Aunt Bessie Understands

Isle of Man #21

by Diana Xarissa

Aunt Bessie understands why Hugh is so worried about his wife, Grace.She’s about to have their first child, and Hugh doesn’t want her left alone in case she goes into labour. Bessie is happy to agree to spend an afternoon with the woman.Aunt Bessie understands when Hugh, exhausted from a long day that culminated in the arrival of his child, forgets to drop Bessie off at her cottage before driving back to his own home. Knowing that he’s not in any condition to drive anywhere, she insists that they walk to her cottage, Treoghe Bwaane. Aunt Bessie understands that the holiday cottages they walk past are all unoccupied during the winter months. With Christmas just a few weeks away, there shouldn’t be lights on inside any of them. When she and Hugh stumble across a dead body in one of them, Bessie understands that she’s right in the middle of yet another murder investigation.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy

240 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 17, 2019

About the author

Diana 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.

Reviews

[Phrynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Bessie understands may things - in fact she is the most understanding of women. She is also a great friend, always helpful and caring. In this episode she almost lands herself in real trouble by being kind to someone she should probably have left alone. Fortunately she has John, Doona and High watching out for her.

I enjoy my regular visits to the Isle of Man and I realise that I only have five more to go. However the next book has to be read soon because the author has left us with quite a cliff hanger.

[Kathy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I guess I tried this fifth Aunt Bessie due to my Kindle Unlimited subscription and recommendation, but it just bored me with the same old scenario of finding bodies and everyone on the island depending on her for information about everyone who ever lived there. Endless chats over coffee. I could find myself in the right mood some day in the future to enjoy another, but not today.

[Betsy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have never been particularly fond of Bessie, but she sometimes shows some better qualities, however, one of her sanctimonious observations really sank that boat. A character has just been threatened with death by a murderer. The character utters a curse to which Bessie reacts to the comment by referring to it in her thoughts as 'being inapproriate despite the circumstances.' Inappropriate? Give me a break! If he'd been killed, how would she have classified that?

I hope I can hold out through Z (I promised myself I would.) as the stories have become so repetitive, and the characters just spin in their self-important little orbits.

[Mary Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another excellent outing for Aunt Bessie and her friends, I can't believe this is her 21st mystery. Statistically that must put the Isle of Man on the same level as Midsomer for the worst rate of murder in one area. I wouldn't want to live there, far too dangerous but I love reading about it and I feel that Aunt Bessie is an honorary Aunt of mine.
It's a series best read in order but also could be a standalone but I recommend you start from book one as you'll have so much fun being part of Aunt Bessie's life and adventures.
Providing you love good, clean well written cosy mysteries you'll enjoy this book and all the others, you won't regret it!
Thoroughly recommend to you all.

[Su · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many biscuits/cookies

I love all these books and other series by this author but I'm now starting to get the impression that all people on the IOM eat are takeaways and biscuits. Just saying.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another wonderful book in the Aunt Bessie mystery series. This volume concerns a murder that takes place in one of the holiday cottages near where Bessie lives. The body is discovered by Bessie and Hugh. As well as a murder mystery, in this book Grace gives birth to the baby she and Hugh have been expecting. John also receives news that his ex-wife is sick in Africa with a terminal illness. So, a lot of things are happening in this book. As usual, what makes the story so great is the relationships Diana Xarissa explores in this series. I always look forward to reading the newest volume so I can visit with the friends the regulars in these books have become. A really entertaining read.

[A G A VAN DEN BOS · Rating 4 out of 5]

A substantial improvement following the last two books in the series. While there is still a surreal number of murders within a short period of time, an opinion that appears to be mirrored in the thoughts of the characters as well, this story is more of a Cozy Mystery style. There is mercifully minimal repetition of character history, allowing just enough for the book to be independently read as a mystery of its own. Perhaps a little predictable, but proving it maintains the readers interest.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new baby is born, rapidly followed by her exhausted police constable father finding a body while walking a friend home.
Why is a man who left the island following a broken engagement back, without his family knowing, and who killed him. Bessie and her friends unravel the threads to find the murderer. Meanwhile, their private lives are complicated by unexpected twists.
Another fascinating visit to the Isle of Man.

[L Kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good Mystery.

Another great mystery in this wonderful series that takes place on the Isle of Man. The characters are full-bodied, and the recurring characters are now old and dear friends. Choosing charities for the Second Annual Castle Christmas proves more interesting than would be expected.

[Charline Romine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Abrupt ending.

Bessie was on target with her suspicions. The story was going along quite well. With a little more explaining and figuring and tying up if loose ends it could have been a satisfying story. But the headlong flight to the alley made for an abrupt ending. Is there a limit on words to make it this abrupt?

[Thelma Hornsby Brinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another winner

I habe loved every book aboutAunt Bessie and this was no exception. I liked the story line and the fact that a lot of people from previous books are still in the current stories. You get to feel as if you know all the towns people. There is always action and intrigue surrounding Aunt Bessie. Can't wait for the next book.

[Anne Patricia Wildman · Rating 4 out of 5]

'the man'

I got a bit fed up with Diana always talking about ' the man' instead of saying his name or just 'he'. Stories good and was pleased that occasionally they went into Cold Cases and threats of murder rather than actual murders. I read straight through the series, which was fun. Looking forward to the rest of the series

[Anita Lina · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 count them 5 stars

The books Diana writes are marvelous! Read them in sequence you wont regret it!! Read on people and love the Isle of Man

[Mary Byrnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read

This was an enjoyable read. I love catching up with the characters. Looking forward to the realise of the next in the series.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charity doesn't always begin at home

May Aunt Bessie live forever! Christmas at the Castle & murder yet again at that holiday cottage. Sometimes a nose for news can be a killer.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

As always, enjoyed my visit with Aunt Bessie and friends. The mystery was very interesting and keeping up with the "skeet" was fun...

[Lizabeth Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I love the Aunt Bessie mysteries!😍😀 This was another great one, with some interesting interpersonal relationship developments. 😉 Can't wait for the next book.

[Janet Senatore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Aunt Bessie

I look forward to each new book, and I’ll hate to see them end. Will Doona and John get together?

[Alayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery - I had half-guessed the villain partway through but was tossing up between two people. Terrific.

[Andra Fore · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Bessie

I truly love reading these wonderful stories. The characters are fantastic. This has been one of my favorite mystery series.

[Julieann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book #21 of the series

[Stacy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aunt Bessie and Hugh find a dead body in one of the empty cottages near Bessie's home. The body turns out to be a young man who once lived on the island. His family had no idea that he had even returned. Aunt Bessie and the usual crew meet to hash out the case.

[Mary Ahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Routine

The story line is starting to get slower. It seems like there is no more story left to tell on Isle of Man. It was slow, but still entertaining enough to be a distraction. I will give the next one a try, too. After all, I have come this far.

[Crystal Toller · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunt Bessie Series

I discovered these books when I first got Kindle Unlimited a few years ago and have been reading through the series. This book in the series was really good. When Hugh and Grace have their baby and Hugh is taking Aunt Bessie home, they discover a murdered man in one of the holiday cottages and another man is there who broke in to sleep in the cottage. How Besdie and Doona discover the murderer makes for a great story. I'm so enjoying this series and sorry to know I only have 2 more in this series. I'll be reading more books by this author. Highly recommend this book and the series.