The Sussex Downs Murder - Facts

 

The title refers to a part of the United Kingdom. The South Downs are a range of chalk hills that extends for about 670 km2 across the south-eastern coastal counties of England. The South Downs are characterised by rolling chalk downland with close-cropped turf and dry valleys, and are recognised as one of the most important chalk landscapes in England.

John's car is found in the Chanctonbury Ring. Chanctonbury Ring is a prehistoric hill fort atop Chanctonbury Hill on the South Downs, on the border of the civil parishes of Washington and Wiston in the English county of West Sussex. 

At the beginning of the book we learn that Meredith has been transferred to Lewes. Lewes is the county town of East Sussex.

John's intention was to go to Harlech in Wales. Harlech is a seaside resort and community in Gwynedd, North Wales.

John and William are farmers but they also did lime-burning. 

The day John disappeared William got a telegram, saying that his aunt had had a bad fall in Littlehampton where she lived. Littlehampton is a town, seaside resort and civil parish in the Arun District of West Sussex.

John's car was a Hillman. The Hillman Minx was a mid-sized family car that British car maker Hillman produced from 1931 to 1970.

William's car was a Morris Cowley. Morris Cowley was a name given to various cars produced by Morris from 1915 to 1958.

Bramber is the village where John stayed in disguise. Bramber is a former manor, village and civil parish in the Horsham District of West Sussex.

Steyning is where the child found the cloak and the hat. Steyning is a town and civil parish in the Horsham district of West Sussex.

The words and expressions that I have learnt in this book are:

- Politic means wise, practical, discreet, shrewd, or tactful in making decisions or handling sensitive situations.

- Brazen describes someone or something that is bold, shameless, and unapologetic, often acting without trying to hide bad behaviour

- Being at loggerheads means that two or more people, groups, or organizations are in a state of strong, stubborn disagreement or have reached an impasse where no compromise or progress can be made.

- Worry: If a dog worries another animal, it chases and frightens it and might also bite it

- In mufti means wearing civilian clothes instead of a uniform.

- Doddery means weak, shaky, and unsteady, usually because a person is old.

- On tenterhooks  means being in a state of nervous suspense, anxiety, or eager anticipation while waiting to learn the outcome of a future event.

- Off one's rocker means acting crazy, insane, foolish, or irrationally.

- Have one's eyes skinned means to watch carefully, stay alert, and look out for a specific person, thing, or potential danger