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Isle of Man #14
Aunt Bessie Needs
Aunt Bessie needs to start working on her Manx language skills again.
Elizabeth Cubbon, known as Aunt Bessie to nearly everyone, is taking the beginner's Manx language class for the fourth time. This time, however, many of her friends are taking it with her, which means she’ll have lots of people to practice with, whether she wants to or not.
Aunt Bessie needs to try to help her friend, Laura Meyers.
Laura is nearly in tears when she arrives at the first class, but she's reluctant to talk about what’s wrong. When she does confide in Bessie, Bessie wants to get the police involved, but Laura refuses.
Aunt Bessie needs to work out who is telling the truth, which isn’t easy in a murder investigation.
Can Bessie help the police solve another murder? And will she ever learn to speak more than a few words in Manx?
Elizabeth Cubbon, known as Aunt Bessie to nearly everyone, is taking the beginner's Manx language class for the fourth time. This time, however, many of her friends are taking it with her, which means she’ll have lots of people to practice with, whether she wants to or not.
Aunt Bessie needs to try to help her friend, Laura Meyers.
Laura is nearly in tears when she arrives at the first class, but she's reluctant to talk about what’s wrong. When she does confide in Bessie, Bessie wants to get the police involved, but Laura refuses.
Aunt Bessie needs to work out who is telling the truth, which isn’t easy in a murder investigation.
Can Bessie help the police solve another murder? And will she ever learn to speak more than a few words in Manx?
238 pages, Paperback
First published July 12, 2017
About the author
Diana Xarissa
280 books273 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 - 22 of 22 reviews
August 9, 2023
The fourteenth book in this alphabetical series which means I have twelve more to go. Lovely!
It seems Aunt Bessie needs to keep working on her Manx language skills. It looks like a fairly complicated language to me and not one that any of the class attendees is picking up easily. The murder in this book is very interesting because, for a couple of reasons, there is doubt whether the killer actually murdered the person they were aiming for. This makes investigation very tricky both for the police and for Bessie because she is as usual involved.
Also as usual there is a lot of talk about food, both at home and in restaurants. Diana Xarissa makes an excellent travel agent for the Isle of Man, selling its beaches, its holiday lets, its history and its eating places. Just maybe not its weather.
This is a very cosy cosy where not a lot happens and no one is ever really in any danger. Comfortable reading for when your brain is tired.
It seems Aunt Bessie needs to keep working on her Manx language skills. It looks like a fairly complicated language to me and not one that any of the class attendees is picking up easily. The murder in this book is very interesting because, for a couple of reasons, there is doubt whether the killer actually murdered the person they were aiming for. This makes investigation very tricky both for the police and for Bessie because she is as usual involved.
Also as usual there is a lot of talk about food, both at home and in restaurants. Diana Xarissa makes an excellent travel agent for the Isle of Man, selling its beaches, its holiday lets, its history and its eating places. Just maybe not its weather.
This is a very cosy cosy where not a lot happens and no one is ever really in any danger. Comfortable reading for when your brain is tired.
October 21, 2024
I had been thinking that what Aunt Bessie needs is to give up on learning Manx. Aunt Bessie — as most call elderly spinster Elizabeth Cubbon — had taken the introductory Manx (the language of the Isle of Man) three — or is it four? — times, and she could barely remember how to say hello and How are you? in Manx. Born on the island, and having lived all but 16 years of her life on it, Bessie probably thinks that it’s the right thing to do, but, although Celtic languages can be hard, it didn’t look like Aunt Bessie had a head for languages.
Aunt Bessie fooled us all, as, apparently, the fourth or fifth time is the charm when it comes to learning Manx. You know who else fooled us? Author Diana Xarissa. As with Aunt Bessie Meets, this 14th novel in the 26-book series started out very promising but then fizzled when it came time to bring the story to a close; however, this book wasn’t as terrible as Aunt Bessie Meets. Will I let Xarissa fool me yet again with the next book? Or should I give her another chance? We’ll have to see.
Aunt Bessie fooled us all, as, apparently, the fourth or fifth time is the charm when it comes to learning Manx. You know who else fooled us? Author Diana Xarissa. As with Aunt Bessie Meets, this 14th novel in the 26-book series started out very promising but then fizzled when it came time to bring the story to a close; however, this book wasn’t as terrible as Aunt Bessie Meets. Will I let Xarissa fool me yet again with the next book? Or should I give her another chance? We’ll have to see.
March 23, 2018
This was one of the better ones in the series, I think. I loved the intricately twisty plot and the addition of Pete to the foursome to investigate. With many suspects and an unknown motive, it was challenging to figure out who murdered Julie and who the real target was and the twist at the end was suprrising. I have to say, I didn't much care for Laura, and I suspected she wasn't truthful about her past. I won't lie, I cheered when she left. Poor Henry, he doesn't realize he dodged a bullet.
June 24, 2019
Nothing like Aunt Bessie to pull me out of a moody funk. Bessie is trying to take Manx lessons yet again and at least this time several of her friends have joined her. One of those friends, Laura, is too distracted by the fact that her abusive ex-husband has moved to the island to participate in the class. When a woman who bears a striking resemblance to Laura is murdered the question becomes whether she was the intended victim. This struck a nice balance between Bessie's day to day life and the mystery investigation.
July 26, 2017
YES! My type of book! Looking forward to the next, using the letter "O."
October 1, 2017
Really down on the list in the series, mainly because Bessie is so insincere. She keeps saying she enjoys hearing about peoples' lives when in fact she's just a nosy busybody. The police might as well pay her instead of just providing food for the 'Foodie Four' or in this case Five. The info about the Manx language was probably the most interesting part of the book, but I think she should give up trying to learn the language. It might mean she would have to concentrate on something besides being a snoop.
August 4, 2017
Nice and easy
Not one of the better books with Aunt Bessie. It didn't seem like it was very long either, so it was a fast read. A bit disappointing really as a mystery goes, but still a nice cozy. Just needed more action about who had committed the murder.
Not one of the better books with Aunt Bessie. It didn't seem like it was very long either, so it was a fast read. A bit disappointing really as a mystery goes, but still a nice cozy. Just needed more action about who had committed the murder.
September 13, 2017
Aunt Bessie Needs: An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 14 is by Diana Xarissa. As usual, Diana does a great job in creating the mystery for Aunt Bessie to solve. Unlike some of the other books, Aunt Bessie does more this time in investigating who might have done the crime. She also spends much more time with the police in the form of John, Hugh, and Pete at her house for dinner with Doona.
Doona and Aunt Bessie decide to try lessons in Manx again. So far, Aunt Bessie has not made great headway with the language. She and Doona meet Hugh and Grace Watterson at the class. Hugh is a police officer and Grace is a teacher. Both were friends of Aunt Bessie and they had just gotten married. John Rockwell, Chief Constable of Laxey and a friend of Aunt Bessie has also taken the class. The class is rounded out by the appearance of Henry Costain and Laura Meyers, both of whom work for the Manx National Heritage. All of them have different reasons for taking the class; but they found the class due to Aunt Bessie.
When a woman who looks a lot like Laura is found murdered in the alley behind the apartments where Laura lives, they can’t help but wonder if it is a random killing, if Julie was specifically killed, or if Julie was mistaken for Laura. If it is the latter, then Laura is in great danger. She thinks it might be her ex-husband whom she claims was abusive towards her. As Aunt Bessie talks to people at the funeral and at the bank the following day, more suspects come out of the questioning. Who was Julie? Who would want to kill her and Why?
Doona and Aunt Bessie decide to try lessons in Manx again. So far, Aunt Bessie has not made great headway with the language. She and Doona meet Hugh and Grace Watterson at the class. Hugh is a police officer and Grace is a teacher. Both were friends of Aunt Bessie and they had just gotten married. John Rockwell, Chief Constable of Laxey and a friend of Aunt Bessie has also taken the class. The class is rounded out by the appearance of Henry Costain and Laura Meyers, both of whom work for the Manx National Heritage. All of them have different reasons for taking the class; but they found the class due to Aunt Bessie.
When a woman who looks a lot like Laura is found murdered in the alley behind the apartments where Laura lives, they can’t help but wonder if it is a random killing, if Julie was specifically killed, or if Julie was mistaken for Laura. If it is the latter, then Laura is in great danger. She thinks it might be her ex-husband whom she claims was abusive towards her. As Aunt Bessie talks to people at the funeral and at the bank the following day, more suspects come out of the questioning. Who was Julie? Who would want to kill her and Why?
May 22, 2018
Aunt Bessie does it again. Much like Jessica Fletcher Aunt Bessie seems to find murders and help the police to solve the murder. Living on the Isle of Man island on the beach Aunt Bessie walks every day, reads a great deal and helps out any one in need. Aunt Bessie's friend Laura's ex-husband has just moved to the island and having been abusive Laura is scared. When a woman who looks just like Laura shows up dead Aunt Bessie can not help but think that it is a case of mistaken identity. You can not go wrong reading any Aunt Bessie book!
June 5, 2019
I love all aunt Bessie’s books. I only have one pet peeve about it, that always makes my skin crawl and it is the description of Mary Quayle as shy. She is not shy at all. Shyness is a social anxiety disorder, generally related to low self esteem. Mary is a confident woman who enjoys quiet times, as opposed to her extravertes, gregarious husband. Mary is an introvert, which is completely different from shyness. Though many introverts are also shy, many are not. And Mary is not shy at all. She is confident, in control and has a good sense of self.
September 10, 2017
Aunt Bessie
Another great book in the Aunt Bessie series. In the beginning of the book the caretaker who cleans up and locks the doors is introduced as James but later on his name is accidentally written as Robert (seems this wasn't caught in the editing that was done. That is the only editing mistake I found in the book. The mystery is very well done. I would highly recommend this book and the series.
Another great book in the Aunt Bessie series. In the beginning of the book the caretaker who cleans up and locks the doors is introduced as James but later on his name is accidentally written as Robert (seems this wasn't caught in the editing that was done. That is the only editing mistake I found in the book. The mystery is very well done. I would highly recommend this book and the series.
February 26, 2024
Was it a case of mistaken identity, or was the intended woman killed? Aunt Bessie helps her police friends sort through facts and red herrings to find who killed a much-loved wife, and why. The outcome is actually quite sad.
It was good to see policeman Hugh’s wife Grace take a more active role in this story. Another enjoyable visit to the Isle of Man.
It was good to see policeman Hugh’s wife Grace take a more active role in this story. Another enjoyable visit to the Isle of Man.
July 22, 2017
Great cozy read mystery series. Reminds me of Jane Marple, but more current. Just wish John and Doona would progress!
July 28, 2017
I have enjoyed this series very much. A good, cozy mystery set on the Isle of Manx. It is a delightful series. Aunt Bessie is charming. The mysteries are good, and the setting is wonderful
August 3, 2017
Loved it!
I have never read an Aunt Bessie mystery that I c.f. didn't like. This was no exception! Keep them coming Diana!
I have never read an Aunt Bessie mystery that I c.f. didn't like. This was no exception! Keep them coming Diana!
October 29, 2017
really good mystery, enjoyed the twists and turns, can't wait for the next visit with Aunt Bessie
October 12, 2019
Good reading
I've read this series and this time around have enjoyed them better. The series is fast reading with unforgettable characters and they are always eating. Love it.
I've read this series and this time around have enjoyed them better. The series is fast reading with unforgettable characters and they are always eating. Love it.
March 22, 2021
I have enjoyed all the books up to now and looking forward to reading all the others in the series.
February 23, 2023
Douglas
I really liked this book because of the different characters that came in and out of the story line. The new characters gave a sense of suspense in this story.
I really liked this book because of the different characters that came in and out of the story line. The new characters gave a sense of suspense in this story.
July 15, 2023
An enthralling read, wherein I didn't know whether the victim was the intended victim, or who the killer was, until the very end. Loved it.
July 24, 2017
Another great visit with Bessie and friends
Diana Xarissa continues to produce complete mysteries that are intricate and complex, as well as being great character studies. The stories come across as things that might happen in real life, and the characters show depth and very real human feelings and reactions. I wait for each new book and I am never disappointed. Great series! I recommend the books highly.
Diana Xarissa continues to produce complete mysteries that are intricate and complex, as well as being great character studies. The stories come across as things that might happen in real life, and the characters show depth and very real human feelings and reactions. I wait for each new book and I am never disappointed. Great series! I recommend the books highly.
November 7, 2023
book #14 of the series
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews