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Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mystery #3
The Carter File
Julie Carter was celebrating her high school graduation with five friends on a rainy weekend in 1985. Her murder is the third case that Andrew Cheatham presents to his cold case unit. One of the five people at the cottage with Julie killed her, but, more than a decade later, no one has ever been arrested.
Bessie is determined to get justice for poor Julie, but she’s also busy with other things. Christmas at the Castle is less than a month away, and her friend, Grace, is worried about a friend of hers who has gone missing.
Can Bessie help Andrew and the others work out what happened in the luxury cottage during graduation weekend? Can she find Grace’s friend? And can she talk some sense into Andy Caine, who seems determined to marry the wrong woman?
Bessie is determined to get justice for poor Julie, but she’s also busy with other things. Christmas at the Castle is less than a month away, and her friend, Grace, is worried about a friend of hers who has gone missing.
Can Bessie help Andrew and the others work out what happened in the luxury cottage during graduation weekend? Can she find Grace’s friend? And can she talk some sense into Andy Caine, who seems determined to marry the wrong woman?
- GenresMystery
210 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2021
About the author
Diana Xarissa
252 books268 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
July 17, 2021
Disappointing ending
This is the first Aunt Bessie story where I have been disappointed with the conclusion . It seems hurried and not at all satisfactory.
This is the first Aunt Bessie story where I have been disappointed with the conclusion . It seems hurried and not at all satisfactory.
May 9, 2022
While I enjoyed this one, it didn't really grab me. The cold case plot was unfocused and fell into the background a few times, there wasn't a lot of sleuthing on this particular case, but there wasn't really much they had to do. I'm surprised this stayed a cold case, because all it took was a few pointed questions and it was solved. Although I loved the premise of the case, it really wasn't satisfying to see it solved but I did enjoy it. I did like the side plot about Grace's friend out of contact and possibly missing, as well as the ongoing JENNIFER ISSUE. I cannot WAIT for her comeuppance.
July 24, 2021
I enjoy the subplots as much as the cold case mystery.
August 5, 2021
It is said that truth is stranger than fiction. This book (reflective of the authors continued evident style), suggests that fiction can be stranger than fiction. In order to be believable and more appealing), the reader is asked to believe in an inept police force who are forced to concede to the ability of an untrained civilian to solve cases at least 90% more efficiently than top ranked police investigators.
Equally, in typical fashion, the main story line is reflected upon multiple times along with further irrelevant detail to provide volume. Added to this is the inclusion of two further by-stories to add even more extraneous (to the story) content. In all, only approximately half of the book’s content is the main story. At least many more notable authors have the honesty to write short stories if subject matter does not warrant a novel instead or garnishing it for the sake of producing a book (which presumably has financial benefit, even if devoid in significant substance).
Equally, in typical fashion, the main story line is reflected upon multiple times along with further irrelevant detail to provide volume. Added to this is the inclusion of two further by-stories to add even more extraneous (to the story) content. In all, only approximately half of the book’s content is the main story. At least many more notable authors have the honesty to write short stories if subject matter does not warrant a novel instead or garnishing it for the sake of producing a book (which presumably has financial benefit, even if devoid in significant substance).
July 28, 2021
This is not my favourite of the new series I found I was not, really, all that interested in who murdered the poor girl, to be honest. And I wish Aunt Bessie was less discrete and just told Andie why Elizabeth was away so long. Andy seems to be being much more obtuse than previous encounters with him would have suggested, to be honest. I worry that he is going to continue this way until we get to at least Y.
In effect it means I was more interested in the non-crimes around Bessie than the crime they were discussing.
In effect it means I was more interested in the non-crimes around Bessie than the crime they were discussing.
July 18, 2021
The Carter File
I really like the new Aunt Bessie cold case mysteries series. The Carter Case was interesting in that there were so many (5) suspects that could have murdered Julie. Finding the clues and putting them together to catch the killer is an exciting story. Then there is a secondary plot (a friend of Grace) and a third plot (Andy) to distract Aunt Bessie and maybe a fourth plot if you figure in Andrew. Do you think she put it all together this time?
I really like the new Aunt Bessie cold case mysteries series. The Carter Case was interesting in that there were so many (5) suspects that could have murdered Julie. Finding the clues and putting them together to catch the killer is an exciting story. Then there is a secondary plot (a friend of Grace) and a third plot (Andy) to distract Aunt Bessie and maybe a fourth plot if you figure in Andrew. Do you think she put it all together this time?
July 18, 2021
Wish she would go back to Aunt Bessie solving murders as these cold cases are not doing it for me. The most interesting thing in this book is what's going to happen between Andy, his fiancée and Elizabeth. Plus we never found out what's wrong with Mary. The result of the cold case was so rushed and very unsatisfactory.
July 28, 2021
So glad to have Aunt Bessie solving cases again
Well written,leaving some events for future books.
Cold cases occurring on another continent has to be frustrating to say the least!
Time zones to consider,unable to physically interview possible suspects etc.
Blood read, easy to complete in one sitting
Well written,leaving some events for future books.
Cold cases occurring on another continent has to be frustrating to say the least!
Time zones to consider,unable to physically interview possible suspects etc.
Blood read, easy to complete in one sitting
August 12, 2022
it was difficult to follow with all the names and going back and forth.
While I enjoyed the first two cases, this one proved difficult to follow.
The amount of food and pudding consumed was also too much. The minor glimpses o the history of the island was enjoyable. This was just not m favorite.
While I enjoyed the first two cases, this one proved difficult to follow.
The amount of food and pudding consumed was also too much. The minor glimpses o the history of the island was enjoyable. This was just not m favorite.
July 17, 2021
A really good series of cozy mysteries
These books are wonderful, Aunt Bessie and her friends solve cold cases for the police. Bessie also had a few worries to sort out about people closer to home. These books are well worthy of five stars.
These books are wonderful, Aunt Bessie and her friends solve cold cases for the police. Bessie also had a few worries to sort out about people closer to home. These books are well worthy of five stars.
April 24, 2023
Great Cozy Mystery
I am so enjoying these cozy mysteries. The mysteries are interesting and it's very satisfying to find out who committed the crime. I also enjoy the little side mysteries that only Bessie is working on.
I am so enjoying these cozy mysteries. The mysteries are interesting and it's very satisfying to find out who committed the crime. I also enjoy the little side mysteries that only Bessie is working on.
January 20, 2024
Once again, another intriguing cold case for Aunt Bessie and her friends to solve. I had two people I thought might have done it, and it was one of them, but not the one I was most strongly leaning towards. Cleverly done!
July 22, 2021
Great read
What a surprise ending! I really expected things to change at the last minute! Bessie has never missed out on guessing who the bad guy was!
What a surprise ending! I really expected things to change at the last minute! Bessie has never missed out on guessing who the bad guy was!
July 23, 2021
I really enjoyed the latest case. This book seemed a little different that some of the previous ones,
but enjoyed the differences, even the ending...
but enjoyed the differences, even the ending...
October 22, 2021
The usual wonderful characters, and a really good cold case murder.
January 24, 2026
Mi è sembrato più lento e ripetitivo rispetto ai primi due. Vedremo il quarto...
February 15, 2026
Another excellent Isle of Man mystery which shows us some of the island’s iconic sites, while solving a cold case as well as some local mysteries.
April 21, 2021
In 1985, high-school graduate Julie Carter was stabbed to death in an isolated vacation cabin. The only suspects were the other five teens staying in the cabin with her: Harvey Light, Mary Ellen Baxter, Jack Morton, Katie Dawson, and Mike Beam. Despite the limited list of suspects, the case remained unsolved.
Aunt Bessie and the cold-case unit members suspect that the key to the case may be the personal relationships between the six people in the cabin. But after so many years, can they find the answers that the original police investigation missed?
Aunt Bessie and the cold-case unit members suspect that the key to the case may be the personal relationships between the six people in the cabin. But after so many years, can they find the answers that the original police investigation missed?
April 24, 2022
Next please
O, my, gosh! What’s up with Andy? Will he stay with Jennifer or will he and Elizabeth end up together? And how am I going to loose any weight if Bessie and Andrew keep going out to eat and talking about all those good puddings? Another case solved with a mystery at home. Grace’s friend is missing and Bessie steps in to help. Looking forward to the next story.
O, my, gosh! What’s up with Andy? Will he stay with Jennifer or will he and Elizabeth end up together? And how am I going to loose any weight if Bessie and Andrew keep going out to eat and talking about all those good puddings? Another case solved with a mystery at home. Grace’s friend is missing and Bessie steps in to help. Looking forward to the next story.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews