"traditional elements" employed which can normally be found in any other
thriller of this genre. The USP of this story would be its
unpredictability. When you think you have it all guessed up, the plot
would change its course keeping you hooked. There were a lot of suspense
twists and turns that kept the momentum up. Needless to say, the
writing was simply perfect. One thing that writer needs to be lauded for
is the humor she inculcated in the book. Minus those humorous parts,
the book would have been one serious read." - Reviewer: Book and Ink
Book Details:
Book Title: Kill and Run by Lauren Carr
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 1)
Category: Adult fiction, 422 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: September, 2015
Format available for review: audible (download code), ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF)
Tour dates: May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)
Book Title: Kill and Run by Lauren Carr
Series: Thorny Rose Mystery Series (Volume 1)
Category: Adult fiction, 422 pages
Genre: Murder Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: September, 2015
Format available for review: audible (download code), ebook (mobi, ePub, PDF)
Tour dates: May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating: PG (mild violence and sexual suggestion)
Book Description:
Five women with seemingly nothing in common are found brutally murdered
in a townhome outside Washington, DC. Among the many questions
surrounding the massacre is what had brought these apparent strangers
together only to be killed.
Taking on his first official murder case, Lieutenant Murphy Thornton,
USN, believes that if he can uncover the thread connecting the victims,
then he can find their murderer.
The case takes an unexpected turn when Murphy discovers that one of the
victims has a connection to his stepmother, Homicide Detective Cameron
Gates. One wintry night, over a dozen years before, her first husband, a
Pennsylvania State trooper, had been run down while working a night
shift on the turnpike.
In this first installment of the Thorny Rose Mysteries, the Lovers in
Crime join newlyweds Murphy Thornton and Jessica Faraday to shift
through a web of lies and cover-ups. Together, can the detectives of the
Thorny Rose uncover the truth without falling victim to a cunning
killer?
Buy the Book:
Audible ~Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Audible ~Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Kill and Run Review:
I usually like mystery books and don't usually read military books, and I am on the fence when it comes to romance. This book has all 3 and well I am actually glad I read it. It was a very good book. It drug me in and kept me involved. It was paced very well, it was quick but not to quick to loose you and it was not slow and boring at all.
There were twists and turns that had me feeling like a detective in spots. When I thought I had things figured out a new twist would jump up and I had to stat all over. I like the down to earth way Lauren Carr makes her characters. She gives them full personalities that are well thought out and in depth. They do not seem like a character but like she took them after a real person. I love how the story does not get stagnant it is constantly moving, and she does not go over board on the romance either.
I have read one other of Lauren Carr's books and sh carried some of the characters into this book, so it was like running into old friends. I do like how she left those character's as they were in her other series, instead of changing them. I will personally be looking forward to the next book in this series.
I was given a copy of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.
"Mysteries, murder, danger, and memories that threatens their
lives keeps the action and suspense at a high level and even when the
answers are found, it left me wanting more." - Review by Sherry Fundin of Fundinmental
Book Description:
After ten months of marital bliss, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton
are still discovering and adjusting to their life together. Settled in
their new home, everything appears to be perfect … except in the middle
of the night when, in the darkest shadows of her subconscious, a deep
secret from Jessica’s past creeps to the surface to make her strike out
at Murphy.
When investigative journalist Dallas Walker tells the couple about her
latest case, known as the Pine Bridge Massacre, they realize Jessica may
have witnessed the murder of a family while visiting family at the
winery near-by, and suppressed the memory.
Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for the murder victims,
Jessica and Murphy return to the scene of the crime with Dallas Walker,
a spunky bull-headed Texan. Can this family reunion bring closure for a
community touched by tragedy or will this prickly get-together bring an
end to the Thorny Rose couple?
Murder by Perfection is a wonderful read and a perfect to
escape from the challenges of a busy day. Danger, intrigue, humor, and
love all take their turn in this tale which will keep you reading into
the wee hours." Review by Marilyn R. Wilson, Olio by Marilyn
A Fine Year for Murder Review:
Jessica Faraday witnessed a whole family being murdered 15 years ago but has suppressed the memories. Now in the present she has started to have nightmares about that night and is starting to remember bits and pieces of those memories she suppressed. Poor Murphy is catching the brunt of it as she is attacking him during her nightmares.
Dallas Walker is an investigative reporter. Her newest story is about the Pine Bridge Massacre. As she tells Murphy and Jessica about it they come to the conclusion that Jessica did actually witness the murders.
Jessica and Murphy head to Pine Ridge to solve the murders and to help Jessica with her suppressed memories and so Murphy can get a good nights sleep without Jessica trying to kill him.
Lauren has done it again with this book. I really loved all the twist and turns in the investigation. Every time I kind of thought I had it figured out, a new twist would come along. There are actually a couple of mysteries in the book. It is a very fast paced book. I couldn't stop once I started this book. I really enjoy Lauren Carr's books. I liked the Mac Faraday series and I really enjoyed the 1st book in this series as well. I love how she keeps the same characters and also adds to the list with each book. I like how she crossed over some of the characters from the Mac Faraday series.
I did listen to the audiobook which was given to me as art of a book tour promotion
Beware: Perfection has a dark side!
Frustrated with their busy schedules, Murphy Thornton and Jessica
Faraday attempt to find togetherness by scheduling a weekly date night.
The last thing Jessica Faraday expected for her date night was to take a
couple’s gourmet cooking course at the Stepford Kitchen Studio, owned
by Chef Natalie Stepford―the model of perfection in looks, home, and
business.
When Natalie ends up dead and Murphy goes missing, the Thorny Rose
detectives must peel back the layers of Natalie Stepford’s life to
discover that the pursuit of perfection can be deadly.
Buy the Book:
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Audible ~ Amazon
Add to Goodreads
Enjoy this latest Thorny Rose Mystery! Coming soon to Audible!
"Wow - this is one INCREDIBLE novel that I could not put down.
It had me on the edge of my seat and I can honestly say that I never
saw the end coming. It was full of suspense, action but also humour
(done in a way that only Lauren can accomplish)." - 5-Star Review of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY by Working Mommy Journal
Murder by Perfection Review:
Another Win for Lauren Carr. Murder by Perfection was a great read. In is book 3 in the Thorny Rose Mystery Series. Which is a spin off of her Mac Faraday series. Mac's daughter Jessica and her husband Murphy Thornton are the stars of this series. I have to admit Lauren Carr always fills her books with so much going on you never have a chance to get bored and every book is different and never gets stale. I also love how her books are clean reads. I mean this book has murder, kidnapping, a sex kitten, but it is not graphic or filled with sexual content or even strong language.
In the book Murphy and Jessica feel like they are loosing touch with each other and decide on a weekly date night to get closer together. This is a great idea. My husband and I do this every Thursday night and have for 12 years now.
There are a couple of mysteries in this book. One morning Murphy is out running and hears a gun shot. He finds Ross Caldwell slumped in his car. Murphy of course call the police and is immediately stuck in the investigation to find out who killed him.
Anther mystery in the book is Natalie Stepford. She runs a couples gourmet cooking class. When she ends up dead, they all must figure out why. While investigation Murphy ends up missing. In order to find Murphy they must find out all of Natalie's dirty little secrets.
If you like, multifaceted mysteries and Lauren Carr this is a must read. I actually listened to the audiobook. Mike Alger does an awesome job with the narration as he has done with so many of Lauren's other books I have listened to. Between Lauren's writing skills and Mike's narration there is never a blah moment in the book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It had me on the edge of my seat and I can honestly say that I never
saw the end coming. It was full of suspense, action but also humour
(done in a way that only Lauren can accomplish)." - 5-Star Review of THE NUTCRACKER CONSPIRACY by Working Mommy Journal
Murder by Perfection Review:
Another Win for Lauren Carr. Murder by Perfection was a great read. In is book 3 in the Thorny Rose Mystery Series. Which is a spin off of her Mac Faraday series. Mac's daughter Jessica and her husband Murphy Thornton are the stars of this series. I have to admit Lauren Carr always fills her books with so much going on you never have a chance to get bored and every book is different and never gets stale. I also love how her books are clean reads. I mean this book has murder, kidnapping, a sex kitten, but it is not graphic or filled with sexual content or even strong language.
In the book Murphy and Jessica feel like they are loosing touch with each other and decide on a weekly date night to get closer together. This is a great idea. My husband and I do this every Thursday night and have for 12 years now.
There are a couple of mysteries in this book. One morning Murphy is out running and hears a gun shot. He finds Ross Caldwell slumped in his car. Murphy of course call the police and is immediately stuck in the investigation to find out who killed him.
Anther mystery in the book is Natalie Stepford. She runs a couples gourmet cooking class. When she ends up dead, they all must figure out why. While investigation Murphy ends up missing. In order to find Murphy they must find out all of Natalie's dirty little secrets.
If you like, multifaceted mysteries and Lauren Carr this is a must read. I actually listened to the audiobook. Mike Alger does an awesome job with the narration as he has done with so many of Lauren's other books I have listened to. Between Lauren's writing skills and Mike's narration there is never a blah moment in the book.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Book Details:
Book Title: The Nutcracker Conspiracy (A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 388 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 30, 2020
Format available for review: audible (download code), mobi, epub, PDF
Tour dates: May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries,
so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on
stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some
mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Title: The Nutcracker Conspiracy (A Thorny Rose Mystery #4) by Lauren Carr
Category: Adult Fiction (18 +), 388 pages
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Acorn Book Services
Release date: January 30, 2020
Format available for review: audible (download code), mobi, epub, PDF
Tour dates: May 4 to Jun 5, 2020
Content Rating: PG-13 (Lauren Carr's books are murder mysteries,
so there are murders involved. Occasionally, a murder will happen on
stage. There is sexual content, but always behind closed doors. Some
mild swearing (a hell or a damn few and far between). No F-bombs!
Book Description:
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the
United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two
dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after
numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue
that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every
federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander
Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up
at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to
bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest
work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist
who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:
“13”
Three years ago, the nation gasped in horror when the President of the
United States barely escaped an assassination attempt that left two
dead—the vice president’s wife and the attempted assassin. Even after
numerous investigations proved otherwise, conspiracy theorists argue
that the assassin was acting on orders from the CIA, FBI, and every
federal agency within a hundred miles of the capital.
Aspiring Author Dean Conway is the last person Lieutenant Commander
Murphy Thornton wants to spend his Saturday afternoon when they end up
at the same wedding reception table. While their wives tend to
bridesmaid duties, Murphy is trapped listening to Dean’s latest
work-in-project—completing the manuscript of an investigative journalist
who’d disappeared months earlier.
“She was number twelve,” Dean says.
“Twelve?” Murphy asks.
“Twelve witnesses connected to or investigating The Nutcracker shooting have died either in an accident or suicide.”
Two days later, Dean dies suddenly―but not before sending a text message to Murphy:
“13”
Meet the Author:Lauren Carr is the international
best-selling author of the Mac Faraday, Lovers in Crime, Chris Matheson
Cold Case, and Thorny Rose Mysteries—over twenty-five titles across
three fast-paced mystery series filled with twists and turns!
Book reviewers and readers alike
rave about how Lauren Carr’s seamlessly crosses genres to include
mystery, suspense, crime fiction, police procedurals, romance, and
humor.
A popular speaker, Lauren is also
the owner of Acorn Book Service, the umbrella under which falls iRead
Book Tours. She lives with her husband and two spoiled rotten German
Shepherds on a mountain in Harpers Ferry, WV.
Connect with the author: Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Instagram
An Interview with Spencer of the Thorny Rose Mysteries
Meet Spencer, Jessica Faraday and Murphy Thornton’s canine side-kick!
1) Thank you so much for joining me today, Spencer! Can you tell us a little about yourself and how you came to live with Jessica and Murphy?
Well, I confess, I was born with a blue spoon in my mouth. Get it? I’m a blue merle Shetland sheepdog.
2) Are you called a blue merle because of your blue fur and eyes?
Exactly! Anyway, I hate to brag, but not only are my eyes and fur blue, but so is my blood. Yep! That’s right. I’m a blue blood. So, of course, it seems only right that a debutante like Jessica Faraday would adopt me. Well, she isn’t exactly a debutante. Jessica is rich and all that, but I only got to see a small part of high society before the high life got old for her. I wasn’t even a year old when Lieutenant Murphy Thornton came crashing into our lives and Jessica decided to settle down to be a navy officer’s wife and apply to medical school. Now, she spends a lot of her time at Georgetown studying psychiatry and I’m stuck hanging out with her brother Tristan. But that’s okay. He plays with me. When he’s not playing with me, I chase Monique, his pet tarantula.
3) Crashing? How did Murphy Thornton crash into your lives? Do you mean like with a car?
No, not with a car. Besides, Murphy drives a motorcycle! We were on our way to Deep Creek Lake for Jessica’s father’s wedding to Archie Monday and stopped at a truck stop on account that nature called. Jessica had locked me in the car. While she was inside, these big brutes tried to kidnap her. But Murphy stopped them. That was when Murphy met Jessica … and me! It was love at first sight for all of us. You can read all about it in the Mac Faraday mystery called Three Days to Forever.
4) I’ve noticed that Murphy doesn’t call you Spencer. He calls you Candi. Why is that?
Murphy says I remind him of his first girlfriend. I’m extremely loveable, just like she was. I can’t help myself. I just love everyone and want to kiss them all over their face. So Murphy calls me Candi after her.
5) What's a typical day like for you?
Murphy starts his day at 5 o’clock in the morning and that’s okay because then I have him all to myself. We go running on the bike path along the Potomac River. When we get back home, he gives me breakfast. Then, I jump right back into bed and cuddle with Jessica while Murphy does his yoga in the gym or, if it’s a nice day, he does it out by the pool.
After Murphy finishes his yoga, he comes in and wakes Jessica up before he showers and gets dressed in his uniform to report to the Pentagon.
Can you keep a secret?
6) What type of secret?
Sometimes, Jessica goes back to bed after Murphy leaves for the Pentagon, but she can’t stay very long because Newman, Murphy’s 45 lb couch potato in a dog suit will wake up and demand breakfast. He likes to eat his breakfast before the stock market’s opening bell. They tell me that he’s a Bassett Hound, but I have my doubts.
7) What's the biggest trouble you've ever gotten into?
I don’t get into trouble. (pause) Okay, sometimes I just have to cut loose.
On our last case, The Nutcracker Conspiracy, Murphy, Jessica, and her brother Tristan were investigating a string of murders. Each of the victims were somehow connected to an attempted assassination of the the president of the United States! Well, Tristan found a connection between one of the victims and Chris Matheson, a retired FBI agent. It turned out Murphy knew Chris, so we drove out to Chris’s farm in West Virginia. Chris lives on a farm with retired race horses and this really great retired police canine name Sterling. So Gnarly and I tagged along with them to hang out with Sterling.
When they tried to question Chris, he told all of us to get lost. But Murphy and Jessica were too smart for him. When Chris left the farm, we followed him. They thought they had outsmarted him. Really, he was the one who outsmarted them and led them deep in the woods, far away from civilization to get lost. But not me and Gnarly. We know better than to hang out with those bunch of city slickers who can’t smell a trap. We followed our nose to Chris Matheson, who knew the way out.
8) Are you saying you abandoned your humans Jessica and Murphy in the middle of nowhere?
Well. It isn’t like Chris intended to leave them there to get eaten by the gnats and mosquitoes and snakes.
9) I understand that Gnarly of the Mac Faraday mysteries helped Murphy and Jessica on their last case. Can you tell us about that?
Oh, Gnarly is my hero. He’s so big and strong! I think I want to come back as a German shepherd in my next life. Archie got a big editing job working for a real big—well, we’re not allowed to say because she signed a contract to keep her client a secret. Let’s just say this aspiring murder mystery novelist lives in a castle in Britain and she likes dogs and horses. But, Gnarly likes to be top dog, and Archie and Mac didn’t think he could handle not being top dog while they were living in a castle with a bunch of corgis.
Also, I heard Mac saying that Gnarly had to lay low while his latest scandal blew over. You know Gnarly is mayor of Spencer. Well, Gnarly being Gnarly, he got mixed up in yet another sex scandal. This one involved a golden doodle named Stormy.
10) Oh, dear. Poor Gnarly. Final thoughts for your adoring public?
Sure! You can read all about my adventures with Jessica and Murder, and all of my friends at Lauren Carr’s website.
Tour Schedule:
May 4 - Hall Ways Blog - series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – She Just Loves Books – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Elizabeth McKenna – Author – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 4 – Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Kill and Run
May 5 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder
May 6 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 6 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 7 - A Mama's Corner of the World – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 8 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 11 - Locks, Hooks and Books – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 11 - Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 11 - Merlot Et mots –series spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Laura's Interests – series spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 13 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Lamon Reviews - series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 14 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 15 - Sefina Hawke's Books – series spotlight
May 19 - Rockin' Book Reviews – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 19 - Rosepoint Publishing – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 20 - Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
May 20 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 20 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 21 - Books for Books – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 21 - La libreria di Beppe - series spotlight / giveaway
May 22 – fundinmental – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 25 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Murder By Perfection / giveaway
May 25 - T's Stuff – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 26 - Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
May 27 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 27 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 27 - Books for Books – series spotlight
May 28 - Bookish Quest – series spotlight / author interview/ giveaway
May 29 - Mystery Suspense Reviews – series spotlight / guest post
Jun 1 - Thoughts in Progress – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 2 - Svetlana's reads and views – series spotlight
Jun 2 - Kristin’s Novel Café – series spotlight
Jun 3 - Buried Under Books – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 3 - Blooming with Books - series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 4 - Rosepoint Publishing – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 4 -Splashes of Joy - series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Jun 5 - The avid reader – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 – She Just Loves Books – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Elizabeth McKenna – Author – series spotlight / giveaway
May 4 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 4 – Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Kill and Run
May 5 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder
May 6 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 6 - Michelle L. Bloodworth - Goodreads – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 7 - A Mama's Corner of the World – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 8 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 11 - Locks, Hooks and Books – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 11 - Jazzy Book Reviews – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 11 - Merlot Et mots –series spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Laura's Interests – series spotlight / giveaway
May 12 - Rockin' Book Reviews – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 13 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Kill and Run / giveaway
May 13 - Lamon Reviews - series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 14 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 15 - Sefina Hawke's Books – series spotlight
May 19 - Rockin' Book Reviews – series spotlight / guest post / giveaway
May 19 - Rosepoint Publishing – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 20 - Stephanie Jane – book spotlight / giveaway
May 20 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 20 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of A Fine Year for Murder / giveaway
May 21 - Books for Books – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection
May 21 - La libreria di Beppe - series spotlight / giveaway
May 22 – fundinmental – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 25 - Buried Under Books – audiobook review of Murder By Perfection / giveaway
May 25 - T's Stuff – series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
May 26 - Dab of Darkness Audiobook Reviews – series spotlight / giveaway
May 27 - Bookish Quest – audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 27 - Blooming with Books - audiobook review of Murder by Perfection / giveaway
May 27 - Books for Books – series spotlight
May 28 - Bookish Quest – series spotlight / author interview/ giveaway
May 29 - Mystery Suspense Reviews – series spotlight / guest post
Jun 1 - Thoughts in Progress – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 2 - Svetlana's reads and views – series spotlight
Jun 2 - Kristin’s Novel Café – series spotlight
Jun 3 - Buried Under Books – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 3 - Blooming with Books - series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 4 - Rosepoint Publishing – series spotlight / giveaway
Jun 4 -Splashes of Joy - series spotlight / author interview / giveaway
Jun 5 - The avid reader – series spotlight / giveaway
Enter the Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on MURDER BY PERFECTION and this fun canine interview. I am certain your followers will enjoy The Thorny Rose Mysteries as well. Here's wishing everyone luck in the giveaway for the Amazon Gift Card.
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