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Double Dare #2
Undertaking Irene
Jane Delaney does things her paying customers can’t do, don’t want to do, don’t want to be seen doing, can’t bring themselves to do, and/or don’t want it to be known they’d paid someone to do. To dead people.
Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake—on behalf of the rightful owner, supposedly. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner. Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is, not to mention dangerously sexy.
Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn. But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?
Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake—on behalf of the rightful owner, supposedly. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner. Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is, not to mention dangerously sexy.
Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn. But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?
289 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1996
2434 people are currently reading
1475 people want to read
About the author
Pamela Burford
44 books210 followersPamela Burford comes from a funny family. You may take that any way you want. She was raised in a household that valued laughter above all, so of course the first thing she looked for in a husband was a sense of humor. Is it any wonder their grown kids are into stand-up comedy and improv? Oh, and here's another fun family fact: Pamela's identical twin sister, Patricia Ryan, aka P.B. Ryan, is also a published novelist. Patricia is the Good Twin, and yeah, Pamela knows what that makes her. But hey, Evil Twins have more fun.
It should come as no surprise that everything Pamela writes is infused with her own quirky brand of humor, from her feel-good contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels to her popular Jane Delaney mystery series, featuring snarky “Death Diva” Jane, her canine sidekick Sexy Beast, and a fun love triangle. Pamela's own beloved poodle, Murray, wants you to know that any similarities between himself and neurotic, high-strung Sexy Beast are purely coincidental.
Pamela is the proud founder and past president of Long Island Romance Writers. Her books have won awards and sold millions of copies, but what excites her most is hearing from readers. So swing by her website and say hi. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Not only will you learn about new releases and other fun stuff, but you'll receive a free ebook as her special thank-you.
It should come as no surprise that everything Pamela writes is infused with her own quirky brand of humor, from her feel-good contemporary romance and romantic suspense novels to her popular Jane Delaney mystery series, featuring snarky “Death Diva” Jane, her canine sidekick Sexy Beast, and a fun love triangle. Pamela's own beloved poodle, Murray, wants you to know that any similarities between himself and neurotic, high-strung Sexy Beast are purely coincidental.
Pamela is the proud founder and past president of Long Island Romance Writers. Her books have won awards and sold millions of copies, but what excites her most is hearing from readers. So swing by her website and say hi. And while you're there, don't forget to sign up for her newsletter. Not only will you learn about new releases and other fun stuff, but you'll receive a free ebook as her special thank-you.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews
September 1, 2014
I really enjoyed this book. Great characters and a nice mystery
August 3, 2014
This is such a fun read. Ms. Burford's choice of words and easy way of bringing her quirky characters to life had me snickering from the get-go. Yet, even with the light breezy tone of this story, it's packed with emotion and intrigue that keeps you turning the pages. I don't know what Ms. Burford has planned for her other Jane Delaney Mysteries, but I am eager to find out.
August 28, 2014
Jane Delaney does things her paying customers can’t do, don’t want to do, don’t want to be seen doing, can’t bring themselves to do, and/or don’t want it to be known they’d paid someone to do. To dead people.
Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner.
Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is. Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn.
But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There are so many things I liked about this book. Quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, and snappy dialogue all drew me in to this story.
Jane Delaney is quite a character and she has a very interesting job. She is a Death Diva. I had heard of hiring mourners to cry at funerals but never a Death Diva. She has quite a vast array of services that she offers, like stealing a brooch off of a dead lady during the wake. She has one client that keeps her quite busy or has in the past. If you think these are unusual characters there are more, a “priest” who is very easy on the eyes, a concierge doctor named Jonah, Patrick O’Rourke, son of the deceased who happens to have a huge secret, his daughter, his wife and let’s not forget Sexy Beast, a tiny apricot poodle who needs a trip to a groomer and soon.
The mystery starts when Jane finds a dead body that is ruled as a death from natural causes, but Jane just can’t accept that and decides if the police are not going to investigate she will. The plot is full of twists and diversions. At times I wasn’t sure if it was really a murder or not, but Jane kept digging and then the chase was on to figure out just which suspect was guilty.
This was a quick read, told from Jane’s point of view, and I enjoyed very much! The author has laid a firm foundation for the series to unfold. I look forward to the next job Jane undertakes!
Life gets complicated for Jane and her Death Diva business when she’s hired to liberate a gaudy mermaid brooch from the corpse during a wake. Well, a girl’s got to make a living, and this assignment pays better than scattering ashes, placing flowers on graves, or bawling her eyes out as a hired mourner.
Unfortunately for Jane, someone else is just as eager to get his hands on that brooch, and he’s even sneakier than she is. Just when she thinks her biggest problem is grand theft mermaid, things take a murderous turn.
But hey, when you’ve teamed up with a neurotic seven-pound poodle named Sexy Beast, how can you go wrong?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
There are so many things I liked about this book. Quirky characters, an intriguing mystery, and snappy dialogue all drew me in to this story.
Jane Delaney is quite a character and she has a very interesting job. She is a Death Diva. I had heard of hiring mourners to cry at funerals but never a Death Diva. She has quite a vast array of services that she offers, like stealing a brooch off of a dead lady during the wake. She has one client that keeps her quite busy or has in the past. If you think these are unusual characters there are more, a “priest” who is very easy on the eyes, a concierge doctor named Jonah, Patrick O’Rourke, son of the deceased who happens to have a huge secret, his daughter, his wife and let’s not forget Sexy Beast, a tiny apricot poodle who needs a trip to a groomer and soon.
The mystery starts when Jane finds a dead body that is ruled as a death from natural causes, but Jane just can’t accept that and decides if the police are not going to investigate she will. The plot is full of twists and diversions. At times I wasn’t sure if it was really a murder or not, but Jane kept digging and then the chase was on to figure out just which suspect was guilty.
This was a quick read, told from Jane’s point of view, and I enjoyed very much! The author has laid a firm foundation for the series to unfold. I look forward to the next job Jane undertakes!
January 24, 2016
What a hoot!! This is the first cozy in Pamela Burford’s Jane
Delaney Mystery Series.
The main character is known as the Death Diva. Jane
performs service for the survivors of the dead such as
taking flowers to the deceased grave sites on special
occasions, dressing up to attend funerals actually
anything she is paid to do that her customers do not want
to do themselves. This time it is to steal a brooch off the
decease’s body during the viewing. Only problem is a priest
approaches to pay his respects so she settles back to wait
her chance.
Wait…what just happened…the priest lifted the brooch from
the corpse. Whoa…was that priest really a priest????
Arriving back at her employer’s house, no one seems to be
home except Sexy Beast, the seven year old, apricot-haired
poodle who is extremely scraggly. Why would the dog be
home alone?
Intriguing cozy filled with a lot of twists and turns. There
are plenty of suspects all adding to the flavor of the book.
Great read, with vivid characters, plenty of mysteries,
drama, suspense, thrills, chills, unexpected twists along
with a touch of romance.
Thank you to author for the eBook. My opinion is my own.
Delaney Mystery Series.
The main character is known as the Death Diva. Jane
performs service for the survivors of the dead such as
taking flowers to the deceased grave sites on special
occasions, dressing up to attend funerals actually
anything she is paid to do that her customers do not want
to do themselves. This time it is to steal a brooch off the
decease’s body during the viewing. Only problem is a priest
approaches to pay his respects so she settles back to wait
her chance.
Wait…what just happened…the priest lifted the brooch from
the corpse. Whoa…was that priest really a priest????
Arriving back at her employer’s house, no one seems to be
home except Sexy Beast, the seven year old, apricot-haired
poodle who is extremely scraggly. Why would the dog be
home alone?
Intriguing cozy filled with a lot of twists and turns. There
are plenty of suspects all adding to the flavor of the book.
Great read, with vivid characters, plenty of mysteries,
drama, suspense, thrills, chills, unexpected twists along
with a touch of romance.
Thank you to author for the eBook. My opinion is my own.
August 27, 2020
Some people call Jane the Death Diva, because of the way she makes a living. This time, a client has hired her to to steal a brooch from a body lying in repose at a wake. The client insists the brooch rightfully belongs to her, but someone else steals it before Jane is able to get it. Then there's a murder with no shortage of suspects. Add in a little poodle named Sexy Beast and some quirky characters, and you have a cozy mystery (a Kindle freebie) that's pretty amusing.
October 24, 2021
A wonderful book. The premise is quite different from anything I've read before and the writing is excellent. Jane Delaney does things for her customers that they can't or won't do for themselves. Things like righting wrongs and providing a sense of justice, after people have died. Yes, strange but Pamela writes them with so much fun. There is lots of drama too with murder, kidnapping, infidelity and much more. This was one of those books I couldn't put down and read until finished. I have already picked up the next two books in this series.
August 16, 2014
quite a humorous book! yes it is still a mystery but there are quite a few bits of humor throughout. The book is told in first person so if that bothers you (and I know a few people that it does) you may not enjoy the book. But if you can get past that, then this mystery will keep you guessing. There is a dog - a poor poodle that hasn't seen a groomer since birth, named Sexy Beast. A "priest" named Martin who really isn't a priest, thank goodness because apparently he is quite the hunk.
I didn't figure out the killer until they were revealed and then it was an interesting twist as to the "why".
I didn't figure out the killer until they were revealed and then it was an interesting twist as to the "why".
August 17, 2020
Constantly changing
I loved this book. It was funny and never ending adventures. As quickly as one puzzle was solved another took its place. There was murder and attempted murders. The cast of characters were as diverse as the subplots used to reach the main plot.
Jane is quirky and spends her time talking to the reader as she lumbers through the constant changes in the book. This is a keeper!
I loved this book. It was funny and never ending adventures. As quickly as one puzzle was solved another took its place. There was murder and attempted murders. The cast of characters were as diverse as the subplots used to reach the main plot.
Jane is quirky and spends her time talking to the reader as she lumbers through the constant changes in the book. This is a keeper!
April 23, 2018
This is a really fun cozy mystery. Jane Delaney is the 'Death Diva', she puts the Fun in Funeral. As a personal assistant, to an eccentric widow she has done numerous jobs over the year involving the recently deceased. So stealing a tacky brooch from a corpse at the viewing is just another day another dollar to our Janey. But things don't go smoothly, and her night just gets worse and worse until she is talking to a much fresher corpse.
Jane is self-effacing, funny and snarky. She is also brave, outrageous and caring. She is a perfect modern day snoop. The secondary characters are great and while a little over the top also very believable. It turns out there is a lot going on in their little Northern Shore town and Jane is dragged into the middle of it.
I definitely want to keep up with this series
Jane is self-effacing, funny and snarky. She is also brave, outrageous and caring. She is a perfect modern day snoop. The secondary characters are great and while a little over the top also very believable. It turns out there is a lot going on in their little Northern Shore town and Jane is dragged into the middle of it.
I definitely want to keep up with this series
August 11, 2020
Good start to series
How can you find anything wrong when your friend and client is found dead in her home after Jane was trying to get a piece of jeweler from a corpse. LOL Not sure I wanted to know why that was happening but I continued and then heard the dogs name was Sexy Beast. That was hysterical. I'm sure this dog wasn't the beast we all would think but you have to admit it's really funny.
So Jane Fonda herself with a dog and a crime and she's determined to find out why. She does find herself in quite the predicament and some moments are quite funny. This was an enjoyable book and can't wait to continue.
How can you find anything wrong when your friend and client is found dead in her home after Jane was trying to get a piece of jeweler from a corpse. LOL Not sure I wanted to know why that was happening but I continued and then heard the dogs name was Sexy Beast. That was hysterical. I'm sure this dog wasn't the beast we all would think but you have to admit it's really funny.
So Jane Fonda herself with a dog and a crime and she's determined to find out why. She does find herself in quite the predicament and some moments are quite funny. This was an enjoyable book and can't wait to continue.
May 1, 2022
Read this as a free ebook and wish that my library had the rest of the series! Jane lives and works on Long Island as a “Death Diva”. She carries out the wishes of the wealthy in regards to special requests regarding the funeral and more. (Such as personally delivering fresh floral bouquets every day to a beloved’s gravesite or mixing the departed’s ashes with gunpowder and shooting it all into the air.)
This is a cozy mystery with lots of humor and several suspects. Clean read. Would recommend.
This is a cozy mystery with lots of humor and several suspects. Clean read. Would recommend.
May 29, 2018
3.5* A good first mystery with plenty of suspects. What brought down the rating for me was that I just couldn't get into the character of Martin. Just too devious for my liking, a 'bad boy' that kept going too far. The action at the end put him into somewhat a 'hero' role, but still not enough to make up for other things (to me, anyway). I am considering the next in the series to see how the mc gets on.
October 20, 2015
I was gifted with this book from the author for an honest review. I have to say I loved it! It was very funny and the characters are a riot! If you don't like puns, death jokes etc. then skip this series. I love them and loved the way the main character talks to the reader. Will definitely be reading more of this author and this series. Keep it up Ms. Burford!
June 3, 2017
Cute idea, decent writing but by the last third credulity was crippled, nonsense abounded, and I was disappointed. No more by this author for me.
January 4, 2019
This story and all it's twists and turns as well as the snarky comments from the heroine held me front to back
November 11, 2018
Entertaining
Well written, I enjoyed the way the author pulls you in, with some comments like" yes, I said that". She connects with us. Humorous, smart and a sprinkle of romace, without being sappy. Jane is smart and tenacious. Once she gets a feeling that her employer /friend didn't die of natural causes; she's on a mission that will put her in harms way. Great read!
Well written, I enjoyed the way the author pulls you in, with some comments like" yes, I said that". She connects with us. Humorous, smart and a sprinkle of romace, without being sappy. Jane is smart and tenacious. Once she gets a feeling that her employer /friend didn't die of natural causes; she's on a mission that will put her in harms way. Great read!
November 16, 2018
refreshing and humor filled - ever heard of a "death diva"? well, jane Delaney is one, with a sound business plan, 20 years of experience and repeat customers. well "repeat customers" sounds a little odd for a "death diva", but you'll see. she's barely making ends meet, but she is on her own until a counterfeit padre horns in on the action. and then there are the deaths/ murders? and sexy beast! you'll love him - he's a millionaire! a definite read
March 14, 2024
Warm and funny. Once I got into the groove of the story, I didn't want to stop reading. An interesting group of characters with all kinds of secrets. I'm looking forward to the next installment.
June 2, 2017
This was such a fun read, and exactly what I needed. It's the perfect cozy mystery and the characters were so wonderful and their flaws realistic.
Definitely will continue this series, I mean how could I not when it has a toy poodle names Sexy Beast?
Definitely will continue this series, I mean how could I not when it has a toy poodle names Sexy Beast?
September 8, 2024
*DNF* (Read chapters 1-3)
PROS: Entertaining, humorous and delightfully lacking profanity (Thank you!)
CONS: Not enough to keep this reader going.
Overall: A conversational story—“you know what I mean?”—with minor flaws. Truly entertaining, if this writing style is for you. Main character Jane is dense sometimes, like being an experienced dog sitter, recognizing Irene’s dog is acting unusually agitated and demanding, yet dismissing this fact. Jane’s ex-husband is onto wife number four and he’s rich—all by itself, this premise is too unbelievable for this reader. Sometimes the narrative seems to run-on with unnecessary backstory or discussion, such as all of Irene’s past dogs and details surrounding them, where they’re buried, when Jane brings flowers, etc.
Summary: An enjoyable read—fun at times—it just wasn’t for me. I received a free copy and I sincerely thank the author for the opportunity to read her work.
PROS: Entertaining, humorous and delightfully lacking profanity (Thank you!)
CONS: Not enough to keep this reader going.
Overall: A conversational story—“you know what I mean?”—with minor flaws. Truly entertaining, if this writing style is for you. Main character Jane is dense sometimes, like being an experienced dog sitter, recognizing Irene’s dog is acting unusually agitated and demanding, yet dismissing this fact. Jane’s ex-husband is onto wife number four and he’s rich—all by itself, this premise is too unbelievable for this reader. Sometimes the narrative seems to run-on with unnecessary backstory or discussion, such as all of Irene’s past dogs and details surrounding them, where they’re buried, when Jane brings flowers, etc.
Summary: An enjoyable read—fun at times—it just wasn’t for me. I received a free copy and I sincerely thank the author for the opportunity to read her work.
August 21, 2014
4 STARS
Jane Delaney has a very interesting job. She does things for or too people that have died. Right now her job is to steal a pin the deceased plans to be buried with. But someone beat her to it. It has some funny moments in this book, and some very serious moments too.
Jane finds her friend dead. She does not believe it was a natural death so she convinces someone to look into it. She ends up being a suspect. Their are a few suspects that have motive. It keeps you guessing till it reveals who.
cute dogs in this story. Interesting characters, Interesting romances, Looks like it could be a good series to follow and also a clean read. My attention was kept in the story. I hated to put it down.
Jane still likes her ex-husband that he is getting ready for his 4th wedding. She also likes a mystery priest. Jane does not have much money compared to those around her do. She really likes her employers dog sexy beast. Jane cares about those around her.
Jonah is a man of mystery that I really want to know more about him and where he got his skills.
Sexy Beast is a poodle with a real matted hair. I think my daughter's dog needs his hair cut too. Sexy beast is seven pounds. He is spoiled dog.
I will be looking to read other books by Pamela Burford in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and agreed to give honest review of it and be part of Undertaking Irene's blog tour.
Jane Delaney has a very interesting job. She does things for or too people that have died. Right now her job is to steal a pin the deceased plans to be buried with. But someone beat her to it. It has some funny moments in this book, and some very serious moments too.
Jane finds her friend dead. She does not believe it was a natural death so she convinces someone to look into it. She ends up being a suspect. Their are a few suspects that have motive. It keeps you guessing till it reveals who.
cute dogs in this story. Interesting characters, Interesting romances, Looks like it could be a good series to follow and also a clean read. My attention was kept in the story. I hated to put it down.
Jane still likes her ex-husband that he is getting ready for his 4th wedding. She also likes a mystery priest. Jane does not have much money compared to those around her do. She really likes her employers dog sexy beast. Jane cares about those around her.
Jonah is a man of mystery that I really want to know more about him and where he got his skills.
Sexy Beast is a poodle with a real matted hair. I think my daughter's dog needs his hair cut too. Sexy beast is seven pounds. He is spoiled dog.
I will be looking to read other books by Pamela Burford in the future.
I was given this ebook to read and agreed to give honest review of it and be part of Undertaking Irene's blog tour.
September 24, 2014
Burford has done it again with Undertaking Irene! What happens when you mix a cantankerous, eccentric old lady who's weekly Poker Posse invited a host of small town suspicious characters who are anything but the 'usual suspects' and mix it with a allegedly worthless, as in priceless brooch, a motorcycling mystery man masquerading as pilfering priest and a scraggly apricot-haired poodle named Sexy Beast..? Uh, uh, uh, not gonna tell ya!
But I will tell you that Burford never fails to deliver a wicked read full of quirky characters and a great story with a 'cozy mystery' feel, all done with a blistering sense of humor. I found myself laughing so hard my stomach hurt!
This is a Petrarch Must Read.
But I will tell you that Burford never fails to deliver a wicked read full of quirky characters and a great story with a 'cozy mystery' feel, all done with a blistering sense of humor. I found myself laughing so hard my stomach hurt!
This is a Petrarch Must Read.
July 27, 2015
I can't usually read mysteries because I have a limited memory and never enough time to read straight-through to recall who-done-what...but this story was a great read!! I was pleasantly entertained to the very last unexpected page. The quick witty dialogue made me laugh out loud in public : D The interesting plot twists had me changing my mind and pointing the guilty finger at a few different members of the memorable cast of hilarious characters...and I was so (happily) wrong! Fabulously funny! When is the next Jane Delaney book coming out?
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Pamela Burford
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Pamela Burford
December 21, 2015
I really enjoyed the humor throughout the book as well as the many twists of the mystery. Jane Delaney is an interesting person and it was fun jumping from conclusion to conclusion with her. She put aside her perceptions when faced with the evidence. Underneath all the mystery solving and dog care, she grew up as she realized that her past love life should not hinder living her life in the present. This is the first in the Jane Delaney Mysteries, and I look forward to reading more.
I was given a chance to read this story for an honest review.
I was given a chance to read this story for an honest review.
September 29, 2015
Jane Delaney has an unusual job, Death Diva. What is a Death Diva? Well for Jane that means taking flowers to graves, catering funerals and in this case stealing a brooch off a dead lady during her wake.
When Jane goes to let Irene know she failed, she finds her dead. Was she murdered or did she die of a heart attack!?
This book will keep you guessing, with a cast of quirky characters and a sense of humor.
When Jane goes to let Irene know she failed, she finds her dead. Was she murdered or did she die of a heart attack!?
This book will keep you guessing, with a cast of quirky characters and a sense of humor.
July 4, 2017
Irene, the “Death Diva” will (for a fee) pretend to be a mourner at a funeral or an exgirl friend, take flowers to gravesites, crush an enemy’s ashes into a dirty rug, or anything else one may need done to/for the dearly departed (I think authors must stay awake at night trying to come up with regular jobs for their amateur sleuths) Unfortunately, Irene’s’ best client is killed and she and a fake priest must try to find the culprit.
August 28, 2014
A tart-tongued heroine with an unusual occupation as a Death Diva, a dust mop of a poodle called Sexy Beast, a dead woman who may or may not have been murdered, half a dozen suspects, and a bit of romance with both a bad boy (who isn't really a priest) and a straight arrow ex-husband—it all adds up to a delightful mystery. I hope it's the start of a long series.
November 13, 2015
Book #1 in Jane Delaney series :)
Humoristic, fast paced, surprising at times :D really fun to read :) And even the fact that my first suspect turned out to be the killer at the end - did not spoil anything (Especially that as I was reading on the suspects were just coming and going ;) ).
Great read!!!
Humoristic, fast paced, surprising at times :D really fun to read :) And even the fact that my first suspect turned out to be the killer at the end - did not spoil anything (Especially that as I was reading on the suspects were just coming and going ;) ).
Great read!!!
August 11, 2016
Thrilling, suspenseful but most of all fun! How can you not be intrigued about a story with the Death Diva? I love a good mystery, but normally find myself with the dark and morbid kind. This one starts with an upbeat and entertaining premise and keeps you going page after page. Highly recommended!
June 30, 2017
Poorly Written Waste of Time
This devolved into a rather uninteresting "hot mess" about half way through the book.
The idea of the main character being a "fixer" was and still is a good one. Sadly in "Undertaking Irene" both the author and the main are far better suited to a Harlequin Romance than a murder mystery.
This devolved into a rather uninteresting "hot mess" about half way through the book.
The idea of the main character being a "fixer" was and still is a good one. Sadly in "Undertaking Irene" both the author and the main are far better suited to a Harlequin Romance than a murder mystery.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 286 reviews