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Queen Bee Mystery #4
Beeline to Trouble
Folks in Moraine, Wisconsin, are buzzing about the latest swarm of trouble humming around Story Fischer…
It’s a real buzz-kill when beekeeper Story Fischer gets a visit from her frantic sister. Now she has to help host a combative trio of professional food flavorists. Good thing the well-stocked shelves of Story’s grocery store, the Wild Clover, can provide the morning meal.
During a pre-lunch tour of Story’s hives, however, one of the guests is found dead. Just what Story needs only days after hunky boyfriend, Hunter Wallace, finally decided to move in. As if a dead body isn’t enough to put a damper on romance, Story becomes a prime suspect when the carrot juice she brought with the breakfast fixings is found to contain poison. Now it’s up to Story to comb through the evidence and find the real perpetrator before she ends up getting stung herself...
It’s a real buzz-kill when beekeeper Story Fischer gets a visit from her frantic sister. Now she has to help host a combative trio of professional food flavorists. Good thing the well-stocked shelves of Story’s grocery store, the Wild Clover, can provide the morning meal.
During a pre-lunch tour of Story’s hives, however, one of the guests is found dead. Just what Story needs only days after hunky boyfriend, Hunter Wallace, finally decided to move in. As if a dead body isn’t enough to put a damper on romance, Story becomes a prime suspect when the carrot juice she brought with the breakfast fixings is found to contain poison. Now it’s up to Story to comb through the evidence and find the real perpetrator before she ends up getting stung herself...
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 4, 2012
69 people are currently reading
743 people want to read
About the author
Hannah Reed
12 books331 followersBestselling, award-winning author Deb Baker writes the hilarious Gertie Johnson mystery series set in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. A native Yooper herself, Deb brings her blend of humor and sass to everything she writes, including mysteries written under her pen name Hannah Reed.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
In addition to the Yooper mysteries, Deb/Hannah also penned a doll collecting series, beekeeping mysteries, and a Scottish Highland trilogy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
March 28, 2018
This was my first time reading a book in this Queen Bee series. It stars Story Fischer, owner of a bee farm and grocery store in the small town of Moraine, Wisconsin. Her sister comes to her for help when her husband has unexpected business guests and needs to prepare some gourmet meals to entertain them. Story agrees to help, and while in town getting supplies she has a run-in with someone illegally picking wildflowers. Story and the mystery woman have a confrontation, but later Story discovers that this woman is one of the guests at her brother-in-law's house! When this woman later turns up dead in the lake, Story is seen as the main suspect, especially since the local police chief HATES Story. Story starts her own investigation, despite the objections of the police chief, to try to figure out who the real killer is. She also has some funny run-ins with her mother and grandmother when they discover she has decided to move in with her boyfriend. All in all this was a fun and enjoyable read and I look forward to reading more in this series in the future.
February 15, 2013
I won this book as a FirstRead.
When Story Fischer agrees to help her sister, Holly, host some of her husband's employees, she has no idea it will end with one of the employees dropping dead in her backyard. Story and Holly become two of the prime suspects, so Story decides to do some snooping of her own to try to solve the case.
This was the first book from the Queen Bee series that I have read, and I don't think I will be reading any of the others. There were no likeable characters in the book. The main character's pushiness and sense of entitlement irked me.
When Story Fischer agrees to help her sister, Holly, host some of her husband's employees, she has no idea it will end with one of the employees dropping dead in her backyard. Story and Holly become two of the prime suspects, so Story decides to do some snooping of her own to try to solve the case.
This was the first book from the Queen Bee series that I have read, and I don't think I will be reading any of the others. There were no likeable characters in the book. The main character's pushiness and sense of entitlement irked me.
January 15, 2015
So glad I finished this book. I really like Story and her family. I cant wait to read more from this series.
March 31, 2020
A tangled web of trouble
This is the fourth book of the series and a great read. I have enjoyed each book and they just seem to get better. The characters are excellent and wonderfully filled with personality. The plot was very strong and we'll developed with all of the subplots.
The reader learns a lot of interesting honey bee facts in each book . I would love to visit the Wild Clover store and visit with the workers and try some of the honey treats. I would, of course, avoid Sheriff Jay but would love to catch a glimpse of Hunter and K9 Ben.
This is the fourth book of the series and a great read. I have enjoyed each book and they just seem to get better. The characters are excellent and wonderfully filled with personality. The plot was very strong and we'll developed with all of the subplots.
The reader learns a lot of interesting honey bee facts in each book . I would love to visit the Wild Clover store and visit with the workers and try some of the honey treats. I would, of course, avoid Sheriff Jay but would love to catch a glimpse of Hunter and K9 Ben.
February 11, 2025
This was a nice cozy series. I enjoyed everyone.
August 27, 2017
Wow, carrot juice!!!!!
20 stars!!!!!!!
Story ( Melissa) really got caught in a very bad situation this time and not by herself either.
Holly, Patti, Effy (Holly's housekeeper), Max ( Holly's husband), and his house guests are all suspects in this mess and Helen ( story's mother) was going crazy. Even Patti's ex- husband Harry got in this also. Story's neighbor.
Hunter and Ben ( Hunter's K9 police partner) played a big role in this, since the rogue chief of police got mixed up in a very bad situation with Story, and finally found out why he doesn't like Story , way back in high school.
You have to read this book to fill in all the gaps and a story line I lost a whole bunch of sleep over it.
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!
20 stars!!!!!!!
Story ( Melissa) really got caught in a very bad situation this time and not by herself either.
Holly, Patti, Effy (Holly's housekeeper), Max ( Holly's husband), and his house guests are all suspects in this mess and Helen ( story's mother) was going crazy. Even Patti's ex- husband Harry got in this also. Story's neighbor.
Hunter and Ben ( Hunter's K9 police partner) played a big role in this, since the rogue chief of police got mixed up in a very bad situation with Story, and finally found out why he doesn't like Story , way back in high school.
You have to read this book to fill in all the gaps and a story line I lost a whole bunch of sleep over it.
YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!
February 12, 2023
Could NOT finish!
By page 4, I was already thinking Story was a pushover, by page 10, I'd had it.
Everybody doesn't have to be all mushy mushy, but good grief! Why do we get stuck with so-called heroines who are spineless twits? Why can't we have strong women?
This one's family lies to, and cheats her, and she just shrugs. So far, her neighbours and townspeople are all bullies and ugly personalities. Where are the good friends, and sisters you can count on?
By page 4, I was already thinking Story was a pushover, by page 10, I'd had it.
Everybody doesn't have to be all mushy mushy, but good grief! Why do we get stuck with so-called heroines who are spineless twits? Why can't we have strong women?
This one's family lies to, and cheats her, and she just shrugs. So far, her neighbours and townspeople are all bullies and ugly personalities. Where are the good friends, and sisters you can count on?
March 5, 2020
I truly enjoy this series. It is fun as well as funny. The characters are so realistic. I enjoy Gran. I think Hunter is quite interesting and his dog is so smart! Story and her old nemesis Johnny Jay have a mutual dislike and this book tells about the history of that... Good story. Fun characters. Great story.
May 18, 2020
Cozy Mystery May!
Dusting off some cozies on my shelf, I picked up this one because my brother just brought a couple of hives home and has become a beekeeper. Story plays detective when a guest at her sister's house dies while on a tour of Story's beehives. Set in small town Wisconsin, the family relationships bring the fun to this mystery.
Dusting off some cozies on my shelf, I picked up this one because my brother just brought a couple of hives home and has become a beekeeper. Story plays detective when a guest at her sister's house dies while on a tour of Story's beehives. Set in small town Wisconsin, the family relationships bring the fun to this mystery.
March 2, 2018
I think this was my favorite of the series thus far. It had a somewhat complicated plot, fewer annoying situations, and a very satisfactory run-in with Johnny Jay at the end. I immediately started the next book.
August 13, 2017
Beeline to trouble
I like these people. The family interaction is run-up especially grandma. The bee lore is interesting. A fun, enjoyable read
I like these people. The family interaction is run-up especially grandma. The bee lore is interesting. A fun, enjoyable read
November 18, 2017
Low 3 stars
Just feel really blah about it. Can't point to specific things wrong, but characters only inspired annoyance. So really didn't care about finishing it.
Just feel really blah about it. Can't point to specific things wrong, but characters only inspired annoyance. So really didn't care about finishing it.
July 15, 2018
this is another excellent book by Hannah reed. will deffinetly finish the series.
July 12, 2019
Love this series!!
August 21, 2021
I loved this book. Well written and fun. Action and adventure with a touch of romance.
January 17, 2022
Story and her family have trouble when a guest at Holly’s gets poisoned.
June 14, 2024
Had to skim parts of this book. Too much time spent talking about the main character's troubled relationships with family members Stick to the mystery at hand.
December 23, 2022
I love this series! These characters are over the top and I adore it. The humor is weaved seamlessly throughout the book and the mystery is fun. What more could you ask for?
November 18, 2019
This one lost me, I didn't get into it and overall it took me awhile to get through it. I still enjoy the characters but the actual mystery left me wanting.
December 14, 2012
Story's sister Holly needs help. Her husband has invited some of his employees to their house to relax for the weekend. Now she not only has to find ways to entertain them but also feed them. The kitchen in Holly's house is state or the art but it is foreign territory as she can't cook at all. With Story's help they pull off breakfast and then Story takes them on a tour of her hives. They are enjoying themselves until one of the guests drops dead and Story becomes the prime suspect. It seems the carrot juice she served at breakfast contained poison.
This is the last thing Story needs. Johnny Jay can't stand her and he will try to pin this on her for sure. Plus her hunky boyfriend Hunter just moved into her house with her and a dead body can tend to take away that romantic feeling. She has no choice but to comb through the clues and close the case herself.
Dollycas's Thoughts
The Queen Bee of the cozy is back again with another tale that is as sweet as honey! I love it!
If this fictional town were real it would be about a 45 minute drive from my house. I love the way Wisconsin shines in these stories from our crazy names of our "tongue twisting burgs"
Oconomowoc (Og-con-uh-ma-walk)
Waukesha (Walk-ee-shaw)
Kaukauna (Ka-caw-nah)
Chenequa (Sha-ni-qua)
to the beautiful scenery and the caring people. Each and every character is unique, real and believable, even the bad ones. Pity Party Patty just cracks me up and she was in the middle of it this time. Even with her unusual past, deep down we all have a P.P. Patty in our lives.
Hannah Reed writes a smart mystery with the perfect amount of humor set is a place that is a beehive of activity.
Bee smart and buzz over to the bookstore and pick this one up today. You will Bee thanking me!!! BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
This is the last thing Story needs. Johnny Jay can't stand her and he will try to pin this on her for sure. Plus her hunky boyfriend Hunter just moved into her house with her and a dead body can tend to take away that romantic feeling. She has no choice but to comb through the clues and close the case herself.
Dollycas's Thoughts
The Queen Bee of the cozy is back again with another tale that is as sweet as honey! I love it!
If this fictional town were real it would be about a 45 minute drive from my house. I love the way Wisconsin shines in these stories from our crazy names of our "tongue twisting burgs"
Oconomowoc (Og-con-uh-ma-walk)
Waukesha (Walk-ee-shaw)
Kaukauna (Ka-caw-nah)
Chenequa (Sha-ni-qua)
to the beautiful scenery and the caring people. Each and every character is unique, real and believable, even the bad ones. Pity Party Patty just cracks me up and she was in the middle of it this time. Even with her unusual past, deep down we all have a P.P. Patty in our lives.
Hannah Reed writes a smart mystery with the perfect amount of humor set is a place that is a beehive of activity.
Bee smart and buzz over to the bookstore and pick this one up today. You will Bee thanking me!!! BUZZ! BUZZ! BUZZ!
December 7, 2012
Beeline To Trouble is the fourth book in the Queen Bee Mystery series. And a honey of a book, too.
Story Fischer and Hunter Wallace have decided to go ahead and move in together, now just to decide whose house. With this major step much on her mind, Story sister, Holly, shows up to rope Story into helping, well helping isn't quite correct. Holly's husband has three of his flavorists staying at his home and Holly wants Story to handle all the meals for them. As much as she would like to refuse, she can't. The first thing on the schedule, after breakfast, is to visit Story at her home a take a tour of her beehives and packaging area. No sooner than they arrive, Nova Campbell one of the flavorists excuses herself from the other guests. A short time later she is found face down on the bank of the river at the back of Story's property.
Suspicion really begins to fall on Holly and Story when it is learned that Nova was poisoned by drinking some bottled carrot juice that came from Story's store. But then there are Holly's housekeeper and handyman. The housekeeper seems to be hiding something and the gardener is forever disappearing.
Then again, there is Patti Dwyre, Story's neighbor and sometime sleuthing helper, whose ex-husband was also married to Nova and makes an appearance in town.
So it is touch and go for a bit, but the mystery gets solved. And Story and Hunter weather their first sleuthing living under the same roof.
Johnny Jay, the police chief continues to be a thorn in Story's side and her mom is her old irritable self.
An enjoyable light and humorous series.
Story Fischer and Hunter Wallace have decided to go ahead and move in together, now just to decide whose house. With this major step much on her mind, Story sister, Holly, shows up to rope Story into helping, well helping isn't quite correct. Holly's husband has three of his flavorists staying at his home and Holly wants Story to handle all the meals for them. As much as she would like to refuse, she can't. The first thing on the schedule, after breakfast, is to visit Story at her home a take a tour of her beehives and packaging area. No sooner than they arrive, Nova Campbell one of the flavorists excuses herself from the other guests. A short time later she is found face down on the bank of the river at the back of Story's property.
Suspicion really begins to fall on Holly and Story when it is learned that Nova was poisoned by drinking some bottled carrot juice that came from Story's store. But then there are Holly's housekeeper and handyman. The housekeeper seems to be hiding something and the gardener is forever disappearing.
Then again, there is Patti Dwyre, Story's neighbor and sometime sleuthing helper, whose ex-husband was also married to Nova and makes an appearance in town.
So it is touch and go for a bit, but the mystery gets solved. And Story and Hunter weather their first sleuthing living under the same roof.
Johnny Jay, the police chief continues to be a thorn in Story's side and her mom is her old irritable self.
An enjoyable light and humorous series.
November 21, 2014
Hannah Reed should have learned the difference between carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. When a car is left running in a garage, it is carbon monoxide that is released, not carbon dioxide. A simple Google search would have cleared this right up.
Sometimes I truly wonder why I read cozy mysteries. Usually they are simple mind candy, but then there are those authors that just continually hit below the mark. The Queen Bee Mysteries have always been below par, the writing is basic and the plots are lightweight. Oh yea, and Ms. Reed needs to learn the difference between acronyms and initials, and do not get me started on her use of bullet points.
Yada, yada, yada, food flavorists decent on Holly and Ben’s home to have a weekend away from office stresses and when one is murdered, Holly is charged because once upon a time Holly gave the woman the evil eye and everyone assumed that meant Holly was convinced that the woman was after her husband.
Turns out that Nova (the woman that was killed) had something in common with Story’s next-door neighbor Patti. That is right – they were both married to the same man and he is a mob boss out of Chicago. Are you rolling your eyes yet?
Maybe the book would not have felt so long and drawn out if there were more story lines going on. There is a little here and there about the running of the Wild Clover and Story’s relationship with Hunter. There is also a tidbit about Story’s mother involved with a new man, but all in all, there was just one stagnant plot.
Not a good book, not a good series.
Sometimes I truly wonder why I read cozy mysteries. Usually they are simple mind candy, but then there are those authors that just continually hit below the mark. The Queen Bee Mysteries have always been below par, the writing is basic and the plots are lightweight. Oh yea, and Ms. Reed needs to learn the difference between acronyms and initials, and do not get me started on her use of bullet points.
Yada, yada, yada, food flavorists decent on Holly and Ben’s home to have a weekend away from office stresses and when one is murdered, Holly is charged because once upon a time Holly gave the woman the evil eye and everyone assumed that meant Holly was convinced that the woman was after her husband.
Turns out that Nova (the woman that was killed) had something in common with Story’s next-door neighbor Patti. That is right – they were both married to the same man and he is a mob boss out of Chicago. Are you rolling your eyes yet?
Maybe the book would not have felt so long and drawn out if there were more story lines going on. There is a little here and there about the running of the Wild Clover and Story’s relationship with Hunter. There is also a tidbit about Story’s mother involved with a new man, but all in all, there was just one stagnant plot.
Not a good book, not a good series.
June 10, 2016
I'm not quite sure where to start for this review. I really enjoyed the first three books in this series, but I also read them several years ago. Several of the characters were quite annoying making it hard to connect or show any empathy for them. Story is smart one moment and then enterily immature the next. I didn't get a strong connection between her and Hunter this round which was disappointing since they were moving in together. Plus her foot fettish descriptions were just plain awkward. I can't stand Story's mother. She's rude, degrading and incredibly controlling. Johnny Jay reminded me of Melvin from Tamar Myers Pennsylvania Dutch series. Just a law enforcement agent who is a joke and holds a high school grudge on the MC making her his automatic prime suspect. The authors was using him and Patti as comic relief and it was just a miss in my opinion. The mystery was a bit stretched especially with the random mob connection. The bullet lists spread throughout the chapters don't bother me since they're so short. However, there were other grammatical errors that should have been caught. This one was a definite dud for me!
April 9, 2013
This is one of the Queen Bee mysteries. Story (called that from childhood due to her ability to tell "stories") lives in a Victorian farm house in the town of Moraine, Wisconsin and has bee hives in her back yard that provides her with her Queen Bee honey that she sells in her grocery store in town that is called the Wild Clover. Her love interest, Hunter has just moved in with her.
Her sister, Holly comes to her in desparation and asks her for help in providing meals to her husband's house guests. The three of them are "flavorists" who in the food industry work on the flavor of the product. When one of them dies in the river at the back of Story's yard, the suspect becomes Holly as Nora, the flavorist, was trying to seduce Holly's husband Max. Story gets involved in trying to find out the truth and her quirky neighbor Patti ends up being involved in the investigation and being part of the investigation herself. A fun quick read with some comic characters that make you smile. This whole series is worth a read if you like the "cozy" genre of mystery.
Her sister, Holly comes to her in desparation and asks her for help in providing meals to her husband's house guests. The three of them are "flavorists" who in the food industry work on the flavor of the product. When one of them dies in the river at the back of Story's yard, the suspect becomes Holly as Nora, the flavorist, was trying to seduce Holly's husband Max. Story gets involved in trying to find out the truth and her quirky neighbor Patti ends up being involved in the investigation and being part of the investigation herself. A fun quick read with some comic characters that make you smile. This whole series is worth a read if you like the "cozy" genre of mystery.
December 9, 2012
Beeline to trouble by Hannah read
Find out what the Buzz is all about
Beekeeper Story Fisher works hard at her job and making sure everyone is safe when they are near the bees. Story is helping out her sister Holly for the day with a tour of the bee hives. When a body is found dead , the tour is quickly put on hold. Story becomes a suspect when her carrot juice that she sells is found to have poison in it.
With Patti hiding out, she is the likely suspect but now told so, and all of the strange things happening in town with Harry, and Effie, Holly gets arrested and Story gets into more trouble that she imagined she would. Johnny Jay is convinced that she killed Nova and is setting out to prove it.
I urge you to read this series starting with Buzz Off! Not only is it a fun filled series it will also help you to know more about Bees.
Hannah Reed has done an AMAZING book once again!!!!!!!!
Find out what the Buzz is all about
Beekeeper Story Fisher works hard at her job and making sure everyone is safe when they are near the bees. Story is helping out her sister Holly for the day with a tour of the bee hives. When a body is found dead , the tour is quickly put on hold. Story becomes a suspect when her carrot juice that she sells is found to have poison in it.
With Patti hiding out, she is the likely suspect but now told so, and all of the strange things happening in town with Harry, and Effie, Holly gets arrested and Story gets into more trouble that she imagined she would. Johnny Jay is convinced that she killed Nova and is setting out to prove it.
I urge you to read this series starting with Buzz Off! Not only is it a fun filled series it will also help you to know more about Bees.
Hannah Reed has done an AMAZING book once again!!!!!!!!
July 19, 2013
Story Fisher's sister needs lots of help. Her husband brought home a trio of employees that need to be entertained. Holly asks Story to help. So Story shops the well-stocked aisles of her grocery store, The Wild Clover, for the guests. The agenda includes a visit to Story's back yard to learn about the bees. However, during that trip one of the employees dies, putting a damper on the visit. Not only that, Story becomes the prime suspect because she provided the deceased's carrot juice.
There was a lot going on in this book. Not only does Story have to investigate to clear her name, but her hunky boyfriend, Hunter Wallace, has just moved in with her, her mother and her boyfriend are looking at the rental house next door, and Pity-Party Patti is acting more strange than normal.
I like this series and look forward to whatever Story and her friends get into. They are all smart, likeable, and a little eccentric.
There was a lot going on in this book. Not only does Story have to investigate to clear her name, but her hunky boyfriend, Hunter Wallace, has just moved in with her, her mother and her boyfriend are looking at the rental house next door, and Pity-Party Patti is acting more strange than normal.
I like this series and look forward to whatever Story and her friends get into. They are all smart, likeable, and a little eccentric.
December 10, 2012
Story raises bees and sells lots of honey products in her small grocery store, Wild Clover, in a small town in Wisconsin.
The plots in these books just keep getting better and better. Story has lived in this small town her entire life and has daily interactions with her mother, grandmother, sister Holly and assorted friends and foes.
When Holly's husband Max brings a group from work home for the weekend to relax and bond one of the events they schedule is at rip to Story's bee hives and work area. Then, one of the group ends up face-down in the river behind Holly's property and the hunt is on, who killed Nova and why?
Patti, the nosy next-door neighbor, is deeply involved, as usual.
This is a fascinating look at small town live mixed with big city problems mixed with a romance or three that are working through the series.
Now, looking forward to number five in the series.
The plots in these books just keep getting better and better. Story has lived in this small town her entire life and has daily interactions with her mother, grandmother, sister Holly and assorted friends and foes.
When Holly's husband Max brings a group from work home for the weekend to relax and bond one of the events they schedule is at rip to Story's bee hives and work area. Then, one of the group ends up face-down in the river behind Holly's property and the hunt is on, who killed Nova and why?
Patti, the nosy next-door neighbor, is deeply involved, as usual.
This is a fascinating look at small town live mixed with big city problems mixed with a romance or three that are working through the series.
Now, looking forward to number five in the series.
December 19, 2012
Beekeeper, Story Fischer has her hives full when her sister, Holly Paine, arrives and begs her help with unexpected guests.
Story, who is adjusting to living with her boyfriend, police officer, Hunter Wallace, agrees to help cook for the group. Holly's husband, Max arranges to show his team (the guests) Story's beehives, when to the group's shock, Nova Campbell, a schemer and husband stealer, falls ill and drowns into the property's riverside, face first.
How do these things keep happening to Story? And, what does next-door neighbour, Patti have to do with it all?
This series is a fun, quick read. The mysteries are compelling and so well paced that you find yourself reading it in one sit.
As a bonus there are recipes, fun facts, and more throughout the novel.
This is a book to make you take a beeline to your favorite bookstore.
Story, who is adjusting to living with her boyfriend, police officer, Hunter Wallace, agrees to help cook for the group. Holly's husband, Max arranges to show his team (the guests) Story's beehives, when to the group's shock, Nova Campbell, a schemer and husband stealer, falls ill and drowns into the property's riverside, face first.
How do these things keep happening to Story? And, what does next-door neighbour, Patti have to do with it all?
This series is a fun, quick read. The mysteries are compelling and so well paced that you find yourself reading it in one sit.
As a bonus there are recipes, fun facts, and more throughout the novel.
This is a book to make you take a beeline to your favorite bookstore.
May 6, 2013
When Holly Story Fischer sister comes to her frantic for help seems her husband Max has brought home some employees for a weekend of R and R . Only problem Holly doesn't cook so its up to Story to help her feed her guests. However during a tour of Story's Bee Hives one of the guests dies. Hunter Wallace Storys hunk boyfriend has finally moved in with her. And a dead body could put a damper on any romance. To make matters worse Story becomes a prime suspect when it turns out the carrot juice she provided contains poisen.Plus a mobster is in town hunting his ex wife. It is up to Story to catch the real criminal before she ends up stung herself.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews