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Jake Samson Mystery #1-6
The Complete Jake Samson Mystery Series Vol 1-6: With Bonus Book--Torch Song: A Dystopian Thriller!
All six wonderfully wry and witty Bay Area adventures of Jake Samson and Rosie Vicente in one handy box set—PLUS A BONUS BOOK!
NICE JEWISH COP TURNS PI...
Ex-Chicago-cop (now unlicensed PI) Jake Samson is living the life of “an urban gentleman farmer” in laid-back Oakland, California, occasionally “handling discreet matters” to keep his cats, Tigris and Euphrates, in kitty treats.
His lesbian BFF, Rosie the carpenter, and her justice-dispensing two-by-four are the perfect complements to his relaxed casual style – no room for macho posturing with this crew! Readers will love their easy, breezy relationship, and wish they had a friend like either one of them.
SAMSON'S DEAL
When an acquaintance is the primary suspect in his wife’s murder, Jake and Rosie go inside a radical right wing activist group to which the wife is connected. An assortment of Berkeley kooks and interesting plot twists keep things hopping till the very end.
FREE DRAW
Jake’s buddy and quasi-boss calls in a favor when his nephew is accused of murder. It's up to Jake and Rosie to find the real killer, and they've got a number of suspects: the victim's fellow executives at a questionable correspondence school, his divided and bitter family, and his quirky Marin County neighbors--a truly odd assortment of California woods dwellers.
FULL HOUSE
An ark in the middle of suburban Oakland is interesting but not strange by California standards. Even one built by peaceful cultists preparing for the coming flood. Until sometime private eye Jake Samson is hired to find Noah, their leader, who has disappeared with a lovely devotee and a quarter million in cash. The cult suspects foul play, but the police aren’t convinced.
SPIT IN THE OCEAN
The North Coast Sperm Bank in tiny Wheeler, California has been knocked over, and the perp’s tossed its assets in the ocean, leaving a religious-nut note of explanation. Just a prank, says Wheeler law enforcement. But the bank hires Jake Samson and his ever-sharp Watson, Rosie Vicente to find out who made the unauthorized withdrawal. As a storm brutalizes Wheeler, a bank employee slips in the mud and falls to her death.
SUICIDE KING
Jake's never been a big fan of politics, but Rosie invites him to a posh California fundraiser for an energetic gubernatorial candidate of the liberal underdog Vivo party, and Jake can't resist. It's all fun and political games until the candidate’s aide finds her boss in her backyard, hanging naked from an acacia tree. The police rule the death a suicide, but Jake and the aide suspect foul play, and she hires Jake to find the culprit. He finds campaign shenanigans, affairs, a possible German mafia connection, and more danger than our hero could possibly have imagined.
ROYAL FLUSH
Laid-back, unlicensed PI Jake Samson is understandably nervous about infiltrating a local Marin County neo-Nazi group called the Aryan Command.
NICE JEWISH COP TURNS PI...
Ex-Chicago-cop (now unlicensed PI) Jake Samson is living the life of “an urban gentleman farmer” in laid-back Oakland, California, occasionally “handling discreet matters” to keep his cats, Tigris and Euphrates, in kitty treats.
His lesbian BFF, Rosie the carpenter, and her justice-dispensing two-by-four are the perfect complements to his relaxed casual style – no room for macho posturing with this crew! Readers will love their easy, breezy relationship, and wish they had a friend like either one of them.
SAMSON'S DEAL
When an acquaintance is the primary suspect in his wife’s murder, Jake and Rosie go inside a radical right wing activist group to which the wife is connected. An assortment of Berkeley kooks and interesting plot twists keep things hopping till the very end.
FREE DRAW
Jake’s buddy and quasi-boss calls in a favor when his nephew is accused of murder. It's up to Jake and Rosie to find the real killer, and they've got a number of suspects: the victim's fellow executives at a questionable correspondence school, his divided and bitter family, and his quirky Marin County neighbors--a truly odd assortment of California woods dwellers.
FULL HOUSE
An ark in the middle of suburban Oakland is interesting but not strange by California standards. Even one built by peaceful cultists preparing for the coming flood. Until sometime private eye Jake Samson is hired to find Noah, their leader, who has disappeared with a lovely devotee and a quarter million in cash. The cult suspects foul play, but the police aren’t convinced.
SPIT IN THE OCEAN
The North Coast Sperm Bank in tiny Wheeler, California has been knocked over, and the perp’s tossed its assets in the ocean, leaving a religious-nut note of explanation. Just a prank, says Wheeler law enforcement. But the bank hires Jake Samson and his ever-sharp Watson, Rosie Vicente to find out who made the unauthorized withdrawal. As a storm brutalizes Wheeler, a bank employee slips in the mud and falls to her death.
SUICIDE KING
Jake's never been a big fan of politics, but Rosie invites him to a posh California fundraiser for an energetic gubernatorial candidate of the liberal underdog Vivo party, and Jake can't resist. It's all fun and political games until the candidate’s aide finds her boss in her backyard, hanging naked from an acacia tree. The police rule the death a suicide, but Jake and the aide suspect foul play, and she hires Jake to find the culprit. He finds campaign shenanigans, affairs, a possible German mafia connection, and more danger than our hero could possibly have imagined.
ROYAL FLUSH
Laid-back, unlicensed PI Jake Samson is understandably nervous about infiltrating a local Marin County neo-Nazi group called the Aryan Command.
1307 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 15, 2016
2057 people are currently reading
654 people want to read
About the author
Shelley Singer
31 books18 followersAka Lee Singer.
Shelley Singer is the author of a dozen published novels and many short stories. One of her mysteries was nominated for the prestigious Shamus Award of the Private Eye Writers of America. She has written mysteries, science fiction, and mainstream fiction. Singer began her working life as a reporter with UPI in Chicago. During a checkered and mercifully brief journalism career, she met such luminaries as Nikita Khrushchev, Jimmy Hoffa, Xavier Cugat, Mrs. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a condemned killer on death row. She never met Joseph Stalin. She teaches fiction writing classes and does manuscript consulting.
Shelley Singer is the author of a dozen published novels and many short stories. One of her mysteries was nominated for the prestigious Shamus Award of the Private Eye Writers of America. She has written mysteries, science fiction, and mainstream fiction. Singer began her working life as a reporter with UPI in Chicago. During a checkered and mercifully brief journalism career, she met such luminaries as Nikita Khrushchev, Jimmy Hoffa, Xavier Cugat, Mrs. Billy Graham, Martin Luther King, Jr., and a condemned killer on death row. She never met Joseph Stalin. She teaches fiction writing classes and does manuscript consulting.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
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July 13, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/13/2019)! 🎁
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January 2, 2020DigitalBookSpot
September 10, 2018
The Complete Jake Samson Mystery Series Vol 1-6: With Bonus Book—Torch Song: A Dystopian Thriller! — Shelley Singer (Aug 1-29, 2018)
Per usual, brief descriptions here, full reviews in individual books; overall recap at end of brief reviews.
Book 1: Samson’s Deal — 35 chapters (Aug 1-6, 2018) (original copyright 1983) Three stars.
First book in the series, with a set up of main characters, including Rosie. He is asked to look into a woman’s death, via a lady friend and to clear the woman’s husband, Harley of murder. Not being an official PI, but having some experience in his past, he reluctantly agrees. Quite a few implied sex scenes.
Book 2: Free Draw — 34 chapters (August 7-10, 2018) (original copyright 1984) Three stars.
Artie, his poker buddy and friend from way back, calls in a favor to clear his nephew’s name. Lots of twists and turns in this one, but not so much implied sex scenes. Reads faster towards end.
Book 3: Full House — 27 chapters (August 11-14, 2018) Three stars. (Original copyright 1986)
A group is building a “temporary” ship in a controversial empty lot has neighbors upset with the construction going late into the night. Jake is asked by his neighbor to approach them about stopping earlier. The leader of the temporary construction project, Arnold Wolfe, asks Jake for help when their spiritual leader disappears with a woman who is not his wife. Did he take his money and run away with her or is there more to the story.
Book 4: Spit in the Ocean — 30 chapters (Aug 14-16, 2018) Three stars (Original copyright 1987)
Jake’s friend Chloe asks him (and Rosie) to look into a sperm bank heist. Once there, a terrible storm breaks out and a woman who worked at the sperm bank dies. Was it an accident or something more sinister?
Book 5: Suicide King — 30 chapters (August 16-18, 2018) Three stars (Original copyright 1988)
Rosie gets Jake involved in a candidate’s election. When the candidate ends up dead, Jake is asked to looked into the apparent suicide.
Book 6: Royal Flush — 28 chapters (August 18-21, 2018) Two stars. (Original copyright 1999)
Written 11 years after last book and set 5 years in the future of last book. Jake and Rosie have had a falling out, but are back together, with Rosie now in charge of a PI firm. Jake becomes embroiled in helping Artie’s godfather’s boyfriend leave an Ayran Command gang before someone else gets killed.
Book 7: Bonus book: Torch Song (August 21-29, 2018) Five stars. (Original copyright 2007)
And now: for something completely different: In the future, after a great human loss, chiefs hire mercenaries to look into and resolve issues. Rica Marin is looking into a situation but finding herself getting closer to the people she is sent to watch. Is the chief corrupt or is there more going on?
The first five books gradually get better as the series goes along, with the fifth book the best of the lot. Unfortunately, the six book was written ~11 years later and takes place 5 years after book five ends. While I appreciate that the author moves the character forward in time, it was off-putting. It's a disappointment because not only have the characters changed, the story feels a lot more preachier than the previous books. It was also harder for me to stay connected to the characters and the plot.
After having read them all, I liked the first and fifth ones are the best. The first book meanders a lot and Jake has a lot of sexy bits, but it’s also very solid in plot.
While the next books in the series are better written (although they still meander,) aside from the second book, they just didn’t keep my interest. I actually had to go back and skim book five to remember the plot. I did enjoy the relationship between Jake and Rosie, but I didn’t enjoy book six at all. It got too preachy and wasn’t as escapism as the others. Although I do realize people change and grow, I’d rather it stayed back in the past time.
The bonus book. This was actually the first book I read by this author. I loved it then and I love it now. It had been so long ago that I read it, that I couldn’t remember the plot at all. But nice to re-read it and love it all over for the same reasons!
It’s nice to see authors do different genres. However, I think Ms. Singer is way better at futuristic settings than the Jake Samson series. Then again, the Jake Samson series was written way back in the 80’s before iPhones and “plug ins” took over the world.
Over all a solid three star series through book five. I kept wondering what happened after book five (it felt like a semi-cliffhanger that never got resolved,) the next book in series left me feeling like it was an entirely different series. Or like a reboot with new characters. The bonus book was phenomenal. But then it was written much later after the Jake Samson series.
Most interesting is reading the progression of this author. I have a feeling that I would’ve read this book series entirely differently back then. And I would’ve either loved them and hated “Torch Song,” or visa versa.
This book took me WAY longer to read than I had originally thought it would. At times, the writing and dialog were heavy. Every single book in the Jake and Rosie series sped up towards the end. Every. Single. One. But it was a slugfest at times getting to that yummy point. In one of the books, the ending just ended. (I think it was 4.)
Three plus stars. (Four if the series ended with book five.)
Per usual, brief descriptions here, full reviews in individual books; overall recap at end of brief reviews.
Book 1: Samson’s Deal — 35 chapters (Aug 1-6, 2018) (original copyright 1983) Three stars.
First book in the series, with a set up of main characters, including Rosie. He is asked to look into a woman’s death, via a lady friend and to clear the woman’s husband, Harley of murder. Not being an official PI, but having some experience in his past, he reluctantly agrees. Quite a few implied sex scenes.
Book 2: Free Draw — 34 chapters (August 7-10, 2018) (original copyright 1984) Three stars.
Artie, his poker buddy and friend from way back, calls in a favor to clear his nephew’s name. Lots of twists and turns in this one, but not so much implied sex scenes. Reads faster towards end.
Book 3: Full House — 27 chapters (August 11-14, 2018) Three stars. (Original copyright 1986)
A group is building a “temporary” ship in a controversial empty lot has neighbors upset with the construction going late into the night. Jake is asked by his neighbor to approach them about stopping earlier. The leader of the temporary construction project, Arnold Wolfe, asks Jake for help when their spiritual leader disappears with a woman who is not his wife. Did he take his money and run away with her or is there more to the story.
Book 4: Spit in the Ocean — 30 chapters (Aug 14-16, 2018) Three stars (Original copyright 1987)
Jake’s friend Chloe asks him (and Rosie) to look into a sperm bank heist. Once there, a terrible storm breaks out and a woman who worked at the sperm bank dies. Was it an accident or something more sinister?
Book 5: Suicide King — 30 chapters (August 16-18, 2018) Three stars (Original copyright 1988)
Rosie gets Jake involved in a candidate’s election. When the candidate ends up dead, Jake is asked to looked into the apparent suicide.
Book 6: Royal Flush — 28 chapters (August 18-21, 2018) Two stars. (Original copyright 1999)
Written 11 years after last book and set 5 years in the future of last book. Jake and Rosie have had a falling out, but are back together, with Rosie now in charge of a PI firm. Jake becomes embroiled in helping Artie’s godfather’s boyfriend leave an Ayran Command gang before someone else gets killed.
Book 7: Bonus book: Torch Song (August 21-29, 2018) Five stars. (Original copyright 2007)
And now: for something completely different: In the future, after a great human loss, chiefs hire mercenaries to look into and resolve issues. Rica Marin is looking into a situation but finding herself getting closer to the people she is sent to watch. Is the chief corrupt or is there more going on?
The first five books gradually get better as the series goes along, with the fifth book the best of the lot. Unfortunately, the six book was written ~11 years later and takes place 5 years after book five ends. While I appreciate that the author moves the character forward in time, it was off-putting. It's a disappointment because not only have the characters changed, the story feels a lot more preachier than the previous books. It was also harder for me to stay connected to the characters and the plot.
After having read them all, I liked the first and fifth ones are the best. The first book meanders a lot and Jake has a lot of sexy bits, but it’s also very solid in plot.
While the next books in the series are better written (although they still meander,) aside from the second book, they just didn’t keep my interest. I actually had to go back and skim book five to remember the plot. I did enjoy the relationship between Jake and Rosie, but I didn’t enjoy book six at all. It got too preachy and wasn’t as escapism as the others. Although I do realize people change and grow, I’d rather it stayed back in the past time.
The bonus book. This was actually the first book I read by this author. I loved it then and I love it now. It had been so long ago that I read it, that I couldn’t remember the plot at all. But nice to re-read it and love it all over for the same reasons!
It’s nice to see authors do different genres. However, I think Ms. Singer is way better at futuristic settings than the Jake Samson series. Then again, the Jake Samson series was written way back in the 80’s before iPhones and “plug ins” took over the world.
Over all a solid three star series through book five. I kept wondering what happened after book five (it felt like a semi-cliffhanger that never got resolved,) the next book in series left me feeling like it was an entirely different series. Or like a reboot with new characters. The bonus book was phenomenal. But then it was written much later after the Jake Samson series.
Most interesting is reading the progression of this author. I have a feeling that I would’ve read this book series entirely differently back then. And I would’ve either loved them and hated “Torch Song,” or visa versa.
This book took me WAY longer to read than I had originally thought it would. At times, the writing and dialog were heavy. Every single book in the Jake and Rosie series sped up towards the end. Every. Single. One. But it was a slugfest at times getting to that yummy point. In one of the books, the ending just ended. (I think it was 4.)
Three plus stars. (Four if the series ended with book five.)
November 27, 2017
1.Jake a laid back type of guy, poker and laying out of his patio, makes his time go by. A friend refers him to investigate a murder, he was a cop, for awhile. He takes the case, and uncovers more of what really was going on. The group his wife belong to, was there affairs. Laid back plot, but interesting, of how he does solve,
2.Artie calls, he wants me to come at once. Didn't want to, but he was an old friend, a pal, a poker buddy. His nephew panic, ran away screaming, so they thought he was guilty.. There was a lot more reason why Alan ran. What was going on with the company Bright Future. Did Jake ever get paid for his time. Enjoyable, and easy to follow his way of getting clues.
3.Ark being built, close to were Jake lives, neighbors, want some peace and quiet. The cult ask for help their leader of the cult, Noah is missing. He left a note, with a woman, and money that was to be invested in the arks.
Was Noah really gone, or was more going on with the guys building the arks. It was funny, the characters were good, enjoyable read.
4.
2.Artie calls, he wants me to come at once. Didn't want to, but he was an old friend, a pal, a poker buddy. His nephew panic, ran away screaming, so they thought he was guilty.. There was a lot more reason why Alan ran. What was going on with the company Bright Future. Did Jake ever get paid for his time. Enjoyable, and easy to follow his way of getting clues.
3.Ark being built, close to were Jake lives, neighbors, want some peace and quiet. The cult ask for help their leader of the cult, Noah is missing. He left a note, with a woman, and money that was to be invested in the arks.
Was Noah really gone, or was more going on with the guys building the arks. It was funny, the characters were good, enjoyable read.
4.
March 4, 2022
No context
This book could have been set anytime from the 70s on and I couldn't get any frame of reference. The only hint was that they used pay phones and Jake talks about the 50s, 60s and 70s. From what I could see in the faceplate of the book, it was published in 2013 but when did the story take place? I need to be able to set a book in a time frame to understand the social mores and there was nothing here that told me that.
This book could have been set anytime from the 70s on and I couldn't get any frame of reference. The only hint was that they used pay phones and Jake talks about the 50s, 60s and 70s. From what I could see in the faceplate of the book, it was published in 2013 but when did the story take place? I need to be able to set a book in a time frame to understand the social mores and there was nothing here that told me that.
April 14, 2018
Fun mysteries, easy reads, like that I was able to get a box set. Enjoyed the setting - back in the 1980s - cell-phone free, more face to face interactions with characters I liked, and mysteries complex enough to keep my interest.
Wasn't able to appreciate the add-on dystopian story after the series.
Wasn't able to appreciate the add-on dystopian story after the series.
August 1, 2021
Slow
I was only able to make it through the first 118 pages before gave up. The character, Jake Sampson, was dull, self-absorbed and uninteresting. By page 118 he was still stumbling around and my patience ran out. I'm used to the action an adventure of books as written by Allen Lee or Wayne Stennitt.
I was only able to make it through the first 118 pages before gave up. The character, Jake Sampson, was dull, self-absorbed and uninteresting. By page 118 he was still stumbling around and my patience ran out. I'm used to the action an adventure of books as written by Allen Lee or Wayne Stennitt.
Read
October 10, 2022Chaos sorted out
Each story starts with many suspects and some end with more than one involved in the murder(s). It's a challenge to keep them straight and some of the endings may surprise you. I want to dislike the two main characters but they come off as likable, perhaps because the author avoids getting graphic.
Each story starts with many suspects and some end with more than one involved in the murder(s). It's a challenge to keep them straight and some of the endings may surprise you. I want to dislike the two main characters but they come off as likable, perhaps because the author avoids getting graphic.
March 17, 2019
Enjoyable Bundle
The first six books were fun reads with lots of mystery, great characters, many funny lines. And the fact that they took place in the Bay Area made them that much better. The 7th book wasn't my favorite genre, but it was well-written and held my interest.
The first six books were fun reads with lots of mystery, great characters, many funny lines. And the fact that they took place in the Bay Area made them that much better. The 7th book wasn't my favorite genre, but it was well-written and held my interest.
June 23, 2019
Jake Sampson, not as dumb as he seems to think he is
Certainly not a big ego guy ... “she recommended me for a guy with no brains”. I thing he sells himself a little short.
All in all it’s a good read
Certainly not a big ego guy ... “she recommended me for a guy with no brains”. I thing he sells himself a little short.
All in all it’s a good read
November 2, 2019
Most were superb
Jake and.Rosie make.a.nice team of detectives. Storylines.are unique and exciting. The last one with Ricah and futuristic militia was filled.with tedious moment by moment action and unclear relationships and plot lines. Had to make myself finish it.
Jake and.Rosie make.a.nice team of detectives. Storylines.are unique and exciting. The last one with Ricah and futuristic militia was filled.with tedious moment by moment action and unclear relationships and plot lines. Had to make myself finish it.
November 3, 2019
Engaging
Colorful characters with intriguing story line. Very disappointed about the lack of description of Lake Tahoe 's beautiful scenery ( grew up there). Other books also have wonderful characters, great dialogue and humor.
Colorful characters with intriguing story line. Very disappointed about the lack of description of Lake Tahoe 's beautiful scenery ( grew up there). Other books also have wonderful characters, great dialogue and humor.
November 14, 2019
Totally reads like Columbo! #5, Royal Fusion, is a good scare of the direction USA is heading in if certain politicians and their small percentage of groupies have their way. #6 is not part of the first 5, unfortunately, so quit there.
January 29, 2020
Not necessarily Jake, series.
I got hooked on Shelly Singer with the New Orleans series. This series is nothing akin. But....I am hooked again with her writing, but more so her mind. Do not read this series with expectations and open your mind to the concept of, what would I do? 0
I got hooked on Shelly Singer with the New Orleans series. This series is nothing akin. But....I am hooked again with her writing, but more so her mind. Do not read this series with expectations and open your mind to the concept of, what would I do? 0
July 19, 2020
1980-1990’s Oakland and Marin
If you love the San Francisco/Marin area and are not locked into modern gadgets you will love this good old fashioned detective stories. The bonus book is a futuristic Mad Max meets the Hunger Games in rainbow colors.
If you love the San Francisco/Marin area and are not locked into modern gadgets you will love this good old fashioned detective stories. The bonus book is a futuristic Mad Max meets the Hunger Games in rainbow colors.
March 3, 2021
Jake Samson series plus an extra
Love the Jake Samson books, and the series is a great way to read them. They're in order and offer continuity. The extra was The Torch Song. It was an interesting read. I highly recommend the Shelley Singer books.
Love the Jake Samson books, and the series is a great way to read them. They're in order and offer continuity. The extra was The Torch Song. It was an interesting read. I highly recommend the Shelley Singer books.
June 24, 2021
Jake Sampson Mystery Series
I enjoyed most of this series a lot. The only one I get was not as good was the politics based one which was just too slow moving and just too involved for me
I enjoyed most of this series a lot. The only one I get was not as good was the politics based one which was just too slow moving and just too involved for me
August 1, 2021
I do enjoy a first person story over lots of characters who get confusing. While the stories were interesting, they tended to be a little slow with too much waffling on about who was eating what and the overly descriptive scenery.
August 11, 2021
Actually, I'm only finished with the first book in the series. It was a fairly interesting mystery, but I didn't find the main character all that interesting and got anxious to finish it. I'll give it another chance and hope it improves.
August 13, 2021
Good reads
Aside from the well written mysteries in each of the books, the political commentary was enlightening. Jake’s and Rosie’s characters were well thought out and I’d like to read more about them.
Aside from the well written mysteries in each of the books, the political commentary was enlightening. Jake’s and Rosie’s characters were well thought out and I’d like to read more about them.
February 8, 2019
Good read
I enjoyed them all! Love getting free books and when I get a good one it’s a bonus for me.
I enjoyed them all! Love getting free books and when I get a good one it’s a bonus for me.
October 8, 2019
I didn’t really finish, just not my cup of tea.
October 25, 2019
All books were very good but the last one. The last one was a total disconnect to the others and had more unnecessary verbiage.
The price was right.
The price was right.
October 29, 2019
Shelley does another great read
Characters were well developed, the story line was easy to follow and a fast read. Very enjoyable. Overall a very good book.
Characters were well developed, the story line was easy to follow and a fast read. Very enjoyable. Overall a very good book.
January 8, 2020
Rollicking fun read
A really good story, great beginning, lots of twists, great characters, well written. I hope there’s a sequel. Great fun.
A really good story, great beginning, lots of twists, great characters, well written. I hope there’s a sequel. Great fun.
January 13, 2020
Was not a fan of Torch Song but not really my preferred genre.
April 23, 2020
Shouldn't this count as 6 books?
Read
June 23, 2020Time to clean out the bookshelf with books that are just not for me right now... I have book modes, so I don't like to rate until I am done with the book. Will come back to this one eventually.
November 19, 2020
Good read
I liked all of the books in this package and appreciate the different time periods and different characters. I really don't like to write this many words.
I liked all of the books in this package and appreciate the different time periods and different characters. I really don't like to write this many words.
April 22, 2021
enjoyed very much
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews