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Booktown Mystery #10
Title Wave
Tricia and Angelica leave Booktown behind for a pleasure cruise, but they’re going to need their life jackets because a murderer is also on board in this mystery in Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling series.
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R & R. Naturally they choose a mystery lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of her fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R & R. Naturally they choose a mystery lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunit in deck chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of her fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...
319 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 14, 2016
233 people are currently reading
2039 people want to read
About the author
Lorna Barrett
24 books1,796 followersThe immensely popular Booktown Mystery series is what put Lorna Barrett’s name on the New York Times Bestseller list, but it’s her talent -- whether writing as Lorna, or L.L. Bartlett, or Lorraine Bartlett -- that keeps her there. This multi-published, Agatha-nominated author pens the exciting Jeff Resnick Mysteries as well as the acclaimed Victoria Square Mystery series and has many short stories and novellas to her name(s). Check out the links to all her works here: http://www.lornabarrett.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 377 reviews
April 20, 2022
After 10 books in the Booktown Mysteries, Lorna Barrett needed to take the series on a trip... a cruise from New York to Bermuda. Of course, murder follows protagonist Tricia and her sister Angelica when they leave their normally quiet New Hampshire town for a break during the off season. And what readers wouldn't love a cruise focused on authors, publishers, booksellers, and a few keen fans? Too bad the death takes away a famous writer's life, but she was a very nasty person. So many other people had strong motives in this installment. I was thrilled by the setting, and the new characters blended in well. It also brought us closer to learning about the sisters' parents, and I must say, their mother is a horrible woman. When this book ends, it sets up the potential storyline for the next one, and I am quite curious where it's headed. Looking forward to more this spring.
December 7, 2017
I saw this at my local library and picked it up because I read the first 9 books, and I forgot why I stopped reading them. I stopped reading them because Tricia is a judgmental piece of 💩. I forgot that Tricia is a trash person who claims to be broken up about her ex being murdered, but she accused him of stalking her because he tried to be her friend. I forgot that Tricia was human garbage that once discounted a rape victim because she was large and "who would want to have sex with her?" Tricia is a dumpster on fire who saw a person dead and instead of thinking "oh a person is dead! That is not good!" she thought "oh poor me! Now they'll call me the cruise jinx!" Given that the author did this, she is obviously a trash person who does not think women who are not set to a certain standard can be raped. The author clearly has issues with her own editors and publishers. She has issues with people younger than herself, since she discounts them as not literate. Now the part where I remembered everything was when they ridicule a person who wrote about oceanic microbes because it was not their topic of expertise. Rather than asking questions, and being somewhat polite they are all uncultured swines who cannot be polite because making fun of academics is funny. Angelica published books and claims she sold so many yet she's not in the cruise as an invited author, but the microbial expert is, show some sort of respect. I work on microbial research as part of my PhD. Would my colleagues show some semblance of respect for a cozy mystery author? Yes, even if they work on serious research. Clearly she has never met a scientist because the majority of the scientist I work with have parents who were butchers, or retail workers, or only have a high school degree. My parents only have a high school degree and I busted my butt to get to a position in which I can talk research, but would never talk down to a person because of their job. Yet this author talks down to him because he is in a specialized field? Lady, I am a millennial who stands up for rape victims, has empathy for others, and is helping cure people with arthritis with that microbial research, so suuuuuuuuck it!!!
June 25, 2016
If your longing for an escape from your chaotic and hectic life and want to be on a cruise on the high seas. If you are a book fan, like myself and that cruise was a bookish cruise, geared to nothing but being able to relax with a good book,poolside, take in a show, pamper yourself or have a book by a favourite author signed or hear them talk but you can not find a cruise like this then reading Title Wave is your answer.
Haven't got a Clue, bookstore owner, Trisha Miles and her sister, cookbook author and entrepreneur, Angelica are heading on a vacation to the Authors @ Sea Cruise aboard the majestic Celtic Lady filled with two dozen authors and thousands of their readers. Thriller author, EM Barstow who has a reputation for being difficult and making trouble for cruise employees with a troubled past is to also be a guest on the ship.
Not being able to sleep in the middle of the night, Tricia ventures out on the ship to discover, EM, the thriller author in her stateroom hanging from the shower with a scarf around her neck. The ships security are quick to assume that the author committed suicide but Trisha believes she may have been murdered. Cathy Cooper, EM's editor and Dori Douglas, president of her fan club are also on board along with Arnold, known to authors and readers as the “prize pig”. Trisha also has a stalker who is sending her gifts while she wonders who this could possibly be Trisha because of her past of solving crime and reading mysteries must find out who wanted the thriller author dead.
Title Wave is an escape to murder on the high seas. I love Tricia and Angelica, they make a great team and made Title Wave a very enjoyable read as with the previous books in the Booktown Mysteries. The family drama and tension and emotion I felt for the Miles sisters also made Title Wave a page-turner that I couldn't put down. I felt that I was on the Celtic Lady along with them and I love how it totally took me away into that world. I would love to be with them Authors @ Sea Cruise, and the murder of the thriller author made it even more of a perfect escape.
I never neglect to mention that this series is one of the very first and favorite cozy mystery series I have read and Title Wave I would have to say is one of my favorites now.
Haven't got a Clue, bookstore owner, Trisha Miles and her sister, cookbook author and entrepreneur, Angelica are heading on a vacation to the Authors @ Sea Cruise aboard the majestic Celtic Lady filled with two dozen authors and thousands of their readers. Thriller author, EM Barstow who has a reputation for being difficult and making trouble for cruise employees with a troubled past is to also be a guest on the ship.
Not being able to sleep in the middle of the night, Tricia ventures out on the ship to discover, EM, the thriller author in her stateroom hanging from the shower with a scarf around her neck. The ships security are quick to assume that the author committed suicide but Trisha believes she may have been murdered. Cathy Cooper, EM's editor and Dori Douglas, president of her fan club are also on board along with Arnold, known to authors and readers as the “prize pig”. Trisha also has a stalker who is sending her gifts while she wonders who this could possibly be Trisha because of her past of solving crime and reading mysteries must find out who wanted the thriller author dead.
Title Wave is an escape to murder on the high seas. I love Tricia and Angelica, they make a great team and made Title Wave a very enjoyable read as with the previous books in the Booktown Mysteries. The family drama and tension and emotion I felt for the Miles sisters also made Title Wave a page-turner that I couldn't put down. I felt that I was on the Celtic Lady along with them and I love how it totally took me away into that world. I would love to be with them Authors @ Sea Cruise, and the murder of the thriller author made it even more of a perfect escape.
I never neglect to mention that this series is one of the very first and favorite cozy mystery series I have read and Title Wave I would have to say is one of my favorites now.
June 10, 2016
*I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review from Berkley and Netgalley. This title will be released on June 14. All thoughts stated in this review are entirely my own.*
The Booktown series was one of the first cozy mysteries I started reading; they have consistently been solid, engaging mysteries. This one was no different. Ms. Barrett took a tried-and-true setting (a cruise ship) and put her spin on it to create a wonderful book.
Tricia is dealing with emotional struggles after the last book and I must say this book had the perfect parts of heartrending internal thoughts from Tricia outlining those struggles. One habit Tricia had at the beginning of the book (that I won't say because it's a major plot point later on) had me rolling my eyes and honestly not paying attention to a lot of what she said; however, that was remedied and explained inn the second half of the book; making it bearable. Angela was wonderful as always (she is by FAR my favorite character in these books!), and so was Antonio, Grace, Ginny, and Mr. Everett. I wish we'd have seen more of Pixie but she did indirectly have a tiny part in the book.
Normally I don't care for settings away from the major city or village the rest of a cozy mystery series takes place at, but Ms. Barrett made it work wonderfully. I loved reading the beautiful descriptions of the ship and the amenities it held. The mystery was also wonderful. It simply fell into Tricia's lap (which is, of course, the BEST kind of mystery) and all the clues were there for the reader to figure it out with Tricia.
Overall an absolutely superb book. I've followed this series for 10 books so far, and I'll follow it for another 10!
The Booktown series was one of the first cozy mysteries I started reading; they have consistently been solid, engaging mysteries. This one was no different. Ms. Barrett took a tried-and-true setting (a cruise ship) and put her spin on it to create a wonderful book.
Tricia is dealing with emotional struggles after the last book and I must say this book had the perfect parts of heartrending internal thoughts from Tricia outlining those struggles. One habit Tricia had at the beginning of the book (that I won't say because it's a major plot point later on) had me rolling my eyes and honestly not paying attention to a lot of what she said; however, that was remedied and explained inn the second half of the book; making it bearable. Angela was wonderful as always (she is by FAR my favorite character in these books!), and so was Antonio, Grace, Ginny, and Mr. Everett. I wish we'd have seen more of Pixie but she did indirectly have a tiny part in the book.
Normally I don't care for settings away from the major city or village the rest of a cozy mystery series takes place at, but Ms. Barrett made it work wonderfully. I loved reading the beautiful descriptions of the ship and the amenities it held. The mystery was also wonderful. It simply fell into Tricia's lap (which is, of course, the BEST kind of mystery) and all the clues were there for the reader to figure it out with Tricia.
Overall an absolutely superb book. I've followed this series for 10 books so far, and I'll follow it for another 10!
February 27, 2019
This is the 10th book in this series, which is one that I normally enjoy. This was a struggle to read, taking me far longer than it usually would and I found it difficult to connect with or care about any of the characters, old or new. I have zero interest in cruises so that could definitely be part of the problem, although I AM glad that Trisha is *finally* over her ridiculous eating restrictions. That had become beyond tiresome.
Apart from lots of walking around the ship, eating and drinking, and visiting the on-board spa, nothing much happened - even the murder wasn't particularly interesting. Trisha is still a judgemental prude through most of the book, although does start to chill out towards the end of the book, which is nice to see. I hope the author continues with the more relaxed Trisha, allowing her to 'play' a bit more, rather than always being such a stick in the mud.
I like this series, which is why I'm not giving up on it (and have realised I missed reading No 9 somehow, so will have to go back and catch up), but this wasn't the strongest entry by any stretch.
Apart from lots of walking around the ship, eating and drinking, and visiting the on-board spa, nothing much happened - even the murder wasn't particularly interesting. Trisha is still a judgemental prude through most of the book, although does start to chill out towards the end of the book, which is nice to see. I hope the author continues with the more relaxed Trisha, allowing her to 'play' a bit more, rather than always being such a stick in the mud.
I like this series, which is why I'm not giving up on it (and have realised I missed reading No 9 somehow, so will have to go back and catch up), but this wasn't the strongest entry by any stretch.
February 3, 2017
The parts of the book I enjoyed were the detailed descriptions of the food and drinks on the cruise. I was more interested in the final tally of all the times the characters surrendered their key cards than I was in learning who the killer was.
Alas, the author did not satisfy my curiosity.
Alas, the author did not satisfy my curiosity.
June 17, 2017
http://openbooksociety.com/article/ti...
Title Wave
Booktown Mystery #10
By Lorna Barrett
ISBN 9780425282717
lornabarrett.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Tricia and Angelica leave Booktown behind for a pleasure cruise, but they’re going to need their life jackets because a murderer has also booked passage—in Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling series.
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in Adirondack chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising…(from Goodreads)
Review:
This is the first Booktown Mystery that I have read for a while, and I was instantly reminded how delightful and intellectually stimulating this series is. Lorna Barrett is at her best, with brilliant, likable characters, dialog, and an exciting setting. Who else but serious booklovers would take a Mystery Lover’s Cruise to Bermuda in January? Who else but Tricia would just have to ask a few questions here and there to find the killer cruise member?
Neither Tricia nor her sister Angelica have taken a vacation for years. When the Stoneham, NH Chamber of Commerce was given a special rate for a cruise, it was hard to decline, since this “Authors at Sea” cruise is for booksellers, readers, and authors. Tricia hopes to connect with authors to set up book signings at her mystery book store, Haven’t Got a Clue. Angelica, cookbook seller and author, wants to meet famous chef and cookbook author, Larry Andrews.
The most famous author on the cruise was EM Barstow. The sisters were appalled, however, to see how terrible Ms. Marstow treated her unpaid fan club president/ personal assistant, Dori Douglas, and editor, Cathy Copper. The young editor’s disdain for Ms. Barstow is evident, while Dori refuses to say a negative word for the woman who treated her like a servant. Ms. Barstow was even rude to her fans, including creepy cozy mystery author fan Arnold Smith. Tricia, once nicknamed the village jinx, lived up to the hated name when she found EM Barstow dead in her stateroom, an apparent suicide.
Amidst fancy meals and elegant surroundings on board the Celtic Lady, Tricia and Angelica try to relax and enjoy the cruise without thinking about their respective businesses or Barstow’s death. A surprise luncheon in Bermuda backfires, and someone sends Tricia several anonymous gifts that lead to the concern of there being a stalker on board. It becomes more and more difficult to remember that this is a vacation, not a series of challenges to overcome.
The reader is allowed to see the perspective of cozy mystery authors with regards to their lifestyles, the work put into each lovingly-crafted novel, a social media presence, and expectations from fans and publishers. It is enlightening and generates a new level of respect for our favorite authors and their publishing houses.
First, many thanks to the author for the list of characters! Whether one is a first time visitor to Booktown or a faithful reader needing a refresher, it is a huge help. Tricia and Angelica are very well defined, I feel that I especially got to know Tricia very well. Other folks are described as necessary as suits their roles. One of the things I enjoy about the characters – other than their respective idiosyncrasies – is the variety of ages. Tricia and Angelica are middle-aged, allowing a refreshing perspective of people closer to this reader’s age. What Tricia learns about herself after the Bermuda surprise was enlightening and making her, and likewise Angelica, even more realistic.
The plot is delectably complex! There are so many good suspects when a victim treats most of the people in her life poorly. Some of the passengers, both authors and fans, are among those who could have done the woman in. The fact that the ship’s security team wants to consider the death a suicide frustrates Tricia as the facts she saw don’t add up. Even though she didn’t like the woman, she wants justice for her. Protecting the cruise line��s reputation is nothing compared to protecting the many passengers still on board. For Tricia to try to narrow down the suspect pool and the real motive(s) is upsetting to Angelica, who worries about losing her beloved sister. The bad guy(s)/ gal(s) were not entirely a surprise, but the motives definitely were! The novel closes on a positive note, leaving no loose ends. I highly recommend Title Wave to those who love very well-written cozy mysteries, books and authors, and even windows into what a cruise might be like.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
Title Wave
Booktown Mystery #10
By Lorna Barrett
ISBN 9780425282717
lornabarrett.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Tricia and Angelica leave Booktown behind for a pleasure cruise, but they’re going to need their life jackets because a murderer has also booked passage—in Lorna Barrett’s New York Times bestselling series.
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in Adirondack chairs while sipping colorful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising…(from Goodreads)
Review:
This is the first Booktown Mystery that I have read for a while, and I was instantly reminded how delightful and intellectually stimulating this series is. Lorna Barrett is at her best, with brilliant, likable characters, dialog, and an exciting setting. Who else but serious booklovers would take a Mystery Lover’s Cruise to Bermuda in January? Who else but Tricia would just have to ask a few questions here and there to find the killer cruise member?
Neither Tricia nor her sister Angelica have taken a vacation for years. When the Stoneham, NH Chamber of Commerce was given a special rate for a cruise, it was hard to decline, since this “Authors at Sea” cruise is for booksellers, readers, and authors. Tricia hopes to connect with authors to set up book signings at her mystery book store, Haven’t Got a Clue. Angelica, cookbook seller and author, wants to meet famous chef and cookbook author, Larry Andrews.
The most famous author on the cruise was EM Barstow. The sisters were appalled, however, to see how terrible Ms. Marstow treated her unpaid fan club president/ personal assistant, Dori Douglas, and editor, Cathy Copper. The young editor’s disdain for Ms. Barstow is evident, while Dori refuses to say a negative word for the woman who treated her like a servant. Ms. Barstow was even rude to her fans, including creepy cozy mystery author fan Arnold Smith. Tricia, once nicknamed the village jinx, lived up to the hated name when she found EM Barstow dead in her stateroom, an apparent suicide.
Amidst fancy meals and elegant surroundings on board the Celtic Lady, Tricia and Angelica try to relax and enjoy the cruise without thinking about their respective businesses or Barstow’s death. A surprise luncheon in Bermuda backfires, and someone sends Tricia several anonymous gifts that lead to the concern of there being a stalker on board. It becomes more and more difficult to remember that this is a vacation, not a series of challenges to overcome.
The reader is allowed to see the perspective of cozy mystery authors with regards to their lifestyles, the work put into each lovingly-crafted novel, a social media presence, and expectations from fans and publishers. It is enlightening and generates a new level of respect for our favorite authors and their publishing houses.
First, many thanks to the author for the list of characters! Whether one is a first time visitor to Booktown or a faithful reader needing a refresher, it is a huge help. Tricia and Angelica are very well defined, I feel that I especially got to know Tricia very well. Other folks are described as necessary as suits their roles. One of the things I enjoy about the characters – other than their respective idiosyncrasies – is the variety of ages. Tricia and Angelica are middle-aged, allowing a refreshing perspective of people closer to this reader’s age. What Tricia learns about herself after the Bermuda surprise was enlightening and making her, and likewise Angelica, even more realistic.
The plot is delectably complex! There are so many good suspects when a victim treats most of the people in her life poorly. Some of the passengers, both authors and fans, are among those who could have done the woman in. The fact that the ship’s security team wants to consider the death a suicide frustrates Tricia as the facts she saw don’t add up. Even though she didn’t like the woman, she wants justice for her. Protecting the cruise line��s reputation is nothing compared to protecting the many passengers still on board. For Tricia to try to narrow down the suspect pool and the real motive(s) is upsetting to Angelica, who worries about losing her beloved sister. The bad guy(s)/ gal(s) were not entirely a surprise, but the motives definitely were! The novel closes on a positive note, leaving no loose ends. I highly recommend Title Wave to those who love very well-written cozy mysteries, books and authors, and even windows into what a cruise might be like.
*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review as part of their ongoing blog tour*
May 25, 2017
"Title Wave" by Lorna Barrett is Book 10 in the Booktown Mystery series. However, it is the first book I have read in the series, and I must say that I was able to quickly and easily figure out all the characters and their relationships to one another. I did not feel at any disadvantage for having missed the earlier books, and this is rare in series works, especially when starting so late in the game. I appreciated the effort the author took to provide all the relevant information in an interesting way, without it coming across as a recap of the earlier books. So, if you like everything else you're heard about "Title Wave", dive right in with no worries!
This book tells the story of two sisters (Tricia and Angelica) who are enjoying an author-themed cruise along with their friends and fellow Chamber of Commerce members from home. Of course, there is a murder onboard, and Tricia is drawn in to help solve it.
The mystery is engaging and particularly enjoyable because both the victim and suspects are all in some way associated with the world of writing. The clues are provided gradually without being too obvious, allowing the reader to try to figure things out along with Tricia. Essential to any good mystery, everything makes logical sense in the end when the crime has been solved.
In my opinion, this book really stands out from others in its genre due to its focus on the relationship between the two sisters, as well as their relationships with their extended family (both biological and chosen). Tricia herself is a truly likable character; I especially appreciated the fact that, unlike so many heroines who spend much of their books cooking/eating/enjoying incredibly rich foods while never gaining an ounce, Tricia is focused on healthy eating and exercise. The depictions of others trying to encourage her to break her resolve and indulge are incredibly realistic.
Because Tricia is such a great character, I very much enjoyed her interplay with two potential romantic interests. Since she's not likely to see them again after the cruise unless one (or both) men make a special effort, I'm interested to see what happens with these relationships in future books. Of course, I plan to read future installments of Tricia's story, and seek out the first nine as well. Five out of five slices of incredibly sharp cheddar!
This book tells the story of two sisters (Tricia and Angelica) who are enjoying an author-themed cruise along with their friends and fellow Chamber of Commerce members from home. Of course, there is a murder onboard, and Tricia is drawn in to help solve it.
The mystery is engaging and particularly enjoyable because both the victim and suspects are all in some way associated with the world of writing. The clues are provided gradually without being too obvious, allowing the reader to try to figure things out along with Tricia. Essential to any good mystery, everything makes logical sense in the end when the crime has been solved.
In my opinion, this book really stands out from others in its genre due to its focus on the relationship between the two sisters, as well as their relationships with their extended family (both biological and chosen). Tricia herself is a truly likable character; I especially appreciated the fact that, unlike so many heroines who spend much of their books cooking/eating/enjoying incredibly rich foods while never gaining an ounce, Tricia is focused on healthy eating and exercise. The depictions of others trying to encourage her to break her resolve and indulge are incredibly realistic.
Because Tricia is such a great character, I very much enjoyed her interplay with two potential romantic interests. Since she's not likely to see them again after the cruise unless one (or both) men make a special effort, I'm interested to see what happens with these relationships in future books. Of course, I plan to read future installments of Tricia's story, and seek out the first nine as well. Five out of five slices of incredibly sharp cheddar!
October 16, 2016
About 1/3rd into this book I was ready to take it back to the library and forget the series. Tricia our lead busybody was on a cruise with various family and friends from town. While Barrett has portrayed her as a snoop and know-it all with various quirks, she has never really pushed the odd behavior outside of the snooping and interference in police matters. But early on we had her portrayed here as definitely mentally unstable. But as I hate dropping a read I plodded on and about 2/3rds in we finally meet the often mentioned but never seen parents. The father is a bit hang dogged and hesitant to contradict his wife. The mother is mentally unstable and obviously lives in a fantasy world about 100 years in the past. We now are presented with more details of the childhood of the sisters and how the mother mistreated Tricia and basically turned her into a compulsive non-eater and defensive personality. Tricia almost throws off her paranoia and compulsive behavior habits but not totally. And again since she found a body she is convinced that the shipboard authorities are totally incompetent and are covering up the death and mishandling the investigation. Again she is so misinformed and not aware of procedures while a vessel is at sea that she acts out her usual busybody research. And once again the stupid lady confronts the killer without any backup and is almost killed. As the other main characters are still interesting and have been expanded throughout the series we will give one more try in the next volume. But this series is very flawed as with most 'cozies' in following the stupid formula of having bodies pile up in small towns of a few thousand residents and the busybody main character is not only the discoverer of these crimes but must force the issue despite competent police.
May 31, 2016
Another wonderful installment to the bestselling Booktown Mysteries!
I was a bit hesitant when I first started reading TITLE WAVE. I don’t normally care for books that take the main character away from their hometown. I needn’t have worried. Author Lorna Barrett transitioned her protagonist and friends perfectly. The cruise ship themed story made for a marvelous whodunit!
A tale of murder on the high seas, TITLE WAVE was a fast moving thrill ride. Chapter after chapter this story was filled with enough twists and turns to capsize a ship. With more suspects then a few, I kept second guessing myself on the killer’s identity. When the reveal came, I was taken by surprise, and even more so at how that scene ended!
Booktown Mystery fans, and new readers alike are going to be thrilled with TITLE WAVE!
Make sure not to miss the tasty recipes at the back of the book!
I was a bit hesitant when I first started reading TITLE WAVE. I don’t normally care for books that take the main character away from their hometown. I needn’t have worried. Author Lorna Barrett transitioned her protagonist and friends perfectly. The cruise ship themed story made for a marvelous whodunit!
A tale of murder on the high seas, TITLE WAVE was a fast moving thrill ride. Chapter after chapter this story was filled with enough twists and turns to capsize a ship. With more suspects then a few, I kept second guessing myself on the killer’s identity. When the reveal came, I was taken by surprise, and even more so at how that scene ended!
Booktown Mystery fans, and new readers alike are going to be thrilled with TITLE WAVE!
Make sure not to miss the tasty recipes at the back of the book!
April 26, 2016
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own.
I really love this series. I have read all of the books over and over again and always anxiously await the next in the series. Tricia and Angelica are great characters and the author has brought them to life with her incredible style of writing.
In this particular story, the sisters are on a Mystery Lovers cruise with their extended family and friends. While Angelica is busy looking for ideas for her next cook book, Tricia is looking forward to catching up on some reading while enjoying the peace and quiet. Anyone who is familiar with this series knows that peace and quiet just won't happen.
I cannot wait to read more in this wonderful cozy mystery series! I will be recommending this book to other cozy mystery lovers!
I really love this series. I have read all of the books over and over again and always anxiously await the next in the series. Tricia and Angelica are great characters and the author has brought them to life with her incredible style of writing.
In this particular story, the sisters are on a Mystery Lovers cruise with their extended family and friends. While Angelica is busy looking for ideas for her next cook book, Tricia is looking forward to catching up on some reading while enjoying the peace and quiet. Anyone who is familiar with this series knows that peace and quiet just won't happen.
I cannot wait to read more in this wonderful cozy mystery series! I will be recommending this book to other cozy mystery lovers!
January 26, 2024
This, unfortunately wasn’t my favorite book in this series. I seem to have a “Love/Hate relationship with these books. But am determined to see it to the end of the series.
May 11, 2017
This series just keeps getting better and better. After the emotional rollercoaster ride in the last book, I wasn’t sure if Barrett would be able to top it, but I was not disappointed. It was fun to join the characters for a “relaxing” vacation aboard a cruise to Bermuda. Cruising and cozies are two of my favorite things, so this was the perfect book for me. The author’s descriptive writing style transports you onboard and you quickly get lost in the adventure. A possible murder committed out at sea with plenty of suspects, motives, twists and turns will keep you guessing until the very end. The complexity of the main characters continues to grow. It was nice having a mixture of both beloved characters and new additions that could resurface in the future. Their personalities are diverse and completely relatable. The tension, drama, and emotions revealed give us some insight into the complicated family dynamics and the impact it has had on the Miles sisters for most of their lives. It's inspiring to see how they react and change with each crisis that they encounter. The struggles are real and reflect the highs and lows that we all encounter. You will feel inspired to let go of the past and discover yourself right along with Tricia. You will find the bonding and friendships feel real and endearing. From Tricia’s secret admirer, two possible love interests, the new remodeling project and a surprise visitor upon their return, Stoneham, New Hampshire is the place to be. And don’t forget the delicious recipes that are included. They sound fantastic. I can’t wait for the next book to be released!
February 5, 2021
Title Wave is the 10th book in Lorna Barrett's "Booktown" mystery series. Main character is Tricia Miles, who owns a mystery bookstore called 'Haven't Got a Clue'.
With her bookstore closed for renovations after a fire, Tricia lets her sister, Angelica, talk her into booking a mystery lovers' cruise, along with several of their friends and acquaintances from Stoneham, NH. Also on board the Celtic Lady are many authors, editors, and publishers. Tricia is hoping to get some serious R&R&R in (that third R is for reading!). Unfortunately, not all is sunshine on the high seas. Someone has been sending her anonymous gifts, and one of the best-known authors, EM Barstow, turns out to be a snotty bitch. When Tricia finds EM hanging in the bathroom of her stateroom, the woman's death is chalked up to suicide. Tricia can't help but think it was murder, and she ought to know. She's called the 'village jinx' in Stoneham for her misfortune in getting mixed up in many previous murders. After the ship's head of security seems disinclined to investigate further, Tricia takes it upon herself to ask questions and search for answers. What she learns may get her killed.
I didn't care for this story. At all. I did not find Tricia to be a likable character. Maybe, had I been reading this series from the beginning, I would have felt differently, but I simply had no connection to her. I was not on board (pardon the pun) with why she was the one to discover EM. Tricia was returning to her own stateroom and saw that the door of another room was ajar and decided to simply wander in? That makes no sense. If it was the room of someone you knew, you could be forgiven for being concerned, but there's a huge difference between being a Concerned Connie and a Nosy Nelly. Other things that bothered me:
"Spoilers, ahoy!"
1. EM's keycard was found, baked into a cake?! WTF? That must be the most inane placement of a clue ever. And, it wasn't even really a clue. Plus, there was no revelation of how it got there.
2. Tricia was absolutely militant about food, which annoyed me until I learned the reason for it. Afterward, I was more forgiving, but it still annoyed me.
3. Angelica ambushing Tricia with a "surprise" visit to their parents in Bermuda was Not Cool. It was an awkward, unhappy reunion that only Angelica and their father seemed to want. Their mother was a cold fish who needed a bitch slap.
4. How much do Tricia and Angelica drink in the normal course of their lives?! Good lord.
5. There was mention that, had EM committed suicide, there would be no payout on her large life insurance policy. Ahem. I worked in life insurance for ten years, and some of that was spent as the Death Queen (I paid out policies). Life insurance typically carries a "suicide clause" that stipulates the death benefit won't be paid if the insured commits suicide within a specified period of time, usually two years. If EM was an established, best-selling author, it's reasonable to believe her policy has been in place far more than two years. Do your research!
6. The author (Barrett) seemed to have no concept of time. For example, during one scene--a conversation between characters that took me about ten minutes to read, one of them glanced at the time and was all, 'We've been here an hour!' What?! It only takes another sentence or two to indicate that 'they continued making small talk' or something similar to make the passage of time plausible.
7. When the ship docked in Bermuda, Tricia would have rather stayed aboard and read. I get that you love to read. So do I. Would I pass up a chance to set foot in Bermuda to stay on board and read? Hell no!
8. During the final confrontation, it was just Tricia on deck with the murderer on a cold, snowy night. The murderer tumbled overboard, and...apparently no one questioned Tricia? I mean, how do they know she didn't kill EM and then push someone else overboard to keep her deadly secret? Sigh.
9. As long as I'm nit-picking, I found that the author used the same word (or similar words) too close and too often. For instance, an "expansive dining room had an expanse of windows". That's paraphrasing, but you see what I mean. Editing, people!
To sum it up, characters didn't resonate, the plot didn't make much sense, there was precious little humor involved, and I found the entire story quite boring, frankly. I won't be reading any more in this series. Two stars.
With her bookstore closed for renovations after a fire, Tricia lets her sister, Angelica, talk her into booking a mystery lovers' cruise, along with several of their friends and acquaintances from Stoneham, NH. Also on board the Celtic Lady are many authors, editors, and publishers. Tricia is hoping to get some serious R&R&R in (that third R is for reading!). Unfortunately, not all is sunshine on the high seas. Someone has been sending her anonymous gifts, and one of the best-known authors, EM Barstow, turns out to be a snotty bitch. When Tricia finds EM hanging in the bathroom of her stateroom, the woman's death is chalked up to suicide. Tricia can't help but think it was murder, and she ought to know. She's called the 'village jinx' in Stoneham for her misfortune in getting mixed up in many previous murders. After the ship's head of security seems disinclined to investigate further, Tricia takes it upon herself to ask questions and search for answers. What she learns may get her killed.
I didn't care for this story. At all. I did not find Tricia to be a likable character. Maybe, had I been reading this series from the beginning, I would have felt differently, but I simply had no connection to her. I was not on board (pardon the pun) with why she was the one to discover EM. Tricia was returning to her own stateroom and saw that the door of another room was ajar and decided to simply wander in? That makes no sense. If it was the room of someone you knew, you could be forgiven for being concerned, but there's a huge difference between being a Concerned Connie and a Nosy Nelly. Other things that bothered me:
"Spoilers, ahoy!"
1. EM's keycard was found, baked into a cake?! WTF? That must be the most inane placement of a clue ever. And, it wasn't even really a clue. Plus, there was no revelation of how it got there.
2. Tricia was absolutely militant about food, which annoyed me until I learned the reason for it. Afterward, I was more forgiving, but it still annoyed me.
3. Angelica ambushing Tricia with a "surprise" visit to their parents in Bermuda was Not Cool. It was an awkward, unhappy reunion that only Angelica and their father seemed to want. Their mother was a cold fish who needed a bitch slap.
4. How much do Tricia and Angelica drink in the normal course of their lives?! Good lord.
5. There was mention that, had EM committed suicide, there would be no payout on her large life insurance policy. Ahem. I worked in life insurance for ten years, and some of that was spent as the Death Queen (I paid out policies). Life insurance typically carries a "suicide clause" that stipulates the death benefit won't be paid if the insured commits suicide within a specified period of time, usually two years. If EM was an established, best-selling author, it's reasonable to believe her policy has been in place far more than two years. Do your research!
6. The author (Barrett) seemed to have no concept of time. For example, during one scene--a conversation between characters that took me about ten minutes to read, one of them glanced at the time and was all, 'We've been here an hour!' What?! It only takes another sentence or two to indicate that 'they continued making small talk' or something similar to make the passage of time plausible.
7. When the ship docked in Bermuda, Tricia would have rather stayed aboard and read. I get that you love to read. So do I. Would I pass up a chance to set foot in Bermuda to stay on board and read? Hell no!
8. During the final confrontation, it was just Tricia on deck with the murderer on a cold, snowy night. The murderer tumbled overboard, and...apparently no one questioned Tricia? I mean, how do they know she didn't kill EM and then push someone else overboard to keep her deadly secret? Sigh.
9. As long as I'm nit-picking, I found that the author used the same word (or similar words) too close and too often. For instance, an "expansive dining room had an expanse of windows". That's paraphrasing, but you see what I mean. Editing, people!
To sum it up, characters didn't resonate, the plot didn't make much sense, there was precious little humor involved, and I found the entire story quite boring, frankly. I won't be reading any more in this series. Two stars.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 23, 2016
Title Wave by Lorna Barrett is the tenth book in A Booktown Mystery series. Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica Miles are going on a Mystery Lover’s cruise on the Celtic Lady along with family members (Antonio and Ginny Barbero and their daughter, Sofia) and colleagues from the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce. Milford Travel proposed the excursion and it is taking place during the slow period for their town. They are all looking forward to spending some time in the sun (and away from the snow). They will get a chance to meet various mystery authors, attend lectures and workshops, and get books signed. Tricia owns Haven’s Got a Clue in Stoneham, New Hampshire which carries mystery novels (the town is full of various bookstores). Unfortunately, EM Barstow is one of the authors. Ms. Barstow is a bestselling mystery author with horrible attitude (rude, demeaning). Ms. Barstow is accompanied by Dori Douglas, who is president of her fan club and Cathy Cooper, her editor. Tricia cannot sleep the first night and goes to get some hot cocoa. She is on the way back to her room, when she notices a stateroom door wide open. She investigates and finds EM Barstow dead. The suspect list is extremely long, and they need to solve it before the ships arrives back in port (and the killer will walk away). Can Tricia find the killer before the killer decides to write her off?
Title Wave was my least favorite book in this series. From the moment EM Barstow was introduced the reader knows (and hopes) she will be killed. I thought the killer was obvious (the suspect list is really short in actuality), but the author did a good with it (and there is a twist near the end). The one thing that really annoyed me in the novel was the constant mention of how much and what Tricia ate. It is talked about more than the mystery. It was too dominant in the book. Angelica pushed Tricia to eat and Tricia declined to eat. The readers find out why near the end of the book, but, by that time, I did not care (I was sick of it). I think Ms. Barrett could have handled it differently, more subtlety. I wish the author had spent more time on the mystery and less on food issues. I felt that Tricia took the joy out of the book (and the trip for the group). I found that some information was repeated (like Tricia and her eating issues and Tricia’s deceased ex-husband). I give Title Wave 3 out of 5 stars. I will read the next book in A Booktown Mystery series, and I sincerely hope it will be like the novels at the beginning of the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
Title Wave was my least favorite book in this series. From the moment EM Barstow was introduced the reader knows (and hopes) she will be killed. I thought the killer was obvious (the suspect list is really short in actuality), but the author did a good with it (and there is a twist near the end). The one thing that really annoyed me in the novel was the constant mention of how much and what Tricia ate. It is talked about more than the mystery. It was too dominant in the book. Angelica pushed Tricia to eat and Tricia declined to eat. The readers find out why near the end of the book, but, by that time, I did not care (I was sick of it). I think Ms. Barrett could have handled it differently, more subtlety. I wish the author had spent more time on the mystery and less on food issues. I felt that Tricia took the joy out of the book (and the trip for the group). I found that some information was repeated (like Tricia and her eating issues and Tricia’s deceased ex-husband). I give Title Wave 3 out of 5 stars. I will read the next book in A Booktown Mystery series, and I sincerely hope it will be like the novels at the beginning of the series.
I received a complimentary copy of the novel in exchange for an honest review.
September 23, 2018
Sisters, Tricia and Angelica, set off on a mystery writers cruise. Both own bookstores, while Angelica owns a couple other businesses and most of the town.
With extended family, employees and the town’s chamber, it’s an excursion to sail with authors, fellow bookstore owners, fans, and affiliated book related people.
When one of the more famous of the sea farers is found hanging in her suite’s shower (of course, by Tricia) it’s off to venture it a murder and solve the mystery behind it. One would think the entire population of this cruise would be deep set in solving it, but Tricia & Angelica seem to be the only two who believe it’s murder and not apparent suicide.
Add in an attractive security officer, a nefarious scooter, a secret admirer, and a dance off and it makes for an adventure at sea, until the confrontations. Once again, Tricia edits down the tome of possibilities and solves the dastardly deed.
With extended family, employees and the town’s chamber, it’s an excursion to sail with authors, fellow bookstore owners, fans, and affiliated book related people.
When one of the more famous of the sea farers is found hanging in her suite’s shower (of course, by Tricia) it’s off to venture it a murder and solve the mystery behind it. One would think the entire population of this cruise would be deep set in solving it, but Tricia & Angelica seem to be the only two who believe it’s murder and not apparent suicide.
Add in an attractive security officer, a nefarious scooter, a secret admirer, and a dance off and it makes for an adventure at sea, until the confrontations. Once again, Tricia edits down the tome of possibilities and solves the dastardly deed.
July 27, 2016
Recovering from a recent tragedy, mystery bookstore owner Tricia is persuaded to take a cruise featuring mystery writers. She and her sister, Angelica, set out to relax and network but end up discovering the body of a very unpleasant famous mystery writer. Suicide is the official verdict by shipboard security but Tricia has serious doubts based on what she saw when she found the body. This is the tenth book in the series and it continues to entertain with wonderful characters and a twisted mystery plot that kept me turning the pages. Tricia, Angelica, their families and friends are people who you will enjoy and love. This book is set on the high seas rather than the usual setting of Stoneham, New Hampshire. Lorna Barrett creates characters and settings that any cozy mystery can relate to. I totally enjoyed this adventure and can't wait for the next one.
November 18, 2016
Some murder mystery series get better with each book, and some of them start gradually winding down, losing steam with each book. Although this is one of my favorite series, I am afraid, it is in the second category. This book almost has no story line and hardly has a murder mystery. (While on a cruise ship, the main and the supporting characters get up in the morning, eat breakfast, go to a bar, eat lunch, go to a bar, eat dinner, go to a bar, go to bed, and start all over again the following day.) When I put the book down, I felt like I wasted my time reading someone else’s vacation blog.
June 27, 2016
I have loved this series since it came out, it's a cute cozy series. But I have not enjoyed the last two books. Tricia has become very annoying. This book focused on her food intake to a distracting degree. Angelica is also a vapid, annoying, beast of a character. The who done it was easy to spot from minute one.
August 23, 2016
I'm in the middle of this book but am confused, was does Tricia keep going on about her ex-husband? First, it's her ex. Second, in the last book she wanted nothing to do with him? But now she's sad? Very confusing.
April 22, 2018
I love the characters of Booktown and was surprised to see them out of the town in this book. We meet Tricia and Angelica's parents in this story and they are definitely not parents of the year. Maybe someone else can find the body next time and Tricia can shed the nickname of town jinx. :)
January 17, 2019
Another great book by Ms. Barrett.
June 8, 2016
I love this series, and was kind of hesitant when I heard everyone was going on a cruise. but true to form, Lorna didn't disappoint me. This is another excellent book in this series. You can read what it is about in the description. I found it interesting that we found out why Tricia doesn't/ didn't eat much, but now, we'll have to see. And the ending! Lorna always makes me want to read the next book in this series right away because she left us hanging. Alas, I have to wait a year to find out what is going to happen. I highly recommend this book and this series!
October 18, 2017
Fun one.
I like how we only see what they see.
Watch for the "red herring".
There is more going on then you know.
I like how we only see what they see.
Watch for the "red herring".
There is more going on then you know.
April 12, 2019
This one was just ok and my least favorite out of all the series.
February 13, 2022
A very pleasant read but not really much of a murder mystery.
Recommended
Recommended
June 25, 2016
full review soon
May 30, 2017
An author/book cruise is just what the Miles sisters need to relax. Only this one has just got deadly!
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in Adirondack chairs while sipping colourful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...
In this, the 10th book in the Booktown series, Lorna Barrett takes the Miles sisters away from Stoneham and puts them at sea on a Mystery Book Cruise, with their extended family and members from the Stoneham Chambers of Commerce.
This should have been a relaxing journey, but Tricia has a stalker, and there is a killer roaming the decks.
Are the sisters out of their depth?
It's time to see if they sink or swim...
A fun read, with a good set of characters, in a well plotted and written mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed this book, which was supplied by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Available in Hardback, Kindle/ebook, audio CDs, audio download (USA regions only) and in paperback from the 6th June 2017.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
While her bookstore, Haven’t Got a Clue, is rebuilt following a devastating fire, Tricia Miles and her sister, Angelica, decide to book a cruise for some much needed R&R. Naturally they choose a Mystery Lovers cruise, where they can ponder whodunnit in Adirondack chairs while sipping colourful drinks and soaking up some rays.
But the fun is cut short when a fellow passenger is murdered for real. Is the killer a famous mystery author, one of his fans, or a member of the ship’s crew? As Tricia tries to find the killer before they reach port, she may be cruising for a bruising...
In this, the 10th book in the Booktown series, Lorna Barrett takes the Miles sisters away from Stoneham and puts them at sea on a Mystery Book Cruise, with their extended family and members from the Stoneham Chambers of Commerce.
This should have been a relaxing journey, but Tricia has a stalker, and there is a killer roaming the decks.
Are the sisters out of their depth?
It's time to see if they sink or swim...
A fun read, with a good set of characters, in a well plotted and written mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed this book, which was supplied by the author, in exchange for an honest review.
Available in Hardback, Kindle/ebook, audio CDs, audio download (USA regions only) and in paperback from the 6th June 2017.
If you like the review and would like to read reviews on other books I have read, visit my blog at www.finalchapterreadersgroup.wordpres...... like, comment and follow.
June 3, 2017
This was a very different setting for the sister sleuths, Tricia and Angelica Miles. Angelica, cookbook author and busy business owner, convinces the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce to join her on a cruise to Bermuda. Tricia is still reeling over the death of her ex-husband and comes aboard the trip to get away for awhile.
This is a special cruise. The main celebrities are celebrated fiction book authors, for the most part. Tricia is excited to be among several authors she has hosted at her book store, "Haven't Got A Clue." That is excepting one... EM Barstow.
Tricia and Angelica's family is among the cruise as is her staff, which is considered Tricia's family as well. It is a happy group leaving the cold of winter in New Hampshire.
This book deviates from the others in the series as we get a closer insight into Tricia's and Angelica's personal life and their past. In fact, yes, there is a murder but, to me, it was minor compared to the interactions of the crew, authors, and other cast of characters.
Tricia not only has a murder to ponder but has a secret admirer to spice up her life. We learn a lot about why Tricia has so many borders set up around herself.
This was an interesting inner look and the murder is solved rather surprisingly.
I look forward to the next volume in this series.
This is a special cruise. The main celebrities are celebrated fiction book authors, for the most part. Tricia is excited to be among several authors she has hosted at her book store, "Haven't Got A Clue." That is excepting one... EM Barstow.
Tricia and Angelica's family is among the cruise as is her staff, which is considered Tricia's family as well. It is a happy group leaving the cold of winter in New Hampshire.
This book deviates from the others in the series as we get a closer insight into Tricia's and Angelica's personal life and their past. In fact, yes, there is a murder but, to me, it was minor compared to the interactions of the crew, authors, and other cast of characters.
Tricia not only has a murder to ponder but has a secret admirer to spice up her life. We learn a lot about why Tricia has so many borders set up around herself.
This was an interesting inner look and the murder is solved rather surprisingly.
I look forward to the next volume in this series.
June 5, 2017
Devastated after the death of her ex-husband, Tricia Miles agrees to go on a cruise with her sister Angelica and several of their friends and neighbors. Since this cruise is all about books and authors Tricia hopes it will be a nice relaxing vacation. But Tricia is known as the Town Jinx back in Stoneham New Hampshire and that reputation seems to follow her on the cruise when a fellow passenger dies and it may be murder. The ship’s crew seems reluctant to investigate the death so Tricia does some investigating on her own. Angelica warns Tricia to be careful but will she be?
“Title Wave” is the very nicely done tenth book in Lorna Barrett's Booktown cozy mystery series. Barrett does take a big chance on moving the location of the mystery from Stoneham, New Hampshire to a cruise ship but it works wonderfully in this book (it helps that many of the regular series characters are on the cruise ship). Barrett does such an excellent job of the cruise ship setting that I felt like I was on the ship alongside Tricia and Angelica. One of my favorite things about the series has been the relationship between characters- especially Tricia and Angelica's relationship which has developed and grown throughout the series and grows even more in this book as certain things are revealed about Tricia's past (now I know why Tricia always eats tuna sandwiches for lunch - so well done by Barrett! As for the mystery, it is nicely plotted with plenty of suspects, red herrings, and a few surprises to keep readers guessing who the killer is.
“Title Wave” is another great cozy mystery by the always enjoyable Lorna Barrett.
“Title Wave” is the very nicely done tenth book in Lorna Barrett's Booktown cozy mystery series. Barrett does take a big chance on moving the location of the mystery from Stoneham, New Hampshire to a cruise ship but it works wonderfully in this book (it helps that many of the regular series characters are on the cruise ship). Barrett does such an excellent job of the cruise ship setting that I felt like I was on the ship alongside Tricia and Angelica. One of my favorite things about the series has been the relationship between characters- especially Tricia and Angelica's relationship which has developed and grown throughout the series and grows even more in this book as certain things are revealed about Tricia's past (now I know why Tricia always eats tuna sandwiches for lunch - so well done by Barrett! As for the mystery, it is nicely plotted with plenty of suspects, red herrings, and a few surprises to keep readers guessing who the killer is.
“Title Wave” is another great cozy mystery by the always enjoyable Lorna Barrett.
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