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Isle of Man #1
Aunt Bessie Assumes
Alternate cover edition of ASIN B00KHZKN46
Aunt Bessie assumes that she'll have the beach all to herself on a cold, wet, and windy March morning just after sunrise, then she stumbles (almost literally) over a dead body.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body.
Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
Aunt Bessie assumes that she'll have the beach all to herself on a cold, wet, and windy March morning just after sunrise, then she stumbles (almost literally) over a dead body.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body.
Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
214 pages, ebook
First published May 22, 2014
1366 people are currently reading
2078 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
223 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 - 29 of 358 reviews
April 23, 2017
I am not a big fan of cozy mysteries but this was okay. A bit too much description from time to time and it was all a little too sweet but basically there was a mystery, several deaths, a Miss Marple copy cat and a very intelligent police man who saves the day.
I have to admit to skimming the meal preparations and I never understood why everyone liked Aunt Bessie so much but the story kept me entertained through to the end.
I have to admit to skimming the meal preparations and I never understood why everyone liked Aunt Bessie so much but the story kept me entertained through to the end.
August 7, 2022
Aunt Bessie Cubbon had lived in Laxey, on the Isle of Man, most of her life, and her routine included a walk first thing in the morning, rain or shine. The particular morning when she woke it was teeming with rain, and she donned her raincoat and took an umbrella heading down the path towards the beach. She certainly didn't expect to almost stumble over a body lying face down in the sand. She called the local police and Hugh arrived, took one look and rang for reinforcements.
As the police interviewed the man's family, as well as Aunt Bessie and any other witnesses, the reveal of the family's wealth and prestige in the area made Aunt Bessie realise she knew the family. But no one could work out who would kill young Danny, only days into his honeymoon. It wasn't too much longer before Aunt Bessie came across a second body - why were people dying in the town that rarely saw crime, let alone murder? Aunt Bessie and her friend Doona, along with Hugh, decide to help the police along to find the killer - but could they before someone else died?
Aunt Bessie Assumes is the first in the Isle of Man series by Diana Xarissa and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Aunt Bessie is a real card, and an avid booklover as well. I laughed out loud a few times. The new police Inspector is a nice change from some - and he appreciated Aunt Bessie's opinions. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series soon. Recommended.
As the police interviewed the man's family, as well as Aunt Bessie and any other witnesses, the reveal of the family's wealth and prestige in the area made Aunt Bessie realise she knew the family. But no one could work out who would kill young Danny, only days into his honeymoon. It wasn't too much longer before Aunt Bessie came across a second body - why were people dying in the town that rarely saw crime, let alone murder? Aunt Bessie and her friend Doona, along with Hugh, decide to help the police along to find the killer - but could they before someone else died?
Aunt Bessie Assumes is the first in the Isle of Man series by Diana Xarissa and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Aunt Bessie is a real card, and an avid booklover as well. I laughed out loud a few times. The new police Inspector is a nice change from some - and he appreciated Aunt Bessie's opinions. I'm looking forward to #2 in the series soon. Recommended.
January 15, 2018
EXCERPT: Elizabeth Cubbon, known as Bessie to her friends, rubbed her eyes and checked the clock by her bed. It was 6:06, which meant her internal alarm was a few minutes off today. She frowned as she sat up in bed and pushed back her warm duvet. Slippers in place, she padded over to the window and looked out. The glow from the nearest street lamp gave her just enough light to see the sheets of rain that were falling. She would definitely have the beach to herself this morning.
Half an hour later she was dressed and waiting impatiently for the sky to lighten up a bit. Sunrise, this early in March, was still half an hour away. As rainy and overcast as it was, the sun wasn't going to make much difference, but she waited for it anyway. A hot cup of tea and toast with honey and homemade strawberry jam helped to pass the time as she watched out the window for the sun to come up.
THE BLURB: Aunt Bessie assumes that she'll have the beach all to herself on a cold, wet, and windy March morning just after sunrise, then she stumbles (almost literally) over a dead body.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body.
Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
MY THOUGHTS: I have never been a great fan of the 'cosy', but every now and then I stumble across one that whets my appetite, and Aunt Bessie Assumes certainly did that. So much so, that I went straight on to read the second book in the series, Aunt Bessie Believes.
Xarissa's Aunt Bessie is a warm hearted, independent woman who has spent the majority of her life on the Isle of Man where this series is set. She is a great fan of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and in the enviable position of knowing everyone and everything about them. But if, as they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, then does having a lot of knowledge place her in even more danger?
The writing is very descriptive, which I enjoyed, and the characters a mixed bunch. I gave up trying to figure out who dunnit early on, and just went along for the very enjoyable ride.
If you are looking for a start to reading 'cosy' mystery series, I can recommend the Aunt Bessie series. I have the rest of the series on my TBR list.
I read the Kindle edition of Aunt Bessie Assumes by Diana Xarissa. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
Half an hour later she was dressed and waiting impatiently for the sky to lighten up a bit. Sunrise, this early in March, was still half an hour away. As rainy and overcast as it was, the sun wasn't going to make much difference, but she waited for it anyway. A hot cup of tea and toast with honey and homemade strawberry jam helped to pass the time as she watched out the window for the sun to come up.
THE BLURB: Aunt Bessie assumes that she'll have the beach all to herself on a cold, wet, and windy March morning just after sunrise, then she stumbles (almost literally) over a dead body.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body.
Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
MY THOUGHTS: I have never been a great fan of the 'cosy', but every now and then I stumble across one that whets my appetite, and Aunt Bessie Assumes certainly did that. So much so, that I went straight on to read the second book in the series, Aunt Bessie Believes.
Xarissa's Aunt Bessie is a warm hearted, independent woman who has spent the majority of her life on the Isle of Man where this series is set. She is a great fan of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple and in the enviable position of knowing everyone and everything about them. But if, as they say, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing, then does having a lot of knowledge place her in even more danger?
The writing is very descriptive, which I enjoyed, and the characters a mixed bunch. I gave up trying to figure out who dunnit early on, and just went along for the very enjoyable ride.
If you are looking for a start to reading 'cosy' mystery series, I can recommend the Aunt Bessie series. I have the rest of the series on my TBR list.
I read the Kindle edition of Aunt Bessie Assumes by Diana Xarissa. All opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own personal opinions. Please refer to my Goodreads.com profile page or the 'about' page on sandysbookaday.wordpress.com for an explanation of my rating system. This review and others are also published on my blog sandysbookaday.wordpress.com https://sandysbookaday.wordpress.com/...
December 29, 2017
An interesting little mystery set in a place I rarely read about, the Isle of Man. The writing was a bit stiff and wooden at first but smoothed out into a good retro mystery style. I had a hard time sorting out who my prime suspect was for the murder/s/attempted murder...and the ending was fast-paced and dangerous for Aunt Bessie. I like this peppery spinster lady and her sleuthing, so I will most likely read another one of these when I need another X title.
November 9, 2014
Take Cynthia Riggs’ Victoria Trumbull, shave just a very few years off of her, make her a bit pricklier, and transplant her from Martha’s Vineyard to the Isle of Man, and you’ve got Elizabeth Cubbon, the eponymous character of Aunt Bessie Assumes. Not that that turned out to be a bad thing.
Except for a brief sojourn in America while in her teens, Elizabeth Cubbon — called Aunt Bessie by all and sundry — has spent her entire life on the Isle of Man, lodged in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Like Victoria Trumbull, she knows everyone and everything. And like the perennially 92-year-old Mrs. Trumbull, who aids Police Chief Casey O’Neill, Aunt Bessie is a tall, thin elderly woman who has a special relationship with the island’s constabulary: young Constable Hugh Watterson, who she has known since his childhood; her longtime friend, Doona Moore of Laxey Policing Constabulary, and the recently arrived CID Inspector John Rockwell.
Aunt Bessie Assumes begins with Aunt Bessie almost stumbling over a body while on her daily early-morning walk. The victim turns out to be Danny Pierce, scion of the very wealthy Pierce family, who has been summering on the Isle of Man for 25 summers. He and his new bride, the gold-digging Vikky [sic], were honeymooning with his family at their compound. Even though the family weren’t Manx (the term for Isle of Man natives), Aunt Bessie pities the grieving parents and casts a jaundiced eye on the not-so-grieving widow and the hard-drinking younger brother. When a second murder takes place, Aunt Bessie really comes into her own.
Like Riggs’ series, Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Robert van Gulik’s Judge Dee mysteries, and Lindsey Davis’ Falco series, which provide an education on the history and particulars of Martha’s Vineyard, Botswana, T’ang Dynasty China, and Ancient Rome during under the Emperor Vespasian, respectively, author Diana Xarissa educates her readers on the Isle of Man and its beauty and highlights — and dismal weather. Xarissa, who lived on the Isle of Man, even sprinkles the book with Manx phrases (helpfully providing a Manx-English dictionary at the novel’s start).
Like any cozy, there’s a certain predictability, but readers will embrace the big-hearted and perceptive Aunt Bessie as she tirelessly pursues a killer on her beloved island. It may be perpetually raining and windy on the Isle of Man, but readers will find this debut novel set there as welcoming as a cuppa on a blustery day.
Except for a brief sojourn in America while in her teens, Elizabeth Cubbon — called Aunt Bessie by all and sundry — has spent her entire life on the Isle of Man, lodged in the Irish Sea between England and Ireland. Like Victoria Trumbull, she knows everyone and everything. And like the perennially 92-year-old Mrs. Trumbull, who aids Police Chief Casey O’Neill, Aunt Bessie is a tall, thin elderly woman who has a special relationship with the island’s constabulary: young Constable Hugh Watterson, who she has known since his childhood; her longtime friend, Doona Moore of Laxey Policing Constabulary, and the recently arrived CID Inspector John Rockwell.
Aunt Bessie Assumes begins with Aunt Bessie almost stumbling over a body while on her daily early-morning walk. The victim turns out to be Danny Pierce, scion of the very wealthy Pierce family, who has been summering on the Isle of Man for 25 summers. He and his new bride, the gold-digging Vikky [sic], were honeymooning with his family at their compound. Even though the family weren’t Manx (the term for Isle of Man natives), Aunt Bessie pities the grieving parents and casts a jaundiced eye on the not-so-grieving widow and the hard-drinking younger brother. When a second murder takes place, Aunt Bessie really comes into her own.
Like Riggs’ series, Alexander McCall Smith’s No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series, Robert van Gulik’s Judge Dee mysteries, and Lindsey Davis’ Falco series, which provide an education on the history and particulars of Martha’s Vineyard, Botswana, T’ang Dynasty China, and Ancient Rome during under the Emperor Vespasian, respectively, author Diana Xarissa educates her readers on the Isle of Man and its beauty and highlights — and dismal weather. Xarissa, who lived on the Isle of Man, even sprinkles the book with Manx phrases (helpfully providing a Manx-English dictionary at the novel’s start).
Like any cozy, there’s a certain predictability, but readers will embrace the big-hearted and perceptive Aunt Bessie as she tirelessly pursues a killer on her beloved island. It may be perpetually raining and windy on the Isle of Man, but readers will find this debut novel set there as welcoming as a cuppa on a blustery day.
April 2, 2019
Aunt Bessie Assumes by Diana Xarissa is the first book in the Isle of Man Mystery series. Spinster Elizabeth Cubbin is affectionately known as Aunt Bessie to everyone on the island and is in the habit of taking a walk on the beach every morning when she trips over a body and becomes involved in the investigation. A delightful, light, slow-paced cozy mystery. Aunt Bessie is capable and inquisitive and very like Miss Marple. I enjoyed this book very much and I loved the descriptions of the island.
August 12, 2015
Elizabeth Cubbon, affectionately known as Aunt Bessie, loves her little cottage buy the ocean. It is a haven for anyone that needs it. All the children know that if things get tough at home that she is a kind listener and a warm place to stay. Aunt Bessie likes to walk along the beach every morning no matter what type of weather. One rainy and windy morning walk is interrupted by tripping over something on the beach. It took her a moment to realize that it wasn't something but someone. With that one misstep Aunt Bessie finds herself smack dab in the middle of a murder investigation.
The characters were really well developed and you couldn't help but grin once in awhile at Aunt Bessie curmudgeonly ways and how others respected her knowledge of the area and the townspeople. Well written and very enjoyable.
The characters were really well developed and you couldn't help but grin once in awhile at Aunt Bessie curmudgeonly ways and how others respected her knowledge of the area and the townspeople. Well written and very enjoyable.
April 28, 2015
This was a fun read. Part of what I judge a book about, is if I want to go where it takes place! I am looking at maps of the Isle of Man, thinking about going there via Wales and boats and oh how much fun Would that be? Great story, good plotting, irascible protagonist that I would like to sit and have tea with there will be more Bessie in my life!
May 29, 2017
Very cute mystery book. I really liked the characters and would definitely read more in this series.
February 18, 2017
3.5*****
This author used a British Isle grammar and vocabulary, that had me mentally processing the entire novel in a Scottish brogue. It was quaintly surreal. The sleuthing reminded me of the old Agatha Christie murder/mysteries of days gone by. In the prologue, she did give you a quick recap of British Isle's slangs, words and phrasing as it pertained to her novel, such as 'skeet' for gossip. The character development was A-one as she aptly named her characters with surnames to compliment their demeanor or fate. For example Danny Pierce, the first murdered person and newly betrothed, son of the wealthy visiting Pierce family to their mansion, on the island, was stabbed to death with knives from his wedding gift set. How ironic! While Inspector Rockwell, constantly demonstrated his reliability and steadfast leadership qualities to Hugh and his CID (Criminal Investigation Department) team. This 'tongue in cheek', witty humor is not usually seen in many modern American authors' works.
We first met the sixty year-old spinster, Aunt Bessie (Elizabeth Cubbons) as she stumbled over the stabbed body of Danny Pierce on a beach, near her residence. From here on the quartet, Inspector Rockwell, Doona, Hugh, and Aunt Bessie literally became partners in crime, as they solved the island's two murders and double assaults on Aunt Bessie, in spite of the inept, politics-riddled police department. This was accomplished by setting up Elizabeth as 'killer bait'. Oddly enough, the trio's fool-hardy plan just narrowly succeeded, as the Inspector rushed in to save Bessie. The killer's true identity escaped me until the end of the book. Drugs permeating the small island town, greed, and infidelity were at the root of these murders. The adage about good men doing nothing in the face of evil, ran unbridled through this novel.
Well done Ms. Xarissa, and I look forward to read the next in your alphabetically-titled series, "Aunt Bessie Believes"
This author used a British Isle grammar and vocabulary, that had me mentally processing the entire novel in a Scottish brogue. It was quaintly surreal. The sleuthing reminded me of the old Agatha Christie murder/mysteries of days gone by. In the prologue, she did give you a quick recap of British Isle's slangs, words and phrasing as it pertained to her novel, such as 'skeet' for gossip. The character development was A-one as she aptly named her characters with surnames to compliment their demeanor or fate. For example Danny Pierce, the first murdered person and newly betrothed, son of the wealthy visiting Pierce family to their mansion, on the island, was stabbed to death with knives from his wedding gift set. How ironic! While Inspector Rockwell, constantly demonstrated his reliability and steadfast leadership qualities to Hugh and his CID (Criminal Investigation Department) team. This 'tongue in cheek', witty humor is not usually seen in many modern American authors' works.
We first met the sixty year-old spinster, Aunt Bessie (Elizabeth Cubbons) as she stumbled over the stabbed body of Danny Pierce on a beach, near her residence. From here on the quartet, Inspector Rockwell, Doona, Hugh, and Aunt Bessie literally became partners in crime, as they solved the island's two murders and double assaults on Aunt Bessie, in spite of the inept, politics-riddled police department. This was accomplished by setting up Elizabeth as 'killer bait'. Oddly enough, the trio's fool-hardy plan just narrowly succeeded, as the Inspector rushed in to save Bessie. The killer's true identity escaped me until the end of the book. Drugs permeating the small island town, greed, and infidelity were at the root of these murders. The adage about good men doing nothing in the face of evil, ran unbridled through this novel.
Well done Ms. Xarissa, and I look forward to read the next in your alphabetically-titled series, "Aunt Bessie Believes"
July 11, 2014
This cozy mystery, a copy of which I received as a review copy from Goodreads, has everything to keep the reader guessing. A small community in which everyone knows each other and most of each other's business, though, like most of today's places, that is changing, a murder or two and maybe more if not stopped, a little old lady, who isn't a little OLD lady, who just always seems to run into dead bodies and members of a police force, who don't always relish her input.
This one is set on the Isle of Man, the murder victim is the elder son of rich summer folk, the lady in question is Aunt Bessie, a spinster whose home has always been a refuge for the local kids when they needed a cuppa, a cookie or two and a sympathetic ear. One of those kids is now the local constable,Hugh, whose boss, Inspector Rockwell from across--that is to say from Manchester and so unfamiliar with the Isle and its folk. Along with Doona, the secretary at the police station, these four spend several evenings eating take-out from all the local ethnic restaurants and comparing notes. If nothing else, I got hungry and started drinking tea again while attempting to sort it all out before they did--to no avail.
A fun and fast read--a truly good cozy mystery. Oh, and there is even a little bit of Manx to stir your curiosity.
This one is set on the Isle of Man, the murder victim is the elder son of rich summer folk, the lady in question is Aunt Bessie, a spinster whose home has always been a refuge for the local kids when they needed a cuppa, a cookie or two and a sympathetic ear. One of those kids is now the local constable,Hugh, whose boss, Inspector Rockwell from across--that is to say from Manchester and so unfamiliar with the Isle and its folk. Along with Doona, the secretary at the police station, these four spend several evenings eating take-out from all the local ethnic restaurants and comparing notes. If nothing else, I got hungry and started drinking tea again while attempting to sort it all out before they did--to no avail.
A fun and fast read--a truly good cozy mystery. Oh, and there is even a little bit of Manx to stir your curiosity.
February 6, 2017
Aunt Bessie Assumes
Book 1 of the Isle of Man Cosy Mystery Series, and a very good start to the series. Aunt Bessie is everyones favorite aunt--somewhere between 60 and 100, never married, but is a friend to all. She is who children turn to when they have a problem, or need a safe place to stay while they take a vacation from their parents overnight or longer. She also has a sharp mind and is not afraid to get involved. A very enjoyable read.
Book 1 of the Isle of Man Cosy Mystery Series, and a very good start to the series. Aunt Bessie is everyones favorite aunt--somewhere between 60 and 100, never married, but is a friend to all. She is who children turn to when they have a problem, or need a safe place to stay while they take a vacation from their parents overnight or longer. She also has a sharp mind and is not afraid to get involved. A very enjoyable read.
March 28, 2015
Aunt Bessie Assumes is book one of the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery series by Diana Xarissa. It is a good but short mystery.
Elizabeth Cubbon (Aunt Bessie) is an unmarried woman who lives in a house on the beach. She is a creature of habit. She gets up at the same time each morning, eats a bite of breakfast and has a cup of tea. She then cleans up the kitchen and goes out to the beach for a brisk walk. After coming in, she cleans up, does whatever chores around the house she needs to do , and then sits down with a good book. Sometimes she visits the town for supplies and sometimes she has overnight guests. All the children in town know she will never turn them away if they are having problems at home. The next morning, after a short talk with Aunt Bessie, they generally go back home. Laxey, her town, is a nosey town. They gossip about everyone and everything that happens. Generally Aunt Bessie eventually hears about whatever is going on.
This particular morning, it was raining and rather chilly. She awakened early and waited until the sky lightened with sunrise to go for her walk. She walked no matter what the weather was like. If she waited for a sunny day, she would be waiting a long time. This morning as she was fighting the wind and rain on her walk, she came across a man lying close to the water. She knew instinctively that he was dead. She went swiftly back to her house and called the police. Then after a cut of tea, she went out to the corpse to wait for the police. She did not like the idea of his being out there alone.
Hugh Watterson arrived, confirmed the man was dead, and called for backup. Inspector Kelley of the local police and John Rockwell of the Ramsey CID arrived and Rockwell took charge. While he was questioning Aunt Bessie, a hysterical young woman ran down the beach calling Daniel’s name. After finding out her name was Vikky Pierce, they discovered the dead man was her newly wedded husband, Daniel Pierce. He was stabbed to death on their honeymoon.
The next day, Aunt Bessie goes to the Pierce home to convey her condolences. She talks to their retired housekeeper, Bahey who was a friend of hers and who had gone to help at the Pierce home upon hearing of Danny’s death. There she met Samantha, Danny’s brother Donny’s girlfriend. She also noted that Donny was spending more time than necessary with Vikky, Danny’s widow. Samantha noticed it too and while taking Aunt Bessie to the door, she made arrangements to meet her the next day. When Aunt Bessie arrived at the designated spot the next day, she found Samantha’s dead body. Two dead people in two days! Although she was warned not to become an amateur detective, she does what she can to solve the case. Will she solve it before anyone else is dead?
Elizabeth Cubbon (Aunt Bessie) is an unmarried woman who lives in a house on the beach. She is a creature of habit. She gets up at the same time each morning, eats a bite of breakfast and has a cup of tea. She then cleans up the kitchen and goes out to the beach for a brisk walk. After coming in, she cleans up, does whatever chores around the house she needs to do , and then sits down with a good book. Sometimes she visits the town for supplies and sometimes she has overnight guests. All the children in town know she will never turn them away if they are having problems at home. The next morning, after a short talk with Aunt Bessie, they generally go back home. Laxey, her town, is a nosey town. They gossip about everyone and everything that happens. Generally Aunt Bessie eventually hears about whatever is going on.
This particular morning, it was raining and rather chilly. She awakened early and waited until the sky lightened with sunrise to go for her walk. She walked no matter what the weather was like. If she waited for a sunny day, she would be waiting a long time. This morning as she was fighting the wind and rain on her walk, she came across a man lying close to the water. She knew instinctively that he was dead. She went swiftly back to her house and called the police. Then after a cut of tea, she went out to the corpse to wait for the police. She did not like the idea of his being out there alone.
Hugh Watterson arrived, confirmed the man was dead, and called for backup. Inspector Kelley of the local police and John Rockwell of the Ramsey CID arrived and Rockwell took charge. While he was questioning Aunt Bessie, a hysterical young woman ran down the beach calling Daniel’s name. After finding out her name was Vikky Pierce, they discovered the dead man was her newly wedded husband, Daniel Pierce. He was stabbed to death on their honeymoon.
The next day, Aunt Bessie goes to the Pierce home to convey her condolences. She talks to their retired housekeeper, Bahey who was a friend of hers and who had gone to help at the Pierce home upon hearing of Danny’s death. There she met Samantha, Danny’s brother Donny’s girlfriend. She also noted that Donny was spending more time than necessary with Vikky, Danny’s widow. Samantha noticed it too and while taking Aunt Bessie to the door, she made arrangements to meet her the next day. When Aunt Bessie arrived at the designated spot the next day, she found Samantha’s dead body. Two dead people in two days! Although she was warned not to become an amateur detective, she does what she can to solve the case. Will she solve it before anyone else is dead?
December 29, 2018
This is a surprisingly entertaining little cozy mystery with all of the action on Isle of Man. This was my first trial of this author's writing and I will certainly dip into this tureen again, hoping not to gain weight just from reading all the descriptions of meals, puddings, biscuits, etc.
The fact that this features an older woman, known by all island residents as "Aunt Bessie," who enjoys reading mysteries and apparently dabbles in them for real at the risk of her own life yields a lively mix of endearing characters and action. Aunt Bessie also does Manx historical research and teaches the language although there was no time for that in this episode.
A wealthy family seems targeted with Bessie finding the first two bodies, the first on the beach fairly close to her cottage. She embroils herself in the police investigation as only she can.
The fact that this features an older woman, known by all island residents as "Aunt Bessie," who enjoys reading mysteries and apparently dabbles in them for real at the risk of her own life yields a lively mix of endearing characters and action. Aunt Bessie also does Manx historical research and teaches the language although there was no time for that in this episode.
A wealthy family seems targeted with Bessie finding the first two bodies, the first on the beach fairly close to her cottage. She embroils herself in the police investigation as only she can.
February 16, 2017
A short, cozy murder mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed! Loved the character Aunt Bessie who reminded me a log of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple character. The story is set on the Isle of Man and started with Aunt Bessie finding a dead man lying on the beach while she was taking her regular morning walk. I may read more of this mystery series.
December 17, 2014
I'm in love with Aunt Bessie. A wonderful cozy mystery set in a cozy location.
April 6, 2015
Good reading
Too much emphasis on Bessie age and how much it annoyed her. Light mystery not many clues. Needs a bit more characters depth.
Too much emphasis on Bessie age and how much it annoyed her. Light mystery not many clues. Needs a bit more characters depth.
May 4, 2024
This may turn out to be a pretty good series, though I only rate the first book a 3. I like the main character, Aunt Bessie. She is a dear old soul, well loved by her Manx neighbors and friends. She his having a peaceful retirement until she stumbles upon a body on the beach (Well, doesn't everyone, sooner or later?). She pretty much has to solve the mystery herself because the police, while well-meaning and good, are usually in the wrong place at the wrong time.
The 3 rating is because the actual denouement is a teensy bit contrived. I was not a fan of the way the author got the murderer and Aunt Bessie alone so they could confess to her. And, of course, try to kill her. That's not a spoiler. This is a cozy mystery. You know that's going to happen.
The 3 rating is because the actual denouement is a teensy bit contrived. I was not a fan of the way the author got the murderer and Aunt Bessie alone so they could confess to her. And, of course, try to kill her. That's not a spoiler. This is a cozy mystery. You know that's going to happen.
October 5, 2015
One thing I'll say up front: this is a pretty cozy cozy. It takes place on the Isle of Man, which I gather is a bit remote from some things and has weather like England. I liked Aunt Bessie herself a lot, although she may be a touch more prone to tearing up than some "spinster aunts" I've known. She's the kind of cheery, generous person whose home is where all the neighborhood kids want to go and hang out for biscuits and tea, even if she makes everyone wash their own dishes. I had a kindly uncle like that once, but he didn't make people do their own dishes, and he also had a small poodle. (I don't think Aunt Bessie is much of a mutt person; she may be too tidy.) If you're looking for something to read on some dreary days before the fire with a bowl of beef stew for company, this could be it. Perhaps the whole Aunt Bessie series is it. My only literary complaint is that possibly there was too much comfy-coziness in the pacing of the last four chapters or so. After an important, momentous event things seemed to slow excessively just when I wanted things to speed up so I could find out whodunit.
This is an indie publication, and since I usually say something about the editing and formatting, here's that tidbit. This is well edited and produced. I found exactly two teensy-weensy typographical errors, so the author has earned herself a Silver Rodent award for general editorial hygiene.
Now. If all you want to know is whether this is a nice book to read, you're set. Go ye forth and put it on your queue. If you want a cup full of kvetch with it, you're welcome to read on... Below is not a plot spoiler, it's a mini-rant.
This is an indie publication, and since I usually say something about the editing and formatting, here's that tidbit. This is well edited and produced. I found exactly two teensy-weensy typographical errors, so the author has earned herself a Silver Rodent award for general editorial hygiene.
Now. If all you want to know is whether this is a nice book to read, you're set. Go ye forth and put it on your queue. If you want a cup full of kvetch with it, you're welcome to read on... Below is not a plot spoiler, it's a mini-rant.
February 11, 2017
Not too bad, the killer isn't a huge surprise but not a bad way to spend an hour. I don't know why we are constantly told how loved Aunt Bessie is, when she's actually a total crank.
December 31, 2017
SUMMARY: Aunt Bessie assumes that she'll have the beach all to herself on a cold, wet, and windy March morning just after sunrise, then she stumbles (almost literally) over a dead body.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either. Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body. Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
REVIEW: This is a new to me cozy mystery author, and I enjoyed this clean, secular cozy mystery. Pace was a little slow in places but overall reminded me somewhat of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple just not quite the crispness of storyline. The characters were interesting; and Aunt Bessie seemed well suited to play the old aunt to many in the town. I liked the small town feeling of everyone knowing everyone else. Overall a quick, easy to read cozy mystery.
Elizabeth (Bessie) Cubbon, aged somewhere between free bus pass (60) and telegram from the Queen (100), has lived her entire adult life in a small cottage on Laxey beach. For most of those years, she's been in the habit of taking a brisk morning walk along the beach. Dead men have never been part of the scenery before.
Aunt Bessie assumes that the dead man died of natural causes, then the police find the knife in his chest.
Try as she might, Bessie just can't find anything to like about the young widow that she provides tea and sympathy to in the immediate aftermath of finding the body. There isn't much to like about the rest of the victim's family either. Aunt Bessie assumes that the police will have the case wrapped up in no time at all, then she finds a second body. Can Bessie and her friends find the killer before she ends up as the next victim?
REVIEW: This is a new to me cozy mystery author, and I enjoyed this clean, secular cozy mystery. Pace was a little slow in places but overall reminded me somewhat of Agatha Christie's Miss Marple just not quite the crispness of storyline. The characters were interesting; and Aunt Bessie seemed well suited to play the old aunt to many in the town. I liked the small town feeling of everyone knowing everyone else. Overall a quick, easy to read cozy mystery.
October 18, 2016
As cozy mysteries go, this is about as cozy as it gets. Aunt Bessie is a lady of bus pass age living beside the beach in Laxey on the Isle of Man. One morning she (literally) stumbles over a body on the beach, and, since she knows everyone on the island, she’s roped in by the police and her own curiosity to help solve the crime. As always, there are plenty of suspects, and all sorts of skeletons in closets to be revealed before the murderer is brought to justice.
There’s nothing fundamentally amiss with this book, and I was never tempted to abandon it. However, the pace is glacially slow, with inordinate amounts of unnecessary dialogue and repetition, and a great deal of page time is devoted to drinking vast amounts of tea and loving descriptions of every single food item passing Aunt Bessie’s lips. When she cooks, we’re treated to a blow-by-blow account of every ingredient and cooking utensil and process involved. It’s easy to read, however, and the odd Americanism felt reasonable to me given that Aunt Bessie grew up in the States.
As a mystery, let’s just say that my first guess was the correct one, and there were no challenging puzzles to unravel. For anyone who enjoys this kind of lightweight and undemanding story, there are plenty more books in the series, and the Manx setting is charmingly different. For me, it only rates three stars.
There’s nothing fundamentally amiss with this book, and I was never tempted to abandon it. However, the pace is glacially slow, with inordinate amounts of unnecessary dialogue and repetition, and a great deal of page time is devoted to drinking vast amounts of tea and loving descriptions of every single food item passing Aunt Bessie’s lips. When she cooks, we’re treated to a blow-by-blow account of every ingredient and cooking utensil and process involved. It’s easy to read, however, and the odd Americanism felt reasonable to me given that Aunt Bessie grew up in the States.
As a mystery, let’s just say that my first guess was the correct one, and there were no challenging puzzles to unravel. For anyone who enjoys this kind of lightweight and undemanding story, there are plenty more books in the series, and the Manx setting is charmingly different. For me, it only rates three stars.
March 30, 2015
A fun read!
This was my intro to the Isle of Man. I liked the characters and look forward to more of their adventures. I like the relationships between the main characters and the descriptions of the island. Before I read the next one I want to read about the Isle of Man and the Manx language referred to.
This was my intro to the Isle of Man. I liked the characters and look forward to more of their adventures. I like the relationships between the main characters and the descriptions of the island. Before I read the next one I want to read about the Isle of Man and the Manx language referred to.
October 2, 2016
Quite a nice cozy. I liked the main characters - Aunt Bessie, Hugh, Doona, Inspector Rockwell, and the setting was unique. I didn't know much about The Isle of Man so the bits of history and culture worked in were appreciated. The mystery itself was okay. I'll surely check out more of this series!
February 10, 2017
A fun cozy mystery with decently-drawn characters in a picturesque setting. Though the small-town friendliness seems a touch overdone, and the puzzle is not as difficult to piece together as I prefer, the book is reasonably well-written, lighthearted and fun. Not a bad way to spend an afternoon.
February 12, 2017
Interesting characters, simply story line, good entertainment. Ms Xarissa has other titles that I'm sure to read.
February 20, 2017
A dear friend gave me this book for my birthday and I LOVED it! It's a delightful cozy mystery and I am looking forward to reading more in this series.
January 16, 2020
I don’t think I would have glanced at this book at all if not for the author’s last name. I wasn’t expecting much out of it anyway, but it pleasantly surprised me. Bessie Cubbon is a bit of a Miss Marple wannabe, but she’s more judgmental and less observant about human nature than Miss Jane. But she’s still got a finger on the pulse of the little island town she has lived in for so many decades, and if she hasn’t got a pulse by gosh she knows people who do.
The mystery isn’t the best, but it’s not bad either. Not all loose ends are tied, and I’m guessing some of it will become relevant in the next books of the series. Or maybe not. The ending is actually quite stupid, and only for plot purposes, so I hope that’s another thing that changes in the books following this one. But all in all, it wasn’t a bad start.
The mystery isn’t the best, but it’s not bad either. Not all loose ends are tied, and I’m guessing some of it will become relevant in the next books of the series. Or maybe not. The ending is actually quite stupid, and only for plot purposes, so I hope that’s another thing that changes in the books following this one. But all in all, it wasn’t a bad start.
April 1, 2017
I’m not a huge fan of cozies, and this book is a cozy in every sense of the word. But from the opening page I found myself drawn to Aunt Bessie and the other characters. On the surface, it’s an intriguing Agatha-Christie-style whodunit that kept me guessing to the end. But more than that, this book is a look into a society I was not much aware of at all. I’d heard of the Isle of Man (as has anyone who does crossword puzzles regularly) but had never stopped to think much about it. This story intrigued me enough to cause me to Google photos of the Isle of Man, pore over a map, and read up on the culture and 8000-year-old history of the island and its people. I was entertained and learned something too!
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