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The Last Track (Mike Brody #1)

by Sam Hilliard (Goodreads Author)

3.96 of 5 stars 3.96 · rating details · 71 ratings · 36 reviews

Imagine if being late meant a child disappeared forever. That is the fear that drives Mike Brody: the man you want, when the one you love is missing. Mike is more than just a master tracker. An ex-Special Forces operative, Smoke jumper, and now extreme adventure tour guide, he also possesses a unique ability to tap into the memory and emotional state of those he pursues. I...more

Paperback, 275 pages

Published February 2nd 2010 by Buddhapuss Ink LLC (first published 2010)

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Feb 12, 2010 Cyndy Otty rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Mike Brody, the expert tracker, is enlisted to search for a missing teenage murder witness lost in the woods of Montana. Aside from his vast skill set, Brody also possesses a unique ability to see beyond physical evidence left behind from those he’s searching for. But those responsible for the murder counter his actions at every end, threatening the safety of his loved ones while an asthmatic boy’s life lies in the balance,

From the very start The Last Track captivates with a frenetic pace, keepi...more Mike Brody, the expert tracker, is enlisted to search for a missing teenage murder witness lost in the woods of Montana. Aside from his vast skill set, Brody also possesses a unique ability to see beyond physical evidence left behind from those he’s searching for. But those responsible for the murder counter his actions at every end, threatening the safety of his loved ones while an asthmatic boy’s life lies in the balance,

From the very start The Last Track captivates with a frenetic pace, keeping the reader engaged in a series of suspenseful events. The story itself spans across four days and rather than use traditional chapters, the author chronicles each section by the incremental passage of time much like an episode of 24. As time itself is the enemy, every moment proves important and each event becomes crucial in some manner. It's a different and unique approach and serves to push the suspense aspect of the mystery as the reader is often even more aware of the passage of time than the characters. Hilliard's true skill is definitely in the details because even though quite a lot happens in a very short amount of time, none of it feels rushed or forced thanks to a stunning narrative that is easy to follow and richly descriptive.

By extension the characters are easy to empathize with, appearing as three-dimensional and wholly realized entities. As the main protagonist, Brody is primarily focused on and much is learned throughout the novel of him, in particular his specific motivations for the life he has chosen. Hilliard vividly explores the sacrifices Brody has made and how these choices have impacted his family. A good portion of the novel is also given to fleshing out the villains and weaving an intricate network of nefarious subplots. In fact, there is so much going on at once that keeping track of it all can be a might confusing. Daunting as the vast amount of information dispensed can be, though, it isn't so severe as to alienate. Rather the numerous details themselves are the major draw into this story.

Often the downfall of a mystery is the simplicity with which it is built, making a story so predictable that it's hardly worth the effort of reading. But The Last Track manages to keep the reader guessing right up until the very last page by constantly presenting evidence against one person and simultaneously providing clear proof towards others. I won't spoil the mystery by admitting whether my initial suspect was the Big Bad or not because either way the ending was a delightful surprise; one that most certainly lends itself to a sequel.

[Originally posted at my website.](less)

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Nov 26, 2010 Ivy rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: arc-books, mystery, 2010-books-read

I got this as a Goodreads giveaway book. I had not heard of this author before so was not sure what to expect. I found that the plot moved along with lots of twists and turns, just fast enough to keep me wanting to know what was going to happen next. I fell asleep last night with the book in my hands because I couldn’t put it down. The main characters were well described and had just enough back ground to give you an idea of how they fit together. I will have to check out the next book in this s...more

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Mar 30, 2011 Deborah rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: family-dynamics, latest-reads, men-would-enjoy, new-author-for-me, paperback-i-own, reviewer-book

Wednesday, March 30, 2011"The Last Track" ~ New Suspense Author: Sam Hilliard!

About the Author: Sam lives outside of NYC with his girlfriend and an army of four cats--one feline under the legal limit. Working at an all-girls boarding school, he knows world-class drama firsthand. It's also the reason he studies Krav Maga and Tai Chi.

Book Summary from Cover:
Mike Brody--the man you want, when the one you love is missing.

More than just a master tracker, Mike is a former Special Forces operative, sm...more

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Jun 19, 2010 Susan Pettrone rated it 5 of 5 stars

As a starter novel, Sam Hillard has a fantastic beginning in the first of (what I hope) will be a series of books about Mike Brody, a tracker who uses somewhat unconventional methods to track missing people.
Mike Brody is somewhat apprehensively looking forward to a vacation on a dude ranch with his ex-wife and son Andy, setting aside (hopefully) their disagreements for the sake of their son. But nothing turns out as well as we wish it would on a vacation and Mike is no different than the rest o...more As a starter novel, Sam Hillard has a fantastic beginning in the first of (what I hope) will be a series of books about Mike Brody, a tracker who uses somewhat unconventional methods to track missing people.
Mike Brody is somewhat apprehensively looking forward to a vacation on a dude ranch with his ex-wife and son Andy, setting aside (hopefully) their disagreements for the sake of their son. But nothing turns out as well as we wish it would on a vacation and Mike is no different than the rest of us. He is soon sought out by Lizbeth McCarthy, detective who knows Mike's tracking past and wants him to put his talents to work to find an asthmatic boy who somehow disappeared in the woods around their dude ranch.
During The Last Track, we see Mike with a variety of people, all so different in personalities and lifestyles that quite frankly are as mysterious as they are fascinating, it is hard for the reader to say "I know who dunnit" until the very last bit of the novel. For me, an avid suspense reader, this is what makes Sam's book a hit! There is nothing quite so annoying as figuring out the storyline during the first few chapters yet feeling you must finish the book to make sure.
To be sure, Sam doesn't fully explain all the characters but in the first book of a series that is to be expected as I am sure many of these self same characters will appear again and again, revealing bits about themselves as they evolve within Sam's book.
Sam, throughout the book, does not want to talk about his "gift" which to some may seem supernatural but to this reader, I see it as a gift given to help him to go to the aid of others when they need it more quickly than in perhaps the use of more traditional methods of tracking. I find this aspect of Mike to be appealing and endearing while I also see an inner strength in him through his gift. Though he seems like a regular guy, nothing about Mike's past is ordinary. Mike is also an ex-Special Forces operative, a smoke jumper, and at this time, an extreme adventure tour guide, so fear is not in his vocabulary. But because he is such a private person he keeps his gift of having an extra ordinary ability to "feel and see" the memories and emotional state of those he is pursuing.
But a teen from a nearby campsite is missing and Mike has been asked to help find Sean who has inexplicably disappeared without a trace. Here is where the reader must place himself/herself in the shoes of Sean's parents. Suddenly they discover their son is missing. The last time they saw him, he was safely near their campsite and was happy. Then mere hours later, without a trace he was gone. Add to that the fear that Sean's asthma requires him to take medication on a regular basis and you have a suspenseful book with a clock you can almost hear in the background. It is a matter of life or death for Sean when it comes to his asthma and running through the trees, does nothing but worsen this problem for Sean.
But Sean must run. He saw something transpire that he knows if he is caught by the wrong person or persons, he is as good as dead, so despite his weariness and declining health, Sean runs on from an unseen pursuer bent on finding him before Mike does. His love of running and stamina is of utmost importance as the reader finds out soon that Sean is capable of pushing himself far beyond what his limits should be.
As Mike works in the woods, behind the scenes is his ex-wife, who just happens to be a well-connected journalist who has endless contacts of which she uses to unravel the truth behind the murder. Undoggedly Jessica digs and digs until the ace reporter in her shines and she finds the information through a maze of leads and contacts, that searchers and Mike so desperately need.
I wholeheartedly recommend this book to any and all who love suspense novels with a bit of the unusual and a lot of tension combined. Author Sam Hilliard has done all that and more and in my honest opinion, has a firm start to what could be an exciting series starring Mike Brody ahead!(less)

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Jun 14, 2010 April rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mike Brody is driving to Montana for a dude ranch vacation with his ex-wife and their son, something promised before the divorce, and is looking forward to a fun trip. Not long after arriving at the ranch, Mike is enlisted to help search for a missing boy who witnessed a murder and, while running away from the perpetrator, got lost in the woods. Mike is ex-special forces and a current adventure tour guide who has an expertise in tracking so he is the best man for the job. It doesn’t take long fo...more

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Mar 21, 2010 Kristina rated it 4 of 5 stars

This one was different and interesting! I normally don't give my own summary of a book in my reviews, but I feel like I just want to explain this one a little.

Basically, Mike Brody (an ex super guy) goes on vacation and gets snared into a search for a missing boy. What Mike doesn't know is that he just stepped into a huge pile of trouble by agreeing to help.

Now, I liked Mike, although flawed like everyone else, he has a good heart and wants to help others. He was a really likable character in my...more

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Feb 20, 2010 Elynn rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Mystery and thriller lovers

Recommended to Elynn by: The author

This is a great read with a surprise ending which will make you question many of the scenes throughout the book and see them from a completely different angle after finishing it. In the interest of full disclosure, I have to admit that I designed the cover and read the manuscript at an early stage before editing, SO, I am sure that the book is even better now than when I read it.

Mike Brody is a very believable character even though he has the ability to sense people and places when he places his...more

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Jul 26, 2010 Molly rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: all suspense lovers

Recommended to Molly by: PUYB

Shelves: book-review

I really like suspense novels. They get your heart pounding and your blood pumping. I enjoy the thrill of trying to figure out the "what's next" and the "whodunit". So, when the chance to review new author Sam Hilliard's book, The Last Track, came I took it without hesitation. I'm glad I did, because, while it wasn't a Christian Suspense like I like or my absolute favorite one, it was still a good read and full of those fast paced thrills of mystery.

Mike Brody is a well created, depth-lending ch...more

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Apr 26, 2013 K.c. Sprayberry rated it 5 of 5 stars

Mike Brody has an uncanny ability to track lost individuals through the images left behind by their emotional charges. He's also a man with a past, as are most of us, but his drives him to find those he seeks no matter what the cost to him. His current, Sean Jackson, tests Mike's limits, but Mike never gives up.
Sam Hilliard's mystery is one of the best I've read recently. Each paragraph, each sentence is crafted in such a way to not only reveal information, but also to entice the reader to keep...more

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Jun 18, 2010 Crystal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: for-review, read-june-2010

The Last Track by Sam Hilliard starts off with a bang and never lets up. I was completely engrossed from the first page. Not only did the storyline intrigue me, but the character of Mike Brody fascinated me as well.

The book has a great suspense plot, but that is not the sole focus. It also focuses on Mike as a person and how he feels about what he does and about his life. I liked his talent, it's different and very useful, but you can also see the stress it puts on him. He wants to do his best f...more

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Feb 23, 2010 Avid Mystery rated it 5 of 5 stars Recommends it for: book groups

Based on a couple of strong reviews here, I gave The Last Track a chance, and I'm glad I did. Hilliard is new on the mystery/thriller scene but he writes like a well-practiced pro. The plot has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing right to the end.

His characters, including Mike Brody, are believable and well thought out. In fact, Hilliard gives you just enough background to suck you in, but not quite enough to completely slack your thirst for Brody. (NOTE: I am a major Robert Parker fan...more

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Apr 20, 2010 Melissa Hayden rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery

Mike is on a vacation at a modern-day dude ranch with his ex-wife and eight year old son, as promised some time ago (before divorce) - the family vacation. When they arrive at the ranch something is going on, with all the red and blue flashing lights around. Detective Lisbeth MaCarthy recognizes Mike and tells him she would like to talk to him after he has checked in. Mike has a record of being able to find lost people. His special ability is what makes him an amazing tracker for lost loved ones...more Mike is on a vacation at a modern-day dude ranch with his ex-wife and eight year old son, as promised some time ago (before divorce) - the family vacation. When they arrive at the ranch something is going on, with all the red and blue flashing lights around. Detective Lisbeth MaCarthy recognizes Mike and tells him she would like to talk to him after he has checked in. Mike has a record of being able to find lost people. His special ability is what makes him an amazing tracker for lost loved ones. And there is a boy missing from the ranch, now lost in the woods. Mike who can't pass on helping lost people agrees to track the boy, even at the disappointment and hurt of his own family.

I found myself liking this read. This book was a good mystery read for me. It did take me about eighty pages to figure out what had happened and what was going on, but once on the right track liked the read. I found myself liking the characters and even when questioning the characters as to why they acted the way they did, I thought at the same time - I could see people actually saying these things to their family members or each other.

The book did have a few twists in it I was not expecting, in the end of the book when the truth played out. But, through the mystery and the hints dropped I found I figured out most of the mystery. What helps give you all the clues is the story telling is from different view points. You get a section of the read from the lost boy, from Mike, from Jessica (Mike's ex-wife), and even from the killer.

I did find at times the story started to drag for me. In this meaning, I remember one part where we are being explained the way Homeland Security has surveillance on all the computers phones and knows everything everyone is doing at all times, yet there is one computer that does not have the surveillance on it. I started to stray with all the details of the surveillance in Homeland Security. I understand the author is sharing the details to let us know the setup and how that person had to do things to get around being seen, but I just started to lose interest with all the details. There were just a few areas with the same issue for me.

But, over all I enjoyed the read and had to see what the author had in store for me in the end. After I read the ending and who was who I thought back to all the clues that where dropped through the book, yes the clues where all there for me.(less)

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Apr 20, 2010 Donna rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, book-challenge-2010, my-bookshelf, autographed, arc

I am glad that I did. I really enjoyed this book. I usually don't read mysteries, although I used to back when I was younger, but I very much liked this one and here is why:

Everyone was a suspect and you kept going back and fourth wondering who it was and then in the end you kinda knew it but it was a total shocker anyway!

This story was about a young boy, about 15, who witnessed a murder and ran into the woods and the police called in Mike Brody who is an expert in finding people and the events...more

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Jun 05, 2010 Bridget rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mike is the perfect person to have on your side during a crisis. He has Special Forces training and is a tour guide for adventure. When he is tracking someone he has special abilities that aid him in his tracking endeavors which saves lives. A boy who has watched a murder take place is now lost in the woods. A police detective turns to Mike for help. But when the two start their search for the missing boy, they learn that they are not the only ones following a trail in the woods.

This book is ful...more

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Jun 28, 2010 Doina rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: first-reads, mystery

I won this book as a first read on goodreads, and I couldn't wait to start it. I'm having mixed feelings about this one. Did I enjoy it? Yes. Did I love it? Not really. There was something that was missing for me, and I'm not quite sure what. I read this book in one setting because I wanted to see how it would end. Interesting story idea, kind of a mix between police procedural/thriller and paranormal (just a tad, mind you), but I think the characters were missing something. They seemed a bit co...more

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Jun 02, 2010 Jennifer rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: mystery, thriller

From My Blog...[return][return][return]Somewhere in the woods near Pine Woods Ranch in Montana a fourteen-year-old boy is not only missing, but is also an eyewitness to a murder. The first of the Mike Brody series, The Last Track by Sam Hilliard is an emotionally charged mystery thriller. After an emotionally exhausting 14 hour drive to Montana with his ex-wife and 8-year-old son, Mike Brody is ready to begin the week-long vacation at the dude ranch. What he does not expect is a sea of police cr...more

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Jul 26, 2010 Elizabeth A. rated it 4 of 5 stars

Mike Brody has led an adventurous life. Formerly a special forces operative, upon leaving the military he worked as a smoke jumper - a firefighter who parachutes into remote areas to fight wildfires - until a catastrophic knee injury forced him to give up the job. Now working as a guide for extreme adventure tours, Brody is trying to take a break from his hectic life by traveling with his son and ex-wife for a relaxing vacation at a dude ranch in Montana. Fortunately for the reader, it's not in...more Mike Brody has led an adventurous life. Formerly a special forces operative, upon leaving the military he worked as a smoke jumper - a firefighter who parachutes into remote areas to fight wildfires - until a catastrophic knee injury forced him to give up the job. Now working as a guide for extreme adventure tours, Brody is trying to take a break from his hectic life by traveling with his son and ex-wife for a relaxing vacation at a dude ranch in Montana. Fortunately for the reader, it's not in the cards for Brody to lead a life of relaxation.

Shortly after their arrival Brody is contacted by the local sheriff and enlisted in the search for a boy who's gone missing in the forest surrounding the ranch. It turns out Brody has a special talent for tracking people, and a few high profile cases have made him the "go to" guy for law enforcement when all else fails. Complicating matters in the current situation is that the boy didn't just wander off, but is actively on the run because he witnessed a murder.

Before Brody knows it he's deep in the wilderness searching for the boy, saddled with a deputy he's not sure he trusts, and receiving threatening phone calls from a mysterious figure called "The Partner" who says they'll harm Brody's family unless he tips The Partner to the boy's location once he finds him... before he tells the police. It all makes for a thrilling, multilayered plot that will have you turning pages late into the night.

Debut author Sam Hilliard has created an immensely likable reluctant hero in Mike Brody, and he's only scratched the surface of the character's potential. Though we know Brody's ability to track people borders on the supernatural, how he first discovered his talent and the inner demons that compel him to answer every request for help are only hinted at. Given the undoubtedly rich backstory available for Hilliard to mine, it's exciting to know that a second book featuring Brody is already in the works. It's clear that both Sam Hilliard and Mike Brody have very bright futures ahead of them. (less)

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Jul 15, 2010 DKAY rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: reviewed

I enjoyed this read even though I really didn't know what to expect. I thumbed through it first and noticed it all takes place in a few days and then was wondering how can you get this much book in a few days and keep my attention? I was surprised to say the least. I found that this book was very interesting and I really liked Mike Brody as he turned out to be a great character. I found that I liked the way the book was laid out by the days and minutes it makes it all come together pretty good....more

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Jun 14, 2010 E.J. Stevens rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: fiction, goodreads-authors, mystery, paranormal, read-in-2010, supernatural

Gripping mystery with a paranormal twist.

What is going on in the forested hills surrounding Pine Woods Ranch? Who is involved and how far will they go? These are the questions I continually asked myself while reading The Last Track. I had originally thought that the focus of this novel would be on Mike Brody's unusual paranormal talent, however, the suspense of the mysterious events that unfold during this story overshadow the paranormal aspects of this book. This is not, in my opinion, a negat...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Gina Basham rated it 4 of 5 stars

Very exciting page turner. Nice twist at the end. I didn't see that one coming. It's a little hard to read about ex special force guys. Not knowing more about them, their survival instincts sometimes defy belief. I know it can happen but sometimes it just seems a bit much. Hilliard did a good job, but again I have a hard time with some of the survivalist aspects. Well worth the read.

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Nov 07, 2011 Dinda Lestarini added it

Mike Brody is a tracker. When he and his family go to Montana to spend the holiday, he is enlisted to search for a missing boy who witness a murder. He and Dagget, a police officer, are sent to the wood to save the boy. But they are not the only one who want the missing boy. Mike has to struggle to save the missing boy and keep his family safe.

The Last Track is a great suspense/thriller book. It has a great plot. It can keep my attention once I got into it (It took a while for me to enjoy the bo...more

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Oct 01, 2010 Delilah Trenaman rated it 4 of 5 stars

I found the book quite good once I got into it. I found it a little confusing when I first started reading. I did like the twists and turns that were made in the plot. I also like that it left the ending so that the end could be just that or there could also be the opportunity for a sequel.

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Jul 21, 2010 Shelly Ash rated it 4 of 5 stars

The Last Track is a very good suspense/thriller that I found easy to follow and kept me on the edge of my seat. The Mike Brody character is a very likeable guy and I'd definitely enjoy reading more Mike Brody books. This one has an unexpected ending which you'll never guess so you have to read it!

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Feb 22, 2013 Wallene rated it 4 of 5 stars

Suspenseful. Kept me on the edge of my seat right until the end, wondering who the "bad guy" was.

However, there are some places that have weird phraseology. I think it could use some additional editing. With a little more polish, this writer has a lot of potential.

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Jul 03, 2010 Gmr rated it 4 of 5 stars Recommends it for: fiction fans / crime fiction fans

Recommended to Gmr by: Pump Up Your Book Promotions

Great read! Brings to mind the works of James Patterson and Patricia Cornwell. The story draws you in and keeps your attention through the twists and turns as you try to figure out who is behind the events taking place. Mike Brody has an interesting future as a literary character indeed....can't wait to see what comes his way next!

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Apr 15, 2010 Gwen Burleigh rated it 5 of 5 stars

Fast-paced and satisfying, The Last Track kept me up reading all night. The story draws you in and doesn't let go. And when I finished, I wanted more Mike Brody."

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Dec 15, 2011 Mariam Kobras rated it 5 of 5 stars

Loved it. Not generally a crime reader, but this one captured me.

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Feb 22, 2010 Jim rated it 4 of 5 stars

Good read,page turner. Highly recommend and easy read.

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Apr 24, 2010 Karen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Fast moving keeps your interest. Good suspense and mystery.

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Jun 04, 2010 De rated it 2 of 5 stars

Disappointing novel

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About Sam Hilliard

Born near the center of the United States, Sam Hilliard arrived during a very scary period of the 1970s. According to many noted historians, that included nearly every moment between 1970 and 1979. After being baptized five times, he spent childhood changing residences every two years–or less–until high school. The moves were so frequent some speculated that his parents were in the witness protect...more

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The Last Track (Mike Brody #1)

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