants to read mysteries with a familiar heroine!
***********
The bottom line: This is a super-clean, super-cozy mystery, and I recommend it to fans of such. I've decided I want to continue reading Ms. Xarissa's books, so next time I need an X, I'll probably read The Chalmers Case.
September 4, 2024
I've quickly become of fan of the Markham Sisters series and its author, Diana Xarissa. They're quick reads and good, cozy mysteries without the blood and gore of murders.
In this story, Janet and Joan are sisters who've recently acquired a B&B. As their first visitors begin to arrive, they become suspicious of one in particular. Couple that with an escaped convict has escaped from prison and he's a master at disguise so when the Constable tells them they can't give a description of the con, they are even more suspicious of their guest(s).
It is really just a feel good kind of mystery and I plan to read the next book too.
In this story, Janet and Joan are sisters who've recently acquired a B&B. As their first visitors begin to arrive, they become suspicious of one in particular. Couple that with an escaped convict has escaped from prison and he's a master at disguise so when the Constable tells them they can't give a description of the con, they are even more suspicious of their guest(s).
It is really just a feel good kind of mystery and I plan to read the next book too.
August 16, 2019
This book was what I would consider a cozy novella. I really didn't get attached to any of the characters. The mystery was focused on which new man in town was the escaped prisoner. I felt like it really never got developed very well and didn't have enough twists and turns for me to enjoy it. I much prefer Xarissa's Aunt Bessie series.
January 29, 2018
Another delight! I love that this cozy series does not have murders-- just little mysteries. I also like that they are novellas. Perfect little treats!
June 18, 2018
Cute, quick second installment. Love the fact that these books can be read in an hour or so. :-)
October 5, 2015
The Bennett Case I love this author's books, both the Aunt Bessie series and this, the Markham Sisters series. Both are light, quick reads, usually not much more than a hundred or two hundred pages, making them an enjoyable way to spend an evening.
In The Bennett Case, elderly sisters Joan and Janet, recently the new proprietors of a B&B they've been working to open. Their first guest, an unexpected visitor, the charming 60-ish Edward Bennett, appears at their door. From the start, he appears to be hiding something, and the sisters, although charmed, are distrustful. Friendly Police Constable Robert Parsons shows up not long after to warn the sisters that a conman has escaped from prison. The conman is a master of disguise, so police do not have a good description of him, other than he's a man of about 60. Soon after, several neighbors suddenly have unexpected guests, all of about the same age as the escaped conman. But which of the visitors is the convict?
This was a good old-fashioned non-murder plot. I love how the author is able to move the story along with just enough detail to fill in the story without a lot of drama or fluff. The Markham sisters are just adorable, with Janet being just a bit Miss Marple-ish.
The only negative I can think of is that there's very little feeling of location. It's set in a small village in England, but as I'm not very familiar with the English countryside, I really can't place where it is. Still, it sounds like one of those quaint English villages you see on TV. But I'd like to see a little more of the countryside. The books in the series have so far just stayed at the B&B.
Overall, I love that these are such a delightful and sedate stories, and I really enjoy it.
In The Bennett Case, elderly sisters Joan and Janet, recently the new proprietors of a B&B they've been working to open. Their first guest, an unexpected visitor, the charming 60-ish Edward Bennett, appears at their door. From the start, he appears to be hiding something, and the sisters, although charmed, are distrustful. Friendly Police Constable Robert Parsons shows up not long after to warn the sisters that a conman has escaped from prison. The conman is a master of disguise, so police do not have a good description of him, other than he's a man of about 60. Soon after, several neighbors suddenly have unexpected guests, all of about the same age as the escaped conman. But which of the visitors is the convict?
This was a good old-fashioned non-murder plot. I love how the author is able to move the story along with just enough detail to fill in the story without a lot of drama or fluff. The Markham sisters are just adorable, with Janet being just a bit Miss Marple-ish.
The only negative I can think of is that there's very little feeling of location. It's set in a small village in England, but as I'm not very familiar with the English countryside, I really can't place where it is. Still, it sounds like one of those quaint English villages you see on TV. But I'd like to see a little more of the countryside. The books in the series have so far just stayed at the B&B.
Overall, I love that these are such a delightful and sedate stories, and I really enjoy it.
January 31, 2024
THE BENNETT CASE is better than the first book/novella but the 'mysteries' to be solved are rather banal. I may try one additional book to see if I can be won over. If not I'll try another Xarissa series.
September 9, 2019
I've read this book before and enjoy the series so much that I'm reading them again as I wait for the next one to come out.
In this story Joan and Janet have a sudden influx of men in their lives---and home---as they launch their new Bed & Breakfast business, but is one of them the notorious escaped convict Peter Smith? They seem to all have some secret and some are quite cop-shy.
And who is the handsome, enigmatic Edward Bennet, who shows up claiming to be a good friend of former-owner Maggie Appleton, and having "a prior reservation" they must honour? He pays well for his stay; local folks seem to know and trust him. He seems quite taken with Janet, but she has her own reservations, especially after she catches him prowling around the library in the middle of the night.
The only thing that bothered me with this story is that the characters all "mutter" so often. It seems to be the writer's favourite speech verb.
In this story Joan and Janet have a sudden influx of men in their lives---and home---as they launch their new Bed & Breakfast business, but is one of them the notorious escaped convict Peter Smith? They seem to all have some secret and some are quite cop-shy.
And who is the handsome, enigmatic Edward Bennet, who shows up claiming to be a good friend of former-owner Maggie Appleton, and having "a prior reservation" they must honour? He pays well for his stay; local folks seem to know and trust him. He seems quite taken with Janet, but she has her own reservations, especially after she catches him prowling around the library in the middle of the night.
The only thing that bothered me with this story is that the characters all "mutter" so often. It seems to be the writer's favourite speech verb.
December 23, 2018
Fluff. Good fluff, but nevertheless fluff. I thoroughly enjoyed this author's Isle of Man Cozy Ghostly Mysteries, but this was just too empty of content. The protagonists don't solve anything, they just cook and eat and read and (for some reason) take careful note of everybody's height — the men, that is; is this a female-over-sixty thing which I don't understand? The atmosphere and ambience are pleasantly cozy, all right, but the British colloquialisms are a bit laboured — the English don't always call dessert "pudding", "sweet" is even more common (or was when I lived there), and some of the terms "plop", obviously inserted for colour, not to advance the plot. Pleasant but VERY light.
April 22, 2020
Constable Parsons drops by to warn the Markham sisters that there is a possible fugitive in the Doveby Dale area, an escaped con artist by the name of Peter Smith. The problem is, there are four recent arrivals that fit Smith's general age and description.
Could it be the sisters' first paying guest, the charming but enigmatic Edward Bennett? Mary Long's sort-of-relative, James Abbott? The irritable and irritating William Chalmers, who seems to have something to hide? Or Michael Donaldson's old school friend, dull-as-dust Leonard Simmons?
Could it be the sisters' first paying guest, the charming but enigmatic Edward Bennett? Mary Long's sort-of-relative, James Abbott? The irritable and irritating William Chalmers, who seems to have something to hide? Or Michael Donaldson's old school friend, dull-as-dust Leonard Simmons?
May 16, 2020
It's raining men, and they all seem suspicious
The sisters hadn't planned on their first guest, who insists on staying there. An escaped con man is in town, but which of the men who suddenly show up is he? And why do they seem to keep changing their plans?
I love the dynamic between the sisters.
The sisters hadn't planned on their first guest, who insists on staying there. An escaped con man is in town, but which of the men who suddenly show up is he? And why do they seem to keep changing their plans?
I love the dynamic between the sisters.
May 31, 2020
BRILLIANT. So far, better than the Bessie stories, and long may it continue. A concise story (which could have in fact probably been expanded without weakening it), and realistic enough to draw the reader into believing they themselves have a relationship with the Markham sisters and are present in the story.
June 14, 2020
3.5 rating. The story was intriguing enough and kept me reading to see who dunnit and how. I just don't get how grown women, teachers, can continually allow themselves to let others impose their will on them and get themselves in troublesome situations . They just stand by and let people do whatever they want. Drives me crazy.
April 5, 2022
Enjoyable but Short
This novella is rather enjoyable, a great pleasure to read. I like characters; they feel very real.
Being a novella, it is short. No problem. But this claims to be a mystery, and it is at best mystery-adjacent. The sisters talk about it, but it does not involve them.
Still a nice read.
This novella is rather enjoyable, a great pleasure to read. I like characters; they feel very real.
Being a novella, it is short. No problem. But this claims to be a mystery, and it is at best mystery-adjacent. The sisters talk about it, but it does not involve them.
Still a nice read.
September 20, 2017
Good story
The Markham sisters have their hands full with six men popping in and out of their not quite ready B&B. The story is well written and the ending is a surprise in more ways than one. Loved this one.
The Markham sisters have their hands full with six men popping in and out of their not quite ready B&B. The story is well written and the ending is a surprise in more ways than one. Loved this one.
June 18, 2018
not all as it appears
An escaped convict gives the twin sisters something to mull over. Is all as it seems. Another well written story but again missing that magic ingredient. Perhaps the third is the charm.
An escaped convict gives the twin sisters something to mull over. Is all as it seems. Another well written story but again missing that magic ingredient. Perhaps the third is the charm.
August 30, 2019
I just enjoy the quiet way your stories lead you to a conclusion!!!!!
I would recommend these stories to friends!!!! So glad I found this series of books!!!!! Look forward to the next book in this series!!!
I would recommend these stories to friends!!!! So glad I found this series of books!!!!! Look forward to the next book in this series!!!
May 25, 2020
Marginally better..
But still written with dull extraneous details, really unlikely and several very unlikeable characters.. it's a joke on itself when the author has Janet remark that "not all published books are good books". Irony, obviously lost on her!
But still written with dull extraneous details, really unlikely and several very unlikeable characters.. it's a joke on itself when the author has Janet remark that "not all published books are good books". Irony, obviously lost on her!
January 17, 2023
Wonderful Little Mysteries
Charming setting and interesting characters that keep you reading. These short and very readable mysteries are wonderful to relax after a busy say. Take your mind to another place and time.
Charming setting and interesting characters that keep you reading. These short and very readable mysteries are wonderful to relax after a busy say. Take your mind to another place and time.
January 24, 2018
A really fun read. Lots of suspects so you do not know which one is the bad guy. I a believe I will really enjoy this series.
June 9, 2019
I thoroughly enjoy this series.
April 12, 2020
Another good read
This was another fun quick read. Looking forward to more adventures with the Markham sisters.I would love to stay at their bed and breakfast.
This was another fun quick read. Looking forward to more adventures with the Markham sisters.I would love to stay at their bed and breakfast.
May 14, 2020
A good short story mystery. Each one builds on the last. Recommended.
July 17, 2020
Enjoyed the story. Hard to put down.
December 29, 2020
Excellent
Another easy read.....I just love the sisters and their adventures.
Looking forward to the next adventure. The Chalmers case 😋
Another easy read.....I just love the sisters and their adventures.
Looking forward to the next adventure. The Chalmers case 😋
March 17, 2021
Easy lighthearted read
A lovely read between more challenging reads. I love Janet and Joan. Life doesn't end when you get to your sixties and retire.
A lovely read between more challenging reads. I love Janet and Joan. Life doesn't end when you get to your sixties and retire.
March 29, 2021
I adore this series!
January 19, 2024
Another very enjoyable novella in the Markham Sisters series. Easy reading and entertaining.
September 20, 2015
This was excellent! Well worth the wait for it to hit the market! Xarissa is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors. Her 2 Isle of Man series and this one are phenomenal, and really hit the mark for good reading. Interesting, fun, and full of intrigue, the Markham Sisters series is just as good as the Aunt Bessie series. Love how well these two sisters play off of each other. Just read the series. Since they are in aphabetical order, now is the time to backtrack and catch up before she gets too many more published...
Displaying 1 - 29 of 35 reviews