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Paper Dolls
When a bizarre set of murders take place in London, three flatmates become embroiled in the terrifying mystery.
Mike, Beatrice and Kerri all share a flat and a passion to move their careers forward. When Mike, a frustrated mime in Trafalgar Square, lays eyes on performance artist Princess, his world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, Kerri is struggling to hold onto her job as a journalist, when she stumbles across a body, which turns out to be the third victim of the Paper Doll Killer. Beatrice, who was once a bestselling author, looks to the series of murders for inspiration but finds a lot more than she bargained for.
As the three flatmates discover they each have links to the killer they start to turn on one another. Who might be next? Why does the killer paint the victim’s cheeks and lips with blood? What purpose do the paper dolls serve?
As the deranged Paper Doll Killer continues to stalk the streets of London there’s only one question that needs to be answered … is anyone safe?
Mike, Beatrice and Kerri all share a flat and a passion to move their careers forward. When Mike, a frustrated mime in Trafalgar Square, lays eyes on performance artist Princess, his world begins to unravel. Meanwhile, Kerri is struggling to hold onto her job as a journalist, when she stumbles across a body, which turns out to be the third victim of the Paper Doll Killer. Beatrice, who was once a bestselling author, looks to the series of murders for inspiration but finds a lot more than she bargained for.
As the three flatmates discover they each have links to the killer they start to turn on one another. Who might be next? Why does the killer paint the victim’s cheeks and lips with blood? What purpose do the paper dolls serve?
As the deranged Paper Doll Killer continues to stalk the streets of London there’s only one question that needs to be answered … is anyone safe?
236 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 28, 2019
71 people are currently reading
328 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
August 29, 2019
Wow!! What a fantastic read! I loved it, it was clever and gruesome and you won't be disappointed with the ending! Highly recommend 🤗
April 5, 2019
This is definitely my genre, but I found this very different. Good different. A bit confusing at times, but all becomes clear.
Mike, Bea, and Kerri share a flat in London. They are like ships that pass in the night because of their different work and odd hours that they keep. They do get long and are often overseen by their charismatic landlady Mrs. Williams.
A 12-year-old girl, living with her foster “uncle” finally has had enough of the abuse and fights back. She leaves him for dead. Unfortunately, he is badly hurt, but alive.
Kerri works in the cut-throat industry of journalism. Her biggest fear is having an epileptic fit in public and hurting herself. She has little warning of a fit although stress is a big factor.
Bea is a struggling author. Having written a series for young teens, her popularity was short-lived and she has changed agents in the hope of kick-starting her career. Her new agent says she needs to write a crime novel, as it will sell. That is a big ask from some-one like Bea, but to survive in the critical world of authors, she needs to give it her best short.
Mike is a street entertainer who is aiming high in a stage career. He dresses as a woman which makes him feel comfortable. His friendships are sometimes short-lived, but a companion, Bat, often works beside him on the street. He dresses as Batman, thus the nickname.
There are some wonderful twists to this, and the author does a great job of interweaving the characters and their stories. It was only in the last chapter that I realised the truth.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
Mike, Bea, and Kerri share a flat in London. They are like ships that pass in the night because of their different work and odd hours that they keep. They do get long and are often overseen by their charismatic landlady Mrs. Williams.
A 12-year-old girl, living with her foster “uncle” finally has had enough of the abuse and fights back. She leaves him for dead. Unfortunately, he is badly hurt, but alive.
Kerri works in the cut-throat industry of journalism. Her biggest fear is having an epileptic fit in public and hurting herself. She has little warning of a fit although stress is a big factor.
Bea is a struggling author. Having written a series for young teens, her popularity was short-lived and she has changed agents in the hope of kick-starting her career. Her new agent says she needs to write a crime novel, as it will sell. That is a big ask from some-one like Bea, but to survive in the critical world of authors, she needs to give it her best short.
Mike is a street entertainer who is aiming high in a stage career. He dresses as a woman which makes him feel comfortable. His friendships are sometimes short-lived, but a companion, Bat, often works beside him on the street. He dresses as Batman, thus the nickname.
There are some wonderful twists to this, and the author does a great job of interweaving the characters and their stories. It was only in the last chapter that I realised the truth.
I chose to read this book and all opinions in this review are all my own and completely unbiased. My thanks to NetGalley for this opportunity.
April 3, 2019
Intense mindblowing book
This is certainly a oh my god read, I was gripped into the story. it's a book that will keep you up well into the night saying just one more chapter. You are kept guessing right till the very end. Very dark thriller and a new author to me. Flatmates sharing and I loved mrs Williams, I loved each one of the characters stories. The graphic at the start of the book hopefully won't put you off reading. I am really glad I carried on. Amazing book and want to read more from this author
This is certainly a oh my god read, I was gripped into the story. it's a book that will keep you up well into the night saying just one more chapter. You are kept guessing right till the very end. Very dark thriller and a new author to me. Flatmates sharing and I loved mrs Williams, I loved each one of the characters stories. The graphic at the start of the book hopefully won't put you off reading. I am really glad I carried on. Amazing book and want to read more from this author
December 30, 2019
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4 easy to read stars
This was an enjoyable read. It kept me interested from the start and kept me guessing.
It was very simply written, the sort of book you can whiz through on holiday.
I did guess the twist towards the end and yes the end did feel a bit rushed.
But overall enjoyable and worth a read.
This was an enjoyable read. It kept me interested from the start and kept me guessing.
It was very simply written, the sort of book you can whiz through on holiday.
I did guess the twist towards the end and yes the end did feel a bit rushed.
But overall enjoyable and worth a read.
March 29, 2019
Kerri, Beatrice and Mike flat share in the home of the delightful Mrs Williams.
Mike is a Pierrot mime during the day in Trafalgar Square and in the evening he is Micha…drag queen, And drunk…..he see a beautiful princess, a children’s entertainer, he has dreams of working with her…..to finally be a success, a belle…
Beatrice, is a novelist…..she used to write paranormal stories, but her agent wants her to write a crime novel….struggling with anxiety and depression, she agrees against her better judgement..
Kerri, who has epilepsy, is a journalist working on small community stories, but then she stumbles across a dead body (after chasing a small dachshund)….she takes pictures and then calls the police but sees an opportunity to get an exclusive first hand story….her chance at the big time!
When Kerri brings her work home, Beatrice uses this as ‘inspiration ‘ for her new novel without her knowledge…
Emma Pullar tells the story from each of Kerri, Beatrice and Mike’s perspectives plus that of the killer ‘princess’…..who is targeting child abusers, killing them, taking trophies and leaving behind a paper doll. What links these three to princess….are they safe? Who will be next?
As the tale progresses, you will have moments when you think you know who the murderer is….but you will just have to keep guessing right to the very end in this very clever, totally compelling, dark and original thriller…..unputdownable …..
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
Mike is a Pierrot mime during the day in Trafalgar Square and in the evening he is Micha…drag queen, And drunk…..he see a beautiful princess, a children’s entertainer, he has dreams of working with her…..to finally be a success, a belle…
Beatrice, is a novelist…..she used to write paranormal stories, but her agent wants her to write a crime novel….struggling with anxiety and depression, she agrees against her better judgement..
Kerri, who has epilepsy, is a journalist working on small community stories, but then she stumbles across a dead body (after chasing a small dachshund)….she takes pictures and then calls the police but sees an opportunity to get an exclusive first hand story….her chance at the big time!
When Kerri brings her work home, Beatrice uses this as ‘inspiration ‘ for her new novel without her knowledge…
Emma Pullar tells the story from each of Kerri, Beatrice and Mike’s perspectives plus that of the killer ‘princess’…..who is targeting child abusers, killing them, taking trophies and leaving behind a paper doll. What links these three to princess….are they safe? Who will be next?
As the tale progresses, you will have moments when you think you know who the murderer is….but you will just have to keep guessing right to the very end in this very clever, totally compelling, dark and original thriller…..unputdownable …..
Thank you to Bloodhound Books for the opportunity to participate in this blog tour and for the promotional materials and a free copy of the ebook in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
April 16, 2019
Oh my God! this book has seriously messed with my head! I LOVED IT.
London is hit by a weird bizarre serial killer, bodies are turning up,,with painted faces, and paper dolls left with them.
For three flatmates, things are going to change, as they begin to realise they each have links to the killer.
Mike is a mime artist, who sees Princess another artist, and wants to get to know her, Bea, is a writer, who has her own problems to deal with, and Kerri, a journalist waiting for her big break, which is about to be sooner than she thinks. when by accident she cones across a body, a victim of "The Paper Doll Killer,"
Why are the dolls so important to the killer? Is anyone really safe?
Paper Dolls reads like a gripping episode of Criminal Minds, as we are given insights, from the killers point of view, as well as that of the roommates.
Gripping, creepy and oh so addictive, Emma Pullar has written a book that would make one hell of a movie.
.Well I'm off to play with my Paper Dolls-, now where are my scissors? :-)
London is hit by a weird bizarre serial killer, bodies are turning up,,with painted faces, and paper dolls left with them.
For three flatmates, things are going to change, as they begin to realise they each have links to the killer.
Mike is a mime artist, who sees Princess another artist, and wants to get to know her, Bea, is a writer, who has her own problems to deal with, and Kerri, a journalist waiting for her big break, which is about to be sooner than she thinks. when by accident she cones across a body, a victim of "The Paper Doll Killer,"
Why are the dolls so important to the killer? Is anyone really safe?
Paper Dolls reads like a gripping episode of Criminal Minds, as we are given insights, from the killers point of view, as well as that of the roommates.
Gripping, creepy and oh so addictive, Emma Pullar has written a book that would make one hell of a movie.
.Well I'm off to play with my Paper Dolls-, now where are my scissors? :-)
April 11, 2019
This is an extremely clever story, dark and gripping. The gory opening scene sets the pace as the story takes off, following the lives of three flatmates, Kerri, Mike and Beatrice. As the paper doll murders come to light, each one is somehow connected. The race is on to find the murderer before one of them is the next victim.
I can't say too much about this book without giving everything away, but it's a gripping read that keeps you turning the pages right up to the clever twist at the end. I look forward to reading more from this author.
I can't say too much about this book without giving everything away, but it's a gripping read that keeps you turning the pages right up to the clever twist at the end. I look forward to reading more from this author.
April 13, 2019
An interesting, if very dark book and I certainly didn't see the conclusion coming although when I think back on it, there are scattered clues throughout. Initially, it felt like a bit of a cop out, but maybe that's because it was so far from my expectations were leading me. If you like your crime novels very brutal and very graphic, this is certainly worth picking up as it certainly has a kick in the tail.
March 28, 2019
A gritty and totally gripping read. I've read a lot of crime fiction and am pretty good at guessing what's coming next - but not this one, keep me guessing and hooked the whole way through. Actually had me gobsmacked.
April 25, 2021
Review also posted here: http://www.book-drunk.co.uk/2019/03/p...
I loved the look and sound of Paper Dolls instantly and knew it was a book I really wanted to read. The cover's brilliant and really drew me in, and Emma Pullar is a new-to-me author so I was looking forward to seeing if the book was as good as I thought it would be.
Paper Dolls is quite the character driven book. In alternating chapters, we meet three flatmates, Mike, Kerri and Bea, who are each frustrated in their lives and their careers. Mike is struggling to get and hold down a job he really wants. He is judged and turned down for roles he feels he is perfect for, and it is making him bitter and skint. Kerri is a journalist but she is yet to get her name to a hard-hitting story that could make her career. Until, one day she is led to something that could change everything. Bea is a writer of supernatural stories. She would love to be an author but never quite makes it, but when she gets a new agent, who is eager for a crime novel, things could be about to change...
The book begins with a dark and gruesome scene that sets the tone for the rest of the book, though the violent scenes from then on are few and far between. The way Paper Dolls is written - the way the chapters are set out - made for a compelling serial killer thriller as the chapters in between build up the suspense and the tension and the further into the book, the more it become an edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting read.
In all honesty to begin with, although straight away I was curious as to how things would develop with the serial killer, I struggled to invest much in the three flatmates stories. I wasn't drawn to them straight away, nor did I find any of them particularly fascinating characters, but the more I read of Paper Dolls, the more this began to change thanks to the author's wonderfully descriptive style of writing that I found thoroughly engaging from page one. Every scene in this book, every smell and sight and action, everything was written so vividly I could picture every moment unfolding in front of me. Every sentence lingered and had my imagination in overdrive because the scene was told in such an expressive way.
With every chapter the book got better and better. One more chapter was never enough as more things came to light and more clues were left as to what was to happen next. The pace and tension kept on rising and the more it did, the more hooked I became to the level that I set my alarm two hours early so I could finish the book undisturbed - weary-eyed but completely satisfied.
As far as the serial killer went, it was kind of unnerving being able to in a way get to see and sort-of-understand their motives. But as their list of victims increased, and the names became more familiar, I was always on the lookout for who could be next and wondering how long it would be before everything unravelled. The author keeps us on our toes with the serial killers' short, tension-filled chapters and whilst as I got further into the book I became more interested in Mike, Kerri and Bea, I was always eager to be back watching the serial killer in suspense, intrigued by what was going to happen next.
Paper Dolls is a sharp and incisive thriller, dark and intriguing. A true cancel-all-plans kind of read.
I loved the look and sound of Paper Dolls instantly and knew it was a book I really wanted to read. The cover's brilliant and really drew me in, and Emma Pullar is a new-to-me author so I was looking forward to seeing if the book was as good as I thought it would be.
Paper Dolls is quite the character driven book. In alternating chapters, we meet three flatmates, Mike, Kerri and Bea, who are each frustrated in their lives and their careers. Mike is struggling to get and hold down a job he really wants. He is judged and turned down for roles he feels he is perfect for, and it is making him bitter and skint. Kerri is a journalist but she is yet to get her name to a hard-hitting story that could make her career. Until, one day she is led to something that could change everything. Bea is a writer of supernatural stories. She would love to be an author but never quite makes it, but when she gets a new agent, who is eager for a crime novel, things could be about to change...
The book begins with a dark and gruesome scene that sets the tone for the rest of the book, though the violent scenes from then on are few and far between. The way Paper Dolls is written - the way the chapters are set out - made for a compelling serial killer thriller as the chapters in between build up the suspense and the tension and the further into the book, the more it become an edge-of-the-seat, nail-biting read.
In all honesty to begin with, although straight away I was curious as to how things would develop with the serial killer, I struggled to invest much in the three flatmates stories. I wasn't drawn to them straight away, nor did I find any of them particularly fascinating characters, but the more I read of Paper Dolls, the more this began to change thanks to the author's wonderfully descriptive style of writing that I found thoroughly engaging from page one. Every scene in this book, every smell and sight and action, everything was written so vividly I could picture every moment unfolding in front of me. Every sentence lingered and had my imagination in overdrive because the scene was told in such an expressive way.
With every chapter the book got better and better. One more chapter was never enough as more things came to light and more clues were left as to what was to happen next. The pace and tension kept on rising and the more it did, the more hooked I became to the level that I set my alarm two hours early so I could finish the book undisturbed - weary-eyed but completely satisfied.
As far as the serial killer went, it was kind of unnerving being able to in a way get to see and sort-of-understand their motives. But as their list of victims increased, and the names became more familiar, I was always on the lookout for who could be next and wondering how long it would be before everything unravelled. The author keeps us on our toes with the serial killers' short, tension-filled chapters and whilst as I got further into the book I became more interested in Mike, Kerri and Bea, I was always eager to be back watching the serial killer in suspense, intrigued by what was going to happen next.
Paper Dolls is a sharp and incisive thriller, dark and intriguing. A true cancel-all-plans kind of read.
May 28, 2019
Fantastically written book with an end that one doesn’t see coming. I struggled a bit getting into it in the beginning but after a few pages it was hard to put down. I loved the way the author interweaved the stories of different characters and the killer. I liked her style of writing, and would recommend this book.
June 26, 2020
HATED.
June 10, 2019
From the intense and disturbing opening chapter of Paper Dolls, I was hooked on this crime novel by Emma Pullar. Told from the point of view of the killer, it’s visceral and gripping and left me with plenty of questions.
Following that we’re introduced to fascinating array of characters – Mike the mime artist, Bea the struggling writer, and Kerri the journalist, all of whom are so easy to identify with that you can’t help but root for them, even though they’re all flawed in their own way (which, of course, only makes them more interesting to follow). By switching between both their viewpoints, and that of the killer, the story builds to a dark, unsettling climax – along with a pretty amazing twist – that had me scrolling back through my kindle to see how all the pieces fitted together.
Original and compelling, with a killer ending, I enjoyed this as much as any serial killer novel I’ve read, and look forward to reading her next book.
Following that we’re introduced to fascinating array of characters – Mike the mime artist, Bea the struggling writer, and Kerri the journalist, all of whom are so easy to identify with that you can’t help but root for them, even though they’re all flawed in their own way (which, of course, only makes them more interesting to follow). By switching between both their viewpoints, and that of the killer, the story builds to a dark, unsettling climax – along with a pretty amazing twist – that had me scrolling back through my kindle to see how all the pieces fitted together.
Original and compelling, with a killer ending, I enjoyed this as much as any serial killer novel I’ve read, and look forward to reading her next book.
May 13, 2019
I'd never read anything by this author before but this was a fantastic introduction!
Mike, Bea and Kerri are flatmates with little in common aside from the usual daily struggles of work and life. However when a serial killer strikes close to home, they are all find themselves linked to the spree in varied ways.
The chapters are alternately told from each of the flatmates perspectives and the killers - interestingly and usually in second person mode - and it drags the reader into an increasingly clever storyline which kept me guessing (despite thinking i had worked it out two-thirds of the way through!).
It's certainly not a "cosy" read so be warned and equally do read the brief but fantastically worthy authors note at the end (read the book first though!) which was obviously written emotionally and from the heart.
Highly recommended.
Mike, Bea and Kerri are flatmates with little in common aside from the usual daily struggles of work and life. However when a serial killer strikes close to home, they are all find themselves linked to the spree in varied ways.
The chapters are alternately told from each of the flatmates perspectives and the killers - interestingly and usually in second person mode - and it drags the reader into an increasingly clever storyline which kept me guessing (despite thinking i had worked it out two-thirds of the way through!).
It's certainly not a "cosy" read so be warned and equally do read the brief but fantastically worthy authors note at the end (read the book first though!) which was obviously written emotionally and from the heart.
Highly recommended.
April 22, 2019
This story gripped me from the very beginning with a brilliantly written first chapter from the killer's perspective. We are then introduced to three flatmates, Mike, Kerri and Bea, and for the briefest time I worried if I would connect with them as they were all so deeply flawed. But then the best characters usually are and it was probably because of this that I was quickly pulled into each of their stories, finding each chapter thoroughly engrossing and desperate to know where the story was heading. I loved that there were moments of acerbic wit thrown in with the tension and darkness and the twist was perfectly executed. Once I started this book I couldn't put it down and that I finished it in less than 48 hours is testament to how good the story was.
September 7, 2019
Do authors these days have no imaginations of their own? My god this has got to be the 40th psych thriller I have read with this type of ending! Its been done-be creative and come up with something original!!
When the book first started I did enjoy it but as it went on I got bored quickly. I did not like any of the 3 main characters at all. The only character I did like, the bat, well, I was furious about his situation and was completely turned off. I only continued reading because of the reviews saying how great this book was... Ya definitely NOT.
If you are a just starting to get into this genre then ya read it but if psych thrillers or thrillers in general are your go to DONT BOTHER! Huge waste of time.
When the book first started I did enjoy it but as it went on I got bored quickly. I did not like any of the 3 main characters at all. The only character I did like, the bat, well, I was furious about his situation and was completely turned off. I only continued reading because of the reviews saying how great this book was... Ya definitely NOT.
If you are a just starting to get into this genre then ya read it but if psych thrillers or thrillers in general are your go to DONT BOTHER! Huge waste of time.
April 1, 2019
Oh boy!!! What an exciting book. Had me gripped from page 1 and robbed me of my sleep. A guaranteed page turner. I can normally tell where a book is going or rather who the killer is, this one I did not see coming. I could rave on and on about this book but I don't want disclose any spoilers. If you are into murder mystery then this is a must. 5 ✨
January 23, 2020
I'm not as detailed as leaving reviews as others, so I will just leave a quick one. From the first to last chapter I found this book riveting. I'm always one to guess who the murderer is, but this book totally blew me away and I didn't have a clue! Excellent read, I haven't read anything in this genre as good as this since my last Michael Kerr book.
May 27, 2019
I don’t understand the high ratings for this book. Is well written, yes. The story is compelling, yes. But after the final twist if you look back half of the book doesn’t make sense. Not a book you will re read.
April 5, 2019
Just WOW!!! LOVED every page amazing story. Best I've read in a while
Loved it!!!
Loved it!!!
July 17, 2019
I’m surprised by the high ratings /: I feel that the ending makes so many things in the book make no sense whatsoever.
May 27, 2019
What a rollercoaster of a read!
This book pulls no punches and I was immediately drawn in by the first chapter. Set in London, the story centres around three flatmates whose lives become entwined and dwarfed by the headline grabbing “Paperdoll” murders. Someone is killing and leaving paperdolls as a calling card. What is the significance of this and who is at risk?
I loved the twists and turns of this story and I binge read it to the end in two days. If you like authors like A.J Finn and Sara Pinborough, you will enjoy this.
This book pulls no punches and I was immediately drawn in by the first chapter. Set in London, the story centres around three flatmates whose lives become entwined and dwarfed by the headline grabbing “Paperdoll” murders. Someone is killing and leaving paperdolls as a calling card. What is the significance of this and who is at risk?
I loved the twists and turns of this story and I binge read it to the end in two days. If you like authors like A.J Finn and Sara Pinborough, you will enjoy this.
June 4, 2019
I really struggled to get into this book I’m not sure what it was but I just found my mind wandering as I was reading and then reading the same sentence over and over.
This is no criticism of the writer in anyway the story just didn’t work for me I didn’t feel I was list in the plot. I may pick it up again at some stage and my opinion will be different. I don’t think I bonded with the characters and where it kept skipping from one to the other I just found I couldn’t keep up with them.
This is no criticism of the writer in anyway the story just didn’t work for me I didn’t feel I was list in the plot. I may pick it up again at some stage and my opinion will be different. I don’t think I bonded with the characters and where it kept skipping from one to the other I just found I couldn’t keep up with them.
December 19, 2020
I wasn’t convinced by the dissociative identify disorder and therefore the ending but it was a good and unexpected way of pulling together all the individual strands of the story, therefore I have decided it doesn’t necessarily need to be realistic to me to be good! I really enjoyed watching the story unfold from the various perspectives of Bea, Kerri, Mike and the Killer and enjoyed the authors writing style. It was easy to read, interesting and had a nice pace to it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 1, 2021
I almost gave up halfway through. Not quite sure why - I think the child abuse descriptions made me too uncomfortable and I wasn't entirely feeling it with the characters. But then I started to wonder about blackouts and the fact that the housemates never seemed to be at home at the same time... Except that the landlady seemed to know all three of them.
The ending wasn't disappointing, even though I'd started to suspect what was coming. Glad I persevered, a solid and unusual thriller.
The ending wasn't disappointing, even though I'd started to suspect what was coming. Glad I persevered, a solid and unusual thriller.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 4, 2020
There were some loose ends that don't really add up, which is why I can't highly rate this book. It was entertaining enough for me to fly through and finish in a day. However, the big reveal didn't make full sense when you look at the details of each intertwined story. Also spotted some wording errors that just annoyed me. All in all, it felt rushed and not thoroughly put together.
December 30, 2022
I had rated this a 3 but have come back and changed it as over an hour after I’ve finished it, it’s annoying me so much. Really disappointed in it and the ending. Won’t put a 1 star but don’t even feel it’s a 2. No doubt the author is a talented writer but the story….no, just no.
January 23, 2025
So so good. Only lost a star as droned on in places and I was losing the motivation to read. But I am so glad I continued. The twist at the end. I only worked out as the started to come to the end of the story. Don’t want to say when as spoilers :)
April 23, 2019
Only 3 stars because I anticipated the outcome. Very interesting read though.
May 16, 2019
It was a good read. I had kind of guessed the ending but enjoyed the conclusion to it all.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews