The Somerset Case

Markham Sisters #19

by Diana Xarissa

Everyone enjoys getting flowers, especially around Valentine’s Day, but Stacey, the waitress at the local café, is less than happy with the ones she’s been getting. Someone has been sending her flowers anonymously every day since the first of February, and she’s had enough.The cards with the flowers have been getting increasingly sinister, but Stacey is reluctant to bother the local police constable with her problem. Instead, she shares her thoughts about the flowers and some possible senders with Janet and Joan Markham. The sisters own the local bed and breakfast, and Janet helped Stacey in the past when she was out of work. Once the Markhams hear Stacey’s story, they insist on ringing the police. Constable Robert Parsons takes the matter very seriously, suggesting that Stacey quit working and find somewhere else to stay until after Valentine’s Day.Can the sisters help Robert work out who is sending the flowers? Can they keep Stacey safe if she comes to stay in one of their guest rooms? And why is Michael Donaldson, Joan’s boyfriend, seemingly avoiding her?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

110 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 24, 2020

About the author

Diana 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.

Reviews

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Somerset Case is just like the other books in this series, short, sweet, but the mystery is there. Who'd think that mystery would revolve around flowers being sent during Valentines month! Stacy has a secret admirer that while that might be flattering at first, after a time they can/did become rather scary. Because the sisters (Joan and Janet) had helped Stacy in the past, she sought out their help again. They agreed that this needed to be investigated and decided to call the constable for help. Who/what helps solve the mystery surprised me, but I guess it's par for the course with the Markham sisters.

[Charline Romine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good Sleuthing

Stacy caught the eye of a secret admirer. He had been sending flowers every day to the cafe where she worked, leading up to Valentine’s Day. Janet and Joan got a short list of who Stacy thought her admirer might be and they started sleuthing. The first thing they did was call Robert, the local constable. It is interesting how the story turns out. It might involve some fancy driving on Janets part and an ambulance ride for someone else. But you will never believe, until you read it with your own eyes, the two hankie very romantic ending!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stacey, a young lady who works at the local Doveby Dale cafe, has been receiving bouquets of flowers from an unknown admirer every day for more than a week. Each delivery is accompanied by a note, and the notes are getting creepier by the day.

Stacey's employers, Todd and Ted, and Janet Markham as well, think Stacey should report the suspicious behavior to Constable Robert Parsons. There are three men -- Neil, Fred, and Grady -- that may be Stacey's admirer / stalker ... but can Janet or Robert find out which, before Valentine's Day?

[A G A VAN DEN BOS · Rating 3 out of 5]

SUPERNATURAL. Despite the usual inconsistencies and contradictions expressed in this series, and while almost half the book consists of the now trademark summaries of previous books, this one does in fact have a palpable story. It even has a touch of mystery which is ridiculously solved by a psychic cat.

[Lesley Hewitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

I love these books, Diana really makes you feel like you are there watching everything unfold. They are an easy pleasant read and the two sisters Janet and Joan are lovely. I hope there will be lots more books featuring these characters.

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story

This was a good story. The mystery was pretty easy to follow but the story around it was fun. I think I'm going to miss Doveby Dale when I get to the end of this series. I love seeing the characters growing and changing. Looking forward to the next in the series.

[ann reeves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love these books, have read them all, now know the sisters well.
The story line keeps you guessing. Would like the books to be a little longer.
Looking forward to the next installment.

[Lizabeth Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

This book was a bit different but still very enjoyable and a good mystery. I'm still waiting for Edward to come back!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG, totally enjoyed the latest visit with the Markham sisters, can't wait to read the next...

[Amanda Jane · Rating 1 out of 5]

Well I laughed..

It was so ridiculous I couldn't help myself!

Really a very weird and totally unbelievable ending to an overly silly plot.

[Barbara Fischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somerset Case

Have enjoyed reading this series. The Markham Sisters are delightful and remarkable that they could live together for so long. Shows how close family can be.

[Alayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very nice story, and thankfully, Donald is again the name of the newsagent! A case of stalking and some difficulties in Joan and Michael's relationship made for an interesting mystery!