Keep Still

Sage West #1

by Molly Black

“Molly Black has written a taut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat… I absolutely loved this book and can’t wait to read the next book in the series!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
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Shaken by PTSD from a traumatic case, brilliant FBI Agent Sage West recovers in a psychiatric clinic tucked away in the vast Midwest farmlands—when a local case demands his expertise, and local cops need his help before a killer strikes again….

Tranquility turns to turmoil when a fellow patient, and friend, is found dead. Dismissed as suicide, Sage senses a sinister plot targeting mental illness. Now he must piece together the clues before the killer strikes again—if his own frail psyche can hold…

“I binge read this book. It hooked me in and didn't stop till the last few pages… I look forward to reading more!”
—Reader review for Found You
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KEEP STILL is book #1 in a long anticipated new series by critically-acclaimed and #1 bestselling mystery and suspense author Molly Black, whose books have received over 2,000 five-star reviews and ratings.

Immerse yourself in the thrilling Sage West series, where mystery intertwines with heart-pounding suspense. With its rapid-fire storytelling and gripping plot revelations, this heart-pounding thriller promises an engrossing read that will keep you turning pages all night! Fans of Lisa Gardner, Melinda Leigh, and Kendra Elliot are sure to fall in love.

Future books in the series are now available!

“I loved this book! Fast-paced plot, great characters and interesting insights into investigating cold cases. I can't wait to read the next book!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
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“Very good book… You will feel like you are right there looking for the kidnapper! I know I will be reading more in this series!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
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“This is a very well written book and holds your interest from page 1… Definitely looking forward to reading the next one in the series, and hopefully others as well!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
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“Wow, I cannot wait for the next in this series. Starts with a bang and just keeps going.”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
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“Well written book with a great plot, one that will keep you up at night. A page turner!”
—Reader review for Girl Murder
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

“A great suspense that keeps you reading… can't wait for the next in this series!”
—Reader review for Found You
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“Sooo soo good! There are a few unforeseen twists… I binge read this like I binge watch Netflix. It just sucks you in.”
—Reader review for Found You
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Genres: Mystery, Psychological Thriller, Ebooks, Audiobook, Murder Mystery, Amazon, Thriller

199 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 8, 2025

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

[Jannelies (living between hope and fear) · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was intrigued by the blurb and very curious as how the author would go along the story with such a 'different' main character.
Sage West is not so much 'different' as suffering from a severe case of PTSD. How this came to be is carefully explained over the course of the case. Fact is, Sage is an excellent FBI agent, maybe a bit too excellent. Even when he's feeling like his whole world is colliding around him, he cannot help but start an investigation (not sanctioned by the police, let alone the FBI) into the death of a fellow patient.
I could see what the author wanted with this story but sadly it didn't work out for me so much. The story was actually very straight and simple and sometimes too repetitive to read.
Maybe there is hope because the book is numbered #1 in a series, the stories that will follow will be more interesting.

[Frank T · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not going to lie, this was a random book from an author I wasn't familiar with, the book was also free, but this was a great read by a talented author and I really enjoyed the ride. I would definitely recommend this book and this author.

[Faye Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant!

I loved this book from the first chapter!

A gripping story about a man who confronts not only the demons in the world but the demons within himself.

I couldn't put it down! Very well written!

[Mandi with Red Quill Editorial · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book kept me hooked from start to finish. I had a hard time putting it down despite a few editorial errors (the biggest was when the author accidentally calls the protagonist by the antagonist's name toward the end of the book). I finished reading it in just a couple days! This book is the first in a series and the author has several other series as well. She seems to have a vast knowledge of police procedures that shows in her writing. I'd definitely read more by this author.

[Callie Taylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐

If you love Law & Order or CSI, this one’s right up your alley. I loved Sage’s determination and drive, even while he’s clearly wrestling with his own demons. It made him feel real and easy to root for. The story moves fast, keeps the tension high, and is a great quick read. Knowing this is book one of 12, I’ll definitely be diving into the rest of the series, because iykyk.

I rated 4 stars, because I didn't see any trigger warnings at the beginning of the book. The book can be a bit heavy with scenes of suicide and overdoses.

[patricia sendelbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Molly Black always gives us a great story with tendrils to more stories.

[Allwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I started Keep Still after a long day, so at first I thought it was moving slowly - turns out, I was just tired. The story itself grabs you right from the start and once I was properly awake, I realised Molly Black had me hooked.

The tension builds beautifully, the psychiatric clinic setting is deliciously eerie and Sage West is a lead you can’t help but root for. Twists kept me guessing and by the end I was fully invested.

If you enjoy thrillers that pull you in and keep you turning pages, this one’s a winner.

[Cidney · Rating 4 out of 5]

FBI Agent Sage West (thought Sage was female, how wrong could I be!) has been in some hairy situations and is now suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, which is common for those who are working in difficult dangerous situations. He has been told by his boss that he is to be admitted into a psychiatric clinic where they will help him with his disorderly mind and get him back onto an even keel again. Except he discovers that he has been admitted by his boss who says in his report that he can never be in an active field again. He is angry at this but breathes deeply and is going to play along with his admission so that he can be out in the two weeks he had originally been told but which looks as if he could be there for much longer. Bosses...

Anyway whilst there he meets a young doctor who has now I've forgotten what she had but she was certainly treatable if medication was in the correct amounts, but she fears for her life, she thinks they are out to kill her. Sage looks out for her the next day as she isn't in for breakfast and he had suggested that they take a walk round this massive site that morning and she was happy to do so! However she doesn't appear at breakfast so he goes looking for her and finds her hanging in her bedroom, been dead for some time. He is devastated. Sage knows that there is something wrong, he can read a room and read the body. He gets in his car and drives to the nearest FBI office and meets Maya who is in charge, he reports all his findings to her and is concerned as he feels that there is a pattern in these suicides and patients are stating that they are overmedicated and feel weak and unsure of their surroundings.

Maya does agree to look into this and he gives her his mobile number and returns. Then the next night another new patient has been admitted and she is unsure of where she is and terrified. Sage has now stolen an access card and gets into the corridor where she is and opens the door to find the dodgy doctor giving an injection to the terrified girl, Sage races in but the orderly or the doctor cannot remember who now jabs him with the injection and he is losing his thoughts and where he is and is trying to fight that off and stop them going back to the young girl, he is sliding to the floor when Maya (whom he rang before he set off on this mission of his) takes down the doctor and the orderly and rings for help for the young girl on the floor partly dead.

It is the orderly who has enjoyed killing the patients on the doctor's orders and both are arrested and the girl does survive and Sage cannot return to active service but his old boss has found him an archive desk job at the FBI office where Maya is based. And he is a very happy bunny!!

I really liked this book, I could see where Sage was coming from and Maya turned up trumps (english expression of doing something brilliant at the last minute, nothing to do with a certain bewildered ruler of a large country), and would happily read more Sage West books!! This is quite a quick read just under 200 pages, extended lunchtime break then!!

[Avid · Rating 3 out of 5]

⚠️! !WARNINGS!!⚠️
May contain triggers for some. This book talks a lot about suicide, addiction, mental health issues, PTSD, active scenes, describes suicides, takes you into a psychiatric hospital, involves murder, etc. This is above your normal murder mystery.

This was a pretty solid read. The lead character is suffering from an event (PTSD) at his work and enters into the hospital voluntarily. He doesn't recall what happened. While there, he quickly befriended a young woman who was fearful for her life who happened to become the focus of the the good portion of the book. He decides while he is there that there's definitely something wrong happening. Something seriously wrong! Can he figure it out before he ends up their next target?

Recommended 👍
📚📚📚

[Melissa Mae · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing style made it simple to follow along, and it’s the kind of book you can get through fairly quickly without feeling weighed down by overly complex details. That said, while it wasn’t a terrible read, it didn’t quite reach five-star territory for me. The story moves along steadily, but there weren’t many moments that truly stood out as exciting or suspenseful. I found myself waiting for bigger twists or more tension, but the plot never fully delivered on that edge of your seat feeling you expect from a thriller. Overall, it’s an okay book good if you’re in the mood for something light and easy to get through

[Callie Mo · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book more than I did. The summary sounded so good and there was a lot of potential!

Unfortunately, at least for me, the story ended up falling pretty flat. I could guess a lot of what ended up happening (including the ending) and I didn't feel like the characters had much substance.

However, I do kinda think that this book, as the first of a series, is setting up some backstory for the rest of the series - so maybe the rest will be more interesting!

[Kathleen Setash · Rating 5 out of 5]

a page turner with a realistic psychological viewpoint

I enjoyed the book. These dark days when everyone is struggling with some sort of mental health issue, it was refreshing to read a character that acknowledged their shortcomings and faced the way back.
The story was a fast read. Looking forward to book2!

[Melissa Clark · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book took me by surprise. To be honest I had a hard time reading this book as it wasn’t the traditional Molly Black crime thriller. It begins with an FBI agent who ends up being “admitted” into a psychiatric facility and not an actual crime. The book doesn’t gain traction (in my opinion) until you’re almost 75% through with the book.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great short story

A very interesting story which took me twice to read it as the main character was an FBI agent having a mental breakdown. His past issues and thinking entered his mind whenever he let them, sometimes not fully aware. However, once I started reading the story again it just kind of grabbed me and I had to finish it. I'll read more of Ms Black's prose.

[Saurabh Mukherjee · Rating 1 out of 5]

Pathetic story

Boring...no sense...too much lengthy for no reason....senseless reading....could have taken less than 50 pages to finish....too much drama...disappointing....dont read....waste of time...

[April Kane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Keep Still -How?

An exceptional book with an insight to trama and the capabilites to control your innermost fears. A quick really good read to keep your interest up from beginning to end.

[Dave Mackler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not her best

This was a pretty weak story. The main character was disappointing, his personality weak and uninteresting. Molly Black has written excellent stories, this is not one of them.

[Penny Cesen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow moving but good

Slow pace but an interesting story with multiple mysteries to be revealed at the conclusion. I admit I was tempted to set this one aside a couple of times but the ending was worth the wait.

[Gail J McClarren · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like how Molly Black was able to describe PTSD and how it can affect different people. This story line covers some very real health and/or mental issues that plague many people. I like the main character's personality.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fast paced thriller

Fast paced thriller about an FBI agent being treated for PTSD and having to solve a murder in the place he's staying. Character development needs some help but with 12 books hopefully that fixes itself. Good overall read, will definitely try book 2 next....

[shirley james · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant

As always thoroughly enjoyed this book by Molly Black. Our hero was his tenacious best, determined, the ending was a complete surprise definitely not the person I thought was the killer. Looking forward to book 2

[Jesse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a gripping and thrilling start to a series I'm excited to continue! The battle with PTSD was done well and the story was overall well-written. When the inner and outer battles collide, I'm all in. I turned the pages fast and only wish I could read the next book already.

[Salena Gilman · Rating 1 out of 5]

This read like a beefed up screenplay for evening television. The writing was a bit juvenile and dry, in some places repetitive but the dialogue was the worst part. I had high hopes for this but it just fell flat. Also the title just seems irrelevant??

[Helen]

This was quite an easy read, that left you wanting to know more about Sage and his past. At times it was a little tedious as it laboured the troubled past a bit too much, but overall was an enjoyable read

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is my first featuring this character but it won’t be my last. This story was so compelling that I found I could not stop reading it until the end. It did have a surprise ending that I didn’t see coming too.
I can’t wait to start book two!

[Vickie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly decent book. Writer tends to repeat the same things several times. Maybe for word count? Maybe writer thinks readers aren’t very smart? Whatever reason, there’s a lot of unnecessary repetition and it’s very distracting.

[Jermaine Pinto · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read.

This is a good introduction to the series. The pacing is steady, the characters are captivating and interesting, there's good character development, and overall it's a very good read. 3.5 🌟

[Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly intriguing story that took me on a path I have only ever taken once in my life ignited my natural and unwavering passion in the subject!

[Kristen Rielly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Looking forward to the next book in the series

[Tiffany Joynes · Rating 4 out of 5]

All right...

How do you go somewhere to work on your mental health and end up solving crime? Fast paced and interesting.