top of page

Detective Heather Ireland needed an escape from all kinds of heat in Fort Myers, Florida. Franklin, North Carolina offers a beautiful mountain setting, but as problems do, they tag along. Like the price the Romero Cartel has on her head, and two old flames. One she’d like to stamp out, and the other she wouldn’t ignite for fear of burning him. Still, she carries a torch. They both end up on her turf to play the roles they started: Stalker and Guardian.

Grappling with her own infertility, the first case she catches is the horrific murder of a newborn infant.  The baby’s mother does nothing but quote scriptures of wrath in response to questions—when she is not catatonic. Detective Ireland delves deep into this family tree and finds that a few branches should have been pruned a long time ago. She aims to do the tree trimming.

Then Sheriff Howard drops four cold cases in her lap. Four missing women who could not have been more different. Four theories for their disappearances. Repeatedly reminded that Macon County “don’t get many murders in these parts”, she begs to differ. No one looked for Erica, thought be a runaway. Lisa’s husband told people “She run off with another man”.  Nicole’s heartbreak might have been a reason for her to abruptly leave her teaching job, but Sabrina had a bright future and no reason to run.

So why did Detective Ireland begin to suspect they were all connected?

The investigation leads to a story about a woman whose name means “truth”. She was the first of the seven twisted trees, and the reason for the rest.

Click on picture to go to Kindle page!

 

 

21st Annual Writer’s Digest Annual

Self-Published Book Awards
Entry Title: The Cyrano Game
Author: Linda Rue Quinn
Judge Number: 74
Entry Category: Genre Fiction

Judges Commentary*:

The writing crackles with suspense and excitement, and tells a fascinating story that lends itself well to the thriller genre. The crosscutting of scenes and shifting between viewpoints is cinematic in nature, and so this book would lend itself quite well to being filmed commercially. The cast of characters, especially Sarah as she emerges to become the primary protagonist, are, individually and collectively, certainly strong enough to command center stage throughout the novel, and will successfully engage the reader's interest in wanting to know what will happen next. This is a really entertaining plot that could easily appeal to a wide audience.

22nd Annual Writers Digest

Self-Published Book Awards

The Apple Fell

​

Writer's Digest Judge's Commentary:

 

In Linda Rue Quinn's The Apple Fell, she skillfully takes a common tragedy that many women face and puts her main character into an uncommon situation. This creates a series of domino-style events that will surely grab readers early in the story and not let go until the last page is turned. The opening scene immediately creates a bond between Heather and the reader, and it doesn't let up as the book progresses. In fact, I found myself feeling what this courageous woman must have felt as she faced one problem after another. Don't be surprised when people complain about staying up until the wee hours to finish the book. The front cover of the book is eye catching and easy to read from across a crowded room. The back cover blurb is intriguing. The author's bio tells about an interesting and relatable woman.

The typical question came up for me when I was 40.  If I was dying, would I have any regrets about something I had not done? The answer was yes. I had put aside my passion for writing.

I picked up the pen again.

I live in the beautiful mountains of Franklin, North Carolina with my wonderful husband Bryan (everybody says that, but he is, really). My mother and brother live with us.

I have two adult children, Paul and Cindy, and four perfect grandchildren, Danni, Ayden, James and PJ.

I love a good mystery, and that is my favorite thing to write. I also write about my life. I think I asked God one too many times not to be bored, because the twists and turns in my life would be unbelievable as a fictional story line.

I've been through it all and for that reason I have a lot of empathy for others--sometimes too much, I've been told. I think love is worth the risk.

I always say I can't be responsible for what others do with the kindness I show, I can only be responsible to God for showing it.

bottom of page