Before the Storm: Amelia Storm Cutter Files

by Mary Stone

The bestselling Amelia Storm series by multi-million bestselling author Mary Stone is finally back!

FBI Special Agents Amelia Storm and Rhea Cutter weren't supposed to meet like this.

Amelia Storm has just settled into Miami after leaving Chicago behind—a new city, a new field office, and her fiancé, Special Agent Zane Palmer at her side. It's a fresh start. One she's earned.

Rhea Cutter is hours from her first official day in the same office. A Miami native, a Quantico graduate, and a single mother with an eleven-year-old who can outthink her before breakfast. She's spending her last normal morning at the mall with her daughter.

Then the shooting starts.

Panic tears through Aventura Mall. People run. Hide. Fall. No one knows how many shooters. No one knows where the next shot is coming from.

Rhea and Amelia are on opposite sides of the building when everything breaks open. Amelia moves toward the threat.

Rhea loses her daughter in the chaos.

Every instinct screams at her to find her child. Her training says something else. And she knows exactly which one must win.

For Rhea, it’s a brutal introduction to the job she hasn’t even officially started. For Amelia, it’s a reminder that no matter where she goes, danger follows.

And for both of them, one truth becomes impossible to ignore.

This wasn’t supposed to happen.

Or it was?

Before the Storm is the gripping bridge novella that launches The Cutter Files—the next chapter of the Amelia Storm universe from bestselling author Mary Stone. Fast-paced, emotionally raw, and anchored in real-time tension, it introduces Special Agent Rhea Cutter in a moment that tests everything she's trained for and everything she loves most. For fans of intense FBI procedurals and character-driven suspense, this is where the next storm begins.

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 13, 2026

About the author

To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Reviews

[P J Van Benthusen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an ARC team. Wow, every person's worst nightmare. You are caught in a giant mall with an active shooter. What do you do? Where do you go? Your first reaction is fight or flight. Run! That seems to be the choice most people have made. You have complete chaos. In the midst of this chaos is a mother looking for her child. She happens to be an FBI agent, and she has literally trained her child on how to react if something like this ever happened. But, in the midst of panic, can an 11-year-old remember her instructions? And can this mother put on her trained FBI agent cap? At the other side of the mall gun shots ring out. The worst possible scenario, two shooters! Introducing Rhea Cutter as the newest agent in the Miami FBI. Unknown to her another agent, Amelia Storm is in the same mall and just heard those shots. These two are the dynamic duo. This is nonstop action and your heart is beating fast as each step in this tragedy unfolds. Great characters and lots of action. Good read!

[Jacquetta Harvey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Linda Maddox was a single mom raising her son Tyler, now 22. Linda was working 2 jobs, trying to keep the apartment up and Tyler was no help. He had lost his job and hadn't gotten a new one. She came home to milk spoiled on the cabinet and in talking to Tyler about doing more around the house and getting a job, Tyler shot her.

FBI SA Rhea Cutter took Raiden to the mall to get shoes for the 11th year old who's feet keep growing. Suddenly there is a shooting in the Mall while Raiden was in the bathroom. Rhea wasn't sure what was happening and concerned about Raiden who hadn't come out yet.

FBI SA Amelia Storm was in the same mall and pulling her badge and her gun, looking for the shooter(s). And hoping her daughter is safe.

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A normal trip to the local mall turns into a madness no one wants to be near. Rhea Cutter & her daughter Raiden are shopping for shoes before school starts. Amelia is at the other end of the mall shopping for new linens for the house she and Zane have moved into. A normal afternoon for both but that changes in a heartbeat - multiple shots are fired for separate locations. We have an active shooter situation in the mall. Can both agents find and corner the shooters without anymore loss of life? What about Raiden, will she manage to survive the event? And, will this be the only incident in Miami?

[johanna kolb · Rating 5 out of 5]

i have loved Amelia and her fiance Zane since their Chicago days. now they have joined a new team. before she can start she stops at the mall to buy some household items. finishing up she hears gunshots and goes into action.
at the other side of the mall another agent is shopping for shoes with her daughter. they get separated and the mom Rhea tries to find her daughter Raiden.
the shooters are causing havoc but unbeknownst to them the agents are there. what happens is really fantastic. i can't wait for the next book.

[Bonita Barbick · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is wonderful to have Amelia Storm back in action. This book introduces SA Rhea Cutter, new to the FBI. A terrorist attacked at a Mall where both agents are, although in different locations. Rhea loosing sight of her daughter in this terrifying attack is gut wrenching. This is pulse pounding action as the two agents track these killers. The writing is so good I felt the terror as if I were at the Mall. Chilling killers, two brave agents and a brilliant little girl make this a must read! One of Mary Stone’s best storytelling yet!

[Dawn G · Rating 5 out of 5]

SO SO GOOD!!

What a brilliant surprise for Amelia to be back! Rhea and Raiden. What a marvelous mother-daughter team those two make. As always is the case with any Mary and Amy novel, so well written, superb mix of old and new characters (with character!), funny bits, gut wrenching bits, all the bits you need for all the feelings!!
Thank you, Mary and Amy!
Waiting on pins and needles (super uncomfortable) for the next in this series, as I’ve reached the end in all the others.
Missing the completed series characters, but loving the new ones! Waiting…tick tock.

[Sue Sandifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia and Zane have relocated to the Miami area and learning their way around.
Rhea Cutter has gone to the local mall with her daughter to shop for school clothing. Rhea is due to start her new job at the local FBI office. Suddenly shots are fired inthe mall and chaos begins. Rhea has learned enough to call the local 911 folks and give them valuable location information.
This book is fast paced and exciting.

[Marion · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thrilling page turner that keeps you reading until the end. So glad to see Amelia & Zane back. We get to learn about their new life in Miama and we're introduced to a new FBI agent Rea Cutter and her daughter. Both agents go to the mall and all hell breaks out. Can't wait to learn more about these characters and their adventures in future books. Thank you Mary for another great read.
I am an ARC member and this is my honest review.

[Carol Kraft · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book as part of an ARC team and what a great book in the Amelia Storm series. Amelia and Zane have moved to Miami to start a new job with the FBI. Amelia is out shopping at a mall and so is her new partner, Rhea, who she hasn't met yet.

All of a sudden shots are fired and chaos erupts as the shooting continues and people start panicking and fleeing.

The book is full of suspense and I would highly recommend it.

[Shari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was literally a book you couldn't put down. It keeps you on the edge of your seat! Amelia & Thea are both transferring to the Miami field office on the same day & unexpectantly meet with active shooters while they are shopping at the local mall. Thea has her 11 year old daughter with her & loses her in the mad rush of everyone's escape to safety. Will Amelia & Thea get the shooters, is Thea's daughter safe? Don't miss this one, it will not disappoint!

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

More Amelia
In this bridge novella, Amelia and Zane have been transferred to Miami. We meet Rhea Cutter, a new FBI recruit. Amelia and Rhea are both at the mall when chaos erupts. They both off duty but feel the need to stop what's happening. This is a great introduction to the new series. I'm looking forward to more in this new series. I bought my book from the author direct.

[charlene hannaman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia is back

Great new character introduced by Mary Stone. Rhea is a new FBI hire. She and her daughter get caught up in a shooting at the local mall. Rhea and Amelia make a great team taking down the shooters. Can’t wait to see more of this great partnership. Mary always writes a great story.

[L.V. Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh heck yeah!

I could not put this book down! I was so excited to see A media's story continue. Her new partner Rhea and her daughter add such a softness to the series. I love how they just clicked in this story. I'm so excited to see what happens next. Kudos Mary Stone you've done it again!!

[Sammye · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifteenth book in the Amelia Storm FBI Mystery series. Fast paced, exciting, intriguing, full of mystery and suspense. Another awesome thriller. I received an early copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review

[Michelle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good book. Grabs you from the first chapter. I didn't want to put it down. Very fast paced. It is a must read.

[Robin E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC


Fast paced, gripping account of a mall shooting. Neither Amelia or Rhea know each other yet, but realize at the takedown that they are going to make one hell of a kickass team!

[Trina · Rating 5 out of 5]

just what I needed

Loved the story- it kept my attention so well,I finished it in one sitting which I have not done in months. Thank you! When is the next release?

[Mary Ott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Whew!

Talk about suspense!!! This had my heart pounding while I tried to remember to breathe! So many emotions screaming through my mind! A must read!

[Angie Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many emotions reading this. My heart was racing. Such a great book and can’t wait to get more of this!

[Barb Petty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow! you've heard of good

Extraordinary!!

Amelia and Rhea ! I can't wait!! More please, much much much more! And the daughter
and the cute guy on the corner..

[Kathy Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fanatic

Could not put down read in one night, once I started reading that was it ,good thing it was Friday night and I am retired

[Barbara Kaake · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great beginning for Amelia and Rhea meeting in a mall where chaos is going and getting their killers together with lots of suspense and action. Thank you for this excellent story.

[Anne Regula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Totally Awesome

Another excellent book by Mary Stone. I don’t know how she can turn out books so often and everyone more entertaining than the next!

[Sparty · Rating 5 out of 5]

yay

Teamwork. And now I can’t wait for more of Amelia and Rhea. Looking forward to more adventures and enjoyable reading

[Sandra Martinez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

I loved everything about this book. I love that you're bringing back Amelia and the rest of the gang. Excited and thrilled to read the next coming books!

[Teri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amelia continues

Nail biting, adrenaline rushing, can’t wait to read more. Love this book! This keeps you on the edge of your seat.

[Tempest Pageau · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Best Yet!!!

I have the whole series and I can't wait for the next one! This was the best one yet! I can't wait to learn more about their partnership!

[Penny Powers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I barely could breathe while reading. As the tension increased so did my pulse. No way could I put it down. Fantastic!! Can't wait for more with Storm & Cutter.