Wild Instinct

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By T. Jefferson Parker

Publisher Description

INSTANT USA TODAY BESTSELLER!

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)

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.

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Keep track of what you’re reading, what you’ve finished, and what’s next.

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Wild Instinct Reviews

3.5

Librarian Liz

Created 5 days ago

“I want to thank Steve Erickson at St. Martin/Minitaur (and NetGalley) for sending me an ARC of this title. I’m somewhat shocked that I haven’t read T. Jefferson Parker before. His writing style has so many elements that appeal to me, including nouveau western genre blending, police procedural mystery, rural law enforcement vibes, an indigenous main character, and minimalistic prose. This book was smart and gritty, with concise, crisp, sparse, yet evocative language–my favorite style of writing. I’m also grateful to Macmillan Audio (and NetGalley again) for the ALC, which enabled me to read and listen immersively. This is far and above my preferred method of reading and I find myself barely able to read with my eyes or ears only anymore– both is the way! To give an example (other than the obvious people and place names) for why having both words to see and voice to hear is so crucial for me, I present this line in the book: “Knight disappears over a rise.” If I was only listening to the audio and didn’t have the text in front of me, this line would have confused me, how is night going to disappear over a ridge? For this reason and a thousand more, I’m grateful for both formats. The audiobook narrator, John Pirhalla’s authoritative, slightly gravelly delivery is perfect for the tone of the book and the character. The slight accents differentiating characters were very understated and well done—making distinct character voices and a pleasant listening experience. The murder investigation drives the plot forward in interesting chunks, interspersed with slice-of-life moments which all combine to enrich each main and even many tertiary characters. Even smaller characters get interesting depth and backstory, often mostly implied but somehow heavily present). The book-within-a-book element is such a powerful tool in this story and really adds some interesting layering to the tale. This story was so good; seriously fine storytelling! I am already recommending it to patrons. This book will be perfect for fans of CJ Box, Craig Johnson, any nouveau western fans, and folks who like realistic characters with inner struggles who kick butt at their job professionally despite the trauma.”

Kate | Date With A Thriller

Created 7 days ago

“Excellent character development, particularly with MMC Lew Gale! 🙌 That said, I unfortunately still struggled to stay interested in the story. There were sub plots that didn’t really add anything to the story. Might be just a me problem, but this one didn’t work for me. But as I always say, not every book is for every person! I will say that the narration was good! So if you like police procedurals, give this one a shot! 👏 Thank you to partner Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC in exchange for my honest review! ❤️”

Liv 📚 @Readaholicliv

Created about 2 months ago

“I wouldn’t last five minutes in the wilderness, even if sarcasm and snacks count as survival skills. 🥨🦁 This isn’t your full-throttle kind of thriller. It slows down to breathe, lingers on heritage and atmosphere, then pounces with moments of real suspense. Lew, haunted by trauma but steady, is the kind of detective you actually want to follow—quiet strength, deep roots, and none of the usual brooding-cop clichés. The ending ties up cleaner than explosive, but it still leaves plenty of grit and weight behind. Lew Gale tracks killers through the wild. I track my missing sock through the dryer. Still can't find it. Same energy, right? 🤷‍♀️ Would I survive a single day in Caspers Wilderness Park? Absolutely not. But would I listen to this audiobook again while hiding indoors with snacks? 100%. 🎧 Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy.”

About T. Jefferson Parker

T. Jefferson Parker is the author of numerous novels and short stories, the winner of three Edgar Awards (for Silent Joe, California Girl, and the short story "Skinhead Central"), and the recipient of a Los Angeles Times Book Prize for best mystery (Silent Joe). Before becoming a full-time novelist, he was an award-winning reporter. He lives in Fallbrook, California.