Case 48: The Kidnapping of Isaiah Rae

by Emma Kavanagh

A free digital short story

Featuring Selena and Ed Cole, from Emma Kavanagh's new novel The Missing Hours

When Elliot, the son of an electronics corporation CEO, is kidnapped and held for ransom, Selena and Ed are brought in to act as liasons. To make sure things run smoothly. To make sure Elliot comes home.

But when Selena discovers that Elliot's biological mother was recently released from prison, things soon become more complicated, and more deadly, than they can possibly imagine ...

Genres: Short Stories, Crime

35 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 10, 2016

About the author

Emma Kavanagh was born and raised in South Wales. After graduating with a PhD in Psychology from Cardiff University, she spent many years working as a police and military psychologist, training firearms officers, command staff and military personnel throughout the UK and Europe. Now she is lucky enough to be able to write for a living. She lives in South Wales with her husband, young sons, and a dog named Dobby.

Reviews

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

CASE 48: THE KIDNAPPING OF ISAIAH RAE is a free digital short story on Amazon by author Emma Kavanagh, from the author of Falling and Hidden. This short story is an introduction to her novel, “The Missing Hours”, and to Selena and Ed Cole who run The Cole Group, a company working the field of kidnap & ransom.

When Isaiah Rae, the young son of an electronics corporation CEO, Elliot, and wife, Thea, is kidnapped and held for ransom, Selena and Ed are brought in to act as liaisons. To make sure things run smoothly. To make sure Elliot comes home.

Isaiah was kidnapped on the way home from the park along with nanny, Carmen Philips. They were thrown into a van., and then driven off at speed.

The parents receive an email-proof of life. Ransom amount is disclosed.

But when Selena discovers that Elliot's biological mother was recently released from prison, things soon become more complicated.

This short story felt a lot longer than the 35 pages, and an excellent short story for setup of the characters in The Missing Hours, which I loved. Read and enjoy.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a 3.5 star short story read.

A very well constructed short story that seemed to cram a lot more action into it than the 35 pages suggested. A good introduction to Ed and Selena Cole, but the flash fiction included at the end of the book left me totally perplexed.

[Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cracking short story from Emma Kavanagh. This story felt a lot longer than the 35 pages Amazon state it is; not a couple longer, a lot more!

Now I've met Selena and Ed, I want to see them in full action in the Missing Hours!

[Ingstje · Rating 4 out of 5]

This novel is a delightful prelude to The Missing Hours and is a FREE download on Amazon. In this little short story we are introduced to Selena and Ed Cole who run The Cole Group, a company working the field of K&R (kidnap & ransom). If someone goes missing they get called and negotiate the release of this person, doing their best to bring down the demanded ransom to a manageable amount. The novel focuses on this one case where Selena and Ed are called to intermediate for Elliot and Thea. The plot focuses on how Selena’s services are really put to work when this couple’s little son Isaiah and his au pair Carmen are kidnapped and a huge ransom demand is given. Who’s behind all this and is it maybe possible that the au pair is in on this? Enough room for speculation. Even though this is just a little short story, the story was able to engage me from the very first pages. The author delivers a likeable and intelligent character with Selena and we can follow her investigative moves in a logical way from start to the - quite surprising - finish. A great read if you ask my opinion, one that left me wanting to read more from this author.
Note: the description in the blurb is not correct. Elliot is the father and his son Isaiah is the one that was kidnapped.

[Rachel (not currently receiving notifications) Hall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Despite being only thirty-five pages in length Case 48: The Kidnapping of Isaiah Rae was a clever and involving little story and did impress. This introduces the characters who feature in the most recent release from Emma Kavanagh, The Missing Hours. When the seven year old son and nanny of magnate and electronics CEO Elliot Rae are kidnapped in San Francisco, Ed and Selena Cole are fast tracked over from London in their capacity as experienced hostage and random negotiation agents. As they interact with the parents of the child and try to build up a picture of events in the Rae household they begin to suspect that things might be more complicated than they look. Tracking down the biological mother of the boy becomes a priority but alongside that, Selena does some of her own digging and uncovers a darker side to the mystery of boys disappearance.

Case 48 was an excellent short story leaving me with the impression that The Missing Hours would be another satisfying read from Emma Kavanagh.

[Graham Dinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent short story from this excellent author, whose use of language is just brilliant. It's also a clever way of introducing us to Ed and Selena Cole who feature in the main novel - The Missing Hours.
I actually read that first, before the short story, but I recommend you start here, to get a flavour and you'll really enjoy The Missing Hours.
Easy to read in one bite.

[Ceecee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I probably should have read this before The Missing Hours as this short story introduces two of the central characters. However, in no way did that spoil this short story. This is a well written and twisty story that seems to pack way more in than you would think possible in a short story. The ending was excellent. Worth reading if you have a spare half hour or so and it’s free on Amazon Kindle!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stars.

Wow. That was good! I haven't read a short kidnapping story before (how exactly is that possible?!?) Anyway, I'm really glad that I found this one. It had a twist in it that surprised me. I'm interested in this authors other novels now. I quite liked her style.

[jackie nixon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good read but not a challenge

Have read other novels by same author but is a quick read. Nothing more to say about book. Thank you for reading review

[Mark Hughes · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read possibly too quick. But it was satisfying if, like a meal you have enjoyed, you wish there was more.

[Susie N. Seifert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well thought it was a novel and not a teaser.

[Cleopatra Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story was published shortly before the author’s latest novel The Missing Hours – this short is currently free and runs to 35 pages.
Case 48 features Selena and Ed Cole, from The Missing Hours. Although this features two of the characters from the novel this is an entirely standalone story, and a good one at that. This short story, would give the reader insight into the work of those who work for the insurance company in kidnap and ransom demands. If like me you had no idea this industry existed, this story may just be the introduction you need to see if you’d enjoy a full length novel in this area.

[Nicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant,twisty short story featuring Selina and Ed Cole who feature in Emma Kavanagh`s brilliant thriller The Missing Hours which I have also had the pleasure of reading through netgalley.This is the story about the kidnapping of a little boy called Isaiah,although it is only a short story it still has quite a number of twists and keeps you guessing right to the end.I love the characters of Selena and Ed and the group that they work with and would love to read more books about cases that they have been involved in.

[Roman Clodia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short story is an interesting companion piece to The Missing Hours and one which, I would suggest, is best read either alongside or after the novel rather than before as it gives away some things that I think I'd prefer not to know before reading the full book. It introduces the characters of Serena and Ed Cole, and their colleague Seth, and shows them at work as kidnap and ransom consultants. If you've enjoyed the book, then this enhances it.

[Joanne Robertson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story involving Selena and Ed Coles. I'm about to start The Missing Hours and this is a fabulous warm up job!

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely brilliant. well written. fast paced. exactly the type of mystery i love. well done!!