A man. A tiger. A tornado. Jared Montaine owns a big cat rescue in Florida and faces financial pressures, getting over his ex-wife, and the challenge of suburbia creeping ever closer to his enclave for the animals. But when a tornado wrecks part of the refuge, Jared's worst fear comes to life: his Siberian tiger, Sultan, escapes. It's a big cat handler’s nightmare: a tiger on the loose, confused, lost -- and hungry. Jared races against the police, the media, and the hysterical public, all of whom are clamoring for the tiger's hide. He must re-capture Sultan before the cat is killed -- by traffic, by SWAT, or by a civilian who just wants to shoot a tiger. With fellow wildlife handlers at his side, Jared fights desperately to find and capture Sultan before the tiger injures or kills a human. Because that would lead to his worst nightmare -- having to kill the tiger he hand-raised from a cub. Jared’s commitment is tested -- to his animals, his refuge, and his belief that saving the life of even one tiger is worth losing everything.

The Tiger Whisperer

Sultan leaned against his thighs, rubbing his face on Jared’s belly. Heavy, power thrumming in his massive body and Jared petted his big head, then ran his hands over those massive shoulders.


Jared heard the ERT guys at the fence now, clambering over it just as he had. They were in the garden center now, twenty seconds away. Sultan heard them, too. Jared felt the tiger’s shoulders tense against his legs.


Ridiculous with the noise, people, and commotion. Better to dart him and carry him out. The ERT team moved closer; Jared heard them clomping over the little bridge.


Jared tugged a tranquilizer dart from his belt, eyes focused on Sultan’s left shoulder. He tightened his hold on the leash. “I’ve got to give you a shot, big guy. Don’t be mad. And don’t run, please.”


Chapter 96