Aunt Bessie Likes (An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Book 12)

by Diana Xarissa

  “The only question is how can we ever thank you?” Grace said through her tears. “I can’t even imagine how wonderful it’s all going to be.”

  “I hope it exceeds your expectations,” Mary told her. “Honeymoons should be magical.”

  “Thank you,” Hugh said gruffly. “This is the best surprise I’ve ever had, aside from when Grace said yes, of course.” Everyone laughed.

  Bessie was just starting to think about heading for home when Hugh found her a short while later.

  “I don’t even know what to say,” he greeted her. “I’m overwhelmed.”

  “It wasn’t much, really,” Bessie told him. “I’m just glad you’re pleased. We did worry you might not want to go.”

  Hugh laughed. “It’s like a dream,” he said. “If we’d have waited a year like I’d originally planned, I would have saved up to take her to Paris. I can’t quite believe that we’re actually going.”

  “You have a lot of good friends and we all wanted to see you and Grace have a wonderful start to your married life,” Bessie told him.

  “I’m not sure we’re going to want to come back,” Hugh teased.

  “Of course you will,” Bessie replied. “Paris will be wonderful, but the island is home.”

  Hours later, alone in her cottage, Bessie thought about what she’d told Hugh. The island was her home as well. Whatever had happened in the past, she wouldn’t want it any other way.

  Glossary of Terms

  Manx to English

  moghry mie

  skeet

  good morning

  gossip

  House Names – Manx to English

  Thie yn Traie

  Beach House

  Treoghe Bwaaue

  Widow’s Cottage

  English to American Terms

  advocate

  Manx title for a lawyer (solicitor)

  aye

  yes

  bin

  garbage can

  biscuits

  cookies

  bonnet (car)

  hood

  boot (car)

  trunk

  car park

  parking lot

  chemist

  pharmacist

  chips

  french fries

  cuppa

  cup of tea (informally)

  dear

  expensive

  estate agent

  real estate agent (realtor)

  fairy cakes

  cupcakes

  holiday

  vacation

  loo

  restroom

  midday

  noon

  mince

  ground beef (hamburger)

  nappies

  diapers

  pavement

  sidewalk

  plait (hair)

  braid

  primary school

  elementary school

  pudding

  dessert

  rates

  property taxes

  starters

  appetizers

  supply teacher

  substitute teacher

  telly

  television

  torch

  flashlight

  trolley

  shopping cart

  windscreen

  windshield

  Other Notes

  CID is the Criminal Investigation Department of the Isle of Man Constabulary (Police Force).

  When talking about time, the English say, for example, “half seven” to mean “seven-thirty.”

  With regard to Bessie’s age: UK (and IOM) residents get a free bus pass at the age of 60. Bessie is somewhere between that age and the age at which she will get a birthday card from the Queen. British citizens used to receive telegrams from the ruling monarch on the occasion of their one-hundredth birthday. Cards replaced the telegrams in 1982, but the special greeting is still widely referred to as a telegram.

  When island residents talk about someone being from “across,” they mean that the person is from somewhere in the United Kingdom (across the water).

  In the UK people refer to their weight in terms of stone and pounds. A stone is equal to fourteen pounds, so that someone who weights “ten stone, three” weighs 143 pounds.

  When someone says “snap” they are saying that the same is true for them. It comes from the children’s card game where each player takes it in turn to put down a card, and if two of the same cards are played in a row, players shout “snap.” In the US, we might say “ditto” in the same context.

  “Half-term” is a week-long break from school in the (approximate) middle of each term. They generally fall in October, February, and May.

  Acknowledgments

  Thanks to my wonderful editor, Denise. Also to my incredibly helpful beta readers, Janice, Charlene and Ruth. And to Kevin, who takes such wonderful photographs for my covers.

  Most importantly, thank you, readers, for continuing to enjoy spending time with Bessie and her friends.

  Coming April 14, 2017

  Aunt Bessie Meets

  An Isle of Man Cozy Mystery

  Aunt Bessie meets a former acquaintance on Laxey Beach.

  It’s the first anniversary of Danny Pierce’s death and Bessie is surprised when she sees Danny’s widow, Vikky walking along the beach where the man’s body was found. Vikky is back on the island with a large group that includes her new husband, his children, their wives and several business associates.

  Aunt Bessie meets Vikky’s new husband, Alastair Farthington, a very wealthy businessman.

  When one member of the Farthington group ends up dead, Alastair wants Bessie to help investigate the murder. And he isn’t used to taking no for an answer.

  Aunt Bessie meets a great many new people, none of whom seem to have had a motive for murder.

  Can Bessie help Alastair work out what happened before the killer strikes again?

  Also by Diana Xarissa

  The Isle of Man Cozy Mystery Series

  Aunt Bessie Assumes

  Aunt Bessie Believes

  Aunt Bessie Considers

  Aunt Bessie Decides

  Aunt Bessie Enjoys

  Aunt Bessie Finds

  Aunt Bessie Goes

  Aunt Bessie’s Holiday

  Aunt Bessie Invites

  Aunt Bessie Joins

  Aunt Bessie Knows

  Aunt Bessie Likes

  Aunt Bessie Meets (release date: April 14, 2017)

  The Isle of Man Ghostly Cozy Series

  Arrivals and Arrests

  Boats and Bad Guys (release date: February 17, 2017)

  The Isle of Man Romance Series

  Island Escape

  Island Inheritance

  Island Heritage

  Island Christmas

  The Markham Sisters Cozy Mystery Novellas

  The Appleton Case

  The Bennett Case

  The Chalmers Case

  The Donaldson Case

  The Ellsworth Case

  The Fenton Case

  The Green Case

  The Hampton Case (release date: March 17, 2017)

  About the Author

  Diana would love for you to sign up for her newsletter so that you can find out about new releases as well as enter contests and giveaways. You can sign up on her Facebook page or on her website at www.dianaxarissa.com.

  Diana grew up in Pennsylvania, moved to Washington, DC, and then found herself being swept off her feet by a handsome British man who was visiting DC on vacation. That was nearly nineteen years ago.

  After their wedding, Diana moved to Derbyshire, where her new husband had his home. A short time later, the couple moved to the Isle of Man. After more than ten years on the island, now a family of four, they relocated to the outskirts of Buffalo, NY, where Diana keeps busy writing about the island she loves and driving her children everywhere.

  She also writes mystery/thrillers set in the not-too-distant future under the
pen name “Diana X. Dunn” and fantasy/adventure books for middle grade readers under the pen name “D.X. Dunn.”

  She would be delighted to know what you think of her work and can be contacted through snail mail at:

  Diana Xarissa Dunn

  PO Box 72

  Clarence, NY 14031

  Or find her on Facebook, Goodreads or on her website at www.dianaxarissa.com.