Paul Doiron

Game Warden Mike Bowditch finds himself chasing a cunning killer through the deep woods on Maine near the Canadian border. A possible lost tourist starts the investigation. Since the missing man Hammond Pratt had been asking about a reclusive cabin builder.

Since the cabin being built belongs to a friend of Mike's father-in-law and is a feisty type, Mike asks his father-in-law Charley to go along as they check out the builder and find out why the missing guy wants to find him.

Josie Jonson takes them in her helicopter to the site of her new cabin. There they meet Mark Redmond and his daughter Cady. Soon after arrival, they find themselves drugged and tied up to trees. Mark and Cady damage their transportation and take off soon after Mike comes to. The Mike watches Josie die as a result of the drugs. Charley also comes to and is able to get himself untied and managed to untie Mike.

Mike is determined to take off after Mark and Cady and bring Mark in for the murder of Josie. And so a wild chase through the wilderness begins...

Mike is both injured and short on equipment, but he is also determined to track down Redmond in part because he fears for his daughter. This missing man who started this investigation turns up and joins himself to Mike's search. It turns out he's a bounty hunter who has been after Redmond for a while.

The story was fast-paced and filled with action. I enjoyed the Maine wilderness as a setting. I like Mike's determined character and his willingness to throw his career over if that what he has to do to get his man.… (more)

I generally like Mike Bowditch books but this one didn't grab me. Without spoiling anything, I really don't think that a rational Mike Bowditch would pursue the bad guy all alone as he does. I believe that law enforcement agencies in Canada and the US would capture the fugitive despite the buddies who are shielding him. I also don't believe that the bad guy would do what he does.

If you can put these caveats aside, it's a very exciting story with a twist at the end.

I received a review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.com.… (more)

This is the 15th in the Mike Bowditch series. I have only read one other so far. This one will work as a standalone.

Mike is a Maine Game Warden Investigator engaged to Stacey, an EMT. Mike’s assistance is requested when he is notified a questionable stranger has gone missing while searching for the reclusive and secretive man who lives deep in the woods while building a log cabin for an acquaintance of Mike’s wife and father in law. When he learns the recluse lives with his young daughter who is never seen in town and doesn’t attend school, his interest in the man deepens. What is he hiding? And, thus he is off on a menacing, dangerous and thrilling hunt in the north Maine woods and neighboring Canada.

I like this unique take on a police procedural featuring a game warden investigator. It is fast paced and engrossing with lots of action. An atmospheric read, Doiron conveys a good sense of place and danger. Bowditch is a great character. Persistent, he tries to respect the rules, can often be brash and annoying to others, displays a good sense of humor. Some of the situations and actions are a bit over the top, but that does make for a good thriller.

I have added this series to my list of must reads.

Thanks to #netgalley and @stmartinspress #minotaurbooks for the DRC.… (more)

I've had this book on my Kindle Unlimited list for a couple of years, and needed to read it so I could add something else. I'm sure the only reason I selected this book to begin with is because of fond memories of my sixth grade teacher reading us the book, Carry On, Mr. Bowditch, by Jean Lee Latham back in 1970. I absolutely loved that story, but it bears no resemblance at all to this book's Mr. (or should I say Warden) Bowditch. This Bowditch is Mike Bowditch, a new Game Warden in Maine who makes a bunch of mistakes trying to clear his father of suspicion of murdering a developer and his police bodyguard. The problem is that Mike's father has fled the scene (after beating up another law officer), and no one else believes in his innocence. Mike does his best to tank his career, dump his girlfriend and alienate everyone around him except for an old retired game warden, who seems to believe in Mike, even if he doesn't believe Mike's father is innocent. This is the first of a 15 book series, and I did actually buy the second book, but I doubt I'll read all 15. Life is short, and I'm not that interested so far.… (more)