Massacre Pond

Mike Bowditch #4

by Paul Doiron

On an unseasonably hot October morning, Maine Game Warden Mike 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.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Thriller, Audiobook, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

431 pages, Library Binding

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

Paul Doiron is the best-selling author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods.

His first book, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award and was nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel. His second, Trespasser, won the 2012 Maine Literary Award. His novelette “Rabid” was a finalist for the 2019 Edgar in the Best Short Story category. Paul’s twelfth book, Dead by Dawn won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction, as well as his second Maine Literary Award. It was also a finalist for the Barry Award. His books have been translated into 11 languages.

Paul is the former chair of the Maine Humanities Council, Editor Emeritus of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, and a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing.

Reviews

[Paul Doiron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well of course I think it's good.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paul Doiron never disappoints! Seriously, I love this series and his writing. He transports me to Maine and into the life and work of game warden, Mike Bowditch. This book grabbed my attention from the very beginning, and I was glued to the pages the entire book.

In Massacre Pond, Mike Bowditch is called to the estate of Elizabeth Morse, an animal rights activist who has been buying up land in order to make a new national park. On the grounds of the estate, Mike finds the bodies of seven massacred moose. What first seems like payback from locals after losing jobs due to Morse buying up land, turns into so much more!

This is one of my favorite series and I love how Doiron describes the Maine landscape and the ins and outs of Mike's job as a game warden. Mike continues to work hard, while faced with hard decisions he must make in this book which could affect his relationships. I enjoy how he turns to his mentor Charlie not only for friendship but for advice. I also enjoyed his friendship with Billy and his wife Amy.

The mystery in this book was intriguing and I enjoyed coming up with my own suspects as Mike did the same in this book.

This is book #4 in the series, and I have enjoyed going back and reading the earlier books in the series that I have missed.

Such a great series that I highly recommend.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

A satisfying read for me because the tale captures some of the types of characters in my neck of the woods in rural Maine and advances the series hero, game warden Mike Bowditch, into a more mature persona. In previous installments, he was always blatantly risking his job while investigating cases that belong to the police and having inappropriate affairs with women involved with his cases. Here, he learns to do his investigations with more subtlety and merely pines for a love interest engaged to someone else. Thus, he becomes more likeable and deserving of empathy when he gets in trouble.

The main focus of the story concerns the antagonism from many quarters to the formation of a national park out vast tracts of Maine woods, which is a real hot-button political issue. Instead of a cosmetics executive who is buying up forest land under such a plan, the fictional story here makes her a herbal product magnate named Betty Morse. It also moves the planned park from the north woods to far eastern Maine, Washington County.

Bowditch gets called to this character’s estate in the boonies where the illegal slaughter of multiple moose appears to represent a threat to her. There are many suspects, as such a park would represent a loss of livelihood for people involved with forestry, wood products industries, hunting and fishing guides, and secondary businesses that depend on this form of tourism. When the scare tactics end up getting someone killed, the stakes get raised to a high-pressure case of national proportions. While law enforcement and Bowditch’s boss face the political heat, Mike and a friend of his who gets fired as Morse’s property manager pursue their own leads. This time around it’s his friend who shakes the dangerous ogres out of the trees.

Doiron is getting better with fleshing out his characters, devious plotting, and touches of humor. He does go a bit overboard on the ignorant rednecks, survivalists, and gunned-up, reclusive conservatives. At least he makes the sheriff a lesbian, and acknowledges a truth I’ve noticed: "As parochial as Washington County could seem at times, its people showed frequent outbursts of open mindedness."

My rating is rounded up from 3.5 stars as the reading pleasure is not quite at the level of the 4 star reads I get from most of C.J. Box’s series with Wyoming game warden Joe Pickett or some of Nevada Barr’s novels featuring park ranger Anna Pigeon. The common aspect to the three authors is their creation of crime or murder scenarios in the context of nature and the conflict between factions dedicated to either preserving or exploited natural resources.

This book was provided to me by the published through the Goodreads Giveaway program.

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maine game warden Mike Bowditch is called to the scene of a large number of moose slaughtered by unknown suspects. Because the act of carnage occurred on the land of a billionaire environmentalist, the higher ups of the warden service become involved and Bowditch is given a smaller role in the investigation. The billionaire wants to leave her huge acreage as a national park and the locals hate her for stopping their hunting and taking their logging jobs. The murders of the animals escalate into the murder of humans.

Bowditch is living by himself in this story and follows the instructions of his superiors better. That doesn't mean he stays out of the investigation but he covers himself more. Doiron continues to give expert and vivid depiction of the outdoors in Maine. In this book, it's unseasonably hot in October.

If you like C.J. Box's Joe Pickett books or Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series, you will also like this series. I've now completed every book and eagerly await the newest one coming out this summer. I read all the books out of sequence, which was fine, but I recommend starting with the first, The Poacher's Son, to keep up with Mike's family life.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this 4th book in Paul Doiron's "Mike Bowditch" series!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Bowditch is really good at stepping in some shit! I am glad to see he is starting to mature and trying hard to follow orders and behave himself. Of course that doesn’t stop him from continuing to investigate. We need more law enforcement like him. Political animals never truly serve justice and this point is pounded home when Mike is sent off to do busy work despite his abilities. The good old boys network is still very much in place. Lots of personal things also affecting Mike in this book. I think he is going to continue to be dragged through the wringer in future books. Until then, Mike….

[Chris Gager · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bought this almost-new from the for sale shelves at our local library - SCORE! This is my fourth Doiron/Bowditch read since my brother introduced me to the books a short while ago. Already the author has taken us out into the well-described bush of northern Maine, a place I've never been. I have seen a few moose, however, including some pretty close to my house(in Midcoastal Maine). Doiron likes to take stuff from the real world and fictionalize it, and in this case it's the millionaire hippie-entrepreneur who has alienated the locals by buying a bunch of land and attempting to turn it into a national park. In the real world her name is Roxanne Quimby and her company is/was Burt's Bees. Instead of becoming a national park, her donated land is now a national monument(Katahdin Woods and Waters) east(I think) of Baxter State park(the actual location of Mount Katahdin.) Lotta trees up there! I'm not sure how the locals feel about it, but I assume they're NOT happy.

I think I finally cleared up the Goodreads mess about how many times and how many editions I've read of this book. VERY ANNOYING! Anyhoo, we're moving along with a familiar pattern for a Doiron-Bowditch tale. This one reminds very much of "The Precipice" as it has a full roster of various backwoods creepoids and lots of wardens. Also, the incredibly annoying Stacy is present and still annoying. She's engaged to someone else but that doesn't stop Bowditch from a-pinin' in her direction. Lots of "suspects" have been paraded on the page, but the real baddie is probably in the background for now. The backwoods have been nicely described: green and muddy with a LOT of bugs. Others have praised the Doiron prose and in some respects I agree, but he still resorts to breasts, butts and legs talk when it comes to women. There's even been a bit "whipping"(a cliche') going on. Steaming cups/mugs too ...

Just when I was wondering about the pokey pace of the plot, mucho bleep starts hitting the proverbial fan and actual humans start hitting the afterlife. Good stuff. Last night's reading had me in tears a couple of times. Bowditch is driving many a mile(as per usual in this rural state) trying to keep up with family "issues," social/romantic issues(think Stacy), office politics and, most importantly, criminal issues. I've consulted my Maine Delorme Atlas several times already. Doiron usually invents the most specific locations(like Stephen King), but his more general details map-wise are reality-based. This just might be the best of the four that I will have read when I finish this tonight. All other reading has been put on hold so I can keep turning the pages.

- Reference is made to "the painter Winslow Homer" - humpf! If readers doesn't know who/what Winslow Homer was/is that's THEIR problem. No need to tell them.

And done after last night as more bodies hit the dust. The usual Doiron lethal tussle takes place near the end. The primary and secondary baddies were actually among the middle-ground characters, and as I suspected there was a conspiracy afoot among people a reader might have suspected according to motive and background. Also according to one's knowledge of Bowditch's private life in upcoming novels. I'll say no more …

- Mr. Doiron likes to include cell phones as sources of vital and often incriminating information.

- 3.5* rounds down to 3* for this plenty good mystery-thriller

[Carla Remy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The title is apparently based on a bit of history in Maine, down in Scarborough, from back in the 1700s or so. Native Americans massacred white men in a pond. So they say.
This novel is about a moose massacre and apparently that really happened too, according to the afterward. The story is also based loosely on truth, the Roxanne Quimby situation (she started Burt’s Bees, got rich, sold it to Clorox or something and tried to start a national park).

[Robyn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fans of CJ Box's Joe Pickett series will find much to find in Doiron's series, which is not surprising as the two series have so much in common. Both are about game wardens, underpaid civil servants who strive to uphold the laws of their state and maintain their personal sense of justice. Of course, sometimes this personal sense of justice conflicts with the political ambitions of superiors and the practical realities of the individuals among whom they live. For that reason, Bowditch, a twenty-something game warden in the vast swath of rural Maine, often finds himself disliked and his work unheralded, despite all his earnest intentions.

In this, Doiron's fourth outing for Bowditch, the young whippersnapper takes on a case involving the slaughtering of moose on the private land of a wealthy environmentalist. Said wealthy environmentalist has purchased thousands of acres of timber land in Maine, with the intention of creating a nationally protected park. Opposing her are the timber companies who've harvested lumber on the land for centuries, employing hundreds of local Maine workers.

Is the gruesome slaughter of moose on the property retaliation for threatening the local livelihood? Or is there something more sinister?

Bowditch, unlike in previous escapades, plays nice with this superiors during this political firestorm investigation and actually tries to keep his nose of of trouble. Unfortunately, though not unpredictably, he is drawn reluctantly into the investigation and crosses harm's path multiple times.

What works in this novel is that, like I mentioned, Bowditch doesn't try to be the hero or willfully contradict orders, thus getting in trouble. It's a nice change to see how trouble just finds him for once. Also, Doiron skillfully walks the fine line of the implied debate between preserving and protecting natural habitats for wildlife and the impact of those choices on local economies. The reader can easily see both sides of the argument and does not feel that the author is in favor of one or the other.

What does not work in the novel is that there really isn't anything new being offered in terms of characters or story content. As I stated earlier, the Bowditch series is so similar to Box's Pickett series so as to be indistinct.

[Steve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Warden Bowditch grows a little more in each of this series. This was probably the most action packed of the books I've read so far. Excellent as usual in making you feel like you in in the corner of Maine. I kept looking at google earth to see where the story was taking place. Great storytelling!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

With every book I read in this excellent series, I become an even bigger fan of writer Paul Doiron. His stories of Maine game warden Mike Bowditch ring with authenticity, and are filled with all the beauty and savagery of the wilderness forests that provide the setting. Mike was a green and naive warden rookie as the series started--burdened with an impulsive streak, a temper, and an unfortunate proclivity of jumping to conclusions--usually the wrong ones. He had a lot of personal baggage that worked against him as well. But he also had a good heart, a genuine love and respect for nature, a keen eye and a dogged determination to root out the truth of things. That stood him in good stead and helped him crack some tough cases. With help from a wise old pilot friend and an equally wise boss who recognized his talent and helped him work on his shortcomings while shielding him from the consequences of his screw-ups, Mike matured and grew, case by case, and book by book. In this one--the 4th in the series, Mike has come into his own and takes on a case that begins with 10 massacred moose killed to send a message to a wealthy woman determined to open a wildlife park that would seriously and negatively impact the hunting, trapping and lumber industries of Maine. The case expands to murder and deaths beyond that, but in spite of dealing with family tragedy and his unrequited love for a girl engaged to another, Bowditch keeps his head down and follows his instincts and the evidence to uncover the truth. Although the animal lover in me really struggles with the animal suffering and death that occurs in every book--that is a reality in the life of game wardens--the writing and quality of plotting is excellent enough for me to keep reading and even eagerly looking forward to the next one in the series.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book in this series that I've read, even though it is the 4th one in the series. I have a couple others from this series and hope to get to them soon. I've wanted to read something by this author for awhile now.

This was a solid 3 stars. It was an interesting crime/mystery story set in Maine. It dealt with moose poaching. The MC is a game warden, who is also easy to like and has an easy going personality. Overall, I liked this. It was a light read for a nice afternoon.

[Deb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an engrossing story. When Maine game warden Mike Bowditch discovers the wanton slaughter of seven moose inside the gates of private property, he also finds himself involved in the middle of a fight between an animal rights/environmental activist and Maine's traditional logging and hunting culture. He is also in the midst of a personal struggle: Is he cut out to be a Maine game warden?

I like the way the author can portray both sides of a conflict, and make cases for both sides. Should a private individual be allowed to unilaterally change the way people have lived for generations? I also like the way the setting is so much a part of his books. In this book I particularly liked the way the author showed Mike's growth as an individual. He didn't act impulsively and instead, thought about consequences, before acting or reacting.

I really like this series.

[Rbucci · Rating 4 out of 5]

Each book is better than the last. The main character is developing nicely, and maturing. It gets tiring to have the main character always choose to make a bad decision. Glad he isn’t doing that as much any more.
I actually listen to these books. The reader does a good job, and his Maine accent is improving. I will say there are a couple worlds he totally mispronounces (Passamaquoddy and Augusta being chief among them), but I can hear he is trying to “voice” the difference between a Downeast and interior Maine accent. Good job.

[Angelique Simonsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another beauty. This was crafted so well I enjoyed every page. Set in one of my favourite places to read about (Maine)

[Suzanne Arcand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another mystery, another deception!

Not that it's bad in any way. It's just not that good. There is nothing worth mentioning or remembering. The characters are mostly caricatural and the story is predictable.

I did give this book a fair chance by reading it in near perfect conditions, sitting in a campground in New Hampshire very near Maine. It was fairly entertaining. I did like the scenery in "Massacre Pounds": the wilderness, the villages, the hunting lodges. Some of the issues are worth writing about such as "What’s more important to preserve nature or to give people decent jobs?" but the whole issue his heavily underscore. It so clumsily done that, when I read the post face, I was surprise that parts of this novel were based on real stories.

As I have already written the story is very predictable. I knew exactly who were the bad guys and, believe me when I say that I don’t look for it when I read a mystery. I usually just turn my brain off and follow the author wherever he takes me. Unfortunately, this time, my brain was jolted back on by the bumps in the road. For example, the author contrives to have the hero Mike Bowditch involves every time anything important occurs.

For the denouement Paul Doiron has to resort to a twist in the plot that is completely unbelievable. We are to believe that the antagonist father would rather go to prison than risk having is son’s reputation tarnished. I not even saying ruin because there are not proof against the son and no chance thereof that he would go to prison. It seems very unlikely that a rich and powerful man would just say “OK! You got me” and go to prison rather than fight it off in court and in the public opinion against a poor nobody. Especially is the powerful person in question is respected and like. I just didn’t buy it. In the case of "Massacre Pond", I have to agree with Bertolt Brecht who viewed catharsis as a pablum and I would have preferred it if Doiron had left some to the situations unresolved.

[Verusex · Rating 2 out of 5]

I want to like Dorian's books. But I just can't handle the angst and sulking of the main character. He's not a person I want to know. Yes, I understand that he's a helpful young man with many noble thoughts and that some people perceive themselves that way. And that his belief that everyone else is stupid isn't that unusual. It's just not a stereotype I enjoy reading about. Also, Everyone is either a dear friend or a stupid enemy. There is always a main character acting stupidly. It was Boditch in the previous books, in this one it's a friend. Actually, thinking about it he always has a friend acting stupidly. Yes, people do act stupid and do evil things in the world. But they usually have reasons that they self justify. People are better and more complex than Dorian presents. At book 4, I have given up on Dorian for a while. The author's concept of the book and attempt at a sense of place is terrific. I do find the simple stereotypes he uses for the characters annoying. He will become a better writer, but he's not there yet. I am pleased that my opinion seems to be in the minority and that most readers enjoy the books. I am hoping that Dorian can become the writer he is working hard at becoming.

[Kim Kaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid 4.5, very entertaining. I am not sure who gets in more trouble, Joe Pickett or Mike Bowditch, but I love following them through their trials & tribulations. The life of people trying to enforce wildlife and environmental laws is not an easy one. We think of the romance of working in the great outdoors, but need to remember these people are dealing with people who are comfortable with guns & take their freedom with a deadly seriousness. I recommend Paul Doiron's series to anyone who likes C.J. Box, Nevada Barr, or Craig Johnson. The author is married to a poet, and he writes of Maine with a love that makes his prose poetic at times.

[Sean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really absorbing story and pretty much unputdownable.I was hooked from first few pages and could not finish soon soon enough to see how thing turned out. I really felt for the main character Mike Bowditch the Warden as he had quite a hard time with bits in the book.

But all in all a thoroughly good read and I know it is book 4, but I dont think you had to really start at the beginning,too much.I will now go and get the first 3 books to get to know the other characters better, but this did not let the story down in any way.

Received early copy from Netgalley for honest review.

[GymGuy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just okay. Interesting characters but caricatures. I thought the plot was weak and rather fanciful. I didn't like the main character. I just thought he was weak and submissive. All-in-all, not bad but not memorable.

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

On 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.

Massacre Pond is a strong entry in the Mike Bowditch mystery series. In this the fourth book in the collection, we get the series' signature blend of engaging plot, vivid landscapes, and gripping mystery, we get Bowditch himself taking a significant step toward maturity, both as a person and as a game warden. He tends to follow the rules and stay within the bounds of his job and the law more often, though not always, than before.

While Bowditch shows a ton of real growth in Massacre Pond, the book also marks a major step forward for author Paul Doiron. In this book, Doiron molds his skill, delivering richer characters, more intricate plots, and a touch of well-placed humor. This made for a more enjoyable reading experience.

The central mystery of the slaughtering of moose on the estate of Elizabeth Morse drives the story, but Massacre Pond also puts Bowditch through some deeply personal challenges as well. These moments hit hard, if not harder, than the emotional struggles he face in the first novel, The Poacher's Son . It will be interesting to see how it shapes his character moving forward.

Massacre Pond was a wonderful and quick read. I loved exploring more of the wilderness of Maine and watching our main character grow. Now, I am eager to for the next book in the series.

Massacre Pond is available at bookstores everywhere from Minotaur Books. The audiobook, narrated by Henry Leyva, is available via Libro.fm!

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Bowditch, game warden, is still in exile in a remote corner of Maine questioning whether or not he should be a warden. He is called to a billionaire’s estate over a disturbing discovery. Moose shot at random and left to rot. This is malicious vandalism and it’s politically motivated as the billionaire has recently purchased huge tracts of forest that will no longer be logged but hopefully turned into a national park. Lots of opposition to her plans as logging is the principal employer and will be put out of business. Mike is quickly marginalized by his boss who takes over the investigation. However, the billionaire values Mike’s candor and has him assigned to her as her liaison with law enforcement. And it gets worse with more violence and no progress in finding the moose killers. Lots of twists and tragedy loom. Mike earns some respect for his intuition and perseverance but it was a tough road.

[Jay Fraser · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the story and characters are great, it’s Paul writing and love of Maine that I love the most!
I’ve driven the Maine Coast from Kittery to Bar Harbor and even briefly dated a girl from Grand Isle, way up on the Canadian border, but Paul’s writing makes me want to see so much more of the beautiful state he writes about with such detail.
Don’t get me wrong, I could go and experience much of that state easy enough, but I will most certainly continue reading this series because I’m so invested in Mike Bowditch and the rest of the characters, especially Charlie, Ora, and their daughter.

[Benjamin · Rating 5 out of 5]

People have been telling me to check out Paul Doiron’s books for about a year now. It was 100% worth the hype. I read this in a single day and could not stop. (I did take a short break to go buy 4 more of Doirons novels). I’ve been in Maine for 2.5 years now and have grown to love it. This book captures how special a place Maine is. The plot of this story was fun to follow along.

It was a shot in the dark to start with book 4 but I’m excited to go back to 1 now that I have a copy of it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The descriptions of weather and nature were so good in this one. There was a story and going on, and game wardens doing their thing, but wow…mushrooms! The unusually hot weather in October. It was just so great to hear descriptions of things I love.

[Lindsey Horowitz · Rating 4 out of 5]

My favorite Mike Bowditch book so far! The crime is pretty heinous but I think Mike is at his most likeable, and I appreciated the ending as it was a bit unexpected. Looking forward to the next! 4.5 stars

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! Reading the series in order. Author Paul Doiron has become one of my favorites.

[Chrissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solid 4-4&1/2. Like the Mike Bowditch series though I hate that I missed this one and read it out of order.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ponder the Moose Massacre

A nice hot blend of moose and murder served with suspense and a side-order of insights into love and friendship. This book is another good novel in the Bowditch series.

[Barbara Burton · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️