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Isle of Man #8
Aunt Bessie's Holiday
Aunt Bessie’s holiday is an unexpected treat.
When Bessie Cubbon’s best friend, Doona Moore, wins a week’s stay at an English holiday park, she’s quick to invite Bessie to join her. Bessie isn’t sure the destination, hugely popular with families with small children, is one she would have chosen herself, but with all their expenses paid, she’s determined to make the best of it.
Aunt Bessie’s holiday doesn’t exactly provide the rest and relaxation she was expecting.
They’ve only just unpacked when Doona gets an unexpected and unwelcome surprise. The next morning the pair find a dead body and Doona’s the prime suspect in a murder investigation far from home. Bessie needs to make new friends fast to help try to find a killer, but how can she tell her friends from her enemies?
Aunt Bessie’s holiday won’t be over until someone is arrested for murder.
This is book eight in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series.
When Bessie Cubbon’s best friend, Doona Moore, wins a week’s stay at an English holiday park, she’s quick to invite Bessie to join her. Bessie isn’t sure the destination, hugely popular with families with small children, is one she would have chosen herself, but with all their expenses paid, she’s determined to make the best of it.
Aunt Bessie’s holiday doesn’t exactly provide the rest and relaxation she was expecting.
They’ve only just unpacked when Doona gets an unexpected and unwelcome surprise. The next morning the pair find a dead body and Doona’s the prime suspect in a murder investigation far from home. Bessie needs to make new friends fast to help try to find a killer, but how can she tell her friends from her enemies?
Aunt Bessie’s holiday won’t be over until someone is arrested for murder.
This is book eight in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 15, 2016
272 people are currently reading
114 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
223 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 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 20, 2022
Book eight in this series and Aunt Bessie and Doona are off on a free holiday at a holiday camp on the mainland.
I very much enjoy the pacing of these books. There is always lots of leisurely information about ordinary things like crossing over in the ferry, the parking arrangements on board, the cabins and more. If that sounds boring it is not and it all provides local colour and everyday life.
The excitement level soon picks up at the camp when a murder occurs and Doona finds herself on the list of suspects. The pair do not have much of a holiday as they are continually being interviewed by the police and they also attempt to discover the identity of the murderer themselves.
I do enjoy this series. The books are genuinely cosy with nice people, lots of good food and an interesting setting. Excellent for when you need to read something which makes you feel good.
I very much enjoy the pacing of these books. There is always lots of leisurely information about ordinary things like crossing over in the ferry, the parking arrangements on board, the cabins and more. If that sounds boring it is not and it all provides local colour and everyday life.
The excitement level soon picks up at the camp when a murder occurs and Doona finds herself on the list of suspects. The pair do not have much of a holiday as they are continually being interviewed by the police and they also attempt to discover the identity of the murderer themselves.
I do enjoy this series. The books are genuinely cosy with nice people, lots of good food and an interesting setting. Excellent for when you need to read something which makes you feel good.
October 8, 2024
Aunt Bessie’s good friend Doona Moore wins a trip for two to a holiday park in England’s Lake District. But, unfortunately for Aunt Bessie (what everyone in Laxey, Isle of Man, calls octogenarian Elizabeth Cubbon), murder can’t seem to take a holiday.
In the eighth book in the cozy series, Aunt Bessie and Doona stumble over a dead body, and police suspect Doona. I enjoyed the book until the end, which was I found implausible. Not terrible, but not great, either.
In the eighth book in the cozy series, Aunt Bessie and Doona stumble over a dead body, and police suspect Doona. I enjoyed the book until the end, which was I found implausible. Not terrible, but not great, either.
March 12, 2016
Just...okay. I just didn't connect with the plot at all and the ridiculous ending didn't make any sense to me.
I'm really kind of bummed. This series has been consistently good up until now and this book (as with the author's other series, The Markham Sisters) just felt like not a lot of effort went into it. Very disappointing, and I sincerely hope the author pulls it together for the next book.
I'm really kind of bummed. This series has been consistently good up until now and this book (as with the author's other series, The Markham Sisters) just felt like not a lot of effort went into it. Very disappointing, and I sincerely hope the author pulls it together for the next book.
December 12, 2018
Plot takes a holiday
I very much like Aunt Bessie and all her friends, old and new. However, most of this book was Aunt Bessie and her friends sitting down and discussing all the suspects to try to figure out whodunit and being mystified. Then a new friend would join the group and they would all sit down and discuss the suspects, mull over all the same "facts," and still be mystified. There was a lot of action promised at this holiday park, yummy meals in different restaurants, Aunt Bessie and friends were too tired so they would get takeaway, go back to their cabin and sit down to rehash the same clues, or lack of them. A book discussion group including a classic Agatha Christie title. So we, as sleuthy readers pick up the thread and think, " Aha! Perhaps this mystery will parallel the Agatha Christie plot! " Alas, no. Lots of missed story opportunities for a sort of bodged up deus ex machina solution.
I very much like Aunt Bessie and all her friends, old and new. However, most of this book was Aunt Bessie and her friends sitting down and discussing all the suspects to try to figure out whodunit and being mystified. Then a new friend would join the group and they would all sit down and discuss the suspects, mull over all the same "facts," and still be mystified. There was a lot of action promised at this holiday park, yummy meals in different restaurants, Aunt Bessie and friends were too tired so they would get takeaway, go back to their cabin and sit down to rehash the same clues, or lack of them. A book discussion group including a classic Agatha Christie title. So we, as sleuthy readers pick up the thread and think, " Aha! Perhaps this mystery will parallel the Agatha Christie plot! " Alas, no. Lots of missed story opportunities for a sort of bodged up deus ex machina solution.
November 14, 2020
When Bessie's friend, Doona Moore, wins an all-expenses paid week's vacation to an exclusive resort (Lakeview, called a holiday park) in England, she very graciously invites Bessie to accompany her. Barely have the two women arrived than they run into Charles Adams, Doona's ex-husband --- or he would be, if the divorce had ever been finalized. The next morning, Charles is found dead in his office -- by Doona!
Fortunately for Doona, it seems there are several other people at Lakeview with plausible and possible motives to have killed Charles ....
Fortunately for Doona, it seems there are several other people at Lakeview with plausible and possible motives to have killed Charles ....
January 28, 2018
I enjoyed this the most in the series. The larger number of character, plus a more focused view of Bessie made it awesome. Like the location off the island. Pacing was faster as well. All in all, just the best!
March 11, 2019
Good story
Another good mystery story in a great setting. Would love to holiday at a place like that.I really liked Andrew and hope he returns in another mystery. This time when the mystery was solved I was surprised at who had done it.
Another good mystery story in a great setting. Would love to holiday at a place like that.I really liked Andrew and hope he returns in another mystery. This time when the mystery was solved I was surprised at who had done it.
October 3, 2021
Not on the island
This is the first Aunt Bessie mystery not set on the Isle of Man, but it as well set out and the characters well drawn. It was fun learning what an English holiday park is like.
This is the first Aunt Bessie mystery not set on the Isle of Man, but it as well set out and the characters well drawn. It was fun learning what an English holiday park is like.
April 22, 2023
A fun cozy
I have enjoyed this book. I have read several of this series. They are well written and I feel that I am starting to know Bessie and Doona. I would like to visit the Isle of Mann
I have enjoyed this book. I have read several of this series. They are well written and I feel that I am starting to know Bessie and Doona. I would like to visit the Isle of Mann
December 9, 2017
What a Great book this my be my favorite. Fun interesting plot, and the ending was not predictable.
March 29, 2019
AS long list of suspects to choose from and keeps you guessing till the end.
Certainly a holiday to remember, and not one from what has been recently occurring in Bessie's life.
Certainly a holiday to remember, and not one from what has been recently occurring in Bessie's life.
April 4, 2019
I really enjoyed the book.
June 30, 2019
Oh dear, Doona...
January 28, 2023
I never get tired of reading this series with Aunt Bessie. I think we’d all like to have her in our lives. She has great joy in helping to solve the murders that always seem to find her.
January 3, 2024
Another very enjoyable mystery, and the last one for me as I have now read them all. The perpetrator was one I didn't think was the killer, so a complete surprise! Very good.
August 26, 2018
Bessie and her friend Doona are going across to take advantage of an expenses paid trip that Doona won. Things get complicated when Doona's ex-husband is at the same resort and is subsequently murdered. Overall the mystery was a good one until the end which seemed a bit rushed and similar to how the previous book ended. Or maybe murders just have a habit of spilling their guts due to guilt at a more frequent pace than I was previously aware of.
January 17, 2016
Aunt Bessie’s Holiday is book eight in the Isle of Man Cozy Mystery series by Diana Xarissa. It is another quick and easy read that keeps you interested and on your toes to figure out the mystery. Diana Xarissa manages to make each book different and more exciting than the last.
Doona won a week’s paid vacation in a contest she didn’t even remember entering. The resort she is going to has activities for families as well as singles. She invites Bessie to spend the week with her so she won’t be alone. After a farewell party with their friends, Doona and Bessie set out on the ferry for the resort. Lakeview Holiday Park checks in guests on Saturday and Thursday only so the line is long for check-in. However, as soon as Doona introduces herself, she and Bessie get VIP treatment. This is even more than they ever expected. That evening, they are treated to a reception and a special dinner at the fanciest restaurant at the resort. Here they find one answer to why they are treated so royally. Charles Adams, Doona’s ex-husband, made arrangements for Doona to “win” the contest so she would come to the resort and he could have a second chance with her and their marriage. Doona wants to have nothing to do with him; however, he convinces her to see him at breakfast the following morning. After a long and restless night, Doona goes to Charles’ office to tell him to leave her alone when she discovers he has been murdered. Who murdered him and why? Doona finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation with only Bessie to support her. Bessie finds herself once more involved in a murder investigation to save a friend. Can they figure out who killed Charles before someone else is harmed?
Once again, Diana Xarissa has managed to carry out the murder investigations without it seeming “canned”. The murder and its investigation seem very clean and new. It is a good book.
Doona won a week’s paid vacation in a contest she didn’t even remember entering. The resort she is going to has activities for families as well as singles. She invites Bessie to spend the week with her so she won’t be alone. After a farewell party with their friends, Doona and Bessie set out on the ferry for the resort. Lakeview Holiday Park checks in guests on Saturday and Thursday only so the line is long for check-in. However, as soon as Doona introduces herself, she and Bessie get VIP treatment. This is even more than they ever expected. That evening, they are treated to a reception and a special dinner at the fanciest restaurant at the resort. Here they find one answer to why they are treated so royally. Charles Adams, Doona’s ex-husband, made arrangements for Doona to “win” the contest so she would come to the resort and he could have a second chance with her and their marriage. Doona wants to have nothing to do with him; however, he convinces her to see him at breakfast the following morning. After a long and restless night, Doona goes to Charles’ office to tell him to leave her alone when she discovers he has been murdered. Who murdered him and why? Doona finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation with only Bessie to support her. Bessie finds herself once more involved in a murder investigation to save a friend. Can they figure out who killed Charles before someone else is harmed?
Once again, Diana Xarissa has managed to carry out the murder investigations without it seeming “canned”. The murder and its investigation seem very clean and new. It is a good book.
January 31, 2016
I like the way the author casts Aunt Bessie in the role of problem-solver, but really never has her solve the problem in the same way twice. In this book, she is more of a hand-holder and good listener, than she is a sleuth. We get a look at an English all-inclusive and get off the Isle of Man. I have a feeling that Andrew may emerge in other books. I liked the book, enjoyed getting to know the characters better, and trying to second guess the author. I will keep reading, as long as Diana Xarissa writes the Aunt Bessie books.
July 16, 2016
Diana Xarissa has done it again! This is yet another great book in a series that is nothing but great books! Aunt Bessie and her friend Doona go on a holiday that turns out to be anything but a holiday and find themselves tied up in a murder mystery that neither one of them saw coming. Lots of twists and devilish characters that you sure hope are guilty of the murder, or at least something horrible. Some really nice characters as well, who work to help the ladies get out of their sticky predicament. Well Done, and well worth a read!
January 27, 2016
This book is better than the previous two. This is partly because there aren't the constant eating sessions of the "Eaters Four" since Bessie and Doona are on holiday. However, there is plenty of eating going on, and of course, there is a body which just happens to have a great significance for Doona.
A new character is introduced for Bessie to make use of in her investigations, and who will probably show up again. Regrettably, the ending is just dumped on the reader, but naturally, Bessie just happens to be there when the dumping is done.
A new character is introduced for Bessie to make use of in her investigations, and who will probably show up again. Regrettably, the ending is just dumped on the reader, but naturally, Bessie just happens to be there when the dumping is done.
July 7, 2024
Aunt Bessie’s Holiday: Bessie and Doona go on a holiday that Doona has won. She doesn’t remember entering any contest where it is the prize, but it sounds lovely. They’ve only just arrived when they find out why. Doona becomes a prime suspect in a murder, and they are away from home, with no support system. Secrets come to light before the mystery is solved.
This book was very good, and introduces new characters that will become dear to us and important to us in other books.
This book was very good, and introduces new characters that will become dear to us and important to us in other books.
February 11, 2016
Interesting, enjoyable read
Another great addition to the Isle of Man series, even if this one mostly takes place "across", that is in England. The characters are engaging, the mysteries always keep me guessing, and this time I got to know about and enjoy a vacation park, the likes of which we don't seem to have in the US, but they many in the UK.
Another great addition to the Isle of Man series, even if this one mostly takes place "across", that is in England. The characters are engaging, the mysteries always keep me guessing, and this time I got to know about and enjoy a vacation park, the likes of which we don't seem to have in the US, but they many in the UK.
January 28, 2016
As always, a wonderful read!
Love love love Aunt Bessie! The perfect cozy read - I'm never disappointed! Great character development and the plots have never yet failed to be enjoyable!
Love love love Aunt Bessie! The perfect cozy read - I'm never disappointed! Great character development and the plots have never yet failed to be enjoyable!
June 27, 2016
Nicely complicated plot.
August 1, 2016
Who would want a murder to happen while on vacation! But aunt Bessie rises to the occasion and not only solves a murder but stands by her best friend as well.
October 11, 2016
another good mystery...
April 26, 2017
I enjoy this series set mostly on the Isle of Mann. It's like visiting friends. Aunt Bessie participates in solving crimes and helping friends.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews