Blind Instinct

Tess Barrett #2

by Michael W. Sherer

Only weeks after a shootout nearly killed blind high school senior Tess Barrett and left nine unidentified mercenaries dead, her uncle and guardian, Travis, is kidnapped.

Tess and her assistant Oliver soon learn that a game app developed by her father’s company, which Travis now runs, is infected with an artificial intelligence virus that brainwashes game players. To Tess’s horror, she also learns that Travis gave a copy of the infected game app to Austin Dunn, the U.S. vice president’s son.

With the clock ticking, Tess and Oliver race to track down Travis, free him from his kidnappers and get to Washington, D.C., before Austin assassinates his own father…

Genres: Romantic Suspense

272 pages, Paperback

Published December 1, 2016

About the author

Mike is a member of and frequent judge for International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America and the author of "Mistaken Identity" and "Stolen Identity," four books in the Seattle-based Blake Sanders series, including "Night Strike" and "Night Blind," which was nominated for an ITW Thriller Award in 2013. His other books include the award-winning Emerson Ward mystery series, the stand-alone suspense novel, 'Island Life," and the Tess Barrett new/young adult thriller series, currently in development for television.

Mike and his family now reside in the Seattle area. Please visit him at www.michaelwsherer.com or you can find him on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thrillerauthor and on Twitter at @MysteryNovelist.


Series:
* Emerson Ward Mystery

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

High school student Tess Barrett was blind, caused by an accident which saw her lose both her parents twelve months prior. Now her Uncle Travis, her father James' brother, was her guardian and carer, while her assistant, Oliver, remained by her side through school and any other events she needed to attend, only leaving her side once they'd returned home. The morning Travis was abducted on his way into the office started a chain of events which would more than likely end disastrously.

James' company, MondoHard, created video games and the latest was out to a few people in beta mode. But the discovery that it was infected by a worm, causing users to become violent, horrified them. As Tess and Oliver raced to find Travis, the creator of the game, NeverBitten was working hard. Would they find Travis and save the young man whose mind was being controlled by a game?

Blind Instinct is the 2nd in the Tess Barrett series by Michael W. Sherer and it was gripping and intense! Tess is a remarkable character with what she's learned since she became blind. Her instincts are spot-on and with Oliver as her eyes, they made a great team. I hope the 3rd in the series is released soon! Highly recommended.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this second of the Tess Barrett thrillers, we rejoin Tess and Oliver when Tess's uncle Travis has been abducted. Between trying to locate him and still trying to figure out who is sending her mysterious text messages pulling her into dangerous missions, Tess has a new boyfriend and Oliver is jealous. That, and without Travis, Tess finds herself suddenly sitting in his place on the board of directors of her father's company as majority shareholder - all while a new app released by said company is infected with a virus that is weaponizing teens and setting them loose on an unsuspecting public.

This book was far less cringe-inducing to me than the first book. Tess was almost tolerable, though I wouldn't go far enough to say she's likeable. The new characters that become more regular in this book, including coder Derek, do add something and feel like they have a reason to be there.

The book length is shorter, and overall, this feels like a tighter, neater thriller of a book. I went from dreading to mildly curious about book 3. 3-3.5 stars.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

Blind Instinct is book two in the Tess Barrett series by Michael W. Sherer. One lunchtime at Tess Barrett school a friend of Tess started shooting. Tess did not understand why Matthew did until she realises that something is wrong with the game produced by her company and began to investigate. However, before she found answers, her Uncle Travis was kidnapped. The readers of Blind Instinct will continue to follow Tess and her assistant Derek in there quest to find solutions.

Blind Instinct is another excellent instalment to this fantastic series. I am looking forward to reading the next book in this fantastic series. I love Michael W. Sherer portrayal of his characters and the way they intertwine with each other throughout this book. The description of the setting of this book was done well by Michael W. Sherer. Blind Instinct was well written and researched by Michael W. Sherer. The plot of this book engaged me from the start.

The readers of Blind Instinct will learn about the role and the consequences of hacking for businesses. Also, the readers of Blind Instinct will learn the importance of smell, noise and self-defence training for people who a sight-impaired.

I recommend this book.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is the 2nd in the series and I can't wait until the 3rd one!! The second book was even better than the 1st. The first book introduced us to Oliver and Tess. Tess lost her parents after her parents died in an accident that left Tess blinded. Oliver is her hired help. The first book ended after an assassination attempt on their lives and Tess's uncle being part of Tess's life. There was no resolution on why they were targeted. In book 2 Tess is trying to move on and be a normal high schooler when a good friend of her's has been playing a game that seems to be changing his personality. I won't give away the story but I will say that book 2 also does not resolve what is going on and why. Very very good and I couldn't put it down!!! Ok, some weird things about the book that drove me a little crazy. In chapter 13 right before chapter 14 the sentence states "gripped the spike with his fingers and worried it like a loose tooth" I think worried should have been worked. In chapter 20 the sentences states "Seeing her father's face in her mind, she remember hat he'd told her...." I think hat should have been that. Chapter 29 the sentence states "Tess put her out, found Oliver's arm..." I think it should have been Tess put her hand out, found Oliver's arm. Chapter 43 the sentence states "Oliver had recovered her phone back on the mall, and she'd.." this one I just can't figure out. Highly recommend and I am waiting in eager anticipation for book 3!!

[Jada Ryker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Tess Barrett is back in Blind Instinct. Her life is chaotic. Attending high school is difficult for any teen, but it’s challenging for Tess, who lost her sight. She wants to invite a cute boy to a dance, but it’s hard. Her uncle has been kidnapped, and something is going on with the company’s new video game, Never Bitten.

Tess uses lessons learned from Yoshi, her self-defense teacher, to hone her senses. Those senses are sending her chilling messages. She suspects that someone very close to her is involved in her uncle’s abduction.

The exciting thriller is superbly written, with vibrant action and excellent characters.

If I’m being pursued by bad guys and I have nail polish remover and nail polish on hand, I know what to do, thanks to Blind Instinct.