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The Flint K-9 Search and Rescue Mysteries #3
The Redemption Game Lib/E
The Bestselling Flint K-9 Search and Rescue Series Returns!
A Local Animal Hoarder, Her Missing Son, and a Condemned Home Filled with Secrets
In Midcoast Maine, Jamie and her K-9 team search for the cognitively challenged son of a local animal hoarder, while recently licensed private investigator Jack Juarez looks into a murder related to the case. Unfortunately, each new clue Jack finds in the investigation seems to lead him back to a suspect police already have in their sights: Jamie's son. Meanwhile, Jamie fights to save a critically ill pit bull pulled from the hoarder's home who could hold the key to the woman's dark secrets.
Be sure to pick up your copy of THE DARKEST THREAD, the first novel in the Flint K-9 series, FREE for a limited time on Amazon!
A Local Animal Hoarder, Her Missing Son, and a Condemned Home Filled with Secrets
In Midcoast Maine, Jamie and her K-9 team search for the cognitively challenged son of a local animal hoarder, while recently licensed private investigator Jack Juarez looks into a murder related to the case. Unfortunately, each new clue Jack finds in the investigation seems to lead him back to a suspect police already have in their sights: Jamie's son. Meanwhile, Jamie fights to save a critically ill pit bull pulled from the hoarder's home who could hold the key to the woman's dark secrets.
Be sure to pick up your copy of THE DARKEST THREAD, the first novel in the Flint K-9 series, FREE for a limited time on Amazon!
Audio CD
Published December 19, 2019
1050 people are currently reading
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About the author
Jen Blood
18 books331 followersJen Blood is a professional editor and publishing consultant, and author of the bestselling Erin Solomon Mysteries. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing/Popular Fiction, with writing influences ranging from Emily Bronte to Dennis Lehane, and any number of genres and authors in between. Her work has earned accolades and awards including the AIA Seal of Quality and the B.R.A.G. Medallion for ALL THE BLUE-EYED ANGELS, and honorable mention for Best in Fiction from the New England Book Festival for her second novel, SINS OF THE FATHER. All four of her novels have reached the Amazon Bestseller list in Mystery, Suspense, and Women Sleuths.
Born and raised among the smaller fishing villages of midcoast Maine, Jen's writing is rich with the details and tone of that isolated, occasionally harsh landscape. Today, after spending several years traveling the country, Jen is once again living in midcoast Maine, busily working on the next installment in the Erin Solomon series.
Born and raised among the smaller fishing villages of midcoast Maine, Jen's writing is rich with the details and tone of that isolated, occasionally harsh landscape. Today, after spending several years traveling the country, Jen is once again living in midcoast Maine, busily working on the next installment in the Erin Solomon series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
February 26, 2020
I blame myself for not fully engaging in this mystery story. The plot presented an intriguing puzzle, but I didn’t connect with or like the characters (with the exception of the dogs). I believe that not having read the previous books I had missed something by not being aware of the characters’ past history, cases investigated, and relationships. This made the story less compelling for me, and not liking the characters dulled the suspense since I was unable to care what happened to them. I did not feel that the touch of supernatural intuition added anything to this very complex mystery. The reluctant romantic relationship was a distraction.
Jamie Flint runs a K-9. Search and Rescue. A local animal hoarder, Nancy, used to run a useful animal rescue operation, but as she aged, it got too difficult for her. Her animals lived in filthy conditions, were malnourished, health and grooming were neglected, but she refused to let the animals go to places where they would get better treatment, loving homes, and veterinary care. Before the authorities, including the police, along with Jamie’s workers, and the Humane Society could move in and seize the suffering animals, Nancy was found murdered and the animals had been released. Jamie’s Rescue Unit and the neighbors set out to round up the animals who had fled captivity. Nancy’s intellectually handicapped son has disappeared. Jamie sets out with a trained search dog to find him in the wilderness.
Jamie’s son, Bear, was upset with the condition of Nancy’s many animals. The police suspect him of killing Nancy and he is arrested. Meanwhile, Private Investigator, Jack Juarez, had been hired to solve Nancy’s murder. He has also been hired to locate a neighbor’s missing husband. Shockingly, other bodies are discovered in the filth and squalor of Nancy’s home. Who killed Nancy, and who are the unidentified bodies hidden in her basement? Who killed them and why? Will the animals who survived much neglect and mistreatment settle into good homes?
Prospective readers should not be deterred by my misgivings, as many enjoyed this book and rated it highly. *2.5* stars.
Jamie Flint runs a K-9. Search and Rescue. A local animal hoarder, Nancy, used to run a useful animal rescue operation, but as she aged, it got too difficult for her. Her animals lived in filthy conditions, were malnourished, health and grooming were neglected, but she refused to let the animals go to places where they would get better treatment, loving homes, and veterinary care. Before the authorities, including the police, along with Jamie’s workers, and the Humane Society could move in and seize the suffering animals, Nancy was found murdered and the animals had been released. Jamie’s Rescue Unit and the neighbors set out to round up the animals who had fled captivity. Nancy’s intellectually handicapped son has disappeared. Jamie sets out with a trained search dog to find him in the wilderness.
Jamie’s son, Bear, was upset with the condition of Nancy’s many animals. The police suspect him of killing Nancy and he is arrested. Meanwhile, Private Investigator, Jack Juarez, had been hired to solve Nancy’s murder. He has also been hired to locate a neighbor’s missing husband. Shockingly, other bodies are discovered in the filth and squalor of Nancy’s home. Who killed Nancy, and who are the unidentified bodies hidden in her basement? Who killed them and why? Will the animals who survived much neglect and mistreatment settle into good homes?
Prospective readers should not be deterred by my misgivings, as many enjoyed this book and rated it highly. *2.5* stars.
November 30, 2020
Jamie is a dog handler in Maine, and does search and rescue with her German Shepherd Phantom. She and some others are trying to get Nancy, an obnoxious animal hoarder to let them re-home some of the starving animals on her property, and she chases them off. When Nancy is murdered and her disabled son disappears, Jamie, Phantom, and Jack, a local private investigator, look into Nancy's past, racing against time before someone else dies, and people they care about are blamed. Recommended for anyone who enjoys dog mysteries.
January 13, 2020
I really have feel invested with the characters here, Jamie Flint, her son Bear Flint, as well as the former FBI Agents turned P.I. Jack Juarez (who also becomes Jamie's future love interest, I think). And it's easy with the dogs too.
In this 3rd book, Jamie is involved in an animal hoarder who got murdered, and her cognitive challenged son is missing. Because of the animal hoarder, there are LOTS MORE animals in this book!! We got dogs and cats -- and well, there's one cat that actually adopted Jack into his family *laugh*. I liked the mystery, I liked the relationship development between Jamie and Jack... and Bear gets to deliver that "If you hurt my Mom, I will hurt you back" speech towards Jack too. Solid read!
I still don't know the author's endgame with Brock's voice (Jamie's abusive dead ex) coming to Jamie now after being silent for years. But I'll look forward to find out more.
In this 3rd book, Jamie is involved in an animal hoarder who got murdered, and her cognitive challenged son is missing. Because of the animal hoarder, there are LOTS MORE animals in this book!! We got dogs and cats -- and well, there's one cat that actually adopted Jack into his family *laugh*. I liked the mystery, I liked the relationship development between Jamie and Jack... and Bear gets to deliver that "If you hurt my Mom, I will hurt you back" speech towards Jack too. Solid read!
I still don't know the author's endgame with Brock's voice (Jamie's abusive dead ex) coming to Jamie now after being silent for years. But I'll look forward to find out more.
May 28, 2023
The 2nd book suffered from a real case of Middle Book Issues, but this one picked itself up and surprised me - in a good and positive way.
It's not the best series I've ever listened to, but this particular book in the series, hit a particularly serious note for me with the animal abuse. I found that harrowing to my core and deeply unpleasant. The rehabilitation of particularly one of the dogs was engaging!
I leave the series behind feeling rather satisfied with everything. All the plotlines were nicely tied up, but the ending still open enough for the characters to "move on" with their lives without me, so to speak.
It's not the best series I've ever listened to, but this particular book in the series, hit a particularly serious note for me with the animal abuse. I found that harrowing to my core and deeply unpleasant. The rehabilitation of particularly one of the dogs was engaging!
I leave the series behind feeling rather satisfied with everything. All the plotlines were nicely tied up, but the ending still open enough for the characters to "move on" with their lives without me, so to speak.
November 7, 2021
The Redemption Game by Jen Blood is the 3rd book in the Flint K-9 Search and Rescue Mysteries series. A local animal hoarder is about to have her animals seized when she is found battered to death. I found it difficult to get into this book which mainlt focussed on the animal rescue. The investigation seemed to move too slowly and it was odd that the police were unable to locate all the bodies which was left to Jack and Jaimie. An interesting mystery but rather strange.
April 3, 2024
Another great installment in the Flint K9 Series, I really hope there is another in this series as I was disappointed to find that there isn't a 4th. I have loved this series. The characters and stories and have kept me glued to the book.
January 24, 2022
Ghosts
Absolutely love this series. The author does such a good job keeping us engaged with the story and solving the mystery.
Absolutely love this series. The author does such a good job keeping us engaged with the story and solving the mystery.
March 24, 2024
Absolutely excellent story about individuals in animal rescue and a hoarding situation. This is the second book I have read in this series and it is as good as the first.
September 15, 2020
Fast Paced Book
Love this series of books. Many twists and turns in this story. It’s fascinating reading about how K9 searches happen. Very sad to see how fast a so called rescue like Nancy & her son ran can go belly up so fast. So happy that Jamie & Jack are finding friendship that may turn into more. Glad to read that Bear is growing up & learning more about his talents with Ren’s help. But the dogs in these books are the true hero’s & why we love reading them! I hope the author continues writing more stories for this series very soon!
Love this series of books. Many twists and turns in this story. It’s fascinating reading about how K9 searches happen. Very sad to see how fast a so called rescue like Nancy & her son ran can go belly up so fast. So happy that Jamie & Jack are finding friendship that may turn into more. Glad to read that Bear is growing up & learning more about his talents with Ren’s help. But the dogs in these books are the true hero’s & why we love reading them! I hope the author continues writing more stories for this series very soon!
May 14, 2020
One of the nice things about this book is that despite it being book 3, and my first time reading this author, she made enough references to past events that I was able to understand the characters and the events that had taken place in books 1 and 2.
Very fast paced, with great action, interesting characters, and of course, DOGS! I really enjoy all the K-9 mystery books out there now and Jen Blood's was one of the better ones. And I loved all the dogs.
Very fast paced, with great action, interesting characters, and of course, DOGS! I really enjoy all the K-9 mystery books out there now and Jen Blood's was one of the better ones. And I loved all the dogs.
December 30, 2020
What starts out as a really interesting premise -- can two of the lead characters hear the dead speak -descends into a modest mystery, where facts are added rather than uncovered; where the PI feels really substantive but quickly reaches a ceiling and where the last ten percent of the book reads more like a romance novel than a detective story. It is an easy and quick read, and largely enjoyable, but I cannot muster much excitement. The author and publisher were kind enough to offer two free books at the end, but I took a pass rather than risk more of the same.
A good novel is an escape; a great novel leaves you with something -- perhaps it is deeply developed characters you are reluctant to part with, or a better understanding of a moment in time, geography or the human condition. Something that the author has studied and worked into the novel seamlessly. This felt more like empty calories.
Jen Blood is a good novelist with promise. Perhaps her books improve with time, but this book felt like a good read that lost steam and just didn't approach a great read. Wish I could be more enthusiastic as it had many attractive elements -- mystery, lover of animals, supernatural questions, interesting characters and setting.
A good novel is an escape; a great novel leaves you with something -- perhaps it is deeply developed characters you are reluctant to part with, or a better understanding of a moment in time, geography or the human condition. Something that the author has studied and worked into the novel seamlessly. This felt more like empty calories.
Jen Blood is a good novelist with promise. Perhaps her books improve with time, but this book felt like a good read that lost steam and just didn't approach a great read. Wish I could be more enthusiastic as it had many attractive elements -- mystery, lover of animals, supernatural questions, interesting characters and setting.
February 16, 2024
This is a K9 mystery. I appreciated that the author knew about dog training and K9 Search and Rescue and wove it into the story. That added a level of realism to an otherwise grim and stretches-the-belief book. Jamie and her son can hear the dead (and, apparently, nearly-dead), though they can't control it. This talent helps them find graves and solve crimes. When Jamie and her romantic interest, private investigator Jack, help rescue abused animals from an animal hording situation, Jack comes upon human skeletons. He works that case, and Jamie helps find people, animals, and more graves.
The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. The mystery was intriguing, though it sometimes pushed belief (no one noticed a certain pattern to the people who went missing until now?). The filth and gore of the horder situation and the dead were described mostly by the character's reactions to it, but it was still graphic enough to not be a pleasant read. There were no sex scenes. There's a fair amount of bad language.
The main characters were likable and reacted realistically to events. The mystery was intriguing, though it sometimes pushed belief (no one noticed a certain pattern to the people who went missing until now?). The filth and gore of the horder situation and the dead were described mostly by the character's reactions to it, but it was still graphic enough to not be a pleasant read. There were no sex scenes. There's a fair amount of bad language.
February 5, 2021
The Best Yet!
The Redemption Game, book 3 of the Flint K-9 Search and Rescue series is the best of the series thus far, in my opinion. Jen Blood has out done herself with the subplots within the main plot causing twist and turns that keeps you wondering who done it right up to the final moment in the book. All our favorite characters are back as Jamie Flint copes with her son Bear growing up and her changing relationship with Jack Juarez. Jen Blood has added some new quirky characters animal lovers and residents of Rockland to the mix. Again, Jen's masterful storytelling kept me up late at night and on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down until I finished the last page. And then I was sorry I finished as I was not ready to leave Jamie Flint and her gang behind! I only hope this is not the end of Flint K-9 but whatever Jen Blood writes next I will be sure to read!
The Redemption Game, book 3 of the Flint K-9 Search and Rescue series is the best of the series thus far, in my opinion. Jen Blood has out done herself with the subplots within the main plot causing twist and turns that keeps you wondering who done it right up to the final moment in the book. All our favorite characters are back as Jamie Flint copes with her son Bear growing up and her changing relationship with Jack Juarez. Jen Blood has added some new quirky characters animal lovers and residents of Rockland to the mix. Again, Jen's masterful storytelling kept me up late at night and on the edge of my seat, unable to put the book down until I finished the last page. And then I was sorry I finished as I was not ready to leave Jamie Flint and her gang behind! I only hope this is not the end of Flint K-9 but whatever Jen Blood writes next I will be sure to read!
May 22, 2024
Face facts: dog people, and especially those involved in rescue, are a little bit crazy. And someone who has spent a lifetime rescuing dogs and animals from neglect and abuse situations have built up a load of crazy, angry, rage and thoughts of retribution against the abusers. Jamie is involved in attempting to take animals from an elderly, no longer totally mentally healthy woman, whose rescue itself has turned into a hoarding and abuse situation, when the woman is murdered. This triggers an avalanche of horrible discoveries about the woman, her family, and the entire community, pulling Jamie into the maelstrom. Her son, Bear, is implicated and after a satisfying and compelling investigation, the right thing happens. A good, tautly written mystery with engaging characters, a gut-wrenching story and some amazing dogs.
May 29, 2020
REDEMPTION GAME, 3rd in the Jen Blood Flint K-9 series is an eye opener into people with good intentions having things get way out of hand. They start taking in stray animals to the point they just can't stop. They steal others they know are being abused. Eventually things get way out of hand. Animal Control has to come in and confiscate all the animals. We're talking cats and dogs into the hundreds that need health checks, some being able to be saved, some not. The ones saved are found forever homes. The squalid conditions are unreal and for real. This is not a one time thing in a novel.
Add a murder or two or three, to REDEMPTION GAME, mix in a tad, just a tad of woo-woo and I've had one of my best and thoughtful reads this year.
Add a murder or two or three, to REDEMPTION GAME, mix in a tad, just a tad of woo-woo and I've had one of my best and thoughtful reads this year.
November 24, 2020
Intriguing because it's as much about the abilities of tracking dogs as it is about sleuthing humans. The writer's experience stands out here.
The choices people make is very much to the fore. Probably would have preferred one less character or perhaps one less point of view. Had to backtrack a couple of times. The best-drawn character is Bear, the teenage son of the female protagonist.
Excellent to know this is a series and we will hear more about the K9 search team, none of whom are perfect, by the way. Respect Jen Blood's ability to draw characters with huge problems that do not lessen their impact on the reader.
The choices people make is very much to the fore. Probably would have preferred one less character or perhaps one less point of view. Had to backtrack a couple of times. The best-drawn character is Bear, the teenage son of the female protagonist.
Excellent to know this is a series and we will hear more about the K9 search team, none of whom are perfect, by the way. Respect Jen Blood's ability to draw characters with huge problems that do not lessen their impact on the reader.
January 3, 2023
I liked this book—especially the rescuing of the animals and the description of how the animals are trained. I loved the relationship between Jamie and her search and rescue dog Phantom. What I didn’t like was the foo-foo speaking to the dead—that was ridiculous. Also Bear’s personality was not likeable, in fact a lot of the characters were not well drawn. While Jamie appeared to be sympathetic and compassionate, at times she grated on my nerves. I didn’t understand her references to Brock, but that may be because this is book 3 in a series and I didn’t realize that when I began reading. I doubt I’ll read the others in the series because of the weird “talking to the dead” passages.
December 9, 2020
If you like mystery with some intrigue and romance thrown in then you
will like this book. If however you like dogs especially K 9 dogs then
you will love this book!! The author has blended a story in which a
hoarder who started out with a good heart to rescue dogs has since gone
downhill and all the dogs (and there are many) are ill, emaciated and
in very bad shape. The rescue operation for these dogs and cats starts
cataclysmic events that threaten to overtake everyone.
Good reading espcially if you like dogs (like Oswald and the
mysterious pit bull!)
will like this book. If however you like dogs especially K 9 dogs then
you will love this book!! The author has blended a story in which a
hoarder who started out with a good heart to rescue dogs has since gone
downhill and all the dogs (and there are many) are ill, emaciated and
in very bad shape. The rescue operation for these dogs and cats starts
cataclysmic events that threaten to overtake everyone.
Good reading espcially if you like dogs (like Oswald and the
mysterious pit bull!)
June 20, 2022
I've really enjoyed the first three novels in this series. So much so, I went looking to see if there was a fourth book in the offing.
According to the blog on Ms. Blood's website, the 4th book ("Head Above Water") was to be released in the spring of 2021, the 5th ("Visions of Clara") by the end of 2021 and a 6th book that was yet to be titled, after that. But I can't find them anywhere.
Please, please - I gotta know how Phantom is getting along with the new love of her life, Reaver/Archie!!! ~grin~
According to the blog on Ms. Blood's website, the 4th book ("Head Above Water") was to be released in the spring of 2021, the 5th ("Visions of Clara") by the end of 2021 and a 6th book that was yet to be titled, after that. But I can't find them anywhere.
Please, please - I gotta know how Phantom is getting along with the new love of her life, Reaver/Archie!!! ~grin~
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2023
I really enjoyed this story! It pulled me in from beginning to end and really held my attention as they tried to unravel what was going on. I loved getting to see more of Jamie and Jack and this time we get a little bit more of them moving towards a romantic relationship (which has been tiptoed around in previous books, connection there but never really acted on or truly acknowledged). This one has Bear in jeopardy as it looks like he might be guilty of murdering someone though that doesn't add up to what we know of Bear. This story was really interesting and does still have the search aspect as the son of the murdered individual is missing. I didn't want to stop listening to this story once I started as I had to see what was coming next and how everything was going to work out. I loved this book and this series and it looks like this might be the last one but I'm really hoping that more will come in the future. I really enjoyed it!
The narrator did a great job with this one as well and really added to the story and my enjoyment of it.
The narrator did a great job with this one as well and really added to the story and my enjoyment of it.
February 14, 2025
3.5
I don't know about anyone else but I seem to notice a lot of authors who drop off the map. Considering the use of pen names sometimes it's impossible to find out what happened to them. According to a blog post on her website there were more books finished for this series years ago...but here we are 3 years later with no books. I found her Instagram and she's still posting...so maybe there's still hope....I really like this world and would like to see if Archie becomes her next tracking dog and how their lives and gifts progress, but if not I'm glad this book left off on a happy note.
I don't know about anyone else but I seem to notice a lot of authors who drop off the map. Considering the use of pen names sometimes it's impossible to find out what happened to them. According to a blog post on her website there were more books finished for this series years ago...but here we are 3 years later with no books. I found her Instagram and she's still posting...so maybe there's still hope....I really like this world and would like to see if Archie becomes her next tracking dog and how their lives and gifts progress, but if not I'm glad this book left off on a happy note.
January 10, 2021
The book was interesting for awhile but then it seemed like the author wanted to add all of the latest fads to appeal to the the young generations. Wine, free sex no matter age, outsmarting stupid police, and then total unrealistic animal and human ability to recover from injuries bored me. I think the writer needs to make her stories less a fantasy with little fluff and more thought to a possible solution to a trouble facing humans and or animals. This is the first book I have read by this author. I hope the others are better.
January 11, 2021
I really enjoyed the main character and her job. Any book with working canines has good potential, but this author does very well with it. She had a little bit in the book that may sway certain opinions regarding working and training with animals that may or may not be accurate from everyone's point of view, but it did not really get in the way of my enjoyment. I I believe this was a free book, but it does make me want to go back and read some of this author's other work.
December 15, 2021
There is no stopping Jen Blood! She weaves these stories, that are just different enough in a seamless way. I was taken in the same way as the previous two books and without hesitation!
She delivers a good mystery, gives the reader insight to some SAR (Search And Rescue) procedures, and educates in the dog world.
Now what? This trilogy has ended but Jen Blood has more up her sleeve! Guess I’ll have to research more of her books and cleaning the house will have to wait!
She delivers a good mystery, gives the reader insight to some SAR (Search And Rescue) procedures, and educates in the dog world.
Now what? This trilogy has ended but Jen Blood has more up her sleeve! Guess I’ll have to research more of her books and cleaning the house will have to wait!
April 1, 2020
K9 Redemption
Cruelty to animals is one of the worst things to happen. Being cruel to an animal is not right. They give unconditional love and need us to meet their needs not exploit them. Very good story to read during this pandemic of coved-19 outbreak and the stay at home order.
Cruelty to animals is one of the worst things to happen. Being cruel to an animal is not right. They give unconditional love and need us to meet their needs not exploit them. Very good story to read during this pandemic of coved-19 outbreak and the stay at home order.
May 15, 2020
I loved this book. The interactions between characters and animales is realistic and makes one feel everything the animals were feeling. The mystery is maybe rather easy to solve, though there are a couple of twists I didn´t see coming! And the romance is low-burn but sweet. Make me want to read the preceding books!
November 21, 2020
This was an interesting story with alot of interesting characters. Really enjoyed getting to know all the lives of these characters. Love K9 stories. Sad that Nancy thought she was helping all these animals when actually just the opposite was happening. There's murders, secrets, a new romance, and a twist at the end I didn't see coming. Well written, makes you feel as if you are there too.
November 22, 2020
Sad to have read the last one in Flint K9s
I enjoyed all of this series, hated that there were no more after the last one. They keep me interested and I admire most of the characters. Jaime is an excellent role model for women, strong, intelligent, honorable and great with dogs. Believes in positive reinforcement, not punitive measures. Good mysteries all of them.
I enjoyed all of this series, hated that there were no more after the last one. They keep me interested and I admire most of the characters. Jaime is an excellent role model for women, strong, intelligent, honorable and great with dogs. Believes in positive reinforcement, not punitive measures. Good mysteries all of them.
January 15, 2021
I loved this book. I haven't read the earlier books in the series. I liked the characters and I loved the dogs and other animals. I thought it was pretty true to running a rescue, dealing with hoarders and the importance of placing rescued animals properly. The mystery was intriguing and kept my interest but really it was the animal/people interactions that made this book for me.
April 28, 2021
Love the K9 angle
A few tasty little murders to solve, but more importantly plenty of dogs! I loved reading about how some of them respond so well to love and care after abuse - in this case much of it by a very misguided animal lover. Plenty of twists, animals and a touch of romance.
A few tasty little murders to solve, but more importantly plenty of dogs! I loved reading about how some of them respond so well to love and care after abuse - in this case much of it by a very misguided animal lover. Plenty of twists, animals and a touch of romance.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews