The Wild Inside

A Novel of Suspense

By: Christine Carbo

Narrated by: R.C. Bray

Length: 13 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's summary

For fans of Louise Penny, C. J. Box, and Nevada Barr comes a haunting crime novel set in Glacier National Park, where one man finds himself on a collision course with the dark heart of the wild and the even darker heart of human nature.

It was a clear, starry night in Glacier National Park. Fourteen-year-old Ted Systead and his father were camping peacefully beneath the rugged peaks and sweeping sky when the unimaginable happened: Ted's father was mauled by a grizzly bear and dragged to his death.

Now, 20 years later, as a special agent for the Department of the Interior, Ted is called back to investigate a crime that echoes the horror of that night. Only this time the victim was tied to a tree before the animal's attack. Ted teams up with one of the park officers - a man named Monty, whose pleasant exterior masks an all-too-vivid knowledge of the area. Residents of the nearby community are less than forthcoming. Suspicious of outsiders and intimately connected to the wilderness that surrounds them, they confront their fellow man and nature with equal measures of reverence and brutality. As the days pass with no clear answers, not only is human life at stake but so too is that of a majestic creature who carries with it valuable evidence. Ted's search for truth takes him far into the wilderness, on the trail of a killer, and eventually to a shocking and unexpectedly personal conclusion.

Rich in atmosphere and evocative, lush descriptions, The Wild Inside is a gripping debut novel about the wondrously perilous intersection between man and nature.

©2015 Christine Carbo (P)2015 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

A compelling 5 star listening experience!

This was a book I couldn't put down. I stayed up late at night listening because I was too drawn in to stop - and it kept me awake with the haunting intensity of the story and the voice of the narrator. Although other reviews compare this book to Mysteries by C.J. Box and Nevada Barr I would say it's better. I hope there will be more to follow - a great character has been introduced in this book. Highly recommended!

Doesn't compare to Louise Penny or CJ Box!

Would you try another book from Christine Carbo and/or R. C. Bray?

No. Couldn't get into this one, wouldn't listen for days at a time, and then would try again. Never got past chapter 5. I will return and try something else.

How could the performance have been better?

Didn't like reader's voice and just found the presentation boring and not at all exciting or engaging.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

No.

3.5 Mixed Feelings

A substantial part of this crime novel involves looking for grizzly poop. Not just any old bear poop, mind you, but poop from a reluctant murder witness. It's what happens when you're investigating a murder in the wilderness. I like bears and the wilderness (from a safe distance at least) so this was a treat for me. It's slow going and the suspense wasn't exactly killing me, but there were some chilling moments (involving grizzlies), some nice nature writing and a sympathetic main character. Think I'll try Carbo's next novel, also set in Glacier National Park

The book also suffers a little from first book syndrome - too long, too much exposition, too many characters, too many social issues (touched on but not developed), too lacking in narrative momentum.

R. C. Bray was very good with the delivery of the story

Okay, but slow going

This book never quite captured my interest in the way I had hoped. The pace felt very slow and I never quite got invested in any of the characters. That being said, I did continue listening in order to find out the resolution of the story. When I finally did reach the end, I was a bit disappointed and thought the ending (particularly the resolution of the murder mystery ) was pretty flimsy and lame.
RC Bray has a flat and monotone delivery style. If you've never listened to his narration before, be sure to listen to the sample first to make sure you can tolerate it.
Just a note, there were a couple of descriptions of animal cruelty in this book that I found very disturbing. Had I known they were in the book I would not have purchased it.

Great book!

I really enjoyed this book as I lived in Great Fall for a whole and went to Glacier Park often. I had listened to the 2nd book before this one and I enjoyed that one even more. I didn't like how Montey was portrayed in this one.. He almost seemed wimpy. Books books really are terrific wished they hadn't ended. I eagerly await for more to come out from this author and as always I absolutely love RC Bray. The very first time I'd heard him read, I'd thought he was a little too monotone but he is absolutely not. His voice is soothing as not not bother my sensitivity to sound but also does not put me to sleep.

Something new for me

I normally listen to high fantasy or horror. Gave this a try because why not. I enjoyed the writing style and the narration. Overall I liked it. Not my normal cup of tea, just well made in my opinion.

Found' Stop Listening

I loved the storytelling and the mystery. As much as I tried to guess who "did the deed", I couldn't.
I really enjoyed all the information about the life of a Grizzly, the Park and its governance.
But, the best was the reader. This is the best reader I have ever had make the story come to life with his amazing delivery! Thank you!

Really enjoyed the story and the narration.

I really enjoyed this story. Surprisingly good story. Really kept my interest. Good narration as well.

I dug it

Basically a law and order episode but in book form. Which is OK for me since I happen to like law and order. Thought the story overall was pretty good. Not the best ever but certainly far from the worst. A little slow, basically following the main character on his job of investigating and interviewing suspects is pretty much the gist of the entire book.

Interesting crime and some relatable believeable characters. Overall, not a bad way to spend a little time.

enjoyable but not a favorite

I found this book interesting for the most part, but was easily distracted at times; the story did not hold my attention like other mysteries I've enjoyed lately. Narrator did a great job and has a very soothing voice. Story was somewhat unpredictable, but that could be because the author's "clues" were so heavily veiled, presumably to keep you guessing.