Order Up
by Annabelle Hunter
Series: Gossip to Die For Mysteries #1
Series Rating:
Published by Annabelle Hunter on May 19, 2020
Setting: California
Genres: Cozy Romantic Mystery
Pages: 277
Format: Kindle
Goodreads
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Get Your Copy at: Amazon
When the police get stuck, the gossip gets going.
Lindsey Murphy, Gossip Queen Extraordinaire, always has the inside scoop on anything that happens in Barrow Bay. The author of a popular blog, her followers are never disappointed of her keen observations and gossipy opinions. So what if no one wants to talk to her outside of gossip? Secrets are more interesting and lucrative, and Lindsey loves to be in the middle of everything.
Then she witnesses to a murder— one the Misne police force doesn’t seem interested in solving. When Officer Aidan Cooper risks his position in the department to ask for her help, offering her a tantalizing secret in exchange, how could she resist?
But no one is prepared for Lindsey. Not the cops, not the town of Misne, and definitely not the murderer, who will stop at nothing to cover up the crime.
Order Up by Annabelle Hunter is filled with juicy gossip. Just the way Lindsey likes it.
Will Lindsey and Aiden figure out who killed the chef?
This is Lindsey, the gossip blogger’s story. We finally get to know Lindsey and why she is the way she is. I was surprised by who she is and her inner monologue. Lindsey takes her job very seriously. She has more blogs than just the Barrow Bay blog, and she treats each post honestly and respectfully. I love her organizational skills and compassion. She keeps spreadsheets on the citizens of Barrow Bay so she doesn’t make a mistake with a relationship. She also ensures that if she doesn’t see the event, she has multiple reports of what is happening. Lindsey also has the respect of the Police Department in Barrow Bay.
“They really are. I love my town.” There wasn’t a better group of people anywhere in the world. They were all bigger than life, and yet accepted each other. Stood by each other. They might not look past the gossip to see the real me, but that was the price of business.
Hunter, Annabelle. Order Up (Gossip to Die For Mysteries Book 1) (p. 129). Kindle Edition.
The Mystery
Lindsey is at Josie’s Diner in Misne to meet her web designer when the chef is murdered. There was only a hand full of people who had access, but the real thing that upset Lindsey was the unprofessionalism of the police department. So, Lindsey wrote an article under a pen name and submitted it to a newspaper that ran with it. I personally thought that they were horrible. After an investigation, the major players in the police force are let go. A month later, Officer Aiden Cooper ends up in front of Lindsey, begging for her assistance in the investigation and to help him get a promotion. Let’s say that Aiden learns a lot from Lindsey and the sewing circle ladies.
I enjoyed the banter between Lindsey and Aiden, Lindsey and Benny, Alice and Gladys. She has a place in Barrow Bay that she isn’t going to leave, but I felt like she is a bit lonely, even if she denies it. Her best friend isn’t a friend, more of someone to make fun of other people with. However, Lindsey has grown out of this friendship, or at least she isn’t as happy to hang out with her anymore. Lindsey is a good person at heart, and Barrow Bay really does love her.
“We’ll be quick and in return, I have a group of six coming to meet us for lunch. In fact, that will be your insurance. We need to get this done before they get here, or it will get wildly out of hand.” Blair froze for a second before she turned to look at Aiden. “She’s right. They are coming and we do want to be done before they get here. I’m starting to think there’s something in the water over in Barrow Bay. Or at least in the Sewing Circle.” I watched as her gaze flipped between us for another second before she squealed and ran back in the bar weaving through the tables out of habit until she was at the kitchen, leaving the door open for us. “Henry! The Sewing Circle’s coming! The Sewing Circle’s coming!”
Hunter, Annabelle. Order Up (Gossip to Die For Mysteries Book 1) (pp. 201-202). Kindle Edition.
Five Stars
My rating for Order Up by Annabelle Hunter is five stars. I highly recommend Ms. Hunter’s books as she has a wonderfully witty sense of humor that plays out in her characters. The mysteries are also top-notch. I figured this out before Lindsey, but I had read an article about something relevant to the culprit.
The author tells us there is no wrong way to read the books, but here is a helpful chronological reading order:
Leg Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 1)
Order Up (Gossip to Die For Book 1)
Stir Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 2)
Number’s Up (Barrow Bay Mysteries Book 1)
Load Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 3)
Cinch Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 4)
Buck Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 5)
Add Up (Barrow Bay Mysteries Book 2)
Saddle Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 6)
Jingle Up (Lark Davis Mysteries Book 7)
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Order Up by Annabelle Hunter.
Until the next time,
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- Jenz 2023 Beachcombers Mystery RC
- Jenz 2023 Cloak and Dagger
- Jenz 2023 Craving the Cozies
- Jenz 2023 Cruisin' thru the Cozies
- Jenz 2023 Goodreads RC
- Jenz 2023 Medical Examiner RC
- Jenz 2023 Six Shooter
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