The Quinn & Costa Series in Order

About the Quinn & Costa series

Series Premise

The central premise revolves around the FBI's Mobile Response Team (MRT), a rapid-deployment unit created to assist local law enforcement in underserved or overwhelmed jurisdictions facing complex, high-profile crimes. Led by Special Agent Mathias "Matt" Costa, the team is called in when cases involve serial killers, abductions, corruption, or threats requiring specialized resources and expertise.

The series introduces Detective Kara Quinn of the Los Angeles Police Department, an undercover specialist and brilliant investigator with a sharp mind and a traumatic past (her partner was killed in a case she worked). After a high-risk operation, Kara is temporarily loaned to the FBI's MRT, becoming a key member and Matt's professional (and eventually personal) partner. Each book features a standalone major case—serial murders, missing persons tied to larger conspiracies, bombings, human trafficking, or sadistic killers—while advancing the team's cohesion and the slow-burn romance between Kara and Matt.

Cases often involve:
- The Third to Die: A serial killer targeting first responders in a small town.
- Tell No Lies: An activist's murder linked to desert crime and corruption.
- The Wrong Victim: A charter boat explosion killing tourists.
- Seven Girls Gone: Women disappearing in a Louisiana bayou town.
- The Missing Witness: A protected witness's disappearance.
- See How They Hide: Identical murders on opposite coasts.
- Make It Out Alive: A sadistic killer targeting newlyweds.

The series emphasizes teamwork, forensic detail, and the personal toll of relentless crime-fighting, with recurring threats from past cases and evolving team bonds.

Main Characters

Detective Kara Quinn (LAPD, loaned to FBI): The edgy, brilliant protagonist—mid-30s, undercover expert, sharp-tongued, and haunted by her partner's death. Tough, intuitive, and fiercely independent, she excels at reading people and diving into danger.



Special Agent Mathias "Matt" Costa: Leader of the MRT—ambitious, principled, and steady. A natural strategist with a strong moral compass, he grows personally through his partnership with Kara.



The MRT team includes:

- Ryder Kim: Analyst/tech expert—young, brilliant, and detail-oriented.

- Michael Harris: Former Navy SEAL—tactical muscle, loyal, and protective.

- Jim Esteban: Forensic specialist—precise and unflappable.

- Zack Heller: White-collar crimes expert—analytical and resourceful.

- Catherine Howard: Forensic psychiatrist—insightful profiler.

Setting

The series is set in contemporary America, with cases spanning diverse, often underserved locations to highlight the MRT's role. The team is based in Los Angeles (FBI field office), but travels nationwide:

- Small towns and rural areas (e.g., Arizona deserts in Tell No Lies, Louisiana bayous in Seven Girls Gone, Oregon mountains in See How They Hide).

- Tourist spots (Florida resorts in Make It Out Alive, Washington state islands).

- Urban and suburban environments (Los Angeles for Kara's backstory).



Settings enhance suspense: isolated communities with limited resources, remote wilderness for chases, or scenic spots hiding danger. The contrast between beautiful landscapes and lurking evil heightens tension, grounding the stories in real-world places while allowing varied atmospheres (swamps, mountains, coastal resorts).

Tone & Themes

The tone is intense, suspenseful, and grounded—modern FBI thriller with strong procedural elements and emotional depth. Brennan delivers taut pacing, clever twists, and high-stakes action (shootouts, pursuits, tense interrogations), balanced by character moments exploring trauma, loyalty, and romance.

Violence and peril are realistic but not gratuitous—focus on psychological impact and investigative tension rather than gore. Humor is subtle (team banter, Kara's sarcasm), lightening darker moments. The mood is urgent and empowering: Kara and Matt face danger head-on, with themes of resilience, justice, and trust. Romance builds gradually—professional respect turning passionate—adding heart without overshadowing the mystery. It's more thriller-driven than cozy, with satisfying resolutions and a sense of hope amid darkness, ideal for readers who enjoy strong protagonists and team dynamics.

Allison Brennan's Quinn & Costa series stands as a compelling modern thriller saga, delivering gripping novels of FBI investigations, serial killers, and high-stakes justice through the Mobile Response Team. With Kara Quinn's sharp instincts and Matt Costa's steady leadership at the helm, the books blend taut procedural suspense, team camaraderie, and a slow-burn romance that feels authentic and earned. From small-town murders to resort horrors and cross-country chases, the series explores resilience, loyalty, and the personal cost of fighting evil—while showcasing Brennan's skill at crafting layered characters and clever mysteries. It's addictive reading for fans of strong heroines, ensemble dynamics, and thrillers that balance intensity with heart—proving that even in the darkest cases, teamwork and determination can bring light. Dive in; Kara and Matt's next mission is always just a page away.