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A Barb Jackson Mystery #1
Bubblegum Blonde
From author Anne Snow comes a brand new series about a not-so-dumb blonde who has her hands full...
"Expect the unexpected" has been Barb Jackson’s motto ever since the day she became a private investigator. But when a blast from the past in the form of her cheating ex-boyfriend shows up in her office and begs her to help him clear his name in an ongoing murder investigation, she fears this time she might have bitten off more than she can chew. But as Barb reluctantly takes the case, she uncovers deadly secrets and it becomes obvious someone is now out to get her. Suddenly Barb finds herself in a race against the clock to clear her ex's name and keep herself alive. And to make matters worse, hunky homicide detective Tyler Black is nipping at her heels—in more ways than one! If anyone can get to the bottom of this mystery it’s Barb...if she can keep herself alive.
The Barb Jackson Mysteries:
Bubblegum Blonde (book #1)
Blondes' Night Out (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection)
The Blonde Before Christmas (holiday short story)
What critics are saying about Anna Snow's books:
"This author knows suspense and how to place just the right amount of comedy to keep us reading. The combination is gripping and pulls a readers attention."
—Night Owl Reviews
"Will keep you spellbound until the very last page."
—The Romance Reviews
"A fast and enjoyable read, with plenty of emotion and passion."
—Dark Diva Reviews
"Expect the unexpected" has been Barb Jackson’s motto ever since the day she became a private investigator. But when a blast from the past in the form of her cheating ex-boyfriend shows up in her office and begs her to help him clear his name in an ongoing murder investigation, she fears this time she might have bitten off more than she can chew. But as Barb reluctantly takes the case, she uncovers deadly secrets and it becomes obvious someone is now out to get her. Suddenly Barb finds herself in a race against the clock to clear her ex's name and keep herself alive. And to make matters worse, hunky homicide detective Tyler Black is nipping at her heels—in more ways than one! If anyone can get to the bottom of this mystery it’s Barb...if she can keep herself alive.
The Barb Jackson Mysteries:
Bubblegum Blonde (book #1)
Blondes' Night Out (short story in the "Killer Beach Reads" collection)
The Blonde Before Christmas (holiday short story)
What critics are saying about Anna Snow's books:
"This author knows suspense and how to place just the right amount of comedy to keep us reading. The combination is gripping and pulls a readers attention."
—Night Owl Reviews
"Will keep you spellbound until the very last page."
—The Romance Reviews
"A fast and enjoyable read, with plenty of emotion and passion."
—Dark Diva Reviews
181 pages, Kindle Edition
First published December 3, 2015
143 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Anna Snow
18 books95 followersWife, mom, lipstick junkie, and USA Today Bestselling Author of The Barb Jackson Mysteries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
October 7, 2016
I enjoyed the story of PI Barb Jackson. Fun supporting characters. Interesting mystery. Who killed the modelling agency owner's wife. Barb's ex-boyfriend is the primary suspect. He hires Barb to prove his innocence. Local hunky detective, Tyler Black, is not happy Barb is interfering with his case.
Looking forward to the next novel in the series due out later in 2016.
For those looking for a cozy without some adult situations and language, this is more a soft boiled mystery
Looking forward to the next novel in the series due out later in 2016.
For those looking for a cozy without some adult situations and language, this is more a soft boiled mystery
October 11, 2016
A Fun book! Humor, donuts, coffee, stud muffins and of course murder!
January 28, 2016
A cozy mystery that kept me guessing who was the bad guy. Who I didn't see coming by the way! This book was hard to put down. Enjoyed the likeable characters and their friendships. I enjoyed the romantic interest and hope it continues because I think they are good for each other. Looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
April 21, 2022
Cute and bubbly
This was such a cute little mystery to read, and now I know why it's called Bubblegum Blonde. The main character likes the gum Bubblicious Watermelon. As she puts it her vices aren't drinking and smoking, it's chewing bubblegum. Barb is a female private investigator who gets hired by her ex fiance to clear him of murder. She meets Tyler who is the police detective on the case, bikinis and romance ensue.
This was such a cute little mystery to read, and now I know why it's called Bubblegum Blonde. The main character likes the gum Bubblicious Watermelon. As she puts it her vices aren't drinking and smoking, it's chewing bubblegum. Barb is a female private investigator who gets hired by her ex fiance to clear him of murder. She meets Tyler who is the police detective on the case, bikinis and romance ensue.
November 19, 2015
Once I started reading I could not stop. It is very well written and a real page turner. I do no do spoilers but you will not be sorry you took your time and money to enjoy the story
March 23, 2019
Bubblegum
Lesson. When deciding which pronoun to use, parse the sentence. Example: Tyler and me kissed. Tyler kissed. Me kissed. Wrong pronoun. Correct sentence: Tyler and I kissed. Continuity problem. Barb speaking to Jason in her office. Author states Barb is wearing the same skirt she wore to an interview earlier. Barb looks out and sees a suspicious man outside, runs into her office, grabs her gun, and tucks it in the back of her jeans? Uh, is she wearing them under her skirt? Are they in a heap on the floor? Hanging in her bathroom?
Little things like this ruin the story for me. Especially from a supposedly best selling author.
Lesson. When deciding which pronoun to use, parse the sentence. Example: Tyler and me kissed. Tyler kissed. Me kissed. Wrong pronoun. Correct sentence: Tyler and I kissed. Continuity problem. Barb speaking to Jason in her office. Author states Barb is wearing the same skirt she wore to an interview earlier. Barb looks out and sees a suspicious man outside, runs into her office, grabs her gun, and tucks it in the back of her jeans? Uh, is she wearing them under her skirt? Are they in a heap on the floor? Hanging in her bathroom?
Little things like this ruin the story for me. Especially from a supposedly best selling author.
December 5, 2020
Solid enough cosy mystery that didn't quite work for me.
A woman has been murdered and Barb's cheating ex-boyfriend is the only suspect. He proclaims his innocence and hires Barb to figure out what actually happened.
What follows is largely a comedy of errors with one or two genuinely funny moments.
The murder eventually solves itself, Barb's interest in Det. Tyler (and vice versa) doesn't ring true, and sometimes the pacing is off-kilter.
It's a mostly fun, fast read with little to distinguish it from many similar books.
A woman has been murdered and Barb's cheating ex-boyfriend is the only suspect. He proclaims his innocence and hires Barb to figure out what actually happened.
What follows is largely a comedy of errors with one or two genuinely funny moments.
The murder eventually solves itself, Barb's interest in Det. Tyler (and vice versa) doesn't ring true, and sometimes the pacing is off-kilter.
It's a mostly fun, fast read with little to distinguish it from many similar books.
October 15, 2022
Really good story and well written. I don’t know where she lives that have all these hot guys around but I’d love to live there. The main character Barb and her friends are fun. Can’t wait to read the next one
January 30, 2018
I would actually give this a zero star rating - sorry - but I don't know if the author or the editor is more to blame.
March 13, 2019
Humor, donut, stud muffins and of course murder!
I enjoyed this cozy mystery that keep me on my toes and guessing who did it, until the end of the book.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery that keep me on my toes and guessing who did it, until the end of the book.
May 10, 2016
Barb Jackson owns a private investigating business. Her usual clients are cheating spouses,and even though there are many of them, they barely pay for the electric bill....so when her ex boyfriend comes to her for help,she isn't sure she wants to take his case. He is the#1 suspect in a murder investigation and when he and Barb were engaged,he cheated on her,bringing back some bad feelings and memories for her....and she has never taken on a murder case before. She knows deep in her heart that Jason could never really murder anyone,she takes him on as her client and risks everything she has built up to prove he is innocent. As she is getting info on the murder,Jason is beginning to look guilty,especially since the overly sexy sheriff,Tyler keeps telling Barb that he is. This is a great story from a wonderful author,and I am looking forward to reading more from her. Good job,Anna Snow !
July 13, 2017
Talk about laugh out loud funny from beginning to end, Barb Jackson is not your average P.I and she is definitely NOT a dumb Blonde. Barb is smart, sassy, stubborn and she does things her own way in her own style.
When Barb's scumbag cheating ex turns up in her office begging for her help she just knows things are going to go south real quick, when he trys to stack on the charm she knows he is lying to her but even though she knows he is a liar and a cheater Barb also knows he is not a murderer so reluctantly she takes the case.
Now Barb is running around looking for clues and getting herself into all sorts of hilarious trouble, but can she get out of it or will hunky detective Tyler Black need to swoop in to save Barb.
This book is definitely worth the read if you love funny, spicy cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.
Merged review:
Barb Jackson is awesome I love her style her attitude and she always get's her man and solves the case.
When Barb's scumbag cheating ex turns up in her office begging for her help she just knows things are going to go south real quick, when he trys to stack on the charm she knows he is lying to her but even though she knows he is a liar and a cheater Barb also knows he is not a murderer so reluctantly she takes the case.
Now Barb is running around looking for clues and getting herself into all sorts of hilarious trouble, but can she get out of it or will hunky detective Tyler Black need to swoop in to save Barb.
This book is definitely worth the read if you love funny, spicy cozy mysteries with a touch of romance.
Merged review:
Barb Jackson is awesome I love her style her attitude and she always get's her man and solves the case.
May 20, 2016
***THIS BOOK WAS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER/AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW**
Anna Snow's Bubblegum Blonde is the first full-length novel in her Barb Jackson series, and Barb is great fun!
Barb runs her private investigation agency with her two best friends, Kelly, and Mandy, who work hard to get Barb--and keep her--out of trouble. But Homicide Detective Tyler Black is just beginning to figure out it's a full-time job.
When Barb's cheating ex-boyfriend comes to her for help, she bumps heads with several really hot men; gets beaten with a frozen chicken, and hangs-literally-by the seat of her pants!
There is so much fun to be had, you absolutely need to read the Barb Jackson series. I know I can't wait for the next installment!
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
Anna Snow's Bubblegum Blonde is the first full-length novel in her Barb Jackson series, and Barb is great fun!
Barb runs her private investigation agency with her two best friends, Kelly, and Mandy, who work hard to get Barb--and keep her--out of trouble. But Homicide Detective Tyler Black is just beginning to figure out it's a full-time job.
When Barb's cheating ex-boyfriend comes to her for help, she bumps heads with several really hot men; gets beaten with a frozen chicken, and hangs-literally-by the seat of her pants!
There is so much fun to be had, you absolutely need to read the Barb Jackson series. I know I can't wait for the next installment!
**Review has been done in conjunction with Nerd Girl Official.
March 19, 2016
Barb Jackson is a tough as nails - well as tough as you can be when you're 5 feet tall, curvy with a love of bubblegum - private eye. She's also smart, funny, resourceful and up to her private eyeballs in murder!
What do you do when a cheating "ex" comes begging for help to clear him of murder charges? Well, Barb and her partners go to work to sort through affairs, male escorts (smoking hot!) , handsome detectives and a need for lattes until they put the killer away and clear their client.
Full of mystery, wit, romance and action, the Barb Jackson series is on my "watch for" list. Can't wait fo see what they're up to in the next book!
What do you do when a cheating "ex" comes begging for help to clear him of murder charges? Well, Barb and her partners go to work to sort through affairs, male escorts (smoking hot!) , handsome detectives and a need for lattes until they put the killer away and clear their client.
Full of mystery, wit, romance and action, the Barb Jackson series is on my "watch for" list. Can't wait fo see what they're up to in the next book!
April 7, 2017
Barb a new private investigator and her two friends run the business.One day her X-boyfriend who cheated on her came to ask her to take his case. He was a suspect in a murder. Reluctantly she took the case being she could make her business big time if she won his case. In the process she run head on with the cop who is investigating the murder. A hunk as she described him.Sounds like most other books doesn't it so far. But low and behold as she digs into the case more and more she finally find out something she - nor me ever excepted to find . Who ever would have guessed . She go beat on and her car wrecked in the process. But she solved the case and got her man.
April 27, 2017
3.5 stars. A funny and enjoyable read, it could have easily got 4 stars instead of 3 and half but there were a few elements that pulled me a bit out of the story.
1- The romance was too hurried (the hunky detective sees Barb two times and already goes alpha-male-over-protective mode with her...) 2- while she is kidnapped and nearly dying at the hands of a crazy person she takes times in checking out the legs of her fellow prisoner...
3- the worst of all: she kills a person and it seems as nothing happened, as if killing people (even murderous ones) is nothing...
Anyway I still enjoyed the book and I would be happy to read more books by this author...
1- The romance was too hurried (the hunky detective sees Barb two times and already goes alpha-male-over-protective mode with her...) 2- while she is kidnapped and nearly dying at the hands of a crazy person she takes times in checking out the legs of her fellow prisoner...
3- the worst of all: she kills a person and it seems as nothing happened, as if killing people (even murderous ones) is nothing...
Anyway I still enjoyed the book and I would be happy to read more books by this author...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 18, 2015
I read this book in exchange for an honest review. I had not read any of Anna Snows books before but it certainly won't be the last, I am happy that I have discovered a new author to read! I loved this book from the first page and found it easy to read with an flowing plot line and brilliant characters. I thought I knew who the killer was but got it totally wrong! I really can't wait for the next Barb books and am going to read the holiday novella that is out. In short read this book you won't regret it!
January 26, 2016
Awesomesauce!
This is one book I couldn't put down until completed. My phone rang off the hook and I was very upset to be interrupted so many times. I loved that it features a lady PI, and her two best friends trying to solve their very first murder case. There is a lot of laughter and LOTS of hunks to cling to. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. However, I also purchased a copy of the book.
This is one book I couldn't put down until completed. My phone rang off the hook and I was very upset to be interrupted so many times. I loved that it features a lady PI, and her two best friends trying to solve their very first murder case. There is a lot of laughter and LOTS of hunks to cling to. I highly recommend this book and I can't wait to read the next book in the series!
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. However, I also purchased a copy of the book.
November 18, 2016
Snarky and laugh-out-loud funny! Barb and her two besties have started a fledgling PI business, but business is pretty slow until Barb's ex-boyfriend comes to her with a case - someone is trying to frame him for the murder of a high-profile woman. Barb takes the case despite her misgivings hoping to make a name for her business and she needs to pay the bills! A light and entertaining read with some twists to it which lead to a suspenseful conclusion, a new love interest and a huge step forward towards a successful business - I am looking forward to more adventures with Barb!
December 13, 2015
Sometimes you never know with a new series (or even new author to you) but this book had me laughing from the beginning to the end, while trying to determine who was the killer. (side note, no one anywhere on my radar). It didn't hurt that there were 3 hunky men intertwined in the story...too bad there are no pictures!
This is a book to take a chance on, you just might find a new author you like.
This is a book to take a chance on, you just might find a new author you like.
February 1, 2016
Barb Jackson's a curvy blonde bubblegum-chewing PI who attracts danger, concussions, & hunky men in equal proportions. This fast-paced, nonstop action has enough handsome men of questionable intentions to keep you guessing until the very end. Anna Snow does a great job of allowing Barb to have both brains & boobs! A great job in a solid new series that's a must-read for cozy mystery fans and a bright future for this blonde PI.
February 20, 2016
When life takes you from cheating spouses to murder things get very exciting.
Barb and her friend keep their PI business going catching cheaters. Then her cheating ex boyfriend has a real murder he needs her help with. I can see problems already but add a hunky detective to the mix and things get really interesting for her and her business. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that lead to the killer.
Barb and her friend keep their PI business going catching cheaters. Then her cheating ex boyfriend has a real murder he needs her help with. I can see problems already but add a hunky detective to the mix and things get really interesting for her and her business. I enjoyed all the twists and turns that lead to the killer.
June 5, 2017
This is a fun cozy mystery that you will enjoy from beginning to end.
Barb Jackson, private detective, along with her employees Kelly and Mandy are great at investigating and getting to the bottom of a mystery. When Barb runs up against Detective Tyler Black, the sparks start flying as Barb works to prove her ex-boyfriend didn't commit murder.
This is an enjoyable cozy if you're looking for a light read.
Barb Jackson, private detective, along with her employees Kelly and Mandy are great at investigating and getting to the bottom of a mystery. When Barb runs up against Detective Tyler Black, the sparks start flying as Barb works to prove her ex-boyfriend didn't commit murder.
This is an enjoyable cozy if you're looking for a light read.
December 19, 2015
This is a story that kept me entertained throughout. I had no idea whodunit until the reveal at the end, I liked that I was kept guessing. The characters were entertaining and fun. I look forward to reading more in this series.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced reader's copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2016
I love Barb! She is a great character and this story really keeps you guessing! The ending is not what you expect. I enjoyed the idea of her helping her cheating ex, something that most women would turn down, however, she takes the high road and does help him. The cop, Tyler Black, is well written as well. Very enjoyable overall and can not wait to read another one!
May 13, 2016
Barb Jackson, PI trying to take her business to the next level. In comes her lying cheating ex-boyfriend. He wants to hire her to prove he didn't kill Lydia. Let the investigation begin. Only the lead detective is Tyler Black and he has Barb in his sights. There are parts that will have you laughing. In the end, Barb gets her man.
Loved it! Can't wait to read more.
Loved it! Can't wait to read more.
September 2, 2016
Barb Jackson a sassy blonde private investigator kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed this a lot better than the (too) short (for me) Christmas prequel. The mystery was a very fun read. The only complaint from me is her man craziness and some of the dialogues with the guys are just a bit too unreal and cheesy for me. Other than that I am looking forward to the next book coming out soon....
September 5, 2016
Fun story
This is the first in a series of the Barb Jackson mystery books . Barb is a PEI who has been asked to investigate by an ex-boyfriend who is the number one suspect in the murder case . As she starts to investigate she realizes there are a lot more going on. Really enjoyed all of the characters in this book
This is the first in a series of the Barb Jackson mystery books . Barb is a PEI who has been asked to investigate by an ex-boyfriend who is the number one suspect in the murder case . As she starts to investigate she realizes there are a lot more going on. Really enjoyed all of the characters in this book
September 3, 2019
I have been waiting for this full length novel since read the short stories. This one kept me guessing until the end. Another adventure of private investigator Barb and the girls. I just adore Tyler. Cannot wait for the next adventure.
January 27, 2016
A good read. Don't really figure out who did it until late in the book and then you only have an inkling. If you have read "A The Blonde Before Christmas" you will notice a few small discrepencies but they don't really detract from the storyline.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews