Meet BTB Reviewer Steve Thomas

Background: I live in Orlando and am happily married to my wonderful wife Mia. Sons Andrew and Jonathan are both in college (but graduating soon) and our daughter Samantha is married to Nick and they have our one and only (so far) granddaughter, Madison (4 months old). I am a retired Army Colonel after serving as an Armor officer for 30 years. I am now the director of sales for a large import company that specializes in bringing tasty food from the UK. I love to golf and try to swing my clubs at least once a week. But my all-time favorite hobby is reading. I have been a voracious reader since I was a child and have shelves filled with Thrillers and Historical Fiction.

Go-To Author: Extremely difficult to pin this to just one but Don Bentley has to be it for me. His Matt Drake series is superb and the work he did with the Tom Clancy Jack Ryan Jr series found me unable to put them down (I bought the audiobooks books as to enjoy them a second time). I can’t wait to see what he does with the Mitch Rapp series. As much as I love Don’s work, it was hard to pick him over other favorites like Brad Taylor, Jack Carr, Mark Greaney, Mark Cameron, Ben Coes, Barry Eisler, Simon Gervais, Andrews & Wilson, Gregg Hurwitz and Brad Thor. I pre-order all of their books.

Author People Should Discover: Ryan Steck and Connor Sullivan. Both write thrillers that keep you up late at night trying to finish the chapter. Ryan did such a tremendous job as The Real Book Spy I was not surprised that he has such talent as a thriller author. And Connor Sullivan has writing skills that remind me of Nelson DeMille. These two authors can’t be missed.

Book You Would Recommend From 2023: Seriously? 2023 had so many books that were fantastic that it is an impossible take to narrow to just one. That said, Forgotten War by Don Bentley knocked me off my feet. The freshness of the subject (post-Afghanistan war) along with the depth of Don’s connection to the topic comes across in this Matt Drake thriller. If action-thriller is a genre that you enjoy/love, Forgotten War is a must read.

Most-Anticipated Book Of 2024: For me, I anticipate every book on my TBR pile next to my bedstand. But I couldn’t wait to read the latest in the Orphan X series by Gregg Hurwitz and Lone Wolf has not disappointed. Evan Smoak/Orphan X is a protagonist that answers he call with “do you need my help”… and Joey brings a chuckle regardless of the stress of the situation that Orphan X finds himself immersed in. And two of my other favorite authors that I have been waiting too long for are Ben Coes and Barry Eisler. Hope to see you both in the new releases soon!

Favorite Local/Indie Bookstore: The Book Dragon Shop. Fantastic service and selection. My go to when I need to find an autographed selection.

Favorite Charities: INUA Partners in Hope. My wife Mia and I sponsor and lead a golf tournament here in Orlando every year to raise money for this charity.

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The Dragon, The Eagle And The Jaguar By Rodger Carlyle

Rodger Carlyle once again proves that he is a master storyteller with his latest addition to the Team Walker series, The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar. This novel is crafted in such a manner that it compels the reader to reflect upon the current crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border as they turn each page. Carlyle's thriller enthralls the reader with superbly developed characters that bring the story to life in vivid detail.

Thad Walker and Chad Gritt, familiar faces from Carlyle’s previous hits The Eel and The Angel and The Shadow Game, return to once again battle power-driven forces from China that seek to damage the United States and usurp its leadership role on the world stage. The stakes are higher than ever, and the tension is palpable as Walker and Gritt navigate a web of intrigue and danger.

The Team Walker series has evolved significantly, with Carlyle introducing even more characters to cheer for and more formidable dangers for Walker and Gritt to face. Carlye’s ascent to one of the best thriller writers has been meteoric, almost as fast paced as the action in The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar.

In addition to his prowess in crafting thrillers, Carlyle has also made a name for himself in the realm of historical fiction. His ability to weave historical accuracy with compelling narratives has garnered him a dedicated following and leave me yearning for the next in his Gritt Family series.

The Dragon, The Eagle and The Jaguar is a superb thriller from start to exhilarating finish. Carlyle’s masterful storytelling, combined with his ability to tackle contemporary issues, makes this book a must-read. It should undoubtedly be on the top of everyone’s TBR list in the new year.

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Cold Storage By Michael C. Grumley

Cold Storage, the fantastic sequel to Michael C. Grumley’s Deep Freeze and book two in his Revival series, is a stunning thriller that starts with action and ends with a mind-blowing cyclone of a finish.

 John Rieff, the protagonist from Deep Freeze, is on the run from a shadowy group determined to reclaim their cryogenic experiment. Set in a near-future world, this thriller explores the dark side of technological advancements. The world as we know it has changed, and a group of privileged individuals is attempting to use cryogenics to save themselves for a later period when technology has improved. But they have a secret that could change everything. Rieff, while attempting to recover from being in cold storage, is determined to work with his team to unravel their objectives and stop them.

 Crumley has masterfully crafted a story that will steal hours of your sleep as you won’t want to put it down. The book delves into themes of immortality and the ethical dilemmas of cryogenics, questioning what it means to truly live. What if the key to immortality was within reach, but only for a select few? Highly recommended for fans of sci-fi thrillers, Cold Storage will grab your attention at the on-set and stay with you long after the last page.

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Assume Nothing By Joshua Corin

My first Joshua Corin read (I love finding new authors) was this thriller – Assume Nothing – and I was stunned at what a superb story he crafted. The protagonist, Kat McCann, is a teenager who survived her mother’s murder by her father. Now, ten years later, she lives with her aunt and uncle in Boston. When she feels compelled to attend a presentation at Harvard by Alik Lisser, the famous Austrian criminologist who solved her mother’s murder and implicated her father, she becomes reacquainted with him. Kat’s troubles begin as she quickly learns that he is not the man she or the world thinks he is. Everyone around her is now in danger until she can find a way to implicate him for his evils that he has carefully guarded from everyone in the world – except her.

If you love a great old-fashioned mystery wrapped succinctly into a thrilling narrative, then Assume Nothing must go into your “to-be-read” pile. Corin has given us a wonderful page-turner that will leave you on the edge of your seat as you tread carefully along with Kat on her precarious journey. I highly recommend it!

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Tom Clancy Defense Protocol By Andrews & Wilson

I truly began my love for thriller novels when I was stationed in Germany in the late 1980s. I relished every Tom Clancy and Robert Ludlum novel I could find. When another Clancy thriller was published, it felt like Christmas morning! I devoured them all and read them more than once. While I enjoyed all of Clancy’s books, The Hunt for Red October was definitely one of my favorites.

So, when two of my favorite authors – Brian Andrews and Jeff Wilson – released Act of Defiance in 2023 and introduced Katie Ryan (an analyst, like her famous father, with the Office of Naval Intelligence), I was captivated by the book’s overt similarities with Jack Ryan and Red October. Act of Defiance quickly became one of my favorite reads this year.

Defense Protocol had that same effect on me! Jack Ryan is still the President, and when it looks like a Chinese naval exercise may lead to an invasion of Taiwan, Katie Ryan finds herself in the middle of an escalating international fray that could lead to World War III. Andrews and Wilson even bring a Clancy reader favorite, John Clark, into the story as he attempts to smuggle out a Chinese Minister of Defense who may have plans for the invasion.

Andrews and Wilson are two of the best thriller authors in the business and they keep providing novels that don’t let you put the book down. So, finish out your 2024 with a book you will love – I highly recommend Defense Protocol!

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Deadbeat By Adam Hamdy

I always like to cheer for the protagonist. It’s second nature for many of us, whether we’re reading a book, watching a movie, or just living our lives. However, the main character of Adam’s Hamdy’s novel Deadbeat, Peyton Collard, is a deeply flawed man. After a life-altering car accident that killed a young woman, Peyton spent time in prison, got divorced, and is now quite destitute. We meet Peyton as a drunk, behind on child support, and barely getting by. He hits rock bottom again when, in a drunken state, he inadvertently rams a police car and finds himself in jail once more.

But everything changes for Peyton when someone anonymously bails him out of jail and gives him money to kill an evil man. This sets Peyton on a path that leaves a trail of bodies as he gets deeper into trouble. The money he earns begins to improve his life, but the web of deceit and violence that he weaves pulls him further into danger – for himself and those he cares about. He soon realizes that discovering the identity of his anonymous patron may be the only way he survives.

Adam Hamdy has crafted a thriller that intrigues you from the start and draws you deeper into the descending journey of a man who is looking for any way to escape the hopeless life that he has fallen into. For fans of the thriller genre, I highly recommend Deadbeat. Hamdy’s storyline is superb, the characters are compelling, and you will quickly become engrossed in the story. And you absolutely won’t want to miss the ending.

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Nobody's Hero By M.W. Craven

Fans of Lee Child’s Jack Reacher novels will absolutely love Ben Koenig, the fearless protagonist in M.W. Craven’s must-read thriller Nobody’s Hero. In this sequel to Fearless, the first in the Ben Koenig series, Craven has produced a thriller that all of us readers will love. Koenig, a lone wolf with a strong moral compass, is a protagonist that you will laugh with, tremble with, and heartily cheer for as he unravels a plot to damage America in a way that neither he nor you will believe.

Honestly, this series featuring Ben Koenig has been my favorite find of the year and is also my most recommended read. I truly found myself setting aside time during the day to dig back into Nobody’s Hero as Craven had me spellbound attempting to solve this thriller along with his characters in the book. I think that this is another book series that I will be wistfully waiting for the next book to come along.

Don’t miss out on this electrifying read and prepare for a rollercoaster ride of suspense and action. Take my advice and pre-order Nobody’s Hero today and prepare to be captivated. You can thank me later.

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The Egyptian Enigma By David Darling

If you love thrillers by Wilbur Smith & Steve Berry as much as I do, The Egyptian Enigma deserves a place on the shelf alongside them as a superb, impossible to put down thriller. The reader will tag along an increasingly intense ride that wraps a great story where our modern world becomes intertwined with Ancient Egyptian lore. 

Ryan Petey is as surprised as the reader to be the protagonist of an action thriller that finds he’s interacting with long dead Egyptian priests who use stone singing to literally connect and move heavy stone objects. Along the way, he attempts to avoid underworld adversaries as he gets transported to places like Stonehenge and the Egyptian Pyramids while he continues to perfect his newly found stone singing skills.

If you love a great thriller and a story filled with intense action and plot twists, the Egyptian Enigma is highly recommended for you.

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King Of The Night By DJ Williams

I’ll never forget the first time that I rode Space Mountain at Walt Disney World. The anxiety, excitement, and fear of what lay ahead at the next turn on that rollercoaster is the best way to describe the action-thriller The King of the Night by DJ Williams. With its non-stop action and characters you want to cheer for, it is a superb read and I know that you will truly enjoy this novel.

A sequel to the first thriller in the Chase Hardeman series, The Auctioneer, Williams’ returns his main protagonists, Chase Hardeman and his partner Dax as they race around the world as black operators who try to do good for the world without the safety of a parachute. Chase and Dax provide a focal point for the plotline but there are several other strong characters that the reader will enjoy as the book provides many different subplots that will keep the reader’s adrenaline going. Just don’t get too attached with all of the characters as the author is not shy about writing off a few of them.

A strong storyline that takes the reader all over the globe and even includes hints of a deep state within the US government, I found myself happily hanging on as the action continued to spin up like the rotor blades of a Eurocopter. And yes - I highly recommend you read The King of the Night and enjoy the ride!

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In Too Deep By Lee Child & Andrew Child

Is there a more thrilling character to cheer for than Jack Reacher? In Too Deep, by Lee Child and Andrew Child, starts with Reacher in a precarious situation, waking up in a strange room, handcuffed to a steel table with a broken wrist and with no memory of how he got there. While Reacher untangles himself in classic Reacher fashion, the plot continues to thicken as he realizes that, as usual, he is caught up in a violent situation involving a team of bad guys involved in theft, corporate blackmail, and murder. As they allow Reacher to slowly learn more and more about the situation he has landed in, the authors skillfully keep you guessing about who can be trusted, what their true motives are, and force Reacher to rethink his every move and question who he can trust.

Andrew Child, who has now taken over the reins of his brother Lee Child’s Reacher series, superbly puts his fingerprints on this beloved character of the bestselling series. Reacher seems a little less physical and a little more cerebral as In Too Deep weaves classic Child twists into the narrative, ensuring that the tension remains high and the reader is constantly on edge.

Overall, while In Too Deep does not quite have the feel of a classic Reacher story, it is a masterclass in crafting an intricate plot with unexpected twists, featuring a protagonist that every thriller reader can’t wait to engage with. It’s a must-read for fans who love the Reacher series and appreciate a story that keeps them on their toes and challenges their expectations. I really enjoyed it!

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Break Every Rule By Brian Freeman

I vividly remember eagerly awaiting the next Tom Clancy book growing up, or the latest Wilbur Smith adventure, or the newest Robert Ludlum thriller. Each time, I knew I was about to be absorbed into their worlds and enjoy every minute. That’s exactly how I felt when I opened Brian Freeman’s 30th novel, Break Every Rule. My anticipation was rewarded with what I consider one of the very best thriller novels of 2024. Yes, Break Every Rule is that good.

Freeman crafts Tommy Miller as a protagonist with a hidden past, one you will cheer for from the first page until you close the book with a contented sigh. Miller has tried to suppress and hide from his violent past but fears it has caught up to him when his wife and daughter are kidnapped. While trying to stay out of sight of those who wish him dead, he uses his unique skills to search for his family, not realizing that his wife has a past that has caught up to her.

I don’t use the term “one of the very best thriller novels of 2024” lightly. Anyone who loves a great thriller and reads Break Every Rule will feel the same. Brian Freeman has a superb resume of novels that will keep you up late at night wanting to read just one more chapter, and this book stands proudly among his great works.

Did I mention that I highly recommend that you read Break Every Rule?

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The President's Lawyer By Lawrence Robbins

Wrap a murder mystery inside a legal thriller and tie it up with a psychological thriller with plot twists that will make you gasp and you will find The President’s Lawyer by Lawrence Robbins.

The President’s Lawyer takes you behind the scenes and into the courtroom where a powerful lawyer, Rob Jacobson, is called upon to defend his lifelong friend and former US President, Jack Cutler, against a murder charge that will uncover his friend’s infidelity and cause damage to everyone involved. Twisting the interpersonal relationships between the Jacobsons and the Cutlers, the author zips you along a path that the reader believes they are able to sort out the killer. But you won’t be able to believe what you find at the end!

Bravo for what will be one of the BEST legal thrillers of 2024!

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Heroic Measures By Joel Shulkin

Heroic Measures is a captivating thriller that explores the potential of creating super soldiers and their transformative impact on modern warfare. Are superheroes limited to comic books and movies, or has our government discovered the secret to deploying them on the battlefield? And if so, who controls them, and for what purpose?

The book’s protagonist, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Englehart, a United States Air Force medical examiner, is a master in his field but struggles with following orders, driven by his own curiosities in his forensic mission. However, a troubling family history haunts him, influencing his behavior and reluctance to accept command positions. But when a Marine arrives on his autopsy table with brain implants that may allow for regenerative powers and superhuman strength and speed, Stephen strives to find out who is behind it all. When his efforts to find the truth results in murder and violence, Stephen is even more determined. Then when his Green Beret Major sister disappears, he fears that she may have been taken to get implanted as well.

Stephen uses his forensic skills as he is driven to uncover the truth and rescue his sister. But to do this, he must take unprecedented risks and trust no one. Along the way, he will find answers to his own family’s mysteries—answers that he may not be able to accept.

I highly recommend that you jump on the Bifrost Bridge and enjoy the exhilarating journey that Heroic Measures offers. Joel Shulkin has crafted a scintillating thriller that will keep you enthralled until the dynamic conclusion. It’s a book that even a superhero would love to read.

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Capture Or Kill By Don Bentley

Those concerned about Vince Flynn’s legacy thrillers with Mitch Rapp after Kyle Mills stepped aside will be thrilled with Capture or Kill by Don Bentley. In his first Mitch Rapp novel, readers like myself get to enjoy classic Rapp with some Don Bentley action flair that provides excitement from the first chapter until its dynamic conclusion.

I was also super excited that Capture or Kill takes Rapp back to the period of the hunt for Bin Laden. The action scenes in Pakistan and Afghanistan proved to me that Bentley truly knows how Rapp operates and how to keep the reader engaged. I won’t spoil the surprise by revealing which character shows up that we haven’t seen in a while, but I am sure that Vince would have loved his inclusion.

Bentley’s writing throughout is crisp and engaging, with action scenes that are vividly described and meticulously crafted. His ability to maintain suspense and excitement throughout the novel is superb. Capture or Kill is easily one of the best action thrillers of 2024 and definitely a MUST READ!

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Tom Clancy Shadow State By M.P. Woodward

I truly enjoyed diving into the electrifying world of Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan Jr. series with M.P. Woodward’s Tom Clancy Shadow State. This novel is a masterclass in action-thriller storytelling, keeping you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. Growing up with Clancy’s books, I’ve been delighted to see talented authors like Don Bentley, Andrews & Wilson, Mark Greaney, and Marc Cameron continue his legacy. Woodward, with his exceptional storytelling, proves he’s a worthy addition to this illustrious lineup. Shadow State propels Jack Jr. and his Campus teammates into a high-stakes adventure, while helping the United States’ race to secure raw strategic materials and maintain its technological edge.

Jack Ryan Jr., son of the current U.S. President, takes center stage in Shadow State. But the real treat is the introduction of former SEAL Master Chief Moore, a new powerhouse on the Campus team. The action sweeps across China, the Philippines, and Vietnam, plunging readers into heart-pounding scenes of helicopter crashes, riverboat battles, and smuggling operations. The Golden Triangle in Northwest Vietnam and Laos becomes a battleground of raw intrigue and deadly conflict. The relentless pace and gripping narrative will keep you turning pages late into the night, desperate to see how Jack Jr. and his team navigate these perilous waters.

Although I’ve read every Tom Clancy book, Shadow State marks my first encounter with M.P. Woodward’s writing. Now, I’m eager to explore his earlier works and can’t wait for his next contribution to the Jack Ryan Jr. series. Woodward has not only met but exceeded my expectations, breathing new life into a beloved series.

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Love You Till Tuesday By M.E. Proctor

Love You Till Tuesday by M.E. Proctor is an absolute page-turner, packed with superb characters and thrilling twists. This detective-thriller is hands down the best I’ve read this year! Declan Shaw, a private investigator that you’ll love to cheer for, is the perfect protagonist to unravel the murder mystery and bring the villains to justice. Proctor’s writing style and exceptional storytelling will keep you on the edge of your seat, making it impossible to put the book down.

Proctor masterfully takes Shaw (and the reader) from a gripping murder scene in Houston to a defective building in Tampa to solve a who-done-it and highlights his skill as a P.I. The book also introduces other unforgettable characters like Daisy Diamond, a fellow P.I. and Shaw’s love interest, and Steve Ribaldo, an HPD detective, who add even more depth and excitement to the story.

I was completely captivated by this book and am only disappointed that the next Declan Shaw adventure isn’t available yet. But I’m eagerly waiting! Declan Shaw has quickly become one of my all-time favorite protagonists. I’m confident that anyone who picks up Love You Till Tuesday will be just as enthralled as I was.

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The Queen's Lies By Oliver Clements

Oliver Clements’ The Queen’s Lies weaves a fascinating tale of political intrigue and espionage during a tumultuous period in British history. Based in England in the late 1580’s, this superb thriller that revolves around Queen Elizabeth I and her cousin, Mary, Queen of Scots. The Catholic Church is intent on deposing Elizabeth and replacing her with Mary thus ensuring Catholicism becomes the religion of the British Isles. The dynamic between Queen Elizabeth and Mary, along with the involvement of secret agents John Dee and his wife Jane leads the thriller along an intertwined ride that concludes with a surprising end that you won't see coming.

However, powerful forces are determined to maintain the status quo, which can only be achieved by removing the Queen’s cousin, Mary. As with all the books in Oliver Clements’ enthralling Agents of the Crown series, secret agent John Dee and his wife Jane find themselves caught between two formidable factions, each vying for supremacy. But is there another way to resolve this deadly conflict?

I highly recommend The Queen’s Lies. It is a thrilling ride that you will enjoy every turned page.

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I Need You To Read This By Jessa Maxwell

Like all great thrillers, Jessa Maxwell begins I Need You to Read This with a murder. With that beginning, this novel draws the reader into a superbly written mystery thriller that examines who people truly are and the challenges everyone faces. I guarantee you will struggle to put this book down.

Alex Marks is a young woman who is obsessed with the Dear Constance opinion column in the Herald newspaper. However, it is the demise of the famous advice columnist of Dear Constance in one of the most prestigious newspapers that introduces our protagonist into this classic murder/mystery. After the murder of someone which meant so much to Alex personally, she decides to apply for the position. Yet, after getting hired, she quickly determines that solving the unsolved murder of her predecessor is almost as important to her as writing the column. And Alex also worries that uncovering that secret of who did it may also uncover secrets of her own.

If you enjoy murder/mystery thrillers, then I need you to read I Need You to Read This. Jessa Maxwell is a superb thriller author and I highly recommend this novel that I found impossible to put down! 

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Shadow Of Doubt By Brad Thor

With the release of Shadow of Doubt, Brad Thor once again cements his status as the master of the spy thriller genre. Thor’s writing style is both gripping and immersive, drawing readers into a world of espionage and high-stakes action. His protagonist, Scot Harvath, not only executes breathtaking missions but he once again attempts to save the world from global threats that keeps readers coming back for more.

At the outset of Shadow of Doubt, Harvath is on a flight back to Norway to reunite with Solvi, his soon-to-be wife, when he is thrust into action by an out-of-control passenger. This action sequence is just the beginning of a thrilling ride for the reader. Thor quickly thickens the plot with the further threatening of Ukraine and NATO by Russia moving nuclear missiles into Belarus, safeguarding a Russian defector with crucial information about those missiles, and the murder of a French intelligence agent in Paris. With Harvath at the center of it all, Thor takes readers on a thrilling ride that is impossible to put down and compels the reader to keep turning the pages..

Shadow of Doubt is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases Brad Thor’s exceptional storytelling abilities. My recommendation? If you read only one thriller this summer, make it Shadow of Doubt.

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The Rule Of Three By Sam Ripley

Sam Ripley has penned a nightmarish, mystery thriller that slowly pulls you into this whirlpool of a story that keeps you guessing whodunit until the very end. I highly recommend The Rule of Three but find a well lighted area to read it as this thriller has a scary way of drawing you into the story along with its fateful protagonists Amy, Ila and Eve.

The preface speaks for the sense of The Rule of Three:

“So pay attention. Pay attention to every single detail.
Before we start, you must remember one important fact.
What you’ll read didn’t save me. But perhaps, together, we can save you.

With those words, you will launch into a thriller that grab and hold you until the thrilling conclusion. Once you start this book, you won't be able to put it down.

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