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Isle of Man #12
Aunt Bessie Likes
Aunt Bessie likes weddings. Elizabeth Cubbon, known to everyone as “Aunt Bessie,” is delighted to see two of her friends being united in marriage. But before the wedding, there’s a cold case that has the whole island talking. Aunt Bessie likes helping Hugh Watterson and John Rockwell with their investigation. But when the three girls who went missing decades ago turn out to have been murdered, Bessie isn’t as happy to be involved. When one of the main suspects turns up dead, things look increasingly complicated. Aunt Bessie doesn’t really like surprises. But she’s determined to give the happy couple the best possible surprise she can arrange. She just has to find time to plan that while hunting down a killer.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 13, 2017
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
February 11, 2023
My twelfth visit to Aunt Bessie was every bit as enjoyable as each of the previous ones. In this book Bessie likes weddings, especially those of her close friends, and she is very much looking forward to Hugh making it to the altar at last.
In between dress shopping trips and planning a super surprise wedding gift, Bessie is called upon to help supply her famous local knowledge to a cold case from 1970 when three girl cousins all disappeared. No trace of them has ever been found, but once Bessie starts chatting to old friends and acquaintances, all kinds of clues start to pop up.
There were a number of possible perpetrators, and the author delivered some clever red herrings. Bessie and her group of loyal friends discussed everything over many meals and many cups of tea. Fortunately for Bessie she is very fit for her age and she walks it all off in her long strolls on the beach. She also falls asleep every night reading a good book. An envious life style indeed!
I am already looking forward to the next book!
In between dress shopping trips and planning a super surprise wedding gift, Bessie is called upon to help supply her famous local knowledge to a cold case from 1970 when three girl cousins all disappeared. No trace of them has ever been found, but once Bessie starts chatting to old friends and acquaintances, all kinds of clues start to pop up.
There were a number of possible perpetrators, and the author delivered some clever red herrings. Bessie and her group of loyal friends discussed everything over many meals and many cups of tea. Fortunately for Bessie she is very fit for her age and she walks it all off in her long strolls on the beach. She also falls asleep every night reading a good book. An envious life style indeed!
I am already looking forward to the next book!
October 18, 2024
Finally, Constable Hugh Watterson and his girl Grace Christian will be getting married in a few weeks. But in the meantime, Hugh has reopened a 30-year-old cold case: the disappearance without a trace of teenage cousins Susan, Helen and Karen Kelly within days of each other. But several of the family members make it plain that they don’t want the Laxey Constabulary revisiting what happened in 1970.
Aunt Bessie cozies can be a bit hit or miss, but this one is excellent. Can’t wait to move on to Aunt Bessie Meets!
Aunt Bessie cozies can be a bit hit or miss, but this one is excellent. Can’t wait to move on to Aunt Bessie Meets!
February 26, 2017
See this review and more at Mystereity Reviews
In Aunt Bessie Likes, young PC Hugh Watterson is following up on cold cases and decides to pursue the disappearance of three teenage cousins in 1970. Out of all the Aunt Bessie books, I think this will rank up there as one of my favorites. I love cold case mysteries, probably because there's nothing more satisfying than to find an answer to an unknown. I also love hearing more about the history of Bessie's Isle of Man (where everyone seems to think murder has only recently come to visit, but Hugh's stack of cold cases prove this untrue.) The twisty plot, sprinkled with a few red herrings, kept me second guessing myself through the whole book and the ending was both satisfying and exciting.
All in all, another exciting Bessie adventure, and I highly recommend this adorable and well-written series to cozy mystery fans looking for a clean, light read.
In Aunt Bessie Likes, young PC Hugh Watterson is following up on cold cases and decides to pursue the disappearance of three teenage cousins in 1970. Out of all the Aunt Bessie books, I think this will rank up there as one of my favorites. I love cold case mysteries, probably because there's nothing more satisfying than to find an answer to an unknown. I also love hearing more about the history of Bessie's Isle of Man (where everyone seems to think murder has only recently come to visit, but Hugh's stack of cold cases prove this untrue.) The twisty plot, sprinkled with a few red herrings, kept me second guessing myself through the whole book and the ending was both satisfying and exciting.
All in all, another exciting Bessie adventure, and I highly recommend this adorable and well-written series to cozy mystery fans looking for a clean, light read.
March 23, 2019
Less than two months after the events in the last book, Bessie finds herself assisting with a cold case investigation that Hugh is heading up. Several years ago, three young women who were cousins went missing. Strangely nobody in the family wants the investigation reopened. While I still enjoyed how Bessie eats and reads her way through these stories there were a couple of things that bothered me. I'm getting a bit tired of the Inspector asking for Bessie's help but then asking her to not actually talk to any of the suspects. How exactly is she supposed to get information? Also, the ending seemed a bit rushed.
January 16, 2017
Aunt Bessie Likes (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 12) is by Diana Xarissa. I have to say that this is the best of the series so far. Through Diana, I am getting to know the main characters very well, in fact, so well that I can skip some of the explanations as to who they are. Though this is a series, the books stand-alone by themselves. They are easy and fun to read. It took me about two hours to read the book; but I do read fast.
Once again, Aunt Bessie is pulled into a murder investigation. This one, however, begins as Hugh is looking into an old cold case. It seems that in the seventies, three girls, all cousins, disappeared. There had been no trace of them then and there hadn’t been any trace in the last thirty years. Hugh comes to Aunt Bessie to see if she could give him some background for the case and to make the missing girls come alive for him. This conversation lures Aunt Bessie into doing some investigating on her own. How much trouble will Aunt Bessie get into this time?
Once again, Aunt Bessie is pulled into a murder investigation. This one, however, begins as Hugh is looking into an old cold case. It seems that in the seventies, three girls, all cousins, disappeared. There had been no trace of them then and there hadn’t been any trace in the last thirty years. Hugh comes to Aunt Bessie to see if she could give him some background for the case and to make the missing girls come alive for him. This conversation lures Aunt Bessie into doing some investigating on her own. How much trouble will Aunt Bessie get into this time?
January 25, 2017
This is the 12th in a cozy mystery series set on the Isle of Man. Each title begins (after the words Aunt Bessie) with the next letter of the alphabet. Eighty-plus year-old Aunt Bessie, unmarried, is Aunt to many former teenagers who sought refuge in her home after arguments with their parents. These teenagers, now grown, form many of the minor and not so minor characters in her murder mysteries.
In this book, she is involved in solving a cold case about the disappearance of three young women, which is under investigation by her friends at the local police station. It is her long history and knowledge of the island and it inhabitants that the police call upon from time to time. The author, who now lives in the US, spent ten years on the Island.
The attraction of cozy mysteries is the setting and the ongoing lives of the main characters, which is like visiting old friends. This series fits the bill.
In this book, she is involved in solving a cold case about the disappearance of three young women, which is under investigation by her friends at the local police station. It is her long history and knowledge of the island and it inhabitants that the police call upon from time to time. The author, who now lives in the US, spent ten years on the Island.
The attraction of cozy mysteries is the setting and the ongoing lives of the main characters, which is like visiting old friends. This series fits the bill.
June 4, 2021
Aunt Bessie Likes ... weddings. Although her friends, Inspector Hugh Watterson and his fiancee Grace Christian, are planning a modest wedding in Laxey, Aunt Bessie has an idea to help finance an incredible honeymoon for them: a week in Paris! Because she can't do it alone, she enlists the help of her good friend Mary Quayle, along with most of Hugh's co-workers in the Laxey Constabulary, and both sets of parents. Can they all keep the secret until the wedding day?
Aunt Bessie Likes ... to be involved in police investigations. Hugh is looking at a cold case involving the disappearance of three teenaged girls, all cousins surnamed Kelly, in 1970. No one has heard from any of them since. Bessie is willing to tell Hugh what she remembers of the case, and to talk to several of the people who were interviewed so long ago. Maybe some detail that didn't seem important then will be the clue to discovering what happened to Susan, Karen, and Helen Kelly.
Aunt Bessie DOESN'T Like ... finding skeletal remains on an abandoned farm. When bones are discovered on the grounds of the old Grantham place, Bessie and her police friends think they may have found out what happened to the three Kelly girls. Now they need to figure out WHO did it, and WHY?
Aunt Bessie Likes ... to be involved in police investigations. Hugh is looking at a cold case involving the disappearance of three teenaged girls, all cousins surnamed Kelly, in 1970. No one has heard from any of them since. Bessie is willing to tell Hugh what she remembers of the case, and to talk to several of the people who were interviewed so long ago. Maybe some detail that didn't seem important then will be the clue to discovering what happened to Susan, Karen, and Helen Kelly.
Aunt Bessie DOESN'T Like ... finding skeletal remains on an abandoned farm. When bones are discovered on the grounds of the old Grantham place, Bessie and her police friends think they may have found out what happened to the three Kelly girls. Now they need to figure out WHO did it, and WHY?
July 3, 2019
I was at the same school as the Kelly girls whose disappearance many years before is the cold case under investigation. Not just the same school, but the same period and even in the same year, as one of them. And I almost felt as if I knew them. The description of life as a fifteen year old from a farming family was very accurate.
Fortunately, in reality, none of my school mates were murdered - but I could almost believe they had been!
And the pleasant sub-plot relating to Hugh and Grace's wedding was lovely, too.
Fortunately, in reality, none of my school mates were murdered - but I could almost believe they had been!
And the pleasant sub-plot relating to Hugh and Grace's wedding was lovely, too.
September 8, 2019
Slow to start
This story was slow for a good part of it.
Dealing with a cold case of missing girls, Hugh uncovers more than he was bargaining for.
Everyone pitches in with the case and the impending wedding.
The book repeated many details a few times more than I would have liked. Aunt Bessie books are usually fast moving with a fair amount of progression. This one I don't know if it was because of a cold case situation but it didn't live up to the previous stories.
The book did have an amazing ending which justified the higher star rating.
Not a bad read.
This story was slow for a good part of it.
Dealing with a cold case of missing girls, Hugh uncovers more than he was bargaining for.
Everyone pitches in with the case and the impending wedding.
The book repeated many details a few times more than I would have liked. Aunt Bessie books are usually fast moving with a fair amount of progression. This one I don't know if it was because of a cold case situation but it didn't live up to the previous stories.
The book did have an amazing ending which justified the higher star rating.
Not a bad read.
September 13, 2017
Twelfth in the series based on Aunt Bessie's adventures. This one is the most complicated and the "worst" murder yet. I was actually surprised at the evilness of this murder. As usual Aunt Bessie is very much her own person and pretty darn hip for a much older woman. She does of course solve the murder but not without a lot of reluctance in this tale.
December 27, 2022
Again I Love Aunt Bessie
Another wonderful tale involving the characters from the island. I love each installment in the series. Such a special place and such wonderful mysteries.
Another wonderful tale involving the characters from the island. I love each installment in the series. Such a special place and such wonderful mysteries.
February 19, 2023
wedding Nell’s
Hugh and Grace in their path to marriage find many ups and downs. High’s first cold case is riveting and Grace’s desire for the perfect wedding make this an interesting and wonderful read.
Hugh and Grace in their path to marriage find many ups and downs. High’s first cold case is riveting and Grace’s desire for the perfect wedding make this an interesting and wonderful read.
March 2, 2023
Cold case
Hugh keeps working on a cold case of three missing girls from thirty years ago, while trying to help plan his wedding. Everyone pitches in helping where they can. This has several twists in the plot. Good Read.
Hugh keeps working on a cold case of three missing girls from thirty years ago, while trying to help plan his wedding. Everyone pitches in helping where they can. This has several twists in the plot. Good Read.
Read
June 10, 2023So Much To Do, Murder and a Wedding
Cold cases can take strange turns. They can take up lots of time or so, it seems. Especially while getting ready for a wedding. Fortunately, Aunt Bessie is on the case.
Cold cases can take strange turns. They can take up lots of time or so, it seems. Especially while getting ready for a wedding. Fortunately, Aunt Bessie is on the case.
September 17, 2025
Set on the Isle of Mann, the author gives a glimpse of a slice of life on the island. The setup of the mystery with a cold case is interesting. Since Aunt Bessie knows about most everything that has happened on the island, she is a resource for the police in solving such a case.
January 27, 2017
Lovely sequel
i would have read it even if it were awful. Diana's books of Aunt Bessie have been a delightful way to spend many hours on the Isle of Man. Thanks, Diana!
i would have read it even if it were awful. Diana's books of Aunt Bessie have been a delightful way to spend many hours on the Isle of Man. Thanks, Diana!
June 6, 2019
Hugh tends to take centre stage in this book, with of course Aunt Bessie's assistance to solve a cold case.
An easy read.
An easy read.
February 16, 2020
Once again the editing leaves much to be desired. The story was well written with a nod to Dame Christie's ability to pull a plot twist. You have to pay attention to the clues.
July 5, 2020
Great characters and intrigue.
May 4, 2022
An excellent addition to the Aunt Bessie series, with two of our favourite characters getting married, and a series of cold cases solved. Both a sad and a happy ending.
June 17, 2023
A very enjoyable story - I was so engrossed in it that when I lifted my head I expected to see the ocean!
Read
May 15, 2026The Aunt Bessie stories are a sweet and cozy read. I've been going through the series.
March 12, 2017
Like old friends
Aunt Bessie and her friends are like my friends after so many wonderful books. This one doesn't disappoint as Hugh looks into a 40 year old cold case concerning three teenaged girl cousins.
Aunt Bessie and her friends are like my friends after so many wonderful books. This one doesn't disappoint as Hugh looks into a 40 year old cold case concerning three teenaged girl cousins.
March 14, 2017
Best Mysteries Ever
I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. Can't wait to get the next one in April. Anyone who likes mysteries would like these.
I thoroughly enjoyed all of the books. Can't wait to get the next one in April. Anyone who likes mysteries would like these.
February 22, 2017
Always a pleasure!
I have read all of these mysteries and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I feel like I'm actually sitting there at Aunt Bessie's table with Doona, Hugh, and Inspector Rockwell!
I have read all of these mysteries and have thoroughly enjoyed them all. I feel like I'm actually sitting there at Aunt Bessie's table with Doona, Hugh, and Inspector Rockwell!
January 23, 2017
Every Teen Needs an Aunt Bessie
Lovely Elizabeth McCubbins aka Aunt Bessie, is a lady of a certain age who is an institution on her home the Isle of Man. Everyone knows her, most of them have spent some time at her home, the sweet beachfront "Widow's Cottage". She's a font of local knowledge & that's gotten her involved with several murders--and her uncanny ability to stumble onto murders. Bessie has gained respect of the local constabulary, and become friends with DCI John R , Constable Hugh Watterson, and civilian desk manager (& best friend) Doona. Together the foursome discusses the current crime, usually over a meal,and nearly always solve it, eventually.
In Aunt Bessie Likes, a cold case Hugh was working on whilst on administrative leave in Aunt Bessie Knows, has heated up, leaving Hugh in charge of his 1st murder enquiry;and just days before his wedding. The case involves 3 teenaged cousins who went missing in 1970, 30 years earlier. No one was ever charged with the crime as no bodies had ever been found. Many islanders figured them for runaways or that they'd gone 'across' to obtain a legal abortion in England....but no explanation suggests why none of the girls ever contacted family or friends again. When skeletons are unearthed, things start moving rather quickly and Bessie is out 'listening' to old witnesses &family members.
Another most wonderful visit to the Isle of Man, with familiar characters helping to solve the mystery....and help Hugh & Grace get married. Well written with plenty of solid characters readers have come to know and love over the past 12 books. I HIGHLY recommend the entire Aunt Bessie series and recommend they be read in chronological order. A very sweet, lovely, character driven mystery series, with bits of interesting Manx history and culture tossed in. I cannot wait for the next in this seriea....also her new series about ghosts & mysteries is also set on the Isle and equally readable. Keep up the good work, Ms. Xarissa, but do type faster....like Aunt Bessie 's biscuits, there's never enough!
Lovely Elizabeth McCubbins aka Aunt Bessie, is a lady of a certain age who is an institution on her home the Isle of Man. Everyone knows her, most of them have spent some time at her home, the sweet beachfront "Widow's Cottage". She's a font of local knowledge & that's gotten her involved with several murders--and her uncanny ability to stumble onto murders. Bessie has gained respect of the local constabulary, and become friends with DCI John R , Constable Hugh Watterson, and civilian desk manager (& best friend) Doona. Together the foursome discusses the current crime, usually over a meal,and nearly always solve it, eventually.
In Aunt Bessie Likes, a cold case Hugh was working on whilst on administrative leave in Aunt Bessie Knows, has heated up, leaving Hugh in charge of his 1st murder enquiry;and just days before his wedding. The case involves 3 teenaged cousins who went missing in 1970, 30 years earlier. No one was ever charged with the crime as no bodies had ever been found. Many islanders figured them for runaways or that they'd gone 'across' to obtain a legal abortion in England....but no explanation suggests why none of the girls ever contacted family or friends again. When skeletons are unearthed, things start moving rather quickly and Bessie is out 'listening' to old witnesses &family members.
Another most wonderful visit to the Isle of Man, with familiar characters helping to solve the mystery....and help Hugh & Grace get married. Well written with plenty of solid characters readers have come to know and love over the past 12 books. I HIGHLY recommend the entire Aunt Bessie series and recommend they be read in chronological order. A very sweet, lovely, character driven mystery series, with bits of interesting Manx history and culture tossed in. I cannot wait for the next in this seriea....also her new series about ghosts & mysteries is also set on the Isle and equally readable. Keep up the good work, Ms. Xarissa, but do type faster....like Aunt Bessie 's biscuits, there's never enough!
September 27, 2023
Book #12 of the series
February 8, 2017
Always a delight!
I've been reading g these book with Aunt Bessie, & the isle of Mann since there were only just about 3 booms in the series I love all the characters in them. They really are exceptional characters & I believe if I ever went too that beautiful Ilse of Mann I'd actually meet each of of them! Starting at, of course, the cottage on the beach. They are wonderfully written & the characters are exceptional! This is just one of those series you can't put down until you find the murderer! I hope everyone enjoys!
I've been reading g these book with Aunt Bessie, & the isle of Mann since there were only just about 3 booms in the series I love all the characters in them. They really are exceptional characters & I believe if I ever went too that beautiful Ilse of Mann I'd actually meet each of of them! Starting at, of course, the cottage on the beach. They are wonderfully written & the characters are exceptional! This is just one of those series you can't put down until you find the murderer! I hope everyone enjoys!
January 18, 2017
One of the most boring books in the series. Doona makes a comment that she has started not finishing books when they are boring and I agree. I thought this one would be more interesting because of Hugh and Grace's wedding--wrong. Perhaps it was the fact that it centered on 30-year old murders, but it just dragged along. Even the eating 'adventures' of the 'Foodie Four' couldn't rescue this book.
May 4, 2024
Another good book in the Aunt Bessie series features a wedding and a secret wedding gift! You will appreciate this one more if you read them in order.
These are all cozy mysteries. The titles are in alphabetical order, which is cute. There is no sex in these books, which works for me! No graphic violence, although there are times that Bessie is in danger.
These are all cozy mysteries. The titles are in alphabetical order, which is cute. There is no sex in these books, which works for me! No graphic violence, although there are times that Bessie is in danger.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews