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Janet Markham Bennett Cozy #9
The Ingram Assignment
Janet is happy to be back in Doveby Dale, under the same roof as her sister, Joan. The arrangement is only temporary, as Janet and her husband, Edward, are planning to move out to the carriage house on the grounds of the bed and breakfast that Joan and Janet own. Still, after several exciting months travelling all over the world on various assignments for a top-secret government agency, Janet is looking forward to some rest and relaxation.
The agency has other plans, of course. Now that Janet has shown herself to be a valuable asset to the agency, it’s been decided that she needs some formal training. Having spent some weeks learning the basics in London, now that they’re in Doveby Dale, the agency has a few training assignments for Janet. They’re meant to be simple exercises, designed to test her skills, but the very first one goes badly wrong.
Now Janet and Edward have to do whatever they can to try to rescue what’s becoming a complicated situation. In the meantime, Janet has two more assignments to get through, and she may not be able to manage them without asking her sister for help.
The agency has other plans, of course. Now that Janet has shown herself to be a valuable asset to the agency, it’s been decided that she needs some formal training. Having spent some weeks learning the basics in London, now that they’re in Doveby Dale, the agency has a few training assignments for Janet. They’re meant to be simple exercises, designed to test her skills, but the very first one goes badly wrong.
Now Janet and Edward have to do whatever they can to try to rescue what’s becoming a complicated situation. In the meantime, Janet has two more assignments to get through, and she may not be able to manage them without asking her sister for help.
- GenresMystery
222 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 10, 2023
261 people are currently reading
16 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
226 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.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 11, 2023
Initially a very low-key story, but an interesting quick read. Janet is to do some training to give her the skills she needs for possible future assignments, but she seems not very willing. Much as I enjoy the series and this adventure, at times Janet sounds rather whiny here. "Why do I have to do this?" and "What if I mess up?" Edward is very patient in talking her through her worries. Then her fears are realized as the first simple assignment does go awry because of her contact's odd behaviour.
Janet gets her sister and husband involved in their next adventure, which is more complex and harrowing for them all. However, they surprise Janet, being excited about helping out if needed.
I'm guessing these books are meant to be stand-alone, seeing as wherever Edward and Janet go they meet new people and give their history again, Edward fudging his past as always and Janet explaining how she and Joan came to buy Doveby House and how she and Edward got together. If you're reading the series in order, this takes awhile and seems repetitious, but new readers will appreciate the backstory.
Janet gets her sister and husband involved in their next adventure, which is more complex and harrowing for them all. However, they surprise Janet, being excited about helping out if needed.
I'm guessing these books are meant to be stand-alone, seeing as wherever Edward and Janet go they meet new people and give their history again, Edward fudging his past as always and Janet explaining how she and Joan came to buy Doveby House and how she and Edward got together. If you're reading the series in order, this takes awhile and seems repetitious, but new readers will appreciate the backstory.
April 22, 2023
A considerable improvement on the preceding books of the series, and therefore an extra star. This particular book cleverly camouflages the usual repetition of using dialogue from previous books to add volume to the current one. It also shrewdly entwines the usual three stories in one on this occasion to maintain a continual theme. Additionally, there is also less duplication of the sharing of information to varying parties. However, the script remains childishly simplistic and asks the reader to believe in much than can only be considered farcical. What other conclusion can otherwise be reached if one was to accept that a sixty year plus woman can be trained in three weeks, that otherwise takes years in training to be a top-secret agent. To further maintain the storyline, there also remains the convenient and considerable inconsistencies and remarkable coincidences.
January 29, 2023
As part of her Agency training, Janet Bennett is supposed to retrieve a box from a person she will meet at the abbey ruins near Doveby Dale. She will identify the person by a series of code phrases.
She is just about to complete the assignment when the man runs off and disappears. Did his flight have something to do with the other people on the abbey grounds, or is there a danger that she and Edward are not aware of?
She is just about to complete the assignment when the man runs off and disappears. Did his flight have something to do with the other people on the abbey grounds, or is there a danger that she and Edward are not aware of?
April 14, 2023
Janet ❤️ Edward
As always, a very good story. Suspenseful. Funny. Edward assists his wife Janet during three assignments very close together. They are her practice assignments to enter the Agency as an Agent.
As always, a very good story. Suspenseful. Funny. Edward assists his wife Janet during three assignments very close together. They are her practice assignments to enter the Agency as an Agent.
April 14, 2023
Great read
Once again, a very enjoyable time with old "friends" and new experiences as Janet did three training "jobs" in her home area. One with the help of her sister and brother-in-law!
Once again, a very enjoyable time with old "friends" and new experiences as Janet did three training "jobs" in her home area. One with the help of her sister and brother-in-law!
December 28, 2023
Surprise
I always enjoy it when the ending is a surprise. When you don’t figure out right away. ‘Who dunit’. I love the description of the places the characters visit. Makes you feel like you are there.
I always enjoy it when the ending is a surprise. When you don’t figure out right away. ‘Who dunit’. I love the description of the places the characters visit. Makes you feel like you are there.
April 11, 2023
Janet's learning.... :)
It's fun seeing how Janet is learning the ropes of working with her hubby...and ohhhhh what fun they might have NOW!
It's fun seeing how Janet is learning the ropes of working with her hubby...and ohhhhh what fun they might have NOW!
April 12, 2023
enjoyed reading the latest case...
April 14, 2024
This was a quite different case from the usual assignments, as they were training exercises for Janet. Still very enjpyable. Diana Xarissa writes wonderful characters who really draw me in.
August 11, 2024
Changes
I’m an avid Aunt Bessie fan. I love Mona and all her relatives as well. I started all of the Markham Sisters and fellinlove with Janet. The last few books have seen a change in Janet’s character. She’s questioning authority and whining. I don’t like this new depiction. I like the strength of Aunt Bessie andtheold Janet. Please bring her back
I’m an avid Aunt Bessie fan. I love Mona and all her relatives as well. I started all of the Markham Sisters and fellinlove with Janet. The last few books have seen a change in Janet’s character. She’s questioning authority and whining. I don’t like this new depiction. I like the strength of Aunt Bessie andtheold Janet. Please bring her back
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews