What do you think?
Rate this book
Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy #1
Arrivals and Arrests
The first book in a new series by the author of the Aunt Bessie - Isle of Man Cozy Mystery series.
Fenella Woods has only met a few people during the twenty-four hours she's been in Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man. She's shocked when she discovers one of them dead in an alley behind her apartment building.
Struggling to adapt to her new life in a foreign country seems easy compared to coping with finding herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
Nearly fifty and newly single, Fenella meets a handsome police inspector, a dashing new neighbor, and a sophisticated businessman, all of whom have her questioning her determination to remain unattached.
Having a ghost for a roommate and a kitten as an uninvited houseguest has her questioning her decision to start a new life on the small island in the Irish Sea after all.
Fenella Woods has only met a few people during the twenty-four hours she's been in Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man. She's shocked when she discovers one of them dead in an alley behind her apartment building.
Struggling to adapt to her new life in a foreign country seems easy compared to coping with finding herself in the middle of a murder investigation.
Nearly fifty and newly single, Fenella meets a handsome police inspector, a dashing new neighbor, and a sophisticated businessman, all of whom have her questioning her determination to remain unattached.
Having a ghost for a roommate and a kitten as an uninvited houseguest has her questioning her decision to start a new life on the small island in the Irish Sea after all.
258 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 18, 2016
639 people are currently reading
456 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
222 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
December 10, 2024
I am working my way steadily through this author's Aunt Bessie series and I felt an inclination to try her other series.
Arrivals and Arrests is book one. We meet Fenella Woods who has recently moved to the Isle of Man and, in her first few days in Douglas, has found a dead body in an alley. If you think that is unlucky, a little later she finds another equally dead body in an office.
Apart from a tendency to find dead people Fenella also appears to be very attractive to men and quickly gathers a following including the police inspector, the next-door neighbor and a rather suspect businessman. She also acquires the ghost of her dead Aunt and a small kitten she names Katie.
What a start to a new life and what on earth will happen next? I enjoyed this book very much and cannot wait to find out.
Arrivals and Arrests is book one. We meet Fenella Woods who has recently moved to the Isle of Man and, in her first few days in Douglas, has found a dead body in an alley. If you think that is unlucky, a little later she finds another equally dead body in an office.
Apart from a tendency to find dead people Fenella also appears to be very attractive to men and quickly gathers a following including the police inspector, the next-door neighbor and a rather suspect businessman. She also acquires the ghost of her dead Aunt and a small kitten she names Katie.
What a start to a new life and what on earth will happen next? I enjoyed this book very much and cannot wait to find out.
June 14, 2021
Fenella Woods was still struggling with jet lag when she returned home with her few groceries. She’d arrived in Douglas on the Isle of Man the day before from the US where she’d quit her job, sold her home and started her new life in the apartment her Aunt Mona had left her when she’d recently passed away. So the unexpected sight of a body in the alley behind the apartment gave Fenella a huge shock – all she wanted to do was to get her groceries inside. Instead, she had to wait for the police and paramedics.
When she was through with the questions and her groceries were put away, Fenella was suddenly confronted by a ghost? Was that her Aunt Mona? And the small kitten who dashed into her apartment – cute though she was – must have had an owner? Fenella met some of her direct neighbours and was invited out to dinner, but it wasn’t long and there was another body on the scene. When Inspector Robinson seemed suspicious of Fenella, her frustrations rose. She would find the killer herself – with some help from Mona…
Arrivals and Arrests is the 1st in the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series by Diana Xarissa and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was laugh out loud funny in places, with great characters and plenty of entertainment for this reader. I’m looking forward to the next in the series in the near future. Recommended.
When she was through with the questions and her groceries were put away, Fenella was suddenly confronted by a ghost? Was that her Aunt Mona? And the small kitten who dashed into her apartment – cute though she was – must have had an owner? Fenella met some of her direct neighbours and was invited out to dinner, but it wasn’t long and there was another body on the scene. When Inspector Robinson seemed suspicious of Fenella, her frustrations rose. She would find the killer herself – with some help from Mona…
Arrivals and Arrests is the 1st in the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series by Diana Xarissa and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was laugh out loud funny in places, with great characters and plenty of entertainment for this reader. I’m looking forward to the next in the series in the near future. Recommended.
September 17, 2021
2 1/2 stars. Have you ever just wanted to get up and start life again in a new place, a different job, maybe have an adventure. Well, Fenella, a Northeast academic just out of a long term relationship and nearing fifty, decides to go for it when she inherits a condo on the Isle of Man. Only she doesn't expect to run into a dead body in the alley behind her building. Soon she discovers her aunt never really left the condo and has decided to hang around as a ghost, a kitten as a guest, and herself in the middle of a murder investigation. This isn't quite what she expected...
Solid. The ghost aspect is more like just a side-character, it doesn't effect the mystery. I like the characters.
Solid. The ghost aspect is more like just a side-character, it doesn't effect the mystery. I like the characters.
April 11, 2019
I really enjoyed this little mystery. I loved the characters, especially the ghost and the cat. The mystery wasn't too obvious to figure out. I absolutely loved the idea of the bar with a library feel to it. I would so love to have one of those around here. I would spend a lot of time in a place like that! Overall, an enjoyable mystery.
April 16, 2019
I read too much. Thus...sometimes I read a cozy. This is a new character launched for this author set in Douglas, Isle of Man. It is a fun, lively little murder mystery featuring a single American woman over 45 who inherits a flat overlooking the sea from her aunt. Although a tenured history professor at American college, she decides quickly to sell her house, quit her job, leave her male partner of some years and start anew. She was born on Isle of Man but her family moved to America when she was two.
Kickoff action is finding a murdered man in the parking lot of her flat. She ends up finding his partner killed later on in the narrative. Who does she talk to about these events? None other than the ghost of her aunt who visits frequently.
I may read others as they come out. She purposes to write a book, so perhaps she will make progress in that effort later on when she stops solving murders with a push from her aunt.
Kickoff action is finding a murdered man in the parking lot of her flat. She ends up finding his partner killed later on in the narrative. Who does she talk to about these events? None other than the ghost of her aunt who visits frequently.
I may read others as they come out. She purposes to write a book, so perhaps she will make progress in that effort later on when she stops solving murders with a push from her aunt.
Read
June 7, 2020New to me cozy series. Easy read that kept my attention, but I like her Aunt Bessie series better that features an older lady with a Miss Marple nosiness and astuteness. Fenella Woods and the ghost of her Aunt Mona work together to solve mysteries.
July 6, 2018
I loved this charming mystery set on the Isle of Man! In the tradition of the Aunt Dimity mysteries, "Aunty Mona" is a very witty ghost who lives with her niece Fenella in a gorgeous apartment that I want to live in! Together they solved a whodunnit! Thank you for recommending yet another great series from this author, Linda :-)
December 27, 2021
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Fenella Woods has inherited her Aunt Mona’s apartment and has just arrived in the capital city of Isle of Man. This is her chance to start over and write the book she has been dreaming about. It also gets her far away from the ex she left behind in the states.
Coming home after a trip to the nearby grocery store she finds a dead body in the alley behind her new home. The man seems familiar but with him lying on his stomach she can’t see his face, plus she has not met many people in Douglas yet. But following this death, she does meet a few people, like a very easy on the eyes police inspector, a neighbor who is also pretty good looking, and a hunky businessman too. She also becomes fast friends with her quirky aunt’s friend and neighbor. It is because of her that Fenella finds a wonderful pub just down the street from the Promenade View Apartments.
Fenella also finds she has inherited a roommate, the ghost of her aunt who is not quite ready to start her afterlife. A kitten zips into her apartment and life too. The kitten she is fine with but her aunt not so much, especially when she tries to coax her into investigating the murders.
Her life on the island is nothing like she ever imagined. She just hopes she lives long enough to enjoy it.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.
I enjoyed my introduction to Fenella and Isle of Man. I love that Fenella is an older protagonist and an American. She is still learning about her new hometown and I really enjoyed her daily walks as I could grasp the locale that was new to me as well. The friendly pub full of books and reading nooks made my heart sing. Like Fenella, I could spend a lot of time there.
I found the people she met to be the classic people you meet in a cozy mystery. The quirky friend, the promising romantic interest/s, in the case there are three, and all the people that fill the suspect list. We get to know them well for the first book in the series.
And then we have the ghostly Aunty Mona. That woman is a hoot and a half. Not entirely happy in her current form she is on hand to give Fenella clothing and romantic advice and quick to encourage her to investigate the murder and pushes even harder when Fenella finds another body. Mona does have some insight into the people involved but she seems to disregard the danger her niece could face.
The murder mystery was well-plotted. Fenella does have some bad luck finding not one but two dead bodies very soon after the crime has been committed. She also knows nothing about the suspects but she is a pro at eavesdropping. She is also not very good at putting the clues together and that could have her running for her life.
Arrivals and Arrests is a lighthearted mystery with an exciting climax. I enjoyed the way Ms. Xarissa told this story so I am looking forward to reading book two, Boats and Bad Guys to see what kind of mystery Fenella gets involved in next. This being an alphabet series it appears Fenella has all kinds of adventures ahead and I have a bunch of catching up to do.
Fenella Woods has inherited her Aunt Mona’s apartment and has just arrived in the capital city of Isle of Man. This is her chance to start over and write the book she has been dreaming about. It also gets her far away from the ex she left behind in the states.
Coming home after a trip to the nearby grocery store she finds a dead body in the alley behind her new home. The man seems familiar but with him lying on his stomach she can’t see his face, plus she has not met many people in Douglas yet. But following this death, she does meet a few people, like a very easy on the eyes police inspector, a neighbor who is also pretty good looking, and a hunky businessman too. She also becomes fast friends with her quirky aunt’s friend and neighbor. It is because of her that Fenella finds a wonderful pub just down the street from the Promenade View Apartments.
Fenella also finds she has inherited a roommate, the ghost of her aunt who is not quite ready to start her afterlife. A kitten zips into her apartment and life too. The kitten she is fine with but her aunt not so much, especially when she tries to coax her into investigating the murders.
Her life on the island is nothing like she ever imagined. She just hopes she lives long enough to enjoy it.
This is the first book I have read by this author but it won’t be the last.
I enjoyed my introduction to Fenella and Isle of Man. I love that Fenella is an older protagonist and an American. She is still learning about her new hometown and I really enjoyed her daily walks as I could grasp the locale that was new to me as well. The friendly pub full of books and reading nooks made my heart sing. Like Fenella, I could spend a lot of time there.
I found the people she met to be the classic people you meet in a cozy mystery. The quirky friend, the promising romantic interest/s, in the case there are three, and all the people that fill the suspect list. We get to know them well for the first book in the series.
And then we have the ghostly Aunty Mona. That woman is a hoot and a half. Not entirely happy in her current form she is on hand to give Fenella clothing and romantic advice and quick to encourage her to investigate the murder and pushes even harder when Fenella finds another body. Mona does have some insight into the people involved but she seems to disregard the danger her niece could face.
The murder mystery was well-plotted. Fenella does have some bad luck finding not one but two dead bodies very soon after the crime has been committed. She also knows nothing about the suspects but she is a pro at eavesdropping. She is also not very good at putting the clues together and that could have her running for her life.
Arrivals and Arrests is a lighthearted mystery with an exciting climax. I enjoyed the way Ms. Xarissa told this story so I am looking forward to reading book two, Boats and Bad Guys to see what kind of mystery Fenella gets involved in next. This being an alphabet series it appears Fenella has all kinds of adventures ahead and I have a bunch of catching up to do.
August 7, 2020
Arrivals and Arrests is the first of the Isle of Man Ghostly mysteries, featuring Manx-born, American-raised Fenella Woods, who returns to the Isle of Man after 30 years to start her writing career after she inherits a flat and money from her Aunt Mona. Unfortunately, she finds a dead body after her first trip to the grocery store...and then discovers that her new roommate is her aunt's ghost.
I confess that I got this book mainly because I needed letters 'x' and 'i' for spell-it-out reading challenges. That, and I like cozy mysteries and thought the Isle of Man was an interesting setting. Arrivals and Arrests is a fairly standard cozy mystery. It's nice to have a protagonist in her 40s, and Fenella is interesting. The ghost of Aunty Mona is a hoot, as is Fenella's adorable kitten. The book isn't amazing or unique, but it's a nice, fairly well-written cozy mystery.
I confess that I got this book mainly because I needed letters 'x' and 'i' for spell-it-out reading challenges. That, and I like cozy mysteries and thought the Isle of Man was an interesting setting. Arrivals and Arrests is a fairly standard cozy mystery. It's nice to have a protagonist in her 40s, and Fenella is interesting. The ghost of Aunty Mona is a hoot, as is Fenella's adorable kitten. The book isn't amazing or unique, but it's a nice, fairly well-written cozy mystery.
September 11, 2019
This was a fun cozy but it was in strong need of better editing which drove me crazy early in the book, although the mistakes seemed to fade out as the novel went on. I read this one for one reason only, a connection to the Isle of Man. I have ancestry from that Island and I want to travel there so badly that it hurts. There is a decent amount of description and so it was worth my time and I did in fact drool over the flat that this woman inherited. The Aunt Dimity mysteries are better as far as a ghost detective in the UK go, but this was still fun. The only real struggle was the fact I have zero respect for the women who inhabit this incarnation of the Isle of Man. They really all seem to be idiots who can be easily taken in by a half-witted aging playboy. Not sure if I will continue the series. We will see if they are available in our library system after the first of the year.
November 3, 2020
This was pretty good, I didn't expect to enjoy it so much but I did.
It was interesting reading a paranormal mystery set in the UK even if it was the Isle of Man. Also interesting she was American but English? I like the fact shes older and shes got her aunt as a ghost giving her advice. Its a hint of paranormal without being paranormal completely.
Curious who the love interest is. None of the men seem suitable but I like each of them for different reasons. I'm not really sure who I hope is to be honest.
It was interesting reading a paranormal mystery set in the UK even if it was the Isle of Man. Also interesting she was American but English? I like the fact shes older and shes got her aunt as a ghost giving her advice. Its a hint of paranormal without being paranormal completely.
Curious who the love interest is. None of the men seem suitable but I like each of them for different reasons. I'm not really sure who I hope is to be honest.
February 18, 2025
Arrivals and Arrests by Diana Xarissa is the first book in the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy series. Fenella Woods returns to the Isle of Man from the U.S. when her aunt Mona dies leaving her an inheritance, only to stumble across a dead body on her first day. She also discovers that Mona's ghost has decided to stay. A fun mystery as Fenella trys to settle in and make her life on the island. It was nice learning a little about the island and it's characters with Fenella, although her sleuthing needs a bit of work. An enjoyable typical cozy mystery.
March 5, 2018
What fun!
No shortage of suspects in this book! Great plot with a mature heroine with some possible romantic interests. I liked the characters and setting, and will keep reading in this series.
No shortage of suspects in this book! Great plot with a mature heroine with some possible romantic interests. I liked the characters and setting, and will keep reading in this series.
December 11, 2020
Nice cozy mystery with interesting characters that kept my interest (had to keep putting it down reluctantly to do things on Christmas task list).
Setting on Isle of Mann was new for me as well. Will be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can get my hands on them...after Christmas!
Setting on Isle of Mann was new for me as well. Will be reading the rest of the series as soon as I can get my hands on them...after Christmas!
September 13, 2021
Not a bad first in series, if a bit repetitive on what the author's already told you.
February 2, 2022
This is a light British cozy, with a fun set up with a twist, and quite capable writing, but the solution to the mystery was flat and silly and the pacing faltered. 2.5 stars.
April 26, 2021
Updated review
Original Review
I've been a long time fan of Diana Xarissa's other series, so I was eagerly anticipating this book when I saw it come up on Amazon. Set in the familiar locale of the Isle of Man, Arrivals and Arrests has a whole new cast of characters to get to know. I liked it from the first paragraph and liked it even more when I saw Fenella moved from Buffalo, NY - my hometown! And not one joke about the weather! (People from Buffalo will understand.) I enjoyed this book so much, I read it in one afternoon, I couldn't put it down!
The book follows Fenella, a middle aged college professor who inherits a flat from her aunt, Mona. The day after she arrives, she stumbles upon Alan Collins, a shady businessman, laying dead in an alley behind her building. Fenella finds herself in the middle of the investigation and as if that's not stressful enough, Fenella finds that Mona hasn't "moved on" after her death, and keeps popping up unexpectedly to prod Fenella into investigating.
I really enjoyed the twisty plot. Having just arrived to the island, Fenella doesn't know anyone and you're just as much in the dark about the suspects as she is, and every motive she uncovers is as new to her as it is to you. With many misdirections, it was fun to join Fenella as she tracks down a killer while meeting new friends on the island.
Arrivals and Arrests brings a whole new crew of characters to love. Mona and Shelly were my favorites, I thought they were a real hoot, adding lots of humor to the story. Fenella also finds herself being courted by three eligible men, her neighbor Peter, the dashing Donald Donaldson and dishy detective Daniel Robinson. Which one will Fenella choose? (I'm partial to the dishy detective.)
Most of all, I loved the Tale and Tail pub! Like Fenella, I could easily spend hours there among the cats and the books. Is there an actual place like that on the Isle of Man? If so, I'm booking my flight tomorrow.
Overall, Arrivals and Arrests is an excellent debut to a promising new series and I look forward to more of Fenella's adventures. I definitely recommend this to readers looking for a fun cozy mystery to curl up with for an afternoon.
Original Review
I've been a long time fan of Diana Xarissa's other series, so I was eagerly anticipating this book when I saw it come up on Amazon. Set in the familiar locale of the Isle of Man, Arrivals and Arrests has a whole new cast of characters to get to know. I liked it from the first paragraph and liked it even more when I saw Fenella moved from Buffalo, NY - my hometown! And not one joke about the weather! (People from Buffalo will understand.) I enjoyed this book so much, I read it in one afternoon, I couldn't put it down!
The book follows Fenella, a middle aged college professor who inherits a flat from her aunt, Mona. The day after she arrives, she stumbles upon Alan Collins, a shady businessman, laying dead in an alley behind her building. Fenella finds herself in the middle of the investigation and as if that's not stressful enough, Fenella finds that Mona hasn't "moved on" after her death, and keeps popping up unexpectedly to prod Fenella into investigating.
I really enjoyed the twisty plot. Having just arrived to the island, Fenella doesn't know anyone and you're just as much in the dark about the suspects as she is, and every motive she uncovers is as new to her as it is to you. With many misdirections, it was fun to join Fenella as she tracks down a killer while meeting new friends on the island.
Arrivals and Arrests brings a whole new crew of characters to love. Mona and Shelly were my favorites, I thought they were a real hoot, adding lots of humor to the story. Fenella also finds herself being courted by three eligible men, her neighbor Peter, the dashing Donald Donaldson and dishy detective Daniel Robinson. Which one will Fenella choose? (I'm partial to the dishy detective.)
Most of all, I loved the Tale and Tail pub! Like Fenella, I could easily spend hours there among the cats and the books. Is there an actual place like that on the Isle of Man? If so, I'm booking my flight tomorrow.
Overall, Arrivals and Arrests is an excellent debut to a promising new series and I look forward to more of Fenella's adventures. I definitely recommend this to readers looking for a fun cozy mystery to curl up with for an afternoon.
October 29, 2021
I did not believe that this was a woman brought up in PA and lived and worked in NY until she was 48.
Yes, she might have been influenced by her family, but working as a teacher/professor with American youth, she was too meek. Yes, the experience with the 'inertia' boyfriend too its toll, but she's constantly swearing its all over and she has a new life. She admits freely to acting like a teenager around the three men who seem to suddenly fall madly for her, and this was the problem. The story seemed to be about her daily trips to the grocery, interacting with a ghost to argue about her romances, and taking care of a new kitten. The mystery just seemed to drop in occasionally, and the conclusion wasn't very interesting at all.
Yes, she might have been influenced by her family, but working as a teacher/professor with American youth, she was too meek. Yes, the experience with the 'inertia' boyfriend too its toll, but she's constantly swearing its all over and she has a new life. She admits freely to acting like a teenager around the three men who seem to suddenly fall madly for her, and this was the problem. The story seemed to be about her daily trips to the grocery, interacting with a ghost to argue about her romances, and taking care of a new kitten. The mystery just seemed to drop in occasionally, and the conclusion wasn't very interesting at all.
April 24, 2025
A quick, satisfying read. This was the perfect combination of world building and investigation, with Fenella getting to know her new town and community while investigating the death of a neighbor. I loved the addition of her recently deceased aunt and a cute kitten to round out the cast of characters. This was a reread but it’s been a few years so it was like reading it for the first time again. Looking forward to the next in the series.
May 29, 2019
I read this because of the aisle of Man connection and my enjoyment of George Bellairs’ series frequently set in the Isle of Mann. I was disappointed. It could pretty much be set anywhere. Most of the mystery is around which man (or men) Fenella will end up with.
The ghost is a pretty thin device - about as convincing as Fenella’s life change.
The ghost is a pretty thin device - about as convincing as Fenella’s life change.
June 25, 2018
It was a 3.5 read for me but I rounded up because I did enjoy it and for an amateur sleuth mystery it didn’t contain any of my personal ‘nopes.’ Fenella, a history professor, has inherited her aunt’s flat in the city of Douglas on the Isle of Man. She’s left her old life behind giving up her job and the lackluster relationship with Jack going on the theory Aunt Mona has left her enough money to get by on. She wants a new life and maybe write a history book or three. I found that an iffy premise, more like wish fulfillment (especially giving up a hard to get teaching job and going to a country she’s not been to since she was a child).
Instead she finds the body of Alan Collins, unscrupulous philandering
real estate agent who tried to buy her aunt’s place. At first I didn’t quite like Fenella who seemed like a cold fish more worried about her groceries getting wet than the dead body. I did warm up to her though and liked that she was forty-eight instead of the usual twenty-five.
Fenella has no plans of investigating the murder but the ghost of Aunt Mona has other ideas. Mona appears real as life and talks to her all the time in this mystery (if that sort of paranormal thing bugs you.)
There’s also a bit of a love quadrangle between Fenella and Inspector Robertson and Peter, the guy next door, and the wealthy bad boy, Donald, who worked with the dead guy and his partner, Potter. It’s not really over done but it was a tad distracting. Fenella isn’t really looking for a man but Aunt Mona is pushing it (Mona liked the lads back in the day).
The mystery was good. I wanted a bit more of the feeling of the island but over all, it was a good read and not too unbelievable. At least Fenella ignores Aunty’s suggestion that she be bait to lure out the killer. I’ve seen cozies where the sleuth would have jumped at the chance.
Instead she finds the body of Alan Collins, unscrupulous philandering
real estate agent who tried to buy her aunt’s place. At first I didn’t quite like Fenella who seemed like a cold fish more worried about her groceries getting wet than the dead body. I did warm up to her though and liked that she was forty-eight instead of the usual twenty-five.
Fenella has no plans of investigating the murder but the ghost of Aunt Mona has other ideas. Mona appears real as life and talks to her all the time in this mystery (if that sort of paranormal thing bugs you.)
There’s also a bit of a love quadrangle between Fenella and Inspector Robertson and Peter, the guy next door, and the wealthy bad boy, Donald, who worked with the dead guy and his partner, Potter. It’s not really over done but it was a tad distracting. Fenella isn’t really looking for a man but Aunt Mona is pushing it (Mona liked the lads back in the day).
The mystery was good. I wanted a bit more of the feeling of the island but over all, it was a good read and not too unbelievable. At least Fenella ignores Aunty’s suggestion that she be bait to lure out the killer. I’ve seen cozies where the sleuth would have jumped at the chance.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 7, 2021
The main character in this book, Fenella Woods, has just junked her entire life and moved herself from Buffalo, NY, to the Isle of Man. We pick up her story just as she arrives, a 48-year-old woman who tells herself she wants to write a book. She has inherited a flat on the sixth floor in the old hotel that was left by her aunt for her with all the contents. As Fenella is unpacking, a person knocks on her door and wants to list her flat for sale. He isn't very happy when Fenella refuses. Fenella goes out later to the local grocery to do some shopping. It's raining when she trudges home carrying those infernal plastic shopping bags. She goes through the alley in back of the hotel thinking it will be faster and she won't have to carry those bags as far when she spots a man lying face down in the alley. It turns out to be the same man who wanted to list her flat. Aside from a slight case of deja vu, I enjoyed myself reading this book and I think you will too.
September 14, 2021
This was part of a three-book series "An Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Collection - ABC". I'm not really into ghost stories, but I do enjoy a good murder mystery, and I love reading and seeing things about the Isle of Man, so I gave it a go. I finished this book (the first in the three-book series), but have no real desire to read the next two; MAINLY because I don't like the ghost character (no spoilers, sorry). The ghost is annoying and a busy body and doesn't really add much to the story as a whole other than an antagonist. There is some romance (and the promise of more in future books). This story is a standalone, part of a series. There is resolution to the murder mystery in this book, so I guess there's a happy ending.
April 1, 2024
Fenella Woods has only met a few people during the twenty-four hours she's been in Douglas, the capital city of the Isle of Man. She's shocked when she discovers one of them dead in an alley behind her apartment building. This was a great debut novel of a new series by Diana Xarissa! Fenella is busy enough trying to move into her late Aunt's apartment, moving from USA to Isle of Man, when she finds the body. She then meets the local police, fellow flat owners, murderers, pub owners and so on through a delightful romp of a new town. It wasn't until she meets another dead body that Fenella gets very concerned. Oh, of course meeting her dead Aunt's ghost was no picnic either.
Great series to binge read on Kindle or KU!
Great series to binge read on Kindle or KU!
January 14, 2018
Another series by the author of the Aunt Bess series. Once again taking place on the Isle of Man. An American Fenella Woods has inherited all of her Aunt Mona’s estate, she comes to Isle of Man to take up residence in her aunt’s apartment and write a historical novel on Ann Boylen. But before she can get over her jet lag or even unpack a box she finds a body, meets a ghost and is a suspect in a murder.
Classic style of a cozy. Fenella is our sleuth (reluctantly), Inspector Robinson is her police connection, there are adequate suspects (nothing too flamboyant). It is by getting to know who the victim is and talking with suspects that the case progress. Enjoyable read.
Classic style of a cozy. Fenella is our sleuth (reluctantly), Inspector Robinson is her police connection, there are adequate suspects (nothing too flamboyant). It is by getting to know who the victim is and talking with suspects that the case progress. Enjoyable read.
November 7, 2018
Very disappointed !
Having been a fan of her previous Manx character Aunt Bessie. I looked forward to reading, this but was very disappointed, not a patch on her Aunt Bessie series, same characters (but different names ), same story lines, the only new thing being the ghost of the main characters aunt, who I found most annoying and not funny at all. So this is my first and last read of this series of her new Manx amateur detective and go and read all the Aunt B ones again, as they are so good !
Having been a fan of her previous Manx character Aunt Bessie. I looked forward to reading, this but was very disappointed, not a patch on her Aunt Bessie series, same characters (but different names ), same story lines, the only new thing being the ghost of the main characters aunt, who I found most annoying and not funny at all. So this is my first and last read of this series of her new Manx amateur detective and go and read all the Aunt B ones again, as they are so good !
June 25, 2019
It’s Always a Man!
Whether he’s a hero or villain, in most books written for women, things don’t get interesting until a man gets involved. But in this cozy mystery, the energy is in the women’s actions, and some are quite reprehensible! Alive or dead, it’s women who move the plot forward, and women who face the action’s risks and consequences. But there is a good man in the plot after all, to admire its heroine’s choices, and quickly come realize he admires the woman herself!
Whether he’s a hero or villain, in most books written for women, things don’t get interesting until a man gets involved. But in this cozy mystery, the energy is in the women’s actions, and some are quite reprehensible! Alive or dead, it’s women who move the plot forward, and women who face the action’s risks and consequences. But there is a good man in the plot after all, to admire its heroine’s choices, and quickly come realize he admires the woman herself!
Read
October 8, 2022I might not be a cozy mystery reader as this is the second one I have tried and did not love. It started out pretty good and I was interested. Then, the next thing I know the main character is talking to a ghost. I did not realize this was a "paranormal" mystery or I would never have tried it. I am not into that kind of story. So many people are, and that's fine, it's just not something I have ever enjoyed. I did try to go further and ended up reading 20% of the book, I just couldn't. Therefore, I will not give the book a rating.
November 10, 2022
Nice premise but the execution doesn't work. The MC, despite being a woman in her mid-forties (which I liked), acted like a ditzy teenager. She also had no spunk whatsoever. Why didn't she block her annoying ex? Instead, she's annoyed-and keeps answering the phone or reading the mails.
The plot is weak, the characters tropey, the ghost a bit of a washout and the murder mystery, well let's say it's a) obvious and b) handled in such an exaggerated fashion I kept laughing at all the wrong moments. I bought the box of three, unfortunately. Not going to read the rest, sorry.
The plot is weak, the characters tropey, the ghost a bit of a washout and the murder mystery, well let's say it's a) obvious and b) handled in such an exaggerated fashion I kept laughing at all the wrong moments. I bought the box of three, unfortunately. Not going to read the rest, sorry.
February 2, 2024
Good book
This is the first book in the series. We meet Fennella and her ghost guest Aunt Mona. She inherited Aunt Mona's home on the Isle of Man. Quit her job, broke up with her boyfriend, sold her home and moved to the Isle of Man to write a historical novel. In her first 24 hours she finds a dead man in her alley. Then in the next 24 hours shape finds a second dead man. Partner of the first dead man. And it takes off from there. I felt the murderer was a surprise but there was a giveaway that I missed.
This is the first book in the series. We meet Fennella and her ghost guest Aunt Mona. She inherited Aunt Mona's home on the Isle of Man. Quit her job, broke up with her boyfriend, sold her home and moved to the Isle of Man to write a historical novel. In her first 24 hours she finds a dead man in her alley. Then in the next 24 hours shape finds a second dead man. Partner of the first dead man. And it takes off from there. I felt the murderer was a surprise but there was a giveaway that I missed.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews