What do you think?
Aunt Bessie Cold Case Mystery #7
The Goodman File
Elizabeth Cubbon, called Bessie by nearly everyone, has many friends on the Isle of Man. She’s called the island home for more years than she wants to remember. When one of her friends, Mary Quayle, asks for a favour, Bessie is quick to agree. Mary is hoping that Bessie can track down Walter Bolton, a man who was once friends with her husband, George.
While doing her best to find Walter, Bessie is also busy with the cold case unit’s next investigation. Eleven years ago, Lance Goodman was stabbed to death while wearing a Santa suit and sitting inside Santa’s sleigh in a department store in a small town in the US. As the unit begins to go through the case file, they quickly discover that a lot of things were missed during the initial investigation.
Can Bessie and the cold case unit discover who killed Lance Goodman? Can Bessie’s network of friends across the island track down Walter Bolton? Can the Seaview’s new pastry chef come up with more than a half-dozen different types of fairy cakes?
While doing her best to find Walter, Bessie is also busy with the cold case unit’s next investigation. Eleven years ago, Lance Goodman was stabbed to death while wearing a Santa suit and sitting inside Santa’s sleigh in a department store in a small town in the US. As the unit begins to go through the case file, they quickly discover that a lot of things were missed during the initial investigation.
Can Bessie and the cold case unit discover who killed Lance Goodman? Can Bessie’s network of friends across the island track down Walter Bolton? Can the Seaview’s new pastry chef come up with more than a half-dozen different types of fairy cakes?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 13, 2022
About the author
Diana Xarissa
296 books272 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 14, 2022
The Cold Case group concentrates on a crime against a department store Santa years ago and eventually come to a conclusion that works for all. During the course of their frequent meetings they consume enough treats and sweets to kill a town.
Bessie spends a good deal of time with Andrew, the Scotland Yard lead of the group in beach walks, town visits, shopping and sharing meals.
Kindle Unlimited
Bessie spends a good deal of time with Andrew, the Scotland Yard lead of the group in beach walks, town visits, shopping and sharing meals.
Kindle Unlimited
July 28, 2022
G for Generous. Have added an additional star simply because (unusual for this series of books) the main theme does predominate in 46% of the chapters.
G is for Garrulous. As always, the content is exceedingly verbose and circuitous. There is even an exasperated expression from Aunt Bessie that she feels as if all they are doing is "going in circles". Add to this the trademark regurgitation of material from past books. At least no one needs to read earlier books of the series to know what happens in the end (as if they are not already very predictable).
G is for Gluttonous. The emphasis placed on food (particularly in this book) is such that it might well be found on the same shelf as more specifically defined food books. Just not in the Healthy eating section.
Add to this that (as always) the cases are reliant on initial sloppy police work, and Aunt Bessie who will solve everything despite all statistical odds. Marvel Comics would have done to add her to the Super Heroes Hall of Fame.
G is for Garrulous. As always, the content is exceedingly verbose and circuitous. There is even an exasperated expression from Aunt Bessie that she feels as if all they are doing is "going in circles". Add to this the trademark regurgitation of material from past books. At least no one needs to read earlier books of the series to know what happens in the end (as if they are not already very predictable).
G is for Gluttonous. The emphasis placed on food (particularly in this book) is such that it might well be found on the same shelf as more specifically defined food books. Just not in the Healthy eating section.
Add to this that (as always) the cases are reliant on initial sloppy police work, and Aunt Bessie who will solve everything despite all statistical odds. Marvel Comics would have done to add her to the Super Heroes Hall of Fame.
July 9, 2024
I've been enjoying this series, but this one wasn't my favourite -- maybe because this cold case seemed a bit flat. The series is built on the idea of initial investigations being flawed, but with this crime, surely the State police doing the secondary investigation were as savvy as Andrew and his unit? Surely they'd have had the same questions?
On the other hand, I thought the backstory about Bessie was woven in well. And I was amazed at how much food these two seniors, Andrew and Bessie, were able to consume. Details of meals and treats consumed really boosted the word count in this story.
On the other hand, I thought the backstory about Bessie was woven in well. And I was amazed at how much food these two seniors, Andrew and Bessie, were able to consume. Details of meals and treats consumed really boosted the word count in this story.
July 17, 2022
Look a little further.
Cold case murder mysteries are becoming Aunt Bessie’s success story. Along with Andrew and several others in the group they have solved seven cases so far.
As an aside to this story Aunt Bessie finds a long lost friend for Mary and George. Sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know. Good reading.
Cold case murder mysteries are becoming Aunt Bessie’s success story. Along with Andrew and several others in the group they have solved seven cases so far.
As an aside to this story Aunt Bessie finds a long lost friend for Mary and George. Sometimes it’s not what you know but who you know. Good reading.
July 23, 2022
Aunt Bessie books are always good.
I enjoyed this book in the series about cold cases. I think that the author is brilliant to have figured out a way to solve murder cases without having to have an unbelievable number of residents of a small place get murdered. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
I enjoyed this book in the series about cold cases. I think that the author is brilliant to have figured out a way to solve murder cases without having to have an unbelievable number of residents of a small place get murdered. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.
April 26, 2022
Who would stab a department-store Santa? Actually, who did stab Lance Goodman, wearing a Santa suit, sitting in a sleigh, in the toy department of Twinman's, in Woolhaven, Massachusetts, eleven years ago?
Aunt Bessie and the cold case unit are determined to find out.
Aunt Bessie and the cold case unit are determined to find out.
August 11, 2022
Another Whodunit Solved!
The cold case gathers again, this time to study the murder of a man found in a Santa suit, stabbed to death.
At the same time. Bessie looks into finding an old friend of George.
Fast paced and interesting, this is a can't put down read.
The cold case gathers again, this time to study the murder of a man found in a Santa suit, stabbed to death.
At the same time. Bessie looks into finding an old friend of George.
Fast paced and interesting, this is a can't put down read.
March 29, 2023
Santa Blues
This was a wonderful book. The small town issues, along with a Christmas rush made this a difficult case for the group. Add in a missing person, anditwas cozy mystery heaven.
This was a wonderful book. The small town issues, along with a Christmas rush made this a difficult case for the group. Add in a missing person, anditwas cozy mystery heaven.
July 30, 2026
For some reason, this one seemed to have less detail and character development than most in the series. The threads of both the cold case and the local mystery, finding a childhood friend for one of Bessie’s friends, both resolved quite suddenly.
July 16, 2022
Another great book
I always enjoy these books. The people are like old friends from days gone by. It is like going back where you feel comfortable
I always enjoy these books. The people are like old friends from days gone by. It is like going back where you feel comfortable
July 16, 2022
I love the main character. She's a member of a diverse cold case unit.
July 18, 2022
Aunt Bessie and friends solve another interesting case...
July 21, 2022
Diana Xarissa
Ant book that Diana Xarissa writes that has AuntEssie in it will be great, I love all f this author’s books.
Ant book that Diana Xarissa writes that has AuntEssie in it will be great, I love all f this author’s books.
July 23, 2022
Great read
As always, I enjoyed the fellowship of friends and the good mystery, in fact, two mysteries this time. Never a dull moment!
As always, I enjoyed the fellowship of friends and the good mystery, in fact, two mysteries this time. Never a dull moment!
October 16, 2022
Good story
I enjoy the old fashioned charm of the Aunt Bessie novels. Since I live in the US I sometimes have to look up some of the names of foods.😃
I enjoy the old fashioned charm of the Aunt Bessie novels. Since I live in the US I sometimes have to look up some of the names of foods.😃
May 3, 2023
A Christmas Murder
This murder seemed like it might be the one that goes unsolved. But, Bessie and the team won't quit. It is always a pleasure to read this series.
This murder seemed like it might be the one that goes unsolved. But, Bessie and the team won't quit. It is always a pleasure to read this series.
June 9, 2023
Didn’t care about any of the victims, even the regulars were boring
December 26, 2023
an interesting read
Another cold case mystery solving two murders. Again with the twists and turns in to different countries that make it an enjoyable read.
Another cold case mystery solving two murders. Again with the twists and turns in to different countries that make it an enjoyable read.
April 12, 2024
Another very enjoyable story in the Cold Case files.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews