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The Doctor's Deadly Affair
Fresh on the heels of their disastrous date, Dr. Camille Lawson is none too pleased to find Dr. Wyatt Holladay darkening her doorstep. But a mystery ailment is claiming her patients—and just maybe the gorgeous doctor can help her get some answers. What should be a simple investigation of medical causes quickly reveals a very real threat. Someone is targeting Camille by killing her patients, one by one.
Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe. With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life…and her heart.
Surrounded by suspects and unable to convince the authorities crimes are being committed, Wyatt is the only person who can keep the infuriating beauty safe. With everything on the line, he must protect her reputation, her life…and her heart.
224 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published February 9, 2011
2 people are currently reading
56 people want to read
About the author
Stephanie Doyle
64 books52 followersIt all started with Shanna and Star Wars. An odd combination, I know, but what people don't appreciate about Star Wars is the deep romantic element between two of the lead characters. I wasn't seven years-old when I was able to clearly spot that Han and Leia were supposed to be a couple.
Sure most of my friends, who at the time weren't nearly as mature as I was – after all some of them were still six, thought that Leia loved Luke. But anyone really looking could see that Han and Leia were the couple to beat.
That's when I discovered romance.
Then at about fifteen or so I was babysitting one night, bored out of my mind – the children were fast asleep at this point – so I picked a book from the shelf. I wasn't much of a reader at the time, but I liked the orange cover. It was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss.
That's when I discovered romance novels.
Making up stories – that's just something I've always done. It's like breathing for me. But it wasn't until I began to read actively that I thought maybe I could actually write a book. The benefit of writing over reading is that I get to have everything just the way I like it. I should mention at this point that I'm a little bit of a control freak.
But I didn't go to school for writing. In fact I went to school to be the President of the United States - make that a power hungry control freak.
I attended Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. And no, that is not a school to learn how to become a nun. Although, since I'm not married yet, my mother believes that subliminal messages were piped into the dorm rooms through hidden speakers.
I strayed from the presidential track. Figured instead of running the country I would do something really meaningful. I became a school teacher and spent two amazing years in Seattle.
Eventually I came back home to South Jersey. I got a temp job to hold me over until I could find another teaching position and have been at my current company for eight years. I keep telling my boss that I'm only staying for a little while longer. But he has since stopped listening to me.
So what else is there to know about me? I write. I work. I exercise. I try not to eat. I fail. I beat myself up for not succeeding to not eat. Then I drink. It's a simple life I lead.
I date. But that's a whole other story….
Sure most of my friends, who at the time weren't nearly as mature as I was – after all some of them were still six, thought that Leia loved Luke. But anyone really looking could see that Han and Leia were the couple to beat.
That's when I discovered romance.
Then at about fifteen or so I was babysitting one night, bored out of my mind – the children were fast asleep at this point – so I picked a book from the shelf. I wasn't much of a reader at the time, but I liked the orange cover. It was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss.
That's when I discovered romance novels.
Making up stories – that's just something I've always done. It's like breathing for me. But it wasn't until I began to read actively that I thought maybe I could actually write a book. The benefit of writing over reading is that I get to have everything just the way I like it. I should mention at this point that I'm a little bit of a control freak.
But I didn't go to school for writing. In fact I went to school to be the President of the United States - make that a power hungry control freak.
I attended Catholic University of America in Washington D.C. And no, that is not a school to learn how to become a nun. Although, since I'm not married yet, my mother believes that subliminal messages were piped into the dorm rooms through hidden speakers.
I strayed from the presidential track. Figured instead of running the country I would do something really meaningful. I became a school teacher and spent two amazing years in Seattle.
Eventually I came back home to South Jersey. I got a temp job to hold me over until I could find another teaching position and have been at my current company for eight years. I keep telling my boss that I'm only staying for a little while longer. But he has since stopped listening to me.
So what else is there to know about me? I write. I work. I exercise. I try not to eat. I fail. I beat myself up for not succeeding to not eat. Then I drink. It's a simple life I lead.
I date. But that's a whole other story….
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
March 29, 2011
One of the best recent books from the SRS line. Sometimes it seems that this line has become all about studly Spec Ops/SEAL/Merc heroes, or semi-traumatized cops in small towns who used to be Spec Ops/SEAL/Merc heroes. I adored Wyatt. A rumpled, bit-of-grey-at-the-temples ex-surgeon with a dry wit and a fixation on the heroine, what's not to love? His determined pursuit, his mental strategizing to draw the heroine closer to him, was really endearing. It showed how much he cared for her, as did his desire to understand and help her, and just have her in his life despite the hassle of her issues. At the same time he was such a guy, his idea of bliss was sitting around sharing meat pizza after hot, sweaty sex. The male POV was really good here.
The heroine? She suffered from severe spermatophobia (that's germaphobia to you and me, pervs). The effect of her phobia on her thinking and actions was well-written. Her background was also well drawn. Never being allowed to bring home friends in school cuz little kids are walking cesspools of germs and the (grand-)parent is freaked about catching something? Yeah been there done that, I could sooooo relate. The hero and I got impatient with her once or twice but we reminded ourselves that she didn't choose to be that way. I appreciated too that she wasn't magically cured at the end, but was taking steps to getting better.
The mystery was well done, with a couple of subtle clues strewn around for the alert reader to pick up on. At one point Wyatt and Camille get attacked by a rogue Chevy and wind up in a dumpster, with predictable results for her (ick! I sympathized). It amazes me how well the romance, characterization and plot were developed in under 220 pages. And therein lies my 1 complaint - I wish this story was the 250-pager that the old SIM's were, I would have loved to spend another 30 pages with this couple.
The heroine? She suffered from severe spermatophobia (that's germaphobia to you and me, pervs). The effect of her phobia on her thinking and actions was well-written. Her background was also well drawn. Never being allowed to bring home friends in school cuz little kids are walking cesspools of germs and the (grand-)parent is freaked about catching something? Yeah been there done that, I could sooooo relate. The hero and I got impatient with her once or twice but we reminded ourselves that she didn't choose to be that way. I appreciated too that she wasn't magically cured at the end, but was taking steps to getting better.
The mystery was well done, with a couple of subtle clues strewn around for the alert reader to pick up on. At one point Wyatt and Camille get attacked by a rogue Chevy and wind up in a dumpster, with predictable results for her (ick! I sympathized). It amazes me how well the romance, characterization and plot were developed in under 220 pages. And therein lies my 1 complaint - I wish this story was the 250-pager that the old SIM's were, I would have loved to spend another 30 pages with this couple.
July 12, 2011
Dr. Camille Lawson is a talented surgeon. So when two of her patients die post op she needs to find a reason, she's sure she didn't make a mistake. The guy she chose to help her is Dr. Wyatt Holladay. Now Wyatt agrees to help her on one condition that she goes on a date with him. By that point she's willing to do whatever it takes even if it means another disastrous date. I love this quote:
Wyatt never really wanted to be a surgeon, and that unwanted responsibility made him turn into an alcoholic. He's much happier now, working in the free clinic, than he ever was as a pretty good surgeon. He spent years working with Camille, but it wasn't until a year ago when he started noticing her as a woman, a desirable woman.
Camille is a germaphobe, bad in social circumstances and unwilling to really care for a man. She just knows that she and Wyatt won't get along and she has the proof - after all their first date ended up with insults and with her throwing a glass of water in his face. :-)
But Wyatt doesn't seem to mind her quirks, and he's far more tempting than she expected. It's getting hard to resist them. And then there's the killer after her.
I liked the story and the fact that the hero for a change has absolutely nothing to do with law enforcement or the military. He's just a man trying to protect the woman he's falling for. I love his patience and gentleness with Camille. He never made her feel less because of her fears, he just made sure she was OK .
Rating:
4.5 stars
“Come on, give. I know Wyatt and he didn’t agree to do a favor for you without asking for something in exchange. Is his ratty old Jeep going to be taking up space in the parking lot next to my Beemer?”
“Give up my parking space? Never.”
With that Camille left quickly, shutting the door behind her before Delia could ask a follow-up question.
No, Camille wasn’t going to have to give up her parking space. What Wyatt was asking for was much, much worse.
Wyatt never really wanted to be a surgeon, and that unwanted responsibility made him turn into an alcoholic. He's much happier now, working in the free clinic, than he ever was as a pretty good surgeon. He spent years working with Camille, but it wasn't until a year ago when he started noticing her as a woman, a desirable woman.
Camille is a germaphobe, bad in social circumstances and unwilling to really care for a man. She just knows that she and Wyatt won't get along and she has the proof - after all their first date ended up with insults and with her throwing a glass of water in his face. :-)
But Wyatt doesn't seem to mind her quirks, and he's far more tempting than she expected. It's getting hard to resist them. And then there's the killer after her.
I liked the story and the fact that the hero for a change has absolutely nothing to do with law enforcement or the military. He's just a man trying to protect the woman he's falling for. I love his patience and gentleness with Camille. He never made her feel less because of her fears, he just made sure she was OK .
Rating:
4.5 stars
June 22, 2011
The Doctor's Deadly Affair was a very good book surprisingly.
Camille Lawson is a brilliant surgeon, that is all she knows and does, seriously. It is her life, she was raised by her grandfather in a severely regimented environment with do's and don't, she could never be a little girl, her fears, sickness were frowned upon. Also she is a germaphobe, she doesn't know how to overcome these fears and be normal though she has tried. Two of her patients have died suddenly so she goes to Wyatt to look over the cases.
Wyatt used to be a surgeon, but he found that he didn't care enough, so he drank and drank, then one day he quit and checked himself into rehab and has been sober ever since. He works in the hospital clinic and agrees to help Camille on one condition she go out on a date with him. Even though Wyatt and Camille have known each other for ten years, he has recently started seeing her in new light. Wyatt knows that dating Camille won't be easy but he is willing to go slow and deal with her fears. I loved seeing Wyatt with Camille, he was so patient with her and her fears, he never belittled her or got short with her, instead he cared for and protected her.
Camille is someone, who could have been an annoying heroine as she was almost helpless when it came to interactions outside surgery. She was a victim of her childhood. I loved how Wyatt made her eat crow at the end.
Camille Lawson is a brilliant surgeon, that is all she knows and does, seriously. It is her life, she was raised by her grandfather in a severely regimented environment with do's and don't, she could never be a little girl, her fears, sickness were frowned upon. Also she is a germaphobe, she doesn't know how to overcome these fears and be normal though she has tried. Two of her patients have died suddenly so she goes to Wyatt to look over the cases.
Wyatt used to be a surgeon, but he found that he didn't care enough, so he drank and drank, then one day he quit and checked himself into rehab and has been sober ever since. He works in the hospital clinic and agrees to help Camille on one condition she go out on a date with him. Even though Wyatt and Camille have known each other for ten years, he has recently started seeing her in new light. Wyatt knows that dating Camille won't be easy but he is willing to go slow and deal with her fears. I loved seeing Wyatt with Camille, he was so patient with her and her fears, he never belittled her or got short with her, instead he cared for and protected her.
Camille is someone, who could have been an annoying heroine as she was almost helpless when it came to interactions outside surgery. She was a victim of her childhood. I loved how Wyatt made her eat crow at the end.
August 13, 2019
Well, I quite enjoyed this one and found it a bit different.
The heroine is a brilliant surgeon. A bit of a nerd and socially inept. She also has a lot of hang ups (she’s germ phobic).
The Hero is also different. He’s her colleague but doesn’t do any surgeries anymore since he is a recovering alcoholic. He much prefers his work now as a diagnostic doctor.
They’ve known each other for some years before they go on one disastrous date. Then the heroine needs his help since 2 of her patients have died but she knows that it was not due to any mistake on her part. The hero agrees to help her if she would give him another date.
So thus starts their adventure dating each other and trying to figure out what is going on in the hospital where they work.
I liked how the Hero tried to work around her phobias, plus he was quite protective of her. He was also laid back and humorous compared to her more serious and uptight character. We get enough Hero POV so I knew he adjusted accordingly to accommodate the heroine whenever he could.
I think the author did a good job with the suspense aspect of the story, it gave an added dimension to the romance and kept up the pace.
The heroine is a brilliant surgeon. A bit of a nerd and socially inept. She also has a lot of hang ups (she’s germ phobic).
The Hero is also different. He’s her colleague but doesn’t do any surgeries anymore since he is a recovering alcoholic. He much prefers his work now as a diagnostic doctor.
They’ve known each other for some years before they go on one disastrous date. Then the heroine needs his help since 2 of her patients have died but she knows that it was not due to any mistake on her part. The hero agrees to help her if she would give him another date.
So thus starts their adventure dating each other and trying to figure out what is going on in the hospital where they work.
I liked how the Hero tried to work around her phobias, plus he was quite protective of her. He was also laid back and humorous compared to her more serious and uptight character. We get enough Hero POV so I knew he adjusted accordingly to accommodate the heroine whenever he could.
I think the author did a good job with the suspense aspect of the story, it gave an added dimension to the romance and kept up the pace.
March 7, 2011
This book was like watching a really good TV show. Bones meets House... great chemistry, lots of witty dialogue... highly recommend.
September 25, 2011
5 stars easily
The Doctor’s deadly Affair
This is one of the best stories from the SRS series I have ever read. It’s a lovely story with a h/H you like very much.
The main plot is about a brilliant female surgeon (Camille) who suspects foul play when two of her patients die in unexplained circumstances. She is forced to seek help from her former colleague/boss, surgeon (Wyatt) whom she has known for years and recently had a disastrous first date with. The only condition he will help her if she goes on a 2nd date with him. He finally noticed her and is very intrigued by her unusual habits and quirkiness and he finds her mysterious and challenging so he wants to get to know her better. She otherwise wants to be left alone and concentrate on her work, she cannot handle relationships with men and is afraid as she feels she is incapable of having any emotional and physical attachment.
Camille is a very emotionally insecure person, quite detached, she doesn’t have friends, her work is her life. She was brought up by a cold and distance grandfather and so she finds it hard communicating emotionally to people and men especially. She has also had a childhood trauma and she suffers from germaphobia and a mild form of OCD, she is too regimented in her life. It’s either black or white. OTH, Wyatt, is your kind of laid back kind of guy, very attractive, a little bit of grey in the hair (ooh) and abit of a charmer and can relate to people well. He takes life as it comes, He has had issues in his life dealing with his alcoholism and his divorce and pressures of being a top surgeon but has managed to overcome it. He has also found a discipline in medicine which he enjoys. He’s a very much a hands on doctor.
What I liked about Camille, she was a different type of heroine and not an easy person to deal with as she has these phobias and hang ups forming relationships. Wyatt was very charming, sexy and likeable hero and I loved the way he would use humour tease her and coax her out of her shell and helped her break down her emotional brick wall. He was also a very caring and patient man when she was emotionally broken down and very stubborn. He also had enough machismo to get irritated with her to help her get her act together when she was being stubborn about certain things.
I believe they had a great chemistry together and you really wanted them to have an HEA. It wasn’t an easy ride and at times I really felt sorry for Wyatt.
The sexual tension was superb and the sex scenes were hot enough to go ‘phew’. One teeny weeny criticism, when he seduced her on the 2nd date, I thought he moved in too soon (could have had a longer build up imho), (a few more scenes), and that she gave in too easily. Then for the rest of the story she was reluctant to have him touch her afterwards and was keeping her distance. Also, we could have had a few more scenes with abit more tension between. Nevermind. I agree with one of my fellow readers (Agent Scully), I wish the story was longer as I loved the banter between Wyatt and Camille
The suspense was great with a few a twists and I was kept guessing until the end. The bad guys great being creepy and menacing.
All in all a riveting read a great romantic story with two people you are rooting for until the very end and a very satisfactory suspense plot. Highly recommended read. This book is going on my keeper’s shelf.
The Doctor’s deadly Affair
This is one of the best stories from the SRS series I have ever read. It’s a lovely story with a h/H you like very much.
The main plot is about a brilliant female surgeon (Camille) who suspects foul play when two of her patients die in unexplained circumstances. She is forced to seek help from her former colleague/boss, surgeon (Wyatt) whom she has known for years and recently had a disastrous first date with. The only condition he will help her if she goes on a 2nd date with him. He finally noticed her and is very intrigued by her unusual habits and quirkiness and he finds her mysterious and challenging so he wants to get to know her better. She otherwise wants to be left alone and concentrate on her work, she cannot handle relationships with men and is afraid as she feels she is incapable of having any emotional and physical attachment.
Camille is a very emotionally insecure person, quite detached, she doesn’t have friends, her work is her life. She was brought up by a cold and distance grandfather and so she finds it hard communicating emotionally to people and men especially. She has also had a childhood trauma and she suffers from germaphobia and a mild form of OCD, she is too regimented in her life. It’s either black or white. OTH, Wyatt, is your kind of laid back kind of guy, very attractive, a little bit of grey in the hair (ooh) and abit of a charmer and can relate to people well. He takes life as it comes, He has had issues in his life dealing with his alcoholism and his divorce and pressures of being a top surgeon but has managed to overcome it. He has also found a discipline in medicine which he enjoys. He’s a very much a hands on doctor.
What I liked about Camille, she was a different type of heroine and not an easy person to deal with as she has these phobias and hang ups forming relationships. Wyatt was very charming, sexy and likeable hero and I loved the way he would use humour tease her and coax her out of her shell and helped her break down her emotional brick wall. He was also a very caring and patient man when she was emotionally broken down and very stubborn. He also had enough machismo to get irritated with her to help her get her act together when she was being stubborn about certain things.
I believe they had a great chemistry together and you really wanted them to have an HEA. It wasn’t an easy ride and at times I really felt sorry for Wyatt.
The sexual tension was superb and the sex scenes were hot enough to go ‘phew’. One teeny weeny criticism, when he seduced her on the 2nd date, I thought he moved in too soon (could have had a longer build up imho), (a few more scenes), and that she gave in too easily. Then for the rest of the story she was reluctant to have him touch her afterwards and was keeping her distance. Also, we could have had a few more scenes with abit more tension between. Nevermind. I agree with one of my fellow readers (Agent Scully), I wish the story was longer as I loved the banter between Wyatt and Camille
The suspense was great with a few a twists and I was kept guessing until the end. The bad guys great being creepy and menacing.
All in all a riveting read a great romantic story with two people you are rooting for until the very end and a very satisfactory suspense plot. Highly recommended read. This book is going on my keeper’s shelf.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2011
Dr. Wyatt Holladay doesn't know when his feelings changed for the germophobe beauty, Dr.Camille Lawson, but now he can't get her out of his head. After their disastrous date he didn't think he would get the chance to try again with her, but when her patients suddenly start dying, she comes to him for help.
Camille didn't want to ask Wyatt for anything, but she was beginning to question her surgical abilities even though she knew her surgeries were flawless, yet her last two patients have died. Camille didn't have a lot of confidence in a lot of things, but because of the way her grandfather raised her, when it comes to her surgical profession she was sure of her greatness.
As suspicion comes that these deaths haven't been an accident, Wyatt is not leaving Camille's side. But she isn't making it easy on him. After rushing her their first night, he's having to take a step back and gain her trust.
When they believe the person responsible is dead, their guards go down, which is when the real attacker attacks her in her home. Breaking her arm and attempting to hang her is as far as he got before Wyatt is able to save her.
During her recovery, Camille takes time to think about what she wants. After compromising on a few germ fears, she goes to wyatt, where he proposes.
Camille didn't want to ask Wyatt for anything, but she was beginning to question her surgical abilities even though she knew her surgeries were flawless, yet her last two patients have died. Camille didn't have a lot of confidence in a lot of things, but because of the way her grandfather raised her, when it comes to her surgical profession she was sure of her greatness.
As suspicion comes that these deaths haven't been an accident, Wyatt is not leaving Camille's side. But she isn't making it easy on him. After rushing her their first night, he's having to take a step back and gain her trust.
When they believe the person responsible is dead, their guards go down, which is when the real attacker attacks her in her home. Breaking her arm and attempting to hang her is as far as he got before Wyatt is able to save her.
During her recovery, Camille takes time to think about what she wants. After compromising on a few germ fears, she goes to wyatt, where he proposes.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 4, 2013
I have really been hitting the jackpot on the romances that I have been reading lately. This book was no exception.
Camille is unlike any other heroine that I have read before. I have been saying that a lot recently, but in her case I don't think I have ever read a story with a heroine with the same type of issues that this one had on a personal level. The thing is it felt real, like I was peering into the life of someone really suffering with the things that Camille had to contend with. It really showed how the our environment shapes us, our guardians can do a real number on us if they are not careful. Yes we can still be productive, and still suffer from some childhood trauma. Even with her issues she was an outstanding doctor.
Wyatt was everything we expect a man to be when he is in love with a women. Loving her despite her hangups. That man showed her and told her that he loved her. I thought that was amazing.
Anyway it was a wonderful love story with a lot of suspense. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I figured out the culprit before the end of the story.
Camille is unlike any other heroine that I have read before. I have been saying that a lot recently, but in her case I don't think I have ever read a story with a heroine with the same type of issues that this one had on a personal level. The thing is it felt real, like I was peering into the life of someone really suffering with the things that Camille had to contend with. It really showed how the our environment shapes us, our guardians can do a real number on us if they are not careful. Yes we can still be productive, and still suffer from some childhood trauma. Even with her issues she was an outstanding doctor.
Wyatt was everything we expect a man to be when he is in love with a women. Loving her despite her hangups. That man showed her and told her that he loved her. I thought that was amazing.
Anyway it was a wonderful love story with a lot of suspense. The only reason for 4 stars instead of 5 is because I figured out the culprit before the end of the story.
May 18, 2011
Unbelievably great! Camille, the heroine was different, difficult and despite that extremely likeable. Wyatt was unbelievably patient and understanding and just terrific.
I enjoyed this story because terrible things kept happening to Camille and despite all her phobias she persevered. Wyatt's love for her was also so believable, SD should be given an award for that feat alone.
I also loved the way SD didn't give Camille a quick makeover that took a day or a week but had her help herself on her own in her own time! That was realistic and made the ending all the better.
The suspense brought about by bizarre lust Dr. Wade inspired and was prone to was just so odd that it made the whodunnit so unpredictable. I kept shaking my head and just kept on reading, it was that good! Dr. House has nothing on Dr. Larson. I hope we get another great read from SD soon. I'm looking forward to it.
I enjoyed this story because terrible things kept happening to Camille and despite all her phobias she persevered. Wyatt's love for her was also so believable, SD should be given an award for that feat alone.
I also loved the way SD didn't give Camille a quick makeover that took a day or a week but had her help herself on her own in her own time! That was realistic and made the ending all the better.
The suspense brought about by bizarre lust Dr. Wade inspired and was prone to was just so odd that it made the whodunnit so unpredictable. I kept shaking my head and just kept on reading, it was that good! Dr. House has nothing on Dr. Larson. I hope we get another great read from SD soon. I'm looking forward to it.
January 28, 2013
Ms. Doyle if you read this please do not be hurt or offended. I thought your book was okay but not a keeper. I would probably never read it again. It was just a little to sappy in places for me. I just couldn't get into the I'm so perfect surgeon with a fear of germs and a fear of relationships.
I liked your hero but as you see the names have left my short term memory already. I liked that your hero kept trying to get his lady to see him and to accept that she was loved. The book just didn't grab me.
I liked your hero but as you see the names have left my short term memory already. I liked that your hero kept trying to get his lady to see him and to accept that she was loved. The book just didn't grab me.
February 10, 2011
Funny, sweet and a little scary this one delivers on both the romance and suspense. Highly recommended
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December 24, 2014News Update!: Sparked by danger, fueled by passion. Starting with April titles, Silhouette Romantic Suspense books will be published as Harlequin Romantic Suspense.
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May 2, 20122012 RITA finalist in the Contemporary Series Romance: Suspense/Adventure category
May 7, 2012
I actually thoroughly enjoyed this one. The ending was a little wonky, but I thought, overall, it had an unique premise. I think this is my favorite RITA nominated category this far.
May 30, 2012
Fast paced.
August 26, 2014
The heroine kinda annoyed me, being a doctor but fear for germs. No consciousness made her TSTL sometimes.
Though the suspense part was fine.
Though the suspense part was fine.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews