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Dr. Annabel Tilson #1
Dead Still
Annabel Tilson is a medical student finally liberated from the two-year confinement of lecture halls and gross anatomy. The first clinical rotation of her junior year is surgery where she has high hopes of mastering the basis of patient care like her famous neurosurgeon father. However, she soon realizes that studying for exams and taking care of patients is only part of the complex burden of her role as a surgical team member.
Grappling with a third-year resident who hates her and a dreamy infatuation for her chief resident, she also discovers an inordinate outbreak of patient mortality. Annabel then meets a resident from another specialty who has notced the same statistics and, with his help, takes a crash course in pharmacology.
The clock is ticking as patients are dying within twenty-four hours of their procedures without apparent surgical complications. But for Annabel to dig further puts her at risk for failing the rotation and ending her future career as a physician.
*****
I hope you enjoy DEAD STILL! This is Book One in the medical adventures of Dr. Annabel Tilson and is also a standalone story.
Annabel's novel is a spinoff from her father's series, The Dr. Danny Tilson Novels, especially Book Four - Secondary Impact. Those books are:
Book One: Operation Neurosurgeon
Book Two: Silent Fear: a Medical Mystery (also an audiobook)
Book Three: Collateral Circulation: a Medical Mystery (also an audiobook)
Book Four: Secondary Impact
*****
Grappling with a third-year resident who hates her and a dreamy infatuation for her chief resident, she also discovers an inordinate outbreak of patient mortality. Annabel then meets a resident from another specialty who has notced the same statistics and, with his help, takes a crash course in pharmacology.
The clock is ticking as patients are dying within twenty-four hours of their procedures without apparent surgical complications. But for Annabel to dig further puts her at risk for failing the rotation and ending her future career as a physician.
*****
I hope you enjoy DEAD STILL! This is Book One in the medical adventures of Dr. Annabel Tilson and is also a standalone story.
Annabel's novel is a spinoff from her father's series, The Dr. Danny Tilson Novels, especially Book Four - Secondary Impact. Those books are:
Book One: Operation Neurosurgeon
Book Two: Silent Fear: a Medical Mystery (also an audiobook)
Book Three: Collateral Circulation: a Medical Mystery (also an audiobook)
Book Four: Secondary Impact
*****
244 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2019
665 people are currently reading
250 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Ebel
38 books126 followersBarbara Ebel is an award-winning and USA Today Bestselling Author who sprinkles credible medicine into the background of her medical suspense novels. Since she is a physician and specialized in Anesthesiology, her operating room scenes shine. However, her vivid characters and plots take center stage.
She has penned three medical suspense series, and two separate medical novels. Definitely check out the New Book Release at the bottom.....
“Doctor Barbara’s” Dr. Annabel Tilson series includes six books (which can each stand alone), and is based on a female medical sleuth who promises exciting times on the wards as well as in her personal life. Two books in the series have won awards: Death Grip, the 4th book, won the 2018 NIEA award (National Indie Excellence Award), and Deadly Delusions won the 2017 Kindle Book Awards Semi-Finalist for thrillers.
Her first series, the Dr. Danny Tilson novels, takes place in Tennessee and is based on a neurosurgeon who has his hands full in the O.R. as well as in his personal life due to a female villainess, a favorite character of readers (who have a love-hate relationship with her). Dr. Danny’s third book, Collateral Circulation, was the 2015 National Indie Excellence Awards Finalist for Medical Thrillers. Operation Neurosurgeon, the first book in the series, was the top finalist for best-selling medical mystery books in 2012. (Best Selling Books' blog announced on PR Buzz Press Release Wire, Chicago, IL).
Dr. Ebel lives in a natural wildlife corridor in Tennessee with her husband and dogs. She maintains an active, non-clinical role in medicine, and loves to hear from readers.
You may find more information about her and her books at:
http://barbaraebelmd.com
Her twitter handle is: @barbaraebel
In addition to her adult writing, she has illustrated and penned a children's book series called Chester the Chesapeake. The books developed during her philanthropic visits with her therapy dog, Chester. The dog books continue to inspire adults and children alike. (Chester the Chesapeake).
NEW BOOK RELEASE April 2024:
"BLUE, the Deaf Agility Dog," is a heartwarming story about BLUE, who is a deaf, rescued dog owned and trained by the author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
October 14, 2023
3 stars bc not bad but not good - there’s something like off about the main character but the medical aspect was good. The family aspect was weird. Can’t decide if I’ll read the next book in the series or not
January 8, 2018
Dead Still is unlike most medical thrillers I have come across. The reader is taken on a surgical rotation with Annabel, and there is a LOT of medical terminologies used. However, if you can get through that, the book itself is quite good. It does seem to me to take a bit of time to get going, but once it does it's hard to put the book down. It did seem a bit rushed at the end as if the author was just tying up loose ends as quickly as possible, but on the plus side, she (the author) doesn't leave the reader with unanswered questions.
The four stars, and not five is simply because it was much more medical then I thought it was going to be when I started reading it. Sometimes with the amount of medical jargon used, it is almost difficult to enjoy the story itself. All in all though, it is a good story, with a good mystery of who is responsible, and of course, the result is surprising.
The four stars, and not five is simply because it was much more medical then I thought it was going to be when I started reading it. Sometimes with the amount of medical jargon used, it is almost difficult to enjoy the story itself. All in all though, it is a good story, with a good mystery of who is responsible, and of course, the result is surprising.
July 10, 2021
Maybe three-and-a-half stars. I've been debating this.
Mysteries in a hospital setting with a med student protagonist/sleuth aren't something I come across too often, so when I found this three-book bundle I decided it was worth a look.
Dr. Annabel Tilson is in her first rotation in med school -- just out of the book-learning part of her medical education and into the real-world of patients, professional hierarchy, and hospital politics. On top of the heavy load of studying, long hours, and loneliness, she's hit with other major challenges, including a clash with a resident and personal crises. Long odds of finishing her surgical rotation are made longer with all those issues, but she can't resist investigating the unexpected deaths of some patients.
The details of hospital life are exacting and the medical terms almost dizzying (I nearly quit reading in the first chapter because they weighed the narrative down so much). Dr. Ebel truly brings to fore her expertise in this area.
Where she's not as skilled is as a writer. She's learned to fashion a compelling story -- I wanted to know how the story turned out -- but her characterizations needed some polishing (really, how many times do we need to read that Dr. Burk had dreamy, chocolate eyes?) and dialogue were stilted (a pivotal conversation between Burk and his fiancee was nearly laughable in its melodrama). Grammar and punctuation errors riddled the book as well. Together these issues never let me entirely slip into the world of the book, never allowed me to forget I was reading.
This is especially unfortunate given the uniqueness of the plot and setting, and resulted in a lower rating than it could have earned. None of it is enough to keep me from reading the next in the series, which takes Dr. Annabel Tilson into her psychiatric rotation... and given the trouble she got into in the surgical unit, I can barely imagine what's in store for her next.
Mysteries in a hospital setting with a med student protagonist/sleuth aren't something I come across too often, so when I found this three-book bundle I decided it was worth a look.
Dr. Annabel Tilson is in her first rotation in med school -- just out of the book-learning part of her medical education and into the real-world of patients, professional hierarchy, and hospital politics. On top of the heavy load of studying, long hours, and loneliness, she's hit with other major challenges, including a clash with a resident and personal crises. Long odds of finishing her surgical rotation are made longer with all those issues, but she can't resist investigating the unexpected deaths of some patients.
The details of hospital life are exacting and the medical terms almost dizzying (I nearly quit reading in the first chapter because they weighed the narrative down so much). Dr. Ebel truly brings to fore her expertise in this area.
Where she's not as skilled is as a writer. She's learned to fashion a compelling story -- I wanted to know how the story turned out -- but her characterizations needed some polishing (really, how many times do we need to read that Dr. Burk had dreamy, chocolate eyes?) and dialogue were stilted (a pivotal conversation between Burk and his fiancee was nearly laughable in its melodrama). Grammar and punctuation errors riddled the book as well. Together these issues never let me entirely slip into the world of the book, never allowed me to forget I was reading.
This is especially unfortunate given the uniqueness of the plot and setting, and resulted in a lower rating than it could have earned. None of it is enough to keep me from reading the next in the series, which takes Dr. Annabel Tilson into her psychiatric rotation... and given the trouble she got into in the surgical unit, I can barely imagine what's in store for her next.
July 4, 2017
Annabel is excited and optimistic at being finally able to go on clinical rotation. Having spent years in the classroom she can’t wait to start putting the theory into practice. With her father being a well-known and respected neurosurgeon she has some big shoes to fill but she doesn’t expect any special treatment. Special treatment is a far cry from her actual experience and she becomes increasingly deflated with the idea of being a doctor at all and with patience dropping like flies she struggles to keep her composure. It isn’t until her life is on the line that things become a little clearer.
As thrillers go, this is an original and interesting one. A junior doctor fresh out of medical school and at the mercy of a jealous colleague is an unusual narrator, but it worked well. I thought the medical jargon and involvement was just right. I didn’t need a medical dictionary to figure things out and there was enough med-talk to keep it realistic.
Annabel was a likable, intelligent character and Ebel’s style was an interesting mix of thriller, romance, and detective. I look forward to reading more from this author.
As thrillers go, this is an original and interesting one. A junior doctor fresh out of medical school and at the mercy of a jealous colleague is an unusual narrator, but it worked well. I thought the medical jargon and involvement was just right. I didn’t need a medical dictionary to figure things out and there was enough med-talk to keep it realistic.
Annabel was a likable, intelligent character and Ebel’s style was an interesting mix of thriller, romance, and detective. I look forward to reading more from this author.
July 16, 2017
Fascinating read...
Annabel Tilson is doing her first medical rotation in surgery as a medical student. I must say her experience in this rotation starts off with a bang. Her immediate supervisor, who is supposed to be training her, is a poor excuse for a doctor. He does everything he can to sabotage her and belittle her to the point that she is considering quitting medical school. She stays and continues on with her studies in spite of his tactics. There are a number of patient deaths that occur during her rotation that cannot be explained as to the cause of death. This makes Annabel determine to find out the cause of these deaths. She, and a anesthesiologist student, put heads together and reexamine all the cases where a death occurred. The students suspected that the problem was the anesthetic being used during the surgery. Annabel takes her concerns to her chief resident and from there an investigation of the drugs used gets underway. You will have to read the book to find out what happens next.
I always love a good medical thriller and this one did not disappoint me. I hope to read the next book in the series.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ
Annabel Tilson is doing her first medical rotation in surgery as a medical student. I must say her experience in this rotation starts off with a bang. Her immediate supervisor, who is supposed to be training her, is a poor excuse for a doctor. He does everything he can to sabotage her and belittle her to the point that she is considering quitting medical school. She stays and continues on with her studies in spite of his tactics. There are a number of patient deaths that occur during her rotation that cannot be explained as to the cause of death. This makes Annabel determine to find out the cause of these deaths. She, and a anesthesiologist student, put heads together and reexamine all the cases where a death occurred. The students suspected that the problem was the anesthetic being used during the surgery. Annabel takes her concerns to her chief resident and from there an investigation of the drugs used gets underway. You will have to read the book to find out what happens next.
I always love a good medical thriller and this one did not disappoint me. I hope to read the next book in the series.
Dianna,
Prescott, AZ
September 5, 2017
Annabel Tillson, a third-year medical student is starting her clinical rotation. Her first stop is the surgery ward, where she initially finds it difficult to live up to her neurosurgeon father’s stellar reputation, and one of the medical residents has an intense dislike of her. Then, patients start dying within 24 hours of uncomplicated surgical procedures. Annabel suspects there is some commonality among the deceased, and, with the help of a resident from another specialty, undertakes her own investigation.
Dead Still by Barbara Ebel is a stunning medical mystery that, unlike other mysteries, doesn’t have a human antagonist. Nonetheless, it has a human villain who complicates Annabel’s already complicated life. The author displays her extensive medical knowledge, mostly through dialogue, perhaps more than really necessary, but it is still a compelling read. After reading this book, the reader is likely to think twice before going to hospital, even for a simple procedure. The characters are all fully fleshed out, the setting is intense, and the plot is well crafted.
Dead Still by Barbara Ebel is a stunning medical mystery that, unlike other mysteries, doesn’t have a human antagonist. Nonetheless, it has a human villain who complicates Annabel’s already complicated life. The author displays her extensive medical knowledge, mostly through dialogue, perhaps more than really necessary, but it is still a compelling read. After reading this book, the reader is likely to think twice before going to hospital, even for a simple procedure. The characters are all fully fleshed out, the setting is intense, and the plot is well crafted.
July 24, 2018
Annabel has finally gotten out of the classroom and is doing rounds as a 3rd year medical student. Things are not going well for her as the resident over her makes no bones about his dislike of her and undermines her any chance he has. She is part of a 6 week surgical rotation and there are three deaths right after another for seemingly uncomplicated procedures. She is overwhelmed trying to keep up and pass exams also and the resident does not help her. Annabel chooses an activity not good for her but is sanctioned by society to relieve her stress.
In the end, she does make it through and solves a mystery. I enjoyed this book and plan to read the subsequent books in the series.
In the end, she does make it through and solves a mystery. I enjoyed this book and plan to read the subsequent books in the series.
July 20, 2020
A medical student finds her surgical rotation especially challenging. Her heart is aflutter due to the head resident who is as handsome as he is altruistic. But she is unfairly targeted by another resident who is chauvinistic and misogynistic. He hates dear Annabel because of her purported political connections. Compounding things is a mysterious cluster of deaths of patients.
Heavy on medical jargon this book is light on suspense. I didn't care for Annabel especially after her ridiculous hook-up with a man she found on a dating app. She is immature, privileged and annoying. The resolution to the deaths and the bully was not satisfying. Needs some resuscitation.
Heavy on medical jargon this book is light on suspense. I didn't care for Annabel especially after her ridiculous hook-up with a man she found on a dating app. She is immature, privileged and annoying. The resolution to the deaths and the bully was not satisfying. Needs some resuscitation.
February 19, 2021
Good story
I found this an interesting story about medical students and clinical rotations . It's a difficult time for them . As a nurse I have worked with interns and residents . I have never heard medical students called "doctor " though. They are not licensed . So I could have given this a 4 star review . Annabel was an interesting character who tolerated uncalled for abuse from a supervising resident. She had a supportive team and head resident. She also had a supportive family .
Her actions in taking an investigative look into odd deaths were great .
I found this an interesting story about medical students and clinical rotations . It's a difficult time for them . As a nurse I have worked with interns and residents . I have never heard medical students called "doctor " though. They are not licensed . So I could have given this a 4 star review . Annabel was an interesting character who tolerated uncalled for abuse from a supervising resident. She had a supportive team and head resident. She also had a supportive family .
Her actions in taking an investigative look into odd deaths were great .
May 14, 2023
I have read 15% of the book, but nothing has happened yet. The only thing that has happened is a detailed description of the beginning of medical students' work as interns in the hospital. The descriptions of medical procedures are excessive.
It is possible that later in the book, a suspenseful story will begin to take shape around what is happening in the hospital. However, I can only assume that the same unnecessary "Info Dump" will also be found later in the book.
I am disappointed because when I pick up a suspense book, I expect the plot to be fast-paced and suspenseful from the first pages. However, this book has not met my expectations.
It is possible that later in the book, a suspenseful story will begin to take shape around what is happening in the hospital. However, I can only assume that the same unnecessary "Info Dump" will also be found later in the book.
I am disappointed because when I pick up a suspense book, I expect the plot to be fast-paced and suspenseful from the first pages. However, this book has not met my expectations.
October 5, 2025
Dead Still by Barbara Ebel is a medical suspense novel. Ebel, who is a physician herself, wrote the medical mystery part of the novel quite well. This story was slow to start and didn’t pick up until the latter part of the book. Annabel Tilson, the protagonist, seemed immature and unserious for a medical student. She also made some dubious choices by hooking up with random men she met on a dating app. Her crush on her chief resident Robby was silly and annoying. Suddenly she turns serious and figures out a significant medical mystery in the area of anesthesia which is an interest of hers. A fast read, and I mostly enjoyed it. Debating whether I’ll read another in the series.
March 18, 2018
Page Turner
I am always looking for new medical stories and picked this one on the fly thinking it was another bunch of true stories. I was surprised to find a novel when I got offline, however; I was hooked from the first paragraph. I found myself unable to put this book down and read it from cover to cover in one sitting, staying up way to late because I couldn't put it down. I now find myself itching to read the second book in this series but will content myself to waiting til after shift tomorrow to start it.
I am always looking for new medical stories and picked this one on the fly thinking it was another bunch of true stories. I was surprised to find a novel when I got offline, however; I was hooked from the first paragraph. I found myself unable to put this book down and read it from cover to cover in one sitting, staying up way to late because I couldn't put it down. I now find myself itching to read the second book in this series but will content myself to waiting til after shift tomorrow to start it.
July 21, 2020
Terrific book.
As a nurse, I enjoyed a mystery in a medical setting. This one had the mystery, drama, romance and fun. The heroine was terrific, although a little too casual about sex, from both a medical and a moral standpoint. The villain was as awful as she was good. It had family and professional relationships that were very natural. The character development was excellent and the writing fluent and smooth, not stiff like some books I've read. Well done. I've already purchased the next in the series.
As a nurse, I enjoyed a mystery in a medical setting. This one had the mystery, drama, romance and fun. The heroine was terrific, although a little too casual about sex, from both a medical and a moral standpoint. The villain was as awful as she was good. It had family and professional relationships that were very natural. The character development was excellent and the writing fluent and smooth, not stiff like some books I've read. Well done. I've already purchased the next in the series.
March 30, 2022
Good story about the hectic hospital work although some “poetic license” was used to make the story flow. Some romance thrown in which created an aside that really didn’t factor into the story. Fast paced throughout. There are a few grammatical errors which do not detract. The author shows off her medical knowledge with a large amount of terminology and drug names that to begin with was a little daunting. Worth recommending if you don't mind the medical terms and some inaccuracies in medical procedures.
August 17, 2017
Ok read
It's a good plot line, but doesn't carry enough suspense. I knew early on what the ending problem was, and I am not a doctor. There was also a lot of meaningless prose which I felt detracted from the overall value of this book. Plus, like the four books in the previous Dr Danny Tilson series, there are just way too many grammatical and punctual errors to make this book more than the three stars I have rated it.
It's a good plot line, but doesn't carry enough suspense. I knew early on what the ending problem was, and I am not a doctor. There was also a lot of meaningless prose which I felt detracted from the overall value of this book. Plus, like the four books in the previous Dr Danny Tilson series, there are just way too many grammatical and punctual errors to make this book more than the three stars I have rated it.
May 4, 2018
I found it very engaging. I'm very interested in medical stories and especially factual information. I've been pulled into the characters lives and look forward to the next story. One error in the book, and I hear it all the time in my parent's house", "you have a temperature." Of course I do, I'm alive. A medical story should have the correct terms. You may have a fever, but you always have a temperature. I still enjoy the story though.
December 30, 2025
Okay
I've been reading medical thrillers for a bit now and was excited to find a new author and series. However, I was disappointed as this story was just too medically complicated for me to understand and the main character didn't resonate with me. She seemed more interested in romance than I imagine med students do. Perhaps since she was the daughter of a surgeon she had less at risk? I don't know but what I do know is I won't continue on with this series.
I've been reading medical thrillers for a bit now and was excited to find a new author and series. However, I was disappointed as this story was just too medically complicated for me to understand and the main character didn't resonate with me. She seemed more interested in romance than I imagine med students do. Perhaps since she was the daughter of a surgeon she had less at risk? I don't know but what I do know is I won't continue on with this series.
June 8, 2017
Medical mystery with lots of medical
Being a Respiratory Therapist makes me a little tougher audience for some medical novels, TV shows, and movies but this was spot on. I loved the mystery part and vastly enjoyed all the medical details. A great read for all mystery lovers but a treat for those of us in "the biz" Thanks! Am buying the second book now.
Being a Respiratory Therapist makes me a little tougher audience for some medical novels, TV shows, and movies but this was spot on. I loved the mystery part and vastly enjoyed all the medical details. A great read for all mystery lovers but a treat for those of us in "the biz" Thanks! Am buying the second book now.
June 20, 2017
VERY medical
I enjoy reading about stories in a hospital setting, but this was too involved for me. I thought it would be more of a who-done-it and was disappointed it wasn't. I liked the characters, but I found the causal sexual relationships didn't fit into the story or aid it in anyway. The book was well written which is why I finished it.
I enjoy reading about stories in a hospital setting, but this was too involved for me. I thought it would be more of a who-done-it and was disappointed it wasn't. I liked the characters, but I found the causal sexual relationships didn't fit into the story or aid it in anyway. The book was well written which is why I finished it.
June 8, 2018
Couldn't put it down!
I love a good medical thriller and this was the best one I've read in a long time. Loved the factual account of what interns experience during their hospital training. I used to work at a training hospital and it brought back both good and bad memories. Will definitely read the remaining books in the series...I love Dr. Annabel Tilson!
I love a good medical thriller and this was the best one I've read in a long time. Loved the factual account of what interns experience during their hospital training. I used to work at a training hospital and it brought back both good and bad memories. Will definitely read the remaining books in the series...I love Dr. Annabel Tilson!
June 16, 2020
Chick flick
This was the story about a woman doctor who falls in love with her supervisor. It was made interesting with the subplot about patients who died mysterious deaths.
I'm not in love with the book, but it was decent. It was a very quick read. And I'll consider the next book in the series if I don't have a more pressing book on my To Read list.
This was the story about a woman doctor who falls in love with her supervisor. It was made interesting with the subplot about patients who died mysterious deaths.
I'm not in love with the book, but it was decent. It was a very quick read. And I'll consider the next book in the series if I don't have a more pressing book on my To Read list.
November 27, 2025
Good reading
Good medical suspense read. Enjoyed the problems that Dr. Tilson was having with being singled out, due to her father being a big Doctor, this is a well known fact that it happens in real life. But she did good to stand up to the bully. Hope to read more about her medical adventure s.
Good medical suspense read. Enjoyed the problems that Dr. Tilson was having with being singled out, due to her father being a big Doctor, this is a well known fact that it happens in real life. But she did good to stand up to the bully. Hope to read more about her medical adventure s.
June 12, 2017
Excellent read
I have spent 22 tears in the medical arena, 10+ in the OR. This author wrote in such a manner as to not talk down to those of us, as she gave very clear definitions of medical terms/situations. Thank you , Barbara Ebel..... on to book 2
I have spent 22 tears in the medical arena, 10+ in the OR. This author wrote in such a manner as to not talk down to those of us, as she gave very clear definitions of medical terms/situations. Thank you , Barbara Ebel..... on to book 2
November 13, 2018
Medical Mystery
Great read. I'm looking forward to reading all of this series.
The character's are a perfect blend.
Lots of medical terminology, but the author's writing makes it necessary!
Thank you
Great read. I'm looking forward to reading all of this series.
The character's are a perfect blend.
Lots of medical terminology, but the author's writing makes it necessary!
Thank you
June 20, 2021
Great medical mystery read
This series follows Dr. Annabel Tillson, medical student. I found this to be a very interesting read. It has some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed. Kept me hooked, wanting to know the ending. Will definitely read the rest of the series!
This series follows Dr. Annabel Tillson, medical student. I found this to be a very interesting read. It has some unexpected twists that I really enjoyed. Kept me hooked, wanting to know the ending. Will definitely read the rest of the series!
November 12, 2021
Can’t Put It Down!
Loved following the medical students on their rotations. Medical mystery entwined with emotional relationships.
Highly recommend for anyone who likes medical novels.
Loved following the medical students on their rotations. Medical mystery entwined with emotional relationships.
Highly recommend for anyone who likes medical novels.
May 24, 2022
Excellent book
I loved that I learned so much about anesthesiology while there was also an intriguing storyline and very believable characters. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in medicine which is woven into a storyline with excellent character development.
I loved that I learned so much about anesthesiology while there was also an intriguing storyline and very believable characters. I would recommend this book to anyone with an interest in medicine which is woven into a storyline with excellent character development.
September 27, 2022
Enjoyed
I have worked as an OR pharmacist working closely with anesthesia. I understood all the pharmacology.
The story was very realistic . I appreciated all the departmental interaction.
I have worked as an OR pharmacist working closely with anesthesia. I understood all the pharmacology.
The story was very realistic . I appreciated all the departmental interaction.
July 27, 2017
This medical suspense was extraordinary! I enjoyed it immensely!
December 4, 2017
good story
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews