What do you think?
Rate this book
Markham Sisters #10
The Jackson Case
When their neighbour, Stuart, asks for a simple favour, Janet and Joan Markham can’t refuse. They’re happy to let the man use their bed and breakfast, Doveby House, for a planning meeting. Stuart is part of a committee that’s putting together a charity fundraiser and the sisters are happy to support his efforts.
The committee members are an odd mix of retired London professionals and local characters, including Doveby Dale’s resident historian. He's been ignoring Janet’s efforts to find out more about Alberta Montgomery, a former resident of Doveby House.
Can the sisters help Stuart put together a successful fundraiser? Can Janet get her questions about Alberta answered? Is there something criminal going on behind the scenes, and is it possible that someone from Doveby Dale is part of the conspiracy?
The committee members are an odd mix of retired London professionals and local characters, including Doveby Dale’s resident historian. He's been ignoring Janet’s efforts to find out more about Alberta Montgomery, a former resident of Doveby House.
Can the sisters help Stuart put together a successful fundraiser? Can Janet get her questions about Alberta answered? Is there something criminal going on behind the scenes, and is it possible that someone from Doveby Dale is part of the conspiracy?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
106 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 15, 2017
157 people are currently reading
39 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
224 books262 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
March 16, 2018
This was a fun one, and there's a sort-of continuation in a later Aunt Bessie book (Aunt Bessie Observes.) Janet and Joan help out neighbor Stuart with a charity fundraiser, only to learn that the proceeds were stolen by 2 event organizers. The police think there's was a local who assisted in return for a slice of the profits, but who? It was enjoyable to watch the sisters unravel who the culprit was and I liked that Janet got at least some information on the mysterious Alberta Montgomery. There was a dropped plot thread with Edward that never came up again and left me wondering why it was in there at all. But overall, I really enjoyed this novella length mystery.
June 11, 2020
JALOPY. Same vintage chassis and engine disguised by a newly modified body. In this case, the body is a Charity Auction requiring considerable panel beating and even more filler. It is a shame the numerous grammatical errors were not also attended too.
There is no mystery. If the reader has previously read “Aunt Bessie Observes”, they would already know the outcome. If they have not, it takes minimal imagination to know what is occurring.
There is no mystery. If the reader has previously read “Aunt Bessie Observes”, they would already know the outcome. If they have not, it takes minimal imagination to know what is occurring.
September 19, 2017
Charity Auction/Gala comes to Doveby Dale & the Markham Sisters
Another solid whodunit in this series about a pair of retired school teacher sisters who own a B & B in an English village. When their neighbor (& gardener) Stuart seeks the sisters' help with a charity do for cancer, the ladies step up to the challenge, bailing out the committee of men who seem quite disorganized. No murder in this installment, but plenty of mystery & crime.
While novella length, the story furthers the series and gives insight into some of the regular characters. Well written, the series (as well as Aunt Bessie series) are charming with varied three-dimensional characters in lovely settings and feature amateur sleuths working with police (usually) to solve various crimes. Although it is a challenge to fully flesh out characters in novella length stories, the author manages to give readers enough to be engaged with them and actually feel as they 'know' them. I highly recommend Ms. Xarissa 's Markham Sisters series, as well as her 2 Isle of Man series--Aunt Bessie & Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series.
Another solid whodunit in this series about a pair of retired school teacher sisters who own a B & B in an English village. When their neighbor (& gardener) Stuart seeks the sisters' help with a charity do for cancer, the ladies step up to the challenge, bailing out the committee of men who seem quite disorganized. No murder in this installment, but plenty of mystery & crime.
While novella length, the story furthers the series and gives insight into some of the regular characters. Well written, the series (as well as Aunt Bessie series) are charming with varied three-dimensional characters in lovely settings and feature amateur sleuths working with police (usually) to solve various crimes. Although it is a challenge to fully flesh out characters in novella length stories, the author manages to give readers enough to be engaged with them and actually feel as they 'know' them. I highly recommend Ms. Xarissa 's Markham Sisters series, as well as her 2 Isle of Man series--Aunt Bessie & Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series.
May 26, 2020
No change in the western front
No change here either.. same silly irritating issues, still full and needing proper proof reading and editing..
Can no longer be bothered to provide information.. this is not serious literature but still a degree of research should have been carried out..
No change here either.. same silly irritating issues, still full and needing proper proof reading and editing..
Can no longer be bothered to provide information.. this is not serious literature but still a degree of research should have been carried out..
September 19, 2017
Love all Diana Xarissa's series. This one included. I'm all caught up on all 3 series, anxiously awaiting for the next installments. I listen on my Kindle Fire with Text to speech, I use the British woman's voice..it adds to the enjoyment a lot. 😊
September 27, 2017
Entertaining with A bit of mystery
This was an entertaining mystery, as the people in the Markham sisters life become meshed in an embezzlement scheme. It is well written and it is a bit of a challenge to guess the culprits.
This was an entertaining mystery, as the people in the Markham sisters life become meshed in an embezzlement scheme. It is well written and it is a bit of a challenge to guess the culprits.
January 5, 2018
Very enjoyable!
From the first moment I read a Markham Sister novella, I was hooked! This one was no different as I sat and drank my tea while I tried to help JoAn and Janet work out the mystery.
From the first moment I read a Markham Sister novella, I was hooked! This one was no different as I sat and drank my tea while I tried to help JoAn and Janet work out the mystery.
February 7, 2018
read before the Aunt Bessie book
I love the Aunt Bessie books and this book and the Aunt Bessie have enough similarities that you will know who one of the criminals is and figure out the plot easily. This is a very good book and you may not guess who is the accomplice.
I love the Aunt Bessie books and this book and the Aunt Bessie have enough similarities that you will know who one of the criminals is and figure out the plot easily. This is a very good book and you may not guess who is the accomplice.
April 18, 2020
Another fun read
I enjoyed this story but the mystery was a little easier to solve. I kept thinking why don't these characters realise how suspicious this is. I've come to think of the Markham sisters are smarter than that. Still looking forward to the next one.
I enjoyed this story but the mystery was a little easier to solve. I kept thinking why don't these characters realise how suspicious this is. I've come to think of the Markham sisters are smarter than that. Still looking forward to the next one.
November 17, 2021
easy reading
No swearing…violence…or immoral conduct. Not found even a murder. Mostly solving none violent crimes. Cute. Good development of characters. They come and go but come back.
No swearing…violence…or immoral conduct. Not found even a murder. Mostly solving none violent crimes. Cute. Good development of characters. They come and go but come back.
July 27, 2023
Truly Wonderful
The Markham sisters are truly amazing. They seem to be able to solve the mystery without even trying. These stories are wonderful. B the characters are fantastic. It was hard to put it down.
The Markham sisters are truly amazing. They seem to be able to solve the mystery without even trying. These stories are wonderful. B the characters are fantastic. It was hard to put it down.
January 25, 2024
I have given this one 3 and a half stars as the mystery, while solved, didn't end up with an arrest of the main villains. Also because one of the characters, a male, was named Winifred, and I've only ever heard of that as a woman's name. Otherwise, it was quite good.
September 22, 2017
Love the Markham sisters!
I can't wait for the next novella. I may even read the next aunt Bessie, the sisters are in it. The intertwined relationships have totally captivated me.
I can't wait for the next novella. I may even read the next aunt Bessie, the sisters are in it. The intertwined relationships have totally captivated me.
September 24, 2017
Entertaining read. Love the series.
October 30, 2017
Fun
Quick fun read. Have read of charity scams in the papers before and the author wove it into this story very believably.
Quick fun read. Have read of charity scams in the papers before and the author wove it into this story very believably.
November 6, 2017
very interesting story
December 12, 2017
Light reading
I thought the story ended half way through. I would have liked for the criminals to be caught. It had enjoyable characters.
I thought the story ended half way through. I would have liked for the criminals to be caught. It had enjoyable characters.
August 14, 2018
Another fun gentle cozy mystery! I really like this series for nice quick cozy mysteries- no murder just gentle little mysteries in a lovely setting.
December 30, 2023
The Markham sisters' neighbor, friend, and sometime-gardener, Stuart, asks to use a room at Doveby House to host a committee meeting to plan a charity fundraiser. They agree, and before long, they are peripherally involved in the event.
In spite of much confusion and many mix-ups, the night of the charity auction is very successful, raising many thousands of pounds to fight cancer. Until it's discovered that Norman and Julian, committee members from London, have absconded with all the cash ...
In spite of much confusion and many mix-ups, the night of the charity auction is very successful, raising many thousands of pounds to fight cancer. Until it's discovered that Norman and Julian, committee members from London, have absconded with all the cash ...
April 10, 2023
The Markham sisters' gardener, Stuart, asks to use their dining room for a planning meeting. From what the sisters are overhearing, it's apparent that the Board members are trying to quickly arrange for a charity auction. However, nothing seems to have been properly looked after; they have yet to secure a venue or print the tickets-- and the event is only days away. To help out their friend Stuart,Janet and Joan get involved in preparations, but things seem to go steadily wrong.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews