WILD INSTINCT

T. JEFFERSON PARKER

T. Jefferson Parker is a writer that I rank with Michael Connelly, Lee Child, John Sanford, and Robert Crais. Wild Instinct starts as many of Parker's books do with a homicide, or I should say death, of a wealthy Orange County businessman. The characters are fleshed out in a way that makes them feel legitimate, and the investigators doing the work are also painted realistically. The investigative techniques are well drawn, and a person interested in becoming a private investigator could use some of these procedures as a springboard.

Jefferson Parker does have his detective reading from an obscure book about native Indians who populated Southern California in the 19th century. Bravo for those who enjoy that subject matter. This reviewer found it tedious.

Nonetheless, Wild Instinct is another winner written by an outstanding writer who has dramatically progressed from his origins to become one of the most well-respected and talented procedural writers in the field.