The Xanders Case

Markham Sisters #24

by Diana Xarissa

Janet has Doveby House, the bed and breakfast she owns with her sister, Joan, all to herself for a few weeks, and she’s enjoying the solitude. When sirens in the middle of the night wake her, however, things get complicated.Stuart and Mary Long have lived across the road from Doveby House for years. Now their half of the semi-detached property has burned to the ground and Stuart was lucky to escape the blaze with his life. When the police determine that the fire was started deliberately, Janet can’t help but get involved in the investigation. Having never cared for Mary, Janet immediately puts the woman at the top of her list of suspects, but the more she learns about both Mary and Stuart, the longer the list becomes. Meanwhile, Janet has found another source for information about Alberta Montgomery, the woman who used to live in Doveby House. Janet is convinced that Alberta’s ghost is haunting her bedroom, but Annie Saylor, who actually knew Alberta, just laughs at the idea.Can Janet work out who started the fire at the Long’s house? Can she find out more about Alberta or will Annie continue to keep her long-held secrets? And can Janet look after herself and her kitten, Aggie, for three whole weeks while Joan is away?

Genres: Mystery

108 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 18, 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

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

XARELONGATION. In typical fashion for this particular series, xarelasticity was applied in order to construct a story of desired length. It was convenient that there were so many characters to who the details of the story had to be repeated to, and a clearly focused brewing animosity toward another could be maintained to achieve a desired outcome.
Despite this, there is actually a developing story, free of the usual recitations of each characters history, and for this reason, the readers interest is held, and the star rating for this particular story is higher than many of the preceding stories of the series.

[Charline Romine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Janet the Sleuth

Janet missed her calling! She was a teacher all of her career but in Doveby Dale she has become a great detective. This story is about Stewart and his wife Mary. Who is up to what, exactly? Good short story.

[Sonja Lindquist · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great cozy

The characters and plots are interesting, relatable and more like ordinary lives in small towns and villages without gratuitous violence which, sadly, in my opinion, you can find (cannot avoid) everywhere in media. I enjoy the pace of these stories. Thank you.

[Carolee DeWitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am reading the entire series, only two more left and I will miss these stories. Sweet story of spencer sisters 1who were retired school teachers. They are in their early sixties and inherited money that they used to purchase a B&B. They also find romance which is really sweet.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series. Looking forward to the sister's adventures in the future. Very low key and comfortable to visit their small village. Have read the whole alphabet, also all the Aunt Bessie series.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fire across the street from Doveby House sends Janet Markham's friend and neighbor, Stuart Long, to the hospital. Did the fire start by accident, or was it set on purpose? And if it was arson, was Stuart the intended victim?

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

really enjoyed the novella, it was a hoot, can't wait for the next one

[Rosemary Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solo Sister

Again a well written cozy mystery by one of my favorite authors! Life moves on and changes, as it does.

[Lizabeth Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

So glad to be rid of that person! Great mystery, nice bit of mix up in it. I'm really looking forward to see what happens when Edward retires!

[Karen A. Bell]

Loved it, as usual.

[Debra Adelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nice and cozy

I love the chat back and forth, nice dialog between the characters. Makes me want to visit the Markham sisters.

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally we have got rid of a couple of unpleasant people! A twisty story which was very satisfying.

[Caroline Bruder · Rating 2 out of 5]

At the end of the year I only had 2 letters left in my ABC challenge and X Was one of them. I couldn’t find a proper fantasy book which is my preferred genre but I found this little mystery book, which is another genre I enjoy.

This book is basically a Murder She Wrote episode. Cute, mysterious, but not great. I’m glad it was only 100 pages. Very predictable.