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Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy #13
Marsupials and Murder
Fenella Woods has been living on the Isle of Man for a year, and it now seems as if every charity there feels it’s appropriate to start soliciting her. Most of the letters get turned over to Fenella’s advocate to deal with, but one request catches Fenella’s eye. Darrell Higgins wants her help monitoring the wild wallaby population in the Curraghs wetlands area of the island. When she agrees to spend an hour in the wetlands one morning, the man in her life, Daniel Robinson, offers to join her. After a boring hour in the cold and rain, they both can’t wait to get indoors, but on the walk back to Daniel’s car, they find Darrell under a bush, dead. There isn’t any shortage of suspects, from volunteers with the charity to business colleagues of the dead man, not to mention a quartet of ex-wives and one current girlfriend, but motive is harder to determine. Can Daniel and Fenella work out who killed the island’s main marsupial supporter before the killer chooses another victim?
232 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 14, 2020
345 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
225 books261 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 29 reviews
February 19, 2020
Poor Fenella is feeling the burden of the millions of dollars she inherited resting on her shoulders. A year after she moved to the Isle of Man after her aunt died, charities on the island have begun their incessant requests for money. One such charity, run by Darrell Higgins monitors the local Wallaby population. Thinking Fenella will donate rather than volunteer, Higgins is surprised when Fenella signs up to take an hour on the next hunt.
The day of the hunt dawns cold and rainy and Fenella, along with police inspector Daniel, huddle in a wet field for their hour long shift before heading back to their car, but not before discovering Darrell dead, yeeted under a bush.
This was one of those books that had a boatload of suspects but it was apparent (to me anyway) who the culprit was, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit. Darrell's ex-wives were a hoot, I'd love to spend an hour at the Tale & Tail listening to them. As always, the usual gang was there, Shelly immersed in writing her romance novel, Mona the ghost, Katie the kitten's antics and even the dogs make a quick appearance. Always a good time to catch up with all of them. I thought for sure that Fenella was finally going to move forward with her romance with Daniel but it's becoming less of a tease and more of a chore with those two.
Overall, another enjoyable time on the Isle of Man and looking forward to the next book!
The day of the hunt dawns cold and rainy and Fenella, along with police inspector Daniel, huddle in a wet field for their hour long shift before heading back to their car, but not before discovering Darrell dead, yeeted under a bush.
This was one of those books that had a boatload of suspects but it was apparent (to me anyway) who the culprit was, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment one bit. Darrell's ex-wives were a hoot, I'd love to spend an hour at the Tale & Tail listening to them. As always, the usual gang was there, Shelly immersed in writing her romance novel, Mona the ghost, Katie the kitten's antics and even the dogs make a quick appearance. Always a good time to catch up with all of them. I thought for sure that Fenella was finally going to move forward with her romance with Daniel but it's becoming less of a tease and more of a chore with those two.
Overall, another enjoyable time on the Isle of Man and looking forward to the next book!
February 15, 2020
Oh what pleasure to be able to sit and read this along with coffee and cake - perfect Valentine's Day I reckon!
I love that the Manx Wallabies feature in the story - even if they prove even more illusive than in real life. (The BBC once sent a wildlife reporter and crew over to do a report with the attitude 'good joke to say there are wallabies living in the wild, we will show what a prank it is...' Until they found themselves obtaining good footage of the animals within hours of arrival and ended up doing a serious piece about how well the animals had adapted!)
I know someone a bit like Darrell, albeit with a slightly longer attention span, but where you can more or less predict how long something will last so he seems totally believable and the whole plot works very well.
Good to see Fenella and Daniel's relationship firming up here but my final thought, at the end of the last chapter, was definitely 'Oh Daniel!'
I love that the Manx Wallabies feature in the story - even if they prove even more illusive than in real life. (The BBC once sent a wildlife reporter and crew over to do a report with the attitude 'good joke to say there are wallabies living in the wild, we will show what a prank it is...' Until they found themselves obtaining good footage of the animals within hours of arrival and ended up doing a serious piece about how well the animals had adapted!)
I know someone a bit like Darrell, albeit with a slightly longer attention span, but where you can more or less predict how long something will last so he seems totally believable and the whole plot works very well.
Good to see Fenella and Daniel's relationship firming up here but my final thought, at the end of the last chapter, was definitely 'Oh Daniel!'
May 26, 2020
I think this author has started churning books out too quickly. I read 3 series that she writes, and the newer ones just aren't as good.
February 17, 2020
Tired of waiting
This book was so repetitive, the same thing said over and over. And I don’t know about you but I’m tired of waiting to see if Daniel and Fenella ever get together. Good luck in the future but I’m done. 13 books was enough.
This book was so repetitive, the same thing said over and over. And I don’t know about you but I’m tired of waiting to see if Daniel and Fenella ever get together. Good luck in the future but I’m done. 13 books was enough.
May 6, 2020
If one can put aside for a Magical Moment that the Isle of Man is an apparent location for periods of Murderous Mayhem and that a single non-civil servant could be a super Murder Magnet, the reader is treated to one of the better stories of the “Ghostly Cozy” mystery series.
While still a little spoilt by the incessant need to pad the narrative with repetitions of each character’s history, these intrusions are largely Mercifully Momentary, allowing for the story to unfold from beginning to end in a well-paced Measured Manner.
What is also delightful is (finally), an allowance to develop the relationship between Fenella and Daniel.
This especial tale also infuses a Magnificent Modification in the manner in which Fenella and Daniel work. Gone is the awkwardness, strain, and tension between them over the discovery of yet another murder victim and instead on this occasion, they work as a Marvellous team.
While still a little spoilt by the incessant need to pad the narrative with repetitions of each character’s history, these intrusions are largely Mercifully Momentary, allowing for the story to unfold from beginning to end in a well-paced Measured Manner.
What is also delightful is (finally), an allowance to develop the relationship between Fenella and Daniel.
This especial tale also infuses a Magnificent Modification in the manner in which Fenella and Daniel work. Gone is the awkwardness, strain, and tension between them over the discovery of yet another murder victim and instead on this occasion, they work as a Marvellous team.
February 28, 2020
Review
Fenella and Daniel are finally dating , and trying to define their relationship. Daniel still has some trouble accepting Fenella's wealth.
Fenella has volunteered them for a wallaby hunt in the Curraghs.
During that time, Darrel Higgins, the founder of the wallaby charity, is murdered.
There are many suspects, including several ex wives, his current girlfriend, his business partners, and all the wallaby hunt volunteers.
His short attention span may also factor in as a motive for murder.
And of course, Mona is putting her two cents worth in about everything.
Also, Daniel and Fenella are planning a getaway together.
Fantasy , romance, murder. What could be better?
Fenella and Daniel are finally dating , and trying to define their relationship. Daniel still has some trouble accepting Fenella's wealth.
Fenella has volunteered them for a wallaby hunt in the Curraghs.
During that time, Darrel Higgins, the founder of the wallaby charity, is murdered.
There are many suspects, including several ex wives, his current girlfriend, his business partners, and all the wallaby hunt volunteers.
His short attention span may also factor in as a motive for murder.
And of course, Mona is putting her two cents worth in about everything.
Also, Daniel and Fenella are planning a getaway together.
Fantasy , romance, murder. What could be better?
February 19, 2020
My favorite of this series so far
Even though I love love aunt Bessie series I really enjoyed this series and the sister with B&B that always starts ends with letter two and for them and aunt Bessie . But this series is set modern day and Mona who been in few of aunt Bessie books is ghost in this one and there is kitten which is totally different . Although keep hoping to here about one of the younger characters from aunt Bessie in one of these books. But I learn lot about the island which been really fun then this one has w
wallabies and so many suspects . Great twist at the end .
Even though I love love aunt Bessie series I really enjoyed this series and the sister with B&B that always starts ends with letter two and for them and aunt Bessie . But this series is set modern day and Mona who been in few of aunt Bessie books is ghost in this one and there is kitten which is totally different . Although keep hoping to here about one of the younger characters from aunt Bessie in one of these books. But I learn lot about the island which been really fun then this one has w
wallabies and so many suspects . Great twist at the end .
September 24, 2024
Fun mystery. I didn't know there were wallabies over here and in the isle of man. That's quite cool! I think that is what I like about this book the mystery is great but the bits I learn about the Isle of Man is fascinating to me. I really want to visit.
The mystery this time was good but I did guess who it was, felt a little obvious but I almost wish we'd gotten more about why he chucked the wives away after a year, there was something blaming his childhood but it didn't feel concrete.
Enjoyed this. Looking forward to the next book.
The mystery this time was good but I did guess who it was, felt a little obvious but I almost wish we'd gotten more about why he chucked the wives away after a year, there was something blaming his childhood but it didn't feel concrete.
Enjoyed this. Looking forward to the next book.
April 16, 2020
To me this was the least wonderful of the series. I was tired of Fenella's kindness to strangers; her inability to commi to the relationship with Daniel, the number of folks who counted Marsupials ( and never saw one), and the book in general did not have the characters, storyline, or surprises the other books had. This was a 3 but could be rated a 2.5, as I really wasnt't feeling close to the characters, and I didn't seem to like many of the decsions, events or circumstances in this one.
May 13, 2020
Another very satisfying tale from Diana Xarissa in the Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy books. The only thing I didn't like was the very end! I had two suspects for the murderer, leaning more towards one than the other, and found I was correct. I love this series and look forward to reading Neighbors and Nightmares, the next one.
October 30, 2019
I was privileged to read this manuscript before publication. I don't want to give away any spoilers, I just want to say that Diana and Fenella (and Mona; can't forget her) get better with every volume.
February 16, 2020
Number 13!
While this series of Diana's is my favorite, this certainly isn't the best episode of the series. Oddly enough, parts of this book seems like they're being written by someone else! Am hoping for the best the next book...
While this series of Diana's is my favorite, this certainly isn't the best episode of the series. Oddly enough, parts of this book seems like they're being written by someone else! Am hoping for the best the next book...
February 17, 2020
I have read all of Diana Xarissa's books and have enjoyed each series. I like the character's and the storyline. Every book is my favorite. Marsupials and Murder was fun and a great mystery, kept you guessing. The romance between the the main characters is exciting and a ghostly aunt is the best.
March 18, 2020
A charity and a murder
Fenella and Daniel are becoming closer.
A rich guy with a short attention span is murdered at an event looking for local wildlife. I enjoy reading about the characters and following the stories of the main characters.
Fenella and Daniel are becoming closer.
A rich guy with a short attention span is murdered at an event looking for local wildlife. I enjoy reading about the characters and following the stories of the main characters.
March 30, 2020
Boring
This book was all about Fenella"s love life. The mystery was by-the-way. The victim's character appeared very inconsistent and to top it off the obvious madwoman was the murderer.
This book was all about Fenella"s love life. The mystery was by-the-way. The victim's character appeared very inconsistent and to top it off the obvious madwoman was the murderer.
February 17, 2020
Great Mystery
This is an enchanting series about a woman who inherits a fortune from an aunt and moves to the Isle of Man. Such an enjoyable series of mysteries.
This is an enchanting series about a woman who inherits a fortune from an aunt and moves to the Isle of Man. Such an enjoyable series of mysteries.
February 19, 2020
Another home run
Another home run by an outstanding author. I didn't like the ending but the blurb for the next book resolved that somewhat. Thanks for another outstanding read!
Another home run by an outstanding author. I didn't like the ending but the blurb for the next book resolved that somewhat. Thanks for another outstanding read!
February 20, 2020
Really interesting mystery and that Fenella and Daniel are getting closer. Read the teaser for the next in the series and can't wait to read it...
February 20, 2020
I love all these books. Just wish they were longer!
March 24, 2020
Perfect as usual!
I love all the cozy mysteries! This book didn't disappoint. I'm just sad that I have to wait until the next one!
I love all the cozy mysteries! This book didn't disappoint. I'm just sad that I have to wait until the next one!
April 6, 2020
Good way to spend the day
Being unable to go out and about, this was a good way to escape. Parts made me laugh and I told my family what was funny. They agreed, her car is funny.😸
Being unable to go out and about, this was a good way to escape. Parts made me laugh and I told my family what was funny. They agreed, her car is funny.😸
May 8, 2020
Repetitive not much story! Tired of the 'wives' characters!
May 20, 2020
Very enjoyable
January 16, 2021
Pleasant series of cozy mysteries.
August 11, 2021
Not my favorite Isle of Man book
I was a little disappointed with book thirteen. The story as mostly about jealousy and greed. No Shelly only a small part with Mona.
I was a little disappointed with book thirteen. The story as mostly about jealousy and greed. No Shelly only a small part with Mona.
July 5, 2024
Another fun one, although Daniel’s parting shot at the end makes me want to kick him to the curb.
July 21, 2022
It was a surprise to read about wild wallabies on the Isle of Man, a very long way from Australia. But they are the descendants of wallabies that escaped from a wildlife park and made their home in a wild area of the island.
Fenella joins a group of volunteers to participate in a count of the mysterious marsupials. I say mysterious because nobody actually manages to see any of them in their designated watch areas. The count is important with regards to land development versus wilderness preservation.
Fenella, disappointed by the lack of wallabies and standing for hours in the cold and damp, is anxious to report back and then head for the comforts of her home.
Alas, a dead body gets in the way of those plans.
Fenella joins a group of volunteers to participate in a count of the mysterious marsupials. I say mysterious because nobody actually manages to see any of them in their designated watch areas. The count is important with regards to land development versus wilderness preservation.
Fenella, disappointed by the lack of wallabies and standing for hours in the cold and damp, is anxious to report back and then head for the comforts of her home.
Alas, a dead body gets in the way of those plans.
March 4, 2020
Good series
Another good instalment to Fenella and Mona’s story. I love the characters and each new book brings in a new cast of characters to round out and enhance the regulars of the series.
Another good instalment to Fenella and Mona’s story. I love the characters and each new book brings in a new cast of characters to round out and enhance the regulars of the series.
October 21, 2020
It's been awhile since I read this book, but I really enjoyed it. The author did a great job of building the characters and making me feel as if I was right there with them. I would highly recommend this book. Love the cover too.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews