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Heartfelt Cases #.5
The Quinn Case: A Prequel to Heartfelt Cases: A Christian Mystery and Suspense Short Story Featuring FBI Agents
When a child disappears, every second counts.
As a relatively new FBI agent Ann Davidson struggles with personalizing the cases. Hours after delivering the news that a boy’s murder investigation has officially gone cold, Ann and her partner, Patrick Duncan, catch a new case: a custody kidnapping. They have precious little time to find the victim, two-year-old Josiah Quinn. If even a day goes by without locating the boy, the odds of finding him drop to nearly nothing.
They couldn’t save the other boy, but Ann’s determined not to fail again.
*Note this is a prequel to the Heartfelt Cases series.
Interview with the Author:
Q: What makes the Heartfelt Cases series special?
A: Heartfelt Cases is a mystery/suspense series featuring a pair of FBI agents handling some very personal cases. It fits in the Christian mystery niche, and most reviewers agree it hits that mark without being preachy. It’s Christian because the characters happen to be believers. That’s it. They’re normal people with a crazy job that sometimes dumps a heap of trouble on their doorstep. Life’s full of ups and downs. Most of our stressors won’t almost kill us, but hopefully, many people can relate to the desire to handle stressful situations with a measure of peace and grace.
Q: What order should I read them in?
A: They’re designed so that you should be able to read them in any order as standalones, but you’ll get the richest flow of side events from reading:
The Collins Case
The Kiverson Case
The Davidson Case
The Keres Case
The Quinn Case (This is a short prequel that will be available shortly. It was first in Where the Light May Lead, a Christian anthology. My philosophy of prequels is shifting. I think they’re more useful as enhancements to further get to know characters you’ve already met.)
Q: Where does this book fit in the series? What theme(s) make it special?
A: The Quinn Case is a prequel. It’s set about three years before the events in The Collins Case. Ann and Patrick have just officially closed the Dawson case and will soon head back to DC. That’s when they get the call for a possible custody kidnapping. We’ve all heard Amber Alerts on our phones. It’s quite creepy when you’re in a crowd and everybody’s phone starts blaring. Brokenness in families is a part of our society. Sometimes things spin out of control.
Q: Why should readers check out this series?
A: These are super clean, kid and adult-safe mysteries. If you’re looking for gritty, this probably ain’t it. If you’re looking for a quick, light mystery fix, then I have a story to tell you.
Q: Can the reader get the whole series at once?
A: The first three cases are novellas that are combined in Heartfelt Cases Books 1-3. The 4th case is a full novel that’s available separately. Check out my website for news of future bundles.
As a relatively new FBI agent Ann Davidson struggles with personalizing the cases. Hours after delivering the news that a boy’s murder investigation has officially gone cold, Ann and her partner, Patrick Duncan, catch a new case: a custody kidnapping. They have precious little time to find the victim, two-year-old Josiah Quinn. If even a day goes by without locating the boy, the odds of finding him drop to nearly nothing.
They couldn’t save the other boy, but Ann’s determined not to fail again.
*Note this is a prequel to the Heartfelt Cases series.
Interview with the Author:
Q: What makes the Heartfelt Cases series special?
A: Heartfelt Cases is a mystery/suspense series featuring a pair of FBI agents handling some very personal cases. It fits in the Christian mystery niche, and most reviewers agree it hits that mark without being preachy. It’s Christian because the characters happen to be believers. That’s it. They’re normal people with a crazy job that sometimes dumps a heap of trouble on their doorstep. Life’s full of ups and downs. Most of our stressors won’t almost kill us, but hopefully, many people can relate to the desire to handle stressful situations with a measure of peace and grace.
Q: What order should I read them in?
A: They’re designed so that you should be able to read them in any order as standalones, but you’ll get the richest flow of side events from reading:
The Collins Case
The Kiverson Case
The Davidson Case
The Keres Case
The Quinn Case (This is a short prequel that will be available shortly. It was first in Where the Light May Lead, a Christian anthology. My philosophy of prequels is shifting. I think they’re more useful as enhancements to further get to know characters you’ve already met.)
Q: Where does this book fit in the series? What theme(s) make it special?
A: The Quinn Case is a prequel. It’s set about three years before the events in The Collins Case. Ann and Patrick have just officially closed the Dawson case and will soon head back to DC. That’s when they get the call for a possible custody kidnapping. We’ve all heard Amber Alerts on our phones. It’s quite creepy when you’re in a crowd and everybody’s phone starts blaring. Brokenness in families is a part of our society. Sometimes things spin out of control.
Q: Why should readers check out this series?
A: These are super clean, kid and adult-safe mysteries. If you’re looking for gritty, this probably ain’t it. If you’re looking for a quick, light mystery fix, then I have a story to tell you.
Q: Can the reader get the whole series at once?
A: The first three cases are novellas that are combined in Heartfelt Cases Books 1-3. The 4th case is a full novel that’s available separately. Check out my website for news of future bundles.
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published May 7, 2017
14 people are currently reading
31 people want to read
About the author
Julie C. Gilbert
125 books298 followersJulie C. Gilbert teaches high school chemistry and writes Young Adult, science fiction, fantasy, mystery/thriller, poetry, and Christian stories.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
October 6, 2022
Very short story packed with action, pathos, and entertainment. Excellent narration. Not a cliffhanger. Clean. Respectful of religion.
January 14, 2018
Coming off a cold case involving a murdered child, FBI agent Ann Davidson and her partner, Patrick Duncan, are given a custody kidnapping case. The victim, Josiah Quinn, is a two-year-old boy, and Ann isn't the most ready for another case with a child at risk. But Ann hasn't time for the luxury of doubt in The Quinn Case by author Julie C. Gilbert.
I first encountered this novelette in Where the Light May Lead, a multi-genre, ChristFic anthology. But I'd forgotten enough of this story to go with it for another round.
As I've maintained while reading the Heartfelt Cases series, these shorter reads give me a quick, satisfying fix of suspense, like watching an episode of a primetime crime drama when I haven't got time for a whole movie. Ann's situation shows how her prayers don't make everything perfect, and yet her faith sustains her on the job. My top takeaway from the story is the wise idea that you can let difficult emotions drive you downward, or you can learn to let them drive you forward.
Having enjoyed this prequel novelette and all three of the novellas in the series, I plan to go on to the Heartfelt Cases novel, Book Four.
I first encountered this novelette in Where the Light May Lead, a multi-genre, ChristFic anthology. But I'd forgotten enough of this story to go with it for another round.
As I've maintained while reading the Heartfelt Cases series, these shorter reads give me a quick, satisfying fix of suspense, like watching an episode of a primetime crime drama when I haven't got time for a whole movie. Ann's situation shows how her prayers don't make everything perfect, and yet her faith sustains her on the job. My top takeaway from the story is the wise idea that you can let difficult emotions drive you downward, or you can learn to let them drive you forward.
Having enjoyed this prequel novelette and all three of the novellas in the series, I plan to go on to the Heartfelt Cases novel, Book Four.
December 10, 2019
The only reason it is a four star is because it it too short, I would have loved it to have been longer. But it is a great prequel to the start of a new series. I think it is going to be fun learning about the characters as they seem interesting a teacher becoming an FBI agent.
Still reeling from giving the parents of a missing boy the bad news that they have no leads and the case has officially gone cold, Ann is off and running trying to track down a missing two year old boy stolen from day care by his father in a bitter divorce case. Knowing the father won't hurt him doesn't make the case any easier, when he can take the boy out of the county and just how far has the mother pushed him, for him to think the only option let is kidnapping? And what will the dad do if he feels trapped? Ann must use everything she has learnt and her faith to bring this kidnapping to a better conclusion.
I like the narrator, she had a laid back way of speaking that built up the tension as the story unfolded.
Still reeling from giving the parents of a missing boy the bad news that they have no leads and the case has officially gone cold, Ann is off and running trying to track down a missing two year old boy stolen from day care by his father in a bitter divorce case. Knowing the father won't hurt him doesn't make the case any easier, when he can take the boy out of the county and just how far has the mother pushed him, for him to think the only option let is kidnapping? And what will the dad do if he feels trapped? Ann must use everything she has learnt and her faith to bring this kidnapping to a better conclusion.
I like the narrator, she had a laid back way of speaking that built up the tension as the story unfolded.
July 5, 2022
Entertaining FBI listening 🎶🔰
Another will written mystery adventure thriller short story by Julie C. Gilbert about a an FBI agent handling her first kidnapping case and it's successful completion. I would highly recommend this novella to readers looking for an action packed quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👒😮👚
Another will written mystery adventure thriller short story by Julie C. Gilbert about a an FBI agent handling her first kidnapping case and it's successful completion. I would highly recommend this novella to readers looking for an action packed quick read. Enjoy the adventure of reading all kinds of different types of novels 👍🔰 and books 📚. 2022 👒😮👚
March 1, 2018
A very tense hostage situation
This is the kind of drama you might see on TV but can be read in a short amount of time. Plus the reader has the benefit of reading the thoughts of the characters. I also appreciated the words of faith and prayer that one would not be allowed to witness in TV. Great story.
This is the kind of drama you might see on TV but can be read in a short amount of time. Plus the reader has the benefit of reading the thoughts of the characters. I also appreciated the words of faith and prayer that one would not be allowed to witness in TV. Great story.
March 31, 2018
A nice clean read with a fast moving plot. I normally don't like religion in my stories, but it worked in this one. Editing is spot on and the characters come to life. You feel as though you're in the middle of the crisis and sitting on the edge of your seat. I am definitely going to be reading more by this author!
September 14, 2018
Great Read!
Intense, dramatic and uplifting all at the same time! This was my first read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last!
Intense, dramatic and uplifting all at the same time! This was my first read by this author, but it definitely won't be my last!
January 26, 2019
DNF - some allegations made that went beyond my personal comfort level
September 23, 2019
I love this & I can't wait for more.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
I will be also leaving a review on Goodreads @ Amazon.
And letting everyone know about it.
So i gave it a 5 Stars.
October 17, 2019
A short story that is somehow still fully packed with nail biting suspense. Looking forward to listen to the next heartfelt cases.
October 5, 2019
Great book, as always. I love the Heartfelt Cases books, and crave more. I wish this one were longer, but it definitely fed my appetite for her series.
A young boy is kidnapped by his father. The reason? A hard custody battle between mom and dad. The dad is threatened with the mom's words of that she's taking the son away and he'll never see him again. He freaks, and takes the kid.
This book hit me hard. I've lived this. The emotions are still on my sleeve. Wanting to be a great father, but feeling like you're about to lose everything precious to you. I could feel empathy for all the characters. Great short story. I wish it were longer, but it was still great. I love all the Heartfelt Case Files, and can't wait to read/listen to more.
The narrator for this book was great!
A young boy is kidnapped by his father. The reason? A hard custody battle between mom and dad. The dad is threatened with the mom's words of that she's taking the son away and he'll never see him again. He freaks, and takes the kid.
This book hit me hard. I've lived this. The emotions are still on my sleeve. Wanting to be a great father, but feeling like you're about to lose everything precious to you. I could feel empathy for all the characters. Great short story. I wish it were longer, but it was still great. I love all the Heartfelt Case Files, and can't wait to read/listen to more.
The narrator for this book was great!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews