laurenreadsmore's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
jbuck1975's review against another edition
4.0
I received this book as part of Barnes and Nobles First Look Book Club. This was the sixth First Look I have participated in and I highly recommend the experience to anyone who loves to read and discuss books. It is really hard for me to make actual face to face book clubs for a variety of reasons, but since I can do these online and discuss the book with lots of different readers through posts it really adds to the story for me. Other readers will point out things I missed or connections are made through reading the thoughts of others.
This is the first book in a series about Mike Bowditch, a game warden for the state of Maine. I felt like the woods and lakes were described so well they were almost characters in the story. Oddly I've read quite a few books set in Maine lately but I have never been there myself. I guess I am vacationing from my couch at home!
Mike has an estranged relationship with his father, his parents divorced when he was nine and he spent most of his time with his mother and his step-father. While he did seek out opportunities to spend more time with his father, rarely did his father seek him out. Through a series of reminisces we see what his life was like at the times he was with his father and a picture of Jack Bowditch starts to emerge. It is ironic that Mike became a game warden since his father was a life long poacher.
The story unfolds in a very engrossing manner, at the end of each chapter I wanted to go on to the next to see what would happen next. Mike is so convinced that his father is innocent of the crime he is accused of and does everything he can think of to prove his father's innocence. He alienates all the people in his life who care about him, from his girlfriend to his boss to his fellow warden and mentor. I can't wait to see what Mike encounters in his next adventure!
This is the first book in a series about Mike Bowditch, a game warden for the state of Maine. I felt like the woods and lakes were described so well they were almost characters in the story. Oddly I've read quite a few books set in Maine lately but I have never been there myself. I guess I am vacationing from my couch at home!
Mike has an estranged relationship with his father, his parents divorced when he was nine and he spent most of his time with his mother and his step-father. While he did seek out opportunities to spend more time with his father, rarely did his father seek him out. Through a series of reminisces we see what his life was like at the times he was with his father and a picture of Jack Bowditch starts to emerge. It is ironic that Mike became a game warden since his father was a life long poacher.
The story unfolds in a very engrossing manner, at the end of each chapter I wanted to go on to the next to see what would happen next. Mike is so convinced that his father is innocent of the crime he is accused of and does everything he can think of to prove his father's innocence. He alienates all the people in his life who care about him, from his girlfriend to his boss to his fellow warden and mentor. I can't wait to see what Mike encounters in his next adventure!
bookhawk's review against another edition
3.0
The Poacher’s Son is a reasonably good first book in a series. The book moves quickly and has a good mystery element. The protagonist is a stubborn young guy who wants to do well but creates some of his own problems. The book is good enough to read book 2 in the series and see if Mike Bowditch matures as a game warden and a person. I expect anyone who enjoys CJ Box books will enjoy this one. There are some graphic descriptions of trapping and carving up animals that may bother some. I liked this better than CJ Box books.
jennabuythebook's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
dave37's review against another edition
3.0
Good storyline, but I didn't form a real attachment to any of the main characters. There is certainly potential for development here that will transform them to favorites as I move through the series. Will definitely read more.
tabooksco_sauce's review against another edition
Good book if you like cop stories. I personally am not a fan of the macho man mystery genre. Aggressive characters, lots of tension. It’s not a bad book, just not for me. I also thought the narrator sounded older than 24, the characters age, and it threw me off. I gave it 1.5 hours on the audiobook. I’m more of an Agatha Christie fan.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Murder
smarien's review against another edition
3.0
The first in a series of mysteries about a Maine game warden. Since my mom lives in Maine, it's fun to read about the area where she lives.
jmslib's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
gracenow's review against another edition
2.0
The book got great reviews, I was in the market for a new mystery series but was very disappointed. The writing style was OK, but page after page of history on the main character, like 100 or so pages, or so it seemed to me. Was more like a stand alone novel about a man and his estranged father than the beginning of a mystery series.