Wild Instinct Audiobook By T. Jefferson Parker cover art

Wild Instinct

A Novel

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Wild Instinct

By: T. Jefferson Parker
Narrated by: John Pirhalla
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A gripping high-stakes thriller by three-time Edgar Award winner and New York Times bestselling author T. Jefferson Parker.

"A marvel...hits the high-water mark for crime fiction every time out." — Gregg Hurwitz

"[Narrator John Pirhalla's] deliberately stoic narration is neither flashy nor overly exaggerated, which is perfect for [author T. Jefferson] Parker's suspenseful thriller. Pirhalla's performance takes listeners on an intense ride." — Kirkus

The hunt for the truth is the deadliest game.

Former Marine sniper Lew Gale, now a detective with the Orange County California Sheriff’s Department, is assigned to track and shoot a mountain lion that has killed a man in the rugged country east of Laguna Beach, California. The victim is Bennet Tarlow, a rich developer and man-about-town in upscale coastal Orange County.

The investigation takes a chilling turn when Lew and his new partner, Daniela Mendez, discover that Bennet was dead long before the lion got to him. And while he might have been the first to die, he certainly will not be the last.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

 Crime Thrillers Mystery Police Procedurals Suspense Thriller & Suspense Sniper

Critic reviews

"Parker is no slouch at plotting, but he particularly excels at creating flawed but sympathetic characters who are doing their best in a complex world. Gale and Mendez each have complicated lives but strive for justice even so." —Library Journal (starred review)

"With effective surprises, memorable characters, and simmering SoCal atmosphere, this goes down smooth." —Publishers Weekly

"The novel is a potent mixture of plot and character...it’s a gift to his many fans. Expect high demand for this title." —Booklist

"Outstanding in every respect, one hopes Wild Instinct is the first of many investigations for this engaging detective duo." —LA Times
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Wild Instinct by T Jefferson Parker opens with a hunt for a dangerous mountain lion, but very quickly everyone becomes aware that the real danger is coming from humans. Lew Gale is a sheriff's detective in Orange County, California, assigned to track and shoot the lion that killed a wealthy developer named Bennet Tarlow. Very quickly, however, Gale learns that the man was dead before the lion got to him. Gale and his new partner, Daniela Mendez, are now looking to find a murderer.

Gale is an idigenous man, a veteran of the Afghanistan war where he served as a Marine sniper, and is a meticulous investigator. He suffers from PTSD, and spends a majority of his time alone, weaving baskets and crafting bows and arrows in the traditional way of his ancestors. His partner is newly trained single mother of an 18 year old son named Jesse. She is worried about him, as he seems to be hanging with the wrong crowd.

The characters are well-drawn, and I enjoyed getting to know them in their private lives as well as in their work lives. The plot is intriguing, with plenty of twists and turns, and a good number of suspects. The world-building kept me hooked, and made me hope that this book will be the first in a new series.

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