Predatory Instinct

A Thriller

By: Michael McBride

Narrated by: Scott Thomas

Length: 8 hrs and 57 mins

Publisher's summary

The fossilized remains of a previously unclassified hominin species are discovered in the Altai Mountains, prompting teams of scientists from around the globe to converge upon this isolated region of Siberia in search of further evidence to corroborate the revolutionary theory that a third protohuman ancestor coexisted with Neanderthals and primitive Homo sapiens.

What awaits them is anything but extinct.

FBI Special Agent Grey Porter leads the investigation into the mysterious circumstances surrounding the appearance of a factory trawler of Russian origin off of the Washington Coast. He finds 12 bodies, all of them exsanguinated through ferocious bite wounds on their necks. According to the manifest, there should have been only 11.

Whatever killed them is no longer onboard.

Elena Sturm of the Seattle PD is assigned to patrol the waterfront renovation project on Salmon Bay. While rousting the homeless from the underground warrens of the massive construction site, she stumbles upon the corpse of a man whose wounds are identical to those of the victims aboard the ghost ship. Something has cut a bloody swath across the Pacific.

©2012 Michael McBride (P)2015 Michael McBride

Aliens? No. Scarier!

Would you listen to Predatory Instinct again? Why?

First I'll say I don't listen to any police type books but I had this in my wish list for a while because the premise seemed so fresh. And yes, I would listen again because it was a little difficult to keep up with all the characters and groups in the beginning. I love being able to stretch my horizons with offers of free read for review.

What did you like best about this story?

The 'monster' was so well thought out! It reminded (in a good way) of Aliens. The narrator did a decent job considering all the different voices. The entire book was so fast paced. I really think it would make a great movie, creepy and uber bloody :-).

Which character – as performed by Scott Thomas – was your favorite?

FBI Agent Grey Porter was was funny, wisecracking and conceited, so he of course must be my favorite!

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

After the first attack, the survivors regroup and start realizing the special abilities the monster has. It was very interesting because it starts you thinking about our evolution and theirs.

Good Grief!

Decent story. But the female police officer drove me nuts! Always over the top emotional! Amazing she passed her psych review! To join the force let alone to get into the police a academy!
If it were a movie she & the defense contractor would be chewing the scenery as they say.
She ruined what was a decent story!

Couldn't Put It Down

Any additional comments?

I started this book one afternoon and finished it the following day. I couldn't stop listening!

I'm much more into sci-fi. So this book was just enough "weird" to keep me interested.

The narrator did a fine job. There were no editing problems that I can recall.

There were just a few little things that bothered me, but didn't detract from the 5 stars. In the beginning, there was a guy that got scratched and he became very ill. I was expecting him to turn into something or at least die. He was extremely sick, which was caused by the scratch. (At least I'm remembering it as a scratch. I don't think it was a bite.) Later on, the lead female character gets scratched, pretty severely and nothing happens. There's more time spent on describing the scratches, the talons going into her flesh like fish hooks, skin parting, talons gripping, hands curling, etc. Nothing else is mentioned. She doesn't get sick or even a band-aid. The following day, after a night's sleep, she's up and getting dressed up for a formal dance/mayor's shin-dig thing. Slices like that should have at least gotten some stitches. And now that I'm finished, I look at the book cover. I can see how they tried to make this look like one of them, but what about the teeth?

To sum it up, I highly enjoyed the book and give it 5 stars!

This audiobook was provided by the author, narrator, or publisher at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of AudiobookBlast dot com.

Qbee

I enjoyed the book and the narration was good but this may be a spoiler, they could of took her home.

Better Than Average, Less Than Very Good

This is one of those books that show a need for half stars in the rating system... I feel like 3.5 mor appropriate than 4... Maybe as good as a 4 w/ better narration/production quality... Gunwale is pronounced "gunnel" not "gun whale"... Beyond that the story was a fairly entertaining one, even if it took a bit long to get its legs... Once it did wound up being an entertaining read... I enjoyed the revelatory moments when the protagonists started putting the pieces together... Nice playing of the monstrous in human guise to go along w/ the monster w/ a heart, even if that heart was a bit bloodthirsty... Common trope I know, but was done well and compassionately in this instant... A pretty decent thriller... Think poor man's Preston/child or James Rollins... Not as good, but enjoyable in its own right...

High Tension Thriller Brings the Wild Home

Where does Predatory Instinct rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

It would be top 5, but I think I have ~10 books in my top 5, so there's a bunch of ties up there.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Predatory Instinct?

When the creature is released and we get another example of how intelligent the creatures are and how much malice they could have.

Which scene was your favorite?

I enjoyed the whirlwind of activity that happened when the rescue crew ascends to the cave.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Bringing the terror home.

Any additional comments?

I received this audiobook for free in exchange for an honest review. It was awesome, and I highly recommend it.

Predatory Instinct

Scott Thomas does a nice job narrating this thriller.In the bowels of the city,where the homeless have lived for decades,a missing link on our evolutionary chain exists.It came by way of boat and blood.First discovered around the country as a fossil,we are brought into the story by a father in search of a son.His search continues for answers and he will stop at nothing to use this new 'weapon' to make money and fame.An fbi agent and a cop are also looking for answers.A bit incredulous at times but a good read.This audiobook was provided to me at no cost for a fair and honest review

Relic in Seattle

It felt like a revamp of Relic by Preston & Child. This is pretty much the same concept. It was still a good listen.

Average Procedural Crime Thriller

This is an ok story about greed, revenge and hubris inadvertently resulting in a member of a previously unknown type of predatory hominid being tragically released in (and terrorizing) modern day Seattle.

My main criticism of this book's characters are they are somewhat flat and their motivations and actions are inconsistent - which makes it hard ro relat

A perfect read or listen, so close to real life

This smacks of the corruption in government, private sector, education, grant monies and elite lawlessness..