bwjr's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
ncrabb's review against another edition
4.0
It’s been a while since I magically went to Maine to visit my troubled friend, Mike Bowditch. The visit was long overdue, and as always, when I open a Paul Doiron book, I’m entirely caught up in its excellence.
They call it suicide by cop. That’s the scenario where someone engages in behavior that forces a law enforcement person to take the life of a troubled person. It’s the situation that Maine Game Warden Kathy Frost faced when she and her partner, a by-the-book rookie, had to confront a troubled veteran. Frost, who mentored Mike Bowditch, had no choice but to shoot the man who had threatened her life. The anger on the part of other veterans who knew the dead man was swift and visceral. Many accused Frost of killing a hero, insisting that she and her partner acted too quickly.
Mike Bowditch has left the game warden service to take a job as a fishing guide. His ex-girlfriend has moved back to Maine, and the woman he quietly loves seems to want little to do with him. He remains a loner.
He learns that his mentor has killed the distraught veteran, and he returns to Camden to lend moral support if nothing else. But as he approaches her house, shots ring out, and Kathy Frost is struck. Her dog is also killed by the hidden killer, and Mike is injured when gunshots blow out his windshield.
Kathy is comatose in a Portland hospital, and it’s up to Mike to piece together murky connections that tie to the seemingly accidental death of an elderly neighbor of Kathy’s.
This is Doiron at his excellent best. It’s really crucial that you start with the first book in this series, however. It’s really the only way to track Mike Bowditch’s evolving character. I guess you can read these as stand-alones, but you fail to grasp the changes in Mike’s character if you do that. It’s an excellent mystery with a satisfying surprise ending that you won’t likely predict.
They call it suicide by cop. That’s the scenario where someone engages in behavior that forces a law enforcement person to take the life of a troubled person. It’s the situation that Maine Game Warden Kathy Frost faced when she and her partner, a by-the-book rookie, had to confront a troubled veteran. Frost, who mentored Mike Bowditch, had no choice but to shoot the man who had threatened her life. The anger on the part of other veterans who knew the dead man was swift and visceral. Many accused Frost of killing a hero, insisting that she and her partner acted too quickly.
Mike Bowditch has left the game warden service to take a job as a fishing guide. His ex-girlfriend has moved back to Maine, and the woman he quietly loves seems to want little to do with him. He remains a loner.
He learns that his mentor has killed the distraught veteran, and he returns to Camden to lend moral support if nothing else. But as he approaches her house, shots ring out, and Kathy Frost is struck. Her dog is also killed by the hidden killer, and Mike is injured when gunshots blow out his windshield.
Kathy is comatose in a Portland hospital, and it’s up to Mike to piece together murky connections that tie to the seemingly accidental death of an elderly neighbor of Kathy’s.
This is Doiron at his excellent best. It’s really crucial that you start with the first book in this series, however. It’s really the only way to track Mike Bowditch’s evolving character. I guess you can read these as stand-alones, but you fail to grasp the changes in Mike’s character if you do that. It’s an excellent mystery with a satisfying surprise ending that you won’t likely predict.
tunesmithnw's review against another edition
3.0
I didn't think it was as good as "Massacre Pond," but without giving anything away, the main character went through some changes in this story that might make the next book more interesting.
emmajewish's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/injury detail
suzze's review against another edition
4.0
This book in the series seemed to wrap up a lot of loose ends from earlier books. Can't wait to see what happens in the next one!
tpanik's review against another edition
3.0
Mike’s at his best when he’s breaking the rules and rescuing people.
donnaj71's review against another edition
4.0
Another great story. I think I need to buy this whole series to add to my permanent library. I really enjoy reading about the wilderness of Maine and the interesting situations Mike Bowditch gets himself into.
burnman325's review against another edition
5.0
Paul Doiron is getting better as this series is going on.
skinnypenguin's review
4.0
Former game warden, Mike Bowditch, is trying to adjust to his new job as a fishing guide. His friend, Kathy, is attacked and he is injured also and he starts investigating. He is trying to keep an eye on Kathy's brother but he takes off. While searching for him he comes across a variety of characters.
Kathy had been involved in an incident where she and her partner kill a veteran. They think someone upset about that is responsible for her attack so Mike is checking out all the possible suspects. He calls on his buddy who is in prison to check on him and ask some questions.
As usual he gets in trouble, runs into lots of people who don't like him, has some romantic entanglements and helps solve the crime.
Another good book in the series. Good descriptions of the Maine countryside and the Warden service.
Kathy had been involved in an incident where she and her partner kill a veteran. They think someone upset about that is responsible for her attack so Mike is checking out all the possible suspects. He calls on his buddy who is in prison to check on him and ask some questions.
As usual he gets in trouble, runs into lots of people who don't like him, has some romantic entanglements and helps solve the crime.
Another good book in the series. Good descriptions of the Maine countryside and the Warden service.
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