I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from Great Escapes Book Tours. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Leg Up
by Annabelle Hunter
Series: Lark Davis Mysteries #1
Series Rating:
on June 1, 2019
Setting: California
Genres: Cozy Rom-Com Mystery
Pages: 277
Format: Kindle
Source: Great Escapes Book Tours
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon, Book Depository
Also in this series: Load Up, Stir Up, Cinch Up, Buck Up, Saddle Up , Jingle Up
A severed leg with no body? Check.
A disturbing lack of coffee? Check.
A murderer bent on revenge and a hot cop using her as bait? Double check.Larklyn Davis moved to the small picturesque town of Barrow Bay, California, needing a new start on life. She found the perfect cottage house, almost the perfect distance from her ex-husband, and built the perfect stable for her dressage business. But when a severed leg suddenly appears on her front porch, her life takes a turn for the absurd.
As more clues pile up, and the killer not content to leave Lark alone, she’s forced to take things into her own hands. One problem: the hottest detective she has ever seen is convinced she is involved. Detective Brecken Wilson looks like he should be in a movie, not glued to Lark’s side, waiting for the other leg to drop.
There’s not enough coffee in the world for Lark to deal with this crime, the detective who stirs things she hasn’t felt in years, and a matchmaking town, intent help her find the happiness she doesn’t want.
Why are they leaving body parts on Lark’s front porch?
Leg Up by Annabelle Hunter is a refreshing mystery with a smart-mouthed sleuth who wants these body parts to stop being left on her porch.
Lark Davis
Our reluctant at first sleuth is Larklyn Davis or Lark to her friends. She is a single mom, and horse trainer who owns a horse barn in Barrow Bay, California. Barrow Bay is on the coast north of San Francisco. Lark and her daughter Hailey moved here after Lark’s divorce and her parents’ death. It was to be closer to Lark’s family, who live in town.
I love Lark’s inner voice, but, her sarcasm is hilarious. She forgets her filter at times. Lark is a hard worker, and she puts in tons of hours riding and training horses, her own and borders. The only time that Lark goes a little crazy is when her daughter is at her father’s house. She has a lot going on, but she manages to handle it all.
Possible Love Interest
You know we have to have a love interest, even single mom’s need romance in their lives. Although, Lark fights this as she is still getting over her ex-husband’s betrayal. Anyway, enter San Francisco Sheriff Deputy, Brecken Wilson. A dead ringer for Chris Evan’s as Captain America, well minus the nose. Brecken has a button nose.
Brecken has to learn how small towns work. The gossip system and Police Chief’s goddaughter’s blog keep everything out in the open for the most part. Brecken has most of the ladies, young and old, wrapped around his finger. It will be fun to see if this turns into a relationship.
Mystery
The mystery involves body parts on Lark’s doorstep, drug dealers and jealousy. Things that happen in a small town; you never know who is going to get mad at you and leave body parts on your front porch. Craziness!
What I liked
- Lark’s conversation with the 9-1-1 operator when reporting the leg left on her doorstep.
- The fact that Lark texted her assistant to cancel her training session that day before calling 9-1-1.
- Lark has a Pho dealer. You have to read it.
- Jen, Lark’s best friend’s guest room artwork keeps guests from staying too long.
- Lark’s sense of humor.
- The small-town vibe and gossip grapevine are updated to a gossip blog.
- The sewing circle that doesn’t get much sewing done.
- The family dinner at Gran’s house and the strict 6:00 time with the Captain in tow.
There were so many things that I loved about this book. It’s hard to narrow it down, Northern California coast where I grew up, horses, mystery, sarcasm at its best, and Captain America and a Gran who is right up in your business. I mean seriously, what more could you want? Ok, the only thing I would change is I would use a Superman look-a-like since I am a bigger fan of DC than Marvel, but that is just nick-picking.
5 Stars for Leg Up by Annabelle Hunter
My rating for Leg Up by Annabelle Hunter is five stars. This book was magnificent. I laughed out loud so many times. Lark is an excellent sleuth, her family is nuts in a good way, and Barrow Bay is a place I could easily hang out. I can’t wait to read more of this series. The second book Stir Up which is available now and Load Up should be out in September.
I recommend this book to all cozy readers. Honestly, you have got to read it.
Next Book in Series
Stir Up by Annabelle Hunter
Lark Davis Mysteries #2
Publication Date: July 1, 2019
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Peace and quiet is underrated.
After her last brush with murder, Larklyn Davis is relieved to be spending her time with the talented new horse at her stables instead of tripping over body parts. While she’s trying to figure out why her newest horse has lost his mojo, she’s also puzzling over her relationship with the brooding, uncommunicative Detective Brecken Wilson.
But then, disaster strikes, and both Lark’s reputation and business are on the line. Once again she finds herself pulled into a murder case and in close proximity to the handsome Detective. Throw in a dashing veterinarian plus a matchmaking town and Lark’s life spins out of control. As clues pile up and all evidence leads back to her barn, Lark gets saddled up to solve another mystery.
Who knew life in Barrow Bay would stir up so much trouble?
Giveaway
Prize: (3) Print Copy – Leg Up by Annabelle Hunter and a Cozy Queen Mug – (U.S. Only)
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Until the next time,
I like the fun cover.