Wildman: A Nicole Beretti Thriller

by Luka T. Jacobs

He walks the gullies. He hunts day and night. He watches, he waits, then he takes.

On their toughest case yet, Special Agents Nicole Beretti and Noah Jacobi are sent overseas for the first time, to Echo Creek, a quiet Queensland town with a reputation that keeps to the shadows. For generations, locals have whispered about the Wildman, the Yowie said to stalk the scrub and watch the roads at dusk.

Now the whispers come with screams.

People are vanishing. Homes are hit after dark. Sightings multiply, and fear runs rampant. Some are skeptical the creature even exists, dismissing it as bush gossip and panic, but when seasoned hunters, bush trackers, and the local police fail to stop the attacks or bring back a body, the Australian Federal Police call in Beretti and Jacobi.

Working with the AFP, the agents step into a town bracing for nightfall. Something from the bush is stalking Echo Creek, cunning and relentless. It follows the gullies and selects victims unlucky enough to cross its path, day or night.

Cut off by distance, with a community on edge and a landscape that swallows evidence, they race to read the signs, anticipate the next strike, and stop the killing so Echo Creek can see dawn without counting the missing.

"Wildman" drags you into the scrub and refuses to let you look away.

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 12, 2025

About the author

Luka T. Jacobs is an author with a passion for cryptids, particularly Sasquatch and Dogman. Originally hailing from Sydney, Australia, Luka now calls the picturesque Illawarra region of New South Wales home, where she resides with her partner and their cheeky little dog, Finnigan.

With a deep love for animals and a keen sense of adventure, Luka's fascination with the mysteries of the natural world fuels her storytelling. Drawing from her background in Graphic Design and Art, she brings a unique visual flair to her writing.

As an avid traveller and explorer of the unknown, Luka continues to seek inspiration from the wild and untamed corners of the world, eager to share her imaginative worlds with readers everywhere.

Reviews

[Brittney]

I was hoping for a more dramatic ending but regardless, guilty pleasure book success.

[Leon Scheppink]

My scoring system
⭐ Don't quit your day job
⭐⭐ It was tough to finish
⭐⭐⭐ A solid read
⭐⭐⭐⭐ That was fun!
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I need more. If you don't give it, I'm going to kidnap you Misery-style, without shattering your ankles, of course.

"Wildman" is the next installment in the "Nicole Beretti"-series. I absolutely love all the books Luka T. Jacobs has published. That goes for the standalone novels (with or without sequels) but I definitely have a soft spot for this series. The characters have always been likeable and not over the top, very grounded, but they've also experienced a natural growth throughout the series.

In this novel, Beretti and Jacobi go down under to investigate Sasquatch' cousin with a weird accent (just kidding 😉), the Yowie. Make that a Yowie with some serious issues.

What amazes me throughout all the novels, is that Jacobs manages to credibly describe the scenery and surroundings, even though she doesn't live in the US. In this novel, we visit Jacobs' native lands in a fascinating 'outback' experience, full of suspension, dread (some scenes were particularly creepy), brutality and a dash of dry humour (looking at you, Jacobi). Also, to whatever reason - and although it hardly fits the description - I envisioned the character of Cecil as Vernon Wells, back in his "Commando" days (aka Freddie Mercury on steroids).

In all seriousness, this really is yet another fantastic read in a fantastic series. Luka T. Jacobs, may your inspiration never end!

[Emily Haynes]

Wild

Beretti and Jacobi are sent to Australia to help with a Yowie problem. This creature is very smart, extremely fast, and kills for fun. Can the duo stop the creature before more people disappear?

[Wayne Pickrell]

Beretti & Jacobi go to the land down under.

Luka does it again, Wildman is action-packed, exciting, and fun to read. Beretti & Jacobi are on the trail of a Yowie this time in Australia. You don't want to miss this confrontation.

[Wayne Murphy]

I have one problem with this series

So far I have read up until this book in the series and I've noticed a trend here and it's how the books
end. When Nicole and Jacobi are about to face said cryptic at the end its just BOOM done and over no tension build up no fear just a Mary Sue always doing what she does and fast through the eye and through the neck and the cryptid dies. After all that build up it just absolutely has no tension because its over so fast which is why I took a star off. I am worried the rest of the series is going to have the same endings which is kinda sad because these cryptids are so powerful in real life and intelligent one would think expiring so easily wouldn't happen especially if the can really read.our thoughts and smell a gun. All that said wonderful stories though and I do look forward to to finishing the series I just don't expect much from the endings it reminds me of Laurell K Hamilton and how she ends her books quick and done but Luka can write circles around that author with both hands tied behind her back!

[Amanda Patrick]

Love the Cryptid adventures of Beretti and Jacobi!
Her books have quickly become some of my favorites.
I enjoyed this book, but it did feel different compared to her other books in the series.
There were more spelling errors, a name switched by accident during an interview, and quotation marks in the wrong places.
The writing felt more formal or stiff because contractions were rarely used. It just felt off compared to the others. Beretti and Jacobi's interactions didn't feel like the other books. Just needs a little more editing, in my opinion. Just for a better flow, but I'm not an author!
Don't get me wrong, this is still a good story! I'm a HUGE fan of Luka's work. I look forward to reading more! It takes a tremendous amount of work to bring these stories to life! Thank you for bringing us on these adventures!

[Keith Putnam]

Short and Sweet

Shorter than I prefer, but I’ve been following and reading these characters long enough that it’s like the next scene in a larger movie. The change in location was nice. I’ve always wanted to visit Australia. Reason for the 4 stars instead of the usual 5 was just due to lack of character depth of the creature. The explanation of no explanation was a nice touch to attach to it, but it just felt out of place. And I hate snakes haha. I actually had to google the snake in question and was more terrified of it than the creature in the story. But over all a nice addition to the works.

[Ken Grimes]

Well written series, as well as good character interaction.

I really like the characters and the close interaction between them. These two make excellent partners with complete trust between them. The last book was interesting with local slang and customs we do not hear much about in the States. As always in all of her books, we get an interesting look at the creatures of folk lore and their characteristics. Please keep writing and include these two partners, I look forward to their future adventures and creatures they encounter.

[Albie Escorcio]

Beretti & Jacobi..change of venue

These books are great escapism, tinged with the life of what could possibly be part of an unseen world within our world. This time, Beretti & Jacobi are in Australia, allowing the author to draw from her own experiences.

Having read all of the Nicole Beretti thrillers, I find myself getting more immersed in this world, also becoming more comfortable with the characters.

Fast-paced & thoroughly enjoyable

[Steven Hall]

A great fast-paced cryptid thriller

Really enjoyed this one. Wildman is fast paced, entertaining and kept my interest from beginning to end. Nicole Beretti continues to be a great central character, and Luka T. Jacobs does a very good job mixing investigation, suspense and cryptid action without letting the story drag. If you enjoy cryptid stories and thrillers with plenty happening, I definitely recommend it. One of the best I've read in the series so far.

[Norm S]

5 Stars

Beretti and Jacoby head to Australia to try to track a Yowie (the Australian Bigfoot) it has already been responsible for deaths and disappearances. I've enjoyed all Luka T. Jacobs books.

[Bob]

Into The Fire Once Again

Another tale of Cryptids. Once again Beretta and Jacobi are up to the task, but not without incident. This foray takes them to Australia so of course there is new cuisine to sample.

[DELIA SHEPPARD]

Good

What can I say, I like reading books about big foot, dog man,and all the scary monsters out there.keep them coming.

[randy kranjec]

Fun read

If you're a fan of bigfoot, this book is an easy read and entertaining. I'm a fan of the author and enjoy reading her works on bigfoot.

[Pamela Davis]

Awesome

Miss Jacobs sounds a tale so riveting, you have to read it all in one day. The Yowie of Australia is maybe more terrifying than Bigfoot. Definitely read this book.

[Jill Forker]

I absolutely love this beretti series. I hope they keep coming!

[Don Wilson]

Very cool

Thought it was a great add to the Beretti books but not as scary as the Dogmen are. Can’t wait till the next one comes out.

[Claudia A.]

Good Story

I liked the change in place some of the Australian slang was hard to get used to. Good characters story was a little too short for my liking.

[Brad Theado]

This is my first low rating for this series. The book was confusing. Action scenes were disjointed. The ending was absolute shit.