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Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy #7
Guests and Guilt
Fenella Woods is less than excited when her brother James announces that he’s coming to visit her.
She’s starting to feel truly settled in her new home on the Isle of Man, but James made it clear when she inherited their Aunt Mona’s fortune that he didn’t think it was fair. She can only hope that he’s just coming for a visit and not for a fight about the estate.
When he arrives with a girlfriend Fenella knew nothing about in tow, she’s even less excited about the three-week visit. But James’s girlfriend, Stephanie, grew up on the island and she has her own reasons for wanting to be there.
When Stephanie turns up dead, is it just an unfortunate accident or was someone unhappy to see the woman back on the island?
Police Inspector Mark Hammersmith is on the case, and he’s quick to consider James as a suspect. When James recounts a story from Stephanie’s past that sounds impossible, Mark seems inclined to discount it as fiction. When someone tries to kill James, though, Fenella is convinced that it’s true.
Can she persuade Mark to see things her way? And can she keep her big brother safe from a killer who might just try again?
She’s starting to feel truly settled in her new home on the Isle of Man, but James made it clear when she inherited their Aunt Mona’s fortune that he didn’t think it was fair. She can only hope that he’s just coming for a visit and not for a fight about the estate.
When he arrives with a girlfriend Fenella knew nothing about in tow, she’s even less excited about the three-week visit. But James’s girlfriend, Stephanie, grew up on the island and she has her own reasons for wanting to be there.
When Stephanie turns up dead, is it just an unfortunate accident or was someone unhappy to see the woman back on the island?
Police Inspector Mark Hammersmith is on the case, and he’s quick to consider James as a suspect. When James recounts a story from Stephanie’s past that sounds impossible, Mark seems inclined to discount it as fiction. When someone tries to kill James, though, Fenella is convinced that it’s true.
Can she persuade Mark to see things her way? And can she keep her big brother safe from a killer who might just try again?
230 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 18, 2018
383 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Diana Xarissa
193 books263 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 19, 2020
As many who have learned to drive a manual (stick shift) vehicle, there is almost inevitably a lot of Graunching of Gears. This particular book offers no less of an experience. Chapter one (first gear), provides a summary of all the main characters (which is fair enough to get started). Chapter two (second gear), provides a summary of Fenella’s family (which is a foundational requirement to progress). Chapter three (third gear) is all about the victim to be. Chapter four (fourth gear and often considered the top gear), is all about the victim to be friends as well as a continued description of the victim to be herself. So, 28% of the way through the book, we have had nothing but character descriptions and references. However, in chapter five, the actual story (sort of) begins, with still a considerable part devoted to the Genealogical Gyrations of Fenella’s brother.
Even as the story unfolds, there is a continual recycling of dialogue, family therapy and biographies.
Add to this a very thin and predictable story line with little to nil mystery, and little original subject matter that even includes references to another series to bolster its content.
Even as the story unfolds, there is a continual recycling of dialogue, family therapy and biographies.
Add to this a very thin and predictable story line with little to nil mystery, and little original subject matter that even includes references to another series to bolster its content.
June 30, 2022
Number 7 in this very enjoyable cozy mystery series has Fenella's brother James arriving (uninvited) for a three-week visit with his youngest sibling. When Fenella calls for him at the airport she is surprised to find that her brother has brought with him a lady friend (also uninvited) who doubles the challenge for Fenella to be hospitable. James is the brother who previously threatened to challenge Mona's will, although he has no legal basis for tapping his sister's inheritance. It is no surprise to fans of the series that Fenella rises to the occasion and is welcoming and gracious despite her difficult guests and the difficulties they bring into her life.
I recommend reading this series in sequential order.
I recommend reading this series in sequential order.
May 26, 2018
Another fun cozy
I always enjoy each of these books. I'm sad for Fennellas love life but I'm sure that whoever she falls reallyz
in love with for real will be great. It was fun to meet one on her brothers, & looking forward to meeting more of her relatives. Looking forward to seeing how Daniel is going to treat her in the next book. This is a wonderful cozy mystery that everyone can enjoy & I hope you all do.
I always enjoy each of these books. I'm sad for Fennellas love life but I'm sure that whoever she falls reallyz
in love with for real will be great. It was fun to meet one on her brothers, & looking forward to meeting more of her relatives. Looking forward to seeing how Daniel is going to treat her in the next book. This is a wonderful cozy mystery that everyone can enjoy & I hope you all do.
June 1, 2018
Great
Great series, fun and likable characters. I have a hard time putting these stories down , and hate to see them come to an end. They always have a satisfying ending . The stories can stand alone ,but leave you with a little enticing bit so that you are looking forward to the next.
Great series, fun and likable characters. I have a hard time putting these stories down , and hate to see them come to an end. They always have a satisfying ending . The stories can stand alone ,but leave you with a little enticing bit so that you are looking forward to the next.
March 11, 2020
No suitors this time, but a brother visits
Fenella's youngest brother James visits and brings his girlfriend, who ends up murdered after meeting up with old friends. James and Finella's relationship has always been somewhat difficult, but she helps him through it. Even though they kind of drove each other crazy. Just like real siblings.
Fenella's youngest brother James visits and brings his girlfriend, who ends up murdered after meeting up with old friends. James and Finella's relationship has always been somewhat difficult, but she helps him through it. Even though they kind of drove each other crazy. Just like real siblings.
April 7, 2020
This should be a 3.5 The author captures the essense of family togetherness: love but not extreme simlarity in personalities make living together a challenge. Fenella's brother comes to visit and brings an unlikely new girlfriend with him. Chaos and death and togetherness all ensue and Fenella again is in the thick of it with her friends and maybe romantic connections.
April 22, 2020
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was full of intrigue and suspense and fast paced. I am glad to see that Daniel is back and look forward to reading about who the blonde woman is to Daniel in up coming stories. I have really enjoyed reading the Isle of Man Ghostly books and plan on reading all of them in time, then I will move on to Aunt Bessie in the Isle of Man.
May 19, 2018
A good ghostly mystery
Another offering in the series of ghostly cozies, and another truly enjoyable read. The character development, I think, makes us feel that we don't really know people until we spend some time in their shoes. Diana Xarissa is consistently good.
Another offering in the series of ghostly cozies, and another truly enjoyable read. The character development, I think, makes us feel that we don't really know people until we spend some time in their shoes. Diana Xarissa is consistently good.
June 3, 2018
I do not
Want to wait for the next novel . Please start writing 3 times longer books. Your characters are great, the plots are believable, your beta readers do not miss a comma, a misspelled word. They even seem to find awkward phrases, etc. Thank you.
Want to wait for the next novel . Please start writing 3 times longer books. Your characters are great, the plots are believable, your beta readers do not miss a comma, a misspelled word. They even seem to find awkward phrases, etc. Thank you.
June 25, 2018
Enjoyable!
This is the first book I've read by this author. An easy read, it moves the story along at a leisurely pace and develops quite nicely. I plan on reading the whole series.
This is the first book I've read by this author. An easy read, it moves the story along at a leisurely pace and develops quite nicely. I plan on reading the whole series.
October 8, 2018
I love the adventures of Fenella, but her relationship with Jack borders on staking and irritates me so much that she just doesn’t change her number and move on already! Donald is also a very unlikable character. Manipulative and somewhat controlling. Ditch him already 🙄
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 30, 2018
Guests and Guilt(An Isle of Man abook7)
This was the most boring book that I have read in a long time...The story line was so simple, it read like a high school writing class...Elementary children have more imagination to put a better story together, than you did!!
This was the most boring book that I have read in a long time...The story line was so simple, it read like a high school writing class...Elementary children have more imagination to put a better story together, than you did!!
March 3, 2019
Fun mystery
Fenella’s youngest older brother comes to visit and is he a piece of work, of course he surprises Fenella by arriving with a crazy young blond. And then the murders begin ...
Fenella’s youngest older brother comes to visit and is he a piece of work, of course he surprises Fenella by arriving with a crazy young blond. And then the murders begin ...
June 2, 2020
Satisfying
This mystery feels real, rings true. At its end, i felt completely satisfied. To me, the best part was the interaction between Fenella and James. Truly, the push and pull and changing moods were spot-on genuine feelings between siblings. Bravo!
This mystery feels real, rings true. At its end, i felt completely satisfied. To me, the best part was the interaction between Fenella and James. Truly, the push and pull and changing moods were spot-on genuine feelings between siblings. Bravo!
July 5, 2021
Another cosy read
After I finished my last book which was absorbing and disturbing I was happy to have this cosy mystery to read. I love Fenella, Mona and Shelley they make a great team.
After I finished my last book which was absorbing and disturbing I was happy to have this cosy mystery to read. I love Fenella, Mona and Shelley they make a great team.
May 21, 2018
totally enjoyed the book and can't wait to see what is going to happen in the next
May 30, 2018
Love this author
Good read by a consistently reliable author! Also, her books can be enjoyed without needing to read them in order.
Good read by a consistently reliable author! Also, her books can be enjoyed without needing to read them in order.
July 20, 2018
Bro
I really love these books they are really well written, I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries .
I really love these books they are really well written, I would recommend them to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries .
August 11, 2018
This was a really good mystery and I enjoyed getting to know Fenella's brother!
July 31, 2021
Book seven is different.
You meet Fennela's brother James. This book reminds me of Murder She Wrote t.v. series. I have enjoyed this cozy.
You meet Fennela's brother James. This book reminds me of Murder She Wrote t.v. series. I have enjoyed this cozy.
April 27, 2023
Murder
Intrigue,suspense and of course murder. Loved the many charachters introduced. The ins and outs with Monaadding her two cents was wonderful
Intrigue,suspense and of course murder. Loved the many charachters introduced. The ins and outs with Monaadding her two cents was wonderful
May 12, 2024
Another fun one in this series. This time we get to meet one of Fenella’s brothers and the murdered body isn’t one she stumbles across!
November 16, 2021
I love this series.
I've just started the Aunt Bessie series too which I know is set before this but I just think this is better. This is also the first book I've noticed a reference to her so I'm less bothered about reading this series first...
The plot was interesting this time. James grew on me and although he had problems that didn't resolve completely I felt it was nice to meet Fenella's brother like the authors note said. 0
I've just started the Aunt Bessie series too which I know is set before this but I just think this is better. This is also the first book I've noticed a reference to her so I'm less bothered about reading this series first...
The plot was interesting this time. James grew on me and although he had problems that didn't resolve completely I felt it was nice to meet Fenella's brother like the authors note said. 0
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews