Number's Up

Barrow Bay Mysteries #1

by Annabelle Hunter

Jennifer Ward’s To Do List:
1) Turn in my business partner and his lying, cheating, law-breaking client to the SEC for insider trading.
2)Cooperate with the FBI. Do not kiss - scratch that. Do not yell at Special Agent Nicholas Kelly, the FBI agent leading said investigation.
3) Discover a dead body...

Jennifer Ward, MBA, CPA, and business consultant, likes a nice, orderly lifestyle. Schedules and To Do Lists are what gets her through the day. So when the by-the-numbers fashionista finds her business partner was breaking the law, she turned him in to the SEC. Which brought the FBI to her door, and her ordered world to an end.

But that was three weeks ago. Things couldn’t possibly get worse. Right?

Until Jen discovers her business partner dead in his hotel room. With Nic the handsome FBI agent dogging her every step, Jen must use her skills to discover the truth. Who killed Henry? And will she be next?

Genres: Cozy Mystery

197 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 13, 2019

Reviews

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Annabelle Hunter's books are fun, frothy, romantic and murderous, oh and short enough to read quickly!

This book provides the background that was touched on in the second Lark Davies book (Stir Up), Jen has discovered anomalies in some accounts, that seem to indicate dodgy accounting at best, insider trading and money laundering seems more likely! So to Barrow Bay comes the FBI and SEC, the FBI agent (Nic Kelly) gets under Jen's skin but seems to be accepted by pretty much everyone else (oh and the Barrow Bay "mafia" aka those in the know, have decided that as the local resort needs a Head of Security Nic is the perfect person .... Jen is supposed to make him want to stay!)

Three weeks after all this has happened Nic and the FBI are back, Jen has had a text from her business partner (the dodgy accountant!) asking to meet so he can explain things, only he can't as just as Jen arrives (with Nic tagging along) there are gunshots inside Henry's hotel room! Now Nic and Jen (oh and Lark!) need to find out what happened as people are starting to think that Jen knows a LOT more than she does!

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Three weeks ago Jennifer Ward turned her business partner (Henry) into the SEC for insider trading. Now she has the FBI breathing down her neck trying to see if she was also involved, but that all changes when Jen discovers her business partner dead in his hotel room. Is this a cover-up by someone not wanting the truth to be unearthed? And is Jen next on the killer’s list?

This is the first book in the new Barrow Bay mystery series. It is filled with crazy and quirky characters, a by the numbers main character, a handsome FBI agent, lots of madcap adventure, and a storyline that keeps you wanting more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Pierce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

This is new author for me, and I have enjoyed all 4 books of this series. The characters are likeable without trying to hard. I enjoy the authors writing style. There is romance without too much detail (if you know what I mean.) There is mystery and intrigue. I did not see the ending coming, unlike so many cozy mysteries. I look forward to more books !

[Karen (BaronessBookTrove) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Number's Up is the perfect laugh out loud funny book. It is guaranteed to put a smile on your face. 
Number's Up by Annabelle Hunter is a witty, faced-paced mystery filled with humor, romance and the perfect amount of snark. I loved all the quirky character that fill up this delightful town of Barrow Bay. 
Jennifer Ward
Jen is an accountant, she works from home, and her partner is involved with some questionable clients. Now with the FBI involved everything is spiraling out of control. Jen doesn't handle the loss of power well. However, she is distracted by the FBI agent assigned to the insider trading case. I love Jen. She is tall for a lady, smart, and has a hilarious inner voice. Oh, and she loves a good drink.
Some of my Favorite things

The Marvel superhero references used throughout the book.
The way the town recruits people for job positions.
I find it funny that Jen or Lark think they have a say in what the town has planned for them. 
Lindsey's town blog that Lindsey runs is more of a gossip rag than the town newspaper.
The sewing circle ladies.
That everyone tries to help each other out even though that person may not want that type of assistance. 
The tea house and high tea. I guess the love of tea exceeds my expectations.
The way that Jen and Nic learned who the murderer is.
Nic is a gentleman and won't take advantage of an intoxicated lady. 

There are so many more, but it will honestly be easier if you just read the book.
5 Stars for Number's Up by Annabelle Hunter
Ok, I adore this book. The whole book is fabulous. I love the way that Ms. Hunter writes. Oh, and what a fantastic imagination she has. Barrow Bay and its citizens are so spectacular. I swear I have met a few people like them before.

Since this is the first of the Barrow Bay series, I am looking forward to the next one. At one point, I was laugh so hard that I could barely see the words, but I couldn't put it down in case a new incident happened. My rating is five stars.

If you haven't discovered the brilliant Annabelle Hunter than look her up on Amazon right now. She will have laughing right along with the town of Barrow Bay. 


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Until the next time,



Happy Reading!

This review was originally posted on Baroness' Book Trove

[Jodi Sweet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Annabelle Hunter’s books and this one was great! This book is about Lark’s best friend, Jen, and her issues with finding out about insider trading going on in the CPA firm she co-owned. Nick is the FBI officer investigating...or as she likes to call him, Satan. Hey, it’s shorter than Officer Ass Hat! I love the funny bantering between Jen and Lark and Nic. It makes the book a joy to read. And when Jen met the drag queen, that was priceless! I so wish this was a real town to move too. I’d go in a heartbeat!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Fee (Ebook Addicts) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book by Annabelle Hunter and it certainly will not be the last. Number's Up book 1 in the Barrow Bay Mystery series, was down right filled with laughs, dark humour, murder and little hint of romance thrown in for good measure. Jen is a CPA who discovers her business partner was doing a little inside trading on the side for clients, following her tip the FBI descends on her with the hunky Agent Nic in tow.

I am in love with all the characters in this book as well as the quirky little town of Barrow Bay, and I cant wait to read more of this series. This is a spin off from the Lana Davis Mysteries, and you don't need to have read those in order to enjoy this book.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you like lots of snappy/snarky dialogue, a central character who has no control over what comes out of her mouth and a plot that only occasionally comes into focus - you're gonna love "Numbers Up", first in the Barrow Bay series by Annabelle Hunter.
Jennifer 'Jen' Ward’s professional life is going down the tube after she reported a senior member of her company for insider trading.
As a business consultant she knows she should have figured out the scam sooner, now she needs to convince the FBI that she wasn't involved.
And, when she discovers the dead body of her co-worker, it becomes imperative to figure out what is going on.
On the face of it it is a solid enough plot but it gets sidetracked left, right and centre over the 'charming' eccentricities of Barrow Bay and its inhabitants, a peculiarly off the wall 'not a romance', and a hell of a lot of talking - it just never stops, it's incessant.
It does have a couple of good lines but not enough to make up for the mess the book becomes.
I could not bring myself to finish it and finally gave up at Chapter 15.
2 Stars.

[Valerie Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't know what it was about this story but it just didn't do it for me. I wish there would have been more of an emphasis on the murder mystery aspect rather than the two main characters Jen and Nic bickering back and forth all the time. The beginning was a bit interesting to follow only because it starts then we jump there weeks and the real story begins. But it's pretty easy to figure out. Midway through the story, it drags a little but it picks back up thankfully. It's was a cute story and an easy read if you need to escape for a few hours.

[M J Gorence · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those who have read Lark Davis Mystery Series, this first book of the Barrow Bay Mysteries focuses on Jen as the narrator. What hides behind the scenes and the drama involving Jen, Lark's best friend in the Lark Davis Mysteries comes to light in this action packed and sometimes humorous narrative. Annabelle Hunter has created a community of gossiping, caring individuals who stand by its residents.

[Short, Sweet and Cozy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a humorous romantic cozy mystery and I loved it! What a refreshing change! Jen is a co-owner of an accounting firm. Her partner Henry is coming to town because he wants to talk to her. Then Henry ends up dead. And Jen’s world begins to fall apart because Henry is accused of insider trading. Nic is an FBI agent assigned to the case. The dialogue between them is snarky and funny. The romance is mostly clean with a few innuendos. There are some twists in the story to keep you guessing. Very enjoyable! (It seems that the book Leg Up, Lark’s series comes before this and many characters are introduced but it is fine without reading the other book.)

[Jana Gundy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny witty and a good time!

Jen is a by the books lady and when she turns in her partner for fraud, little does she know it will turn her life upside down. A smug and good looking detective comes to town and makes it even harder for her to get on with her life. If you love snark, sarcasm and mysteries, you’ll love this.

[Maddielucy(Patti) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this. The slow burn between the two MCs was done well and they were both fun characters. While the mystery part was rambling at best in parts, the twist/ending actually made up for it. I’ll keep reading!

[Linda M Coleman · Rating 2 out of 5]

Chaotic read

Story was confusing and dialogue fatiguing . Too many characters that weren’t introduced just thrown in the story. Maybe this was a sequel but was marketed as the first book in the series.

[Jacqueline Gomez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny and Feisty

I love this spin-off Nic and Jen story sooo much. I can’t get enough of Barrow Bay and these people. I feel like I’m right there with them. It’s official, Nic is my new Book Boyfriend.

[Lizabeth Tarr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

I so glad to see this side series, which compliments and fills in info on the best friend from the Lark Davis series! 😋

[Julie · Rating 1 out of 5]

There was way too much going on in this book and the main character that was completely unbelievable.

[Loretta L Camp · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read

Not a specimen of literary excellence- but entertaining and fun with two characters that say and do things mane of us wish we could do but aren’t brave enough.

[Megan Mcallister · Rating 5 out of 5]

Quippy, clean fun unpredictable mystery. A fun read.

[Kim Gordanier · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I enjoyed reading the book Numbers Up. It was nice to know a lot of the characters from some of the previous books that I had read.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jennifer Ward turns in her business partner for insider trading. She didn't want to do it, but it needed to be done. She had always thought of him as a father figure in her life. During the investigation, the FBI searches her home twice, and one has to wonder if the second search was truly necessary or if the good looking FBI agent Nic was just trying to make contact with her again.

Jennifer's business partner asks for a meeting at a local hotel, which she finds odd, as he rarely comes to town for a visit. When she arrives at the hotel, the hotel owner pulls her aside and insists she take some hotel guests on a tour of the town, as they are considering moving there. By the time Jennifer gets to her business partner's room, he's dead.

By now, Nic is spending as much time as possible with Jennifer. Jennifer learns that her business partner had invited his entire family, including his ex-wife and a few clients to stay at the hotel for the weekend.

The story is quirky, and full of dark humor. One questions if there isn't something borderline inappropriate about the FBI agent spending so much time with Jennifer.

The reader will either love or hate the characters, but the story is well-written and holds your attention with twists and turns all the way to the very end.

This is the first in the Barrow Bay series by Annabelle Hunter. I look forward to reading more of her work.

[Eve Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an ARC copy of this book for an honest review.
This is the first time that I read a book written by this author.
I thoroughly enjoyed it from the start to the end.
The characters are well written and thoroughly enjoyable with lots of humour throughout that had me laughing out loud 🤣🤣
The way that Jen and Nic the FBI agent bounce off each other, is great they are either bickering or flirting 🤔😍 the chemistry between them is explosive, and is well written.
Throw in a murder mystery, some insider trading, Jen is a CPA who has noticed some irregularities in the accounts so has tipped off the FBI, and Jen's friends trying to set her up with Nic the FBI agent who is looking into her business for the insider trading that she reported and who has searched her house, a few time's. She finds him attractive but finds it hard to admit to herself, let alone anyone else. Can she solve the case before it catches up to her? Will she give into her feelings for Nic? Will he move to be with her? These questions are all answered when you read the book.
I would definitely recommend this book, it is a standalone book with no cliffhanger. 💖💖

[Suzanne Hare · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new series by Annabel Hunter, Barrow Bay Mystery, called Number’s Up stars the accountant Jen and F.B.I. agent Nic. This is the second time the F.B.I. has shown up with a warrant to Jen’s home and place of business. Nic is there pushing all her buttons. She was the one who called in the tip her business partner and mentor was cooking the books. She has a meeting with her partner and goes to it hoping to get answers, only instead she finds the dead body of her partner. Good thing Nic was following her or she would be a suspect. Now she just needs to find out who killed him.

This is an amazing book! It is a funny, witty, cozy mystery chucked full of zany characters and set in possibly the oddest town in America. The carefully crafted characters are full of personality that make them likeable pulling you into the story. The narrative and dialogue give the characters even more depth and is serious at times and laugh-out-loud funny at other times. The mystery is complex, full of surprises, obstacles and twists that keep you engaged until the end. This is a great first book in a new series.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snarky and sarcastic, a bit of dark humor but oh so much fun!
This time it is not Lark in trouble, although she is still under close observation by the town and law enforcement. Her best friend Jen is taking the heat in this addition to this wacky series.

Jen has a strong moral code and has turned in her business partner for insider trading, well at least his clients. With the business under a microscope and her long time mentor, partner and friend deeply entangled, it still comes a shock when he is murdered, and Jen almost along with him, especially with the F.B.I. literally by her side and on her tail! Murder is nothing to laugh about, but there is plenty of laughter as the town continues to try and match-make both Jen and Lark, all for the good of the town.
AND for the love of good coffee. I look forward to more with Jasmine as this series progresses.

You can read this as a stand alone but I do think you'll understand more of the nuanced references if you have read at least one of the previous books in the series. I also recommend you do because they are such fun.

[Mave · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a really enjoyable read, there are some hilarious scenes, like the meeting with the drag queen.

The protagonist is Jen, Lark's best friend (the protagonist of the Lark Davis Series). She discovered insider trading in the company she owns jointly and soon finds her partner dead. She has to investigate and this leads her to confront Nic, FBI agent in charge of finding out what happened.

All the characters are bizarre and funny, I really loved Jen and Nic, the chemistry between them is really strong and their dialogues are very amusing. The setting is a very particular and extravagant town, I'd love to visit it if it really existed.

This book is a spin-off of the Lark Davis Series but can be read as stand alone, for a better understanding of the story I recommend reading at least one book from this series.

The story flows pleasantly, it's short and engaging with lots of humor and a bit of romance.

To read for those who love funnny and romantic mystery

[Sassy Beta Reading & Review · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really good book. A little slow to start, but it picked up momentum as it went along. Story could have been tightened up a bit for smoother reading, but all in all, a good story.

Written as a 1st person, single pov. Good story line, strong characters, descriptions of details was a bit too wordy at times, found myself skimming a time or two.

Would I recommend this book? Yes

Would I read more from this author? Yes

Sassy Beta Reading and Review

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Dorothy Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

Accountant Jen did what was right by giving a tip about shady dealings going on in her firm. Now the FBI is searching her home and questioning her repeatedly. When she finds the body of her boss and mentor, things get decidedly more dangerous. She will have to rely on her own moxie, her friends, and even the snarky FBI agent to help her.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Pat Eroh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great cozy with a great protagonist and, in fact, all of the characters are pretty cool. I loved the storyline, going at a great pace that really kept me reading with interest to the end. This is an excellent cozy!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[evieo17 · Rating 5 out of 5]

My first book from this author and I loved it! There were times Jennifer was plain ridiculous but I loved her and her quirkiness. Can’t wait to see what’s next.

[Ashley Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

I appreciated following g a little of Jen's story. Shesm's a great match for Lark, but has her own style and personality. Nicely written with a good pace.