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Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mystery #1
The Adams File
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN B08KGT65QD can be found here.
Bessie is both excited and apprehensive about her new role in Andrew Cheatham’s cold case unit. When the first case involves a missing five-year-old who may well have been murdered by her own father, Bessie has even more second thoughts.
As if Andrew’s cold case weren’t enough to keep her busy, Sandra, the young woman who works at the shop near Bessie’s house, has just been accused of stealing from her employer. Sandra is desperate to clear her name, and adamant that Bessie not involve the police.
Can Bessie work with her friends and the two Scotland Yard detectives on the cold case unit to work out what really happened to little Rachel Adams? Can she help Sandra clear her name and find out who has really been stealing from the shop? Or is she in over her head, working with police detectives who don’t seem at all interested in her opinion?
Bessie is both excited and apprehensive about her new role in Andrew Cheatham’s cold case unit. When the first case involves a missing five-year-old who may well have been murdered by her own father, Bessie has even more second thoughts.
As if Andrew’s cold case weren’t enough to keep her busy, Sandra, the young woman who works at the shop near Bessie’s house, has just been accused of stealing from her employer. Sandra is desperate to clear her name, and adamant that Bessie not involve the police.
Can Bessie work with her friends and the two Scotland Yard detectives on the cold case unit to work out what really happened to little Rachel Adams? Can she help Sandra clear her name and find out who has really been stealing from the shop? Or is she in over her head, working with police detectives who don’t seem at all interested in her opinion?
212 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2021
571 people are currently reading
125 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
217 books263 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 - 30 of 48 reviews
February 27, 2024
I have so many books hovering just out of reach. Meaning that I'm waiting for them to become available; but for now I'm just another pretty face on their waiting list.
So I'm picking up some fluffy non-fattening reads.
THE ADAMS FILE by Diana Xarissa is one; with PREPARED (SUNDOWN #1) by Courtney Konstantin being another. One is fluffy detective stuff set on Manx while the other is fluffy zombie material set in the Vegas.
Out of the two of them I can say that I enjoyed THE ADAMS FILE more. The writing is good enough and the structure is appealing. Like other super fluff there are sub-plots and characters we know we will see again. In fact, this is the second series for Bessie. (I should note that I felt immediately embraced by the coziness.)
So if you're in the mood for a quick, pleasant cozy mystery --particularly if you have KindleUnlimited-- give this one a try.
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The zombie series has more stars than I would expect. And I must claw through more.
February 3, 2021
How good to see that the new series is going to more or less pick up from the previous Aunt Bessie series so we can continue to know more about the lives of an entire cast of locals, as well as the unpicking of a cold case from off-island and the solving of a puzzle that is more the usual level of crime on-island. (Speaking as someone who lived here in the late 1990s when the stories are set, and still does :) )
Bessie's knowledge of how people actually think and feel, gained through a fairly long life of observation, comes in very useful when looking at a missing child case from almost 20 years before. The police at the time of the disappearance, and the career officers now looking at the cold case, were sure the child's father had killed her and then, highly efficiently, disposed of her body so that it was never found. Bessie feels they were so ready to reach this conclusion that they didn't really look at other possibilities...
And when a worker in the village shop is summarily dismissed by the new owner despite protesting her innocence, Bessie's belief in the young woman, and her old friend, retired police inspector, Andrew's knowledge of a lot of petty crime cases, work together well.
For me, it is nice to see Aalish crawling, and interesting to know what is happening with Andy and this new party planner. I can see that being a 'local story of interest' alongside the cold case investigation in the next book. Interesting, too, to see if the other retired police officers stay with the unit, or go!
Bessie's knowledge of how people actually think and feel, gained through a fairly long life of observation, comes in very useful when looking at a missing child case from almost 20 years before. The police at the time of the disappearance, and the career officers now looking at the cold case, were sure the child's father had killed her and then, highly efficiently, disposed of her body so that it was never found. Bessie feels they were so ready to reach this conclusion that they didn't really look at other possibilities...
And when a worker in the village shop is summarily dismissed by the new owner despite protesting her innocence, Bessie's belief in the young woman, and her old friend, retired police inspector, Andrew's knowledge of a lot of petty crime cases, work together well.
For me, it is nice to see Aalish crawling, and interesting to know what is happening with Andy and this new party planner. I can see that being a 'local story of interest' alongside the cold case investigation in the next book. Interesting, too, to see if the other retired police officers stay with the unit, or go!
July 20, 2022
Finally found my "X" author for the "crime fiction authors" round of my A-Z challenge. ;p
August 22, 2024
Cozy mysteries are pallet cleansers for me. The premise of The Adams File, the first installment of Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mysteries looked like a match for my reading tastes. Well, Bessie, our sleuth is looking into cold cases with a group of professionals. At the same time, she tries to solve a wrong accusation of stealing the person she knows, and appreciates.
Yes, The Adams File had the potential to be an enjoyable book for me due to the themes of friendship, loyalty, and redemption. For me, this particular book fell flat. On one side, the first cold case was a little boring to me, and the consultants, and as a reader I felt that they didn't want to be part of the cold case team without an interesting case. On the other hand, bringing in this short novel is another crime to solve, and as I understand as the series progresses we have potential Easter eggs for secondary crimes while solving the cold case.
I didn't connect with the characters, in every scene of the book the main and secondary characters were eating or talking about food. I won't continue with the series. If I had started with the original series and not the spin-off series the characters would have cared more about the characters.
Yes, The Adams File had the potential to be an enjoyable book for me due to the themes of friendship, loyalty, and redemption. For me, this particular book fell flat. On one side, the first cold case was a little boring to me, and the consultants, and as a reader I felt that they didn't want to be part of the cold case team without an interesting case. On the other hand, bringing in this short novel is another crime to solve, and as I understand as the series progresses we have potential Easter eggs for secondary crimes while solving the cold case.
I didn't connect with the characters, in every scene of the book the main and secondary characters were eating or talking about food. I won't continue with the series. If I had started with the original series and not the spin-off series the characters would have cared more about the characters.
June 30, 2022
The highly esteemed Aunt Bessie returns in new fascinating mysteries involving Cold Cases.
Former Scotland Yard detective and Bessie’s friend, Andrew has put together a chosen unit of active and retired law enforcement professionals to attempt solving Cold Cases. Bessie is added as the human nature expert for added perspectives on the cases.
First case up is a twenty five year old missing child case. Is the child murdered, or kidnapped?
While Bessie is involved with the Adams File, there comes a knock on her front door bringing a current mystery in the form of a local store girl being accused of theft.
Bessie, who is unable to turn a young person in trouble away, enlists the members of the Cold Case and splits her attention between the two cases.
Will Bessie figure what really was going on twenty odd years ago and successfully help the shop girl prove her innocence?
Have a cuppa tea and grab a few biscuits and enjoy the sea air as you enter Aunt Bessie’s first paying job on the Isle of Man. Enjoy!
Former Scotland Yard detective and Bessie’s friend, Andrew has put together a chosen unit of active and retired law enforcement professionals to attempt solving Cold Cases. Bessie is added as the human nature expert for added perspectives on the cases.
First case up is a twenty five year old missing child case. Is the child murdered, or kidnapped?
While Bessie is involved with the Adams File, there comes a knock on her front door bringing a current mystery in the form of a local store girl being accused of theft.
Bessie, who is unable to turn a young person in trouble away, enlists the members of the Cold Case and splits her attention between the two cases.
Will Bessie figure what really was going on twenty odd years ago and successfully help the shop girl prove her innocence?
Have a cuppa tea and grab a few biscuits and enjoy the sea air as you enter Aunt Bessie’s first paying job on the Isle of Man. Enjoy!
January 17, 2021
It is early days, being the first book of a new series, but already there are all the trademarks of the preceding Aunt Bessie series. For those readers who have not read the Aunt Bessie series, you have in this book a summary of all the characters and their lives, meaning that a reading of the Aunt Bessie series becomes unnecessary. Repeating the information from the Aunt Bessie series of course allows for adding volume for this series.
Again, this series places emphasis upon the fantastical achieving of what is considered near impossible. When the reader is told that over a year, only “20% – 30% of cold cases provide new information” and only 10% are solved”, meaning the new Cold Case team is likely to solve only one case per year, you can guarantee they will gain an amazing 100% success rate. Same goes when it is stated that “If were ‘very lucky, Peter Christian will be working this morning…we’d be even more fortunate if Mr Smith is here”. Welcome to the worlds most blessed characters, who always have who they need to speak to suddenly be available (and often exceptionally cooperative). Tends to stretch the reality a bit.
This book is heralded as a Cold Case, yet much of the book focuses on a case of a shop assistant being wrongly accused of theft.
Again, as in the Aunt Bessie series, there is also an incredible amount of eating. It seems as unreal as the story line, that all the characters are not exceptionally obese.
Again, this series places emphasis upon the fantastical achieving of what is considered near impossible. When the reader is told that over a year, only “20% – 30% of cold cases provide new information” and only 10% are solved”, meaning the new Cold Case team is likely to solve only one case per year, you can guarantee they will gain an amazing 100% success rate. Same goes when it is stated that “If were ‘very lucky, Peter Christian will be working this morning…we’d be even more fortunate if Mr Smith is here”. Welcome to the worlds most blessed characters, who always have who they need to speak to suddenly be available (and often exceptionally cooperative). Tends to stretch the reality a bit.
This book is heralded as a Cold Case, yet much of the book focuses on a case of a shop assistant being wrongly accused of theft.
Again, as in the Aunt Bessie series, there is also an incredible amount of eating. It seems as unreal as the story line, that all the characters are not exceptionally obese.
February 19, 2023
Love this continuation of the Aunt Bessie mystery/life series. While the core format has changed, it certainly has charm. A retired Scotland Yard detective, Andrew, has assembled an eclectic group of people for his new Cold Case Task Force. Several very highly acclaimed retired/former Yard detectives join our familiar 4 from the island--John, Doona, Hugh, and of course, Bessie. This is Bessie's First paid job. She wonders why she was chosen for this elite group, but shows her worth in this first case.
The 3 Yard detectives (1 specializes in Missing Persons, the other in most gruesome/horrific murders) all live in London & fly to the island...and stay at the Sea breeze; except Andrew who books the holiday cottage closest to Bessie!)
The case is a missing 5 year old, (whom many believe has been murdered, possibly by dad). While the team reviews the case file, Bessie comes to the aid of Sandra, the teen who works at the corner shop, who's accused of theft. Add to this the tension from 2 of retired Yard detectives, who clearly discount Bessie as being an old amateur who brings 0 to the task force...
Those who've read the Aunt Bessie novels know her "I'm just an elderly old lady who folks talk to" schtick works--along with her sharp mind & wealth of people knowledge!
The task force expects a 1 in 10 case solved record, but the well-seasoned team with their diverse experiences will hopefully gel & come together to solve this (& many other cases to come) case, as well as learn to respect the others.
Each member brings unique skill set & perspective to the whole. Interesting to see how they react to one another & the facts of the case. Will they be able to work together & solve this sad case??? Will Bessie solve the theft at the village shop, identify culprit, & save Sandra...all while she's working on the cold case???
Highly Recommend this easy to read book! Not necessary to have read any other Bessie novels prior to this one--it stands alone in this wonderful, new, series!
The 3 Yard detectives (1 specializes in Missing Persons, the other in most gruesome/horrific murders) all live in London & fly to the island...and stay at the Sea breeze; except Andrew who books the holiday cottage closest to Bessie!)
The case is a missing 5 year old, (whom many believe has been murdered, possibly by dad). While the team reviews the case file, Bessie comes to the aid of Sandra, the teen who works at the corner shop, who's accused of theft. Add to this the tension from 2 of retired Yard detectives, who clearly discount Bessie as being an old amateur who brings 0 to the task force...
Those who've read the Aunt Bessie novels know her "I'm just an elderly old lady who folks talk to" schtick works--along with her sharp mind & wealth of people knowledge!
The task force expects a 1 in 10 case solved record, but the well-seasoned team with their diverse experiences will hopefully gel & come together to solve this (& many other cases to come) case, as well as learn to respect the others.
Each member brings unique skill set & perspective to the whole. Interesting to see how they react to one another & the facts of the case. Will they be able to work together & solve this sad case??? Will Bessie solve the theft at the village shop, identify culprit, & save Sandra...all while she's working on the cold case???
Highly Recommend this easy to read book! Not necessary to have read any other Bessie novels prior to this one--it stands alone in this wonderful, new, series!
March 24, 2021
Aunt Bessie Continues
After solving murders from A-Z, Aunt Bessie is still involved in crime but at a step away. As part of Andrew Cheatham's brand new cold case team, Bessie join Inspector John Rockwell, her friend, Doona, & Constable Hugh Watterman along with two former London detectives for their first case, the disappearanceof a 5 year old girl. The new members, Harry & Charles, seem to be uninterested after reading the case file, assuming the abusive father is the culprit. Bessie disagrees but has her work cut out for her convincing the others. Plus a girl who worked at the nearby shopper is accused of stealing & let go by the new owner. Bewildered, she begs
Bessie to clear her name. Life has gotten even busier for Aunt Bessie but she has help from an interested Andrew. So glad Aunt Bessie is back & just as sharp as ever.
After solving murders from A-Z, Aunt Bessie is still involved in crime but at a step away. As part of Andrew Cheatham's brand new cold case team, Bessie join Inspector John Rockwell, her friend, Doona, & Constable Hugh Watterman along with two former London detectives for their first case, the disappearanceof a 5 year old girl. The new members, Harry & Charles, seem to be uninterested after reading the case file, assuming the abusive father is the culprit. Bessie disagrees but has her work cut out for her convincing the others. Plus a girl who worked at the nearby shopper is accused of stealing & let go by the new owner. Bewildered, she begs
Bessie to clear her name. Life has gotten even busier for Aunt Bessie but she has help from an interested Andrew. So glad Aunt Bessie is back & just as sharp as ever.
January 17, 2021
I was very disappointed when the Isle of Man Cozy Mysteries series featuring Aunt Bessie ended. I was thrilled, yet somewhat leery, when I learned that Diana Xarissa Dunn would be writing a new series “with many of the same characters.” But as Aunt Bessie had become my one of my favorite fictional sleuths, I immediately preordered “The Adams File” and read it straight through the day it arrived. Now I can wholeheartedly recommend this new series to all Aunt Bessie fans. For those unfamiliar with Aunt Bessie, I now recommend BOTH series. I also enjoy other series by the same author, but Aunt Bessie remains my favorite.
August 5, 2021
An excellent extension of the Aunt Bessie series
I would ponder what the author would do once she had used the entire alphabet for her Aunt Bessie series, and this new iteration with Cold Case files is very well done, keeping the familiar characters from the original series intact as a group. The Adams File involves solving an old case of a missing 5 year old child.
There is also an interesting subplot about suspected thieving from the local shop which Bessie and fro new solve as well.
The characters are well drawn and interesting, the setting of the Isle of Man intriguing, and the food descriptions made me hungry.
I would ponder what the author would do once she had used the entire alphabet for her Aunt Bessie series, and this new iteration with Cold Case files is very well done, keeping the familiar characters from the original series intact as a group. The Adams File involves solving an old case of a missing 5 year old child.
There is also an interesting subplot about suspected thieving from the local shop which Bessie and fro new solve as well.
The characters are well drawn and interesting, the setting of the Isle of Man intriguing, and the food descriptions made me hungry.
October 18, 2023
Most of the 5 star reviews were from people who loved this character from another series. I thought this was the first in a new line of books instead little hints were from previous cases ie a murder that she solved and people were thanking her. Mostly the big mystery was solved pretty much right from the start (the death of a young girl) and a smaller mystery - a young girl accused of stealing didn't turn out to be a big deal or interesting in anyway. There was a lot of talk of meals, tea and restaurant catering being cancelled and a whole lot of tangents - mystery lights, babies, etc. an easy read but not that entertaining.
March 11, 2022
While this first book is not as "exciting" as the Aunt Bessie series, we get to see how this new task force that investigates cold cases is going to work... The first book brings us back to her life and the lives of her friends. It's good to get back to see what's happened with the DI and Doona, Hugh, his wife, Grace, and baby, Aalish, and Bessie's friendship with retired Scotland Yard detective, Andrew Cheatem. and it leaves me wondering what has happened with Andy and Elizabeth. I've just started on the next book and look forward to the series.
December 20, 2022
Interesting
Cold cases are difficult at the best of times but this story was interesting especially from Aunt Bessie's point of view.
The story has colour as well as a crime event in her own time. Both parts helped the story to move qujckly.
It was nice for Aunt Bessie this time as there was no body to find.
The author had a great way to finish the story.
I look forward to the next.
Cold cases are difficult at the best of times but this story was interesting especially from Aunt Bessie's point of view.
The story has colour as well as a crime event in her own time. Both parts helped the story to move qujckly.
It was nice for Aunt Bessie this time as there was no body to find.
The author had a great way to finish the story.
I look forward to the next.
February 15, 2025
Aunt Bessie may have been a favorite while doing direct sleuthing; however, this entry in her new series is tedious. Now, she has joined a group of similarly-minded detectives to examine cold cases. However, they do not do the work; it is passed on to the actual detectives of Scotland Yard.
Then, after suitable time passes, the cold-case detectives are apprised of their ideas' correctness (or not). I'd rather watch grass grow.
Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mystery
** 1. The Adams File(2021)
2. The Bernhard File (2021)
Then, after suitable time passes, the cold-case detectives are apprised of their ideas' correctness (or not). I'd rather watch grass grow.
Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mystery
** 1. The Adams File(2021)
2. The Bernhard File (2021)
November 21, 2021
Really Enjoyed
this new Aunt Bessie series. Cold Cases from around the UK makes more sense. The original AB series could have killed off the entire Manx population! This series provides an opportunity to introduce new characters each novel, with the standby gang and lovely island as supporting members solving crime.
this new Aunt Bessie series. Cold Cases from around the UK makes more sense. The original AB series could have killed off the entire Manx population! This series provides an opportunity to introduce new characters each novel, with the standby gang and lovely island as supporting members solving crime.
January 17, 2021
Aunt Bessie does it again.
Way to go! The new Aunt Bessie series is off to a great start. Not only a cold case solved but a local conflict solved as well. No murder and mayhem in this one but still a good read.
Way to go! The new Aunt Bessie series is off to a great start. Not only a cold case solved but a local conflict solved as well. No murder and mayhem in this one but still a good read.
January 18, 2021
Cold case with friends
At first I was worried that we would be missing Bessie’s friends but fortunately they were right there to help solve a very old cold case!
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
At first I was worried that we would be missing Bessie’s friends but fortunately they were right there to help solve a very old cold case!
I’m definitely looking forward to the next book in the series.
January 20, 2021
Wonderful
I really enjoyed this book, I already know some of the characters from another series, it was really well written and the description of the characters is brilliant I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
I really enjoyed this book, I already know some of the characters from another series, it was really well written and the description of the characters is brilliant I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
January 21, 2021
Great read
I love this new series with Aunt Bessie and the whole gang, and with the addition of Andrew. It was especially fun to see her out smart the two inspectors who didn't think much of the Isle of Man group!
I love this new series with Aunt Bessie and the whole gang, and with the addition of Andrew. It was especially fun to see her out smart the two inspectors who didn't think much of the Isle of Man group!
March 18, 2021
Aunt Bessie is great
Great read, relaxing and easy on the brain. Just what I needed at this time during the lockdown. Looking forward to reading the next cold case book and also intend to start the original Aunt Bessie books.
Great read, relaxing and easy on the brain. Just what I needed at this time during the lockdown. Looking forward to reading the next cold case book and also intend to start the original Aunt Bessie books.
June 12, 2021
Gotta Love Aunt Bessie
I enjoy reading these books from Dianna Xarisa. Definitely makes me want to pack a bag and head off to visit the places mentioned in the books. Hope the author keeps these books coming.
I enjoy reading these books from Dianna Xarisa. Definitely makes me want to pack a bag and head off to visit the places mentioned in the books. Hope the author keeps these books coming.
November 17, 2021
This is another good Aunt Bessie book.
I’ve read the 26 Aunt Bessie books and I’m so glad that the author wrote the Cold Case books. I can continue to enjoy reading about Aunt Bessie and her friends on the Isle of Man. I like the characters and the plots and the setting.
I’ve read the 26 Aunt Bessie books and I’m so glad that the author wrote the Cold Case books. I can continue to enjoy reading about Aunt Bessie and her friends on the Isle of Man. I like the characters and the plots and the setting.
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January 7, 2022Teamwork; yeah!
Often times, we hear/experience doubt when seniors, non-professional (in a given feild), women...the list goes on... over ideas. It is even worse when those ideas, if given a chance, yield fruit. Good work team.
Often times, we hear/experience doubt when seniors, non-professional (in a given feild), women...the list goes on... over ideas. It is even worse when those ideas, if given a chance, yield fruit. Good work team.
August 3, 2022
A great book. My first Aunt Bessie mystery. I wish I had read the Man of Isle series first. I believe I would have known the characters better. I enjoyed the book nevertheless. Going on to case #2. I highly recommend this book.
December 13, 2022
Love Aunt Bessie. She is the perfect person to be part of a new group of civilians and retired policemen that have been put together to solve cold cases. This involves a missing child and proves, yet again that Bessie is the one who will know exactly what questions to ask.
March 20, 2023
Loved It
Starting a new Aunt Bessie series was difficult for me. I wanted the alphabet mysteries to just keep going. Well, they did! Enjoy all the people from Laxey and get comfortable.
Starting a new Aunt Bessie series was difficult for me. I wanted the alphabet mysteries to just keep going. Well, they did! Enjoy all the people from Laxey and get comfortable.
April 6, 2023
Great Story
Well, I am officially hooked on Aunt Bessie. I love how she thinks and how she helps whoever needs it. I am so glad there are a good number of her stories already written. Got to go, Book 2 is calling!
Well, I am officially hooked on Aunt Bessie. I love how she thinks and how she helps whoever needs it. I am so glad there are a good number of her stories already written. Got to go, Book 2 is calling!
January 16, 2021
Great to know we’ve not seen the last of Aunt Bessie and her friends. Love the fact she’s now got a man in her life. Here’s hopefully to the next 25 cold cases.
January 15, 2021
Wonderful New Series
I'm so glad that Aunt Bessie and her friends will continue solving cases. This first book was a great start.
I'm so glad that Aunt Bessie and her friends will continue solving cases. This first book was a great start.
January 17, 2021
enjoyed the first story in the new format with Andrew being more in the picture, looking forward to
the next...
the next...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews