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Mike Bowditch #15
Pitch Dark
Game Warden Mike Bowditch must chase down a cunning and dangerous fugitive in the North Maine Woods in this nail-biter of a thriller from Edgar Award-nominated author Paul Doiron, Pitch Dark.
Legendary bush pilot Josie Jonson can’t believe her luck when a skilled builder just happens to show up after she purchases land near Prentiss Pond. All Mark Redmond asks in return for building Josie’s dream cabin is that he be left alone to homeschool his 12-year-old daughter, Cady.
For Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch, the intensity of Redmond's secretiveness is troubling, especially in light of suspicious criminal activity being reported around the area―including rumors of an armed man offering large sums of money in exchange for the location of Redmond and Cady. Josie, though hesitant to violate the trust of her prized builder, eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law Charley Stevens to the secluded pond in an attempt to protect Redmond and Cady. But hours after landing, the trip takes a dark turn when they witness a horrific murder and are taken captive themselves.
Freeing himself, Mike is forced to set off through the impenetrable Maine forest towards Canada, alone and unarmed in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. As he navigates a windblown landscape choked with deadfalls and blocked by swollen streams, he marvels at his enemy’s bush craft. The killer possesses skills surpassing his own, and Bowditch can't tell if he is the cat or the mouse in this dangerous game. Can Mike Bowditch stop his adversary in time to save the life of a young girl, or will he be forced to watch another innocent soul die?
Legendary bush pilot Josie Jonson can’t believe her luck when a skilled builder just happens to show up after she purchases land near Prentiss Pond. All Mark Redmond asks in return for building Josie’s dream cabin is that he be left alone to homeschool his 12-year-old daughter, Cady.
For Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch, the intensity of Redmond's secretiveness is troubling, especially in light of suspicious criminal activity being reported around the area―including rumors of an armed man offering large sums of money in exchange for the location of Redmond and Cady. Josie, though hesitant to violate the trust of her prized builder, eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law Charley Stevens to the secluded pond in an attempt to protect Redmond and Cady. But hours after landing, the trip takes a dark turn when they witness a horrific murder and are taken captive themselves.
Freeing himself, Mike is forced to set off through the impenetrable Maine forest towards Canada, alone and unarmed in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. As he navigates a windblown landscape choked with deadfalls and blocked by swollen streams, he marvels at his enemy’s bush craft. The killer possesses skills surpassing his own, and Bowditch can't tell if he is the cat or the mouse in this dangerous game. Can Mike Bowditch stop his adversary in time to save the life of a young girl, or will he be forced to watch another innocent soul die?
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published June 25, 2024
414 people are currently reading
19480 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doiron
38 books2,279 followersPaul 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 666 reviews
March 12, 2024
I had a lot of fun writing this one and hope you enjoy it, too.
August 7, 2024
Book #15 in Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series begins with our protagonist, an investigator with the Maine Warden Service being informed of an armed man inquiring into the whereabouts of a father and daughter residing in the area. Correctly guessing that the father-daughter in question is the reclusive Mark Redmond and his twelve-year-old daughter Cady, who is never seen in public, Mike begins to suspect that there is more to the situation than meets the eye. Mike and his father-in-law, retired chief warden pilot Charley Stevens, approach Josie, a friend of Charley’s, who recently hired Mark to build a cabin near Prentiss Pond, to help establish contact with Mark. Josie, who considers Mark a friend and is protective of Cady, reluctantly agrees to help and takes them to where Redmond and Cady are camped. In a shocking twist, their meeting with Mark and Cady takes a dark turn as it becomes evident that Mark is harboring secrets that he would kill to protect.
We follow Mike as he navigates the Maine wilderness, inclement weather and an adversary who would resort to any means to evade capture. Complicating matters further are a bounty hunter who is also in pursuit of Redmond and Cady and the fact that Redmond has sympathetic neighbors as well as contacts within law enforcement who are aiding him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron. The vivid, atmospheric setting and the fast-paced suspenseful narrative drew me in and kept me hooked until the very last page. Mike Bowditch is an interesting protagonist and this time he was up against an equally (if not more) skilled and experienced adversary which made for a tension-filled cat-and-mouse game with some shocking twists and surprises along the way. Sharp writing, convincing characters and superb character development, and plenty of action and adventure make for a thrilling read. My only complaint is that I would have liked for Stacey to have had a more active role in this installment.
Though this is #15 in the series, it would work well as a standalone. The author provides sufficient background information in his books, which allows for a satisfying reading experience even if you jump in mid-series. This is my second book in the series ( I started with #14, Dead Man's Wake) and haven’t had any problem following the narrative in either book. I look forward to exploring more books in this series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on June 25, 2024.
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We follow Mike as he navigates the Maine wilderness, inclement weather and an adversary who would resort to any means to evade capture. Complicating matters further are a bounty hunter who is also in pursuit of Redmond and Cady and the fact that Redmond has sympathetic neighbors as well as contacts within law enforcement who are aiding him.
I thoroughly enjoyed Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron. The vivid, atmospheric setting and the fast-paced suspenseful narrative drew me in and kept me hooked until the very last page. Mike Bowditch is an interesting protagonist and this time he was up against an equally (if not more) skilled and experienced adversary which made for a tension-filled cat-and-mouse game with some shocking twists and surprises along the way. Sharp writing, convincing characters and superb character development, and plenty of action and adventure make for a thrilling read. My only complaint is that I would have liked for Stacey to have had a more active role in this installment.
Though this is #15 in the series, it would work well as a standalone. The author provides sufficient background information in his books, which allows for a satisfying reading experience even if you jump in mid-series. This is my second book in the series ( I started with #14, Dead Man's Wake) and haven’t had any problem following the narrative in either book. I look forward to exploring more books in this series.
I paired my reading with the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva, which made for a riveting immersion reading experience.
Many thanks to St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the digital review copy and Macmillan Audio for the ALC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. This novel is expected to be published on June 25, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
June 11, 2024
Suspense, murder, and danger are expected from Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series, and
Pitch Dark,
the fifteenth book in the series, brings the action and intensity to new levels. Bush pilot Josie Jonson is ecstatic when she finds a skilled builder for the log cabin she wants built near Prentiss Pond. All Mark Redmond asks for in return is to be left alone to build and to homeschool his daughter, Cady.
Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is concerned about the intensity of Redmond’s secretiveness; especially after a man looking for the Redmonds has gone missing. Josie eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law Charley Stevens to the pond so they can protect Mark and Cady. But hours later, they witness a murder and are taken captive.
Mike is a great tracker and wants to believe the best of others, but he can be fiery and bold. He also has a somewhat perverse sense of humor that isn’t always appreciated by others. He’s a good listener and mentor, but can be baited somewhat easily and isn’t always likeable. He listens to his intuition and is relentless in his pursuit of his investigations. I appreciated his independent thinking and his observation skills. Mike’s wife, Stacey, plays a much smaller, but important role in this novel.
This riveting crime thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat from near the beginning to the exhilarating finish. The world-building of rural northern Maine was fantastic. I was easily transported there and felt like I was running a gauntlet of adversity with Mike and immersed in the atmosphere of the north woods.
The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. Mike’s perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination were highlights in this novel. The plot is suspenseful and full of action. Moving at breakneck speed, it has several twists and turns and is darker than others I’ve read by this author. While a couple of plot points were a little predictable, my main quibble is that while the main mystery was solved, there are a few too many loose ends. However, I’m sure the next book will resolve them.
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, pulse-pounding, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details. Even though this is part of a series, it is a great stand-alone read too. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Mike, Stacey, and Charley. I recommend this to those who like crime thrillers with strong main characters and those who enjoy action-packed wilderness adventure novels.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Paul Doiron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 25, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is concerned about the intensity of Redmond’s secretiveness; especially after a man looking for the Redmonds has gone missing. Josie eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law Charley Stevens to the pond so they can protect Mark and Cady. But hours later, they witness a murder and are taken captive.
Mike is a great tracker and wants to believe the best of others, but he can be fiery and bold. He also has a somewhat perverse sense of humor that isn’t always appreciated by others. He’s a good listener and mentor, but can be baited somewhat easily and isn’t always likeable. He listens to his intuition and is relentless in his pursuit of his investigations. I appreciated his independent thinking and his observation skills. Mike’s wife, Stacey, plays a much smaller, but important role in this novel.
This riveting crime thriller keeps you on the edge of your seat from near the beginning to the exhilarating finish. The world-building of rural northern Maine was fantastic. I was easily transported there and felt like I was running a gauntlet of adversity with Mike and immersed in the atmosphere of the north woods.
The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. Mike’s perseverance, resourcefulness, and determination were highlights in this novel. The plot is suspenseful and full of action. Moving at breakneck speed, it has several twists and turns and is darker than others I’ve read by this author. While a couple of plot points were a little predictable, my main quibble is that while the main mystery was solved, there are a few too many loose ends. However, I’m sure the next book will resolve them.
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, pulse-pounding, and atmospheric with good characterization and great world-building details. Even though this is part of a series, it is a great stand-alone read too. I can’t wait to find out what is next for Mike, Stacey, and Charley. I recommend this to those who like crime thrillers with strong main characters and those who enjoy action-packed wilderness adventure novels.
St. Martin’s Press – Minotaur Books and Paul Doiron provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently expected to be June 25, 2024. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.45 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
June 14, 2024
Love love my favorite ranger, I'm sorry I mean Warden Mike! The problem with finding a great book character when you stumble upon a series is now you have to consider starting in book 1 to get the whole back story 😪. I'm not complaining just saying!
I just stumbled on this character in the book "Dead man's wake" and I've been got ever since!
Our favorite Warden knows something is off when trying to find a missing person, he comes across a father and daughter living in the middle of nowhere whose story fails to hold water. Can he realize that the evil he seeks is right in front of his face and as he races to put all the pieces together, let's hope time can be forgiving and past offenses forgotten!
Meanwhile he obsesses over the fact that the wife may have a bun in the oven 😅.
The twists here were awesome, loved every minute of it!
Thank you Macmillian Audio for this Advance Audio copy! Beyond grateful 🙏🏾
PITCH DARK COMES OUT JUNE 25TH!!!!!!
I just stumbled on this character in the book "Dead man's wake" and I've been got ever since!
Our favorite Warden knows something is off when trying to find a missing person, he comes across a father and daughter living in the middle of nowhere whose story fails to hold water. Can he realize that the evil he seeks is right in front of his face and as he races to put all the pieces together, let's hope time can be forgiving and past offenses forgotten!
Meanwhile he obsesses over the fact that the wife may have a bun in the oven 😅.
The twists here were awesome, loved every minute of it!
Thank you Macmillian Audio for this Advance Audio copy! Beyond grateful 🙏🏾
PITCH DARK COMES OUT JUNE 25TH!!!!!!
July 6, 2024
Pitch Dark (Mike Bowditch #15) by Paul Doiron was the first book in this series that I have read. It was both thrilling and suspenseful. I had no trouble reading the fifteenth book in this series as a stand-alone book but now that I have experienced the nonstop action, dangerous situations and tension filled scenes Game Warden, Mike Bowditch found himself in, I will most certainly not only look forward to continuing this series but will probably go back and read the first book to see how it all began. I enjoyed the atmospheric and vivid descriptions Paul Doiron provided of Maine’s unique and sometimes challenging terrain. Mike Bowditch was an investigator with the Maine Game Warden. His job was anything but dull. He lived in Maine with his wife who worked as an EMT. Her medical knowledge and experience in treating patients sometimes proved to be valuable to Mike when he was confronted with situations that called for medical interventions. I listened to the audiobook that was pleasantly narrated by Henry Leyva. This was my first time listening to this narrator but I thought that he did a fine job distinguishing between the many characters.
Mike Bowditch and his wife were enjoying a pleasant yet surprising conversation at their home in Maine when Mike received an unexpected and troublesome phone call. One of Mike’s more reliable sources informed him that an unknown man had been reported missing in the woods of Northern Maine. Before the man went missing he had been inquiring about the whereabouts of a father and his daughter who had recently taken up residence in a secluded cabin located in the woods. Mike was told that the father’s name was Mark Redmond. A close family friend of Mike’s wife’s father named Josie Johnson had commissioned this man, Mark Redmond, to build her a cabin near Prentiss Pond. Josie, a very talented pilot, had seen Mark’s work and had been very impressed with it. She hired him on the spot to build her a cabin. Mark Redmond had a twelve year old daughter named Cady. Josie took an instant liking to Cady and Cady pretty much adopted Josie as her surrogate grandmother. Cady appeared off in some ways and acted younger than most twelve year old girls. Josie definitely had a soft spot for Cady, though, and admired the skills Mark possessed.
Due to the remote location of where Mark Redmond and his daughter, Cady, resided, Mike decided that a plane was the best option to reach it. His wife suggested that Mike call her father, Charley, a retired Chief Warden Pilot, to help him with reaching his destination. When Mike got in touch with Charley, he filled his father-in-law in about the information he had received and asked his father-in-law for his help in the matter. Charley offered to accompany Mike to Northern Maine and suggested that they pay his friend Josie a visit. If anyone would know how to best reach the remote location it would be Josie. She might even know something about Mark Redmond and his daughter. Upon arriving at Josie’s home, Mike soon learned some pertinent information about Mark Redmond from Josie. She agreed that the only way to get to where Mark and Cady lived was by plane. Josie insisted on flying Mike and Charley in her plane. Mike was anxious to question Mark Redmond about the man who had been seen with a weapon in the woods of northern Maine and was now missing. When Mike started posing questions to Mark, Mark became quite guarded and the details that Mark provided didn’t add up. Mike realized very quickly that there was more to Mark Redmond’s story than he was revealing. He guessed that Mike Redmond and his daughter were not who they had made the locals believe they were. Before Mike had time to delve into their deceit, everything took a disastrous turn for the worse. It didn’t take Mike long to come to the conclusion that Mark Redmond and Cady were harboring secrets so sensitive in nature that they would not hesitate to kill anyone who tried to expose them. Would Mike be able to figure out what secrets father and daughter wanted so desperately to safeguard? What secret was so important that it would warrant killing to keep it hidden? Can Mike put the pieces of this puzzle together and also discover what happened to the missing armed man?
I am now officially hooked on this series! I enjoyed everything about it. It was fast paced, well plotted and I enjoyed the cast of characters that gave this book depth and intensity. The secluded atmospheric setting was perfect and only added to my enjoyment. I enjoyed experiencing Mike’s thought process and strategic planning throughout. There were lots of twists and turn throughout the book which only added to my wanting to see what was going to happen next. The conclusion was satisfying and thrilling at the same time. I am only sorry that it took me this long to discover this amazing series. I look forward to reading many more books in the Mike Bowditch series. I highly recommend Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron if you enjoy action packed thrillers.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Pitch Dark (Mike Bowditch #15) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Mike Bowditch and his wife were enjoying a pleasant yet surprising conversation at their home in Maine when Mike received an unexpected and troublesome phone call. One of Mike’s more reliable sources informed him that an unknown man had been reported missing in the woods of Northern Maine. Before the man went missing he had been inquiring about the whereabouts of a father and his daughter who had recently taken up residence in a secluded cabin located in the woods. Mike was told that the father’s name was Mark Redmond. A close family friend of Mike’s wife’s father named Josie Johnson had commissioned this man, Mark Redmond, to build her a cabin near Prentiss Pond. Josie, a very talented pilot, had seen Mark’s work and had been very impressed with it. She hired him on the spot to build her a cabin. Mark Redmond had a twelve year old daughter named Cady. Josie took an instant liking to Cady and Cady pretty much adopted Josie as her surrogate grandmother. Cady appeared off in some ways and acted younger than most twelve year old girls. Josie definitely had a soft spot for Cady, though, and admired the skills Mark possessed.
Due to the remote location of where Mark Redmond and his daughter, Cady, resided, Mike decided that a plane was the best option to reach it. His wife suggested that Mike call her father, Charley, a retired Chief Warden Pilot, to help him with reaching his destination. When Mike got in touch with Charley, he filled his father-in-law in about the information he had received and asked his father-in-law for his help in the matter. Charley offered to accompany Mike to Northern Maine and suggested that they pay his friend Josie a visit. If anyone would know how to best reach the remote location it would be Josie. She might even know something about Mark Redmond and his daughter. Upon arriving at Josie’s home, Mike soon learned some pertinent information about Mark Redmond from Josie. She agreed that the only way to get to where Mark and Cady lived was by plane. Josie insisted on flying Mike and Charley in her plane. Mike was anxious to question Mark Redmond about the man who had been seen with a weapon in the woods of northern Maine and was now missing. When Mike started posing questions to Mark, Mark became quite guarded and the details that Mark provided didn’t add up. Mike realized very quickly that there was more to Mark Redmond’s story than he was revealing. He guessed that Mike Redmond and his daughter were not who they had made the locals believe they were. Before Mike had time to delve into their deceit, everything took a disastrous turn for the worse. It didn’t take Mike long to come to the conclusion that Mark Redmond and Cady were harboring secrets so sensitive in nature that they would not hesitate to kill anyone who tried to expose them. Would Mike be able to figure out what secrets father and daughter wanted so desperately to safeguard? What secret was so important that it would warrant killing to keep it hidden? Can Mike put the pieces of this puzzle together and also discover what happened to the missing armed man?
I am now officially hooked on this series! I enjoyed everything about it. It was fast paced, well plotted and I enjoyed the cast of characters that gave this book depth and intensity. The secluded atmospheric setting was perfect and only added to my enjoyment. I enjoyed experiencing Mike’s thought process and strategic planning throughout. There were lots of twists and turn throughout the book which only added to my wanting to see what was going to happen next. The conclusion was satisfying and thrilling at the same time. I am only sorry that it took me this long to discover this amazing series. I look forward to reading many more books in the Mike Bowditch series. I highly recommend Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron if you enjoy action packed thrillers.
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to listen to the audiobook of Pitch Dark (Mike Bowditch #15) through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
April 25, 2024
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.
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.
July 31, 2024
I adored Pitch Dark.
When I started it I just figured I would learn about Northern Maine. For though I was born and raised in the Midcoast, I have never been North of Moosehead Lake (as an adult, I was in the 70s but I don’t remember it).
But then I was gripped by all the suspense. This book is a real page turner (to use a cliche). That’s really my favorite thing in fiction, not being able to put a book down.
I will absolutely read more in this series.
When I started it I just figured I would learn about Northern Maine. For though I was born and raised in the Midcoast, I have never been North of Moosehead Lake (as an adult, I was in the 70s but I don’t remember it).
But then I was gripped by all the suspense. This book is a real page turner (to use a cliche). That’s really my favorite thing in fiction, not being able to put a book down.
I will absolutely read more in this series.
June 26, 2024
A fantastic series that never disappoints. Mike Bowditch, a Maine game warden investigator, always finds trouble. The excitement of how he works to make things happen always keeps the author’s readers on their toes.
Set in Maine, Paul Doiron describes the State’s nature and beauty along with Bowditch’s adrenaline-filled work and love life, as only a native can. Love the addition of the game warden’s wolf-hybrid named Shadow.
Living in New England, it is such a pleasure to read about the local birds and game. We take a couple of vacations each year to visit Maine’s southern and mid coasts. Beautiful country.
Any one of Doiron’s books in the series can be read as a standalone. Starting #15 PITCH DARK would be a great choice. Loved it! I started in the middle of this series, and then went on to read every one of them. Can’t wait for the next…
5 out of 5 stars
Thanks to Minotaur Books, Paul Doiron, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Publishing today, June 25, 2024.
Posted to Goodreads on 6/25/24.
Set in Maine, Paul Doiron describes the State’s nature and beauty along with Bowditch’s adrenaline-filled work and love life, as only a native can. Love the addition of the game warden’s wolf-hybrid named Shadow.
Living in New England, it is such a pleasure to read about the local birds and game. We take a couple of vacations each year to visit Maine’s southern and mid coasts. Beautiful country.
Any one of Doiron’s books in the series can be read as a standalone. Starting #15 PITCH DARK would be a great choice. Loved it! I started in the middle of this series, and then went on to read every one of them. Can’t wait for the next…
5 out of 5 stars
Thanks to Minotaur Books, Paul Doiron, and NetGalley for the ARC.
Publishing today, June 25, 2024.
Posted to Goodreads on 6/25/24.
October 16, 2024
I have a confession to make. I don’t like Mike Bowditch. He’s belligerent, insensitive and his questioning methods are clumsy and prone to put people on the defensive. It’s been consistent since book 1 (The Poacher’s Son) when he was still a rookie game warden and it seems he’s learned nothing since. Sure, he acknowledges in his head the advice given to him by Charlie, his father-in-law, but it doesn’t seem to have helped.
Having said that, I’m still totally devoted to this series.
One of the things that Mike Bowditch is is he’s relentless. And it’s this quality that makes him worth reading about, and it’s this quality that’s on full display in Pitch Dark.
Pitch Dark is the 15th book in the Mike Bowditch series and, like the majority of the books to date, as well as hitting us with a well-crafted mystery, it provides a stunning portrait of Maine’s most spectacular locales.
The story starts with a call from a younger warden who fears a man has gone missing while looking for a man and his teenage daughter who have gone off the grid. The man, Mark Redmond, is a builder of extraordinary quality and it so happens he’s in the process of building a cabin for Josie Johnson, a bush pilot and good friend of Charley Stevens, Mike’s father-in-law.
They fly in to meet Redmond, sit down to chat in front of a fire, each drinking a cup of coffee and proceed to ask him questions about the missing man. The next Mike knows he’s waking up outside, tied to a tree along with Josie and Charley. Redmond and his daughter are in the process of preparing to leave, packing up and making a run for the border.
From here, the chase is on. Conditions are poor, guns are involved and the danger is real. Along the way, Mike is constantly trying to work out who Redmond and his daughter really are, why they’re running and what they’re running from. All of this is made even more interesting when he crosses paths with a bounty hunter who also happens to be on Redmond’s trail. Rather than joining forces to make the chase easier, they tend to butt heads and a complicated situation is made even more complicated.
The desperate chase through some unforgiving terrain, all of which takes place at breakneck speed helps to ensure that this is a thoroughly entertaining entry in the series. As terrible as Mike Bowditch is in one on one confrontations, his tenacity and ingenuity when faced with adversity makes him a protagonist worth following.
Pitch Dark is atmospheric, it’s energetic and it manages to draw you in completely. The chase is done at a breathless pace, yet along the way we’re lured in by the suggestion that mystery lies over the real identity and nature of Redmond and his daughter. And it’s this mystery that requires answering and, suitably is where the shocks and surprises lie at the end.
We’re now 15 books deep into the series but it’s definitely possible to enjoy this as a standalone thriller. Paul Doiron provides enough background information to ensure newcomers to the series understand the background of character relationships and past events.
Having said that, I’m still totally devoted to this series.
One of the things that Mike Bowditch is is he’s relentless. And it’s this quality that makes him worth reading about, and it’s this quality that’s on full display in Pitch Dark.
Pitch Dark is the 15th book in the Mike Bowditch series and, like the majority of the books to date, as well as hitting us with a well-crafted mystery, it provides a stunning portrait of Maine’s most spectacular locales.
The story starts with a call from a younger warden who fears a man has gone missing while looking for a man and his teenage daughter who have gone off the grid. The man, Mark Redmond, is a builder of extraordinary quality and it so happens he’s in the process of building a cabin for Josie Johnson, a bush pilot and good friend of Charley Stevens, Mike’s father-in-law.
They fly in to meet Redmond, sit down to chat in front of a fire, each drinking a cup of coffee and proceed to ask him questions about the missing man. The next Mike knows he’s waking up outside, tied to a tree along with Josie and Charley. Redmond and his daughter are in the process of preparing to leave, packing up and making a run for the border.
From here, the chase is on. Conditions are poor, guns are involved and the danger is real. Along the way, Mike is constantly trying to work out who Redmond and his daughter really are, why they’re running and what they’re running from. All of this is made even more interesting when he crosses paths with a bounty hunter who also happens to be on Redmond’s trail. Rather than joining forces to make the chase easier, they tend to butt heads and a complicated situation is made even more complicated.
The desperate chase through some unforgiving terrain, all of which takes place at breakneck speed helps to ensure that this is a thoroughly entertaining entry in the series. As terrible as Mike Bowditch is in one on one confrontations, his tenacity and ingenuity when faced with adversity makes him a protagonist worth following.
Pitch Dark is atmospheric, it’s energetic and it manages to draw you in completely. The chase is done at a breathless pace, yet along the way we’re lured in by the suggestion that mystery lies over the real identity and nature of Redmond and his daughter. And it’s this mystery that requires answering and, suitably is where the shocks and surprises lie at the end.
We’re now 15 books deep into the series but it’s definitely possible to enjoy this as a standalone thriller. Paul Doiron provides enough background information to ensure newcomers to the series understand the background of character relationships and past events.
July 1, 2024
Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron is the 15th book in his "Mike Bowditch" mystery series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone but the series is fantastic to listen to.
Set in Northern Maine, Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is involved in a dangerous chase through the woods, during stormy weather, to find a man and his young daughter who are on the run.
Fast-paced action, suspense and many surprises!
Narrator Henry Leyva does a superb job telling the story!
Highly Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Set in Northern Maine, Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is involved in a dangerous chase through the woods, during stormy weather, to find a man and his young daughter who are on the run.
Fast-paced action, suspense and many surprises!
Narrator Henry Leyva does a superb job telling the story!
Highly Recommended!
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
June 5, 2024
I have not read any of the other books in the Mike Bowditch series. I'm so glad I was approved for this audio ARC. It was completely worth it!
What a nail-biter. The great plot twists, thrilling action, and a superb ending had me glued to the story.
Game Warden Mike Bowditch has just been summoned to chase down a dangerous fugitive in the North Maine Woods. In these woods is a man named Mark Redmond and his daughter, Cady. Mark has chosen to live off the grid in order to protect Cady from the outside world and his looming past. He is a skilled outdoorsman and has a handful of people he leans on, including bush pilot, Josie Jonson. When Mike comes in contact with Josie, she is faced with the decision of betraying Mark's trust by flying Mike out to meet Mark. After landing, Mike senses something isn't right about Mark and Cady and soon finds himself witness to a horrific murder and taken captive. After freeing himself, Mike is determined to set off through the impenetrable Maine forest in pursuit of a fugitive. But, because this killer possesses skills which surpass his own, he isn't sure he can stop his adversary in time to save a young girl.
Excellent thriller. Though this is the only Mike Bowditch book I've read, Paul Doiron writes so that I am welcomed into the storyline as if I've been a guest all along. He weaves suspense and plot twists into this thrilling chase so masterfully, it was difficult to emerge into reality again, as the reader. I don't know what it is about the woodsy setting that makes a thriller that much more intense. It certainly is intense in this story and the woods almost function as a character. I can completely see this book becoming a movie. I'd really like to connect with more books in this series.
Henry Leyva does an impeccable job voicing the Mike Bowditch character. His ability to change characters on a dime is impressive. His fervor added intensity to the storyline. And he spoke French like a pro!
Thank you NetGalley, Paul Doiron, and Macmillan Audio for this excellent Audio ARC in exchange for my honest review
What a nail-biter. The great plot twists, thrilling action, and a superb ending had me glued to the story.
Game Warden Mike Bowditch has just been summoned to chase down a dangerous fugitive in the North Maine Woods. In these woods is a man named Mark Redmond and his daughter, Cady. Mark has chosen to live off the grid in order to protect Cady from the outside world and his looming past. He is a skilled outdoorsman and has a handful of people he leans on, including bush pilot, Josie Jonson. When Mike comes in contact with Josie, she is faced with the decision of betraying Mark's trust by flying Mike out to meet Mark. After landing, Mike senses something isn't right about Mark and Cady and soon finds himself witness to a horrific murder and taken captive. After freeing himself, Mike is determined to set off through the impenetrable Maine forest in pursuit of a fugitive. But, because this killer possesses skills which surpass his own, he isn't sure he can stop his adversary in time to save a young girl.
Excellent thriller. Though this is the only Mike Bowditch book I've read, Paul Doiron writes so that I am welcomed into the storyline as if I've been a guest all along. He weaves suspense and plot twists into this thrilling chase so masterfully, it was difficult to emerge into reality again, as the reader. I don't know what it is about the woodsy setting that makes a thriller that much more intense. It certainly is intense in this story and the woods almost function as a character. I can completely see this book becoming a movie. I'd really like to connect with more books in this series.
Henry Leyva does an impeccable job voicing the Mike Bowditch character. His ability to change characters on a dime is impressive. His fervor added intensity to the storyline. And he spoke French like a pro!
Thank you NetGalley, Paul Doiron, and Macmillan Audio for this excellent Audio ARC in exchange for my honest review
June 28, 2024
While I have yet to tackle all of the books in this series, each is a captivating journey. The characters are incredibly well-crafted, pulling you deep into the story, not missing a single detail.
I highly recommend reading this book while soaking up the sun. The author's descriptions of the Maine wilderness are so vivid that you can almost feel the icy chill creeping through the pages. You'll find yourself fully immersed in the beauty and danger.
In this captivating read, Mike Bowditch has his hands full with the unique father-daughter team he's hunting. They're unlike any other father-daughter duo I've read about before!
Get ready to be captivated by the incredible MCs in this series. You won't be able to resist coming back for more!
Thank you to St. Martins Press/Minotaur/Macmillan Audiobooks for providing this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#MacAudio2024 #StMarinsPress #Minotaur #Netgalley #pitchdark #pauldoiron #ARC #pageturner #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker #stmartinspressinfluencer
I highly recommend reading this book while soaking up the sun. The author's descriptions of the Maine wilderness are so vivid that you can almost feel the icy chill creeping through the pages. You'll find yourself fully immersed in the beauty and danger.
In this captivating read, Mike Bowditch has his hands full with the unique father-daughter team he's hunting. They're unlike any other father-daughter duo I've read about before!
Get ready to be captivated by the incredible MCs in this series. You won't be able to resist coming back for more!
Thank you to St. Martins Press/Minotaur/Macmillan Audiobooks for providing this ARC through NetGalley. All opinions are my own and left voluntarily.
#MacAudio2024 #StMarinsPress #Minotaur #Netgalley #pitchdark #pauldoiron #ARC #pageturner #reader #read #honestreview #thriller #bookreviewer #thrillerbooklovers #thepulse #pulsepoint #thrillerfriendsunite #thrillerobsessedbookishclub #ReadersOfTheLateArc #TalkWordyToMeTeam #lovetoread #lovebooks #booknerd #readaholic #bookstagrammer #booktok #booktoker #stmartinspressinfluencer
June 27, 2024
4.5 Stars
Mike Bowditch gets a call from a neighboring game warden needing guidance. He has a possible missing person. A man, not from around Maine, rented an ATV, despite warnings of bad weather and land conditions. Before venturing off, he was asking for information on a reclusive man, Mark Redmond, and his young daughter, Cady, seen around Prentiss Pond, a remote location close to the Canadian border.
Mike finds out that Mark is building a cabin for Josie Johnson, a bush pilot and family friend. The story raises Mike’s suspicions and so he and his father-in-law, Charley, travel out to check on Mark and his daughter, Cady. From there things go south. Mike, Charley and Josie end up tied up with a killer escaping.
The story took off at a breakneck speed after that with Mike pursuing this killer through the remote Maine wilderness, overcoming many obstacles, both from nature and of the human variety. I was glued to the story! While I do think Mike runs headlong into danger, most of the time he tries to think things through. Circumstances do not always allow for plotting and planning, especially with criminals. However, they usually don’t count on Mike’s dogged determination! The situation culminates in an exciting conclusion! Some things were left open, so I’m anxious for the next book!
One of the things I love about this series is that Doiron manages to vividly describe the Maine landscape, rough and beautiful, without slowing the plot.
Pitch Dark is book fifteen in the series, but I feel you could read it as a standalone and still enjoy the story. I stepped in late in the game at book twelve and I’ve read enjoyed every new installment since!
I’ve listened to the series with Henry Leyva performing and he’s come to “be” Mike Bowditch to me. Doiron’s wry humor comes through loud and clear through his performance and I enjoy his Maine and Canadian accents. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed and a little higher in some of the more intense scenes. A definite recommend!
A copy was kindly provided by Macmillan Audio. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
Mike Bowditch gets a call from a neighboring game warden needing guidance. He has a possible missing person. A man, not from around Maine, rented an ATV, despite warnings of bad weather and land conditions. Before venturing off, he was asking for information on a reclusive man, Mark Redmond, and his young daughter, Cady, seen around Prentiss Pond, a remote location close to the Canadian border.
Mike finds out that Mark is building a cabin for Josie Johnson, a bush pilot and family friend. The story raises Mike’s suspicions and so he and his father-in-law, Charley, travel out to check on Mark and his daughter, Cady. From there things go south. Mike, Charley and Josie end up tied up with a killer escaping.
The story took off at a breakneck speed after that with Mike pursuing this killer through the remote Maine wilderness, overcoming many obstacles, both from nature and of the human variety. I was glued to the story! While I do think Mike runs headlong into danger, most of the time he tries to think things through. Circumstances do not always allow for plotting and planning, especially with criminals. However, they usually don’t count on Mike’s dogged determination! The situation culminates in an exciting conclusion! Some things were left open, so I’m anxious for the next book!
One of the things I love about this series is that Doiron manages to vividly describe the Maine landscape, rough and beautiful, without slowing the plot.
Pitch Dark is book fifteen in the series, but I feel you could read it as a standalone and still enjoy the story. I stepped in late in the game at book twelve and I’ve read enjoyed every new installment since!
I’ve listened to the series with Henry Leyva performing and he’s come to “be” Mike Bowditch to me. Doiron’s wry humor comes through loud and clear through his performance and I enjoy his Maine and Canadian accents. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed and a little higher in some of the more intense scenes. A definite recommend!
A copy was kindly provided by Macmillan Audio. My thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 26, 2024
Yes, this sounds like a simple statement, but fun books make for fun reading.
I thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for making this great novel available for an advanced read this past weekend. With a well-paced and engaging plot and interesting characters, this was a one-day read on my Kindle.
I've read other Bowditch novels (although I want to read more) and this one seems to me to be the best of the batch so far. Our protagonist shows his true character when he fights (literally) for a young girl that has had a difficult past. Bowditch is taken prisoner and overall put through the wringer to do the good thing amidst a bad situation.
The interaction between the U.S. characters and the Canadian authorities seemed to be a bit exaggerated, but that is a minor quibble for this very entertaining book.
I thank NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for making this great novel available for an advanced read this past weekend. With a well-paced and engaging plot and interesting characters, this was a one-day read on my Kindle.
I've read other Bowditch novels (although I want to read more) and this one seems to me to be the best of the batch so far. Our protagonist shows his true character when he fights (literally) for a young girl that has had a difficult past. Bowditch is taken prisoner and overall put through the wringer to do the good thing amidst a bad situation.
The interaction between the U.S. characters and the Canadian authorities seemed to be a bit exaggerated, but that is a minor quibble for this very entertaining book.
June 18, 2024
In book #15 of this thriller series featuring Mike Bowditch, a warden with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, Mike gets a call about a tourist named Pratt who went off exploring in an ATV and hasn't been seen since. The guy had been asking about a man who lives alone in the woods with his daughter. The only one fitting that description is a man named Mark Redmond who is building a log cabin for Josie Jonson on Prentiss Pond near the Canadian border. Spring rain storms have made many of the deep woods roads impassible so Mike's father-in-law Charley contacts Josie to see if she would be willing to fly them to the site by helicopter to talk to the builder. The 'conversation' they have with the builder leads to a crazy manhunt through the wilds of Maine. Very exciting adventure thriller!
Somehow I wasn't even aware of this author and his long-running thriller series before being offered an arc for this latest novel from the publisher through NetGalley. I looked it over and thought it might be a book both my husband and I would enjoy. And it sure was! I hope we can find the time to go back and read the previous books. However it isn't necessary to have read them to enjoy this latest. I can highly recommend it for those looking for some exciting reading this summer, especially if you enjoy books set in the great outdoors.
Somehow I wasn't even aware of this author and his long-running thriller series before being offered an arc for this latest novel from the publisher through NetGalley. I looked it over and thought it might be a book both my husband and I would enjoy. And it sure was! I hope we can find the time to go back and read the previous books. However it isn't necessary to have read them to enjoy this latest. I can highly recommend it for those looking for some exciting reading this summer, especially if you enjoy books set in the great outdoors.
May 15, 2024
Pitch Dark is the latest in the Mike Bowditch Series and it's quite the nail-biter! When Mike, his father-in-law, and a famed bush pilot witness a murder, they become captives. Mike escapes and is forced to set off through the impenetrable Maine forest, alone and unarmed, in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. As he navigates a windblown landscape choked with deadfalls and blocked by swollen streams, the killer seems to possess skills surpassing Mike's own. Natural predators aren't the only killers using Maine's wilderness as a stalking ground!!
The author is a native of Maine and is an outdoorsman, himself, which undoubtedly adds authenticity to the voice of the series. I recommend it!
Many thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #PitchDark. This book is #15 in the #MikeBowditch series, with the expected publication date of June 25, 2024.
#MaineMurder #PaulDoiron
The author is a native of Maine and is an outdoorsman, himself, which undoubtedly adds authenticity to the voice of the series. I recommend it!
Many thanks to both #MinotaurBooks and #NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of #PitchDark. This book is #15 in the #MikeBowditch series, with the expected publication date of June 25, 2024.
#MaineMurder #PaulDoiron
May 13, 2025
Wonderful imagery.
Great dialogue.
Well developed characters.
Good plot.
Fast paced & action packed.
This is book 16 in a series,
but can be read on its own.
This is Paul Dorian’s best book to date
(and book #17 will be available very soon -
May 13, 2025).
I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.
Great dialogue.
Well developed characters.
Good plot.
Fast paced & action packed.
This is book 16 in a series,
but can be read on its own.
This is Paul Dorian’s best book to date
(and book #17 will be available very soon -
May 13, 2025).
I’m looking forward to reading that one, too.
May 24, 2024
I came late to the party for this wonderful series, discovering it just five books ago (this is the 15th). Each one has served up an action-packed adventure with engaging characters like the star of the show, Mike Bowditch, Maine game warden investigator. No less interesting are his wife Stacey, now an EMT, and her father, retired game warden Charlie Stevens - the latter a long-time mentor and father-figure to Mike.
This time around, though, it's almost all about Mike; Charlie does play a crucial role, but Stacey not so much. The story begins as Mike gets a call from a game warden in a remote district, asking for Mike's help with finding a missing person; that, in turn, leads him and Charlie, who insisted on tagging along, to the really, really remote home of mutual friend Josie, who's a helicopter pilot. Strangely connected to the case is an equally strange man named Mark Redmond, who has been tasked with building a gorgeous home for Josie and, also strangely, is accompanied by his 12-year-old daughter Cady. Both, however, seem to have disappeared from Josie's premises.
Needless to say, they're all now in an area that has little or no access to cell phones; but Josie believes a couple who run a sugar mill in an even more remote area may know something. So, off Mike and Charlie go in Josie's helicopter to find out. They got it right, actually, but also very wrong; let's just say Mike, Charlie and Josie quickly find themselves in no position to do more chasing - a situation that goes from bad to worse.
But Mike is nothing if not resourceful; the situation gets a reprieve of sorts, freeing him to continue tracking the man and his daughter, who clearly want to get away fast. From here on, it's a battle of wits and who can withstand the most physical punishment interspersed with a few twists (and I'm not referring to the tree-covered terrain). The ending brings a bit of a cliffhanger as well as other news that make me hope that the next installment won't be long in coming. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to once again enjoy the exploits of one of my favorite characters.
This time around, though, it's almost all about Mike; Charlie does play a crucial role, but Stacey not so much. The story begins as Mike gets a call from a game warden in a remote district, asking for Mike's help with finding a missing person; that, in turn, leads him and Charlie, who insisted on tagging along, to the really, really remote home of mutual friend Josie, who's a helicopter pilot. Strangely connected to the case is an equally strange man named Mark Redmond, who has been tasked with building a gorgeous home for Josie and, also strangely, is accompanied by his 12-year-old daughter Cady. Both, however, seem to have disappeared from Josie's premises.
Needless to say, they're all now in an area that has little or no access to cell phones; but Josie believes a couple who run a sugar mill in an even more remote area may know something. So, off Mike and Charlie go in Josie's helicopter to find out. They got it right, actually, but also very wrong; let's just say Mike, Charlie and Josie quickly find themselves in no position to do more chasing - a situation that goes from bad to worse.
But Mike is nothing if not resourceful; the situation gets a reprieve of sorts, freeing him to continue tracking the man and his daughter, who clearly want to get away fast. From here on, it's a battle of wits and who can withstand the most physical punishment interspersed with a few twists (and I'm not referring to the tree-covered terrain). The ending brings a bit of a cliffhanger as well as other news that make me hope that the next installment won't be long in coming. Meantime, I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for the opportunity to once again enjoy the exploits of one of my favorite characters.
October 17, 2024
An action-packed adventure. As Mike Bowditch is experiencing a lot of firsts in his life, he goes out on a limb to check into some information regarding a missing person. When he asks his father-in-law for help, they head up into the remote wilderness of Maine, where things progressively get worse and more dire. Mike ends up on an unstoppable race against time, weather, and nature for the truth and revenge.
March 29, 2024
With his latest mystery/thriller, “Pitch Dark,” author Paul Doiron has given us a very absorbing, suspense-filled entertainment.
When Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch learns that a man has disappeared searching out a father and teenage daughter in Maine’s North Woods, he has three questions: Who is the man, who is he hunting, and why?
Turns out, the father, Mark Redmond, and his daughter, Cady, are custom-building a log cabin for an old, close friend of Mike’s family, bush pilot Josie Johnson. Josie agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law, Charley Stevens, up to the site so that Mike can ask Redmond if he knows of the investigator, his whereabouts, or what might have happened to him.
Gathering around the cabin’s newly installed, state-of-the-art wood-fired cooking stove, the five chat pleasantly about the beauty of Redmond’s craftsmanship and the circumstances that might have led to the investigator’s disappearance, which is the last thing Mike remembers until waking up tied to a tree alongside a still-unconscious Charley and a convulsing Josie while Redmond and his daughter flee the scene—which is when Mike’s hunt for the Redmonds through the Maine and Canadian wilderness begins.
It's a hunt that’s filled with danger and suspense and more than a few reversals and surprises. Paul Doiron’s writing is straightforward and a pleasure to read. The pages fly by. Some of the plotting did strike me as a bit outlandish. But this is vastly outweighed by Mr. Doiron’s knowledge and descriptions of the various elements he includes in his story. Whether it be flying a bush plane; or building a log cabin with infinite precision; or manufacturing maple syrup; or law enforcement organizations and procedures; or North Woods flora and fauna, Doirons writes about it with specificity and authority.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Paul Doiron, and publisher St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.
When Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch learns that a man has disappeared searching out a father and teenage daughter in Maine’s North Woods, he has three questions: Who is the man, who is he hunting, and why?
Turns out, the father, Mark Redmond, and his daughter, Cady, are custom-building a log cabin for an old, close friend of Mike’s family, bush pilot Josie Johnson. Josie agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law, Charley Stevens, up to the site so that Mike can ask Redmond if he knows of the investigator, his whereabouts, or what might have happened to him.
Gathering around the cabin’s newly installed, state-of-the-art wood-fired cooking stove, the five chat pleasantly about the beauty of Redmond’s craftsmanship and the circumstances that might have led to the investigator’s disappearance, which is the last thing Mike remembers until waking up tied to a tree alongside a still-unconscious Charley and a convulsing Josie while Redmond and his daughter flee the scene—which is when Mike’s hunt for the Redmonds through the Maine and Canadian wilderness begins.
It's a hunt that’s filled with danger and suspense and more than a few reversals and surprises. Paul Doiron’s writing is straightforward and a pleasure to read. The pages fly by. Some of the plotting did strike me as a bit outlandish. But this is vastly outweighed by Mr. Doiron’s knowledge and descriptions of the various elements he includes in his story. Whether it be flying a bush plane; or building a log cabin with infinite precision; or manufacturing maple syrup; or law enforcement organizations and procedures; or North Woods flora and fauna, Doirons writes about it with specificity and authority.
My thanks to NetGalley, author Paul Doiron, and publisher St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for providing me with a complimentary ARC. The foregoing is my independent opinion.
April 1, 2025
Once again I enjoyed Mike Bowditch’s search through the Maine woods!! What starts as a missing person search becomes a murder mystery. No surprise, the weather in the north country Maine is so prevalent it is nearly a character itself! Really didn’t see the twisted conclusion coming. Left me sad.
Delighted for Stacey & Mike, however!!
Delighted for Stacey & Mike, however!!
June 5, 2024
Pitch Dark (audio) Mike Bowditch series
3.5⭐️
This is my first Mike Bowditch series read/listen. It can be read as a standalone book. I thought Pitch Dark was well written fast paced suspense. Mike gets a call that a man has gone missing while looking for a father and daughter living off-grid. The whole book takes place within a day as Mike learns this isn’t a clear cut search and rescue.
This is a great book for readers who enjoy stories that take place in remote wilderness areas over a short period of time. The characters were authentic and unique. The narration was overall good.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 25 2024
3.5⭐️
This is my first Mike Bowditch series read/listen. It can be read as a standalone book. I thought Pitch Dark was well written fast paced suspense. Mike gets a call that a man has gone missing while looking for a father and daughter living off-grid. The whole book takes place within a day as Mike learns this isn’t a clear cut search and rescue.
This is a great book for readers who enjoy stories that take place in remote wilderness areas over a short period of time. The characters were authentic and unique. The narration was overall good.
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this audio ARC.
Pub Date Jun 25 2024
September 2, 2024
Sadly, I’ve reached a plot hole I don’t think I can cross despite how tense the plot is and the fantastic writing. The writer’s knowledge of the land, law enforcement in the extreme northeast, cabin building, and survival skills is impressive.
Here’s my personal issue:
The MC warden chases after the heavily armed fugitive with only a pair of scissors jammed into the ignition of an ATV and a dull axe. Really? It’s infuriating. For a trained LEO and gov employee? We are risk adverse 🤣 too much paperwork. Why lone wolf it against someone who is better prepared, totally outfitted, and stronger than you in the bush? That is made clear by the father in law who enables the MC (and then stays behind, why? Ahhh to ‘make it a man vs. man’ scenario). The murder of the pilot isn’t a reason to charge off at such a disadvantage: the victim is already dead.
We’re told the MC is an arrogant blood hound, but this move goes beyond arrogance, it’s either 1)obvious writerly oversight and/or 2) toxic masculinity masked as Mythic Heroism. Why not go in the opposite direction to get backup with weapons? It’s such a massive lack of judgment and a plot hole at 35%, I don’t think I can suspend my disbelief to listen any further.
Regarding 1):
there was a plot fix: have the fugitive take someone vulnerable hostage, a ticking clock, and give the warden at least one gun. The sad thing is the writer so easily couldn’t made the daughter reveal her fear and cry out for help while still obeying her controlling zealot father. Why didn’t the writer make this choice 🤷♀️.
Ok, so then 2)…
That leads me to drop this book like a hot coal. 🫨I am so TIRED of the perpetuation of the Mythic Alpha Male striving to save the day and still doing it! Against all odds. IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. Like a sane person would never do that, so therefore I cannot in any way connect with this person even to be entertained by his foolishness and “epic struggle.” Though I have no doubt I’m in the minority. This is just my feeling right now; not the author’s fault, we all bring our own perceptions into the novel. This toxic masculinity is triggering me because the national “conversation” as of late seems to be believing that men should be viewed as these Mythic Heroes even when they are only human. And we all age and show weakness; and it’s cruel and just tiring to see it on a 24/7 news cycle. So I’m done.
BUT I really respect the obvious time and care the author spent in researching this story, which is why I rate it so high still. Perhaps if I would make it to 40%, I would hear the MC question his own toxicity and arrogance beyond 1-2 acknowledgments that he is indeed an arrogant blood hound. For me, personally 35% is too far to go. I’ve gotten no hint yet that this faux heroism is even registering. And his poor wife and potential child in the way? Yeah, can we please stop these Mythic Alpha Male Hero narratives? But, I get people love them, and I bought this book, so there you go. I just can’t help but feel discouraged by what it reveals about us, that the writer carried through with it even though there were options to make it more readable.
Here’s my personal issue:
The MC warden chases after the heavily armed fugitive with only a pair of scissors jammed into the ignition of an ATV and a dull axe. Really? It’s infuriating. For a trained LEO and gov employee? We are risk adverse 🤣 too much paperwork. Why lone wolf it against someone who is better prepared, totally outfitted, and stronger than you in the bush? That is made clear by the father in law who enables the MC (and then stays behind, why? Ahhh to ‘make it a man vs. man’ scenario). The murder of the pilot isn’t a reason to charge off at such a disadvantage: the victim is already dead.
We’re told the MC is an arrogant blood hound, but this move goes beyond arrogance, it’s either 1)obvious writerly oversight and/or 2) toxic masculinity masked as Mythic Heroism. Why not go in the opposite direction to get backup with weapons? It’s such a massive lack of judgment and a plot hole at 35%, I don’t think I can suspend my disbelief to listen any further.
Regarding 1):
there was a plot fix: have the fugitive take someone vulnerable hostage, a ticking clock, and give the warden at least one gun. The sad thing is the writer so easily couldn’t made the daughter reveal her fear and cry out for help while still obeying her controlling zealot father. Why didn’t the writer make this choice 🤷♀️.
Ok, so then 2)…
That leads me to drop this book like a hot coal. 🫨I am so TIRED of the perpetuation of the Mythic Alpha Male striving to save the day and still doing it! Against all odds. IMPOSSIBLE ODDS. Like a sane person would never do that, so therefore I cannot in any way connect with this person even to be entertained by his foolishness and “epic struggle.” Though I have no doubt I’m in the minority. This is just my feeling right now; not the author’s fault, we all bring our own perceptions into the novel. This toxic masculinity is triggering me because the national “conversation” as of late seems to be believing that men should be viewed as these Mythic Heroes even when they are only human. And we all age and show weakness; and it’s cruel and just tiring to see it on a 24/7 news cycle. So I’m done.
BUT I really respect the obvious time and care the author spent in researching this story, which is why I rate it so high still. Perhaps if I would make it to 40%, I would hear the MC question his own toxicity and arrogance beyond 1-2 acknowledgments that he is indeed an arrogant blood hound. For me, personally 35% is too far to go. I’ve gotten no hint yet that this faux heroism is even registering. And his poor wife and potential child in the way? Yeah, can we please stop these Mythic Alpha Male Hero narratives? But, I get people love them, and I bought this book, so there you go. I just can’t help but feel discouraged by what it reveals about us, that the writer carried through with it even though there were options to make it more readable.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 28, 2024
Author Paul Doiron returns with his popular Mike Bowditch mystery series in his latest heart-pounding adventure with #15, PITCH DARK.
About...
Set in the main woods, Game Warden Mike Bowditch must chase down a dangerous killer who is whip-smart in this twisty game of cat-and-mouse.
Mark Redmond, a skilled builder, shows up to build Josie Jonson's (bush pilot) cabin after purchasing land near Prentiss Pond. He only requests to be left alone to homeschool his daughter, Cady (age 12, never seen in public). Suspicious?
Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch is suspicious of Redmond's secretiveness, especially in light of suspicious criminal activity being reported around the area―including rumors of an armed man offering large sums of money in exchange for the location of Redmond and Cady.
Josie, hesitant to violate her builder's trust, eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law, Charley Stevens (a retired warden pilot), to the secluded pond to protect reclusive Redmond and Cady.
But hours after landing, the trip takes a dark and sinister turn when they witness a horrific murder and are taken captive themselves. What is Mark hiding?
Mike escapes and is forced to set off alone and unarmed through the Maine forest toward Canada in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. He soon learns that, through all the roadblocks, weather, and wilderness, the killer may be able to outsmart him and his skills. Plus, a bounty hunter is also pursuing Redmond and Cady, plus more complications.
Who is the cat and the mouse in this dangerous game, and will Mike be able to save the life of a young girl and himself?
My thoughts...
PITCH DARK is riveting, atmospheric, fast-paced, action-packed, and full of suspense and twists for a wild adventure. The characters are well-developed, and the setting, vivid and rugged. Excellent characterization (especially Mike, the hero) and atmospheric descriptions make this one an excellent addition to the series full of action, suspense, murder, and danger.
Recs...
PITCH DARK is highly recommended for fans of the author and the Mike Bowditch series and those of authors C.J. Box, Ace Atkins, and David Baldacci.
Audiobook...
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva for an outstanding gripping performance, making the characters come alive for a fast-paced thrill ride!
Thank you...
Thanks to #MacAudio2024 Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a gifted ALC for an honest review. #CoverLove
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
June 2024 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
About...
Set in the main woods, Game Warden Mike Bowditch must chase down a dangerous killer who is whip-smart in this twisty game of cat-and-mouse.
Mark Redmond, a skilled builder, shows up to build Josie Jonson's (bush pilot) cabin after purchasing land near Prentiss Pond. He only requests to be left alone to homeschool his daughter, Cady (age 12, never seen in public). Suspicious?
Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch is suspicious of Redmond's secretiveness, especially in light of suspicious criminal activity being reported around the area―including rumors of an armed man offering large sums of money in exchange for the location of Redmond and Cady.
Josie, hesitant to violate her builder's trust, eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law, Charley Stevens (a retired warden pilot), to the secluded pond to protect reclusive Redmond and Cady.
But hours after landing, the trip takes a dark and sinister turn when they witness a horrific murder and are taken captive themselves. What is Mark hiding?
Mike escapes and is forced to set off alone and unarmed through the Maine forest toward Canada in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. He soon learns that, through all the roadblocks, weather, and wilderness, the killer may be able to outsmart him and his skills. Plus, a bounty hunter is also pursuing Redmond and Cady, plus more complications.
Who is the cat and the mouse in this dangerous game, and will Mike be able to save the life of a young girl and himself?
My thoughts...
PITCH DARK is riveting, atmospheric, fast-paced, action-packed, and full of suspense and twists for a wild adventure. The characters are well-developed, and the setting, vivid and rugged. Excellent characterization (especially Mike, the hero) and atmospheric descriptions make this one an excellent addition to the series full of action, suspense, murder, and danger.
Recs...
PITCH DARK is highly recommended for fans of the author and the Mike Bowditch series and those of authors C.J. Box, Ace Atkins, and David Baldacci.
Audiobook...
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva for an outstanding gripping performance, making the characters come alive for a fast-paced thrill ride!
Thank you...
Thanks to #MacAudio2024 Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a gifted ALC for an honest review. #CoverLove
blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
June 2024 Must-Read Books
June Newsletter
September 14, 2024
3.75 A little bit slow at first. Not one of his best stories but okay.
July 22, 2024
I have enj0yed this series in the past, but not this one. It is nothing but a 300 page chase scene. Let's get this straight. It is a dark and stormy night, going from rain to mist and back, yet superhero Mike Bowditch not only keeps up with his prey, but at times beats him to a spot. The unlikelihood of this book is amazing.
Then there is Bowditch. By the end, I was hoping he'd take one in the temple. A guy is bleeding out and he corrects him: "It's Warden, not ranger". If you care about that when applying a tourniquet, you're a little self-absorbed. From the outset Mike is an unlikeable aggressive guy without any reason to be.
I'm afraid this is the last Mike Bowditch for me.
Then there is Bowditch. By the end, I was hoping he'd take one in the temple. A guy is bleeding out and he corrects him: "It's Warden, not ranger". If you care about that when applying a tourniquet, you're a little self-absorbed. From the outset Mike is an unlikeable aggressive guy without any reason to be.
I'm afraid this is the last Mike Bowditch for me.
May 30, 2024
Paul Doiron's writing just keeps getting better and better. Mike Bowditch's latest adventure takes us to the Maine wilderness when a missing person is reported. Mike must survive both nature and human evilness. Doiron's character development is always excellent and I love reading about Bowditch's latest life journey. This had a mystery with a completely unexpected twist.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Paul Doiron for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Many thanks to Netgalley, Edelweiss, Minotaur Books and Paul Doiron for my complimentary e-copy ARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
March 2, 2024
Pitch Dark the latest installment in the Mike Bowditch series, is his best yet. Full of edge of seat excitement set in the Maine wilderness. I can’t recommend this series enough!
June 4, 2024
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC audiobook for Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron.
I know that this Mike Bowditch series is popular at our library. So, I figured why not give the newest book a try. Jumping in on book #15 in the series seemed reasonable.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it gave enough background without feeling like we weren't moving forward. I like this Mike Bowditch character. He knew his stuff but also admitted that he didn't know everything, which I like in a character. He did make questionable decisions and went against better judgement...but he would always hear his father-in-law in his head telling him what he should have done. Not in a bad way, just a cautionary way.
I don't want to spoil anything. It was a good, fast-paced thriller. Glad I took a chance on this book.
I know that this Mike Bowditch series is popular at our library. So, I figured why not give the newest book a try. Jumping in on book #15 in the series seemed reasonable.
I have to say that I really enjoyed this book. I feel like it gave enough background without feeling like we weren't moving forward. I like this Mike Bowditch character. He knew his stuff but also admitted that he didn't know everything, which I like in a character. He did make questionable decisions and went against better judgement...but he would always hear his father-in-law in his head telling him what he should have done. Not in a bad way, just a cautionary way.
I don't want to spoil anything. It was a good, fast-paced thriller. Glad I took a chance on this book.
July 8, 2024
This was my first book by this author. When I started it, I had no idea it was book 15 in a series. While it can be read as a standalone, I did feel that there was background information that I was missing. It did not take away from my enjoyment of the book at all.
I really liked this book! It was very intense and full of action from the beginning to the end. Mike Bowditch, a warden with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, gets a call about a missing person. From that point on, we are led on a WILD action packed chase through the woods of Maine. This book was exciting, gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and well-written. Even though this is book 15 that I picked up, I felt that I got to know the main characters due to well flushed out character development.
I have never heard of this author or this series, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm adding the series to my TBR list for when I get through my ARCs. I can't wait to get to the whole series.
Henry Leyva did a great job with bringing these characters to life. I usually am not a fan of many male narrators, but truly enjoyed his narration of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
I really liked this book! It was very intense and full of action from the beginning to the end. Mike Bowditch, a warden with the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, gets a call about a missing person. From that point on, we are led on a WILD action packed chase through the woods of Maine. This book was exciting, gripping, suspenseful, entertaining, and well-written. Even though this is book 15 that I picked up, I felt that I got to know the main characters due to well flushed out character development.
I have never heard of this author or this series, but I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. I'm adding the series to my TBR list for when I get through my ARCs. I can't wait to get to the whole series.
Henry Leyva did a great job with bringing these characters to life. I usually am not a fan of many male narrators, but truly enjoyed his narration of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.
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