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Mission: Rescue #5

Mystery Child

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TO SAVE A CHILD

In the dark of night, Quinn Robertson is on the run with her little niece, desperate to bring the child to her biological father. All Quinn knows from her scared sister is that the girl is in terrible danger. And when a security and rescue specialist intercepts Quinn and claims he's there to help her, she isn't sure who to trust. According to Malone Henderson, Quinn's niece was stolen as a baby from her real father—the very man Quinn is trying to reach. As Quinn works with Malone to uncover the truth, someone is trying very hard to make sure certain secrets stay buried, and that father and daughter are never reunited.

Mission: Rescue—No job is too dangerous for these fearless heroes

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published June 6, 2016

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178 people want to read

About the author

Shirlee McCoy

157 books435 followers

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5 stars
182 (54%)
4 stars
96 (29%)
3 stars
46 (13%)
2 stars
6 (1%)
1 star
1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
October 18, 2024
A sweet and fun read aloud with my little sister. We did share some laughs at certain parts. The bad guy was disappointing. It was too easy in my opinion. I didn’t like certain parts either particularly the part where Quinn gave Malone her wedding ring like um, what? To be honest, I probably wouldn’t read this again. I did really like the name Jubilee! So unique and pretty!
Profile Image for Melanie.
2,215 reviews598 followers
July 31, 2018
Mystery Child is the fifth book in the Mission: Rescue series. While I've not read all the stories yet, I have read several of them and have been enjoying the series. This one was really good. I liked the characters and the suspense was consistent.

The story held my attention from nearly the first chapter on. I liked that the suspense was believable and I didn't feel like the characters did dumb things. ;)

Overall, a good read. You don't have to read this series in order. If you like romantic suspense, you will probably like Mystery Child.

*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention/review it on my blog. I was not required to give a positive review, only my honest opinion - which I've done. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own and I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255: "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.*
Profile Image for Books and Spoons.
1,612 reviews32 followers
May 31, 2016
Lots of action, mysteries, attacks, murder, and mayhem, in a fast paced tale, that keeps the reader on their toes.
The chaos, danger and the constant threat that surrounds Quinn, seems to be out of control, and it takes the FBI, the local police, the HEARTS and her brother, to keep her safe and alive. The only one who believes her sister is innocent on the recent string of crimes, and not to mention kidnapping, is Quinn. Her sweet heart wants to believe her sister has changed, and she makes some questionable decisions, to try and rescue her, just getting in more trouble herself.
The cast of characters is interesting, fascinating, and capable folks. They all spike the interest, and I would have liked to get to know them better. The secondary characters play an important role in the plot, and take a lot of screen time.
The romance is much in the background on the story. Quinn and Malone don't really have time to get to know each other, in all the turmoil around them, but somehow they still managed to develop deeper feelings for each other, and let the spark of attraction they feel for each other take a flame.
I liked the action, the turmoil was constant, and since the cast doesn't really know who they are fighting against, or not sure why, and what do they want, it is a perpetual guessing game for all of them, including the law enforcement.
Quinn was just at the edge of letting go of her sorrow of loosing her husband three years past, and now can't believe the feelings she is having. Malone, the man who's always there for her, support her, protect her, and take care of her, gives her the time she needs to accept and knowledge her feelings, but makes sure he is there waiting, when, and if, she is ready.
Tight suspense, non-stop action, brutal attacks, and near escapes, while a budding romance takes root, and bantering siblings and team members argue away - fun and exciting story, good entertainment!
~ Four Spoons
Profile Image for Donna.
855 reviews44 followers
August 9, 2016
Mystery Child: by Shirley McCoy is the fifth book in the Mission: Rescue Series. It can be read as a stand-alone but if you have been following the series it might be more impactful since they think they may have found Boone’s long lost daughter. Boone is the director of HEART; the organization that finds missing people.
I have really enjoyed this series. Mystery Child is about a young girl and they're wondering if it is Boone’s daughter that was abducted several years ago. Quinn is the main character. I started out liking her but she just continued to make such stupid decisions. She's a teacher for goodness sake's but she thinks she's going to try to help fight the bad guys and not allow three trained professionals protect her. I'm in full support of strong women but you have to be smart first. I really liked Malone. He was a great character with his background and his dilemma of what he wants to do with his future. The author created interesting interactions between the two of them. It was almost like you were in on their private conversations. It will be interesting to see if the next book is Chance and Stella or if August is going to get his own book. August is Quinn's brother and he played a very active role in the story.

Mystery Child was not as fast pace as some of the other books in the series. This one has you thinking about who is Jared really after and why; is it Tabatha, his wife or the child.
You can see my full review at More Than a Review dot com where I rate the level of sex, violence, language and drug/alcohol use in books.

Profile Image for Becky.
350 reviews4 followers
April 28, 2016
I like the concept of these Mission: Rescue stories but this one falls a little flat for me.

Quinn is trying to return her niece to his biological father. Strange enough, he is actually the head of a missing children recovery organization. Her sister Tabitha is playing a game that makes her look like the villain of this mess. What will the truth reveal?

Too many characters and not enough interaction between the main hero and heroine to make a believable romance.

Thank you Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Profile Image for Dorel.
4,339 reviews38 followers
July 16, 2023
This is the 5th book I read by Shirlee McCoy. I really enjoyed this book's storyline. I really liked the Christian theme in this story. I really liked the action in this story. I really liked Quinn's character. I really liked Malone's character. I really liked the ending.
2,278 reviews7 followers
February 25, 2018
As a baby, Kendal Anderson disappeared with her mom deep into a cult while her father was deployed. Five years later, Tabitha shows up on her sister's doorstep with a girl she claims is Daniel Boone Anderson's daughter and asks Quinn to take the girl to her father. Quinn sets out to do so, but realizes she is being followed and contacts her ex-military brother August for assistance.

Boone's employer (HEART) also finds out about the lead on his daughter and asks Malone Henderson, who's vacationing nearby, to assist until others can arrive.

A cat and mouse game ensues as the group tries to keep Quinn and the little girl safe while unraveling the mystery of why she's so important.

The characters are decent and the plot drew me in quickly. I'm not sure if it's just because Quinn is the only non-trained character in the main plot (other than the child) but she makes some questionable decisions along the way--almost as if she doesn't "get" the danger that she is in or that she's putting others around her in. I do admire her determination to not be sidelined and that she speaks up for herself.
3,918 reviews1,763 followers
June 1, 2016
Take a deep breath before opening this book because once you read these opening lines -- "They were coming. She could hear them as clearly as she could hear her pulse pounding frantically in her ears." -- well, you'll forget all about mundane things like breathing. Hyperventilating maybe. Because this is a heart-hammering, breath-stealing kind of read. From the very first page. Shirlee McCoy at her absolute best.

The HEART (Hostage Rescue and Extraction) Team is back, and while you don't have to have read any of the other books this one has a pivotal plot point that's really exciting if you've been following the series. Emotions are palpable as the suspense climbs. Riveting mystery and a tenuous romance made this a page turner of a read for me. I gobbled it up in one gulp. I'm that greedy for stellar romantic suspense.
Profile Image for Anita.
253 reviews4 followers
June 15, 2016
I know some people love longer books when reading this genre, but I loved that it was long enough to fill in the blanks without adding unnecessary twists and turns not critical to the story. ( A little over 200 pages)
This was my first of this particular series. I can honestly say that it is better writing in that aspect. If an author can somehow fill in the back story in a way that doesn't feel like a fill in, kudos.
I loved Quinn's (heroine) trust in her sister. I love the HEART group and how they work together. I adored Lucille even though she was a minor character. I felt like the romantic interest and interaction was realistic and inviting.
This is a likeable suspense, romance with a touch of mystery thrown in.

Rating: 4 Stars
Content: kissing, violence (non graphic or sexual)
Source: Netgalley
Profile Image for Kate Vale.
Author 24 books83 followers
September 17, 2016
One of the Mission: Rescue series, this story focuses on Quinn Robertson whose sister begs her to deliver 5-yr-old Jubilee to her birthdad because the child is in danger. No reason given and then Tabitha disappears.

So begins a story rife with attempts on Quinn's life until Malone Henderson and his colleagues begin to unravel the story and catch the men trying to kill Quinn and her sister when they can't get to the child.
3,278 reviews12 followers
June 22, 2016
Quick, easy read. You can never go wrong with a Shirlee McCoy book.
Profile Image for Alisha.
2,272 reviews
November 26, 2016
was so glad to finally get this book. Have been wanting the reunion of Boone and his baby girl
Profile Image for Deloris  Mercer.
309 reviews
February 8, 2018
Great book

Fantastic series, the characters become your friends.
Thank you Ms. McCoy for such a great mystery and romance.
Lot's of twists and turns.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,500 reviews26 followers
April 18, 2019
3 stars for 98% of the story, with one full star added for that ending!

When Quinn’s older sister she hasn’t seen in years appears unannounced on her doorstep, Quinn is surprised. But not nearly as surprised as when her sister hands over her step-daughter and tells Quinn she has to get little 4-year old Jubilee to her real father, a man who has been searching for her tirelessly for her entire life. Her sister takes off, hoping her criminal husband will pursue her and leave the little girl alone. But life is never that easy…

Malone Henderson was supposed to be on vacation. Ten days in a secluded cabin, kayaking and reassessing his life choices, namely never stopping to look at the scenery. But when a fellow security personale from HEART gives him a call, asking for help locating his sister who has the potential daughter of another HEART member, he drops his holiday to answer the call.
Trying to get to her brother’s for help, Quinn is basically run off the road. Taking Jubilee, she flees into a wooded area, intent on hitching the last few miles to her brother’s place. But her pursuers rapidly gain on her and she forced to play a game of cat and mouse with them through the woods, until she bumps into Malone…

This book is actually quite good. I almost passed it over until I realized this was Malone’s story. You meet Malone in another book and I was immediately intrigued by the gentle, quiet giant he’s portrayed as in said book. He’s huge. He described as having a permanent scowl. He has a scar on his face that just adds to his scariness. He has visible scars on his hands…did I mention he’s huge?
This guy LITERALLY carries little Halloween sized things of candy in an attempt to make himself less scary to the people he’s trying to help in his job with HEART. How sweet is that? Creepy if he wasn’t a good guy, but he is, so it’s super sweet when he hands Jubilee a little bag of candy to help him win her over as they are dodging bad guys in the dark woods. What big burly guy would a) purposefully always have candy on them, b) think to give said candy to a scared kid to help them trust him enough to get them out of a dangerous situation safely? Most men would pick them up like a football and run I’d think.

Malone continues to show uncanny understanding and gentleness handling people and their emotions, particularly when it comes to Quinn. Specifically when her head strong, overbearing, little bit of an a-hole older brother is involved.

In Conclusion

All in all I quite enjoyed this book. The author didn’t try to give you a full bowtie happily ever after, but more like a promise of better things to come, which I really REALLY appreciate. Too many authors go with full proposals far too soon. Or worse, immediate proposal and a epilogue, 4 months later implausible wedding. A tentative promise of better things to come is all I need. Make the future seem bright and let me decide the rest. Gained a full star for that ending!


1,143 reviews7 followers
January 24, 2019
This series of books are exciting and full of action. They do not have to be read in order and can be read alone; but if you read in order they provide background information on some of the HEART people working in the background. Quinn Robertson is on the run with her little niece in the middle of the night to get her to her biological father. But someone is chasing her. She is almost to her brother's home when she has to abandon her car and take to the woods where she is intercepted by Malone a member of HEART. Will they be able to get the little girl to her dad safely? Who is trying to kill Quinn and why? Will they all survive to find out?
Profile Image for Nancy Luebke.
1,466 reviews65 followers
June 17, 2021
I really enjoyed this Love inspired, Suspense. I voluntarily chose to review this story and I've given it a 5* rating. This story pulled me in fast and kept me turning the pages till the end. Lots of reference to family and the importance of sticking up for family. This had a lot of feels. It was a clean read, with a little romance, but also with a bit of violence in it. It had a nice, feel good ending.
Profile Image for Susan Snodgrass.
2,002 reviews273 followers
June 20, 2019
'To have everything you wanted and nothing that mattered? That was the cruelest irony of all.'

I am on a mission (pardon the pun) to read as many of Shirlee McCoy's books as I can. She is a master at writing inspirational romantic suspense. I've read 4 in 4 days!
338 reviews1 follower
August 10, 2022
Liked it a lot but didn't realize that it was #5 in a series. Now I'll have to go back and read the rest.
Quinn's sister handed her a 5-year-old little girl and asked her to bring the child to her birth father. On the way, Quinn is attacked and has to run for her life.
Profile Image for Jessie Bee.
602 reviews6 followers
August 3, 2024
mysterious

This fast paced book starts with Quinn being given a child to take to her father. Then the mystery starts as to who is trying to harm the child or is it Quinn. Interspersed with romance. Good read.
666 reviews3 followers
April 22, 2019
WOW!!!!!!

This was a really good book. It contained everything I look for in a book: intrique, mystery, faith in God and romance.
Profile Image for Deb Whitney.
164 reviews1 follower
October 2, 2020
Loved this book! Now I am on the hunt for the first four books in this series!!
Profile Image for Sheila.
3,088 reviews123 followers
July 11, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. Quinn, August, Tabitha, the baker, and all the members of HEART where great characters.
Profile Image for Shannon Cruz.
290 reviews
October 1, 2023
I'm not sure if I should rate it 3 or 4 stars.. it was good but just not impressive. I really thought there was going to be a big twist or something but there really wasn't.
273 reviews3 followers
February 1, 2025
Very intriguing. Recommend it highly.
Profile Image for Glenda Parker.
Author 14 books21 followers
June 20, 2016
This is the fifth book in the Mission Rescue Series. I have loved each of these books in this series. Shirlee does an awesome job on suspense and intrigues. This story is well written, action packed, and fast paced. I always enjoy visiting the character's from the past books and seeing where they are now. I really like the HEART extended family.
Quinn Robertson receives a visit from her sister that she hadn't seen in many years. Her sister brought a small red headed child with her. Tabitha told her it was her daughter and she was running from her abusive husband, both of them had bruises. She begs Quinn to take Jubilee to her biological father. If they split up then her husband will follow her but when Quinn leaves she is followed. She contacts her brother for help. He and a HEART operative search for them in woods but Malone finds her first. Trust isn't easy for the daughter of a con-artist but he saves them from the kidnappers. Was Tabitha some how involved in this mess?
Malone Henderson was on vacation when HEART learned that Quinn was bringing Daniel Boone Anderson's daughter to him. Boone, the director of HEART was out of the country but would be there as soon as he could get a flight. HEART had been searching for his daughter for all these years. Malone was notified that the child would be coming to a cabin not far from where he was staying. They wanted him to keep her safe, check her out, and see if she was really Boone's daughter. It was only going to take a short time and he could return to his vacation. That not what is happening! Men where coming in all direction trying to kill Quinn, her brother, and take Jubilee. How could he get Quinn to trust him? Where had the child been all this time? Who were these men the were trying to kill them?
A journey of trial, tests, and tribulations all around about them. Could they find the answers to what was going on before they were destroyed? How could they trust each other when they were so broken. God has a plan for these people. A plan far greater than they could ever dream. God is like that! He wants to turn your life around too. Have faith in God! Give Him control and watch what He will do for you.
Profile Image for Pam.
4,625 reviews67 followers
August 2, 2016
Mystery Child is a Love Inspired Suspense by Shirlee McCoy. It is part of the Mission: Rescue series. It is a very good book and quick to read and enjoy. It is perfect for a summer day. However, you must be ready to read it until its end because it will grab your attention and you can’t help yourself.
Quinn Robertson was a kindergarten teacher who lived in an apartment above the bakery in Echo Lake. She was working two jobs to first pay the medical bills for her late husband but now to save to purchase a house. She had come to Echo Lake for her husband Cory but grew to love the town as her own. After his death, she was living a quiet yet comfortable life. That is, until her sister Tabitha came back into her life. Tabitha, August, her brother, and Quinn were from a very dysfunctional family. August and Quinn were close; but there was definite animosity between Tabitha and August.
Tabitha turned up at Quinn’s one night with a little girl she said was hers. She asked Quinn to take Jubilee to her biological father in DC along with an envelope. It was obvious Tabitha was in trouble as she had finger marks on her throat and Jubilee had bruises. Quinn never questioned her sister and she immediately set out with Jubilee to take her to her biological father. Unfortunately, she was followed and before she could get to her brother’s house for help, she was forced from her car to run with Jubilee through the woods. Thankfully for a five-year-old, Jubilee was unexpectedly quiet.
Who were the people who were after them? Why did they want Jubilee and Quinn? Would August ever find them in the woods? Was Tabitha all right?
2,323 reviews38 followers
June 14, 2016

5 STARS

I have enjoyed this series of books. I have to say this one is my favorite. The books can stand alone but if you have read the series you will want to read this book. Especially if you have read the second book Her Christmas Guardian.

The story starts off right from the beginning. Quinn Robertson is hiding in the woods with her little niece trying to get to her brother's place. Some men are chasing her. She is taking Jubilee to her birth father.

Quinn is a teacher. A widow who has not seen or heard from her sister in years. Tabitha had shown up at her door with bruises on her and her daughter. Asking for help because her husband wants to hurt her, She gives her Boone Anderson's name and address.

Malone Henderson, is asked by his boss to meet Quinn at her brother's and guard the child till Chance and others on the team can get there. Boone is out of the country and can't make it back for 30 hrs. Malone was nearby camping on vacation. He wants to make sure if it is Boone's missing daughter that nothing happens to her.
There is so much drama, action, danger, mystery and romance as the members of HEART try and keep Quinn safe and find her sister. They want answers for Boone. This is a clean read.

I look forward to reading more books from Shirlee McCoy in the future.

I was given Mystery Child to read by NetGalley and Harlequin and in return I agreed to give a honest review of Mystery Child.
Profile Image for Jessica.
2,209 reviews51 followers
June 6, 2016
Honestly I was on and off with this book. It was pretty good I liked it but I don't know it felt off. The whole story line was interesting which is why I requested to read this book ahead of time. I just felt at at sometimes I had a hard time following what was going on. I felt like it dragged in some areas. It was a pretty good mystery book but wasn't for me. And I hope they'll change that cover because it looked beyond cheesey. I love coming across books with covers that really catch my eyes but I would've avoided this book if it was on the bookshelves not even caring to check what the book was even about.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews

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