Sunday, July 14, 2013

Review: Massacre Pond: A Novel (Mike Bowditch Mysteries) by Paul Doiron



  • Format: Kindle Edition
  • File Size: 527 KB
  • Print Length: 320 pages
  • Publisher: Minotaur Books (July 16 2013)
  • Sold by: Macmillan CA
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B009LRWV82



Book Description


Edgar finalist Paul Doiron's superb new novel featuring Game Warden Mike Bowditch and a beautiful, enigmatic woman whose mission to save the Maine wilderness may have incited a murderOn an unseasonably hot October morning, Bowditch is called to the scene of a bizarre crime: the corpses of seven moose have been found senselessly butchered on the estate of Elizabeth Morse, a wealthy animal rights activist who is buying up huge parcels of timberland to create a new national park.

What at first seems like mindless slaughter—retribution by locals for the job losses Morse's plan is already causing in the region—becomes far more sinister when a shocking murder is discovered and Mike's investigation becomes a hunt to find a ruthless killer. In order to solve the controversial case, Bowditch risks losing everything he holds dear: his best friends, his career as a law enforcement officer, and the love of his life.

The beauty and magnificence of the Maine woods is the setting for a story of suspense and violence when one powerful woman’s missionary zeal comes face to face with ruthless cruelty.


About the Author

Bestselling author PAUL DOIRON is the editor in chief of Down East: The Magazine of Maine. A native of Maine, he attended Yale University and holds an MFA from Emerson College. His first book, The Poacher's Son, is the winner of the Barry award, the Strand award for best first novel, and a finalist for the Edgar and Anthony awards. Paul is a Registered Maine Guide and lives on a trout stream in coastal Maine with his wife, Kristen Lindquist.

Kindly visit his Web site at www.pauldoiron.com.


My Review

Paul Doiron keeps getting better and better with each book.  I was honored to be able to review this book before it's release on July 16th.

As in the three previous books, Doiron authentically portrays the Maine woods.  And once again trouble has come to the Maine woods. The realities of the average American who needs to make a living from the woods come up against the arrogant attitude of the rich who want to keep the woods in their natural state.  Except for the portion where they build their massive log mansion.

Mike Bowditch may be young but he becomes a wiser man with each new book.  His personal life is interwoven into the story as his heart fruitlessly longs after his mentor Charley's daughter. And we learn more about his past and his relationship with his mother. In this outing he starts to actually appreciate everything his mother has done for him and what he means to her.

Mike is the first warden on the scene at the butchering of a large number of moose but is shuttled to the side by his ambitious superior. From his vantage point on the periphery he is able to study and analyze the mix the people involved. 

Doiron weaves another brilliant tale of the Maine woods, where sometimes you just need clear the fog of confusion that can exist and look to the root cause and effect...who benefits most.

An excellent tale by an author who continues to impress.  I'm already looking forward to the next Mike Bowditch Mystery.