WILD INSTINCT

John Pirhalla deftly embodies the former Marine sniper Lew Gale, now an Orange County, California, Sheriff's Department detective, who is called to find a mountain lion that has killed a man. With experience as a tracker, he sets out to kill it. Then Gale discovers that the victim, Bennet Tarlow, a real estate-developer, was actually murdered. Gale and his new homicide detective partner, Daniela Mendez, initiate an investigation into what happened to Tarlow--and who might have wanted him dead. Pirhalla's interpretation of Gale's personality enables listeners to imagine him as a fully-fledged character. His deliberately stoic narration is neither flashy nor overly exaggerated, which is perfect for Parker's suspenseful thriller. Pirhalla's performance takes listeners on an intense ride. [Published: JANUARY 2026]