Barely Seen

Tessa Flint #1

by Molly Black

FBI Agent Tessa Flint was born with a rare medical condition that makes her unable to feel pain. Now she uses her gift to catch serial killers. When victims of a new serial killer are found with a mysterious signature—a strand of pearls—FBI Agent Tessa Flint is thrust into a twisted game of cat and mouse, racing against time to catch this relentless murderer.“

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Audiobook, Ebooks, Amazon, Mystery Thriller, Crime

158 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 11, 2024

About the author

Bestselling author Molly Black is author of the MAYA GRAY FBI suspense thriller series, comprising nine books (and counting); of the RYLIE WOLF FBI suspense thriller series, comprising six books; of the TAYLOR SAGE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eight books; of the KATIE WINTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising eleven books (and counting); of the RUBY HUNTER FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting), and of the CAITLIN DARE FBI suspense thriller series, comprising five books (and counting).

An avid reader and lifelong fan of the mystery and thriller genres, Molly loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.mollyblackauthor.com to learn more and stay in touch.

BOOKS BY MOLLY BLACK

GRACE FORD FBI THRILLER

NEARLY MINE (Book #1)

NEARLY SAFE (Book #2)

NEARLY FREE (Book #3)

NEARLY GONE (Book #4)

NEARLY HIS (Book #5)

CAITLIN DARE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

COME GET ME (Book #1)

COME FIND ME (Book #2)

COME TAKE ME (Book #3)

COME CATCH ME (Book #4)

COME SAVE ME (Book #5)

RUBY HUNTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

IF I RUN (Book #1)

IF I TELL (Book #2)

IF I LIVE (Book #3)

IF I FORGET (Book #4)

IF I RETURN (Book #5)

MAYA GRAY MYSTERY SERIES

GIRL ONE: MURDER (Book #1)

GIRL TWO: TAKEN (Book #2)

GIRL THREE: TRAPPED (Book #3)

GIRL FOUR: LURED (Book #4)

GIRL FIVE: BOUND (Book #5)

GIRL SIX: FORSAKEN (Book #6)

GIRL SEVEN: CRAVED (Book #7)

GIRL EIGHT: HUNTED (Book #8)

GIRL NINE: GONE (Book #9)

RYLIE WOLF FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

FOUND YOU (Book #1)

CAUGHT YOU (Book #2)

SEE YOU (Book #3)

WANT YOU (Book #4)

TAKE YOU (Book #5)

DARE YOU (Book #6)

TAYLOR SAGE FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

DON’T LOOK (Book #1)

DON’T BREATHE (Book #2)

DON’T RUN (Book #3)

DON’T FLINCH (Book #4)

DON’T REMEMBER (Book #5)

DON’T TELL (Book #6)

DON’T HIDE (Book #7)

DON’T BLINK (Book #8)

KATIE WINTER FBI SUSPENSE THRILLER

SAVE ME (Book #1)

REACH ME (Book #2)

HIDE ME (Book #3)

BELIEVE ME (Book #4)

HELP ME (Book #5)

FORGET ME (Book #6)

HOLD ME (Book #7)

PROTECT ME (Book #8)

REMEMBER ME (Book #9)

CATCH ME (Book #10)

WATCH ME (Book #11)

Reviews

[Martha Birch · Rating 1 out of 5]

The story was OK but I was put off by the typing mistakes and bad spelling. Don’t they have proof readers where she comes from?

[Tamina · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF at 15%

[Linda Stabile · Rating 1 out of 5]

Tessa and Jake are excellent characters and the storyline is very good….the spelling and grammatical errors in this book make it seem that it was proofread by a 5th grader. I can’t actually believe it was really ever proofread before being published. I don’t even want to try reading any other books by this author.

[Akima · Rating 1 out of 5]

For how short this story was, it seemed like nothing happened. The main character was dull, and had had the same two thoughts repetitively through the story. Nothing felt connected in any way, and the ending was quite lacklustre.
There were also typo’s galore, which was pretty frustrating.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

typos annoy me

[L Balderrama · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not worth the effort.

The endless misspellings, countless typos and poor grammar were so distracting, that following any plot was difficult at best. Stunned by the subpar writing. Riddled with errors. Editing? 4th grade level writing.

[Jessamy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listen… this book was GREAT! I absolutely could not put it down. The writing was very compelling, I liked the story, the characters were decent and it was definitely a good mystery with a good amount of thrilling moments! My only real complaint is all of the spelling/grammar issues and just plain ol typos… so freaking many times Jake was called Jack… and the first time I was like… who?! Huh?! And had to back up to make sure I wasn’t tripping. Then after that it was just annoying 😂 but there were several things that made me have to read sentences over to understand what the author was saying because of mistakes. And I’m not a stickler for stuff like that normally but this was a bit much AND in the middle of a mystery/thriller crime story… I just didn’t appreciate being ripped out of the story 🤷🏻‍♀️ without that issue I honestly would have given this book 5 stars. It just seems like some amount of carelessness happened with the final publication and unfortunately it took away from the effect of the story a couple of times 😅

So we’re gonna say 4.5*

[Molly Wied · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book took me 5 days too long to finish for how short it was. The plot and the characters had potential but I found myself wishing for the book to just end.

[Becky Holder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Need

Need better editing! The spelling, improper pronouns, names etc is very distracting from story line. Otherwise enjoyable characters. Curious disorder Tessa has, and Jake seems to be written is as an afterthought.

[Victoria Silva · Rating 3 out of 5]

Needs editing

This book Kept me engaged. I do like Molly Black as an author. However,, the editing on this book was horrible! Somebody needs to go over and reread this book for grammar, punctuation and spelling. That's why I gave it a 3 because I had to reread sentences because of the grammar and punctuation errors.

[Jo Cochrane · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barely Seen

The story wasn't too bad. It dragged on a bit in a few parts, but picked up the pace again. The potential future storyline about the main character's sister, Sarah, is intriguing but I won't be reading it. The typos, grammatical errors and sequencing problems did my head in. At one point a character was standing near a couch, the next sentence he was sitting on a chair. I went back and reread several times thinking I must have missed something, but I hadn't. No amount of interest in Sarah's story is worth putting up with reading more books in this series. It's a shame really.

The first book in a series is where you get your audience for the rest of them. Reading the reviews here would indicate that I'm not the only reader the author has lost over some pretty ordinary editing.

[Georgette · Rating 2 out of 5]

this was free from amazon. the prologue was great and i had high hopes for a good well written book but it went downhill from that promising prologue. in chapter 2 the author couldn't decide how to consistantly spell the Sarah. the whole thing was very disjointed. at the end of the first chapter the "star" was getting ready to go into the conference room but at the beginning of the next chapter that was forgotten and she was at the gym. it was dusk when she left the gym and after a half hours drive and a book and a cup of tea, dusk was still just approaching. where is your copy editor? and how many times are we going to be reminded that she has a rare condition and doesn't feel pain? as it turns out, at least once in every chapter. we also get regular doses of the long lost sister who invades the agents thoughts. how original.
from there, the lack of knowledge about police procedure and FBI interaction - and for that matter, the FBI even working the case from the beginning - are annoying at best. so two FBI agents go to someones door at 11 at night and push their way in, get into an altercation, chase the guy, finally catch him and get the local police to pick him up while they go back to the guys house and search without a warrant and then the go back to the police station and interrogate him. this just doesn't happen. the whole thing went from bad to worse and was totally unbelieveable and not researched for accuracy.
a copy editor and a proofreader would have done wonders here--paid professionals, not "beta readers".

[Stevi Lorenz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don't even know where to start with this book. I picked it up because it was compared to Karin Slaughter. I can't honestly say this doesn't even begin to compare to a Slaughter book.

Second, I listened to this on audio and it was such a bizarre experience. There must be typos in the text, and listening to the narrator say them aloud was so awkward. For example, she says Darah instead of Sarah and mid instead of mind. She also pronounced "asterisk asterisk asterisk" multiple times. And the word "macabre" is used way too many times in such a short book.

Then the plot. Guy is murdering rich women with pearls. Detectives find suspect, talk to suspect, detective immediately thinks suspect is the guy, suspect becomes angry, altercation ensues, someone is injured, detective then changes mind and decides suspect is not the guy.

And the ending... It just ends up being some random guy with no connection to anything else. No twists, no surprises, no character development.

The MC also falls flat. She's an FBI agent who can't feel pain and has a missing sister and that is the only interesting thing about her.

I give this a little credit because the kills were kind of creative and the idea of an agent who can't feel pain was cool. But that also got me thinking, would the FBI actually hire someone who can't feel pain, or would that be a liability?

Overall, I was very disappointed in this one.

[Readerbydawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book and was kept out of the loop as to who the serial killer turns out to be. The suspense and thrill were really well written and balanced throughout the book. It is a short novella which I felt had enough of a story to fill the pages with. The main character Tessa I really enjoyed her strong, empowering and straightforward personality. Taking into consideration she has a medical condition that stops her from feeling pain. This is what really intrigued me, as well as the serial killer aspects to the story as it’s different. The shocking and unexpected discoveries were very well executed. The chapters were medium/ short and filled with a lot of suspicious moments which kept you guessing the identity of the killer. The only downside to this book was the proof reading errors which I found frustrating when reading as it did put me off. It can be a turn off when a book isn’t correctly proof read and just released overlooking that

[Brett · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author has come up with a fascinating premise: protagonist FBI Agent Tessa Flint is afflicted with the rare medical condition CIPA (Congenital Insensitivity to Pain and Anhidrosis). Although the prose flows well, the book was apparently run through auto spell rather than checked for grammatical and spelling errors, sometimes correct spelling but incorrect word; at least half dozen in first few chapters; unfortunately half dozen in the 2nd half as well; errors that are not critical -> just a bit annoying. I like the analogies Molly Black uses; such as: “..she dissected the day's findings like a surgeon with a scalpel, meticulous and precise.” and “As for Miller’s house, it looked tailor-made for a man with a shady past.”

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like this book and the writing style. I was engaged the whole time and pulled me in to keep reading. I love the main character Tess she is a tough woman and is so driven and her thoughts are added to the book as the author gives the character Tess a more engaging role. She is hurting from losing her sister and doesn't understand how she missed it and can't find her still. Her FBI partner is just as matched to her as the chemistry is there and hoping it continues in the next book of her wondering and the clues are frustrating and waiting for more evidence you feel the frustration and want to yell at the book and be like come onnnnn I need another clue! I can't wait to read the rest of them I know if it's anything like this book I will be engulfed!

[Lillian Cummings · Rating 3 out of 5]

She won't give up

A killer won't stop until you find him. Someone is killing the local well to do women but their method is strangling them with pearls. Tessa & Jake need to find him before it is too late. Tessa knows that the pearls are important she just needs to figure out their meaning. Throughout the case she realizes that she needs to get her sister's case reopened she needs to find answers to her disappearance. A good read. Tessa is different to most people as she is unable to feel pain & that means she needs to be more careful. She is one determined FBI agent that needs to find answers. I do wonder about her & Jake

[Sharon Leff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearls of Wisdom?

What happens to dreams deferred, unrealized, dismissed, or erased? What happens to those who have felt mistreated, unappreciated, or worse, ignored? Turns out if barely seen, someone often unseen, someone serving a function, someone cloaked in a uniform of subservience, that someone can observe, plot, plan, and execute crimes of perversion, deadly dark using status symbols.


Ironically, FBI agent Tessa Flint’s strategic steps to solve a serial killer often mimic his own steps to proceed in his plans. With strong characters, a credible plot, and interesting twists, the story grabs attention and holds it.

[Maryellen Linder · Rating 3 out of 5]

No Pain No Gain

This story was fine, kept my interest and I wanted to finish it. However, I am a real stickler for correct word usage, spelling and eye to detail in writing. Did no one proofread this manuscript? Did Tessa's partner have a dual personality since he was both Jake and Jack? I taught school.for many years and the only excuses my students had were being lazy about checking and lack of knowledge. They were little kids. I have always wanted to write a novel but I would hope if I ever do, I will produce something that would not embarrass my ability to write.

[Kaitlynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I think the book was not good at all. There was a few characters that were not developed, and some that were just talked about but not known. It was hard to read because of all the grammar and spelling errors. The only good thing about the book was the prologue and the killer’s obsession with the pearls. There was not crazy turns and the killer is not anyone interesting. The idea was good but you can read the first chapter and last and not miss anything. I also did not like the main character and the so little romance. Do not recommend.

[Maryann Hornbaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well Worth The Read

Tessa, an FBI agent is called into a strange case where a wealthy woman is murdered by strangulation using a string of pearls. Strangely there is no sign of struggle. Then there is a second murder. Tessa and Jake have nothing to go on except the pearls and the fact that these women are extremely wealthy.
I found the storyline interesting. However the plot itself was rather thin. Very little action but a lot of luck. It was an easy read and I enjoyed it.

[Eirlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

A gripping story

Tessa Flint, FBI agent, is a driven woman with a unique medical condition which precludes her from experiencing pain. Searching for a killer, with an obsession for pearls, is frustrating. The characters are well written, with a masterly eye for details.
I enjoyed this book, but I was distracted by errors n the proof reading. I would have given this book 5*, but have deducted one* for these mistakes.

[Annette Sullivan · Rating 1 out of 5]

didn’t finish…

When I came across the send blasphemous word, I gave this book the flick.
The story started out well, but soon degenerated into every second sentence being about the main female FBI character. It was too much.
I would have liked to know more about the first male partnered with her that could put up with her - that is the way it’s expressed in the book.
Add the odd proof read slip up and it’s just a big no.

[Elizabeth Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

came out March 11, 2024. police procedurals. women sleuths. thrillers. i see 5 books in this series so far: "A Tessa Flint FBI Suspense Thriller". funny how i always say that it is not the happiest of topics but it will get you on the edge of your seat, have you curious ...wondering?? and can you figure it out kind of read. fun book cover. i will read more soon from this author and this series. gotta read. bye for now. reading. tooties!

[Avid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story. 👍 I was oscillating between a 3 star and a 4 star rating. It is better than average but falls a bit below my normal 4-star ratings. So,... 🤷‍♀️ I bumped it up since it was better than most.

If the typos are keeping you away, try the audio version. I listened to it and enjoyed the narration along with the story AND did some tasks around my place at the same time. 😀

It's worth a read. Recommended. 👍

📚 📚📚📚

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book one in the Tessa Flint series. Tessa has an unusual medical condition - she’s unable to feel pain. She uses this to help catch killers. The killer strangle women using pearl necklaces. The sexual tension between Tessa and her partner is still just below the surface but getting closer to having to act on it. Her partner gets hurt taking down the killer and Tessa is nearly one of the victims until the last woman taken shoots the killer saving them all.

[Patty U. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great story

Enjoyed this book very much. It will pull you in and not let go till the end. Could have used a proof reader. That was annoying to read incorrectly spelled words quite frequently. I didn't become bored at anytime while reading, like I have with some others. An overall enjoyable book.

[FeebleExcuses · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an ok book to read in between others but not much to call home about. I fell the FMC was a bit Mary Sue-y, with a bit of an issue I find in a lot of them where in order to become the very best they get stripped of feminine qualities (not that you need them to be a powerful woman, I just feel it happens too often in books).

[Henar · Rating 1 out of 5]

Maybe if I had read this one (as opposed to listening to the audiobook) I would have gotten tuned off by the apparently high number of typos and ended up shelving it. Too late now. Sure, we find out who the killer is, but why did they do it? What was their motivation? Also, this is set in Portland, Maine. The main character is an FBI agent but the narrator has a British accent? That was weird.

[Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I do agree with others that this book has a lot of typos, I was able to overlook them because the plot and storyline were quite entertaining. The characters were fun and likeable, and the story flowed well in my opinion. I'm planning on reading book two of the series, and hopefully the editing will be better?! I feel a budding romance between the two main characters forming...