SERIES REVIEW - Ian Ludlow Thrillers

Link to shop the series

Spy and espionage novels are not usually my go-to genre, though I do love the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz. I had previously read Lee Goldberg’s co-authored The Heist and the rest of the Fox and O’Hare series with Janet Evanovich, so whenever I saw one of Goldberg’s books appear on NetGalley, I grabbed it - even if I never quite got around to reading most of them at the time.

As I slowly chip away at my NetGalley backlog, I often check Libby or Hoopla to see whether books have since been released in audiobook format. I was pleasantly surprised to discover that almost all of Lee Goldberg’s backlist is available on Kindle Unlimited in both ebook and audiobook editions, which makes for great immersive reading.

Since many of the books are relatively short - often under 300 pages - I decided to start with the Ian Ludlow trilogy. Between my enjoyment of the Fox and O’Hare books and knowing Goldberg also wrote the Monk tie-in novels and other TV-related series, I had a strong feeling I would enjoy more of his work.

I would describe the Ian Ludlow series as a blend of Orphan X by Hurwitz and David Rosenfelt’s Andy Carpenter series, which I absolutely love. Add in some PG-13 language and content, along with a healthy dose of humor, and that gives you a pretty good idea of what to expect from the Ian Ludlow series.

The premise is fantastic: a thriller writer whose fictional plots keep colliding with real-world espionage and international conspiracies. Is Ian simply a novelist, or is there something more to him? Why does he continually find himself caught in increasingly dangerous situations?

Packed with action, suspense, sharp humor, and entertaining characters, this was a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy from start to finish.

Review - The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives

Title:  The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives

Author:  Jenny Kane   

Publisher:  Hodder & Stoughton

Series:  The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives #1

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   356

Date of Publication:   April 2, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

Don't miss this brand-new cozy crime mystery series, perfect for fans of Clare Chase and Peter Boland - available to pre-order now!

There's some fishy business happening in the idyllic Cornish village of Mousehole. As a killer begins to make waves, can these new amateur detectives solve the mystery?

Maggie Tyson loves living in the utterly charming village, Mousehole. She spends her days walking the local coastal paths, solving the latest crossword puzzle, and working in the small town's only fish and chip shop.

Looking for a fresh start, Ryan Stepney is in desperate need of a job, and stumbles across a vacancy at the chip shop.

When a body is found by the harbour, shock ripples through the village. And as Ryan was the last person seen talking to the victim, he becomes the number one suspect in the investigation.

Maggie is certain that her new colleague had nothing to do with the murder, so swaps her apron for a magnifying glass, and starts to investigate herself.

Can Maggie prove Ryan's innocence and reel in the killer, before they strike again? 

The Fish and Chip Shop Detectives
Forty-eight-year-old Maggie is a lover of puzzles. When she's not working at Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, she can be found on her sofa, nursing a cup of tea and solving the latest mystery thrown at the detectives in Death in Paradise, Midsommer Murders and more. Maggie finds an unlikely friend in Ryan, a recent graduate who has just moved to Mousehole and is trying to figure out what to do with his life. Together, they serve up the best fish and chips Cornwall has to offer, with an occasional helping of mystery solving on the side.

The Setting
Mousehole is a picturesque fishing village in Cornwall, known for its scenic harbour, winding streets, and tiny sandy beach. It's also home to Robbins' Fish and Chip Shop, the only chippy in town. Tourists and locals alike enjoy a battered cod whilst admiring the calm waterfront. Mr Robbins, the owner, is notoriously private - no one knows much about him. Perhaps that's another mystery for our Fish and Chip Shop Detectives to solve...

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Cozy mystery series are a favorite of mine, and this book by Jenny Kane was a delight. In this story we meet Maggie Tyson and Ryan Stepney. As the owner of a fish and chip shop, Maggie would love to spend the majority of her free time working on crossword puzzles, or even taking a walk in the fresh air. But, no, she soon finds herself embroiled in the mystery of a body found by the harbor. 

As the much younger Ryan has just begun working for Maggie, he becomes involved as well. Ryan has another reason for being involved in the investigation - he was the last to see the victim alive, and thus the police are looking at him as the chief suspect.

What a fun start in what promises to be an enjoyable new series. I already have the second book on my Kindle, and it releases in June. 

Many thanks to Hodder & Stoughton and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

Review - A Body at the Irish Book Club

Title:  A Body at the Irish Book Club

Author:  Lucy Connelly

Series:   Mercy McCarthy Mystery #5

Publisher:  Bookouture

Genre:   Cozy Mystery

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   228

Date of Publication:   April 21, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

The Shamrock Cove Autumn Festival is filling the town with the delicious aroma of cinnamon-filled pastries, the cheerful sight of jaunty jack o’lanterns and… a body at the local book club 

Mercy McCarthy is delighted to see old neighbors and new friends come to the bookstore to support her sister’s autumn book club. But as Mercy closes the chapter on the evening, she stumbles across local grandmother Eva, lifelessly slumped in a squashy armchair at the back of the store.

She recognizes Eva as one of the festival’s main organizers and though she looks to be at peace, the plot thickens when Mercy notices a suspicious mark on her neck. She knows this was no accident. With so many people in the store that night, any one of them could be the killer.

Just as Mercy reads a suspicious-sounding entry for the festival’s fiction-writing contest, another body turns up on the beach. Is someone in Shamrock Cove dying for a bestseller?

It’s up to Mercy and her crime-solving canine companion Mr. Poe to sniff out the suspects before another victim is taken. Could the murderer be the garden center owner who dabbles in chemistry? Eva’s ne’er-do-well grandson-in-law? Or the local busybody who has an opinion about everybody?

Mercy has to hit the books—and the streets of Shamrock Cove—to solve the mystery before the killer has the last word. 

An utterly addictive Irish cozy mystery in a small town full of quirky neighbors, charming festivals and one unstoppable amateur detective. Fans of Agatha Christie, Carlene O’Connor and Faith Martin will love meeting Mercy McCarthy! 

Link to shop the series 

MY THOUGHTS:

A Body at the Irish Book Club finds Mercy McCarthy happily returning to Shamrock Cove after completing a book tour. Her sister’s bookstore and book club are thriving, and Mercy is just finishing up a signing and reading of her latest novel. However, the cozy atmosphere is shattered when Mercy and her dog, Mr. Poe, discover a dead body among the bookstore shelves. The victim, grandmother Eva Walsh, was clearly murdered, and Mercy once again finds herself drawn into a dangerous investigation.

Although Mercy is a mystery writer by trade, she has also proven herself to be a remarkably skilled amateur detective. Using her persistence, intuition, and knack for asking the right questions, Mercy begins digging into Eva’s life to uncover who may have wanted her dead.

Unfortunately, Eva is not the only victim. Another body soon turns up under suspicious circumstances, raising the stakes and deepening the mystery. The investigation becomes even more intriguing as secrets begin to surface within the close-knit community.

Lucy Connelly delivers another fun and engaging entry in this cozy mystery series. The story feels fresh, the mystery is entertaining, and the charming small-town setting continues to make this series such an enjoyable read. I am already looking forward to book six, A Body at the Bakery, which is set for release in November.

Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Lucy Connelly (aka Candace Havens)

Bestselling author Candace Havens has published more than 25 books. Her novels have received nominations for the RITA’s, Holt Medallion, Write Touch Reader Awards and National Reader’s Choice Awards. She is a Barbara Wilson Award winner. She is the author of the biography Joss Whedon: The Genius Behind Buffy and a contributor to several anthologies. She is also one of the nation’s leading entertainment journalists and has interviewed countless celebrities from George Clooney to Chris Pratt. Candace runs a free online writing workshop for more than 2000 writers and teaches comprehensive writing classes. She does film reviews with Hawkeye in the Morning on 96.3 KSCS, and is a former President of the Television Critics Association.

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AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Dear Mother

Title:  Dear Mother

Author:  Rea Frey

Publisher:  Thomas & Mercer

Genre:   Psychological Thriller 

Format:  Audiobook ALC

Narrator:  Jennifer Jill Araya

Length:  8 hrs 22 mins

No. of Pages:   248

Date of Publication:  April 28, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

In a tense thriller set deep amid the forests of the Pacific Northwest, a young mother works to uncover the secrets of her family’s dark past, fearful of what their history may reveal.

After a childhood riddled with trauma and unanswered questions, Isabelle Archer vows to chase down the truth. So when her estranged mother dies, the investigative journalist returns to the one story that still haunts her.

Isabelle was thirteen when her three foster siblings died tragically in a fire. The blaze was ruled an accident, and despite the neglect, Isabelle never wanted to believe her mother was a killer. But twenty-five years later, the accusations linger.

Back in Cedarloch to settle the estate, Isabelle revisits her childhood home. A familiar dread permeates the surrounding woods. And when autopsy reports cast new suspicions, Isabelle unearths much more than just terrifying memories.

With help from her ex, Isabelle frantically digs for answers. What really happened the night of the fire? How did her mother die? And are the two somehow connected? What they find could poison long-held memories—and incinerate everything she thought to be true.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Dear Mother follows Isabelle, a woman who has never truly recovered from the devastating loss of her three foster siblings in a fire when they were children. Now an investigative journalist and a mother herself, Isabelle becomes determined to uncover what really happened that tragic night. Life at the foster home had been far from ideal, and as Isabelle digs deeper into the past, she is forced to confront the possibility that her own mother may have played a role in the fire.

What begins with an autopsy report that supports Isabelle’s suspicions soon turns into a relentless search for the truth. The deeper she investigates, the more disturbing the revelations become. Much of Isabelle’s determination stems from the fact that her mother is now gone, leaving behind unanswered questions that Isabelle desperately needs resolved in order to find peace.

Rea Frey delivers a gripping and emotionally charged thriller with excellent pacing, strong suspense, and several surprising twists. The mystery steadily intensifies as Isabelle pieces together the secrets surrounding her childhood. Factor in the excellent narration, and this compelling read was one difficult to put down..  

Many thanks to Thomas & Mercer and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Growing up, I believed the false story that writing was a hobby; it wasn’t a job. But I’ve always liked a challenge.

After a “publishing experience gone bad” for my first novel, I decided to learn everything I could about the publishing industry. And along the way, I decided to share my knowledge with authors, in hopes that they too could go into this world with eyes wide open and pick the right publication path for them.

What started out as a simple writing coach side hustle quickly scaled to a multiple six-figure business with over 500 first-time authors landing agents, nabbing six-figure book deals, and reaching #1 bestseller status.

What I’ve learned in the publishing industry—from eight traditionally published novels with the “Big 5,” to four traditionally published nonfiction books that (somewhat) crashed and burned—is what it takes to be a successful author, how the publishing landscape continues to change, and how vital it is for authors to understand all the moving parts if they want to birth their own books into the world.

Now, as a book doula, I offer my guidance so that authors can stand on their own two feet. Whether you want to write a book, sell a book, or need some specific guidance, you’ve come to the right place.

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Review - Liar’s Dice

Title:  Liar’s Dice

Author:  Juliet Faithfull

Publisher:  Random House

Genre:   Literary Fiction

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   384

Date of Publication:   April 28, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A heart-rending and hopeful debut about a teenage girl in 1970s Brazil who is unexpectedly torn away from her disabled twin sister—and who must learn what it means to fight for those we love when all the odds are stacked against us.

Everyone knows, but no one talks.

Identical twins Dolores and Mita grow up in lockstep in rural Brazil, speaking their own secret language, dancing together, inseparable even when they sleep. But at age seven, they discover that Mita has a degenerative condition—and Dolores does not. On the cusp of adolescence, Mita's illness becomes debilitating, and without telling Dolores, their parents send Mita across the Atlantic Ocean to a hospital in their father’s native London.

The rest of the family moves to Rio and begins to live a bourgeouis lifestyle, but Dolores is miserable there. She misses her small-town and most especially her twin, who her parents seem to have forgot ever existed. And she has no way to contact Mita—particularly since, at twelve years old, Dolores still cannot read or write. She is desperate to speak to her again—and desperately alone and unhappy at her posh new school. But everything begins to change when she meets a brave, headstrong girl from the favelas who shows Dolores a new side of Rio, and how to survive it. 

Tensions are on the rise with the dictatorial government cracking down on protesters and dissenters. Both at home and in the country at large, there are cover-ups at play—and Dolores pushes to find the truth about right and wrong, her lost sister and her place in life. In a setting where repression and silencing were part of everyday life, Liar’s Dice is about the secrets we hold, both personal and political, and the consequences of keeping them. Atmospheric and intimate, Juliet Faithfull's coming of age novel captures the intensity of forming your own identity, and the courage and love required to forge a different life.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

Liar’s Dice tells the story of Dolores, who knows one thing with absolute certainty - she loves her twin sister, Mita, without reservation. Sadly, Mita suffers from serious illnesses, and eventually their parents make the painful decision to send her to a hospital in London in hopes that she might finally recover. Although their parents deeply love both daughters and want the best for Mita, Dolores is left heartbroken and lonely. While the rest of the family continues their lavish lifestyle in Rio, Dolores struggles with Mita’s absence and longs desperately for her sister’s return. It is perhaps that loneliness and desperation that lead Dolores to form a new friendship and receive an unexpected lesson about life.

Juliet Faithfull has done a remarkable job with this debut novel. It is a moving and beautifully written coming-of-age story filled with emotion and heart. I became deeply invested in both sisters and found it impossible not to care about what happened to them. The novel balances heartbreak, family dynamics, and personal growth in a way that feels both authentic and compelling. I am very much looking forward to reading more of Faithfull’s work in the future.

Many thanks to Random House / A Thousand Voices  and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - All the Dangerous Things

Title:  All the Dangerous Things

Author:  Stacy Willingham

Publisher:  Minotaur Books; Macmillan Audio

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Audio ALC & Kindle ARC

Narrator:  Karissa Vacker

Length:  10 hrs 17 mins

No. of Pages:  326

Date of Publication:  January 10, 2023

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

One year ago, Isabelle Drake's life changed forever: her toddler son, Mason, was taken out of his crib in the middle of the night while she and her husband were asleep in the next room. With little evidence and few leads for the police to chase, the case quickly went cold. However, Isabelle cannot rest until Mason is returned to her—literally.

Except for the occasional catnap or small blackout where she loses track of time, she hasn’t slept in a year.

Isabelle's entire existence now revolves around finding him, but she knows she can’t go on this way forever. In hopes of jarring loose a new witness or buried clue, she agrees to be interviewed by a true-crime podcaster—but his interest in Isabelle's past makes her nervous. His incessant questioning paired with her severe insomnia has brought up uncomfortable memories from her own childhood, making Isabelle start to doubt her recollection of the night of Mason’s disappearance, as well as second-guess who she can trust... including herself. But she is determined to figure out the truth no matter where it leads.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

All the Dangerous Things follows Isabelle Drake, a woman who has been trapped in a fog of exhaustion and grief ever since her infant son, Mason, was taken from his crib a year earlier. Unable to truly sleep, Isabelle survives on microsleep episodes while relentlessly trying to keep Mason’s story alive and bring him home. The loss of her son has also destroyed her marriage, yet her determination to find answers never fades.

As the story unfolds, it becomes clear that Isabelle is carrying more than grief. The pressures of motherhood, combined with a deeply troubled past, collide in heartbreaking ways. In the days and weeks after Mason’s disappearance, Isabelle constantly questions herself. What could she have done differently? Did she miss something? Is she herself to blame? And most painfully, will she ever have the chance to hold her precious son again?

Isabelle has largely carried the burden of Mason’s disappearance alone, so when a true-crime podcaster takes an interest in her case - perhaps a little too much interest - she finds herself drawn to him despite her instincts. Trust does not come easily to Isabelle, but desperation and hope can make even the most guarded person take risks.

This was an excellent psychological thriller by Stacy Willingham. The tension and uncertainty surrounding Isabelle’s fragile mental state kept me completely invested, and the story’s emotional depth made it even more compelling. Although this is only the second book I’ve read by Willingham, it definitely will not be my last. I already have A Flicker in the Dark lined up on Libby, and I’m looking forward to diving into it.

Many thanks to Minotaur Books and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Stacy Willingham is the New York Times, USA Today and internationally bestselling author of psychological suspense. Her books include A Flicker in the Dark, All the Dangerous Things, Only If You're Lucky and Forget Me Not.

Her debut, A Flicker in the Dark, has sold over one million copies in North America alone. It was the winner of Strand Magazine's Best Debut Award and a finalist for the Book of the Month's Book of the Year award, Goodreads Choice Best Debut award, Goodreads Choice Best Mystery & Thriller award, and ITW's Best First Novel award. Her work has been translated in more than thirty languages. 

She earned her B.A. in magazine journalism from the University of Georgia and M.F.A. in writing from the Savannah College of Art and Design. She lives in Charleston, South Carolina, with her husband, daughter, and dog. 

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Review - In Her Defense

Title:  In Her Defense

Author:  Philippa Malicka

Publisher:  Scribner

Genre:   Mystery & Thrillers

Format:  Kindle ARC

No. of Pages:   352

Date of Publication:   February 3, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

As a sensational celebrity libel trial unfolds, a young woman at the periphery secretly wields the power to make or break the case. But with her own hidden past, will she dare to speak up?

A REESE WITHERSPOON BOOK CLUB SELECTION!

Everyone is watching. Only one person knows the truth.

The whole country has been riveted by the Beloved TV star and national treasure Anna Finbow, standing in court, accusing her daughter’s therapist Jean Guest of brainwashing her daughter Mary for her own financial gain. Jean insists Mary’s traumatic memories arise from her upbringing and her time studying at a prestigious art school in Rome; wounds only Jean’s therapy can heal. But as the trial unfolds, it’s Augusta “Gus” Bird, Anna’s former employee—a seemingly insignificant bystander, a nobody—who holds the key to unraveling the tangled web of lies and deceit.

What really happened to Mary in Rome? And if her memories can’t be trusted, how will they ever uncover the truth behind her estrangement? Twisty and propulsive, In Her Defense is a compulsively readable debut for fans of Lucy Foley and Laura Dave.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

In Her Defense by Phillipa Malicka is a compelling debut novel that blends courtroom drama with psychological suspense while exploring the ethical boundaries of therapy and coercion. Centered around a libel trial, the story examines deeply unsettling questions about influence, trauma, and the power dynamics that can exist between therapists and their patients.

Anna Finbow has taken her daughter’s former therapist, Dr. Jean Guest, to court, convinced that her daughter Mary was manipulated and psychologically controlled through questionable therapeutic practices. The case revolves around a therapy cult notorious for coercive relationships between therapists and patients, built around intense emotional transference. Anna firmly believes that Mary was brainwashed, while Dr. Guest remains unwavering in her defense of the treatment methods she used.

Much of the novel unfolds inside the courtroom, which adds an engrossing layer of tension and intellectual debate. Therapy itself is not on trial, but rather the ethics and methods behind it. Mary, once a student living in Rome, experienced a devastating trauma so severe that her memories became deeply buried. As the story develops, the novel raises fascinating and disturbing questions: if therapy succeeded in unlocking those memories, could the treatment itself have gone too far? Could healing and manipulation begin to blur together?

Malicka handles these themes with nuance, weaving together psychological complexity, legal strategy, and emotional uncertainty in a way that keeps the reader questioning everyone’s motives. The twists gradually reveal deeper layers to the case, making the story both thought-provoking and emotionally charged.

Overall, this was an impressive debut that explores difficult subject matter with intelligence and suspense. The novel’s examination of ethics, trauma, and coercive influence lingers long after the final page, leaving readers to consider just how fragile the line can be between treatment and control.

Many thanks to Scribner and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW - Whatever Happened to Eddy Crane

Title:  What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane

Author:  Kate Crane

Publisher:  Harlequin Audio

Genre:  Memoir; True Crime

Format:  Audio ALC and Kindle ARC  

Narrator:  Vivienne Lehany

Length:  8 hrs 59 mins

No. of Pages:   304 

Date of Publication:   April 7, 2026

My Rating:   4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:

A dazzlingly crafted, addictively readable blend of memoir and true crime that calls to mind David Carr’s The Night of the Gun, Michael Hainey’s After Visiting Friends and Becky Cooper’s We Keep the Dead Close.

One September night in 1987, Eddy Crane called to say he was on his way home from his trucking business in industrial Baltimore. He never showed up. Initially, detectives figured he must have taken off. But Kate, 12 years old and a new eighth grader, felt certain he was dead. She and her family were shocked and adrift, with no explanation or resolution on the horizon.

Twenty years later, now a journalist in New York City, Kate is determined to seek out answers. She reopens the investigation with Baltimore’s Cold Case Unit, tracks down the retired detectives who’d worked Eddy’s case, and chases leads with old friends through her hometown’s dark alleys. 

Part memoir, part true crime, part psychological suspense, What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane? A Memoir and a Murder Investigation is a brilliantly written, deeply felt account of unfathomable loss and blazing resilience, of Baltimore, of family ghosts, and the bravery required to confront the past.

Link to purchase the book

MY THOUGHTS:

The blurb describes this book as blend of memoir and true crime. Had it strictly been a true crime story, it is unlikely that I would have been interested in it. The memoir aspect of the story is very intriguing. In fact, the more Kate Crane is determined to find out why her father Eddy Crane simply disappeared off the face of the earth the more the story drew me in. It had been twenty years since he disappeared and Kate intends on using her contacts as a journalist to find out what happened to her father once and for all.

With the elements of a well-written psychological thriller, it is easy to fully fall into this story and how readable it is. But, never forget that Eddy Crane had gone missing and that his family members are deserving of answers. The circumstances behind his disappearance just don’t make sense to Kate, and the fact that the case was never solved increases the intensity of this story.

This book deeply resonated with me. My heart broke for Kate throughout the story. Closure is essential for everyone, and Kate embodied that perfectly. The captivating narrative, brought to life by Vivienne Lehany’s exceptional narration, made this story even more enjoyable.

Many thanks to Harlequin Audio and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

I grew up in Baltimore, in a tight-knit family of German and Czech immigrants. I got an education in the D.C. punk scene and Riot Grrrl, and I earned a bachelor’s degree at Towson State in the Baltimore suburbs, where I studied Virginia Woolf, Black feminism, art history and French. 

In the first part of my career, I did journalism in NYC for both Wall Street Journal publications and an alt weekly. I copy-chiefed for almost every magazine that ever existed, and I loved laboring over page proofs. I covered music regularly for Time Out New York and Brooklyn Rail ​for about a decade... a joy. 

I’ve read all 72 Nero Wolfe books. McNally Jackson Books on Prince and Housing Works on Crosby are holy places. NYC is home, and I also spent a decade in Silicon Valley. There, I saw coyotes, bobcats and rattlesnakes on the regular. We’ll see what comes next. 

I began work on What Ever Happened to Eddy Crane?, my first book, in 2007. The book will be published by Hanover Square Press, an imprint of HarperCollins, on April 7, 2026.

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