Storm's Fury

Amelia Storm #1

by Mary Stone, Amy Wilson

Some storms destroy. Others clear a path.

Military veteran Amelia Storm returns to her hometown of Chicago when her beloved police officer brother is killed in the line of duty. Now she is a special agent with the FBI. No longer a scared girl, she vows to avenge her brother and do what she can to end the city’s deep wells of corruption.

A television documentary puts a spotlight on a four-year-old kidnapping. Amelia and her colleagues in the Organized Crime Division know there’s more to the girl’s case than meets the eye.

The twelve-year-old wasn’t just abducted. She was targeted by a human trafficking ring.

As Amelia falls deeper down the rabbit hole of Chicago’s criminal hierarchy in search of the girl, she finds herself uncomfortably close to the people she left behind so long ago. This time, though, she won’t run. Now, she is the storm that will unearth the city’s long buried secrets. Or die trying. After all, she has nothing to lose.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Suspense

335 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 4, 2021

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

[Margaret Yelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A brand new series from one of my favorite new authors I found this past year. Action packed this book kept me turning the pages until the very end. I look forward to reading the next book in the series

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

New series, new characters and a strong, determined woman.

Amelia Storm joined the military and became a sniper. After leaving she became an FBI agent with the Organized Crime Division. She has a few ghost in her closet. The death of her mother from cancer, the death of her brother while on the job as a police officer, her drug addicted younger sister and a past with a man who is part of one of the two largest mob families in Chicago. Even though these things haunt her she doesn't let it interfere with her job and when the FBI gets a tip after a show aired about missing children she throws herself into trying to find the teenage girl even when it looks like the people running the child trafficking's ring is the other more ruthless mob family.

As with almost every book I've read from this author you are captivated from the first page till the end. The subject matter is deployable but unfortunately its a real problem today. Cant wait to see what's next as some treads were left open.

[Samuel Mooney · Rating 3 out of 5]

First thought: plot is creepy and gross with child abductions, underage sex rings, and prostitution. Semi long chapters.
Final thought: good enough but wasn’t wrapped into it that much. Didn’t really like any of the characters and I guess the writing was good enough and story was a believable easy follow for the majority but then with what you’ve been waiting for the entire book and the “busts” happening, it was over quick, with a laughable small amount of detail and left a lot to be desired. Don’t really understand four star rating, it’s a low 3 for me.

[Jake Knight · Rating 1 out of 5]

The positive reviews must be paid. Poor writing, terrible dialogue, awful characters, completely unbelievable in EVERY aspect.

I generally don’t write reviews, especially negative ones, but I honestly believe there is some sort of bribery happening on the reviews of this book.

[Jim E. · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an ok read for me. Not as good as the reviews indicated. I normally avoid books that list 2 writers as the author. I could not understand why the dialog of the primary villain was done in the first person. This seemed unusual and out of place.The main characters were believable and likable, but the plot was nothing out of the ordinary. I also am seeing a familiar pattern in many of the cop books that I read. I wonder why the cops seem to come from broken families, where the father is missing in action, the mother is an alcoholic and the sister/ brother is an addict or having money problems….

[L Cherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

FBI vs crime families

This is a good start to a new series for me.
The human trafficking and crime family situations can have such a good basis for a long series. I especially like that this one is already setting up several questionable characters for the next in the series.

[Ian Tonkiss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping from beginning to end and I love that there’s a massive cliff hanger at the end of the book. Can’t wait to read the next one!

[Boomer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series has a lot of potential, and opens up with hero Amelia Storm dealing with the heavy subject matter of human trafficking and forced underage prostitution. Organized crime has a major role with Amelia serving on the FBI Organized Crime Unit, and having past ties to one of the Families involved. Intriguing setup!

Despite the dark subject matter, it's an enjoyable read. Amelia's a good character to anchor the story and things work - until you get to the ending that is. If you're looking for a straight up good guys win, bad guys get what they deserve story, this isn't it. Way too many loose ends where I'm forced to buy the next book now. If it goes on sale, I'll probably try book 2 and hope for the best.

I gave up on Mary Stone's Ellie Kline series 2 books in for exactly this reason. It was a great read, but cliffhanger after cliffhanger gets old real quick. I hope this one isn't going the same way

[Lynne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I like the idea of this series and the story lines, but the writing is lazy. There are too many repetitive lines and descriptions in these books.

Just about every character:

Clenches their jaw
Smoothes their shirt
Says a string of 4 letter words that would make a sailor blush
Snorks
Lift a shoulder

These words/phrases appear over and over in these books and it’s distracting from the story. I do like the characters but there are plenty of other words in the English language to describe these same actions. As another reader pointed out, the cliffhangers at the end of every book is now an annoyance. I’m not sure if I’m willing to purchase anymore titles from this author based on the repetition and cliffhangers.

[Gary Webster · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda Meh

The plot is good. How it develops left me feeling, Meh. I think there are some holes just to keep another novel coming. The dialogue is, well Meh, not bad but not great. I am not a fan of using narration to tell us things that can come out in dialogue. There’s a lot of the narrator and not enough of the characters. Speaking of which, I can’t connect to any of them. Even the victim felt kinda Meh in connecting with her. Her story is horrible but something about how the author unfolds it left me feeling like “ok”. Usually a book like this is right up my alley. But this one is Meh.

[Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Welcome to another chapter of, Is This the Same Book Everyone Else Read? Because the high ratings certainly don't seem to match the book I just read.

This book is clearly setting the stage for a continuing series (one which I will not continue). Maybe the author's focus on future installments caused the current installment to be so thin and so lame.

Tedious and boring. Just wanted to get through it and be done.

Author has a fascination/preoccupation for 'ruddy streetlights, as she seemed to mention them on every other page.

Blah. Don't bother.

[Terry · Rating 2 out of 5]

Yikes! Two thumbs down for this one. Started off ok although I'm not a big fan of FBI drama. But toward the end it just got ridiculous. Loved the crime family who got tipped off about a raid ... but was totally thrown when they came a day early. Whoops ... who could have seen that coming. Then the hardened crime boss is put in his place by the threat of being accused of tattling. The heart breaking placement of the cat who couldn't go into witness protection ... just made the story. Yuck! This was a no go for me despite the painfully obvious set up for book 2 of the series.

[Beth Lechman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Stone is relatively new to me. I have only read one other book by her. This book about FBI Agent Amelia Storm was really good. Full of action and kept you turning pages to find out the end. When Agent Storm is on the hunt for a young girl who was kidnapped at the age of 12 who she believes has been sold into sex trafficing she will do whatever it takes to find her.

The characters are strong and believable.

[Alison · Rating 1 out of 5]

I rarely write reviews on bad books. But here it goes. I read it on my Kindle and when I was nearing the end I was clicking that page turner as fast as I could just to be done with the nonsense. Initially the story had potential but it got muddied with too many side stories. I love starting a series, but this was so lacking interest that the series ends with this book for me.

[Glenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was disappointed at the number of cliches and the overall level of writing in this book, although I did finish it. Maybe the writing style doesn't match my reading style, but I'll save my reading time for other authors.

[MMN · Rating 1 out of 5]

Couldn't finish this

This book was way too intense for me. My first book by this author and will be my Last. Way too intense, human trafficking etc.

[Kelly Park · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't finish. I wasn't comfortable with the subject matter.

[Cheryl Blizzard · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the first 75 pages or so but the trafficking storyline and details was too dark for me.

[Gloria ~ · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 1 in a series about former military, special FBI agent Amelia Storm. The central plot is to find a missing girl, Leila Jackson, who was abducted at age 12 and after 4 years the FBI is now following up on a lead as to her whereabouts, leading Amelia and her team into the dark world of human trafficking and crime syndicates.

It was paced well and kept my attention throughout. It is graphic in parts and hurts your heart to know young girls are treated so harshly and forced into prostitution in order to survive. Just heartbreaking. Well written. I loved the character development of Amelia and her partner. There are many more that follow this first book but I, for one, need a break from the emotional havoc and will go into something lighter next.

[Chrys Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting

I love coming across new authors. This was a mystery yes but it also gave me vibes of being a thriller. If you haven't checked this author out yet I suggest highly that you do. I enjoyed reading this book. I'm in anticipation to reading this entire series and more from Mary Stone

[Judy Churchill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another FBI adventure series and it starts strong. Cold heartless human trafficking run by the mob is the first item Amelia Storm tackles.

[Meekilovesbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was everything I love in a crime thriller. Strong female lead character, FBI, crime families, Chicago, suspense, rat, and a great ending.

[Bob Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Storm worth being immersed in.it

Not for the squeamish. A gripping story line that's hard to put down but worth losing a little sleep over.

[Mary Mcknight · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast, easy read. FBI procedural with a strong, sarcastic lead with sorrows in her past. First of a series from a prolific writing duo. It's on Kindle Unlimited, so I'll read the next in the series.

[Kaitlin Bouley · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF. Probably could have but had other books I was eager to read.

[MommaT_Book_Phoenix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wicked Villains & a Warrior Heroine, another explosive series debut!
I LOVED it! I made the mistake of opening the ARC copy in the middle of the day, with the classic, "Oh, yay, it's here! I'll just start a chapter for now & see what it's about..." Y'all! I couldn't put it down, I read it sooo fast & only accomplished what I absolutely HAD to do that day! I was even reading outside in the rain, waiting on the puppy to do her business, and then again while filling water troughs!
CHARACTERS: This latest amazing heroine Stone has created with Wilson, FBI Special Agent Amelia Storm, is a strong-willed, sharp-minded military vet.
The chemistry between Amelia and fellow Special Agent Zane, with their silly & sarcastic banter, is entertaining. It's a great relief when dealing with such a serious subject... but this is how a Mary Stone book rolls, some fun snark or banter to give comic relief from the dark & dastardly. It will be interesting to see how their relationship plays out, since both have secrets they don't want anyone at the FBI office to know about. 
Amelia makes some serious enemies in the criminal world, including the latest villain, Mr. K. Yet again, the villain creeps me out and gives me the icky shivers. The mysterious Mr. K brings to mind Epstein, but is still alive by the end.  Unfortunately, I feel like he will be around for a while. 
PLOT: The storyline spotlights one of the world's oldest and, in my opinion, DESCPICABLE trades: human trafficking. I was pleasantly surprised at the finesse Stone & Wilson showed, with the descriptions of how a planned kidnapping in a small town can progress to working the streets of Chicago for an organized crime, but not in a sexually graphic way. The authors only lead you down the path so far, then let your imagination finish what happens. Or not. There is physical violence, but thankfully no rape scenes, as I was concerned about that with the subject matter. I found it interesting how they touched on some machinations & hierarchy of the mentioned two organized crime families, and what differences there could be: technology vs the "old ways."  The end is not a throw-your-book/ereader ending, but sets up for the next book in the series. I'm really looking forward to how this suspense series plays out!
OVERALL:  I thought it was well done, the characters are set up to grow, there will be future fireworks in several relationships, though I was *mildly* frustrated at a time gap at the end, (it came directly after an intense situation), and I really wanted to "see" the immediate aftermath of maybe the next 30-60 mins., but everything else was great. 5 stars! Buy the book, you won't be disappointed!






An ARC was provided by the author, publisher, or promotional service, and I have chosen to post an honest, fair review.

[DianaRaven · Rating 4 out of 5]

STORM'S FURY by Mary Stone and Amy Wilson is the first installment into their new Amelia Storm Series. This collaboration between Mary Stone and Amy Wilson drew me in from the beginning and kept hooked until the end.

The first chapter has you delving into the underbelly of humanity, human trafficking and child prostitution. The first chapter will leave you angry and crying 

Amelia Storm grew up on the streets of Chicago, familiar with the mob families. As soon as she could, she fled that life. After active duty in the military she joined the FBI.  Shortly after watching a new television documentary focusing on young girls that vanished with no clues she receives a call about a tip that one of the girls has been spotted working the Chicago streets. Abducted at age twelve into a life of prostitution, Leila is now sixteen and considered ready for street work.  Amelia is determined to find this child, even if she needs to return to her past for help. 

I received an ARC of this book from the author and this is my honest review. I really enjoyed this book which is well-written with well-rounded characters, some of whom you'll like and others you won't. While I feel this story could be stronger on the FBI's side, the criminal and prostitution side gave me chills.

I look forward to to seeing how new series grows.  If you enjoy thiller/mysteries I highly recommend this book. Mary and Amy did a wonderful job!

[Scribal · Rating 2 out of 5]

I enjoyed this more than a 2-star, but then I read the second book in the series, and it reflected badly on the first...so, why 2 stars?

I'm only attracted to exploitation/abuse stories if they give victims both a voice and some kind of agency. This agency could even just be their internal strategy for emotional survival. This book starts off with Leila's perspective, and although the book develops several POVs it does continue to give Leila a voice--although a weak one.

The sudden first-person voice of a super baddie about halfway through (I don't think this is a spoiler) was jarring. The second book focuses a lot more on the exploitation/abuse and the baddies' perspective than the first. The second book feels more voyeuristic about the sadism/rape/torture/murder going on.

The author does have several long narrative arcs that she is clearly developing over the whole series and I'd like to follow them. Each book is set up with a cliffhanger ending and finishing these slower arcs became mildly tempting to me. But the voyeuristic feel of the books is too horrible.

On an aside, I find it interesting that several reviewers seem more concerned about explicit sex scenes and profanity than sadism/torture/rape/murder. I have no concept how one can feel this way.
AND, there are no Black people in this Chicago. Kinda weird.

[kathleen r. · Rating 3 out of 5]

You have to keep reading

I really hate books that just keep making AA person buy more volumes and still never really reach a satisfying conclusion. It just seems like a money grab to me. If you're a good author with an intelligent and exuberant product you don't need to depend on pointless stalls to gain an enthusiastic and loyal audience.
I'm sorry to say that, IMO, Ms. Mary Stone's series of Amelia Storm, the reader is likely never going to be able to reach that ultimate goal of being intrigued, entertained and finished with just one well crafted story.
I might have enjoyed this first story but I'm never going to bother to read any further.
I would have, but I'm a serious reader and simply don't care to waste either my time or my money on rip off and unnecessary multiple tales that are quite likely to never end with my true enjoyment of a well written book.
I think this is a ploy to keep people reading endless stories that just don't have decent conclusions.

[Shirley Hoisington · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have all of Mary Stone’s books and look forward to seeing the next one. I read Storm’s Fury with interest. It seemed to move quickly and there was a sense of humor between the characters. I didn’t get a complete sense of some of the characters such as Joseph but overall it was a good book. I gave it a 4 because I was a little disappointed in the last part. I was let down by the lack of confrontation with Amelia and the Shark. He seemed like such a larger than life character, hideous, cruel, and smart enough to stay under the radar for years but Amelia just walked in and he crumbled. Didn’t fit with his character. I was expecting more drama and something to go wrong. Also disappointed he’s able to keep out of jail. I hope he’s brought to justice soon. Shirley Hoisington