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Aspen Adams #1
Desolate Shores
A chilling murder, an elusive killer, and a family mystery that hits too close to home . . .
After finding the body of her best friend on the icy shores of Lake Tahoe, Aspen Adams refuses to stand by and watch as the local sheriff’s department begins their search for the killer. Launching her own investigation, she’s soon confronted with a growing array of secrets—both about the friend she thought she knew and about many of the people in her own life. As fragmentary clues and escalating dangers threaten to derail her, she must also cope with the disturbing behavior of her deadbeat sister and troubled teenage niece.
Determined to overcome her personal demons over past failures, Aspen is driven to unravel the conflicting evidence and a shifting range of suspects to bring the killer to justice, even as a family trauma unfolds that threatens to upend her life. And as her investigation inexorably leads her to a shocking discovery and taunts her with a solution that is just out of reach, Aspen realizes that the killer wants nothing more than to see her and her niece dead . . .
After finding the body of her best friend on the icy shores of Lake Tahoe, Aspen Adams refuses to stand by and watch as the local sheriff’s department begins their search for the killer. Launching her own investigation, she’s soon confronted with a growing array of secrets—both about the friend she thought she knew and about many of the people in her own life. As fragmentary clues and escalating dangers threaten to derail her, she must also cope with the disturbing behavior of her deadbeat sister and troubled teenage niece.
Determined to overcome her personal demons over past failures, Aspen is driven to unravel the conflicting evidence and a shifting range of suspects to bring the killer to justice, even as a family trauma unfolds that threatens to upend her life. And as her investigation inexorably leads her to a shocking discovery and taunts her with a solution that is just out of reach, Aspen realizes that the killer wants nothing more than to see her and her niece dead . . .
266 pages, Paperback
First published August 13, 2019
23 people are currently reading
376 people want to read
About the author
Daryl Wood Gerber
45 books2,483 followersAgatha Award-winning and nationally bestselling author Daryl Wood Gerber writes the Aroma Wellness Mysteries, Literary Dining Mysteries, Fairy Garden Mysteries, Cookbook Nook Mysteries, and French Bistro Mysteries. As Avery Aames, she pens the popular Cheese Shop Mysteries.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
In addition, Daryl also writes suspense including the stand-alone novel, THE SON'S SECRET, the Aspen Adams novels of suspense, and two more stand-alone titles, DAY OF SECRETS and GIRL ON THE RUN.
She has recently delved into the realm of romance with her first Christmas romance, HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Fun tidbit: as an actress, Daryl appeared in “Murder, She Wrote.” She loves to cook, and she has a frisky Goldendoodle named Sparky who keeps her in line!
Visit Daryl at www.darylwoodgerber.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 107 reviews
August 1, 2022
Desolate Shores is a new mystery novel published in 2019 and written by Daryl Wood Gerber. I've read and loved several of the author's cozy mystery books, but this was a more suspenseful and darker novel than her normal tales. I like when an author stretches her boundaries and writes 'out-of-genre' because it provides an opportunity for readers to truly understand how her mind works. I enjoyed this book and saw how it was several layers deeper or more complex than the cozies. All the great components from her writing style were still present, yet it wasn't a heavy suspense / thriller story either. Let's dive into my detailed thoughts.
Aspen Adams gave up her daytime job to become a private detective. She works in her aunt's agency and moved to Lake Tahoe. Right from the beginning, she finds the body of a friend on the beach. A neighbors watches over her, then the cops show up. It moves quickly, and then, we retrace the steps to find out what had been happening in Aspen's life and that of her close friends. Aspen's sister also drops off her daughter to stay for a week, as she's too busy dating a new guy and doing drugs such that she can't take care of her own child. Aspen agrees, only to discover her niece is in desperate need of help to get away from a bad situation. How does it all fit together?
As a mystery, it was strong. It definitely has heavier elements than you'd see in a cozy but there's minimal dark language or violence. It's a nice balance for those who want something in between the two ends of the spectrum. I like Aspen as a character, as she fights for what she believes in, yet also tells the cops everything she learns during her own investigation. Of course, no mystery would be complete without the amateur sleuth and the cop butting heads and falling for one another. This time, there are 2 key cops: 1 male, 1 female. Aspen befriends the female and finds herself attracted to the male. How will she keep her personal life separate from the investigation?
I can't tell if this will be part of a series or a standalone. I've seen a few different comments but nothing concrete on the author's website. If it's a series, I'll be interested in reading more. If it's not, I was happy to read this one. I think it'll have a strong audience and help lead other readers to her cozy series too. Somewhere between a 4 and 4.5 star rating for me.
Aspen Adams gave up her daytime job to become a private detective. She works in her aunt's agency and moved to Lake Tahoe. Right from the beginning, she finds the body of a friend on the beach. A neighbors watches over her, then the cops show up. It moves quickly, and then, we retrace the steps to find out what had been happening in Aspen's life and that of her close friends. Aspen's sister also drops off her daughter to stay for a week, as she's too busy dating a new guy and doing drugs such that she can't take care of her own child. Aspen agrees, only to discover her niece is in desperate need of help to get away from a bad situation. How does it all fit together?
As a mystery, it was strong. It definitely has heavier elements than you'd see in a cozy but there's minimal dark language or violence. It's a nice balance for those who want something in between the two ends of the spectrum. I like Aspen as a character, as she fights for what she believes in, yet also tells the cops everything she learns during her own investigation. Of course, no mystery would be complete without the amateur sleuth and the cop butting heads and falling for one another. This time, there are 2 key cops: 1 male, 1 female. Aspen befriends the female and finds herself attracted to the male. How will she keep her personal life separate from the investigation?
I can't tell if this will be part of a series or a standalone. I've seen a few different comments but nothing concrete on the author's website. If it's a series, I'll be interested in reading more. If it's not, I was happy to read this one. I think it'll have a strong audience and help lead other readers to her cozy series too. Somewhere between a 4 and 4.5 star rating for me.
August 10, 2019
Desolate Shores is the first novel in An Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense. I enjoy Daryl Wood Gerber’s engaging writing style and the story proceeded at a peppy pace. Aspen Adams does not trust police after they failed to catch the man who killed her parents. She trained to become a licensed therapist and worked with teens until one of them took his own life. This caused Aspen emotional distress and led to her decision to make a big change. Aspen has been working at her aunt’s PI firm for the last eighteen months where she is learning the business. When Aspen finds her friend dead while jogging, she is determined to unearth the killer. With her Aunt Max’s guidance, Aspen begins digging into Vikki’s life. She is surprised by the number of secrets that Vikki kept from her. The mystery had several suspects, misdirection and good clues. There is suspense as the killer tries to stop Aspen from investigating. The takedown scene is fraught with tension. I like that all the details of who, what, when and why were answered at the end (no speculation or supposition). I would have liked a good twist because the killer was not a surprise to me. I knew the identity of the killer by the time I was a quarter of the way through the book. Aspen needs to work on her questioning technique because she is blunt and pushy. I liked how she shared case details with the police, and, to my surprise, they shared information with her. DS Nick Shaper is the lead detective on the case and the romantic interest for Aspen. Sparks fly between Aspen and Nick from the start. She does not feel he is giving the case his all in the beginning, but he grows on her. He helps that he is quite handsome. Aspen’s niece, Candace comes to stay with Aspen while Rosie, Aspen’s sister, spends time with degenerate boyfriend. I liked that Candace was not a picture perfect teen. She has issues and needs Aspen’s love, care and guidance. The author took the time to develop the main characters and provided lovely descriptions of Lake Tahoe. Desolate Shores is an intriguing romantic suspense with a deceased friend, a dangerous killer, shady suspects, a captivating cop, killer clues, and an unseasoned detective.
August 7, 2019
This is a page turning mystery that held my interest and kept me guessing from the beginning to the end. Aspen Adams is on her morning run when she discovers her best friend's body on the shore of Lake Tahoe. Upset and determined to find the killer, she uses her instinct and resources working at her her aunt's investigation agency to check out all of the possible suspects and clues that she uncovers. Handsome and interesting Detective Sergeant Shaper is always around as she works-sometimes frustrated with her meddling but yet admiring of her abilities. She is on the right track because her vehicle is messed with twice and she is the target of a shooter. Added to her responsibilities, her irresponsible sister left her young daughter Candace in her care and she has issues that are disturbing. This is a well written mystery that had me thinking the killer is first one person, then another. Ending in a way that I didn't see coming, this is a great mystery and I am excited that this is the first in a new series.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond The Page Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond The Page Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.
August 1, 2019
Loved it! Shed a few tears throughout. Several surprises. Thrilled to see that this is book 1, as I look forward to more of Aspen Adams adventures. Enjoyed reading about the snow during the summer. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley.
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August 7, 2019Aspen Adams has started her life over and is working as a P.I. for Aunt in Tahoe, she needed to make a change and so far things are looking up. While enjoying her morning job she comes across a body, the sad part is it turns out to be her best friend. Who would want to murder such a bright and sunny young woman and why? Aspen couldn't think of any enemies that her friend might have had and she is truly puzzled as to why someone would have hurt her much less kill her. Aspen doesn't have any faith in the police, they botched her own parents investigation, so why trust them when it comes to her friend. She decides that she is going to put her job to good use and figure out who killed her friend on her own. Aspen soon learns that her friend held many secrets and maybe she wasn't at all the person that she knew and loved. As more and more comes to light Aspen knows that she will have to put the pieces together to figure out who the killer is. Meanwhile her good for nothing sister has dropped off her niece, leaving Aspen alone with a young girl that she doesn't really know. Aspen soon starts seeing little things going on with her niece that makes her worry that she is hiding a secret herself. She wants so badly to bring justice to her friend but with this new obstacle in her way she doesn't know if she will be able to. She loves her niece and wants to do what's best for her but isn't quite sure what that is. Follow Aspen as she questions all the people in her friends life hoping that with all the information she is given she will be able to find a killer. Can she deal with the problems her niece is starting to present? Can she trust the cops and what they are telling her? This was a great read that had me looking at everyone as a suspect, it truly had me guessing all the way until the end!!!
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own
I received an ARC of this book, all thoughts and opinions are my own
August 23, 2019
Desolate Shores takes the reader to the Lake
Tahoe region. Description is deftly woven into
the story. The reader will feel as if they are right
there in the midst of the action.
Aspen Adams is living in Lake Tahoe. She had
been a psychology therapist but has given up
that job to work for in her Aunt’s detective
agency as a process server.
Aspen goes out for her morning jog. As she hits
the beach, she finds a dead body laying there.
It is the body of her best friend.
Under her Aunt’s tutelage to become a private
investigator, Aspen begins to investigate her
friends death.
Aspen is surprised to undercover some very
interesting and intriguing backstories of the
suspects plus of the murder victim she
thought she knew so well.
In the midst of her investigation, Aspen’s
sister shows up at her house to leave her
teenage daughter with Aspen. The sister is a
drug addict with lots of issues. Aspen will
discover how the sister’s behavior is harming
the teenage daughter.
The characters are all multifaceted with
interesting pasts, secrets, very colorful and
each comes with a distinct personality.
Tension, drama, suspense with plenty of chills,
thrills, twist and turns to keep you on the edge
of the seat from the first to the last word.
Writing that is captivating, power packed with
emotion make this a book to read.
I volunteered to read Desolate Shores. Thanks
to the Review Crew for the opportunity. My
opinion is voluntary and my own.
Tahoe region. Description is deftly woven into
the story. The reader will feel as if they are right
there in the midst of the action.
Aspen Adams is living in Lake Tahoe. She had
been a psychology therapist but has given up
that job to work for in her Aunt’s detective
agency as a process server.
Aspen goes out for her morning jog. As she hits
the beach, she finds a dead body laying there.
It is the body of her best friend.
Under her Aunt’s tutelage to become a private
investigator, Aspen begins to investigate her
friends death.
Aspen is surprised to undercover some very
interesting and intriguing backstories of the
suspects plus of the murder victim she
thought she knew so well.
In the midst of her investigation, Aspen’s
sister shows up at her house to leave her
teenage daughter with Aspen. The sister is a
drug addict with lots of issues. Aspen will
discover how the sister’s behavior is harming
the teenage daughter.
The characters are all multifaceted with
interesting pasts, secrets, very colorful and
each comes with a distinct personality.
Tension, drama, suspense with plenty of chills,
thrills, twist and turns to keep you on the edge
of the seat from the first to the last word.
Writing that is captivating, power packed with
emotion make this a book to read.
I volunteered to read Desolate Shores. Thanks
to the Review Crew for the opportunity. My
opinion is voluntary and my own.
August 13, 2019
This is the first book in An Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense Book by Daryl Wood Gerber. I absolutely loved this book!! So looking forward to the next book in this series. This book totally captivated me from the start! Aspen Adams is starting over working for her Aunt Max. She finds the body of her best friend. With the way her parents Death was handled by the police, she can’t sit back and watch. She needs to get involved and find closure for her friend as well as herself. Secrets, suspects and danger to keep those pages turning.
I received an ARC from the author prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
I received an ARC from the author prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
April 30, 2020
The NY Times must have really lazy or stupid reviewers. Daryl Wood Gerber's newest book should be on that top ten list of new books...
I know Daryl's work thru her cozy mysteries.. This new endeavor is going to keep me awake all night because it was that enthralling. The characters start out with nothing and as we get into it we start learning more about each of the people who will be making up our cast of cops, P.I. and the people around them.
I can't wait for the next for the next book to hit the market. I'll be the first one online to order this from my favorite indie book store.
I know Daryl's work thru her cozy mysteries.. This new endeavor is going to keep me awake all night because it was that enthralling. The characters start out with nothing and as we get into it we start learning more about each of the people who will be making up our cast of cops, P.I. and the people around them.
I can't wait for the next for the next book to hit the market. I'll be the first one online to order this from my favorite indie book store.
April 28, 2020
This pandemic has really put a number on my concentration. I'm managing a chapter here or there at best, and nothing is grabbing my attention the way I want it to. That is, at least, until I decided to pick up Desolate Shores. Netgalley kindly gave me this book last summer as an eARC, but I'd just started a new job and time was limited, so I never got around to reading it. Fast forward to now, when all I have is time, and I decided to pick it up finally. And I read it over the course of a day. No easy feat for me during this crazy time.
Desolate Shores follows Aspen Adams, a former therapist/psychologist for children and teens, and now private investigator, who stumbles across the body of her best friend when out for an early morning run. Still dealing with the fact that her parents' murders were dealt with poorly by her then local police department, she takes it upon herself to delve into her own investigation. I pride myself on usually guessing who the perpetrator is in books like this, but I didn't have a clue until the big reveal itself. This is such a good book. The suspense and mystery is executed perfectly and the subplots are just as gripping as well. I'd recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the genre and needs something to binge read.
Now, onto the sequel. Thank god for series.
Desolate Shores follows Aspen Adams, a former therapist/psychologist for children and teens, and now private investigator, who stumbles across the body of her best friend when out for an early morning run. Still dealing with the fact that her parents' murders were dealt with poorly by her then local police department, she takes it upon herself to delve into her own investigation. I pride myself on usually guessing who the perpetrator is in books like this, but I didn't have a clue until the big reveal itself. This is such a good book. The suspense and mystery is executed perfectly and the subplots are just as gripping as well. I'd recommend this to anyone who's a fan of the genre and needs something to binge read.
Now, onto the sequel. Thank god for series.
December 8, 2021
I hate when I read a book that has been in my TBR pile and love it! Ugh I'm so annoyed at myself. While I figured out what was going on, I still thoroughly enjoyed the story and was happy to see that there's two more I get to read. Worth picking up!
Thank you Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
Thank you Netgalley for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.
September 2, 2019
Desolate Shores are the first book that I have read by Daryl Wood Gerber, but it is a truly engaging novel. The author gives readers a young woman who has moved to Lake Tahoe, changed her job to take a step away from her past, and is looking to make a new path in life for herself. The one thing that she doesn't expect is to discover the body of her best friend early in the morning on the shore. Now, the question is...who killed her and why?
Desolate Shores is an intriguing novel that digs deep into the murder victim's past and present. What happened to her? Who were the others that she associated with? Who killed her? Who would want to kill her. Aspen is heartbroken at the death of her friend, but she doesn't have long before more problems come her way. The author throws in her distant older sister and raises some more questions for me. Aspen seems like a well-put-together individual but she comes off a bit scattered at times. It's apparent that something is going on with her niece, but she keeps putting it off about addressing the situation with the girl. I appreciate that she is so focused and determined to help solve the murder of her best friend, but there are other things that need her attention. There is some tension off the bat with Aspen and the Detective Sergeant whom she finds attractive, but after the loss of her parents she doesn't have the highest faith in the police force and it shows. But I will admit that I find it strange that she confides so much in Karen (another police officer) but gives the other cop - Shaper, the most attitude. It makes me curious...was it a male cop who let the case with her parents fall through?
This book is engaging throughout, but I can't say that it's perfect. There are some inconsistencies here and there in the story, but nothing that is totally distracting or that most readers will really pay attention to. I didn't particularly like how the author begins this story, because it took a minute before I knew who the main character was and whether they were male or female. I also didn't like how Aspen kept shelving the issues with her niece. I wanted her to address them! She kept thinking/saying "I'll address it in the morning/later." But it seems that later never comes. She's a smart woman, but I just felt like she wanted to avoid certain subjects if she could.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I love the mystery element of this book. The author throws in quite a bit to keep the reader guessing as to who the murderer is. I like this in a book because I love trying to figure out who the killer is before the end. I did manage to figure it out but it took me a bit. LOL! For those who enjoy a good mystery novel, this one is a good choice to make.
Desolate Shores is an intriguing novel that digs deep into the murder victim's past and present. What happened to her? Who were the others that she associated with? Who killed her? Who would want to kill her. Aspen is heartbroken at the death of her friend, but she doesn't have long before more problems come her way. The author throws in her distant older sister and raises some more questions for me. Aspen seems like a well-put-together individual but she comes off a bit scattered at times. It's apparent that something is going on with her niece, but she keeps putting it off about addressing the situation with the girl. I appreciate that she is so focused and determined to help solve the murder of her best friend, but there are other things that need her attention. There is some tension off the bat with Aspen and the Detective Sergeant whom she finds attractive, but after the loss of her parents she doesn't have the highest faith in the police force and it shows. But I will admit that I find it strange that she confides so much in Karen (another police officer) but gives the other cop - Shaper, the most attitude. It makes me curious...was it a male cop who let the case with her parents fall through?
This book is engaging throughout, but I can't say that it's perfect. There are some inconsistencies here and there in the story, but nothing that is totally distracting or that most readers will really pay attention to. I didn't particularly like how the author begins this story, because it took a minute before I knew who the main character was and whether they were male or female. I also didn't like how Aspen kept shelving the issues with her niece. I wanted her to address them! She kept thinking/saying "I'll address it in the morning/later." But it seems that later never comes. She's a smart woman, but I just felt like she wanted to avoid certain subjects if she could.
I am rating this book 4.5 out of 5 stars. I love the mystery element of this book. The author throws in quite a bit to keep the reader guessing as to who the murderer is. I like this in a book because I love trying to figure out who the killer is before the end. I did manage to figure it out but it took me a bit. LOL! For those who enjoy a good mystery novel, this one is a good choice to make.
August 11, 2019
"Desolate Shores" by Daryl Wood Gerber is an absolutely amazing start to a new suspense series! This book has everything I look for in a reading experience:
1. Great characters! Aspen, our heroine, is wonderful. She simultaneously comes across as likable, intelligent, brave (but not stupidly so), and honorable. Her fledgling role as a PI-in-training at her aunt's detective agency fits perfectly with the story. Combined with her past career as a psychologist, Aspen has all the tools to unravel mysteries. I can't wait until she hones these skills in future books! Nick and Karen (police detectives), Max (the aforementioned aunt), and Candace (Aspen's niece) are also nicely drawn and intriguing in their own right. I especially hope to learn more about Max next time around!
2. The location! "Desolate Shores" is set in the Lake Tahoe area. The author describes the setting (and specific locations within that setting) so perfectly, I can see everything clearly in my mind's eye. I've added Lake Tahoe to the list of places I'd love to visit someday. The setting is distinctive enough to almost seem like a separate character in the story. Personally, I love it when a novel's setting is so vivid I actually remember the location after I've finished. This one will stay with me for a long time!
3. The mystery itself! Aspen takes the crime personally, as the victim was her best friend. Given that she works for a PI agency, it makes perfect sense that she would get involved. There are plenty of clues to follow, suspects to question, and personal knowledge and memories of the victim to wade through. Aspen does all this admirably, and I enjoyed following along and trying to guess the culprit. In the end, the killer was a surprise, but made perfect sense given all the information the reader (through Aspen) learned along the way.
4. The side-plots! In addition to trying to solve a murder, Aspen is dealing with one (possibly two) potential love interests. She is also hosting her niece for the week, and noticing some troubling signs about the teenager. Both of these side stories add to the strength of the overall story, without taking too much time or attention away from the suspense storyline.
All in all, this is a wonderful book, and I can't say enough good things about it. Read it...you will NOT be disappointed. Daryl Wood Gerber could write a telephone directory, and I'd read every page with interest....she is THAT good!
Five out of five large chunks of my favorite sharp cheddar!
1. Great characters! Aspen, our heroine, is wonderful. She simultaneously comes across as likable, intelligent, brave (but not stupidly so), and honorable. Her fledgling role as a PI-in-training at her aunt's detective agency fits perfectly with the story. Combined with her past career as a psychologist, Aspen has all the tools to unravel mysteries. I can't wait until she hones these skills in future books! Nick and Karen (police detectives), Max (the aforementioned aunt), and Candace (Aspen's niece) are also nicely drawn and intriguing in their own right. I especially hope to learn more about Max next time around!
2. The location! "Desolate Shores" is set in the Lake Tahoe area. The author describes the setting (and specific locations within that setting) so perfectly, I can see everything clearly in my mind's eye. I've added Lake Tahoe to the list of places I'd love to visit someday. The setting is distinctive enough to almost seem like a separate character in the story. Personally, I love it when a novel's setting is so vivid I actually remember the location after I've finished. This one will stay with me for a long time!
3. The mystery itself! Aspen takes the crime personally, as the victim was her best friend. Given that she works for a PI agency, it makes perfect sense that she would get involved. There are plenty of clues to follow, suspects to question, and personal knowledge and memories of the victim to wade through. Aspen does all this admirably, and I enjoyed following along and trying to guess the culprit. In the end, the killer was a surprise, but made perfect sense given all the information the reader (through Aspen) learned along the way.
4. The side-plots! In addition to trying to solve a murder, Aspen is dealing with one (possibly two) potential love interests. She is also hosting her niece for the week, and noticing some troubling signs about the teenager. Both of these side stories add to the strength of the overall story, without taking too much time or attention away from the suspense storyline.
All in all, this is a wonderful book, and I can't say enough good things about it. Read it...you will NOT be disappointed. Daryl Wood Gerber could write a telephone directory, and I'd read every page with interest....she is THAT good!
Five out of five large chunks of my favorite sharp cheddar!
July 18, 2019
Aspen Adams works as a process server for her aunt's detective agency in Lake Tahoe, but she longs to be a private investigator. She is given a chance to work on a case under her Aunt Max's supervision, but the opportunity is bittersweet. Aspen finds the dead body of her best friend Vikki Carmichael in the snow and Vikki's death is quickly determined to be a murder. While taking on the difficult task of investigating her close friend's murder, Aspen also has the responsibility of caring for her thirteen-year-old niece who drug-addict mother drops her off with Aspen out of the blue. Aspen will do what it takes to get justice for her friend as well as protect her niece, even if it puts her own life in danger.
I enjoy this author's Cookbook Nook cozy mystery series, and I have also read one of her prior standalone thrillers. I absolutely loved "Desolate Shores" and would give it 4.5 stars. The author's note at the beginning of the book says this was one of the first books she wrote but it was put aside and never published. She rewrote story and the revised version has now been published as the start of a new suspense series. I am so glad she did because this book is excellent and I look forward to reading more about Aspen. I like seeing her use her knowledge of people to investigate while she learns the basics of being a PI and will enjoy continuing this journey with Aspen.
For this case, Aspen learns her friend Vikki was keeping several secrets, which leads to several suspects in her murder. I guessed something was off about the characters who is eventually revealed to be the killer, but I still enjoyed the scene in which Aspen confronts the killer. The story has a few different twists and I was way off on the motive for the killing. In addition to the suspense of the investigation, there are definite sparks between Aspen and Detective Sergeant Nick Shaper. I also really liked the subplot dealing with Aspen's niece Candace. I can't way to see how both of these relationships progress in future books.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Beyond the Page Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoy this author's Cookbook Nook cozy mystery series, and I have also read one of her prior standalone thrillers. I absolutely loved "Desolate Shores" and would give it 4.5 stars. The author's note at the beginning of the book says this was one of the first books she wrote but it was put aside and never published. She rewrote story and the revised version has now been published as the start of a new suspense series. I am so glad she did because this book is excellent and I look forward to reading more about Aspen. I like seeing her use her knowledge of people to investigate while she learns the basics of being a PI and will enjoy continuing this journey with Aspen.
For this case, Aspen learns her friend Vikki was keeping several secrets, which leads to several suspects in her murder. I guessed something was off about the characters who is eventually revealed to be the killer, but I still enjoyed the scene in which Aspen confronts the killer. The story has a few different twists and I was way off on the motive for the killing. In addition to the suspense of the investigation, there are definite sparks between Aspen and Detective Sergeant Nick Shaper. I also really liked the subplot dealing with Aspen's niece Candace. I can't way to see how both of these relationships progress in future books.
I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Beyond the Page Publishing. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.
August 5, 2019
4.5 Stars
This is the first book in a new suspense series by Daryl Wood Gerber featuring Aspen Adams.
Aspen Adams finds the dead body of her good friend, Vickie and spies a design the deceased has written in the snow. Unfortunately, she only gets a glimpse of the design before she loses her balance and destroys the delicate impression. She begins her own search for the killer since her own parent’s deaths weren’t investigated to her own satisfaction. Aspen doesn’t trust the police to do a good enough job to satisfy her.
Her niece Candace is staying with her which makes things more complex as the killer is revealed at the end and brings the niece into the equation to lure Aspen in a trap. The story thread about Aspen wanting to gain custody of Candice from her druggie sister was quite compelling.
Detective Nick Shaper seemed to like Aspen from the minute he met her but knew that he couldn’t get involved with a suspect until after the case had concluded. This left us the readers wanting more and the characters conflicted about a possible romance. I think the author liked teasing me with a possible relationship here.
Aspen latched onto Karen, one of Nick Shaper’s colleagues, from the get go. She was a possible friend but her continual drinking left her unavailable much of the time and not as trustworthy when push came to shove.
I thought all the characters were well crafted and really peaked my interest.This is a new series in a totally different genre for Gerber and I think she hit it out of the park with this one. I look forward to more books in this series.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
This is the first book in a new suspense series by Daryl Wood Gerber featuring Aspen Adams.
Aspen Adams finds the dead body of her good friend, Vickie and spies a design the deceased has written in the snow. Unfortunately, she only gets a glimpse of the design before she loses her balance and destroys the delicate impression. She begins her own search for the killer since her own parent’s deaths weren’t investigated to her own satisfaction. Aspen doesn’t trust the police to do a good enough job to satisfy her.
Her niece Candace is staying with her which makes things more complex as the killer is revealed at the end and brings the niece into the equation to lure Aspen in a trap. The story thread about Aspen wanting to gain custody of Candice from her druggie sister was quite compelling.
Detective Nick Shaper seemed to like Aspen from the minute he met her but knew that he couldn’t get involved with a suspect until after the case had concluded. This left us the readers wanting more and the characters conflicted about a possible romance. I think the author liked teasing me with a possible relationship here.
Aspen latched onto Karen, one of Nick Shaper’s colleagues, from the get go. She was a possible friend but her continual drinking left her unavailable much of the time and not as trustworthy when push came to shove.
I thought all the characters were well crafted and really peaked my interest.This is a new series in a totally different genre for Gerber and I think she hit it out of the park with this one. I look forward to more books in this series.
I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.
July 23, 2019
DESOLATE SHORES, the first book in the Aspen Adams Novel of Suspense, by Daryl Wood Gerber is a captivating, edge-of-your-seat read. In addition to a suspenseful story, the author has created a multi-faceted protagonist in Aspen Adams. Each turn of the page reveals deeper insight into her character and as the reader connects, the anticipation of what will happen next ramps up the emotional involvement. Aspen Adams, psychology therapist turned process server, works for her aunt in Lake Tahoe. When she discovers the murdered body of her best friend, she begs for the opportunity to turn private investigator to find the killer. In addition to a terrific story, Ms. Gerber provides memorable, well-developed characters to surround the protagonist. I especially loved Aspen’s interaction with her young teenaged niece and how she gets involved despite her self-doubts.
The expertly plotted mystery provides plenty of clues while the suspense is metered out judiciously. Digging into the past of her dead friend and using her former skills as a psychologist, Aspen unravels the secrets that surrounded the victim’s life. As she closes in on finding the truth, the suspense escalates until the heart-stopping reveal. I found I couldn’t put the book down for even a second until I read the very last page. I also appreciated that the author took the time to wrap up the threads of the subplots at the end, into one satisfying conclusion and I’ll be counting down the days until the next Aspen Adams novel is released!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
The expertly plotted mystery provides plenty of clues while the suspense is metered out judiciously. Digging into the past of her dead friend and using her former skills as a psychologist, Aspen unravels the secrets that surrounded the victim’s life. As she closes in on finding the truth, the suspense escalates until the heart-stopping reveal. I found I couldn’t put the book down for even a second until I read the very last page. I also appreciated that the author took the time to wrap up the threads of the subplots at the end, into one satisfying conclusion and I’ll be counting down the days until the next Aspen Adams novel is released!
I was provided an advance copy via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 31, 2019
If you are a fan of the cozy mystery series of Daryl Wood Gerber/Avery Aames, this is not a cozy, but a more gritty mystery story. The main character, Aspen Adams, left her therapy practice and returned to Lake Tahoe to work with her aunt as a process server. When she finds her best friend murdered, she realizes she has to help solve this crime. But then family problems intervene, and she finds herself the unexpected caretaker of her niece. Feeling like her life is spiraling out of control, Aspen continues to search for clues, but she may have just put herself in the path of a killer. This was an interesting mystery and a good start for a new series. The main character initially appeared to be a bit of a milksop, not really standing up for herself, like with her sister, or even in her friendship with Karen, detective for the Placer County Sheriff's Office. One other negative for me was in the beginning, the sentence structure was short and choppy and oftentimes overly detailed, such as "for the seventh time in an hour", or "turned on the radio for the twelfth time." But as the story progressed, the flow was better. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series, to see how this experience has changed Aspen for the better. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book received from NetGalley and all opinions are strictly my own.
August 22, 2019
I have to admit I was a little worried about just how much of a suspense book this would be, but it turned out to be a good surprise. I love the cozy mystery series by this author, and after reading a Goodreads friend's review, I decided to get the ARC, and I'm really glad I did! I loved the character of Aspen, aunt Max and Aspen's niece Candace who was thirteen. I just knew that Aspen would want to take Candace under her wing since Candace's mother was a druggie, and I was really happy with the results of that.
I enjoyed the developing friendship between Aspen and the main detective, Nick. I'm also anxious to see how Candace will do. I'm really glad this wasn't a scary-type suspense book that would keep me up nights (I'm such a chicken! lol). I've read books labeled as cozy mysteries that weren't a whole lot different. The killer was definitely a twist I wasn't expecting. I can definitely say I'll be reading the next in series whenever it might happen.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the developing friendship between Aspen and the main detective, Nick. I'm also anxious to see how Candace will do. I'm really glad this wasn't a scary-type suspense book that would keep me up nights (I'm such a chicken! lol). I've read books labeled as cozy mysteries that weren't a whole lot different. The killer was definitely a twist I wasn't expecting. I can definitely say I'll be reading the next in series whenever it might happen.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.
August 30, 2019
Family isn't always a direct relation
How true this is. You can choose your friends but not family. Family almost always betrays their own.
I enjoyed this novel and it helped to pass my Sunday afternoon because this book has some awesome twists and turns and it certainly left me guessing. Let me say it isn't the person you think it is.
The characters are quite wonderful and she touches nicely on alcohol, Bulimia and gambling are all mixed in.
Might I say the cover of this book is gorgeous, mysterious and intriguing at the same time!
This is the 1st book of this series and I think I would like to read more from this author! Her storytelling makes a reader immediately hooked from page one!! You won't be disappointed!! It's like watching one of the crime shows on tv only with more depth.
If you like suspense, mystery then this for you
I strongly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of the book with no compensations received. All opinions are my own!!
How true this is. You can choose your friends but not family. Family almost always betrays their own.
I enjoyed this novel and it helped to pass my Sunday afternoon because this book has some awesome twists and turns and it certainly left me guessing. Let me say it isn't the person you think it is.
The characters are quite wonderful and she touches nicely on alcohol, Bulimia and gambling are all mixed in.
Might I say the cover of this book is gorgeous, mysterious and intriguing at the same time!
This is the 1st book of this series and I think I would like to read more from this author! Her storytelling makes a reader immediately hooked from page one!! You won't be disappointed!! It's like watching one of the crime shows on tv only with more depth.
If you like suspense, mystery then this for you
I strongly recommend it.
I received a complimentary copy of the book with no compensations received. All opinions are my own!!
August 13, 2019
Desolate Shores is a great start to a new series by Daryl Wood Gerber.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, their stories, and the troubles they face or have faced in their lives, which makes for relatable characters and storyline. I liked the interactions with Aspen and Nick and the tension and snarkiness between them. The author does a good job with scene descriptions, and I can see myself in the settings.
The characters were well developed and likable, and the setting and premise of the book were done well by the author. I especially liked Aspen’s niece, Candace, and I hope she will be a recurring character in future books.
I liked that Aspen was a former therapist reinventing herself and her career, as this is the same as me!!
Overall, Desolate Shores is a good mystery full of suspects, which kept me reading to find out what happened. I am looking forward to more stories and adventures with these characters.
I enjoyed getting to know the characters, their stories, and the troubles they face or have faced in their lives, which makes for relatable characters and storyline. I liked the interactions with Aspen and Nick and the tension and snarkiness between them. The author does a good job with scene descriptions, and I can see myself in the settings.
The characters were well developed and likable, and the setting and premise of the book were done well by the author. I especially liked Aspen’s niece, Candace, and I hope she will be a recurring character in future books.
I liked that Aspen was a former therapist reinventing herself and her career, as this is the same as me!!
Overall, Desolate Shores is a good mystery full of suspects, which kept me reading to find out what happened. I am looking forward to more stories and adventures with these characters.
August 26, 2019
Desolate Shores by Daryl Wood Gerber is the first book in an Aspen Adams Novel of suspense series, and it is off to a great start. Aspen Adams lives in Lake Tahoe, working for her aunt Max. One morning while running her daily run she sees her best friend laying on the icy shores, and rushes to help her. The problem is she is dead. Aspen is determined to solve the murder, and the murderer was a big surprise, at least for me. Aspen's estranged sister, who is also a drug user, dropped off her teen daughter for a week. This book just kept me enthralled from beginning to end. I have always enjoyed Ms. Gerber's books, and this book does not disappoint. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this series. This is not a cozy mystery series, but to me it was a nice change. I highly recommend this book for people who enjoy mysteries.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.
I reviewed a digital arc provided by Netgalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. Thank you.
July 21, 2019
There are times I enjoy reading a book that's not a cozy mystery.
When I read the description for Desolate Shores and saw that it was by an author I enjoy, I knew I had to try it.
Aspen Adams is a private investigator in Lake Tahoe.
She reminds me of another character in one of my favorite series, so I was looking forward to becoming lost in this story.
Upon discovering the dead body of her best friend, Aspen sets out to find the answers, despite the craziness going on in her own personal life.
The story was exciting and well written, and I found myself becoming involved in the mystery surrounding the tragic death.
From casinos to ski trails, you will enjoy every minute of this suspenseful thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
When I read the description for Desolate Shores and saw that it was by an author I enjoy, I knew I had to try it.
Aspen Adams is a private investigator in Lake Tahoe.
She reminds me of another character in one of my favorite series, so I was looking forward to becoming lost in this story.
Upon discovering the dead body of her best friend, Aspen sets out to find the answers, despite the craziness going on in her own personal life.
The story was exciting and well written, and I found myself becoming involved in the mystery surrounding the tragic death.
From casinos to ski trails, you will enjoy every minute of this suspenseful thriller.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for approving me to read this book.
August 8, 2019
Very good story. I really liked Aspen and how she tried to do right by everyone, especially her niece. When Aspen finds her friend dead, she knows that she must find the murderer herself. When her parents died, she didn't push the police to find the killer, so she wasn't going to let that happen again. While she is investigating, she finds that her friend held a lot of secrets. The more she finds out, the more she realizes that she never knew her friend. During all of this, Aspen's sister dumps her daughter on Aspen's doorstep. There is something going on with her niece and she needs to figure that out too. All the while, someone is trying to kill them. Are they just after Aspen or Aspen and her niece?
August 24, 2019
Fantastic character development that has created a strong female lead in the PI in training, Aspen Adams with an interesting assortment of supporting characters to help enhance the storylines as there are multiple story arcs interwoven here. The book had great depth as it dealt with real life issues such as addiction, bulimia, grief, adoption and more in a manner that kept the mystery fluid and the focus of the book. I am really hoping that this will turn into a series as I think that Aspen, her Aunt Max and niece Candace along with the rest of the cast of characters could be quite interesting to follow as their stories meld together in future books. A great entertaining read as a stand alone book, but the entertainment could be built into a series for ongoing story lines.
August 27, 2019
DESOLATE SHORES is a nice departure from Daryl Wood Gerber’s cozy mysteries, meatier than the typical cozy but not as dark and heavy as many thrillers. Complicated characters and a complex murder mystery come together to make a really satisfactory read.
Aspen Adams has had more than her share of heartache. Upon leaving her psychology practice after a patient’s death, she relocates to Lake Tahoe to work for her aunt’s PI firm. When she finds the body of her best friend Vikki on the lake shore, with the unsolved murder of her parents still weighing heavy on her, she does not trust the police to solve Vikki’s murder and sets out to find the killer on her own. She soon realizes that Vikki had a lot of secrets and that perhaps she did not know her friend as well as she thought. To complicate matters, Aspen’s somewhat estranged drug addict sister leaves her daughter Candace with Aspen for the week, and Candace has secrets of her own.
Gerber weaves an intricate puzzle for Aspen to solve. With so many secrets and plenty of suspects, I did not figure out whodunit until well into the story. Even then, I was surprised by how it all unraveled. Aspen definitely has some issues, and, at times, it felt like she had an unrealistically large amount of baggage. However, I admire her tenacity, loyalty, and intelligence. I appreciate that despite her misgivings about the police she openly shares any information she uncovered with the police. All of the characters have pasts that haunt them, and some are better able to deal with their ghosts than others. These are not feel good characters, but they are compelling.
I enjoyed DESOLATE SHORES and recommend it to Gerber’s existing fans and readers looking for a well thought out, engaging mystery.
I received an ARC of this title from Beyond the Page publishers through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
Aspen Adams has had more than her share of heartache. Upon leaving her psychology practice after a patient’s death, she relocates to Lake Tahoe to work for her aunt’s PI firm. When she finds the body of her best friend Vikki on the lake shore, with the unsolved murder of her parents still weighing heavy on her, she does not trust the police to solve Vikki’s murder and sets out to find the killer on her own. She soon realizes that Vikki had a lot of secrets and that perhaps she did not know her friend as well as she thought. To complicate matters, Aspen’s somewhat estranged drug addict sister leaves her daughter Candace with Aspen for the week, and Candace has secrets of her own.
Gerber weaves an intricate puzzle for Aspen to solve. With so many secrets and plenty of suspects, I did not figure out whodunit until well into the story. Even then, I was surprised by how it all unraveled. Aspen definitely has some issues, and, at times, it felt like she had an unrealistically large amount of baggage. However, I admire her tenacity, loyalty, and intelligence. I appreciate that despite her misgivings about the police she openly shares any information she uncovered with the police. All of the characters have pasts that haunt them, and some are better able to deal with their ghosts than others. These are not feel good characters, but they are compelling.
I enjoyed DESOLATE SHORES and recommend it to Gerber’s existing fans and readers looking for a well thought out, engaging mystery.
I received an ARC of this title from Beyond the Page publishers through NetGalley and voluntarily shared my opinions here.
August 19, 2019
The worst thing I can say about this book is that I don't like the main character's name. She sounds like the girl in high school who would have perfectly feathered hair, the newest Guess jeans and glittery eye makeup. Thankfully, I am well out of school and Ms. Adams is nothing like my visual assumption! Aspen is a former therapist turned process server and private investigator in training, who likes to take care of those around her, which includes solving the murder mystery of a friend. I liked that we don't learn all of Aspen's background. Sounds like there will be plenty of that to pop up in future installments in the series. I also liked the series being set in the Lake Tahoe area. As a frequent visitor, I can't guarantee that all the places named actually exist, but the major ones do and I could easily visualize the scenes in the book taking place. Even if someone isn't familiar with the location, the author does a terrific job of describing the beautiful surroundings. I look forward to more of Ms. Adams' adventures and interactions with the characters introduced in this first book.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
Thanks to the Cozy Mystery Review Crew for a copy of the book. This review is my own opinion.
August 5, 2019
Aspen Adams does not have a great opinion of the police - not after they were unable to hold anyone accountable for her parents' deaths. So when she finds the body of her best friend by the lakeshore early one morning, she can't just let it go and let the cops do their jobs. Even with the added complication of suddenly being caretaker of her young niece.
This is a story the author has been wanting to tell for years. When it didn't sell, she set it aside and went on to write several other series and a couple of thrilling standalones. After a rewrite, this book found a home and we're the better for it.
Gerber's characters and their relationships are well drawn, and the reader can feel the cold and the rain, as well as the snow of winter in Tahoe. There are interesting and unpredictable twists, with just enough calm to let you think you can catch your breath, until the next shock hits you.
I hope this is the first in a series - Gerber does a great job of mixing stunning and thrilling with sweet and optimistic, and it's always an adventure to see what happens next!
This is a story the author has been wanting to tell for years. When it didn't sell, she set it aside and went on to write several other series and a couple of thrilling standalones. After a rewrite, this book found a home and we're the better for it.
Gerber's characters and their relationships are well drawn, and the reader can feel the cold and the rain, as well as the snow of winter in Tahoe. There are interesting and unpredictable twists, with just enough calm to let you think you can catch your breath, until the next shock hits you.
I hope this is the first in a series - Gerber does a great job of mixing stunning and thrilling with sweet and optimistic, and it's always an adventure to see what happens next!
September 2, 2019
Desolate Shores is the first book in a new suspense mystery series by Daryl Wood Gerber. Aspen Adams is a former family therapist who moves to Lake Tahoe to work for her aunt's detective agency as a process server after one of her patients dies. She wants to become a private investigator and is apprenticing with her aunt. As she is out for a run one morning, she discovers the dead body of her close friend, Vicki, on the shore. Aspen doesn't trust the police because her parents were murdered and their killers were never found so she decides to do her own investigation of Vicki's murder. This book kept me interested until the very end and I was surprised when the killer was finally unveiled. Gerber's characters were people that I cared about and in addition to the mystery there were also family issues that kept your interest. I highly recommend this book and I look forward to the next installment in this series. This was the first book that I have read by Daryl Wood Gerber but I plan to check out her previous novels.
July 29, 2019
Aspen Adams left behind a bad marriage and her career as a psychologist working with young people and moved to work for her Aunt in Tahoe. Building a new life and making friends was helping her move forward.
When she finds her best friend murdered, she’s willing to offer up her services and step back into her previous role as she works her first case a private investigator. With a large list of potential suspects, sometimes the answer ends up having been right in front of you the whole time. Now Aspen needs time on her side to solve the murder before she and her niece end up being the next victims.
I adore Daryl Wood Gerber’s writing and was thrilled to find that this was her first book ever. She rewrote it and found that her voice had changed significantly over the years and what a voice she has! The list of characters are relatable and you find yourself devouring the book and looking forward to your next visit to Tahoe with Aspen and thew gang.
When she finds her best friend murdered, she’s willing to offer up her services and step back into her previous role as she works her first case a private investigator. With a large list of potential suspects, sometimes the answer ends up having been right in front of you the whole time. Now Aspen needs time on her side to solve the murder before she and her niece end up being the next victims.
I adore Daryl Wood Gerber’s writing and was thrilled to find that this was her first book ever. She rewrote it and found that her voice had changed significantly over the years and what a voice she has! The list of characters are relatable and you find yourself devouring the book and looking forward to your next visit to Tahoe with Aspen and thew gang.
July 30, 2019
Desolate Shores is the first in a new series by Daryl Wood Gerber. This was a good solid and suspenseful mystery. Aspen Adams has started over in Lake Tahoe working for her Aunt Max as a process server when she finds the body of her best friend Vicki Carmichael. Aspen is determined to work on the case to ensure they find the murderer. Also her sister drops off her niece Candace for her to take care of and she uses her background as a psychologist to read people and find insights into the case. She finds out many secrets about her friend and there are lots of twists and turns. This is not a cozy (not that there is anything wrong with that haha), it is a mystery and holds your attention the entire way. The author’s note is that this was a book she had written first and then put away.. hard to believe as it is so compelling. Looking forward to how Aspen develops over the series and her relationship with Candace and the detective.
August 4, 2019
The author wrote this book some time ago and was unable to find a publisher. Apparently there was a sticking point and Gerber would not let go of the story. Her tenacity won out and “Desolate Shores” is now seeing the light of day. The rewritten story has pith, determination and the makings of a good book.
Murder, mystery, sleuthing, psychology, sibling discord and a child who is abandoned on the whim of her drug addicted mother - definitely the makings of a good book, solid and satisfying. So Aspen Adams, sometimes psychologist, other times process server, and occasionally a detective has been brought to life and I wonder where she will take the reader next. Hopefully Ms. Gerber has her next “Novel of Suspense Book” near completion. From the other reviews I have read there are a whole lot of people looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for a copy.
Murder, mystery, sleuthing, psychology, sibling discord and a child who is abandoned on the whim of her drug addicted mother - definitely the makings of a good book, solid and satisfying. So Aspen Adams, sometimes psychologist, other times process server, and occasionally a detective has been brought to life and I wonder where she will take the reader next. Hopefully Ms. Gerber has her next “Novel of Suspense Book” near completion. From the other reviews I have read there are a whole lot of people looking forward to the next installment.
Thank you NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for a copy.
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