We Can't Save You: A Tale of Politics, Murder, and Maine

Ryan Tapia #2

by Thomas E. Ricks

Thomas E. Ricks, author of five New York Times bestsellers, combines his deep knowledge of Maine with his years of experience covering U.S. military operations to craft a powerful tale of politics and mayhem in this riveting crime novel.

When a group of young Native Americans launches a series of protests against climate change and its effects on the waters and woods of Maine, veteran FBI agent Ryan Tapia, is assigned to monitor the movement. The protestors, who become determined to split away from American society, are led by “Peeled Paul” Soco, an Malpense hermit who played a key role in one of Tapia's previous investigations. When the marchers begin making camps on the lawns of luxurious summer mansions along the Maine coast, they win national media attention—and the wrath of a reactionary president.

Tapia soon finds himself torn. He wants to do right by Soco and the protestors, but his bosses at the Bureau are eager to please a president itching to crack down on them. Growing increasingly sympathetic to the protestors and their cause, he tells them about a possible refuge—a secret CIA base hidden away in the depths of the Maine woods on the Canadian border.

Enraged by the protestor's actions, the White House sends a U.S. Army unit to track down the protestors on their stealth march through the evergreen forests. Meanwhile, Tapia’s bosses, vexed and embarrassed, fire him and threaten arrest. Undaunted, Tapia snowmobiles through the wilderness on a wintry night to warn the Indian protestors of the impending attack.

Building to a dizzying, wind-whipped climax, We Can't Save You establishes Ryan Tapia as one of the most compelling and nuanced investigators in crime fiction.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Politics

304 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 3, 2025

About the author

Thomas Edwin "Tom" Ricks (born September 25, 1955) is an American journalist who writes on defense topics. He is a Pulitzer Prize-winning former reporter for the Wall Street Journal and Washington Post. He writes a blog at ForeignPolicy.com and is a member of the Center for a New American Security, a defense policy think tank.

He lectures widely to the military and is a member of Harvard University's Senior Advisory Council on the Project on U.S. Civil-Military Relations. He has reported on military activities in Somalia, Haiti, Korea, Bosnia, Kosovo, Macedonia, Kuwait, Turkey, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Ricks is author of five books: the bestselling Fiasco: The American Military Adventure In Iraq (2006), its follow-up The Gamble: General David Petraeus and the American Military Adventure in Iraq, 2006-2008 (2009), The Generals: American Military Command from World War II to Today (2012), the novel A Soldier's Duty (2001), and Making the Corps (1997) (from wikipedia)

Reviews

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I finished this book last night, four days before the June 14th protests are planned, and my social media feeds are full of legal advice for protesters. Our president is instigating the whole thing and military presence is en route. This book, just published on the 3rd, had to have been written a year or so ago, gone through all the editing and publishing processes, etc, so how did he write a book so prescient and accurate? Not precisely. I mean, it would be great if we could protest climate change, if that were the biggest concern for our citizens, and that's where the similarities end, but my god, what a parallel!

Anyway...

Great story. I totally dig the Ryan Tapia books, the brutal Maine wilderness setting, and the indigenous people and their stories. It's intense, fast paced, interesting characters, interesting politics, sad, hopeful, and contemplative.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closer to 3.5. Interesting story with some real life parallels. Some parts seemed far fetched. Overall, would vote for Solid for president.

[Mandy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so much better than I anticipated!
Easily 4-4.25 stars.
I am going to do my best to give a light synopsis without giving any spoilers away because this is worth the read!
A group of Native Americans starts protests against climate change and how it impacts the waters of Maine.
Ryan Tapia is our assigned FBI agent.
Come to find out, individuals who are protesting want to break off from American society and begin making camps on the lawns of mansions along the coast of Maine, which puts them right in the spotlight.
This group is led by Peeled Paul, who was involved in a different investigation of Tapia's.
Needless to say, this turns into quite a conundrum for Tapia because he knows that the protestors are trying to do the right thing, but he also has a duty to the government.
Bad things happen, and Tapia's life gets turned upside down!
The plot is well structured. The pace is perfect.
The characters are well developed. The group dynamic and character are well defined/developed. It is easy for the reader to relate to the place Tapia finds himself, torn between what he perceives as two rights.
I am married to a military man, and this writing feels detailed and logical as if written by a military historian (This is my first book by Thomas E. Ricks, so I will need to do some research on him and his writing).
Definitely needs an add to your TBR!
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to review this ARC!
Happy Reading!

[Jennifer Fitzpatrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Once again we meet FBI Agent Ryan Tapia, stationed in Bangor, Maine, in this politically inspired novel by Pulitzer Prize winning author Thomas Ricks. The Native American March, the struggles for acknowledgment, the vision indigenous people hold, and our relationship to the woods and waters are key threads. I found myself marching with the protests and questioning my own sustainable living efforts. Ricks’ parallels to present day government leadership and practices is right on target, almost too real. He knows how ‘the system’ works and conveys it well with beautifully descriptive language, well defined characters, and an authentic nod to the Maine locales. Excellent. I look forward to more adventures with Agent Tapia.

[Susanne Leist · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this book from the library since it concerned Native Americans in Maine, and I was curious to see if it included the Penobscot, as in my book. There was a group called the Indies who took part in the march down Maine's coast; they were the only Indians who could hunt and fish. I was proud of them.
The Indian march made little sense. Not even the leaders knew why they were marching, but they wanted to save their lands from global warming and encroaching civilization.
I got to meet Native American characters from other tribes. But the story was missing something - maybe an underlying plan or purpose to the protest.

[Sarah Irving · Rating 3 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and Tantor Media for this audiobook.

This book is full of politics focusing on the continued issues of indigenous people and the government.

With what is going on in the world with the current president. I found this a really interesting read! If you enjoy political books this is definitely for you.

[Donna M · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting and very timely about environmentalism, Native American relations with the land and future. Very prescient in describing the interactions of a governor of a state and the President including federalizing the National Guard.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked it as it was a different story from what I have been reading as it was about the native American Indian people. It made me think how they have been treated in all areas of this nation that was once their land.

[Jeff Macey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book that was a fast read! As with any book that shines a light on America's insane racist views, Goodreads reviews are low stars. I loved the book and it's dealing with a psychotic president to white indifference and hostility towards anyone slightly different.

[Carol Turner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommended. (I want to move to be with these people!) However, can trigger anxiety because this really could be happening now. (Maybe it is!!)

[Laurie]

Not a fan.

[Kathy Landgraf · Rating 3 out of 5]

This books story line is similar to Paul Doiron’s “Mike Bowditch” character. It’s really uncanny. I’m a fan of Doiron so I don’t recommend reading this book.