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Or Else
A secret love becomes a fatal affair in a twisting novel of suspense by Wall Street Journal bestselling author Joe Hart.
When novelist Andy Drake returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father, a reconnection with his childhood friend Rachel escalates into a secret love affair. For Rachel, struggling to maintain the facade of a picture-perfect life, it’s an escape from an emotionally abusive marriage. Then Andy receives an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else.
Whoever’s been watching is going to make Andy pay. Weeks later, Rachel’s husband, David, is shot to death. Rachel and her two young sons vanish without a trace. One misstep, one careless reveal, and Andy could look as guilty as sin. Clue by clue, as his investigation into the mystery unfolds, Andy discovers that he and Rachel weren’t the only ones keeping secrets.
Nothing in this quiet neighborhood is as it seems. No one peeking from behind the curtains of their homes can be trusted. And the worst is yet to come. Because David isn’t the only one who will die.
When novelist Andy Drake returns to his hometown to care for his ailing father, a reconnection with his childhood friend Rachel escalates into a secret love affair. For Rachel, struggling to maintain the facade of a picture-perfect life, it’s an escape from an emotionally abusive marriage. Then Andy receives an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else.
Whoever’s been watching is going to make Andy pay. Weeks later, Rachel’s husband, David, is shot to death. Rachel and her two young sons vanish without a trace. One misstep, one careless reveal, and Andy could look as guilty as sin. Clue by clue, as his investigation into the mystery unfolds, Andy discovers that he and Rachel weren’t the only ones keeping secrets.
Nothing in this quiet neighborhood is as it seems. No one peeking from behind the curtains of their homes can be trusted. And the worst is yet to come. Because David isn’t the only one who will die.
253 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 1, 2022
5,639 people are currently reading
10.3k people want to read
About the author
Joe Hart
43books1,266followersJoe Hart is the Edgar Award-winning and Wall Street Journal bestselling author of seventeen novels including The River Is Dark, Obscura, The Last Girl, and Or Else. His work has been optioned for film and translated into eight languages. He lives with his family in Minnesota.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 807 reviews
April 4, 2022
Or Else by Joe Hart is a mysterious story that begins with an illicit affair. Andy Drake had moved back to his hometown to look after his father who is suffering from the onset of dementia. The two men live across the street from each other and down the street lives Rachel, a married mother of two. Andy and Rachel had been childhood friends and soon the two find solace in an affair. Before long, Rachel’s husband is found shot to death and Rachel and her children have disappeared. There are numerous subplots in Or Else but the novel keeps the reader interested throughout. The pace is quick and the characters are varied and well-drawn. This is an old-fashioned whodunit and the body count grows. The novel unwinds in an unexpected fashion, making this a satisfying read. Joe Hart has written a solid mystery and I look forward to reading more of his books. Highly recommended. Thank you to Thomas & Mercer, NetGalley and the author for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
March 30, 2022
Rating: ⭐⭐�
Genre: Mystery Thriller
After the death of his mother, the novelist Andy Drake has to return to his hometown to take care of his father who is suffering from dementia. He reconnects with his old-time friend, Rachel who is married and with kids. Soon this old friendship turns into an affair. That is the time when Andy receives a threatening note demanding him to quit this affair or else! After some time David, Rachel’s husband is found dead and the wife and the children have disappeared. That is when Andy finds himself dragged into a spiral of incidents as he tries to find the truth.
The main reason I have chosen to read this book is the author. Last year I have read two of his horror short stories, “The Line Unseen� and “And the Sea Called Her Name�. I liked them a lot due to their atmosphere. Despite being short stories the writing style was very gripping and atmospheric. Unfortunately, this is what “Or Else� lacks. Although it is a decent thriller, it doesn’t have this dark atmosphere that I was expecting. The premise of the story is really good and I was not able to predict the outcome which is a splendid thing. Around the middle of the book, I kept losing some focus. The story couldn’t keep me that engaged in that part. In the last few chapters, things become fast and interesting though. Overall, this was an alright thriller.
Many thanks to the publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
Genre: Mystery Thriller
After the death of his mother, the novelist Andy Drake has to return to his hometown to take care of his father who is suffering from dementia. He reconnects with his old-time friend, Rachel who is married and with kids. Soon this old friendship turns into an affair. That is the time when Andy receives a threatening note demanding him to quit this affair or else! After some time David, Rachel’s husband is found dead and the wife and the children have disappeared. That is when Andy finds himself dragged into a spiral of incidents as he tries to find the truth.
The main reason I have chosen to read this book is the author. Last year I have read two of his horror short stories, “The Line Unseen� and “And the Sea Called Her Name�. I liked them a lot due to their atmosphere. Despite being short stories the writing style was very gripping and atmospheric. Unfortunately, this is what “Or Else� lacks. Although it is a decent thriller, it doesn’t have this dark atmosphere that I was expecting. The premise of the story is really good and I was not able to predict the outcome which is a splendid thing. Around the middle of the book, I kept losing some focus. The story couldn’t keep me that engaged in that part. In the last few chapters, things become fast and interesting though. Overall, this was an alright thriller.
Many thanks to the publisher Thomas & Mercer and NetGalley for providing me with an advance reader copy of this book.
June 9, 2022
4.5 star! Holy macaroni! I really really really liked this book! I was NOT expecting this at all!!! Pleasantly surprised. The author is actually an exceptional writer! Haha! I loved the character development in this and found myself caring for the MC and his family! I especially loved the MC’s dad, who suffers from dementia - his character is a kind, wise, living man with a great sense of humour. I kept picturing Morgan Freeman as the perfect actor for this part in my mind movie. I think I liked him cuz my father passed away from Parkinson’s and I could relate a great deal to what the MC felt for his father.
That’s how good the book is - I was making a mind movie because the way the author describes feelings and situations is soooooo realistic it feels like you’re there. Not only that, there’s a really great twist in the novel. I could kinda guess but not TOTALLY correct on the guessing. But I guessed the very last little twist haha.
HIGHLY RECCOMMEND!!!
I’ve been on a Kindle Unlimited kick lately and I’m not minding it. I might continue this streak for a while. Trying to skimp on the money 💰 as I have a grandson arriving in October and I need to start building my CHILDREN’S LIBRARY!!!!!! Wooohoooo!!!!
That’s how good the book is - I was making a mind movie because the way the author describes feelings and situations is soooooo realistic it feels like you’re there. Not only that, there’s a really great twist in the novel. I could kinda guess but not TOTALLY correct on the guessing. But I guessed the very last little twist haha.
HIGHLY RECCOMMEND!!!
I’ve been on a Kindle Unlimited kick lately and I’m not minding it. I might continue this streak for a while. Trying to skimp on the money 💰 as I have a grandson arriving in October and I need to start building my CHILDREN’S LIBRARY!!!!!! Wooohoooo!!!!
January 3, 2022
Andy Drake returns to his hometown and reconnects with his old friend Rachel. Andy just suffered the loss of his mother and Rachel is looking for an escape from her abusive husband. Eventually the friendship turns into a full blown affair.
Andy receives a threatening note pinned to his door warning him to end the affair, “or else�. A few weeks later, Rachel’s husband is found shot to death and Rachel and her children are nowhere to be found.
Can Andy put the pieces of what happened together without incriminating himself?
I thought this book was ok. It dragged at parts and I didn’t connect with any of the characters at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
Andy receives a threatening note pinned to his door warning him to end the affair, “or else�. A few weeks later, Rachel’s husband is found shot to death and Rachel and her children are nowhere to be found.
Can Andy put the pieces of what happened together without incriminating himself?
I thought this book was ok. It dragged at parts and I didn’t connect with any of the characters at all.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc.
April 30, 2024
edit review 30-04: i was right. no clue what happened in this book.
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i will have forgotten this book by tomorrow.
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i will have forgotten this book by tomorrow.
October 5, 2022
This is a dull story with snippets of excitement mostly at the end. Too bad the author could not maintain excitable interest throughout. 4 of 10 stars
October 7, 2023
A slow burn mystery that gradually builds with intrigue and intensity, Or Else starts with a guilty secret that threatens to rip a young man’s quiet life apart. This is an amateur investigator mystery that becomes deeply emotional and driven by the strong need to know how a stable family’s life can be ripped completely apart.
Andy Drake is a novelist who has returned to the neighbourhood he grew up in to care for his father who is slipping deeper into dementia. He reconnects with Rachel, the girl he went to school with who is now a wife and mother of two, and the reconnection develops into a secret love affair.
The love affair comes to a sudden halt when Andy finds a note stuck in his front door that is succinct in its message:
“I know about you and Rachel. You will stop seeing her. Don’t ruin her or her family’s life. Do as I say or else.�
The note not only puts a full-stop on the affair but also brings his writing to a complete stop. He needs to find out who knows and who else have they told. He’s still agonising over this conundrum when another blow hits: Rachel’s husband is dead and Rachel and the two boys have gone missing. And so a mystery writer finds out the difference between writing about a fictional mystery and being involved in one for real.
Andy is sure that Rachel and her boys have been abducted and feels that not enough is being done to find her. Based on that, he decides he’d conduct his own investigation and this, not surprisingly, leads to all kinds of mayhem as he stumbles into one dangerous situation after another.
Apart from crossing paths with an unknown assailant, he finds a particular piece of evidence that leads him to ring a phone number that could very well be a front for a dangerous underworld figure. Threatening this type of character is never a smart idea, particularly when you’re not really sure what you’re doing and have nothing to back you up should retribution be sent your way.
At no time does it feel as though things are in control. Andy’s flying by the seat of his pants and doesn’t really understand the danger he may be putting his father and sister in. On top of that, he also has to deal with a rarely there older brother who appears to think his job is to denigrate and belittle his brother and sister.
To expand on that last point a little bit more, the characters portrayed throughout the story were clearly defined and nicely developed. They helped to ensure we were left in no doubt exactly where Andy’s life was currently sitting at and the depth of emotion that was involved in many of the decisions he made. It felt as though we were invited into the midst of the entire neighbourhood.
This is a well-organised mystery that came together to reveal a few well disguised surprises. The slow and careful start was nicely offset by a more powerfully charged ending.
Andy Drake is a novelist who has returned to the neighbourhood he grew up in to care for his father who is slipping deeper into dementia. He reconnects with Rachel, the girl he went to school with who is now a wife and mother of two, and the reconnection develops into a secret love affair.
The love affair comes to a sudden halt when Andy finds a note stuck in his front door that is succinct in its message:
“I know about you and Rachel. You will stop seeing her. Don’t ruin her or her family’s life. Do as I say or else.�
The note not only puts a full-stop on the affair but also brings his writing to a complete stop. He needs to find out who knows and who else have they told. He’s still agonising over this conundrum when another blow hits: Rachel’s husband is dead and Rachel and the two boys have gone missing. And so a mystery writer finds out the difference between writing about a fictional mystery and being involved in one for real.
Andy is sure that Rachel and her boys have been abducted and feels that not enough is being done to find her. Based on that, he decides he’d conduct his own investigation and this, not surprisingly, leads to all kinds of mayhem as he stumbles into one dangerous situation after another.
Apart from crossing paths with an unknown assailant, he finds a particular piece of evidence that leads him to ring a phone number that could very well be a front for a dangerous underworld figure. Threatening this type of character is never a smart idea, particularly when you’re not really sure what you’re doing and have nothing to back you up should retribution be sent your way.
At no time does it feel as though things are in control. Andy’s flying by the seat of his pants and doesn’t really understand the danger he may be putting his father and sister in. On top of that, he also has to deal with a rarely there older brother who appears to think his job is to denigrate and belittle his brother and sister.
To expand on that last point a little bit more, the characters portrayed throughout the story were clearly defined and nicely developed. They helped to ensure we were left in no doubt exactly where Andy’s life was currently sitting at and the depth of emotion that was involved in many of the decisions he made. It felt as though we were invited into the midst of the entire neighbourhood.
This is a well-organised mystery that came together to reveal a few well disguised surprises. The slow and careful start was nicely offset by a more powerfully charged ending.
February 16, 2022
A great mystery with surprises and twists. Andy, a novelist, has come back to his hometown to take care of his father, who is suffering from dementia. He reconnects with his childhood friend, Rachel, who is now married to an emotionally abusive husband, and this turns into a secret affair. Then Andy gets a note that tells him to end the affair - or else. Then Rachel's husband is murdered and Rachel and her children disappear. Things fall apart from there as Andy is consumed with finding what happened to Rachel.
I enjoyed the character, Andy, who is always thinking of how things are connected and what might have happened. He's perfect in the role of a crime novelist as he delves into the mystery of what is happening in the neighborhood. There are a few murders, some may be suicides, a mob character, and an affair that may be connected. I didn't guess the bad guy/guys ahead of time. The book was absorbing and a quick read.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on April 1, 2022.
I enjoyed the character, Andy, who is always thinking of how things are connected and what might have happened. He's perfect in the role of a crime novelist as he delves into the mystery of what is happening in the neighborhood. There are a few murders, some may be suicides, a mob character, and an affair that may be connected. I didn't guess the bad guy/guys ahead of time. The book was absorbing and a quick read.
Thanks to Thomas & Mercer through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on April 1, 2022.
April 10, 2022
3 stars
You can read all of my reviews at
This is a good contemporary mystery/thriller. Novelist Andy Drake returns home to care for his sick father. He re-connects with Rachel, a childhood friend, starting an affair that gives her a break from her emotionally abusive husband. After several months, Andy receives an anonymous note telling him to break it off with Rachel, or else.
A few weeks later Rachel's husband is found murdered in their home and Rachel and her kids are gone. Stunned, Andy begins to investigate but every action he takes also makes him look guilty to the police. Yet Andy persists, undeterred by the danger or the risk. Surprising secrets are revealed and Andy has no idea how close he comes to becoming a victim himself.
This book starts off quiet and peaceful. The tension builds slowly until eventually I expected Andy to get killed every time I turned the page. The characters were well developed, including Andy's father and sister. Their relationship with their older brother was a bit weird and clunky, but it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book. The author did a great job of adding plenty of twists and turns to the book, including a fun red herring that you'll notice when you read it.
This is a quick and easy read that I enjoyed. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. All opinions are my own.
You can read all of my reviews at
This is a good contemporary mystery/thriller. Novelist Andy Drake returns home to care for his sick father. He re-connects with Rachel, a childhood friend, starting an affair that gives her a break from her emotionally abusive husband. After several months, Andy receives an anonymous note telling him to break it off with Rachel, or else.
A few weeks later Rachel's husband is found murdered in their home and Rachel and her kids are gone. Stunned, Andy begins to investigate but every action he takes also makes him look guilty to the police. Yet Andy persists, undeterred by the danger or the risk. Surprising secrets are revealed and Andy has no idea how close he comes to becoming a victim himself.
This book starts off quiet and peaceful. The tension builds slowly until eventually I expected Andy to get killed every time I turned the page. The characters were well developed, including Andy's father and sister. Their relationship with their older brother was a bit weird and clunky, but it wasn't enough to detract from my enjoyment of the book. The author did a great job of adding plenty of twists and turns to the book, including a fun red herring that you'll notice when you read it.
This is a quick and easy read that I enjoyed. I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer. All opinions are my own.
October 21, 2021
What happens when a secret affair turns fatal?
Andy and Rachel were friends as kids. They went their separate ways but when Andy returns to his hometown to care for his dying father he reconnects with Rachel. Problem is, Rachel is married to David. Now, don't get me wrong, it may look like Rachel was living the perfect life with a perfect husband and a perfect marriage but the truth is, her marriage was anything but perfect. Rachel was trapped in an abusive marriage.
Andy is now receiving messages, warning him to stay away from Rachel. Someone is watching Andy.
David is dead, shot to death . Rachel and her kids have disappeared. Andy is starting to look really guilty. As Andy plunges head first into figuring out what is going on he realizes that it was not just him and Rachel keeping secrets.
What happened to David and Rachel? What is going to happen to Andy?
Stay tuned April 1, 2022 for this insane thriller!!!!! Five Stars!
Andy and Rachel were friends as kids. They went their separate ways but when Andy returns to his hometown to care for his dying father he reconnects with Rachel. Problem is, Rachel is married to David. Now, don't get me wrong, it may look like Rachel was living the perfect life with a perfect husband and a perfect marriage but the truth is, her marriage was anything but perfect. Rachel was trapped in an abusive marriage.
Andy is now receiving messages, warning him to stay away from Rachel. Someone is watching Andy.
David is dead, shot to death . Rachel and her kids have disappeared. Andy is starting to look really guilty. As Andy plunges head first into figuring out what is going on he realizes that it was not just him and Rachel keeping secrets.
What happened to David and Rachel? What is going to happen to Andy?
Stay tuned April 1, 2022 for this insane thriller!!!!! Five Stars!
March 30, 2022
Or Else was one of those free KU opportunities we get each month. I've had KU for years and never knew about this freebie thing until now. So, I figured this one would be right up my alley since I do love mystery thrillers.
In this, you will meet Andy. He's currently living with his dad who is dealing with dementia. He's also an author but is more worried about his dad's health than the book. Still, he writes when he can. On top of family drama, there's also some random mysterious murders happening in his neighborhood. Or more like through this whole town. Of course, it's all people he knows personally due to growing up in this small town.
The one thing he doesn't know is who is actually behind it all.
Throughout the book, we get lots of clues and secrets to digest. We also have to figure out what happened to his sort of girlfriend, Rachel, who is in a horrible abusive marriage. She's missing along with her two sons. It also doesn't help that her husband and his business partner are now dead. There's also a couple of other deaths to mention but I don't want to spoil much.
When the big reveal came, it was kind of obvious it had to deal with a certain area/person. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting so many more secrets to come out while that came our way. It eventually all clicked into place with how I was feeling about this character when we first met them too.
In the end, it was a pretty interesting thriller book and I'm glad that I got this one for free.
In this, you will meet Andy. He's currently living with his dad who is dealing with dementia. He's also an author but is more worried about his dad's health than the book. Still, he writes when he can. On top of family drama, there's also some random mysterious murders happening in his neighborhood. Or more like through this whole town. Of course, it's all people he knows personally due to growing up in this small town.
The one thing he doesn't know is who is actually behind it all.
Throughout the book, we get lots of clues and secrets to digest. We also have to figure out what happened to his sort of girlfriend, Rachel, who is in a horrible abusive marriage. She's missing along with her two sons. It also doesn't help that her husband and his business partner are now dead. There's also a couple of other deaths to mention but I don't want to spoil much.
When the big reveal came, it was kind of obvious it had to deal with a certain area/person. I'll admit that I wasn't expecting so many more secrets to come out while that came our way. It eventually all clicked into place with how I was feeling about this character when we first met them too.
In the end, it was a pretty interesting thriller book and I'm glad that I got this one for free.
March 31, 2022
This is a book I probably wouldn't have picked up if it hadn't been featured on First Reads. It was an interesting mystery and fast paced, though not necessarily a unique plot. It wasn't a bad suburban murder mystery and it definitely had a lot going on. I liked the family dynamics, especially Andy's relationship with his dad. Dementia is a terrible disease and I'm glad Andy stepped up to help care for his dad so he'd have a familiar face.
There are a lot of moving parts in this, but it was fairly easy to see who was behind things. I did like watching Andy put everything together and I felt like the portrayal of a regular person trying to solve a crime was realistic. Trying to follow someone in a car but not doing the greatest job, putting yourself in dangerous situations because you're too eager, things like that.
Not a bad read and everything wraps up nicely at the end.
There are a lot of moving parts in this, but it was fairly easy to see who was behind things. I did like watching Andy put everything together and I felt like the portrayal of a regular person trying to solve a crime was realistic. Trying to follow someone in a car but not doing the greatest job, putting yourself in dangerous situations because you're too eager, things like that.
Not a bad read and everything wraps up nicely at the end.
March 19, 2022
This is the second book I have read by this author and it didn't disappoint! It was a page turner for sure. I love when authors write the main character as a writer. That is so interesting to me. Their were a lot of characters in this one so it was hard to guess what was going on. I actually did not figure it out until it was revealed to me. The ending really ramped up and was intense. I definitely want to read more by this author.
June 22, 2023
it is a very dull book and it is a generous 3
October 11, 2021
Absolutely excellent read, a totally riveting read. And a spine thrilling end!
August 18, 2022
I read this thru KU Ebook and Audiobooks, both of them were quite pleasant to read and listen to.
This takes place in Stanford, New York.
You have a Father who is in the early stages of dementia, his son who lives right across the street from him, so that he can keep a eye on his ailing father. His sister lives close by who is divorced with 2 small children. Another brother who lives in Chicago� but is kind of a outcast.
Then there is the young lady who lives down the street with her husband and 2 children, who Andy is having an affair with.
A note is left on Andy’s door, indicating that someone knows about him and Rachel. Andy is a author who writes the mystery, thriller genre.
Well, people start dropping like flies� with many suspects to look at� many suspects. Can you figure out ‘who did it� before it is over� good luck.
This is a very quick read/listen, relatively a decent book to read with very little foul language.
This is the first book that I have read of this author� looking forward to reading some more of his books.
This takes place in Stanford, New York.
You have a Father who is in the early stages of dementia, his son who lives right across the street from him, so that he can keep a eye on his ailing father. His sister lives close by who is divorced with 2 small children. Another brother who lives in Chicago� but is kind of a outcast.
Then there is the young lady who lives down the street with her husband and 2 children, who Andy is having an affair with.
A note is left on Andy’s door, indicating that someone knows about him and Rachel. Andy is a author who writes the mystery, thriller genre.
Well, people start dropping like flies� with many suspects to look at� many suspects. Can you figure out ‘who did it� before it is over� good luck.
This is a very quick read/listen, relatively a decent book to read with very little foul language.
This is the first book that I have read of this author� looking forward to reading some more of his books.
November 10, 2021
Thank you Netgalley and Author Joe Hart for this ARC.
I loved this novel. Andy is writer who's moved back to the suburb he grew up in to take care of his father who was recently diagnosed with dementia. He's also been having a fling with the married woman down the street. And apparently, someone knows and they don't like it because they leave him a note telling him to put an end to it. A week later the woman and her two sons go missing and her husband is found dead in their house. The mystery deepens and broadens, a rabbit hole of red herrings, dead ends, and more questions.
The ending was a twist I did not see coming and I loved it. It tied everything up nicely. Hart knocked this baby out of the park. A perfect mystery with a lot of suspense and intrigue.
I loved this novel. Andy is writer who's moved back to the suburb he grew up in to take care of his father who was recently diagnosed with dementia. He's also been having a fling with the married woman down the street. And apparently, someone knows and they don't like it because they leave him a note telling him to put an end to it. A week later the woman and her two sons go missing and her husband is found dead in their house. The mystery deepens and broadens, a rabbit hole of red herrings, dead ends, and more questions.
The ending was a twist I did not see coming and I loved it. It tied everything up nicely. Hart knocked this baby out of the park. A perfect mystery with a lot of suspense and intrigue.
May 17, 2022
3.5 of 5 stars at The BiblioSanctum
Having enjoyed Joe Hart’s books in the past (Obscura and The Last Girl), I had some high expectations for Or Else, his new twisty thriller. But unlike his sci-fi or dystopian work I’ve read before, this one’s pure psychological mystery and suspense.
We begin with an introduction to protagonist Andy Drake, a novelist returning to his hometown to care for his father, who is suffering from dementia. There, Andy reconnects with his childhood friend Rachel, who is now living a picture-perfect life as a married mother of two. However, that happiness is only a façade. In truth, Rachel suffers quietly every day from an abusive husband, and Andy, having recently lost his mother and is now dealing with the stress of caring for his father, is also in a vulnerable position emotionally. Eventually, their rekindled friendship crosses the line to become a full-blown affair as both Andy and Rachel use each other as a form of escape.
Then one day, Andy receives an anonymous message warning him to end things with Rachel, or else. Unnerved by the idea that someone knows about the affair, Andy realizes he might not have been as careful as he thought. And then a few weeks later, Rachel’s husband is murdered. His wife and their two kids go missing, vanished without a trace. All of a sudden, things have gone from bad to worse for Andy, who now looks suspicious as hell.
To be completely honest, I’ve read better thrillers, though that is not to say I didn’t enjoy Or Else. Hart’s matter-of-fact style simply seems more suited for science fiction rather than drama and emotion, making Andy and Rachel’s relationship come across as somewhat stilted and unnatural. There was a lack of illicitness and danger, and considering the affair was at the center of the conflict, I felt this put the start of book on a weaker footing.
Fortunately, the author’s strength is his mystery and suspense writing, which is the element which most certainly came through, especially once the plot hits its stride. Obviously, I won’t be giving away any major details, but I will say the family dynamics between Andy, his father, and his siblings were handled very well. There were tensions building on multiple fronts, including Andy’s situation at home as well as the mess involving Rachel. And when things moved, they definitely moved fast. I think savvy mystery/thriller reads who are familiar with the genre will know to expect some of the reveals, but there were still twists and turns aplenty (and even a deception or two) to keep you guessing.
If you are looking to dip your toes into the genre, or if you’ve enjoyed the author’s work in the past and want to read more, Or Else would be a great book to try. Even seasoned fans of mysteries and thrillers would probably appreciate this one for its quick pacing and ability to keep you hooked.
Finally, I want to say a few words about the audiobook, which was the format I reviewed. Graham Halstead is a new-to-me narrator, but he left an excellent first impression. I thought his voice was a good match for Andy Drake, who I pictured as an “everyman� type of character despite his successful career as a novelist. Like all of us, he’s only human and sometimes makes mistakes and horrible decisions without thinking them through. Halstead’s voice has a down-to-earth quality to it that really brought out Andy’s vulnerabilities, which made this one quite a convincing and immersive listen. So, if you’re an audiophile who has Or Else on your radar, the audiobook is definitely worth checking out.
Having enjoyed Joe Hart’s books in the past (Obscura and The Last Girl), I had some high expectations for Or Else, his new twisty thriller. But unlike his sci-fi or dystopian work I’ve read before, this one’s pure psychological mystery and suspense.
We begin with an introduction to protagonist Andy Drake, a novelist returning to his hometown to care for his father, who is suffering from dementia. There, Andy reconnects with his childhood friend Rachel, who is now living a picture-perfect life as a married mother of two. However, that happiness is only a façade. In truth, Rachel suffers quietly every day from an abusive husband, and Andy, having recently lost his mother and is now dealing with the stress of caring for his father, is also in a vulnerable position emotionally. Eventually, their rekindled friendship crosses the line to become a full-blown affair as both Andy and Rachel use each other as a form of escape.
Then one day, Andy receives an anonymous message warning him to end things with Rachel, or else. Unnerved by the idea that someone knows about the affair, Andy realizes he might not have been as careful as he thought. And then a few weeks later, Rachel’s husband is murdered. His wife and their two kids go missing, vanished without a trace. All of a sudden, things have gone from bad to worse for Andy, who now looks suspicious as hell.
To be completely honest, I’ve read better thrillers, though that is not to say I didn’t enjoy Or Else. Hart’s matter-of-fact style simply seems more suited for science fiction rather than drama and emotion, making Andy and Rachel’s relationship come across as somewhat stilted and unnatural. There was a lack of illicitness and danger, and considering the affair was at the center of the conflict, I felt this put the start of book on a weaker footing.
Fortunately, the author’s strength is his mystery and suspense writing, which is the element which most certainly came through, especially once the plot hits its stride. Obviously, I won’t be giving away any major details, but I will say the family dynamics between Andy, his father, and his siblings were handled very well. There were tensions building on multiple fronts, including Andy’s situation at home as well as the mess involving Rachel. And when things moved, they definitely moved fast. I think savvy mystery/thriller reads who are familiar with the genre will know to expect some of the reveals, but there were still twists and turns aplenty (and even a deception or two) to keep you guessing.
If you are looking to dip your toes into the genre, or if you’ve enjoyed the author’s work in the past and want to read more, Or Else would be a great book to try. Even seasoned fans of mysteries and thrillers would probably appreciate this one for its quick pacing and ability to keep you hooked.
Finally, I want to say a few words about the audiobook, which was the format I reviewed. Graham Halstead is a new-to-me narrator, but he left an excellent first impression. I thought his voice was a good match for Andy Drake, who I pictured as an “everyman� type of character despite his successful career as a novelist. Like all of us, he’s only human and sometimes makes mistakes and horrible decisions without thinking them through. Halstead’s voice has a down-to-earth quality to it that really brought out Andy’s vulnerabilities, which made this one quite a convincing and immersive listen. So, if you’re an audiophile who has Or Else on your radar, the audiobook is definitely worth checking out.
April 15, 2022
'Only in America could you be crushed by the wheel of medical expense before the disease being treated actually killed you.'
This story had great character building and the storyline was really good. This was a quick read that kept me entertained the entire time (No slow, love scenes-Haha!).
Andy Drake's father is suffering from Dementia and needing more care Andy returns home to the "Loop" to watch over him. Soon after moving back he is reunited with Rachel; a childhood friend who is now married with two children.
Struggling in her marriage, Rachel turns to Andy as an escape from her emotionally abusive husband. The two of them have an ongoing affair until one day Andy gets an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else. Faced with a hard decision, Andy decides to let Rachel go and the two of them move on with their lives.
Weeks later he finds out that Rachel and her boys are missing and her husband is dead. Now, Andy must find out who wrote the note, but as time slips away Andy pieces together that him and Rachel aren't the only ones with a secret.
This story had great character building and the storyline was really good. This was a quick read that kept me entertained the entire time (No slow, love scenes-Haha!).
Andy Drake's father is suffering from Dementia and needing more care Andy returns home to the "Loop" to watch over him. Soon after moving back he is reunited with Rachel; a childhood friend who is now married with two children.
Struggling in her marriage, Rachel turns to Andy as an escape from her emotionally abusive husband. The two of them have an ongoing affair until one day Andy gets an anonymous note warning him to end the affair. Or else. Faced with a hard decision, Andy decides to let Rachel go and the two of them move on with their lives.
Weeks later he finds out that Rachel and her boys are missing and her husband is dead. Now, Andy must find out who wrote the note, but as time slips away Andy pieces together that him and Rachel aren't the only ones with a secret.
March 31, 2022
I chose this for my Amazon First Reads for the month.
I was shocked to find out at the end of the book that this author has written 12 other books. This book read like a really rough novice writer wrote it.
Now, for the plot. Once again, I fell victim to thinking this was a thriller. Not really my fault, since it’s literally printed on the cover. Instead, this was a pretty boring mystery. I would have liked to know more about various characters, so I would be more invested in their storylines. The ending was also the classic monologue by the bad guy, where they spell out everything that happened.
I was shocked to find out at the end of the book that this author has written 12 other books. This book read like a really rough novice writer wrote it.
Now, for the plot. Once again, I fell victim to thinking this was a thriller. Not really my fault, since it’s literally printed on the cover. Instead, this was a pretty boring mystery. I would have liked to know more about various characters, so I would be more invested in their storylines. The ending was also the classic monologue by the bad guy, where they spell out everything that happened.
March 3, 2022
Don't bother
Worst Amazon first pick ever. Aside from the obvious church hating yet Bible thumping narrative, this novel is so badly written that I admit to skimming at least 100 pages. The narrator, Andy who is a mystery writer is intent on finding his missing mistress and her two kids after her husband is found murdered. The story just unravels from there, makes no sense. Would love Amazon to give me a refund, but it was a free pick. Wasted.
Worst Amazon first pick ever. Aside from the obvious church hating yet Bible thumping narrative, this novel is so badly written that I admit to skimming at least 100 pages. The narrator, Andy who is a mystery writer is intent on finding his missing mistress and her two kids after her husband is found murdered. The story just unravels from there, makes no sense. Would love Amazon to give me a refund, but it was a free pick. Wasted.
October 16, 2021
Novelist Andy Drake returns to his old neighborhood to care for his dad, who is in the beginning stages of dementia. Also living in the neighborhood is his not so secret crush, Rachel, who is now married to an emotionally abusive man and has two kids.
A quick kiss at a cookout at Rachel's spirals into something more. Until someone leaves a note in Andy's door, telling him to knock it off, or else. Our first mystery: who left the note? The guy with the tiny dog, who no one seems to know anything about? An older lady, on her own, who likes to sit outside with her binoculars? Rachel's husband David?
Several weeks later, Rachel's husband is shot dead, and Rachel and the kids have disappeared. Andy, not currently working on the book that's due to his editor, instead starts chasing up clues, and nearly gets himself shot in the process after breaking in to Rachel's house, looking for anything that might indicate what her husband was up to or where she and the kids might be.
From details Andy's able to glean, it seems David's business isn't doing as well as it appears - and David's partner in the business has committed suicide, it seems.
After finding a business card in the house, he dithers a bit until he calls the number and says what appears to be a code word. After the other side hangs up, Andy thinks he's on to something: did David owe these people money? Were they capable of killing David? When Andy gets a late night visit from a stranger he deems the Visitor, he knows the answer is yes. But the visitor insists they didn't do it, and it's believable, both to Andy and the reader.
Andy continues to go down the rabbit hole, eventually coming out the other side. There's quite a nice twist at the end that was not telegraphed from chapters away, and it was a nice touch that made sense of things.
My only issue was with the beginning and some of the chapters that were more stream of consciousness than narrative. I get why they're there, as it was the easiest way to get certain information into the book without having them be full-fledged narrative parts, but I wasn't a fan.
Other than that, however, I enjoyed it quite a lot, and I believe readers who are used to tight neighborhoods or small towns especially will as well.
A solid four out of five star read.
Thanks to Thomas & mercer and NetGalley for the review copy.
A quick kiss at a cookout at Rachel's spirals into something more. Until someone leaves a note in Andy's door, telling him to knock it off, or else. Our first mystery: who left the note? The guy with the tiny dog, who no one seems to know anything about? An older lady, on her own, who likes to sit outside with her binoculars? Rachel's husband David?
Several weeks later, Rachel's husband is shot dead, and Rachel and the kids have disappeared. Andy, not currently working on the book that's due to his editor, instead starts chasing up clues, and nearly gets himself shot in the process after breaking in to Rachel's house, looking for anything that might indicate what her husband was up to or where she and the kids might be.
From details Andy's able to glean, it seems David's business isn't doing as well as it appears - and David's partner in the business has committed suicide, it seems.
After finding a business card in the house, he dithers a bit until he calls the number and says what appears to be a code word. After the other side hangs up, Andy thinks he's on to something: did David owe these people money? Were they capable of killing David? When Andy gets a late night visit from a stranger he deems the Visitor, he knows the answer is yes. But the visitor insists they didn't do it, and it's believable, both to Andy and the reader.
Andy continues to go down the rabbit hole, eventually coming out the other side. There's quite a nice twist at the end that was not telegraphed from chapters away, and it was a nice touch that made sense of things.
My only issue was with the beginning and some of the chapters that were more stream of consciousness than narrative. I get why they're there, as it was the easiest way to get certain information into the book without having them be full-fledged narrative parts, but I wasn't a fan.
Other than that, however, I enjoyed it quite a lot, and I believe readers who are used to tight neighborhoods or small towns especially will as well.
A solid four out of five star read.
Thanks to Thomas & mercer and NetGalley for the review copy.
March 3, 2022
Andy Drake is a thriller and mystery writer who has moved back to the street where he grew up to care for his dad after his recent dementia diagnosis.
Andy quickly falls in love with his childhood sweetheart Rachel again but the problem is she is married with children now.
After receiving a note telling him to stay away from Rachel, deaths keep happening around the town and Andy decides to do his own investigating. As he uncovers layers and layers of secrets in the town he is putting himself in danger but will he get to the bottom of it all before he gets himself murdered.
This is a quick read with a few twisty bumps in the road that ties together nicely at the end. Enjoyable read.
Andy quickly falls in love with his childhood sweetheart Rachel again but the problem is she is married with children now.
After receiving a note telling him to stay away from Rachel, deaths keep happening around the town and Andy decides to do his own investigating. As he uncovers layers and layers of secrets in the town he is putting himself in danger but will he get to the bottom of it all before he gets himself murdered.
This is a quick read with a few twisty bumps in the road that ties together nicely at the end. Enjoyable read.
March 2, 2022
Sorry, but this one is just dull.
Joe Hart's new novel, OR ELSE, never really got off the ground for me. It is dubbed as a mystery/thriller but fails entirely at the "thrilling" part. It does have a few things going for it, but not enough to overcome a major pacing problem.
Hart is a good writer and he manages to bring his main character to life. Some of his family dynamics are interestin, amusin and probably the best part of the book. Unfortunately, the main character is just not edgy enough to be interesting. He is a nice guy, who is a bit of a wimp. He takes care of his ailing father and is sneaking around with the neighbor, who is married with two children His crush on the neighbor seems both juvenile and sappy. The main character is the sole narrator for the story, and may be why the book seems as dull as he does.
Even a great story can be diminished by a poor story teller, and I am not sure this ever could have been a great story. The plot is intricate with several dead people and multiple shady characters, and yet it still seemes like not much happens. There are multiple red herrings, but any mystery fans will have it figured out fairly early. Some of the clues that are "discovered" had already been overlooked by the police beause they were so obscure, they should never have been used as clues, at all. The main character's amateur sleuthing is almost pathetic. Yet he manages to dig up lots of trouble, helped by the fact there is an almost unheard of number of criminals within walking distance of his house (located in a small religious community, in the shadow of a church). Really??
This book has a lot going on, and yet it feels like nothing ever happens. The book isn't awful, but it is forgettable and a waste of time.
Joe Hart's new novel, OR ELSE, never really got off the ground for me. It is dubbed as a mystery/thriller but fails entirely at the "thrilling" part. It does have a few things going for it, but not enough to overcome a major pacing problem.
Hart is a good writer and he manages to bring his main character to life. Some of his family dynamics are interestin, amusin and probably the best part of the book. Unfortunately, the main character is just not edgy enough to be interesting. He is a nice guy, who is a bit of a wimp. He takes care of his ailing father and is sneaking around with the neighbor, who is married with two children His crush on the neighbor seems both juvenile and sappy. The main character is the sole narrator for the story, and may be why the book seems as dull as he does.
Even a great story can be diminished by a poor story teller, and I am not sure this ever could have been a great story. The plot is intricate with several dead people and multiple shady characters, and yet it still seemes like not much happens. There are multiple red herrings, but any mystery fans will have it figured out fairly early. Some of the clues that are "discovered" had already been overlooked by the police beause they were so obscure, they should never have been used as clues, at all. The main character's amateur sleuthing is almost pathetic. Yet he manages to dig up lots of trouble, helped by the fact there is an almost unheard of number of criminals within walking distance of his house (located in a small religious community, in the shadow of a church). Really??
This book has a lot going on, and yet it feels like nothing ever happens. The book isn't awful, but it is forgettable and a waste of time.
January 20, 2022
� NEIGHBORHOOD THRILLER MEETS FAMILY DRAMA �
Author: Joe Hart
Genre: mystery / thriller
Mood: mysterious, dark, tense
Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5
Pub Date: April 1, 2022
#readandsiprecommends to read if you like:
* Lots of mysteries to untangle at once
* A big dose of family drama
* Neighborhood thrillers like Not a Happy Family or Every Last Secret
Review: While it was a fast read with chapter endings that kept me wanting to turn the page, Or Else was in general quite underwhelming. As I do when something doesn’t quite work for me I’ll keep this short.
Starting with some elements I liked:
* Fast page turner with lots going on to keep me interested
* Small town neighborhood vibes where everyone knows everyone’s business
* Unexpected outcome
What didn’t work for me:
* Too much happening that was disconnected and pure coincidence it was at the same time
* Odd changing of POV throughout and sometimes stream of conscious which was hard to follow
* Characters could have been developed more strongly if there weren’t as many and as much going on
Thanks to Netgalley for sharing this e-ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.
🚨 TW: mentions of child molestation
Author: Joe Hart
Genre: mystery / thriller
Mood: mysterious, dark, tense
Rating: ⭐️⭐️/5
Pub Date: April 1, 2022
#readandsiprecommends to read if you like:
* Lots of mysteries to untangle at once
* A big dose of family drama
* Neighborhood thrillers like Not a Happy Family or Every Last Secret
Review: While it was a fast read with chapter endings that kept me wanting to turn the page, Or Else was in general quite underwhelming. As I do when something doesn’t quite work for me I’ll keep this short.
Starting with some elements I liked:
* Fast page turner with lots going on to keep me interested
* Small town neighborhood vibes where everyone knows everyone’s business
* Unexpected outcome
What didn’t work for me:
* Too much happening that was disconnected and pure coincidence it was at the same time
* Odd changing of POV throughout and sometimes stream of conscious which was hard to follow
* Characters could have been developed more strongly if there weren’t as many and as much going on
Thanks to Netgalley for sharing this e-ARC with me in exchange for my honest thoughts and review.
🚨 TW: mentions of child molestation
November 19, 2021
Great thriller, twisting, exciting, and total surprise at the end. Although there may be those who say it was predictable.
I really liked Andy Drake’s character, a perfect investigative writer, he’s where he needs to be, the air around him is glowing, he’s always on track, we’re not bored with it.
Police action/inaction reinforces the existing stereotype that the goal is not to find and capture the real killer, but to find a sucker with zero work who can be tricked into committing the murder. Not to mention that for a death, the police immediately realize it was an accident or a suicide, despite the facts to the contrary. Unfortunately, this is already common in books. And unfortunately in real life. We were not short of murders, we were moving pretty slowly, tracing the perpetrator.
There’s not a page I’m bored with, the book is almost impossible to put down.
My favorite character was the father, despite his illness, he saw the events most clearly.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
I really liked Andy Drake’s character, a perfect investigative writer, he’s where he needs to be, the air around him is glowing, he’s always on track, we’re not bored with it.
Police action/inaction reinforces the existing stereotype that the goal is not to find and capture the real killer, but to find a sucker with zero work who can be tricked into committing the murder. Not to mention that for a death, the police immediately realize it was an accident or a suicide, despite the facts to the contrary. Unfortunately, this is already common in books. And unfortunately in real life. We were not short of murders, we were moving pretty slowly, tracing the perpetrator.
There’s not a page I’m bored with, the book is almost impossible to put down.
My favorite character was the father, despite his illness, he saw the events most clearly.
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for the opportunity to read this book.
April 21, 2024
A fast and interesting mystery about a novelist named Andy Drake who comes back home to take care of his ailing father and ends up reconnecting with his High School crush Rachel. Then Andy receives a letter to end the affair, or else Rachel's husband is found shot dead with Rachel missing. Andy goes to uncover what happened to Rachel and the kids as well as her husband, as he uncovers secrets, he also puts himself in danger.
It was interesting. I love the ease of Joe Hart's writing, it tends to suck me in. The audiobook was well done and I enjoyed listening to it. The story was interesting enough that it kept me coming back. I enjoyed the relationship between Andy and his dad, especially during such a rough time.
Overall, I'll be back for more of Joe Hart's writing.
It was interesting. I love the ease of Joe Hart's writing, it tends to suck me in. The audiobook was well done and I enjoyed listening to it. The story was interesting enough that it kept me coming back. I enjoyed the relationship between Andy and his dad, especially during such a rough time.
Overall, I'll be back for more of Joe Hart's writing.
October 25, 2021
This was an enjoyable book, an easy to read story that pulled one in and keeps the interest high. Andy has recently moved back home to look after his father who is in the early stages of dementia. Andy lives across the street from his dad and spends time in the morning and evening with him. He also gets invited to neighborhood events, like a get together at another neighbor, Rachel, who ends up kissing him while they are both alone in kitchen. That kiss leads to a full blown affair, until Andy receives a note telling him to stop seeing her, or else. Not long after receiving the note, Rachel's house is broken into and her husband killed, Rachel and her two kids are no where to be found. Andy is distraught, and starts to investigate her disappearance on his own, his first step is to search her house to see if he can find anything out of the ordinary. He doesn't find anything, but he does find another person in the house, Andy makes his escape but is pursued by the person and eventually gets away. Andy is a very diligent investigator, likely attributed to his being an author of mystery/thriller type books. As Andy's investigation gains traction, there are some red herrings along the way and he is visited by a mob enforcer, a scary dude for sure. There are family dynamic issues, his older bother is a pain (that's putting it mildly) and his younger sister had committed suicide a number of years earlier after an intervention by her mom. Overall a very good book and I would recommend. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
July 9, 2023
Amazon First Reads 3/22
I love Joe Hart's mind. His books always look at life's puzzles from a completely different viewpoint than the 'norm'. "Or Else" is no exception. Andy Drake is our narrator, a published author writing a speculative book on an idea that doesn't seem to be working as he had hoped when he is needed at home to care for his father who is dipping further into dementia and needs daily supervision. His sister and her family live nearby, but she has her hands full, and Andy needs a distraction. He owns a house a couple down from his father, and he can spend days with his Dad and sleep - and write -down there until his Dad needs 24-hour care. Sister Keli and he work out a schedule that gives them both some quiet time. Their Brother Cory is of no help at all.
And things are going along smoothly. Andy and his high school girlfriend renew their relationship despite the fact that she is married to the richest guy in town. But then Keli's husband's business partner is dead. Suicide? Then Mary, the neighbor who taught all the kids horseback riding is gone. Kicked to death by her favorite horse? Then Keli's husband David. Did Andy do it?
Andy will have to solve the puzzle 'Or Else' he will have to bury all of his friends and family. That is if he doesn't wind up in jail charged with murder.
Reviewed on October 27, 2022, at ŷ, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub.
Accidentally lost it in the Kindle 'read pile' after my husband finished it. He loved it, also. Sorry!
I love Joe Hart's mind. His books always look at life's puzzles from a completely different viewpoint than the 'norm'. "Or Else" is no exception. Andy Drake is our narrator, a published author writing a speculative book on an idea that doesn't seem to be working as he had hoped when he is needed at home to care for his father who is dipping further into dementia and needs daily supervision. His sister and her family live nearby, but she has her hands full, and Andy needs a distraction. He owns a house a couple down from his father, and he can spend days with his Dad and sleep - and write -down there until his Dad needs 24-hour care. Sister Keli and he work out a schedule that gives them both some quiet time. Their Brother Cory is of no help at all.
And things are going along smoothly. Andy and his high school girlfriend renew their relationship despite the fact that she is married to the richest guy in town. But then Keli's husband's business partner is dead. Suicide? Then Mary, the neighbor who taught all the kids horseback riding is gone. Kicked to death by her favorite horse? Then Keli's husband David. Did Andy do it?
Andy will have to solve the puzzle 'Or Else' he will have to bury all of his friends and family. That is if he doesn't wind up in jail charged with murder.
Reviewed on October 27, 2022, at ŷ, AmazonSmile, Barnes&Noble, and BookBub.
Accidentally lost it in the Kindle 'read pile' after my husband finished it. He loved it, also. Sorry!
March 16, 2022
This was my Kindle First pick of the month in March. I hadn't happened upon this author before but understand he writes books in genres that wouldn't usually appeal to me. This story kept my interest but I almost packed it in more than once or twice because of some repetition I was getting cheesed off with coming across.
He has written some nice characters who were very likeable people in the main. There are also some moments that had me chuckling along to myself. I had wondered all the way through how old Andy was and this was never revealed till we are 85% in, however...I finally figured he is 34 in case anyone else is wondering.
The one thing that REALLY got my back up was hearing how many times Andy was feeling sick or nauseous.....it is mentioned a LOT !! It's 'like he has vomit on the brain' was a note I made only 34% into it. Chardonnay-glazed needed to be written like this, too. Every time he wrote farmers market he dropped the apostrophe, too-something else that had me gritting my teeth in frustration.
As I say, the story is interesting and I read it quickly but I'm not sure I'd rush to buy another by him.
He has written some nice characters who were very likeable people in the main. There are also some moments that had me chuckling along to myself. I had wondered all the way through how old Andy was and this was never revealed till we are 85% in, however...I finally figured he is 34 in case anyone else is wondering.
The one thing that REALLY got my back up was hearing how many times Andy was feeling sick or nauseous.....it is mentioned a LOT !! It's 'like he has vomit on the brain' was a note I made only 34% into it. Chardonnay-glazed needed to be written like this, too. Every time he wrote farmers market he dropped the apostrophe, too-something else that had me gritting my teeth in frustration.
As I say, the story is interesting and I read it quickly but I'm not sure I'd rush to buy another by him.
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