[HarryT]

I would always prefer to read the original version of a book, if possible, and these are British books, set in Britain. It really grates to read an "Americanised" version and see American expressions that would never be used in Britain. Britain does not have "parking lots", we have "car parks"; our post does not arrive through a "mail slot", but through a "letter box", and many, many other glaring differences.