Review copy was received from NetGalley, Publisher. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Thunderbid Ranch by Laura Griffin Narrator: Saskia Maarleveld
Published by Berkley, Penguin Audio on November 10, 2026
Genres: Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 368
Length: 9 hours, 29 minutes
Format: Audiobook, eARC
Source: NetGalley, Publisher
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Cal Truitt is dead, no one knows who killed him, and everyone is a suspect.
Perhaps it’s his bride-to-be, ranching heiress Faye McCann, who’s facing a midlife crisis after falling into deep debt and being forced to convert her property into a posh retreat. Or maybe it’s one of her three children—who all despised Cal and were summoned to the ranch by Faye to learn some long-buried family secrets.
Lilian Lasko is new blood, but she has some secrets of her own. She sees her boyfriend's family, with their bitter rivalries and resentments, through the eyes of a wary outsider. Lilian is eager to please, but by the night’s end, she’s running through a creek bed, covered in blood.
Only one person knows the the killer.
Detective Kate Graham is determined to unravel the family’s toxic manipulations and lies to reveal Cal Truitt’s murderer. But with a family that hates and loves one another with equal fervor, Kate’s pursuit of justice becomes more complicated and dangerous with each passing hour.
Thunderbird Ranch is a stand-alone as far as I can tell. The story begins with Will bringing his girlfriend, Lillian, home for the weekend to meet his family. Things are weird pretty much until the end and then only less weird. Faye, the matriarch, is celebrating her birthday but it is also the one year anniversary of he husband’s death. She has a mountain of debt and has turned the ranch into a retreat. Faye also announces her plans to marry another rancher, Cal Truitt, who is hated.
Her children Gabe, Will and Ridley are not happy. Gabe storms around in an alcoholic rage. Will tries to keep things better for everyone. Ridley is a lazy, prankster. Lillian knows Faye doesn’t like her and tries to connect with the family but it doesn’t go well.
Then Lillian finds Cal’s dead body when looking for Will.  Detective Kate Graham is assigned the case, probably because the senior detective has a conflict of interest. The sheriff himself isn’t going to run a case.  It is difficult putting together facts the facts with the department seemingly gumming up the works every way she tries to go, and everyone lying to her. She has good instincts and consults a bit with her uncle who is a retired detective.
Mostly our point of view is Kate and Lillian, with a bit of Faye. But the two outsiders tell most of the story making things more confusing. The sheriff pressures her for information on the case and results. It is frustrating for Kate as the first investigation in her charge. But her uncle reminds her of the facts and she gets the job done.
Narration:
Saskia Maarleveld is a talented narrator I have heard and enjoyed many times. She seems to narrate often for this author. All the other voices were comfortable and kept me in the story. There wasn’t really any accent which I might expect in Texas. I listened at 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip: HERE
About Laura Griffin
Laura Griffin is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than twenty-five books and novellas. Her books have been translated into fourteen languages. Laura is a two-time RITA® Award winner (for Scorched and Whisper of Warning) as well as the recipient of the Daphne du Maurier Award (for Untraceable). Her book Desperate Girls was named one of the Best Books of 2018 by Publishers Weekly. Laura lives in Austin, Texas, where she is working on her next novel.
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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- 🎧 Thunderbird Ranch by Laura Griffin @Laura_Griff #SaskiaMaarleveld @berkleyromance.bsky.social @berkleypub.bsky.social @penguinaudio.bsky.social #LoveAudiobooks - November 10, 2026
- Sunday Post – 8 November 2026 @caffeinatedreviewer.com @readingreality.bsky.social @kimbacaffeinate @readingreality - November 8, 2026
- 🎧The Woman I’ve Become by Debra Webb #DebraWebb @amymcnarrator #BrillianceAudio#LoveAudiobooks #Kindle+🎧 - November 7, 2026
Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 26-Audio
- 26-COYER
I’ve been thinking about reading this one. It sounds pretty good.
I thought this was part of a series so thanks for clarifying. Great review, Anne💜
Laura Griffin is always a solid pick. A standalone sounds like a good choice when I have so many series I’m trying to keep up with.