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Kate's Dilemma

(Kate's Case Files #3)

Sarah Holman (Goodreads Author)

4.44 · Rating details · 32 ratings · 17 reviews

Kate can’t stay with the team any longer. She has worked for too long to keep the walls around her heart and around her past to allow the team to tear them down now. She doesn’t think they can handle what is behind them; she’s not sure she can. Heading to Charleston with the team on one last case, she and Brian go undercover as brother and sister to find out if a young mus ...more

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Published June 1st 2018

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· 32 ratings · 17 reviews

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May 03, 2018 Kate Willis rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, mystery, indie-published

Wow, I missed this series. I am ridiculously excited to have read book three now. I love the characters, setting, inside jokes, and solid Biblical truth so much. It was a little bit like coming home. ;)

While the mystery in this one was interesting, it was less intense than the others and a little more on the talky side. Which I didn’t mind because--character development. I loved getting to know them all a little better, especially Brian. He was so darling and cheerful and helpful and funny, desp Wow, I missed this series. I am ridiculously excited to have read book three now. I love the characters, setting, inside jokes, and solid Biblical truth so much. It was a little bit like coming home. ;)

While the mystery in this one was interesting, it was less intense than the others and a little more on the talky side. Which I didn’t mind because--character development. I loved getting to know them all a little better, especially Brian. He was so darling and cheerful and helpful and funny, despite all the pain from his past. Truly a testimony to God’s work. This book was also a big one for Patrick’s character arc. O.o. I’ll say no more, but wow. :D (Also, him in college just tickled my funny bone.)

I probably say this every book, but poor Kate. She has a lot to work through, and I’m glad she had her team and God.

The underlying themes of the story were really good, especially the one of modern-day piracy since it doesn’t get talked about much for what it actually is. It definitely got me thinking about the small ways I don’t honor others’ intellectual property.

I hope Guitar Gus is based on someone real. That is the coolest idea ever, and he was a sweet character. Also, if Brian ever needs to borrow me as a younger sister, I’m game.

Just a note, there are a few mentions of immorality and some slightly graphic PTSD flashbacks. Also, their case involves drug running and a murder, though both were handled tastefully. (view spoiler)

Best quotes (all courtesy of Brian, I think): “You see how damaged you are, but that is never how Christ views you, Kathrine. He sees you as you can be and what you will be.”

“There are other breakfast foods, oatmeal being my favorite, fruit, nuts…” “Whoa, you are making it sound way too healthy.”

“How does one have a running joke with oneself?” “If you’re easily amused it isn’t hard.” “Now, about getting out of here.”

Altogether, I enjoyed this book, and I can’t wait to read the next one. (Apparently, it’s set in my hometown state!) ...more

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Jan 06, 2018 Sarah added it · (Review from the author)

Shelves: books-i-wrote

I had so much fun exploring a city through my writing, and also more of the back stories for each of the characters. I know that this book will be a springboard for delving even deeper into the characters in #4.
(For those who have been wondering Kate's Case Files will have 12 books if all goes well)
(Due to budget constraints and the fact I haven't sold enough paperback covers to off-set the cost, a paperback will not be released at this time) ...more

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Jun 04, 2018 Rebekah Morris rated it really liked it

I was excited to join Kate, Patrick, and the rest of the team on a new adventure. While Kate and Patrick remained the main characters, it was fun to see Brian featured more and to learn about all of them. The topic of pirated music and movies was handled well and is something that I think many people don't even think about.
...more

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May 24, 2018 Mikayla rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contempory-fiction, five-stars, homeschool-author, mystry

Loved this one!! I loved the message, and thought it was very well presented. The humor had me laughing out loud several times. And honestly, I loved that (view spoiler)
Can't wait for the next book!! ...more

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May 25, 2018 Rachelle Cobb rated it it was amazing

Shelves: kindle-read

I had the great privilege of walking through Charleston (one of the settings for this book!) with the author! That was one of my favorite days as I showed Sarah my city! It was so fun reading about Charleston through Kate's eyes; and Sarah beautifully details the story and how Kate's character changes and grows. I recommend this book to those who love light mysteries wrapped up in deep spiritual truths with endearing characters! ...more

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May 19, 2018 Deborah O'Carroll rated it it was amazing

Shelves: 2018-reads, 5-stars-awesome, christian, contemporary, got-for-review, mystery, reviewed, suspense-thriller

First posted on my book blog here: https://thepagedreamer.wordpress.com/...

10 Thoughts on Kate’s Dilemma by Sarah Holman

1. I don’t read a lot of modern fiction, and definitely not usually FBI mysteries. But Sarah Holman’s Kate’s Case Files is a special series that has twined itself around my heart. These books are like my candy, or a fun TV show—I’m addicted and I love them. XD So I was really excited for this third installment, and it did not disappoint!

2. In Kate’s Dilemma, Kate is having tro ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 Esther rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary, new-adult, read-in-2018, mystery, indie-books, fiction, secret-agent, reviewed, kindle, five-fall-favorites-sale

I've been trying to figure out how best to review this book, but I'm honestly still discovering the depth of its theme. The message is not an easy one to swallow but one so many need to hear.

I think a lot more of us have been hurt than we initially realize. Everyone puts up such a good masquerade that we get lost in our own hurt. We can't understand why we have to be the one struggling. If we're honest though, we're all hurting.

C.S. Lewis said, "Friendship is born at the moment when one man sai ...more

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Jul 04, 2018 S.G. Willoughby rated it really liked it

I'm too tired to write a full review, but:
1. It was lots of fun to get to know Brian better, especially from Kate's POV.
2. Kim is awesome.
3. What is it with authors and heart-breaking backstories?
4. I can't wait for the next book. (At least we don't have to wait as long this time *stares pointedly at Sarah*) ...more

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Jul 05, 2019 Angie Thompson rated it really liked it

Shelves: a-my-books-digital, z-cfd-2019-ereader, z-cfd-2019-series, z-cfd-2019-tbr-marathon

Really enjoyed this installment--maybe especially since there are already more books in the series out and I didn't have to worry over what Kate's eventual decision would be. ;) I really liked getting to know Brian better and getting little glimpses into some other people's backstories, although my heart hurt for some of the things they've gone through. :'( Brian under the effects of chloroform was pretty funny, though!

I really liked the message of how our greatest strengths can often be our gre Really enjoyed this installment--maybe especially since there are already more books in the series out and I didn't have to worry over what Kate's eventual decision would be. ;) I really liked getting to know Brian better and getting little glimpses into some other people's backstories, although my heart hurt for some of the things they've gone through. :'( Brian under the effects of chloroform was pretty funny, though!

I really liked the message of how our greatest strengths can often be our greatest weaknesses and especially seeing how some of the stubbornness and take-charge attitude that we've seen in Patrick from the beginning could become a real problem when it wasn't controlled. Also, the way the rest of the team didn't hesitate to call him out on in, regardless of whether he listened, was really good, too. And I like the way that even though most of the team are Christians, they don't agree on every point, and that's not presented as a bad thing. It's really easy for Christian characters, especially those of a single author, to start feeling monolithic, but this series does a really good job of avoiding that!

One other note--usually I'm annoyed when a character's secrets take a long time to come out, and I'm talking about within a single story, not a continuing series. I'm kind of in awe of the fact that even though I've wanted to know exactly what in her backstory is hurting Kate so badly since the first book, I'm not grumbling and banging my head in frustration at the fact that I don't know it yet. The way the layers are being pulled back and we're getting resolution to certain parts of her issues without bringing the entire thing to light is satisfying in a way I never expected still-unresolved questions could be. Major bonus points for that!

Content--mentions of drugs and drug use; mentions of deaths; mentions of swearing (no words); mentions of immoral relationships and a character turning away from Christianity; mentions of abuse and suicide in characters' backstories; kidnapping and threats ...more

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Jul 23, 2019 Amanda Tero rated it really liked it

It was good to be able to continue Kate’s series. Being a musician myself, the topic of music piracy is one I feel quite strongly on, so it was interesting to read it in a book.

The Christian content was steady throughout the book and there is absolutely nothing romantic to be concerned over in this book.

There are a few things in this I felt were inaccurate to FBI training. I do realize it is fictionalized, but sometimes the characters seemed too immature to have gone through Quantico. And I real ...more

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Aug 22, 2018 Rose rated it it was amazing

It was so much fun reading this book. I love Sarah's honesty, humor, and faith. She puts so much of her heart into her stories.
And I'm proud to call her sister ...more

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Jul 14, 2018 Tarissa rated it it was amazing

Kate Mayfield's walls that she's put up around her aren't working so well as of late. She is tiring of her co-workers' antics and having to be in so many tough conversations. She's not wired for such personal relationships, or at least, not ready yet. Pain is holding her down inside. How does one get away from things you don't like? Walk away from working for the FBI, of course.

This time around, Kate and the rest of the FBI team are working on a case in Charleston, South Carolina. (I enjoyed get ...more

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May 21, 2018 Abigail Harris rated it it was amazing

Genre: Fiction.

My Rating: 5 Stars.

Recommendation: Anyone over 13.

My favorite character/s: Brian is my favorite character in Kate's Dilemma, I loved how he's encouraging even he's had a rough life. He's a great character, I love how he's kind of a mentor to both Kate and Patrick. I think he's my favorite character in Kate's Dilemma.

My Verse for Brian is Matthew 5:5
Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. King James Verison.

I'm not very sorry for Patrick (oh wait, he's still a favor ...more

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Jun 13, 2018 Esther Filbrun rated it really liked it

Shelves: fiction, contemporary-fiction, 2018-read

I’ve eagerly followed the progression of the stories in the Kate’s Case Files series ever since I saw a short excerpt from the first book sometime before it was published. I’ve enjoyed each one, and Kate’s Dilemma was a delightful continuation.

I love how the author has woven challenging truths in along with the mystery itself. It really helps bring out the story—some are more complicated than others, but the central conflicts in this story are ones that I’ve struggled with myself. Sometimes, I t ...more

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Mar 29, 2020 Faith Posten rated it it was amazing

Kate's Decision

Sarah Holman has written another wonderful story that will keep you guessing. You will especially be caught up in some of Kate's internal thought processes. She wants to leave this group of dedicated FBI agents. How can she stay with them without even sharing her past pain, her hopes and her dreams. They have shown her notes but kindness and friendship. Then she hurt all of them! And the case isn't going well at all. There is a lot going wrong. Will it ever get straightened out? ...more

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Jun 10, 2020 Ellen White rated it really liked it

Interesting story of pirated music, and the profit from it. Kate can’t let go of her pass, and thinks this will be the last case she works on. This let us know more about Brian as he goes undercover with Kate. Good series, good characters. Given audio for my voluntary review and my honest opinion

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Jul 17, 2020 Olatomi Afilaka rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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About Sarah Holman

Sarah Holman

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Sarah Holman lives in central Texas with her amazing family. When not working on her next novel, she can usually be found hanging out with her siblings, reading, or taking long walks. If there is anything adventuresome about her life, it’s because she serves a God with a destiny bigger than anything she could have imagined. You can find out more about her at her website www.thedestinyofone.com ...more