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Predatory Instinct: A Thriller
#1 BESTSELLING AUTHOR
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 proto-human 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 twelve bodies, all of them exsanguinated through ferocious bite wounds on their necks. According to the manifest, there should have only been eleven.
Whatever killed them is no longer on board.
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.
And it's already here.
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 proto-human 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 twelve bodies, all of them exsanguinated through ferocious bite wounds on their necks. According to the manifest, there should have only been eleven.
Whatever killed them is no longer on board.
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.
And it's already here.
302 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
297 people are currently reading
321 people want to read
About the author
Michael McBride
124 books477 followersMichael McBride was born in Colorado and still resides in the shadow of the Rocky Mountains. He hates the snow, but loves the Avalanche. He works with medical radiation, yet somehow managed to produce five children, none of whom, miraculously, have tails, third eyes, or other random mutations. He writes fiction that runs the gamut from thriller to horror to science fiction...and loves every minute of it.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 69 reviews
February 2, 2019
Happy Reader!
This book is so good! Michael McBride is such a creative and highly imaginative writer that I look forward to reading everything he has written.
I love when I come into a book blind without any preconceived ideas about a story and get to relish my own thoughts and feelings about the story that I am reading.
This book is creepy, scary, intense, gory, sad and full of moments of horror surprises. A great creature feature book about a different and unusual predator not your cookie cutter variety.
I don't want to give anything away about this clever book, so please read if you enjoy any type of horror style. This book is so well-written and I just loved it!
I highly recommend this book and have given a rating of 4 1/2 Predatory 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!!
This book is so good! Michael McBride is such a creative and highly imaginative writer that I look forward to reading everything he has written.
I love when I come into a book blind without any preconceived ideas about a story and get to relish my own thoughts and feelings about the story that I am reading.
This book is creepy, scary, intense, gory, sad and full of moments of horror surprises. A great creature feature book about a different and unusual predator not your cookie cutter variety.
I don't want to give anything away about this clever book, so please read if you enjoy any type of horror style. This book is so well-written and I just loved it!
I highly recommend this book and have given a rating of 4 1/2 Predatory 🌟🌟🌟🌟⭐ stars!!
June 25, 2015
4.5 stars, rounded up.
Predatory Instinct is an incredible thriller novel with horror elements. One thing that I love about anything I read from Michael McBride is that he does his research. No matter what story he's telling, it's written with such authenticity that wether you're dealing with boats, the FBI, or a group of scientists, everything you read rings completely true.
Then, he adds his own creative touch--bringing the story up to an all-new, original tale that makes even the most fantastic elements seem plausible!
In PI, we have an "unidentified" form of human--the ultimate predator--that nobody has ever seen before. While parts of this new species reminded me of a certain supernatural creature, there are so many other technicalities explained that make this purely McBride's own creation. The book has non-stop action, enough gore and death to keep hardcore horror fans entertained, and characters that elicit an emotional response from the reader. This book doesn't pause mid-way and morph into something else. The story is fantastically streamlined and flows from beginning to end.
I can honestly say that I have yet to read a book by this author that hasn't impressed me with his attention to details, consistency, and originality of ideas. Yet another book that I will have to search out a physical copy to add to my shelves....
Highly recommended!
Predatory Instinct is an incredible thriller novel with horror elements. One thing that I love about anything I read from Michael McBride is that he does his research. No matter what story he's telling, it's written with such authenticity that wether you're dealing with boats, the FBI, or a group of scientists, everything you read rings completely true.
Then, he adds his own creative touch--bringing the story up to an all-new, original tale that makes even the most fantastic elements seem plausible!
In PI, we have an "unidentified" form of human--the ultimate predator--that nobody has ever seen before. While parts of this new species reminded me of a certain supernatural creature, there are so many other technicalities explained that make this purely McBride's own creation. The book has non-stop action, enough gore and death to keep hardcore horror fans entertained, and characters that elicit an emotional response from the reader. This book doesn't pause mid-way and morph into something else. The story is fantastically streamlined and flows from beginning to end.
I can honestly say that I have yet to read a book by this author that hasn't impressed me with his attention to details, consistency, and originality of ideas. Yet another book that I will have to search out a physical copy to add to my shelves....
Highly recommended!
August 11, 2016
*Review for audio book version*
The narrator, Scott Thomas, did a fantastic job with this one and had the perfect voice for this kind of tale. His tone and cadence were spot on and he flawlessly moved the storyline along without overacting even though it may have been quite easy to do during parts of this one.
I am a big fan of Michael McBride. The dude can write a hell of a story. He always has the perfect mix of medical science, thrills and horror, without making you feel stupid or lost in all of the terminology. This one is no exception. I’ll save you my synopsis and just tell you that PI is a quick and entertaining listen (read) with plenty of action and blood. Classic McBride. Recommended 4+Stars!
"This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
The narrator, Scott Thomas, did a fantastic job with this one and had the perfect voice for this kind of tale. His tone and cadence were spot on and he flawlessly moved the storyline along without overacting even though it may have been quite easy to do during parts of this one.
I am a big fan of Michael McBride. The dude can write a hell of a story. He always has the perfect mix of medical science, thrills and horror, without making you feel stupid or lost in all of the terminology. This one is no exception. I’ll save you my synopsis and just tell you that PI is a quick and entertaining listen (read) with plenty of action and blood. Classic McBride. Recommended 4+Stars!
"This audiobook was provided by the narrator at no cost in exchange for an unbiased review courtesy of Audiobook Blast."
July 24, 2015
This was a fun story. Fast paced. Didn't make me think too hard. A Friday night horror movie rental in audio format. It just kept me smiling as I anticipated the next chapter.
This is my second book from this author, the first being Snowblind, which I enjoyed just as much. I read the first one and listened to the audio on this one. I can't say I prefer one medium over the other with this author. The narrator did a fantastic job. Sometimes an imperfect narrator can pull me out of the story but that was not the case here. I'd listen to this again if I didn't have other McBride books waiting.
I received a complimentary copy from AudioBook Blast in exchange for an honest review.
This is my second book from this author, the first being Snowblind, which I enjoyed just as much. I read the first one and listened to the audio on this one. I can't say I prefer one medium over the other with this author. The narrator did a fantastic job. Sometimes an imperfect narrator can pull me out of the story but that was not the case here. I'd listen to this again if I didn't have other McBride books waiting.
I received a complimentary copy from AudioBook Blast in exchange for an honest review.
August 15, 2021
Interesting take on a proto-vampire.
Two and a half stars.
You know how sometimes, you get to the end of a book and wish there was more? Well with Predatory Instinct, I wished there was less. About 50 pages less at least.
Here's how the plot goes. Start: Mild interest..slightly more interest...action, blood, gore, interesting creatures, harsh words, sucking sounds, typos, grammar errors (more harsh words – but from me this time). Middle: Interest waning, seasickness, typos, dropping-of-Kindle sounds (from when I fell asleep), more harsh words...from me again. Ending: rising interest, blood, gore, LOTS of gore, watering eyes, smelly smells, feelings of claustrophobia, almost-sex, creatures that turn out to be even more interesting, explosions, screaming, typos, anger, boring bits, more harsh words from utter disbelief (you guessed it – me again) then...typical creature-feature ending.
Michael McBride has created an original version of a vampire with some pseudoscience to back it up, and that creature created genuine moments of horror. Also, he is capable of writing genuinely good prose and bless him for tying up almost all the loose ends at the finish. But for someone who has written award-winning books, why so many typos? And then there's the “ridiculous” factor - we're supposed to believe that a man who was just recently crushed by collapsing rubble and had broken ribs, was near death and could barely stand up, could then lay and set enough C4 charges to demolish a huge collapsed concrete building (doing it all by himself in the dark in one night). But wait, there's more – he then had enough energy to scale a brick chimney while carrying an M24 sniper rifle and ammo and detonators! C'mon.
Sigh. It had such potential.
Two and a half stars.
You know how sometimes, you get to the end of a book and wish there was more? Well with Predatory Instinct, I wished there was less. About 50 pages less at least.
Here's how the plot goes. Start: Mild interest..slightly more interest...action, blood, gore, interesting creatures, harsh words, sucking sounds, typos, grammar errors (more harsh words – but from me this time). Middle: Interest waning, seasickness, typos, dropping-of-Kindle sounds (from when I fell asleep), more harsh words...from me again. Ending: rising interest, blood, gore, LOTS of gore, watering eyes, smelly smells, feelings of claustrophobia, almost-sex, creatures that turn out to be even more interesting, explosions, screaming, typos, anger, boring bits, more harsh words from utter disbelief (you guessed it – me again) then...typical creature-feature ending.
Michael McBride has created an original version of a vampire with some pseudoscience to back it up, and that creature created genuine moments of horror. Also, he is capable of writing genuinely good prose and bless him for tying up almost all the loose ends at the finish. But for someone who has written award-winning books, why so many typos? And then there's the “ridiculous” factor - we're supposed to believe that a man who was just recently crushed by collapsing rubble and had broken ribs, was near death and could barely stand up, could then lay and set enough C4 charges to demolish a huge collapsed concrete building (doing it all by himself in the dark in one night). But wait, there's more – he then had enough energy to scale a brick chimney while carrying an M24 sniper rifle and ammo and detonators! C'mon.
Sigh. It had such potential.
July 29, 2015
I was given a copy of this audiobook by Audiobookblast in exchange for an honest review.
McBride's Predatory Instict was well written, filled of thrills, and written with believable characters detailed with depth. I can really appreciate the pain staking detail that McBride puts into his books. As far as thrillers go, Predatory Insticnt was top notch. Everyone seemed to have their own agenda for this newly discovered species. And of course, that new found species has an agenda of its own. This novel was pretty beautifully paced and easy to follow, even given the plethora of characters. Thrillers really aren't my thing, but I stuck with this solely because it was McBride and I was rewarded for my efforts.
February 17, 2015
Predatory Instinct by Michael McBride begins in the Siberian wilderness, where in a recently uncovered cave a group of archaeologists find previously undiscovered humanoid remains and a unidentified human like creature still alive. However the scientists are brutally butchered.
Forward to the American Northwest where 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 twelve bodies; all of them slaughtered through ferocious bite wounds on their necks. According to the manifest, there should have only been eleven.
The creature escapes to Seattle and a variety of agencies, including the Seattle Police Department, FBI and Department of Defense become aware of it. The situation grows from a power struggle over the creature into a bloody battle between the various powers that wish to take command of the situation.
From my point of view the book is more of a thriller than a horror novel in the vein of Michael Crichton, the book is taut and proceeds at a relentless pace and is quite the page turner.
This edition of the book is a PC copy of 150 signed and numbered editions.
Forward to the American Northwest where 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 twelve bodies; all of them slaughtered through ferocious bite wounds on their necks. According to the manifest, there should have only been eleven.
The creature escapes to Seattle and a variety of agencies, including the Seattle Police Department, FBI and Department of Defense become aware of it. The situation grows from a power struggle over the creature into a bloody battle between the various powers that wish to take command of the situation.
From my point of view the book is more of a thriller than a horror novel in the vein of Michael Crichton, the book is taut and proceeds at a relentless pace and is quite the page turner.
This edition of the book is a PC copy of 150 signed and numbered editions.
March 28, 2024
2.5 The incredible mediocrity of competence. This action/horror/thriller doesn't have any action except for a couple of moments, and it doesn't have any horror except for a few scenes. And does it thrill? Well, maybe, if you've got nothing else going on. It could just as easily have been a B-movie script or a TV two-parter, X-Files meets The Strain; on a budget. A derelict ocean vessel is found with a bunch of dead bodies, there's a little girl vampire on the loose, and the FBI has to find and eliminate the monster before a major event. There's an inexplicably disturbing murder scene that comes out of nowhere and a not-insubstantial amount of vampire imagery, it's technically a horror novel but on the whole, very made-for-cable vibes. This is my third McBride book after Sunblind and Chimera, I liked the other two more but there's been a good variety of monsters and I would read more because I know he can hit given the right circumstances but this one's pretty corny. This book was provided in exchange for an honest review, here you go!
June 28, 2015
Predatory Instinct has been added to my list all all-time favorites from Mr. McBride; just don't ask me what order they go in. Michael McBride has a way of not only drawing you into a story but also of making the story real - personal - and Predatory Instinct is no exception to this. Reminiscent of Relic, the first book in the Preston/Child Pendergast series, Predatory Instinct is more suspense/thriller than horror and excellently executed.
A new hominin species is discovered in Siberia. A seemingly abandoned ship is found with the entire crew brutally murdered on Seattle's coastline. It's soon apparent that the homeless aren't the only ones living underground below Seattle's old and soon-to-be renovated waterfront as the killing continues.
I hated putting this book down and I hated when it ended. Vicious and heartbreaking, Predatory Instinct blurs the line between our perception of good and bad and is one that will make you question who the monster really is.
A new hominin species is discovered in Siberia. A seemingly abandoned ship is found with the entire crew brutally murdered on Seattle's coastline. It's soon apparent that the homeless aren't the only ones living underground below Seattle's old and soon-to-be renovated waterfront as the killing continues.
I hated putting this book down and I hated when it ended. Vicious and heartbreaking, Predatory Instinct blurs the line between our perception of good and bad and is one that will make you question who the monster really is.
April 15, 2022
Thought the book was really good . Different ending than i expected.
May 16, 2024
Nice idea & storytelling, but I think it felt kind of long for what it offers.
December 6, 2011
Back in October I was looking for some lesser known horror to read when I stumbled upon Michael McBride’s Predatory Instinct. The premise: scientists discover a heretofore unknown “proto-human ancestor” that is not-so-extinct. Said discovery is captured by a power-hungry head of a Blackwater like mercenary company but of course things go wrong and the creature escapes to the streets of Seattle where it is up to Elena Sturm of the Seattle PD and Grey Porter of the FBI to track the creature down. What ensues is a by-the-numbers creature novel that shows brief flairs of originality but never manages to rise above its cookie-cutter characters.
It is worth noting that Predatory Instinct is a vampire novel of sorts. It is not a vampire novel in the traditional sense but a vampire novel none-the-less. McBride deserves credit for inventing a fascinating creature whose biological and physiological make-up is one of the more fascinating and original takes on vampires that I’ve seen in a while. The word vampire is never even mentioned but the link is there and the subtle nod to that genre is well-done.
The thing with monster/slasher based horror is that in order for the premise to really work you need to employ one of several methods. In some of the best horror media we care about our characters/victims: viewers are invested in Laurie’s survival in Halloween just as we are right behind Chief Brody in his quest to make the beach a safer place for tourists and family alike. In other horror we sympathize with the monster like in Frankenstein or, though not quite horror, understand (and root for) the serial killer Dexter Morgan. Unfortunately Predatory Instinct really doesn’t take either of these methods. While late in the novel there is an attempt made to cast the creature into a sympathetic light it feels like too little too late. While it is easy to loath General Spears he feels like a caricature more than a real human being and our protagonists Sturm and Porter never rise above their cliched portrayal. Sturm comes closest to feeling like a real person but the novel is split too evenly between Spears, Porter and Sturm for readers to ever really latch on to her as an individual.
With ineffectual characters and a predictable plot I found Predatory Instinct a difficult novel to finish. There are some flairs of creativity and originality across the novel but by and large I’d advise steering clear. McBride walks the thriller/horror line a bit too closely for my taste and the atmosphere and dread of a horror novel are jettisoned in favor of a more rapid fire and, to my tastes, antiseptic approach to horror. Even so the action tends to fall flat and the heroes remain unconvincing. Predatory Instinct is a flat out disappointing read.
It is worth noting that Predatory Instinct is a vampire novel of sorts. It is not a vampire novel in the traditional sense but a vampire novel none-the-less. McBride deserves credit for inventing a fascinating creature whose biological and physiological make-up is one of the more fascinating and original takes on vampires that I’ve seen in a while. The word vampire is never even mentioned but the link is there and the subtle nod to that genre is well-done.
The thing with monster/slasher based horror is that in order for the premise to really work you need to employ one of several methods. In some of the best horror media we care about our characters/victims: viewers are invested in Laurie’s survival in Halloween just as we are right behind Chief Brody in his quest to make the beach a safer place for tourists and family alike. In other horror we sympathize with the monster like in Frankenstein or, though not quite horror, understand (and root for) the serial killer Dexter Morgan. Unfortunately Predatory Instinct really doesn’t take either of these methods. While late in the novel there is an attempt made to cast the creature into a sympathetic light it feels like too little too late. While it is easy to loath General Spears he feels like a caricature more than a real human being and our protagonists Sturm and Porter never rise above their cliched portrayal. Sturm comes closest to feeling like a real person but the novel is split too evenly between Spears, Porter and Sturm for readers to ever really latch on to her as an individual.
With ineffectual characters and a predictable plot I found Predatory Instinct a difficult novel to finish. There are some flairs of creativity and originality across the novel but by and large I’d advise steering clear. McBride walks the thriller/horror line a bit too closely for my taste and the atmosphere and dread of a horror novel are jettisoned in favor of a more rapid fire and, to my tastes, antiseptic approach to horror. Even so the action tends to fall flat and the heroes remain unconvincing. Predatory Instinct is a flat out disappointing read.
June 4, 2022
What the heck did I just read? I was hoping for a dumb and fun sci-fi romp. While this read was certainly dumb it was severely lacking in the fun department.
Story was fine, monster is captured and taken back to civilization, monster escapes and carnage ensues.
The main characters Sturm and Porter were nearly too dumb to function. The bad guy, Spears, also never formed a coherent thought in his head. I nearly clocked out at 80% after the bad guy murdered one of his own people and used field antiseptics to burn her body and make her look like the monster which somehow fools her friends and a a skilled scientist. (Not even going to mention the misogyny that follows right before her death.) The amount of disbelief was too much for even me to ignore.
The monster is an 11 year old vampire who is supposed to tug on your heart strings but it’s difficult to feel remorse for something that is always covered in the blood of half a dozen people. This doesn’t stop Sturm from burning any brain cells she has left and sympathizing with the vicious little turd to the point of absurdity.
Despite all this the real issue was how boring it was.
Needless to say I can’t recommend this novel.
Story was fine, monster is captured and taken back to civilization, monster escapes and carnage ensues.
The main characters Sturm and Porter were nearly too dumb to function. The bad guy, Spears, also never formed a coherent thought in his head. I nearly clocked out at 80% after the bad guy murdered one of his own people and used field antiseptics to burn her body and make her look like the monster which somehow fools her friends and a a skilled scientist. (Not even going to mention the misogyny that follows right before her death.) The amount of disbelief was too much for even me to ignore.
The monster is an 11 year old vampire who is supposed to tug on your heart strings but it’s difficult to feel remorse for something that is always covered in the blood of half a dozen people. This doesn’t stop Sturm from burning any brain cells she has left and sympathizing with the vicious little turd to the point of absurdity.
Despite all this the real issue was how boring it was.
Needless to say I can’t recommend this novel.
March 17, 2016
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
January 3, 2023
Wow, this one sucked me in and was a great choice for the first read of the New Year!
I actually found myself rooting for the “monster” and wish the ending wasn’t so ambiguous!!! Did they get home??!
Super thrilling and some scenes in the underground buildings were hair-raising! Definitely give this book a go!
I actually found myself rooting for the “monster” and wish the ending wasn’t so ambiguous!!! Did they get home??!
Super thrilling and some scenes in the underground buildings were hair-raising! Definitely give this book a go!
February 20, 2018
Another fascinating read from Michael McBride. This one has an interesting take on what exactly defines a monster, but I won't go into details for fear of spoilers. Highly recommended, especially for fans of well-researched science-type thrillers.
July 23, 2012
I was hovering between 1 and 2 stars with this one... and by the end of the review, I talked myself into 1 star. If you like those techno thrillers (a la THE RELIC by Preston and Childs, AMAZONIA by Rollins, etc) you will probably actually like this book. I happened to enjoy the RELIC (characterization was half decent and you actually felt something for some of the characters), but I did not enjoy PREDATORY INSTINCT. PI was essentially a patchwork of plot elements from the RELIC, PREDATOR II (the movie... the one with Danny Glover and Gary Busey), and couple others (I'd throw in LET THE RIGHT ONE IN, for including a child as the monster, except LtROI had superb characterization, where PI does not). In fact, I think I found Hodge's similar reference to this kind of lost race (similar physical simian and fang like characteristics) far more interesting and better developed in his own short story, "The Firebrand Symphony".
The problem with this story is not so much that it is just a re-tread of other horror and quasi-science thrillers. There is nothing wrong with doing this (as they say, "imitation is one of the strongest forms of flattery")... except when the book has precious little else going for it. McBride gives us a fairly predictable narrative, written in a prose style about par for the course for these kinds of movies... I'm mean books... and he also throws in wholly one dimensional characters to boot. In fact, McBride's characterization style essentially telegraphed when a character was about to get off'ed. Much like in most action packed plot driven techno thrillers, we usually get a few paragraphs of character description right before the character gets it from the monster. Its a bit silly... but I guess you have to manufacture something to make the character's death meaningful to the reader.
Likewise, there was one scene that stood out as entirely incomprehensible, even for these one dimensional characters. The scene where you have the female soldier (Newland) throw herself at General Spears, while they were both down in the tunnels hunting the little monster, is just nonsense. This scene came out of nowhere and absolutely fit the context of these characters like a round peg in a square hole. McBride leads us to believe (in the few short breaths of characterization) that Newland is an elite professional soldier, yet somehow she is so overcome by her blind ambition that she is lead to recklessly offer herself as a sexual plaything to the General. Really? How does that make any sense? Unless we should assume that in McBride's world it is a completely normal for female soldiers to regularly use their sexual wiles to seduce their bosses, even in the face of risking life and limb. Was this McBride being satirical? If so, I completely missed it.
So I didn't buy this plot element in the least bit and I was a wee bit irked by the overt misogyny expressed by McBride with this scene. Granted, I'd be naive not to recognize that the horror genre does employ some sexist elements in a variety of plot lines but this scene was ridiculous and over the top. I don't know the author nor have I read anything else he has written, so instead of belaboring this point or over generalizing about the author, I'll just chalk this up as a poorly incorporated plot element clumsily delivered to the reader.
This is my first McBride novel and based on all the good things I have heard so far about the author, I was mightily disappointed by PI. The horror and suspense never really materialized, mainly because I felt nothing for the characters, and the plot was entirely predictable. Even the "chemistry" between Sturm and Porter (both main characters) was non-existant, yet at the very end, we are led to believe that they are romantically interested in each other. *sigh*
Here is the thing... PI reads like a Rollins novel and (as I pointed out before) if you are satisfied by that kind of story, then you will probably like this one as well. For me though... I need a bit more to keep me interested and engaged.
The problem with this story is not so much that it is just a re-tread of other horror and quasi-science thrillers. There is nothing wrong with doing this (as they say, "imitation is one of the strongest forms of flattery")... except when the book has precious little else going for it. McBride gives us a fairly predictable narrative, written in a prose style about par for the course for these kinds of movies... I'm mean books... and he also throws in wholly one dimensional characters to boot. In fact, McBride's characterization style essentially telegraphed when a character was about to get off'ed. Much like in most action packed plot driven techno thrillers, we usually get a few paragraphs of character description right before the character gets it from the monster. Its a bit silly... but I guess you have to manufacture something to make the character's death meaningful to the reader.
Likewise, there was one scene that stood out as entirely incomprehensible, even for these one dimensional characters. The scene where you have the female soldier (Newland) throw herself at General Spears, while they were both down in the tunnels hunting the little monster, is just nonsense. This scene came out of nowhere and absolutely fit the context of these characters like a round peg in a square hole. McBride leads us to believe (in the few short breaths of characterization) that Newland is an elite professional soldier, yet somehow she is so overcome by her blind ambition that she is lead to recklessly offer herself as a sexual plaything to the General. Really? How does that make any sense? Unless we should assume that in McBride's world it is a completely normal for female soldiers to regularly use their sexual wiles to seduce their bosses, even in the face of risking life and limb. Was this McBride being satirical? If so, I completely missed it.
So I didn't buy this plot element in the least bit and I was a wee bit irked by the overt misogyny expressed by McBride with this scene. Granted, I'd be naive not to recognize that the horror genre does employ some sexist elements in a variety of plot lines but this scene was ridiculous and over the top. I don't know the author nor have I read anything else he has written, so instead of belaboring this point or over generalizing about the author, I'll just chalk this up as a poorly incorporated plot element clumsily delivered to the reader.
This is my first McBride novel and based on all the good things I have heard so far about the author, I was mightily disappointed by PI. The horror and suspense never really materialized, mainly because I felt nothing for the characters, and the plot was entirely predictable. Even the "chemistry" between Sturm and Porter (both main characters) was non-existant, yet at the very end, we are led to believe that they are romantically interested in each other. *sigh*
Here is the thing... PI reads like a Rollins novel and (as I pointed out before) if you are satisfied by that kind of story, then you will probably like this one as well. For me though... I need a bit more to keep me interested and engaged.
August 15, 2011
Michael McBride provides an action packed plot laced with exciting creature horror in “Predatory Instinct.” While the general premise and formula has been done before, this horror-science fiction thriller offers enough surprises and well-crafted characters to recommend it.
A team of scientists discover the remains of an ancient human-like creature in a distant area of the Altai Mountains, only to be slaughtered by a savage beast in the same caverns. A rescue team (including the father of one of the original team) finds the monster, subdues it and foolishly arranges passage for the creature back to the Seattle area. The monster destroys the crew of that ship, and when the death ship rams another one that is a pirate ship, its crew is reluctant to report the horror they witness. This gives the monster the time needed to get a head start on its would-be hunters.
Meanwhile, in Seattle, Officer Elena Strum and Special Agent Grey Porter uncover grisly remains in The Warrens, an underground dwelling for the homeless soon to be eliminated by urban renewal plans. While these two sets of characters have no knowledge of each other for the first half of the book, the reader realizes the discoveries in The Warrens are eerily similar to those of the creature brought from its frozen home and now at large.
The stories collide as the action and horror build. The premise and plot reminded a lot of some of the early Preston-Child novels, especially “The Relic,” but McBride’s creature is unique and there are some surprises I did not see coming.
The action is well-paced. McBride strength, however, are his intense life-like characters. Rich in emotional and psychological detail, we really care about their fates and McBride seamlessly shifts from one point of view to another. He provides just enough science to make his monster believable without overwhelming us fiction readers who grow weary of too much fact.
McBride is a skilled novelist and “Predatory Instinct” is a fast-paced and often frightening ride. Highly recommended for fans of creature horror and also the thrillers of Preston-Child or Michael Crichton.
December 26, 2021
Competent Creature Of The Week Thriller.
Like a weak episode of The X-Files. Without Scully and Muldaur.
Rather boring and by the numbers. This is the second bad one by .mcBride I've read in a week. No mas!
Like a weak episode of The X-Files. Without Scully and Muldaur.
Rather boring and by the numbers. This is the second bad one by .mcBride I've read in a week. No mas!
February 22, 2016
Relic in Seattle is what it should have been called.
It felt like a revamp of Relic by Preston & Child. Pretty much the same concept. It was still a good read.
It felt like a revamp of Relic by Preston & Child. Pretty much the same concept. It was still a good read.
April 12, 2023
9 pages....9 pages....out of her first 13 pages where the story focuses on Officer Sturm....that is how much the female protagonist spends preaching about homelessness. And I mean full on, 500 word essays, without interruption.
Advice #1: the best way to attain the readers empathy, is to -demonstrate- your desired takeaway. Do so within the plot and characters. But to essentially use her person as an open column to put in an OP-Ed directly from the author is so blunt and obtuse, that the reader starts skipping her pages. We got it in the first 30 words.
The other concurrent plot, which is occurring in Siberian demonstrates Advice #2: AVOID CLICHES. Once again we have the unlikable rich duo; the son who had his way purchased into an expedition, and the equally unlikable father who is, I guess, supposed to be the personification of corporate greed. Whatta shock.
When those 2 slap together, you realize that there actually is a story in here, but the author is preferring to make this an OP-ED and a trope. I have no issue with his ideals, they are truly noble and heartfelt. But I hated it when Stephen King started doing the same thing. He eventually stopped and got a Twitter feed. Praise the Lord!
Advice #3: Normal people, do not willfully walk into unfathomable dangers, just because...well....they "Had to know" or some other ridiculous thing. Our protagonists walk, all by themselves, in the dark, deep underground, in a kill-hole where dozens of murders were, and the killer is still on the loose there....WHO DOES THAT???
Advice #4: don't do the "Scooby Doo". That's when they figure the whole plot out, stating it is obvious, when there is actually nothing in the story that leads to the conclusion. It is a short-cut of an author too lazy to assemble a credible story.
God, I could go on for days. But you get the idea. This is a very weak effort by an otherwise good $3 author.
Advice #1: the best way to attain the readers empathy, is to -demonstrate- your desired takeaway. Do so within the plot and characters. But to essentially use her person as an open column to put in an OP-Ed directly from the author is so blunt and obtuse, that the reader starts skipping her pages. We got it in the first 30 words.
The other concurrent plot, which is occurring in Siberian demonstrates Advice #2: AVOID CLICHES. Once again we have the unlikable rich duo; the son who had his way purchased into an expedition, and the equally unlikable father who is, I guess, supposed to be the personification of corporate greed. Whatta shock.
When those 2 slap together, you realize that there actually is a story in here, but the author is preferring to make this an OP-ED and a trope. I have no issue with his ideals, they are truly noble and heartfelt. But I hated it when Stephen King started doing the same thing. He eventually stopped and got a Twitter feed. Praise the Lord!
Advice #3: Normal people, do not willfully walk into unfathomable dangers, just because...well....they "Had to know" or some other ridiculous thing. Our protagonists walk, all by themselves, in the dark, deep underground, in a kill-hole where dozens of murders were, and the killer is still on the loose there....WHO DOES THAT???
Advice #4: don't do the "Scooby Doo". That's when they figure the whole plot out, stating it is obvious, when there is actually nothing in the story that leads to the conclusion. It is a short-cut of an author too lazy to assemble a credible story.
God, I could go on for days. But you get the idea. This is a very weak effort by an otherwise good $3 author.
August 28, 2022
A very good read. Most plots of this type are developed around fantastic beings or aliens that stretch the imagination. And that’s fine. The creatures in this story are a stretch but are still believable. The main creature character is endowed with a sense of humanity although the actions attributed to this being are particularly outrageous. But when you consider all these actions occur when it’s totally out of the very restricted and isolated living environment it’s been accustomed to it forces the reader to continue as the plot develops. Living in hellish prison like conditions with outrageous treatment could reasonably force you to believe the outrageous actions may be justified. Of course it’s still a stretch but a very readable plot with a number of characters that enhance the story throughout. So, read it, if this type of story suits your fancy!!
June 2, 2023
My first ever audio book. I loved the narrator’s voice and how he did everyone’s accent and stuff.
March 15, 2025
Damn good!
I’ve been slow coming around to reading Michael McBride’s books, and do I ever regret it. This is an author that can write!
Predatory Instinct is a non-stop thrill ride that doesn’t slow down enough to even let you catch your breath. The action is intense, the dialogue real, the medical details fascinating. And bless McBride for creating very human MCs, MCs who make mistakes, aren’t action-hero tropes, and don’t automatically have the answers to every problem they come across.
Read this book - it’s well worth it.
I’ve been slow coming around to reading Michael McBride’s books, and do I ever regret it. This is an author that can write!
Predatory Instinct is a non-stop thrill ride that doesn’t slow down enough to even let you catch your breath. The action is intense, the dialogue real, the medical details fascinating. And bless McBride for creating very human MCs, MCs who make mistakes, aren’t action-hero tropes, and don’t automatically have the answers to every problem they come across.
Read this book - it’s well worth it.
November 21, 2021
THE LITTLE GIRL
Interesting, the creature had so much and the corrupted money makers in work. Characters are between good, others just enough to be in the story.
How difficult is for a species to live in each other life. Porter and Scr are the relative main characters and the general is a pitiful "evil" man but reading this story is good.
Interesting, the creature had so much and the corrupted money makers in work. Characters are between good, others just enough to be in the story.
How difficult is for a species to live in each other life. Porter and Scr are the relative main characters and the general is a pitiful "evil" man but reading this story is good.
January 13, 2022
very good read
I think the book had a lot of gaps in it I’m not quite sure how the humanoid was transported from central Asia on a ship all the way across the Pacific, and they were lotta gaps, how did it escaping etc. etc. is it going to reproduce, is there going to be a book to sorry to spoil everything but you know that the creature hatter survive as bad ass as it was.
I think the book had a lot of gaps in it I’m not quite sure how the humanoid was transported from central Asia on a ship all the way across the Pacific, and they were lotta gaps, how did it escaping etc. etc. is it going to reproduce, is there going to be a book to sorry to spoil everything but you know that the creature hatter survive as bad ass as it was.
January 18, 2022
worth the read
It was worth the read but it did get boring in some places, random at times, and honestly the characters were just stupid (they acted stupid). The ending was absolutely horrible and I think most of the book was just predictable. But like I said, it’s a good time waster book.
It was worth the read but it did get boring in some places, random at times, and honestly the characters were just stupid (they acted stupid). The ending was absolutely horrible and I think most of the book was just predictable. But like I said, it’s a good time waster book.
July 9, 2022
A good novel
Very creative and elaborate creature design. To say anything about the creature would be to give spoilers and the book is too God to do that. Ambitious and ruthless bad guys, heroic and dedicated good guys and a terrifying murderous monster. If that's your thing, this book is for you. I highly recommend.
Very creative and elaborate creature design. To say anything about the creature would be to give spoilers and the book is too God to do that. Ambitious and ruthless bad guys, heroic and dedicated good guys and a terrifying murderous monster. If that's your thing, this book is for you. I highly recommend.
January 1, 2023
I couldn't get past the first few paragraphs of chapter 1. What is with an over the top description of ice breaking off revealing a cave? I legit laughed out loud and said nope. Just get to the point. I knew if I continued reading I'd be skipping over paragraphs overly describing some mundane thing happening.
January 13, 2023
Interesting
This reminds me of something. Maybe Relic? It is an interesting story, easy to follow. The different characters were believable although a bit simplified. I liked the girl. I like Seattle. I like the waterfront, the boats, the fishy smell, the coffee.
One complaint - the Seattle waterfront is on Puget Sound, not the Pacific. It is hours from the ocean.
This reminds me of something. Maybe Relic? It is an interesting story, easy to follow. The different characters were believable although a bit simplified. I liked the girl. I like Seattle. I like the waterfront, the boats, the fishy smell, the coffee.
One complaint - the Seattle waterfront is on Puget Sound, not the Pacific. It is hours from the ocean.
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