THE THUNDER HEAD

Charles Leggett engagingly narrates this Oregon Western set in the 1970s, when ranchers are opposing developers. As Leggett's feisty Sheriff Pudge begins cancer treatments, he enlists the assistance of Wildlife Ranger Nick Drake. When a surveyor is found savagely killed, everyone hopes the death was caused by an animal, not a human. The story is absorbing as Pudge and Nick examine the surroundings for clues and question residents. November, an elderly Native American, adds her astute observations. Leggett's descriptions of the majestic landscape, animals, birds, and stars are irresistibly presented. The most notable characters are precise, wheelchair-bound Officer Orville, who's faster and brighter than his computer, and cowboy KT with her memorable twang, personality, and distinctive vocabulary. Audio captures the richly drawn characters and setting. S.G.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2025, Portland, Maine [Published: AUGUST 2025]