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David Sloane #4
Murder One
In this riveting legal thriller from Robert Dugoni, the #1 Kindle bestselling author of MY SISTER’S GRAVE, attorney David Sloane takes on his first criminal case…defending the woman he loves.
Recovering from the shock of his wife’s murder the previous year, David Sloane returns to Seattle after some much-needed healing time in Mexico. At a black-tie benefit he reconnects with Barclay Reid, an attorney he went head-to-head with years earlier in the most important case of his career. Like Sloane, Barclay has problems beyond the courtroom, having recently lost her daughter to a drug overdose. In spite of their previously antagonistic relationship, Sloane finds himself falling for Barclay, stirring up feelings he hasn’t felt since the death of his wife.
When Barclay is accused of murdering a Russian drug dealer, Sloane is her only defender. In his first criminal case, Sloane must juggle intensifying media attention and mounting danger, all while diving deep into the past of the mysterious and complicated woman he loves.
With plot twists galore and non-stop tension, New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni earns his stripes once again as the heir to Grisham’s literary throne.
***Finalist for the 2012 Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction***
One of the Los Angeles Times Top 5 Thrillers of the Summer
Named one of Library Journal’s Best Thrillers of the Year
“With MURDER ONE Robert Dugoni creates more twists and turns than a road in the Cascade Mountains. For readers who love detailed police work and spot-on courtroom drama, this is the book to look for. He'll keep you guessing right till the end.”
- Elizabeth George, New York Times Bestselling Author of JUST ONE EVIL ACT
“Dugoni has done it again! Taut courtroom scenes, stunning twists and deceptively dangerous men...and women. Be prepared for a helluva ride from a master of courtroom suspense!”
- Lisa Gardner, New York Times Bestselling author of FEAR NOTHING
Library Journal STARRED review: “John Grisham and Scott Turow fans should add Dugoni to their list of must-reads.”
Booklist STARRED review: “Dugoni’s latest [legal-thriller] firmly establishes him in the top echelon of the genre.”
Recovering from the shock of his wife’s murder the previous year, David Sloane returns to Seattle after some much-needed healing time in Mexico. At a black-tie benefit he reconnects with Barclay Reid, an attorney he went head-to-head with years earlier in the most important case of his career. Like Sloane, Barclay has problems beyond the courtroom, having recently lost her daughter to a drug overdose. In spite of their previously antagonistic relationship, Sloane finds himself falling for Barclay, stirring up feelings he hasn’t felt since the death of his wife.
When Barclay is accused of murdering a Russian drug dealer, Sloane is her only defender. In his first criminal case, Sloane must juggle intensifying media attention and mounting danger, all while diving deep into the past of the mysterious and complicated woman he loves.
With plot twists galore and non-stop tension, New York Times bestselling author Robert Dugoni earns his stripes once again as the heir to Grisham’s literary throne.
***Finalist for the 2012 Harper Lee Award for Legal Fiction***
One of the Los Angeles Times Top 5 Thrillers of the Summer
Named one of Library Journal’s Best Thrillers of the Year
“With MURDER ONE Robert Dugoni creates more twists and turns than a road in the Cascade Mountains. For readers who love detailed police work and spot-on courtroom drama, this is the book to look for. He'll keep you guessing right till the end.”
- Elizabeth George, New York Times Bestselling Author of JUST ONE EVIL ACT
“Dugoni has done it again! Taut courtroom scenes, stunning twists and deceptively dangerous men...and women. Be prepared for a helluva ride from a master of courtroom suspense!”
- Lisa Gardner, New York Times Bestselling author of FEAR NOTHING
Library Journal STARRED review: “John Grisham and Scott Turow fans should add Dugoni to their list of must-reads.”
Booklist STARRED review: “Dugoni’s latest [legal-thriller] firmly establishes him in the top echelon of the genre.”
454 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 7, 2011
5158 people are currently reading
2618 people want to read
About the author
Robert Dugoni
75 books32.9k followersRobert Dugoni is the critically acclaimed New York Times, and #1 Amazon bestselling author of the Tracy Crosswhite police series set in Seattle, which has sold more than 11 million books worldwide. He is also the author of The Charles Jenkins espionage series, the David Sloane legal thriller series, and The Keera Duggan legal thriller series. He has written several stand-alone novels including the historical novels A Killing on the Hill and Hold Strong, as well as the suspense novel The 7th Canon, and Damage Control. He has written the literary novels, The Extraordinary Life of Sam Hell - one of Newsweek Magazine's Best Books of All-Time and Suspense Magazine’s 2018 Book of the Year, for which Dugoni’s narration won an AudioFile Earphones Award. He has also written the critically acclaimed novel, The World Played Chess; as well as the nonfiction exposé The Cyanide Canary, a Washington Post Best Book of the Year. His novels have been optioned for movies and television series. Dugoni is the recipient of the Nancy Pearl Award for Fiction and a four-time winner of the Friends of Mystery Spotted Owl Award for best novel set in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been a finalist for many other awards including the International Thriller Award, the Harper Lee Prize for Legal Fiction, the Silver Falchion Award for mystery, and the Mystery Writers of America Edgar Award.
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
Robert Dugoni’s books are sold in more than thirty-five countries and have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Visit his website at www.robertdugoni.com, and follow him on twitter @robertdugoni and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/AuthorRobertDugoni
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews
February 10, 2020
Superb, wonderful, engaging and enjoyable. A terrific legal thriller. Beautifully plotted, characters that are wonderfully drawn and lots of twists and turns and great prose.
I especially liked the main character attorney David Sloane. Hopefully he will star in more books.
Unputdownable
I especially liked the main character attorney David Sloane. Hopefully he will star in more books.
Unputdownable
June 19, 2016
My husband and I watch a lot of crime shows on TV, and he frequently tells me about an idea he's had for how a crime could be committed. When I finished this book, I told him about Dugoni's idea and he loved it!
I can't tell about it in this review, though. The blurb should be enough to catch your interest. David's team, including Charlie Jenkins and his wife Alex, are all involved in the case. Having already read the Tracy Crosswhite series, I was excited when she and Kinsington Rowe appeared! More background, with Kins as the lead investigator.
Fourth in the David Sloane series, this book did not disappoint. I think Dugoni has gotten better with each book, and now I'm off to start number five!
I can't tell about it in this review, though. The blurb should be enough to catch your interest. David's team, including Charlie Jenkins and his wife Alex, are all involved in the case. Having already read the Tracy Crosswhite series, I was excited when she and Kinsington Rowe appeared! More background, with Kins as the lead investigator.
Fourth in the David Sloane series, this book did not disappoint. I think Dugoni has gotten better with each book, and now I'm off to start number five!
July 28, 2011
A sensational legal thriller by a great legal author. Dugoni weaves Sloane through all types of law and makes the characters come alive, whatever the situation.
After his wife's recent death, David Sloane is unsure what to do with himself. A recent rival surfaces and has nothing but flirtatious comments and legal needs for him. Barclay Reid has recently lost her daughter and the drug dealer responsible just got off in criminal court.
While Sloane and Reid prepare a civil case for wrongful death, the dealer ends up dead and Reid is the prime suspect. Reid is adamant that she is innocent and there are more than enough people ready and willing to frame her. Sloane must use his legal team to pull off the detritus and get to the truth behind it all, which takes turns no one would predict.
A great page-turner for those who love a good legal thriller. Perfect for a rainy day or a day at the beach,
After his wife's recent death, David Sloane is unsure what to do with himself. A recent rival surfaces and has nothing but flirtatious comments and legal needs for him. Barclay Reid has recently lost her daughter and the drug dealer responsible just got off in criminal court.
While Sloane and Reid prepare a civil case for wrongful death, the dealer ends up dead and Reid is the prime suspect. Reid is adamant that she is innocent and there are more than enough people ready and willing to frame her. Sloane must use his legal team to pull off the detritus and get to the truth behind it all, which takes turns no one would predict.
A great page-turner for those who love a good legal thriller. Perfect for a rainy day or a day at the beach,
April 9, 2023
I love that Charlie Jenkins and Tracy Crosswhite are in this book. I read both series before this one. I enjoy all of this authors books I have read so far.
August 22, 2021
This is the fourth book in the David Sloane legal thriller series by author Robert Dugoni. Sloane is a Washington Lawyer with an high profile for being the best wrongful death man in the county. This is another great addition to the series that is getting better and better the more I read. Each book adds to the character of David Sloane and he becomes more and more interesting.
David Sloane is still getting over the murder of his wife when he bumps into Barclay Reid at a charity function who he battled with a few years ago in a big case. Similarly to Sloane, Barclay has had personal having recently lost her daughter to a drug overdose. In complete contrast to their previous meetings when they were at loggerheads Sloane finds himself attracted to Barclay. The inevitable happens and Sloane and Barclay start a relationship which suffers a major problem when Barclay is accused of murdering a Russian drug dealer. Sloane feels forced to defend the new woman in his life with his first criminal case, The Russian drug dealer was behind the heroin supplied to Barclay’s daughter which adds to the suspicion.
Another very good legal thriller that is a page turner.
David Sloane is still getting over the murder of his wife when he bumps into Barclay Reid at a charity function who he battled with a few years ago in a big case. Similarly to Sloane, Barclay has had personal having recently lost her daughter to a drug overdose. In complete contrast to their previous meetings when they were at loggerheads Sloane finds himself attracted to Barclay. The inevitable happens and Sloane and Barclay start a relationship which suffers a major problem when Barclay is accused of murdering a Russian drug dealer. Sloane feels forced to defend the new woman in his life with his first criminal case, The Russian drug dealer was behind the heroin supplied to Barclay’s daughter which adds to the suspicion.
Another very good legal thriller that is a page turner.
March 15, 2022
Well written and well-paced even though the the villain was kind of obvious from the start - until Dugoni made me second-guess my instincts. Solid narration.
July 28, 2021
another exciting read from Dugoni ... lots of surprises ... the courtroom scenes are particularly good
August 14, 2021
Another superb Dugoni legal thriller. Looking forward to reading the next (and I think, last) in the series.
April 21, 2017
This is another good mystery/suspense by Robert Dugoni who has become a favorite of mine just this month.
This story is one of those about attorney David Sloane who supposedly never loses. His wife Tina had been murdered 14 months earlier in a deadly home invasion and his step-son Jake is off living with his biological dad. At a symphony event, he meets attorney Barclay Reid. Her young adult daughter Carly- called Leenie- died from an overdose of pure heroin and she has been on a crusade to take down the Russian mafia that made it available to sellers in the area including the one that provided Carly with her deadly dose. She had been helping the feds try to take the head guy down but a crooked federal judge in the Russian mafia's pocket let him go free.
Barclay brings all of this to David's attention while seeming to be interested in him. He immediately falls into bed with her and decides he is in love with her. This part did not ring true to me. He had adored his wife Tina and was still grieving her after 14 months. It seems highly unlikely he would fall immediately in bed with a woman he literally just met and then think he is in love. He doesn't even know her!
Barclay asks David to help her file a civil suit against the Russian. The next day, the Russian is found murdered in his home, shot in the back of the head. David instantly remembers that Barclay had told him that if she had known the Russian would just walk in the federal case, she would have just shot him in the back of the head and be done with it. She also saw her ex-husband at the symphony and said the same thing to him. He called police and told them.
When Barclay is arrested for murder, she talks David into handling her case though he is a civil lawyer and doesn't handle criminal cases. Will he win? Is Barclay guilty or innocent? With the evidence stacking against her and his sex life with her igniting, maybe this is a case David shouldn't win.
I got this through my Kindle Unlimited membership at Amazon.
This story is one of those about attorney David Sloane who supposedly never loses. His wife Tina had been murdered 14 months earlier in a deadly home invasion and his step-son Jake is off living with his biological dad. At a symphony event, he meets attorney Barclay Reid. Her young adult daughter Carly- called Leenie- died from an overdose of pure heroin and she has been on a crusade to take down the Russian mafia that made it available to sellers in the area including the one that provided Carly with her deadly dose. She had been helping the feds try to take the head guy down but a crooked federal judge in the Russian mafia's pocket let him go free.
Barclay brings all of this to David's attention while seeming to be interested in him. He immediately falls into bed with her and decides he is in love with her. This part did not ring true to me. He had adored his wife Tina and was still grieving her after 14 months. It seems highly unlikely he would fall immediately in bed with a woman he literally just met and then think he is in love. He doesn't even know her!
Barclay asks David to help her file a civil suit against the Russian. The next day, the Russian is found murdered in his home, shot in the back of the head. David instantly remembers that Barclay had told him that if she had known the Russian would just walk in the federal case, she would have just shot him in the back of the head and be done with it. She also saw her ex-husband at the symphony and said the same thing to him. He called police and told them.
When Barclay is arrested for murder, she talks David into handling her case though he is a civil lawyer and doesn't handle criminal cases. Will he win? Is Barclay guilty or innocent? With the evidence stacking against her and his sex life with her igniting, maybe this is a case David shouldn't win.
I got this through my Kindle Unlimited membership at Amazon.
February 22, 2017
Once again Robert Dugoni has presented us with another excellent story. David Sloane is attending a black tie event where he is the guest speaker. During the evening he runs into Barclay Reid, a lawyer who he has previously battled in a former court case. Soon they are spending time together and begin dating. While this is happening Barclay is trying to convict a Russian drug dealer that she believes supplied the heroin that led to the death of her daughter. Next the drug dealer is murdered and Barclay becomes the prime suspect, Sloane decides to represent her in court. Gripping, fast paced and full of suspense and a book that will keep you turning the pages until the end.
January 23, 2016
Good story, but....
Story dragged on in the first half, second half was thrilling. Too many characters to keep up with, was predictable from the start, keep stopped reading and start reading again to find out how this story going to end.
Story dragged on in the first half, second half was thrilling. Too many characters to keep up with, was predictable from the start, keep stopped reading and start reading again to find out how this story going to end.
March 10, 2024
Another Winner
Robert Dugoni NEVER disappoints! Murder One is the 4th book in the David Sloane series; and, much like his previous novels, it just keeps getting better the further you get into the novel. Now onto Book 5 of this great series.
Robert Dugoni NEVER disappoints! Murder One is the 4th book in the David Sloane series; and, much like his previous novels, it just keeps getting better the further you get into the novel. Now onto Book 5 of this great series.
October 5, 2018
How I love this series! The crossover with the Tracy Crosswhite series was fantastic. I also loved that Charlie and Alex were so involved in this book. The courtroom scenes were fascinating. Honestly, Robert Dugoni writes the best courtroom scenes of any author! The crime scene clues were fascinating, as well. Totally believable. The only reason my rating is four stars, instead of five, is because However, everything else about the book was fab! I can't wait to read the next one!!!
June 18, 2011
One of the best mystery writers out there- period and Bob Dugani's newest simply cements that fact- could not put this book down-David Sloane is one of the most complex- yet endearing characters to come around in years- kudos to another winner from Mr. Dugani!
Rick Friedman
Founder
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
Rick Friedman
Founder
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
July 20, 2017
One of the best court room thrillers I've read in years.
December 4, 2023
NGL this book was a huge disappointment. I did not trust Barclay ever. Even in book 3 she was sketchy to me. The fact David was reeled in so fast was so I out of character. The insta love was super off putting
“In some strange way, he believed that was why Reid had entered his life, at a time when he was so vulnerable, to serve as a vivid reminder that things were never as good or as bad as they seemed.”
Uh huh. I trusted Charlie and Alex’s instincts and they weren’t as easy manipulated into liking phony Barclay.
Tracy Crosswhite makes a crossover appearance here. The time line for her was super off. I’ve read all of the books in that series and she’s 45 by book 10. SO there is NO way she was a chemistry teacher for 15 years and a cop for 20 years. The egregious error should have definitely been caught in edits.
Lastly, I really loathed the plot. It made David look like a fool and the Jake scenes just made me super sad that David didn’t fight to have custody of him. BUT….After reading this book, Jake was DEFINITELY better off not being in David’s day to day life.
David is basically a trauma porn character. All the bad things happen to him and keep happening… this author hates David Sloane and unfortunately he’s made me wary of him too. It’s hard to root for a character like this. I need a break from this binge before I read book 5.
“In some strange way, he believed that was why Reid had entered his life, at a time when he was so vulnerable, to serve as a vivid reminder that things were never as good or as bad as they seemed.”
Uh huh. I trusted Charlie and Alex’s instincts and they weren’t as easy manipulated into liking phony Barclay.
Tracy Crosswhite makes a crossover appearance here. The time line for her was super off. I’ve read all of the books in that series and she’s 45 by book 10. SO there is NO way she was a chemistry teacher for 15 years and a cop for 20 years. The egregious error should have definitely been caught in edits.
Lastly, I really loathed the plot. It made David look like a fool and the Jake scenes just made me super sad that David didn’t fight to have custody of him. BUT….After reading this book, Jake was DEFINITELY better off not being in David’s day to day life.
David is basically a trauma porn character. All the bad things happen to him and keep happening… this author hates David Sloane and unfortunately he’s made me wary of him too. It’s hard to root for a character like this. I need a break from this binge before I read book 5.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2018
August 2018
4 Stars - I really liked it
Audiobook
And my enjoyment of Robert Dugoni books continues.
At first, I thought we'd once again go into a story where Sloane's family and/or friends are threatened and at risk, but thankfully that didn't happen.
This story was actually very courtroom heavy. We begin with a murder investigation and we see Rowe & Crosswhite from the Tracy Crosswhite series. There's a bit of investigating, there's the beginning of a romance for Sloane, and then the majority of the story takes place in the courtroom. I personally enjoy courtroom crime stories, but if you don't, this might not be the right book for you.
Only one more David Sloane book and I'm up to date on the Tracy Crosswhite series, so that leaves me only a few standalones from this author. Hurry up Mr. Dugoni and supply your readers with more, please.
TW: drug use, death of a child, death of a spouse, abuse (off page), bitter divorce
July 30, 2020
David Sloan, a civil lawyer, meets Barclay Reid a prosecutor who he won a case against whole at a function where he was a guest speaker. She has recently lost a criminal case against a Russian used car dealer and purported drug dealer over the overdose death of her daughter. She is now determined to file a civil case against him and convinces David to act as her lawyer. David is on the mend after the death of his wife and is drawn into taking the case by her story and an growing attraction to Barclay. When the car dealer ends up shot and killed in his home Barclay becomes the primary suspect and she draws David into acting has defense lawyer. Lots of pretrial preparations, defiantly hostel prosecutor and then the trial and the court room action, the results and the final ending keep this one moving along to a possibly unexpected ending.
July 4, 2021
Yet another great in this moving series about the life and times of stellar attorney David Sloane. In this episode, his client is another high-end attorney who is accused of murdering a scumbag Russian drug dealer. Sloane is faced with a daunting task, as the evidence against his client is monumental. The courtroom drama is nothing short of pulse-pounding, and the reader will find it difficult to figure out the surprise ending. Start with book 1 in this series, and you'll quickly become addicted.
July 30, 2020
Murder One was a fast pace page turner that I could not put down until I finish.
Well done Mr. Dugoni!!!
Well done Mr. Dugoni!!!
January 9, 2020
What can I say? I was introduced to Robert Dugoni when I found his first David Sloan /i book Jury Master/b and "fell in love"... I've been savoring his books so I will not run out, but there is only one more David Sloan /i and I'm really gonna miss him... sigh...
Really enjoyed the story, and couldn't put it down... work just has to wait sometimes. <><
Really enjoyed the story, and couldn't put it down... work just has to wait sometimes. <><
March 27, 2011
If you read mysteries and you haven't read Robert Dugoni you are missing out on some great reads. He is a cross between John Grisham and James Patterso, but better than both put together. There is a continuity to his books, so they should be read in sequence.
In "Murder One", David Sloane, a civil defense lawyer who has never lost a case, is taking on a criminal defense case.
Barclay Reid, criminal defense attorney, who is having a realationship with David, has been arrested and accused of murder. Her daughter died of an overdose of heroin and Barclay has been on a crusade to avenge her death. She believes a Russian drug dealer was responible for her daughter's death, and she has mentioned to several people that she was not beyond putting bullet into his head.
The Russian is found dead with a bullet, where else, but through his head, and all clues point to Barclay as the murderer.
David must work through a vicious divorce between Barclay and her former husband that further complicates the case against Barclay.
An excellent read that is half detective work and half court room drama. The reader should be looking for several plot twists and a real surprise concerning the bullet hole in the sliding glass door.
In "Murder One", David Sloane, a civil defense lawyer who has never lost a case, is taking on a criminal defense case.
Barclay Reid, criminal defense attorney, who is having a realationship with David, has been arrested and accused of murder. Her daughter died of an overdose of heroin and Barclay has been on a crusade to avenge her death. She believes a Russian drug dealer was responible for her daughter's death, and she has mentioned to several people that she was not beyond putting bullet into his head.
The Russian is found dead with a bullet, where else, but through his head, and all clues point to Barclay as the murderer.
David must work through a vicious divorce between Barclay and her former husband that further complicates the case against Barclay.
An excellent read that is half detective work and half court room drama. The reader should be looking for several plot twists and a real surprise concerning the bullet hole in the sliding glass door.
June 18, 2011
In Murder One- Master Legal Thriller writer Robert Dugoni has scored another bulleye! Taking his protagonist- David Sloane- and moving him into the criminal courts - Dugoni has created both a top notch story and an educational lesson on how the legal system works..and sometimes does not- Caught up in a web of deceit- Sloane must learn as he goes, in defending Barclay Reid - a leader of a top Law Firm -of murdering the man she held responsible for her daughter's death. In Barclay Reid- Dugoni has created such a complex and original character, that she will stay with you long after you finish this most unique and superb book.
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
Rick Friedman
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
AN OFFICIAL JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB MUST READ
Rick Friedman
FOUNDER
THE JAMES MASON COMMUNITY BOOK CLUB
July 6, 2011
This is Dugoni's best. Highly entertaining and intelligent at the same time. His trademark - a lawyer who writes about justice - plays out in his main character's angst over whether his professional judgement is clouded by his struggle to heal from a painful tragedy.
Dugoni's craft is unparalleled as he builds tension into each paragaph and ends every scene with a cliffhanger. His characters are exceptionally well drawn complex personalities based on enough understanding of psychology to make them real and believable.
I enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't put it down.
Dugoni's craft is unparalleled as he builds tension into each paragaph and ends every scene with a cliffhanger. His characters are exceptionally well drawn complex personalities based on enough understanding of psychology to make them real and believable.
I enjoyed every minute of it and couldn't put it down.
September 22, 2016
Two-haiku review:
Sloane falls for woman
She is accused of murder
He must defend her
Really like series
Created lots of tension
Well done courtroom scenes
Sloane falls for woman
She is accused of murder
He must defend her
Really like series
Created lots of tension
Well done courtroom scenes
September 3, 2020
I did enjoy this book, one of the better authors and this David Sloan series is great. I was really into the book and it was very complex, actually I think a little too complex. I knew from the beginning she was the bad one, you know this when 2 good women, Caroline and Alex, did not care for her. Again, I cannot put the book down but at the same time I feel the authors started doing a little too much and going to far.
February 12, 2025
shame shame shame
What a gifted storyteller. Dugoni makes the characters come to life. The fast moving pace keeps you hooked. Enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns. Treat yourself to another crime world of the rich and the bad.
What a gifted storyteller. Dugoni makes the characters come to life. The fast moving pace keeps you hooked. Enjoyed the book and all the twists and turns. Treat yourself to another crime world of the rich and the bad.
September 26, 2019
I love the court scenes, but I don’t think I can read anymore of the romance and sex scenes in this series. They don’t ring true of any women I know.
September 26, 2024
Murder mystery, lawyers, courtroom procedures in Seattle. Dugoni always keeps my interest. Sloane and Jenkins are good players. On to my next Dugoni novel.
March 12, 2025
Excellent legal procedural. David Sloane is a great character.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 527 reviews