Wild Instinct: A Novel

by T. Jefferson Parker

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.

A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Fiction

Audible Audio

Published November 11, 2025

About the author

T. Jefferson Parker is the bestselling author of 26 crime novels, including Edgar Award-winners SILENT JOE and CALIFORNIA GIRL. Parker's next work is coming-of-age thriller, A THOUSAND STEPS, set for January of 2022. He lives with his family in a small town in north San Diego County, and enjoys fishing, hiking and beachcombing.

Reviews

[PamG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you enjoy a police procedural that starts with a mountain lion only to discover that humans can be the more dangerous of the two? Then look no further than Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker. While it’s a standalone novel, I could easily see it becoming a terrific series.
Orange County California Sheriff’s detective Lew Gale is assigned to track and shoot a mountain lion that has killed a man in Caspers Park. The victim is Bennet Tarlow, a rich developer. However, the investigation takes a turn when Lew discovers that Bennet was dead before the lion got to him. Lew’s new homicide detective partner, Daniela Mendez, joins him in the pursuit of the killer.

Lew is a former Marine sniper who came back from Afghanistan injured physically and suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder. He is descended from the Acjachemen people, an indigenous tribe of Southern California that is not recognized by the federal government. Lew tends to be solitary, takes notes, dislikes heights, has neat handwriting, weaves baskets, makes bows and arrows the traditional way, and reads about his heritage. Daniela aced her training, is on the sheriff’s pistol team, and tends to be somewhat solitary except with her 18-year-old son, Jesse. She’s worried about the people he is hanging out with.

The writing is vivid and I could easily envision the scenes. The novel has several twists and turns and plenty of motives for murder of Bennet Tarlow. The author also does a great job of showing the private lives of Lew and Daniela and their struggles outside of work and of showing the differences between those who are profit motivated and those who respect the land and its heritage. While a lot of the history of the area was interesting and I enjoyed learning more about it, the overall flow of the book had its ups-and-downs.

Overall, this was a suspenseful and solid murder mystery and police investigation with some history as well as an introduction to the personal lives of the investigators. Great characterization, a twisty plot, and excellent world-building make this a solid read. The author’s note at the end of the book is also excellent and full of valuable information. While this is only the second book I’ve read by this author, I can’t wait until I can read the next one.

St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and T. Jefferson Parker provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for November 11, 2025.

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My 3.91 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

A former Marine and now a Sheriff down in OC, who is tracking a suspected killer mountain lion? Yeah, that sounds exactly like my kind of story! I liked Lew Gale from the get-go! Gale came back from his tours in Afghanistan a troubled man, mentally, emotionally and physically. He still has nightmares from the people he killed as a skilled sniper for the Marines, and the physical trauma he suffered destroyed his marriage and definitely handicaps him in having another relationship. Half Acjacheme Indian from his mom, who he adores and lives with, and half Spanish from his father, who he despises because of he’s a life-long philanderer on his third family and makes no apologies for his behavior and/or lifestyle.

There is also another storyline of Mendez, a single mother of a 17yr old son, Jesse, that Mendez secretly tracks and stalks his every minute with an app. Good grief! While I’ve never been a parent, that kind of behavior is such a huge red flag that just screams “helicopter mom with major control issues”.

Most of the story revolves around Gale and his new partner, Daniela Mendez working the clues in the case of Ben Tarlow, a rich Newport Beach real estate developer whose most recent project got a lot of bad press from both the local Indian mission and several groups of indigenous Indian tribes. It's deep into the second half that Gale stumbles (literally) onto some clues that takes the investigation in a whole other direction. The end comes pretty quick after that for both storylines in some really scary and intense scenes.

The character development for the MC’s was well done, especially for Gale. I liked how throughout the story, Gale was reading a book from the 1800’s about an Acjacheme boy who was hunting a killer lion that had dragged his sister off. The story depicted so much of the history of San Juan Capistrano back then and the Acjacheme people who lived there at the mission. It made the overall storyline so much more interesting. The pacing was steady to fast, and the writing was also very well done. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.3 that I will round down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley, St Martin’s Press, and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio #WildInstinct

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

When police in Orange County, California get a radio call about wealthy Bennet Tarlow III being killed and eaten by a mountain lion, the hunt for the beast is on.



The Tarlow Company develops properties across the southwest, and handsome Bennet Tarlow III's picture......



.....usually with a beautiful woman, is often seen in newspapers and magazines.



Detective Lew Gale is sent to help track the murderous mountain lion in Caspers Wilderness Park, where Tarlow was killed.



Before the animal is found, though, an autopsy reveals Tarlow was shot in the head twice, and the mountain lion chewed but did not kill him.

So Detective Lew Gale and his new partner, Detective Daniela Mendez, have to catch a human murderer.



Detective Lew Gale, age 43, is the son of an Acjacheme Indian mother and a Spanish father. Gale was a tracker in New Mexico and a Marine sniper in Afghanistan before becoming a cop, and he has PTSD and drinks too much.





Detective Daniella (Dani) Mendez, age 37, is the single mother of 18-year-old Jesse, a senior at Tustin High School. Lately, Jesse has been hanging out with the wrong crowd, so Dani installed TeenShield on Jesse's phone, to secretly track his whereabouts, emails, texts, etc.



In the course of their inquiries, Lew and Dani learn Bennet Tarlow III was trying to get government clearance for a project called Wildcoast, outside San Juan Capistrano, California. Wildcoast would be a five-square-mile city with single-family homes, condos, apartments, schools, churches, synagogues, mosques, shopping centers, a library, public pools, shopping, dining, an equestrian center, and a small airstrip.



Wildcoast is a controversial program opposed by many people, including Californians who think of Wildcoast as a NIMBY (not in my backyard), and Acjacheme student activist Geronima Mills and her followers - who consider the area their ancestral land.



Lew and Dani follow police procedures to identify a suspect, whom they believe was a hired hitman. But who hired him? The possibilities are legion.



There are startling developments as the investigation unfolds, which (to me) stretch credulity a bit too much.

A large swatch of the novel is about the personal lives of Lew and Dani, which are just as interesting as the investigation.

◍◍ Lew lives with his Indian mother and resents his Spanish father, a philanderer who deserted the family. Lew cherishes his Indian heritage, and has a favorite book called 'Blood & Heart' (1815). The book tells the story of Luis Verdad, a 21-year-old Achacheme who's tracking the mountain lion that carried away his young sister. As Lew reads 'Blood & Heart', we get to see scenes from the book.



In a corollary storyline, Lew resents the Spanish priests who came to San Juan Capistrano in the 1700s, and decimated the Indian population with conversions, suppression of Indian culture and language, name changes, lashings, confinement, poor diet, diseases, and so on.



◍◍ Dani is an attractive woman with a secret that's affected her entire adult life. Dani is desperate to keep her son Jesse on the right track, and wants him to attend Azusa Catholic College after high school. In Dani's opinion, Jesse has been led astray by his new girlfriend, Lulu Vega, but the boy is infatuated - so what's a mother to do?



An array of interesting characters populate the story, and both Lew and Dani have admirers interested in romantic relationships (but don't worry, this book isn't a romance).

Lew and Dani make a good detective team, and it would be nice to see them in additional books.



I had a digital copy of 'Wild Instinct' as well as the audiobook, narrated by John Pirhalla, who does a fine job.

Thanks to Netgalley, T. Jefferson Parker, and Minotaur & Macmillan Audio for copies of the book.

You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining, well-written police procedural novel. It has a likable, sympathetic, and complex male protagonist, appealing secondary characters, an engaging mystery, twists and turns, and a satisfying conclusion. I especially liked the Native American theme and the story within the story. The author's note is interesting and enlightening, and is truly appreciated. I am grateful to have received an advanced reader copy of this fantastic novel from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books, NetGalley, and Mr. T. Jefferson Parker. This is my honest opinion.

[Chris C - A Midlife Wife · Rating 4 out of 5]

This author has been on my radar with his plot lines and subject matter. He writes in the genre I enjoy to dive into now and then.

Wild Instinct is a very unique and completely plausible story, if you know anything about what happens in California.

The ultrarich are playing games that end up in murder. With unique twists that dive into Native American history, we get bits and pieces of familial stories, and books that are full of foreshadowing, which add to the intrigue of the plot.

With that comes a true telling of stolen lands that Parker blends into the current plot. With a low-key approach to solving this strange murder, we are taken on a route that brings building suspense, multiple twists and turns, deadly threats, and more to find those responsible.

This author takes a unique approach in his story, keeping it old school police work, yet adds in highly detailed layers of development in both the characters and the location atmosphere. The main characters are a good blend of one who has learned patient police work and a new detective, both with their share of secret flaws and issues. Parker does not back away from a bit of shocking additions!

Wild Instinct is an insightful police procedural murder case that is interwoven with Native American culture, set in beautiful San Juan Capistrano. Engrossing and highly detailed, with two subplots weaving together. I am definitely reading this author again! He did not disappoint.

~~~~
* I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
** Full review - https://amidlifewife.com/wild-instinc...

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid thriller. Not as many twists as I usually like, kind of predictable, but I enjoyed the characters and would like to see them continue to develop. The history part of the book was interested, but at times got long and boring. But, all in all, a decent read.

Thank you to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Abibliofob · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this opportunity to read Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker. It seems that it's the first book by him I have ever read but it will not be the last. First we are introduced to a detective hunting a mountain lion accused of killing a prominent business man, but soon we find out that it's not that simple and the investigation expands. I really found the book well written and the characters are very interesting to put it mildly. I also learned a lot about this native tribe I never had heard about before. I also enjoyed the fact that the story maily takes place in a part of California I don't see so much of in mysteries. I actually hope that this will be a series where we get to follow Lew Gale and his partner Daniela Mendez. I can really recommend this book that will be available on November 11th. A big thank you to Minotaur Books And Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy.

[Pamela Small · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous historical fiction; intriguing mystery, mixed with beguiling tale of a big cat living in California’s wilderness. Characters are 3 dimensional and well developed. ( I’d love to read more of Les Gale!). Dialogue is authentic and interesting. Pacing is pitch perfect. While the mystery is the overarching plot, there are themes throughout that put this book in a higher league than most…. Political and social injustices of Native American Indians, family dynamics, corporate greed, PTSD to name a few. The author’s writing style is delightful to read! I couldn’t put it down! Well deserved 5 stars! Mr. Parker is a prolific writer and I can’t wait to read more of his works!

My thanks to Minotaur Publishing and NetGalley for an ARC of WILD INSTINCT.

[Erin Clemence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Nov. 11, 2025

T. Jefferson Parker is an award-winning author with a plethora of novels under his belt. His newest work, “Wild Instinct”, is a crime fiction novel that features a California Sheriff, a mountain lion, and a new housing development on Native land.

Lew Gale is a detective with the Orange County Sheriff Department. As a former sniper with the Marines, he is the one called in when a rogue mountain lion attacks a man in the California wilderness, killing him and leaving his dead body maimed and disfigured. As Lew sets out to track and kill the lion, he starts to discover some things about the dead man that don’t track with a mountain lion attack- for example, the man was shot three times before he was mauled. The more Lew investigates the more he realizes that there is a lot more at play than he was prepared for, and now his life is at risk.

“Instinct” is a police procedural that takes place through the wild and rugged parts east of Laguna Beach, California. Gale is a former armed forces member turned detective, which is a pretty common storyline trope. Although I’ve read many novels in this genre before, it is not generally something I usually jump to, but I have been pleasantly surprised on many occasions, so I was more than willing to take the chance.

The novel is well-written, but I felt as if this novel was part of a series, and I had missed the first novel or two (it wasn’t, I checked. Multiple times). There was a lot of the storyline that I felt should’ve been carved out more, and a lot of the background on the characters was left unexamined, which affected my ability to connect with both Lew and his partner, Daniela.

Due to the location of the crime, there is a large Native American component in this story, which makes sense since Lew himself identifies as half-Native, and a crime taking place on Native land needs to happen for most of this story to make sense. However, I did not understand the reason or relevance of the story-within-a-story that occurred when Lew was reading a manuscript by his Native ancestor in various parts of the novel. That specific story seemed very loosely connected to the main plot, and seemed to add nothing of value to “Instinct”. I was also expecting far more of the mountain lion component, since it was touted as being so relevant to the story, but he made brief appearances here and there and was not responsible in any way for any of the crimes that occurred, so again, this storyline component felt forced.

Parker’s plot was well-researched and the premise was unique, but the story struggled to keep my interest, and I could not connect with any of the main characters. This novel would surely appeal to others who are more avid readers of this genre, so I’m sure Parker will bring Lew and Daniela out again, but I can’t say that I will jump to read about them.

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Detective Lew Gale of the Orange County Sheriff's Department and the Predator Tracking Unit K9 and handler are trying to track down a mountain lion that is believed to have killed and eaten a man in Caspers Wilderness Park near Laguna. Fortunately before they can find the lion, the autopsy reveals the man died of two gunshot wounds to the head.

Now Gale and his new partner, Detective Sergeant Daniela Mendez, are officially looking into the homicide. The victim is Bennet Evans Tarlow the Third, great-great-grandson of the Tarlow Company founder, who built the family fortune on a vast Spanish land grant dating back to the 1700s--200,000 acres of California real estate.

Ben Tarlow was in the midst of planning a new multi-million dollar housing development he called Wildcoast outside of San Juan Capistrano. Not everyone was thrilled about the plan, not even his own grandfather, or the remnants of the Acjacheme people still living in the area. But would killing him stop the development?

I found the mystery to be very intriguing and the plot well-paced. I liked these characters and their personal stories and hope this will become a new series. I also enjoyed learning about the history of that area of Southern California and the ancient peoples who lived there before the Spanish arrived and built their missions.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new mystery via NetGalley. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Todd · Rating 4 out of 5]

l read and enjoyed many of Parker's novels years ago and recently found he's still writing. He does a fine job with actual historical and area facts in his books.

Lew Gale is a sheriff's deputy assigned to track and kill a lion who's killed a man not far outside Laguna Beach, CA. But with his new partner they discovered that the man, the son of a local billionaire was already dead before the lion got to him.

A good mystery featuring the graft and attitudes of the very rich, and how far someone will go to get what they desire.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sorry to say that this was more of a miss for me, and I’m probably an outlier here….
But, we are asks to give our honest opinions…so here goes.

Lee Gale is an ex-marine sharpshooter who’s now a detective for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department.

We open up with a man found dead, and it looks like he was killed by a mountain lion. 😳

This is very rare, and pretty much unheard of, but Lew and his new partner Daniella are investigating… and looking for the lion…
What’s worse is that the guy who was killed is a very high-profile, very well-known, very wealthy man…

And the things that turn up during the investigation are not things you might think you would find!

And, there are a LOT of people involved in this thing!

It was interesting, and it did hold my attention for the most part. But, it also went on and on about Indian heritage, customs, myths, etc… and at times, I totally lost interest… sorry to say. 😕

If this sounds like something you’d enjoy, please keep your eyes 👀 open for it! It has not been released yet! It is due out on 11/11/25!

3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️ for me!

Being as I did not love this one so much, I will limit my review to Goodreads and NetGalley.

Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker. Narrated nicely by John Pirhalla.

Thanks so much to @NetGalley and @MacmillanAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

You can find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine

Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!! 📚⭐️

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wild Instinct is a uniquely twisting police procedural, combined with a bit of historical fiction. The plot twists swirl from beginning to end, both in the murder investigation itself, and also in the lives of the two police detectives assigned to the case. Lew Gale and Daniela Mendez are sent to investigate a suspicious death and are assigned to continue the investigation when they discover that wealthy Bennet Tarlow was not killed by a mountain lion. T. Jefferson Parker has written a complex mystery with dual storylines that encompass the world of the wealthy Tarlow family, with the story of Detective Lew Gale, a former injured Marine sniper, who served in Afghanistan and is haunted by PTSD, and single mother Daniela who is haunted by her own past. The tragic history of the native American tribe of Acjachemen people that Lew Gale was descended from was intertwined within the story and was an integral and fascinating part of the book. It was an intriguing book with many layers that kept me guessing until the end. Thank you to the author, publisher and Netgalley for my advance copy. The opinions of this review are my own.

[Howard Davis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Having read and enjoyed several of Mr. Parker’s previous novels, I was looking forward to reading his latest endeavor. Boy, was I disappointed! After many uninteresting opening chapters about a mountain lion, the book ventured into many side issues— biker gangs, murder, buried crystals, property development and a lot about religion. I found all of this rather tedious and especially with writing such as “…intelligent looking hands” and “a slender, intelligent finger…” Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book but thank NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read it and certainly hope that Mr. Parker reverts to his prior writing style.

[NrsKelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to love this book with its setting and the inter-connectedness of the Native American culture. I just could not become invested in the police procedural aspect and kept losing the storyline. The characters didn’t stand out to me. Honestly, the narration was the best aspect for me. Not that you may not love this book. It was just an ok read for me and not one I would listen to again. So 3/5 stars.
I received an ALC of this title, all opinions are my own.

[Sheri · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Wild Instinct” by T. Jefferson Parker is a police procedural where a former marine sniper turned detective and his partner are investigating the killing of a wealthy developer presumably by a wild mountain lion. It takes place in the Santa Ana mountains of Orange County and brings to light a strong focus on the little known Acjacheme Indian tribe, and its heritage and folklore. Although this historical information is interesting, it takes about halfway into the book before the real mystery begins to unravel. I found the first half very slow but the second half picked up and did have a satisfying ending. I think this book will resonate with police procedural lovers, especially those who have interest in our Native American history.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

[Shannon Mabrito · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wild Instinct follows homicide detective Lew Gale. A former Marine sniper dealing with post-traumatic stress disorder, he finds himself on the job working the death of business mogul Bennett Tarlow the Third. At first believing his death to be accidental at the "hands" of a mountain lion in a wildness park, they later learn that Bennett had actually been shot in the head prior to getting his paws on Bennett's body. Working together with his new partner, single mother Daniela Mendez, the two begin working out the case. Simultaneously, we see Lew's struggles with his background as a Marine sniper, the love he has for his mother and his Native culture while Daniela deals with the aftermath of a major lie she told her son and herself for 19 years.

In the end, the homicide detectives are successful in learning the truth behind Tarlow's murder, while Daniela is able to let go of the past in the best way and Lew begins to wonder if there is life outside of his PTSD.

While I enjoyed the story overall, unfortunately, this novel just wasn't for me. Lew Gale is an amazingly complex character. I found Daniela to be annoying, and oftentimes, I wondered if the author himself did background on what it's like to be a police officer or detective in general. I am not in law enforcement in any way, but it seems odd that a detective would share important information regarding the case to civilians, something he does often in naming the suspect in the case. HIs connection with wildlife, especially the old mountain lion initially accused in the businessman's death is admirable, though this should be a given with his Native nature.

Ultimately, as I mentioned, this story just didn't hit for me. I felt like it droned on for much longer than was necessary. I do appreciate being given the opportunity to read this novel. It broadened my horizon and knowledge of a previously unknown Native culture to me and it was interesting to read about. But otherwise, that was the only thing enjoyable about the nature of the novel for me.

Thank you to Netgalley for the invitation to read this novel, T. Jefferson Parker and St. Martin's Publishing Group for an ARC of Wild Instinct. This opinions mentioned above are that of my own.

[OutlawPoet]

I didn't finish this one. It's a 'me' problem most likely. I just couldn't hack the present tense style. It just never smoothed out for me and made the read odd. I'm sure others love that style and will be able to enjoy.

[Jackie Sunday · Rating 4 out of 5]

T. Jefferson Parker skillfully weaves historical facts into this story.

The Juaneño Band of Mission Indians Acjachemen Nation in Southern California were highlighted with this murder mystery. Sadly, the indigenous group in Orange and San Diego counties was defeated by the Spaniards in the late 1700s. They took away their culture, language and spiritual beliefs.

This story profiles the Tarlow Family that benefitted in the 18th century from the Spanish rulers who granted them with 200,000 acres of this beautiful land – mountains, meadows and ocean front property. It made them very wealthy. However, in the beginning, Bennet Tarlow, III was murdered.

Detective Lew Gale (half Acjacheme, half Anglo) and his partner Daniela Mendez searched for all sorts of clues. The book contained a mix of romance, religious beliefs, stress from wars and a complex murder to solve. Daniela also had issues of being a single parent.

The detectives had to connect several pieces of information and there was a continuous flow of twists and turns from facts to fiction. However, there were a lot of characters to keep track of as the story progressed. The end was unexpected and everything seemed to be resolved. It deepened my understanding of the ancestral territory and how it has evolved.

My thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of November 11, 2025. This is my personal viewpoint.

[Kasa Cotugno · Rating 4 out of 5]

Compulsively readable thriller that respects the native culture of the Acjacheme Tribe which plays a big part in the action. Parker's experience as a reporter has afforded him the talent of writing punchy fiction, with a fine sense of character, place and most particularly, dialogue. I'm planning on looking up more of his work.

[Angel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishing company for an ARC for an honest review.
This was a good book with an interesting story line. Many characters that fall into place well and the narrating was well done.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

RTC

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will read anything Parker writes as he's one of my favorite authors and this one is both unusual and fascinating! Lew Gale is a detective in Orange County when Bennet Tarlow is discovered dead--possibly by a mountain lion who's been seen in Laguna Beach. But when he partners with Daniela Martinez, they discover there's much more to this murder than they suspected. There's a lot of cool history about the Acjacheme tribe and the past colliding with the present!
Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC!

[Leslie Basney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Without a doubt one of the very best Parker novels. He’s returned to Orange County after spending quite some time in the San Diego area and created a new detective duo that is dynamic. The location’s background and history are beautifully captured and presented. A gem. I hope this is the beginning of a series. Huge thanks to Edelweiss for the arc.

[Read All About It · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first book by this author and it was not at all what I expected. A fantastic murder mystery. Mix in the Indian culture and old school police work and you are in for a treat you won’t soon forget.

[Angie Boyter · Rating 4 out of 5]

4+
Gripping plot with well-developed characters in a beautiful setting and a well-done denouement

Wild Instinct has all the important factors that make up a good read! Most important, there is the gripping story of the death of a very influential and wealthy Orange County businessman. The characters are well portrayed; we see the investigators as dedicated professionals but also as real people dealing with issues like being a single parent to a son who seems to be getting involved with the wrong crowd or the aftereffects of military service as a Marine sniper . The natural setting provoked a LOT of highlighting in my electronic book copy; I was especially drawn in by the opening scene of animal sauntering. The cultural setting was very informative, too; I knew nothing about the Acjacheme people of Southern California and was interested to learn a bit about them. Another informative and enjoyable aspect was the well-done depiction of the investigative techniques. There was a lot going on in this book, and the denouement(s) tied them all up very well.
There were many interesting details that contributed to my enjoyment, like assistant investigator Knight, a burly German shepherd. I had only a few disappointments. At several points Gale enjoys relaxing with some reading from a book written in 1815 by an Acjacheme about the life of the people. I can certainly understand his interest in this, but at each point the author quotes several pages. The topic does not interest me that much, and the insertions broke up the main story line. I also found some of the behavior in the book a bit shocking and wondered why it was included.
Nonetheless, I will certainly be recommending this book to a number of my friends and hope I can look forward to reading about Gale’s next investigation.
I received an advance review copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher.

[Liv · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading Journal Details
Book: Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker
Format Read: Audiobook (10 hours, 14 minutes)
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)

Quick Take
An atmospheric mystery where the wilderness is as much a character as the people. Rich in depth, slower in tempo, and worth the trek.

Full Review
If survival of the fittest applied to readers, I'd have been taken out by page ten, probably while fumbling for bug spray... or running from mosquitos.

Wild Instinct isn't the kind of thriller that races you from one gunshot to the next. It's quieter, more deliberate, and far more interested in the terrain—both literal and human—that its story unfolds across.

The book begins with what looks like a mountain lion attack but quickly unfolds into a layered murder mystery. From there, the investigation stretches beyond crime scenes into questions of heritage, corruption, and survival. Parker allows the story to breathe, alternating between taut stretches of suspense and slower sections that linger on culture and landscape. The pace isn't breakneck, but it carries weight and authenticity.

What stood out most for me was Lew Gale. He's not a flashy protagonist, but a steady one. He's marked by trauma, informed by his Acjacheme roots, and compelling in the way he navigates each moment with quiet strength. His partner, Daniela Mendez, adds a different texture to the narrative, grounding the story further in the personal and the human.

The resolution comes together with more procedural neatness than explosive flair, but it avoids tripping into something too clean or unsatisfying. By the conclusion, I didn't feel like I'd just read a puzzle solved. I felt like I'd walked through a wilderness of motives, instincts, and choices with characters who lingered long after narrator's final line.

If my survival depended on instinct, I'd be one of the first in line for extinction. But at least I'd go out with a good audiobook in my ears.

Features & Vibes
🌄 California backcountry
🥨 Trail mix > survival skills
🕵️ Procedural backbone
💔 Trauma woven into character
🔥 Themes of corruption and greed
🎧 Audio that amplifies the mood

Advance Copy Provided By
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. I value the chance to engage with layered mysteries like this ahead of release.

[Pam Kovalic · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lew Gale is a detective with the Orange County Sheriff’s Department. He is a former marine sniper and suffers from PTSD after he returned from the war in Afghanistan. He is half Acjacheme Indian, a tribe not recognized by the federal government. A wealthy land developer is found dead, supposedly from a mountain lion attack. Gale is tasked with tracking down the mountain lion, but as he is doing so it is determined that the dead man was shot in the head before being mauled by the mountain lion. Now Gale and his partner Daniela Mendez must take on the murder case. The case gets interesting as the detectives find more and more out about the murdered developer and the area of land he was trying to develop. The detectives try to find out who would benefit from getting the developer out of the way, while also dealing with personal issues. The story started out a little slow to me but got more interesting as the investigation moved along. I had never heard of this Native American tribe so it was interesting to learn a bit about them. I give the book 3.5 stars which I’ll round up to 4.

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest review. The book will be published on November 11, 2025.

[Brad · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild Instinct by T. Jefferson Parker is a book that mixes the old and the new.

"Former Marine Sniper Lew Gale is now an Orange County Sherriff's deputy. He is sent to track and shoot a mountain lion that has killed a prominent developer, Bennet Tarlow. Before he finds the mountain lion, his new partner, Daniela Mendez, finds out that Tarlow was shot before the lion found him. They're sure he's not the last to die."

This seemed like a straightforward story. I thought I had it figured out. Blah, blah, blah - same old plot. But it's not - Parker leads you on until a big discovery by Gale sends the story in a different direction. I like that Gale reads a story that's tribal history that parallels in a way what's happening. You won't know until the end who is responsible for any of the crimes.
I was not familiar with the Indigenous tribe that's woven throughout this story.

John Pirhalla does a great job with the audio. I would have liked to see him try a Mountain Lion roar though.

Great story from Parker. Hope we get more Lew Gale stories.

[Jann Howell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lew Gale is a former Marine sniper, and now a sheriff's detective. It was believed that a mountain lion killed Bennett Tarlow the Third, a wealthy home builder, and Lew was sent to kill the lion. But before he could kill the lion (is this the right one?) the coroner called to say that there were 2 bullet holes in Tarlow's skull. Obviously Tarlow was killed and the lion dragged the corpse for dinner.

The story is indeed complex with several issues going on simultaneously. Lew has PTSD and Daniela (his partner in the sheriff's office) is a single parent, And there is the Native American viewpoint as well.

Personally I just felt there was too much going on - maybe leave out one of the issues to make the plot easier to follow - but then that's just my opinion and I'm not an author.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for permission to read this book.