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Isle of Man #4
Aunt Bessie Decides
Aunt Bessie decides that she and her closest friends should have an enjoyable night out.
Elizabeth Cubbon (known to almost everyone as Aunt Bessie) has made many friends over the lifetime that she’s lived in the village of Laxey, but few have been as close as the ones she’s made recently. Bessie relied on Doona Moore, Hugh Watterson and John Rockwell to help her through several recent murder investigations she’s found herself caught up in. Now she wants to treat them all to an open-air performance of a Shakespearean play on the grounds of historic Peel Castle.
Aunt Bessie decides that it doesn’t much matter what show the troupe is performing as long as she and her friends can relax and have fun.
Two members have recently left the theatre company. Now the troupe has thrown aside its usual repertoire in favour of a play written by one of their own. When those two former members appear in the audience, though, someone decides to get rid of one of them for good.
Aunt Bessie decides to give the show another chance, but a second performance almost ends in a second tragedy.
With all of the suspects blaming one another, and several of them turning up on the doorstep of Bessie’s cottage, it’s time for Bessie to decide to solve this murder herself.
This is the fourth book in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series.
Elizabeth Cubbon (known to almost everyone as Aunt Bessie) has made many friends over the lifetime that she’s lived in the village of Laxey, but few have been as close as the ones she’s made recently. Bessie relied on Doona Moore, Hugh Watterson and John Rockwell to help her through several recent murder investigations she’s found herself caught up in. Now she wants to treat them all to an open-air performance of a Shakespearean play on the grounds of historic Peel Castle.
Aunt Bessie decides that it doesn’t much matter what show the troupe is performing as long as she and her friends can relax and have fun.
Two members have recently left the theatre company. Now the troupe has thrown aside its usual repertoire in favour of a play written by one of their own. When those two former members appear in the audience, though, someone decides to get rid of one of them for good.
Aunt Bessie decides to give the show another chance, but a second performance almost ends in a second tragedy.
With all of the suspects blaming one another, and several of them turning up on the doorstep of Bessie’s cottage, it’s time for Bessie to decide to solve this murder herself.
This is the fourth book in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2015
529 people are currently reading
463 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
221 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews
January 8, 2021
In Aunt Bessie Decides, which is book four in the series, Bessie ventures into the world of Shakespearean theatre. Our victim dies mysteriously fairly early in the piece and the rest of the book is spent investigating 'who dunnit'.
I always picture Aunt Bessie as a Miss Marple clone. She is elderly but spry and she is interested in everybody and everything. Everyone seems to like her and she is well cared for by her three, younger, close friends from the local police force. They share a lot of food and solve murders in between meals.
The book is nicely written with quite a few literary references thrown in. There is maybe a little too much talk and not very much action, but I enjoyed it anyway and will certainly be moving on to book five.
I always picture Aunt Bessie as a Miss Marple clone. She is elderly but spry and she is interested in everybody and everything. Everyone seems to like her and she is well cared for by her three, younger, close friends from the local police force. They share a lot of food and solve murders in between meals.
The book is nicely written with quite a few literary references thrown in. There is maybe a little too much talk and not very much action, but I enjoyed it anyway and will certainly be moving on to book five.
January 26, 2015
Gets off to a slow start
I have read all the previous 'Aunt Bessie' books and the one short story so I was a little disappointed to find this book starting out so slowly. The first one-third of the book was difficult to get through because everyone in the group of actors that the story is centered around was so unlikable. I didn't think I would be able to finish it. Finally the story picked up and I was able to make it to the conclusion and the murderer was revealed. I enjoyed the earlier books very much but this one not so much.
I have read all the previous 'Aunt Bessie' books and the one short story so I was a little disappointed to find this book starting out so slowly. The first one-third of the book was difficult to get through because everyone in the group of actors that the story is centered around was so unlikable. I didn't think I would be able to finish it. Finally the story picked up and I was able to make it to the conclusion and the murderer was revealed. I enjoyed the earlier books very much but this one not so much.
July 20, 2020
Least favorite of the series so far. I found the regular characters flatter than normal and the new characters surrounding the murder to be rather an annoying set, with no morals and a tendency toward habitual drunkenness. There was a handful of profanity as well, which bugged me. Not recommended, but I’ll be trying the next in the series.
February 21, 2017
Bessie and her friends go to see a play which is awful -- a mass up of shakespeare with no cohesion. During the play, a former player of the troupe is murdered in the dark near where she sat. It is very dialogue heavy but were interesting. I really enjoyed it
February 14, 2025
And, another Aunt Bessie book is under my belt. I can't really say why I am so fond of this cozy mystery series. There is no particularly outstanding hook to it. It is just an elderly spinster who lives on the Isle of Man and solves more murders than could possibly ever occur in that remote area of the United Kingdom.
They are written with a sincerity that makes them a pleasure to read. Aunt Bessie is just a regular woman. She has no odd psychological quirks or handicaps, she doesn't collect strange things. She's just a nice old lady who is good at putting clues together.
In this one, Aunt Bessie and her friends get caught up in the travails of a traveling shakespearian troupe.
They are written with a sincerity that makes them a pleasure to read. Aunt Bessie is just a regular woman. She has no odd psychological quirks or handicaps, she doesn't collect strange things. She's just a nice old lady who is good at putting clues together.
In this one, Aunt Bessie and her friends get caught up in the travails of a traveling shakespearian troupe.
September 3, 2019
This was a great mystery to spend Labor Day Monday reading! I went back and forth about whodunnit and was still surprised by the motive.
I also loved that this is the book where Bessie meets the Markham sisters because I have read all the books in that series.
I also loved that this is the book where Bessie meets the Markham sisters because I have read all the books in that series.
May 21, 2020
A nice, easy read with the usual very likable characters in a great setting.
January 28, 2015
Aunt Bessie Decides, the fourth entry in this cozy series set in the wild and beautiful Isle of Man, differs considerably from the previous three. For starters, Will’s Comedy/Tragedy Players, a travelling Shakespearean performance troupe of American actors, invade the island. Usually, the mysteries featuring Aunt Bessie — more formally known as Elizabeth Cubbon, although she’s called Aunt Bessie by virtually everyone on the Isle of Man — deal with other islanders. I thought the fresh blood, as it were, would provide a novel touch.
Instead, Aunt Bessie Decides, while entertaining enough, simply didn’t measure up to the other novels in the series.
While the American theater company claims to have been a hit in their native United States, their show in the village of Laxey, Much Ado About the Shrew, turns out to be just as appallingly bad as you might imagine. In the audience is Scott Carson, once part of the troupe, but now the newest star of Market Square, Britain’s favourite daily soap and a thinly veiled version of Coronation Street. No surprise when he’s run through with a fancy knife.
Much of the middle of the novel examines the dysfunctional relationships of the actors; however, these self-absorbed Yanks simply weren’t very interesting. Aunt Bessie determines the murderer via logic should could have employed one-third of the way through (not that I figured it out, mind you!) However, one lackluster book won’t keep me from snapping up the fifth book in the series, Aunt Bessie Enjoys, when it’s released in April.
Instead, Aunt Bessie Decides, while entertaining enough, simply didn’t measure up to the other novels in the series.
While the American theater company claims to have been a hit in their native United States, their show in the village of Laxey, Much Ado About the Shrew, turns out to be just as appallingly bad as you might imagine. In the audience is Scott Carson, once part of the troupe, but now the newest star of Market Square, Britain’s favourite daily soap and a thinly veiled version of Coronation Street. No surprise when he’s run through with a fancy knife.
Much of the middle of the novel examines the dysfunctional relationships of the actors; however, these self-absorbed Yanks simply weren’t very interesting. Aunt Bessie determines the murderer via logic should could have employed one-third of the way through (not that I figured it out, mind you!) However, one lackluster book won’t keep me from snapping up the fifth book in the series, Aunt Bessie Enjoys, when it’s released in April.
January 18, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
July 28, 2016
OK
This was my introduction to Aunt Bessie. The story was interesting enough, but not gripping. Everything was told very laid back. There are British words and phrases used, but if you aren't familiar with them the author provides a glossary for those words at the back of the book. While I don't approve of drinking to drown sorry or getting drunk (both of which are present in this book) and I don't like that it appears another character will end up divorced (and, if so, I'm pretty sure who'll end up together ... I'd much prefer to see a marriage be saved, that happens precious little in books) that book was good enough. I wouldn't go out and buy these books, but I might check them out of the library. Or grab another one if its free.
This was my introduction to Aunt Bessie. The story was interesting enough, but not gripping. Everything was told very laid back. There are British words and phrases used, but if you aren't familiar with them the author provides a glossary for those words at the back of the book. While I don't approve of drinking to drown sorry or getting drunk (both of which are present in this book) and I don't like that it appears another character will end up divorced (and, if so, I'm pretty sure who'll end up together ... I'd much prefer to see a marriage be saved, that happens precious little in books) that book was good enough. I wouldn't go out and buy these books, but I might check them out of the library. Or grab another one if its free.
January 25, 2015
Somewhere between 3 and 4 stars. On one hand, I liked that this incorporated new people and the plot was interesting. On the other hand, it meandered a lot (especially at the beginning) and the end felt anti-climatic. Also, I'm guessing the Shakespeare troupe were all Americans, but they didn't sound like it and it wasn't clear.
Still, this is a cute, enjoyable series and I love Aunt Bessie (who reminds me a bit of my grammy) and well worth a read.
Still, this is a cute, enjoyable series and I love Aunt Bessie (who reminds me a bit of my grammy) and well worth a read.
July 30, 2016
Wayyy too much grinning. Find synonyms.
Too much tangential detail.
How come the foursome is always together?
Too much time spent on rote interviews of suspects with Bessie always oddly present.
Always eating; mostly digestives. Why waste ink on that over and over?
Too much tangential detail.
How come the foursome is always together?
Too much time spent on rote interviews of suspects with Bessie always oddly present.
Always eating; mostly digestives. Why waste ink on that over and over?
March 4, 2022
I was disappointed in this one. They kept talking about how the play was confusing and didn't make sense, and I felt like most of the book was the same way - for the first time in this series I couldn't keep the characters (aside from John, Bessie, Doona, and Hugh) straight.
January 18, 2024
"Aunt Bessie Decides" is book #4 in the "Isle Of Man" Mystery series by Diana Xarissa.
"Elizabeth Cubbon (known to almost everyone as Aunt Bessie) has made many friends over the lifetime that she’s lived in the village of Laxey, but few have been as close as the ones she’s made recently. Bessie relied on Donna Moore, Hugh Watterson and John Rockwell to help her through several recent murder investigations she’s found herself caught up in. Now she wants to treat them all to an open-air performance of a Shakespearean play on the grounds of historic Peel Castle.
Aunt Bessie decides that it doesn’t much matter what show the troupe is performing as long as she and her friends can relax and have fun.
Two members have recently left the theatre company. Now the troupe has thrown aside its usual repertoire in favour of a play written by one of their own. When those two former members appear in the audience, though, someone decides to get rid of one of them for good.
Aunt Bessie decides to give the show another chance, but a second performance almost ends in a second tragedy.
With all of the suspects blaming one another, and several of them turning up on the doorstep of Bessie’s cottage, it’s time for Bessie to decide to solve this murder herself."
My thoughts:
The core characters have developed a unique and strong bond in this series.
As for the members (past and present) of the acting troupe of this book, I really found it hard to like any of them. Despite the fact that they had worked together for several years, they didn't seem to trust each other and weren't above badmouthing each other.
Shakespeare was not taught in the general English classes that I took in high school - it was only offered in University entrance courses. Therefore, I never read or bothered to learn much about the plays other than hearing some of the more famous lines. Thankfully, the mentions of various bits of his writings were the more famous ones and even then not that many so I wasn't as bored and/or confused as I might have been otherwise.
There were really only five suspects that could have committed the murder. As they were all actors, it was harder to tell who was telling the truth but of course Bessie eventually puts it all together. The core friendships and various descriptions of food were more interesting than the "who done it" in this one.
"Elizabeth Cubbon (known to almost everyone as Aunt Bessie) has made many friends over the lifetime that she’s lived in the village of Laxey, but few have been as close as the ones she’s made recently. Bessie relied on Donna Moore, Hugh Watterson and John Rockwell to help her through several recent murder investigations she’s found herself caught up in. Now she wants to treat them all to an open-air performance of a Shakespearean play on the grounds of historic Peel Castle.
Aunt Bessie decides that it doesn’t much matter what show the troupe is performing as long as she and her friends can relax and have fun.
Two members have recently left the theatre company. Now the troupe has thrown aside its usual repertoire in favour of a play written by one of their own. When those two former members appear in the audience, though, someone decides to get rid of one of them for good.
Aunt Bessie decides to give the show another chance, but a second performance almost ends in a second tragedy.
With all of the suspects blaming one another, and several of them turning up on the doorstep of Bessie’s cottage, it’s time for Bessie to decide to solve this murder herself."
My thoughts:
The core characters have developed a unique and strong bond in this series.
As for the members (past and present) of the acting troupe of this book, I really found it hard to like any of them. Despite the fact that they had worked together for several years, they didn't seem to trust each other and weren't above badmouthing each other.
Shakespeare was not taught in the general English classes that I took in high school - it was only offered in University entrance courses. Therefore, I never read or bothered to learn much about the plays other than hearing some of the more famous lines. Thankfully, the mentions of various bits of his writings were the more famous ones and even then not that many so I wasn't as bored and/or confused as I might have been otherwise.
There were really only five suspects that could have committed the murder. As they were all actors, it was harder to tell who was telling the truth but of course Bessie eventually puts it all together. The core friendships and various descriptions of food were more interesting than the "who done it" in this one.
March 31, 2023
Real Rating: 3.5* of five
I was ready for the action to begin well before it did...but one of the charms of the Bessie stories is how she and her Scoobygroup hang together even when not solving crimes, and that's what a goodly part of this story does. It's not a bad thing per se, but I was, as stated, ready to get the body on the slab (so to speak) and figure out why the killer chose the time and place for the crime. I'll be honest...the theatre troupe was made up of nasty, unkind, un-Bessie-able people who won't reappear (if anyone does I'll be very surprised, not least because they're all just visiting from the US) who drink and cuss and comport themselves quite unbecomingly.
Xarissa has a low opinion of her countryfolk. As I tend to share that trait with her, I wasn't put off by it. I just don't see how the clear and rational deductions that lead her to the murderer's identity did not occur to her far earlier.
A quibble only. I'm not here for the puzzles, I'm here for the Scoobygroup and the food! Fair warning: do not start here. Start at the beginning or there will be a great loss of grounding in the whys and hows of Aunt Bessie's special little (term used advisedly) world.
I was ready for the action to begin well before it did...but one of the charms of the Bessie stories is how she and her Scoobygroup hang together even when not solving crimes, and that's what a goodly part of this story does. It's not a bad thing per se, but I was, as stated, ready to get the body on the slab (so to speak) and figure out why the killer chose the time and place for the crime. I'll be honest...the theatre troupe was made up of nasty, unkind, un-Bessie-able people who won't reappear (if anyone does I'll be very surprised, not least because they're all just visiting from the US) who drink and cuss and comport themselves quite unbecomingly.
Xarissa has a low opinion of her countryfolk. As I tend to share that trait with her, I wasn't put off by it. I just don't see how the clear and rational deductions that lead her to the murderer's identity did not occur to her far earlier.
A quibble only. I'm not here for the puzzles, I'm here for the Scoobygroup and the food! Fair warning: do not start here. Start at the beginning or there will be a great loss of grounding in the whys and hows of Aunt Bessie's special little (term used advisedly) world.
April 14, 2018
Another murder and accident with an acting troupe in the middle.
Aunt Bessie decides to treat her friends to a play. She is given seats in VIP along with John, Hugh and Doona with John's children but unfortunately not his wife. As they settle in they are joined by Scott a TV actor and his agent Cindy.
It appears when the actors come out of their tent that they know Scott and Cindy who used to be part of the troupe.
During the night even with body guards behind him Scott is murdered.
This leads the team and friends into another investigation. They find an accident and dramas between the actors clouding the investigation.
It was slower than other Aunt Bessie books I have read but still a wonderful story. The characters are well crafted by the writer and characters repeat during the series and although they solve everything in this book, I think it best to start with Book one so you can follow reoccurring characters and their on going circumstances.
The ending was a little of a surprise but only a little. The plot was clouded by too many other outside circumstances. However if you are a bit of a fan or reading the series it is worth the read.
Aunt Bessie decides to treat her friends to a play. She is given seats in VIP along with John, Hugh and Doona with John's children but unfortunately not his wife. As they settle in they are joined by Scott a TV actor and his agent Cindy.
It appears when the actors come out of their tent that they know Scott and Cindy who used to be part of the troupe.
During the night even with body guards behind him Scott is murdered.
This leads the team and friends into another investigation. They find an accident and dramas between the actors clouding the investigation.
It was slower than other Aunt Bessie books I have read but still a wonderful story. The characters are well crafted by the writer and characters repeat during the series and although they solve everything in this book, I think it best to start with Book one so you can follow reoccurring characters and their on going circumstances.
The ending was a little of a surprise but only a little. The plot was clouded by too many other outside circumstances. However if you are a bit of a fan or reading the series it is worth the read.
March 2, 2023
In “Aunt Bessie’s Decides”, she treats all her new found friends to an open-air performance of a Shakespearean play on the grounds of historic Peel Castle. The whole show is a total disaster, I was surprised anyone would go see it again, even with free tickets. The second showing is almost as bad as the first. In my opinion, this whole book was a disaster. The plot did nothing to gain my attention, the people who were actually getting in trouble and killed were not really a part of any of the quaint Isle community. Then to make matters worse almost all her new acquaintances are part of the police force, it makes it a not real like story.
March 7, 2018
Aunt Bessie is at it again!
The Isle of Man, friends, thespians and intrigue makes a good platform for murder. And enjoyable romp through friendships, misdirection and red herrings. A book worth enjoying, as well as the others in this series. Believable characters, twists and turn in the plot along with a great location makes this a “must read”. I recommend all of the books in this series.
The Isle of Man, friends, thespians and intrigue makes a good platform for murder. And enjoyable romp through friendships, misdirection and red herrings. A book worth enjoying, as well as the others in this series. Believable characters, twists and turn in the plot along with a great location makes this a “must read”. I recommend all of the books in this series.
July 8, 2019
This is a mystery series that i haven't come up against before. I cant say i will be looking to read any more. Aunt Bessies's solution to the mystery seems more of a leap of faith rather than an unravelling of facts which were few and far between. The storyline concentrated far too much on eating, walking along the beach and a synopsis of the worst plays ever performed on the Island for my liking
November 23, 2017
Excellent read
This is a 5-star read that is well written and very enjoyable to read. The characters are well defined and the four main characters at Aunt Bessie, Inspector John Rutledge, Officer Hugh, and Doona. The four are involved in solving a murder and it is enjoyable to follow their investigations.
This is a 5-star read that is well written and very enjoyable to read. The characters are well defined and the four main characters at Aunt Bessie, Inspector John Rutledge, Officer Hugh, and Doona. The four are involved in solving a murder and it is enjoyable to follow their investigations.
July 31, 2018
A good Chic Lit mystery. Enjoyed the story line of an elderly woman who likes to solve the mysteries in her town. The characters were well written. This book was about some Shakespearean actors and their world of theatre. I would like to read the others in the series, but I think they each can be read without the others. No bad language, no sex, although it is spoken about lightly.
December 9, 2018
Another great cosy mystery in which Aunt Bessie and her friends work to solve a murder.
A Shakespeare troupe come to the island to do their play..but due to some unfortunate circumstances change things up somewhat and do a mashup of a number of plays...which basically bombs.
A great read with well rounded characters.
A Shakespeare troupe come to the island to do their play..but due to some unfortunate circumstances change things up somewhat and do a mashup of a number of plays...which basically bombs.
A great read with well rounded characters.
March 2, 2019
Good story
I enjoyed this 4th installment in the Aunt Bessie series. The characters were great. I loved the New cast of characters involved in this case. As always love the settings as well. It was fun to hear about some of the other characters from previous books and how they were doing. Looking forward to the next mystery.
I enjoyed this 4th installment in the Aunt Bessie series. The characters were great. I loved the New cast of characters involved in this case. As always love the settings as well. It was fun to hear about some of the other characters from previous books and how they were doing. Looking forward to the next mystery.
June 27, 2020
Aunt Bessie
Another great entry in the Aunt Bessie series. When an acting troublesome to the Isle of Man and one of their former colleagues comes to see them and is then murdered, Bessie tries to figure out who could be the murderer. How Bessie figures out what happened makes for a very enjoyable mystery. Highly recommend this book and the series.
Another great entry in the Aunt Bessie series. When an acting troublesome to the Isle of Man and one of their former colleagues comes to see them and is then murdered, Bessie tries to figure out who could be the murderer. How Bessie figures out what happened makes for a very enjoyable mystery. Highly recommend this book and the series.
April 12, 2021
Aunt Bessie Does It Again
In my opinion, the book did not hold my interest as well as the first three of this series. Aunt Bessie Decides is much more than a "4" , yet not a "5" . The four main characters - Aunt Bessie, John, Doona and Hugh - are believable and heartwarming . Will I read more of Diana Xarissa books? Most definitely!
In my opinion, the book did not hold my interest as well as the first three of this series. Aunt Bessie Decides is much more than a "4" , yet not a "5" . The four main characters - Aunt Bessie, John, Doona and Hugh - are believable and heartwarming . Will I read more of Diana Xarissa books? Most definitely!
January 1, 2018
I have been to performances of Shakespeare at Peel Castle - and thank goodness none of them were anything like this one!
These books are 'comfort reading' for me, and continue to do this job very well.
These books are 'comfort reading' for me, and continue to do this job very well.
August 13, 2018
Aunt Bessie is definitely my sort of sleuth. An independent woman of uncertain age, who is trusted both by her fellow island residents and the local police, Bessie uses her common sense and maturity to solve crimes.
I also love the setting on the Isle of Man.
I also love the setting on the Isle of Man.
March 31, 2019
While I thought the writing was better in this fourth adventure of Aunt Bessie's, I found the plot far-fetched and contrived; the resolution absurd. I hope number five is better thought out. Thank heavens for small favors, there wasn't near as much grinning in this one!
September 5, 2019
I wish I had an elderly aunt like Elizabeth "Bessie" Cubbon. She's active, well-read, spunky, smart, well-liked .... and she seems to get better with every outing. I can hardly wait for E, F, G, and the rest of the alphabet.
January 14, 2023
Bessie, once again, finds herself in the middle of a murder mystery. While attending the outdoor presentation of a very strange mishmash of sections of Shakespeare plays, a popular TV actor in the audience is murdered. Who did it? Well, you’ll have to read the book to find out.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 96 reviews