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Mike Bowditch #14
Dead Man's Wake
Game Warden Mike Bowditch's engagement party is interrupted by the discovery of a gruesome double murder in Dead Man's Wake, a new thriller from Edgar Award-winning author Paul Doiron.
On the evening of their engagement party, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Stacey Stevens witness what seems to be a hit-and-run speedboat crash on a darkened lake. When they arrive at the scene, their spotlight reveals a gruesome sight: a severed arm beneath the surface. As day breaks, the warden dive team recovers not one but two naked corpses: the dismembered man and the married woman with whom he was having an affair. Mike begins to suspect the swimmers' deaths were not a senseless accident but a coldly calculated murder. Alone among his fellow officers, Mike begins to sense the involvement of a trained professional, smarter and more dangerous than any enemy he has faced. As Mike and Stacey get closer to identifying the killer, their own lives are suddenly put on the line, leading to a confrontation designed to silence them forever.
On the evening of their engagement party, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Stacey Stevens witness what seems to be a hit-and-run speedboat crash on a darkened lake. When they arrive at the scene, their spotlight reveals a gruesome sight: a severed arm beneath the surface. As day breaks, the warden dive team recovers not one but two naked corpses: the dismembered man and the married woman with whom he was having an affair. Mike begins to suspect the swimmers' deaths were not a senseless accident but a coldly calculated murder. Alone among his fellow officers, Mike begins to sense the involvement of a trained professional, smarter and more dangerous than any enemy he has faced. As Mike and Stacey get closer to identifying the killer, their own lives are suddenly put on the line, leading to a confrontation designed to silence them forever.
304 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 27, 2023
594 people are currently reading
13501 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doiron
38 books2,277 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 646 reviews
June 19, 2023
Suspense, murder, and danger are expected from Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series. However,
Dead Man’s Wake
, the fourteenth book in the series, brings an extra intensity to the story mainly set in Belgrade, Maine and the surrounding lake area. During their engagement party, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Emergency Medical Technician Stacey Stevens hear and witness what seems to be a hit-an-run speedboat crash. Arriving at the sight via his stepfather’s boat, a severed arm is revealed in their spotlight. When two bodies are found, not one, Mike suspects there’s more going on than an accident. In Maine, game wardens have the same arrest powers as sheriffs, and he works the investigation along with the state police.
Mike and Stacey are likeable characters and work well together. Stacey has been a bush pilot, wildlife biologist, photographer, and a kayaking guide. She can intimidate others because she is so talented. 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. I enjoyed getting to know their families better in this novel. Mike’s stepfather Neil is kind and enthusiastic. Neil’s wife Jubilee is perceptive and funny. Stacey’s parents are Charley and Ora. Charley is a good friend of Mike’s and a retired game warden. Ora was the only one of the group who wasn’t as well-developed.
This riveting crime thriller and police investigation keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. The plot is suspenseful, full of chasing down leads and interviewing suspects and witnesses as well as plenty of danger for those involved.
I enjoyed how the author provided unpredictable moments in the story. The conflict moves the story forward at a rapid pace. Why are some of individuals obviously lying? Themes include death, relationships, family dynamics, secrets, health, friendship, police cooperation across jurisdictions, and much more. The one thing that I missed in this story was the nature references that were much more prevalent in the previous book. There are short discussions around common loons and bears as well as a few other references, but I didn’t feel immersed in it. However, weather and the lake both play important roles in the story and they were immersive.
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, 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 and Stacey. I recommend this to those that like crime thrillers and police procedurals with relatable and likeable main characters.
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 27, 2032. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.54 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
Mike and Stacey are likeable characters and work well together. Stacey has been a bush pilot, wildlife biologist, photographer, and a kayaking guide. She can intimidate others because she is so talented. 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. I enjoyed getting to know their families better in this novel. Mike’s stepfather Neil is kind and enthusiastic. Neil’s wife Jubilee is perceptive and funny. Stacey’s parents are Charley and Ora. Charley is a good friend of Mike’s and a retired game warden. Ora was the only one of the group who wasn’t as well-developed.
This riveting crime thriller and police investigation keeps you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. The novel builds suspense in a way that pulls readers into the lives of the characters. The plot is suspenseful, full of chasing down leads and interviewing suspects and witnesses as well as plenty of danger for those involved.
I enjoyed how the author provided unpredictable moments in the story. The conflict moves the story forward at a rapid pace. Why are some of individuals obviously lying? Themes include death, relationships, family dynamics, secrets, health, friendship, police cooperation across jurisdictions, and much more. The one thing that I missed in this story was the nature references that were much more prevalent in the previous book. There are short discussions around common loons and bears as well as a few other references, but I didn’t feel immersed in it. However, weather and the lake both play important roles in the story and they were immersive.
Overall, this fast-paced novel was engaging, gripping, 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 and Stacey. I recommend this to those that like crime thrillers and police procedurals with relatable and likeable main characters.
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 27, 2032. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.54 rounded to 5 stars review is coming soon.
June 28, 2023
Happy Publication Day!
June 27, 2023
A hit-and-run speedboat crash interrupts the engagement celebrations of Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and his fiancée Stacey Stevens at Mike’s stepfather Neil’s home in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. Mike, who works for the Wildlife Crimes Investigation Division of the Maine Warden Service, rushes to the spot where he and his companions discover a severed arm floating in the water. Subsequently, two bodies are discovered – Kip Whitcomb whose arm was the husband of the owner of Mouse Island was severed, and Gina Randazza, the young wife of a biker with whom Kip was having an affair. What follows is a deep dive into the lives of the victims which points them to several suspects – the spouses of the respective victims, those who were driving the speedboat, a vacationer renting nearby who might have seen more than she claims. Mike has to coordinate his efforts with local law enforcement, careful not to step on too many toes, among whom is an eager young constable who himself might be involved. We follow Mike, Stacey, an emergency medical technician/bush pilot/ wildlife biologist among other things and Stacey's father Charley,retired Game Warden, as they try to find the killer and bring him/her to justice.
Fast-paced, well-written with great characters and a solid mystery at its core Dead Man’s Wake by Paul Doiron is an absorbing read. Twisty and atmospheric with an ending that I did not see coming, I thoroughly enjoyed this crime procedural. I loved the setting and the descriptions of the underwater search and crime scene processing procedures. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Mike and Stacey and their respective families. This is #14 in a series of which I have not read any of the previous installments, but now am eager to explore. This book works well as a standalone. The author does a great job of providing those new to this series sufficient information about the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Henry Leyva, who does a great job of bringing the story to life.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the digital review copy and the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 27, 2023
A hit-and-run speedboat crash interrupts the engagement celebrations of Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and his fiancée Stacey Stevens at Mike’s stepfather Neil’s home in the Belgrade Lakes region of Maine. Mike, who works for the Wildlife Crimes Investigation Division of the Maine Warden Service, rushes to the spot where he and his companions discover a severed arm floating in the water. Subsequently, two bodies are discovered – Kip Whitcomb whose arm was the husband of the owner of Mouse Island was severed, and Gina Randazza, the young wife of a biker with whom Kip was having an affair. What follows is a deep dive into the lives of the victims which points them to several suspects – the spouses of the respective victims, those who were driving the speedboat, a vacationer renting nearby who might have seen more than she claims. Mike has to coordinate his efforts with local law enforcement, careful not to step on too many toes, among whom is an eager young constable who himself might be involved. We follow Mike, Stacey, an emergency medical technician/bush pilot/ wildlife biologist among other things and Stacey's father Charley,retired Game Warden, as they try to find the killer and bring him/her to justice.
Fast-paced, well-written with great characters and a solid mystery at its core Dead Man’s Wake by Paul Doiron is an absorbing read. Twisty and atmospheric with an ending that I did not see coming, I thoroughly enjoyed this crime procedural. I loved the setting and the descriptions of the underwater search and crime scene processing procedures. I also enjoyed getting to know more about Mike and Stacey and their respective families. This is #14 in a series of which I have not read any of the previous installments, but now am eager to explore. This book works well as a standalone. The author does a great job of providing those new to this series sufficient information about the main characters.
I paired my reading with the audio narration by Henry Leyva, who does a great job of bringing the story to life.
Many thanks to St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur Books, Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the digital review copy and the ALC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
May 9, 2023
I slapped my forehead so hard after realizing this was the 14th book in the series! My obsessive personality to learn the backstory of the characters itched me so much, but unfortunately, I didn't have enough time and energy to devour each adventure in a short time. Luckily, this book is standalone, and the author mentions previous events from the previous books that affect the trajectory of the main story, but I still wanted to know more, and at some parts, I felt a little lost.
As a newcomer to Mike Bowditch's crime mystery world, I found myself quickly getting into the story. The pacing was good, and the settings in Maine and portraits of locals were interesting. I enjoyed Mike and his fiancee Stacy Stevens' relationship dynamics. The mystery's unfolding and perpetrators are a little foreseeable, but at least the chapters are action-packed, well-executed, and keep your interest intact. I finished it in a short time. I couldn't get much invested in the installment, but I'll probably start from the top to appreciate the series more objectively.
The story opens with Maine Game Warden investigator Mike Bowditch attending his stepfather Neil Turner and his younger soon-to-be wife Jubilee's engagement party. His fiancee Stacy and Stacy's parents Cheryl and Ora are also attendees at the lake house ceremony in Maine. The ceremony abruptly cuts off with a loud noise of a jet ski and roars of speed boats. An unexpected and tragic discovery turns their celebration into a nightmare: they find two people in the lake brutally murdered, a married man and his secret young lover, who is also married to a very dangerous biker who might be related to a biker gang. One of them is dismembered, and the woman is drowned.
Mike finds himself investigating the murder mystery as he also deals with locals who are always friendly to cooperate, law enforcement, the families of the victims, and he also has to face his own family problems as well.
Overall, this was an absolutely fast-paced, interesting, and easy-to-read page-turner! I definitely think it's worth rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
As a newcomer to Mike Bowditch's crime mystery world, I found myself quickly getting into the story. The pacing was good, and the settings in Maine and portraits of locals were interesting. I enjoyed Mike and his fiancee Stacy Stevens' relationship dynamics. The mystery's unfolding and perpetrators are a little foreseeable, but at least the chapters are action-packed, well-executed, and keep your interest intact. I finished it in a short time. I couldn't get much invested in the installment, but I'll probably start from the top to appreciate the series more objectively.
The story opens with Maine Game Warden investigator Mike Bowditch attending his stepfather Neil Turner and his younger soon-to-be wife Jubilee's engagement party. His fiancee Stacy and Stacy's parents Cheryl and Ora are also attendees at the lake house ceremony in Maine. The ceremony abruptly cuts off with a loud noise of a jet ski and roars of speed boats. An unexpected and tragic discovery turns their celebration into a nightmare: they find two people in the lake brutally murdered, a married man and his secret young lover, who is also married to a very dangerous biker who might be related to a biker gang. One of them is dismembered, and the woman is drowned.
Mike finds himself investigating the murder mystery as he also deals with locals who are always friendly to cooperate, law enforcement, the families of the victims, and he also has to face his own family problems as well.
Overall, this was an absolutely fast-paced, interesting, and easy-to-read page-turner! I definitely think it's worth rounding up my 3.5 stars to 4!
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for sharing this digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
May 14, 2023
I’m late in discovering Paul Doiron and his well written, straight forward police procedural series based on Mike Bowditch, a Maine game warden. The author hails from Maine and his love of the area shines through his main character.
Interesting fact - in rural Maine, game wardens have the same arrest powers as sheriffs, and serve as an auxiliary police force when no other officers are available. So, it’s not a leap of faith to have Mike helping in an investigation following the death of a man on the Great Pond.
The story begins with Mike and his fiancée, Stacy, visiting his stepfather and his new wife for an engagement dinner. They hear the sound of a crash on the lake. Investigating, they find a severed arm. They end up finding not only the rest of the body, but a dead female. Turns out the two were having an illicit affair. Mike is working with two homicide detectives, one of whom seems determined to pin the murders on the husband. But the facts don’t point that way. Mike’s soon to be father-in-law retired as a game warden and I liked that he was still capable of teaching Mike more than one trick. Think of him as the Yoda of the story. The entire book is told from Mike’s POV, which I appreciate. I like it better when I learn facts along with the main character.
This is an entertaining book. It moves at a pretty brisk pace and stays believable. Doiron writes in a clear cut style that makes it easy to envision each scene.
This could easily be read as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
Interesting fact - in rural Maine, game wardens have the same arrest powers as sheriffs, and serve as an auxiliary police force when no other officers are available. So, it’s not a leap of faith to have Mike helping in an investigation following the death of a man on the Great Pond.
The story begins with Mike and his fiancée, Stacy, visiting his stepfather and his new wife for an engagement dinner. They hear the sound of a crash on the lake. Investigating, they find a severed arm. They end up finding not only the rest of the body, but a dead female. Turns out the two were having an illicit affair. Mike is working with two homicide detectives, one of whom seems determined to pin the murders on the husband. But the facts don’t point that way. Mike’s soon to be father-in-law retired as a game warden and I liked that he was still capable of teaching Mike more than one trick. Think of him as the Yoda of the story. The entire book is told from Mike’s POV, which I appreciate. I like it better when I learn facts along with the main character.
This is an entertaining book. It moves at a pretty brisk pace and stays believable. Doiron writes in a clear cut style that makes it easy to envision each scene.
This could easily be read as a stand-alone.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.
April 23, 2023
How wonderful to be vacationing in the same Midcoast Maine while reading Paul Doiron’s latest book. I’m a big fan. Love the wildlife and bird talk. The author always mentions what birds Mike Bowditch hears while out and about as a Detective Inspector in Maine’s beautiful Midcoast region. This area is fantastic. Wonderful place for couples that are foodies. Awesome seafood…great lighthouses.
Mike Bowditch is a favorite character of mine. I can’t get enough of the landscape and ocean inlets. Beautiful country. Mike has a dog that is part wolf, or mostly wolf…a very interesting addition to the series. Love his style of investigating crimes.
If you like detective stories and want to hear about New England life, go for it…you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in return for a review.
Posted April 22, 2023 on Goodreads.
5 out of 5 stars
Mike Bowditch is a favorite character of mine. I can’t get enough of the landscape and ocean inlets. Beautiful country. Mike has a dog that is part wolf, or mostly wolf…a very interesting addition to the series. Love his style of investigating crimes.
If you like detective stories and want to hear about New England life, go for it…you won’t be disappointed.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy in return for a review.
Posted April 22, 2023 on Goodreads.
5 out of 5 stars
June 26, 2023
This is a DNF for me at 40%. I thought this might work as a standalone but for me it did not. There are so many characters thrown at the reader at the very beginning.
Then the "accident" happens and there is so much description of the boats, the temperature of the lake, etc.
I found the relationship of the warden, the dive team and the police was confusing.
This one just didn't work for me.
Then the "accident" happens and there is so much description of the boats, the temperature of the lake, etc.
I found the relationship of the warden, the dive team and the police was confusing.
This one just didn't work for me.
July 21, 2023
This is book 14 in the Mike Bowditch series and while I have read a couple of the previous books I haven’t read them all and it does work as a standalone as well. I like these books because they take a lesser known or written about part of law enforcement while still making interesting mysteries/thrillers. Mike is a Warden and when he is having a dinner with family and hears a dangerous boat on the lake of course he has to investigate. One thing leads too another and it is clear that boat ran over a man when they find his arm floating in the lake. Mike knows his role is just what happened to that man and if he were alive or dead when he boat hit him, but he can’t help himself from asking questions and trying to piece the whole puzzle in time. These books are well written and definitely a fun series.
April 19, 2023
This is the first book I've read in the Mike Bowditch series, but I think I'll be picking up some of the earlier books. Since this is the 14th book in the series, it looks like I've been missing out. This one was interesting and I enjoyed the investigation by Mike Bowditch. Here's the published description:
"On the evening of their engagement party, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Stacey Stevens witness what seems to be a hit-and-run speedboat crash on a darkened lake. When they arrive at the scene, their spotlight reveals a gruesome sight: a severed arm beneath the surface. As day breaks, the warden dive team recovers not one but two naked corpses: the dismembered man and the married woman with whom he was having an affair. Mike begins to suspect the swimmers' deaths were not a senseless accident but a coldly calculated murder. Alone among his fellow officers, Mike begins to sense the involvement of a trained professional, smarter and more dangerous than any enemy he has faced. As Mike and Stacey get closer to identifying the killer, their own lives are suddenly put on the line, leading to a confrontation designed to silence them forever."
Mike seems to be quite resourceful and has a good background of experience to draw on. It helps that his fiancée Stacy is smart as a whip. My favorite character was Mike's father-in-law, Charley Stevens. He just seemed to know what to do for everything and had good instincts. The plot moved at a good pace and kept my interest. I enjoyed all the boating information and the lake setting.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 27, 2023.
"On the evening of their engagement party, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Stacey Stevens witness what seems to be a hit-and-run speedboat crash on a darkened lake. When they arrive at the scene, their spotlight reveals a gruesome sight: a severed arm beneath the surface. As day breaks, the warden dive team recovers not one but two naked corpses: the dismembered man and the married woman with whom he was having an affair. Mike begins to suspect the swimmers' deaths were not a senseless accident but a coldly calculated murder. Alone among his fellow officers, Mike begins to sense the involvement of a trained professional, smarter and more dangerous than any enemy he has faced. As Mike and Stacey get closer to identifying the killer, their own lives are suddenly put on the line, leading to a confrontation designed to silence them forever."
Mike seems to be quite resourceful and has a good background of experience to draw on. It helps that his fiancée Stacy is smart as a whip. My favorite character was Mike's father-in-law, Charley Stevens. He just seemed to know what to do for everything and had good instincts. The plot moved at a good pace and kept my interest. I enjoyed all the boating information and the lake setting.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy. This book will be published on June 27, 2023.
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July 6, 2023Outlier.
DNF@25% Not for me.
I didn't realize this was part of a series when I had requested this on NetGalley. This can be read as a standalone, but probably best as a series.
I wasn't a fan of the writing style. It was a lot of telling and not enough showing. Also, the characters felt one-dimensional. Therefore, I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Doiron, and St. Martin's Press for graciously sending me the ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
DNF@25% Not for me.
I didn't realize this was part of a series when I had requested this on NetGalley. This can be read as a standalone, but probably best as a series.
I wasn't a fan of the writing style. It was a lot of telling and not enough showing. Also, the characters felt one-dimensional. Therefore, I wasn't able to immerse myself in the story.
***Thank you to NetGalley, Paul Doiron, and St. Martin's Press for graciously sending me the ARC to review. As always, all thoughts are my own.**
September 21, 2023
The natural beauty and wonder of Maine is once again showcased in the 14th book of the Mike Bowditch series. The location is the Belgrade Lakes district of the state and the mood starts out a very relaxed one, belying the drama that’s about to unfold to thrust Mike and his fiancee Stacey into a murder case that could endanger their lives as well as their family’s lives.
What starts off as an enjoyable family get-together on the shores of Great Pond is rudely interrupted, first by the sound of a jet ski driving dangerously in the dark and then by the unmistakable sound of a boat striking something in the water. Together with Stacey’s father Charley, they quickly get out onto the water to investigate and they make the gruesome discovery of an arm floating on the water’s surface.
The arm is merely the beginning with a body count that is soon to grow. Mike’s position as a Maine Game Warden gives him the authority to run an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the boating accident. This means he can work closely with the police who are called in to investigate the suspicious deaths.
Mike Bowditch has consistently been a very interesting character, not least because he clearly has problems relating to his fellow man. To be honest, he can be a difficult guy to get a read on, indeed, there are times I find myself disliking him a little. His first move is invariably to rub and then finds himself working doubly hard to win over their trust and this is once again in evidence here. But he’s also blessed with a good dose of self-awareness as this little tidbit indicates:
“I found myself up to my neck in the still-warm lake. Then I was over my head, which was a familiar experience in my life.”
Fortunately, he’s got Stacey by his side as a smart and highly capable person and her all-around talents and ability to smooth waters are crucial. Similarly, Charley Stevens’ presence means another level of clear-headed thinking is available for Mike to cling to. I find that any scene that includes Charley is instantly interesting. He’s wise, logical and prone to making insightful decisions. The fog always clears when he’s around.
This is a fast-paced investigation that covers a lot of ground in a very short period of time. Mike is faced with a couple of dead bodies in the water after witnessing a boating accident where at least one of the bodies was struck. The questions he’s dealing with are, are the two things related and, if so, how are they related? Finding out not only puts himself in danger but also the life of his fiancee too.
Once again, as with so many of the books in this series, it’s the wonderfully described Maine setting that shines brightly to provide a profoundly beautiful backdrop to the story. I’ve never been there but through the 14 books of the series I can definitely imagine the big attraction of the place.
June 8, 2023
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: June 27, 2023
“Dead Man’s Wake” is the fourteenth novel in the “Mike Bowditch” series by author Paul Doiron. Yes, fourteenth. I went into this novel completely unfamiliar with both Bowditch and Doiron, and still found “Wake” to be engaging, entertaining and suspenseful.
On the eve of Game Warden Mike Bowditch’s engagement party, he witnesses what appears to be a boat accident on the lake near his stepfather’s home. Rushing to aid whomever may be injured, Mike rushes to help with his fiancée, Stacey, an EMT, by his side. But what they discover is far more sinister than a few wrecked boats. Their spotlights reveal a severed arm floating in the water and after investigating further, they find not one, but two dead bodies. Of course, the authorities are called in but Bowditch finds himself engrained in the case, determined to find out what happened. Mike knows that the answers to it all lie in who and what the dead man knew and Mike is determined to solve the mystery, even if his very life is put at risk.
Doiron’s police procedural series is unique on one factor alone- it really isn’t about a police investigation. Bowditch is a game warden and although he works with and has many contacts in different facets of the police force, he is not a uniformed member. I don’t really understand how all of the various levels of policing work, especially in some of the more remote areas, but Bowditch joked that he was seen as a “forest ranger”, and that actually helped me to understand his role a little bit.
I knew none of the characters’ backstories, as mentioned, but it didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I was able to follow the plot, and keep up with the interconnected relationships between the characters without too much trouble. The plot of this one is a stand-alone, and Doiron keeps the adrenaline pumping as the pages turn.
The ending was delivered nicely, and came with a powerful twist, but still managed to be conclusive and satisfying. Bowditch is a powerful protagonist and although I did not follow his travels up to this point, I look forward to seeing where Doiron takes him next.
Expected publication date: June 27, 2023
“Dead Man’s Wake” is the fourteenth novel in the “Mike Bowditch” series by author Paul Doiron. Yes, fourteenth. I went into this novel completely unfamiliar with both Bowditch and Doiron, and still found “Wake” to be engaging, entertaining and suspenseful.
On the eve of Game Warden Mike Bowditch’s engagement party, he witnesses what appears to be a boat accident on the lake near his stepfather’s home. Rushing to aid whomever may be injured, Mike rushes to help with his fiancée, Stacey, an EMT, by his side. But what they discover is far more sinister than a few wrecked boats. Their spotlights reveal a severed arm floating in the water and after investigating further, they find not one, but two dead bodies. Of course, the authorities are called in but Bowditch finds himself engrained in the case, determined to find out what happened. Mike knows that the answers to it all lie in who and what the dead man knew and Mike is determined to solve the mystery, even if his very life is put at risk.
Doiron’s police procedural series is unique on one factor alone- it really isn’t about a police investigation. Bowditch is a game warden and although he works with and has many contacts in different facets of the police force, he is not a uniformed member. I don’t really understand how all of the various levels of policing work, especially in some of the more remote areas, but Bowditch joked that he was seen as a “forest ranger”, and that actually helped me to understand his role a little bit.
I knew none of the characters’ backstories, as mentioned, but it didn’t really take away from my enjoyment of the novel. I was able to follow the plot, and keep up with the interconnected relationships between the characters without too much trouble. The plot of this one is a stand-alone, and Doiron keeps the adrenaline pumping as the pages turn.
The ending was delivered nicely, and came with a powerful twist, but still managed to be conclusive and satisfying. Bowditch is a powerful protagonist and although I did not follow his travels up to this point, I look forward to seeing where Doiron takes him next.
May 1, 2023
Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch has become a favorite character over the half-dozen or so years I've been reading books in this wonderful now 14-book series, and this latest entry doesn't disappoint. Mike and his fiancee, Stacey Stevens, are at a lake house for an engagement party with her parents and his stepparents, when they hear a loud bang - and Mike's certain that there's been a hit-and-run accident on the lake. That's putting it mildly; when Mike gets to the scene, he finds - and carefully fishes out - a human arm. Early the next morning, that discovery is augmented by the discovery of the rest of the guy - plus a female body (both naked). That adds up to an affair gone wrong near a privately owned island in the lake.
Almost as quickly, what early on was suspected to be a gruesome accident turns out to be murder; that puts Mike, whose job it is to identify the pilot of the hit-and-run boat and follow that to its legal end, on the outside looking in while the state police take over the actual murder investigation. Not surprisingly, though, the lines tend to blur more often than not, and happily, Mike has a great working relationship with the cops (well, most of them, anyway). Keeping things stirred up in the mix - and a constant thorn in Mike's side - is a local "lake constable" who refuses to keep his nose out, constantly bemoaning the fact that he wasn't deemed qualified enough to get hired as a "real" game warden.
There's a lot of interaction between Mike and Stacey's retired game warden dad Charley - who's really more of a father to Mike than is his own stepfather, with whom his relationship is rocky at best. There's plenty of action and well-researched details (almost a little too many of the latter, in fact), and the whole thing ends with a scary yin followed by a very welcome yang that makes me eager to read the next installment. All told, well done once again, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
Almost as quickly, what early on was suspected to be a gruesome accident turns out to be murder; that puts Mike, whose job it is to identify the pilot of the hit-and-run boat and follow that to its legal end, on the outside looking in while the state police take over the actual murder investigation. Not surprisingly, though, the lines tend to blur more often than not, and happily, Mike has a great working relationship with the cops (well, most of them, anyway). Keeping things stirred up in the mix - and a constant thorn in Mike's side - is a local "lake constable" who refuses to keep his nose out, constantly bemoaning the fact that he wasn't deemed qualified enough to get hired as a "real" game warden.
There's a lot of interaction between Mike and Stacey's retired game warden dad Charley - who's really more of a father to Mike than is his own stepfather, with whom his relationship is rocky at best. There's plenty of action and well-researched details (almost a little too many of the latter, in fact), and the whole thing ends with a scary yin followed by a very welcome yang that makes me eager to read the next installment. All told, well done once again, and I heartily thank the publisher, via NetGalley, for giving me the opportunity to read and review a pre-release copy.
July 3, 2023
Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is celebrating his engagement to Stacey Stevens with their families when Mike and Stacey hear a loud noise. Mike discovers a severed arm in the water and later, the man the arm belongs to at the bottom of the lake. He's thinking he has a fatal boating accident on his hands until another body is found murdered. Mike works with Maine State Police to solve the case.
I really enjoyed this one. It was nice to get to know more about Bowditch and Stacey, along with their families. Since one of the deaths relates to boats, there is a fair amount of technical information about boats. I felt like it didn't get in the way of the story though. The pacing was good and the plot engaging.
This is the 14th in the series, so if you need to start with book 1, then this one isn't for you. Someone who jumps in here, would probably be a little lost here and there. I've read books 11 and 12 and did ok with this one. Overall, I'd recommend this to those who've read the series.
My thanks to Saint Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, author Paul Doiron, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this one. It was nice to get to know more about Bowditch and Stacey, along with their families. Since one of the deaths relates to boats, there is a fair amount of technical information about boats. I felt like it didn't get in the way of the story though. The pacing was good and the plot engaging.
This is the 14th in the series, so if you need to start with book 1, then this one isn't for you. Someone who jumps in here, would probably be a little lost here and there. I've read books 11 and 12 and did ok with this one. Overall, I'd recommend this to those who've read the series.
My thanks to Saint Martin's Press, Minotaur Books, author Paul Doiron, and NetGalley for gifting me a digital copy of this book. My opinions are my own.
February 15, 2023
Paul Doiron’s “Dead Man’s Wake—the 14th in his “Mike Bowditch” series—is a well-written and entertaining mystery set mostly on the central Maine lake called “Great Pond.”
Family has gathered at the lake for a dinner celebrating Mike Bowditch’s engagement to Stacy. Suddenly, they hear a powerful boat speed by, seem to hit something, stop, and then flee the scene. Subsequent investigation discovers two naked corpses in the water. As an investigator for Maine’s Warden Service (a police agency charged with enforcing the state’s fisheries and wildlife law), Mike must determine whether the boat caused either death. He quickly discovers there’s more at work than just a speedboat leaving the scene of an accident. Instead, he, Stacy, and their parents find themselves embroiled in a mystery full of twists, turns, and unanticipated dangers from unexpected quarters.
It's a solid mystery filled with likable characters, action, adventure, and a high level of technical detail. Author Paul Doiron excels at researching and explaining the various elements necessary to his story. Whether it be preserving an underwater crime scene, or diving to recover a body, or firing a pistol that’s just been submerged, or landing a plane that’s just been sabotaged, Mr. Doiron gives us the details necessary to put us right in the middle of the action. The same goes for his ability to describe settings and what comprises them. His expertise in Maine flora and fauna is highly evident. He puts it to excellent use to give his readers a sense of what it's like to live or vacation on one of Maine's pristine lakes. I
In short, I came away from “Dad Man’s Wake” believing I’d learned some things. For me, that's always a plus.
This is the second “Bowditch” mystery I’ve had the pleasure to read. I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.
Family has gathered at the lake for a dinner celebrating Mike Bowditch’s engagement to Stacy. Suddenly, they hear a powerful boat speed by, seem to hit something, stop, and then flee the scene. Subsequent investigation discovers two naked corpses in the water. As an investigator for Maine’s Warden Service (a police agency charged with enforcing the state’s fisheries and wildlife law), Mike must determine whether the boat caused either death. He quickly discovers there’s more at work than just a speedboat leaving the scene of an accident. Instead, he, Stacy, and their parents find themselves embroiled in a mystery full of twists, turns, and unanticipated dangers from unexpected quarters.
It's a solid mystery filled with likable characters, action, adventure, and a high level of technical detail. Author Paul Doiron excels at researching and explaining the various elements necessary to his story. Whether it be preserving an underwater crime scene, or diving to recover a body, or firing a pistol that’s just been submerged, or landing a plane that’s just been sabotaged, Mr. Doiron gives us the details necessary to put us right in the middle of the action. The same goes for his ability to describe settings and what comprises them. His expertise in Maine flora and fauna is highly evident. He puts it to excellent use to give his readers a sense of what it's like to live or vacation on one of Maine's pristine lakes. I
In short, I came away from “Dad Man’s Wake” believing I’d learned some things. For me, that's always a plus.
This is the second “Bowditch” mystery I’ve had the pleasure to read. I'm pretty sure it won't be the last.
August 17, 2023
Mike and his fiancée Stacey Stevens are at his stepfather’s lake house for their engagement party when they hear a boat crash. As a Game Warden for the Maine Warden Service and with no one else available Mike set out to find out what happened with his future father-in-law, Charley, a retired Game Warden, in tow. They find gruesome remains and evidence of two deaths.
Mike investigates with the State Police Detectives. It’s very much a crime procedural with Mike interviewing witnesses and traveling around the small islands to gather evidence. I enjoy Mike’s interactions with his mentor/friend/future father-in-law Charley. He’s such a rascal, but a big help in solving the case. Even Stacey helps a lot with being able to fly and just being a sounding board helping Mike puzzle through the clues. I was happy that Mike seems to be maturing and thinking things through more before acting. A conscious decision on his part to do better and think of the other people in his life. I did miss Shadow, his part wolf dog in this installment.
The coast of Maine and the little islands are a big part of the story, Mr. Doiron brings the area to life with his lovely writing. Yes, it’s a fast-paced plot, but I like how he takes a moment to feature nature’s beauty all around.
This is book fourteen in the Mike Bowditch series, but I’ve skipped around and read out of order. I think you could read this as a stand-alone, but you’d miss some of the character backstory. The ending brought a smile to my face!
I alternately read and listened to a library audio copy. I’ll still keep working my way through the previous mysteries. The audios are great with Henry Leyva narrating the series. He has a great easy-going voice, that I now picture as Mike, and he does the Maine/Boston accents well. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.
An e-copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.
Mike investigates with the State Police Detectives. It’s very much a crime procedural with Mike interviewing witnesses and traveling around the small islands to gather evidence. I enjoy Mike’s interactions with his mentor/friend/future father-in-law Charley. He’s such a rascal, but a big help in solving the case. Even Stacey helps a lot with being able to fly and just being a sounding board helping Mike puzzle through the clues. I was happy that Mike seems to be maturing and thinking things through more before acting. A conscious decision on his part to do better and think of the other people in his life. I did miss Shadow, his part wolf dog in this installment.
The coast of Maine and the little islands are a big part of the story, Mr. Doiron brings the area to life with his lovely writing. Yes, it’s a fast-paced plot, but I like how he takes a moment to feature nature’s beauty all around.
This is book fourteen in the Mike Bowditch series, but I’ve skipped around and read out of order. I think you could read this as a stand-alone, but you’d miss some of the character backstory. The ending brought a smile to my face!
I alternately read and listened to a library audio copy. I’ll still keep working my way through the previous mysteries. The audios are great with Henry Leyva narrating the series. He has a great easy-going voice, that I now picture as Mike, and he does the Maine/Boston accents well. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed.
An e-copy was kindly provided by Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2023
I picked this out of the pile thinking it would be a swift sorbet, and was pleasantly surprised when it became more than a run-of-the-mill thriller. Yes, there is a mystery, several in fact, to be resolved by Mike Bowditch who solves crimes in his role as a game warden in Maine. But it is the State of Maine and its beauty at the cusp of seasons that made me pay closer attention. What Doiron has managed to do is create a setting that provides such sensory elements that the reader can feel the nip in the air, witness the gradual turning of the leaves, smell the earth cooling. Although there are 13 preceding volumes in the series, this could be read as a standalone.
June 24, 2023
My opinion of this book in an apparently much beloved series is clearly an outlier. I don’t think this works as a standalone and II might have felt differently about it had I come to know and appreciate these characters over 13 previous books. I gave this 320 page novel about 70 pages and I’d rather pop my eyeballs out than read any more. The tone is patronizing and the author over-explains/mansplains nearly everything. It’s tedious and a little insulting. I can’t imagine the writing in earlier entries being any different, so I don’t expect to give this series another chance.
February 2, 2023
This story started with a bang! An evening boat crash leaving a severed arm floating nearby propels Paul Doiron’s story into a spellbinding full-blown investigation after a dive team discovers two corpses. A suspenseful ‘who done it’ with complex characters and well-placed drama and clues. I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
March 27, 2023
I was surprised to learn that this is the latest of many in a series by this author. I had thought maybe it was a first book due to the numerous typos and grammatical errors. And the fact that unless you’re really into boating, this may not hold your interest. I appreciate the amount of technical information provided, but I just don’t think it was necessary to include so much of it to tell the story.
Mike Bowditch is a Maine Game Warden Investigator enjoying his engagement party with relatives who live on a popular lake in Maine. It’s soon interrupted by the sound of a foreboding crash, and he knows something terrible has happened. They sail to the scene and find a dismembered arm. After locating the body, other authorities are called to investigate and another body is soon found. Identifying the victims is easy, it’s the perpetrators that they can’t figure out.
It turns out the victims are Kip Whitcomb and his latest mistress. Kip’s wife, Diane, is the heir to the island but she no longer visits due to a medical condition. His mistress, Gina, is married to a biker whose gang is well-known to the local police. The detectives on the case like him as the killer but Mike doesn’t want to jump to conclusions. But it’s not for him to decide, because he’s only in charge of the boating crimes in connection with the bodies, not the murders themselves.
There’s quite a lot of petty arguing between all of the agencies involved as far as who is in charge of what, and pretty much all of the officers are unlikeable. So is the medical examiner, which is the first time I’ve seen this character portrayed as a complete witch and for no reason. Actually, most of the female characters that aren’t related to Mike are jerks. Not sure what that’s about.
When you can’t stand most of the characters, it’s hard to get into the story. I really tried, but between the technical jargon and the grating characters it was hard. The actual mystery and resolution were great, I’m sure many readers will be surprised by the culprit. Anyone who is a fan of this series will no doubt enjoy this new installment, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
Mike Bowditch is a Maine Game Warden Investigator enjoying his engagement party with relatives who live on a popular lake in Maine. It’s soon interrupted by the sound of a foreboding crash, and he knows something terrible has happened. They sail to the scene and find a dismembered arm. After locating the body, other authorities are called to investigate and another body is soon found. Identifying the victims is easy, it’s the perpetrators that they can’t figure out.
It turns out the victims are Kip Whitcomb and his latest mistress. Kip’s wife, Diane, is the heir to the island but she no longer visits due to a medical condition. His mistress, Gina, is married to a biker whose gang is well-known to the local police. The detectives on the case like him as the killer but Mike doesn’t want to jump to conclusions. But it’s not for him to decide, because he’s only in charge of the boating crimes in connection with the bodies, not the murders themselves.
There’s quite a lot of petty arguing between all of the agencies involved as far as who is in charge of what, and pretty much all of the officers are unlikeable. So is the medical examiner, which is the first time I’ve seen this character portrayed as a complete witch and for no reason. Actually, most of the female characters that aren’t related to Mike are jerks. Not sure what that’s about.
When you can’t stand most of the characters, it’s hard to get into the story. I really tried, but between the technical jargon and the grating characters it was hard. The actual mystery and resolution were great, I’m sure many readers will be surprised by the culprit. Anyone who is a fan of this series will no doubt enjoy this new installment, but unfortunately, it just wasn’t for me.
January 16, 2024
I enjoyed this next book in the Maine game warden Mike Bowditch series. During an engagement celebration at Mike's stepfather's lake home, he and Stacey hear a boat crash into something and upon investigating (with the help of Charley) find a severed arm in the lake, followed by a body. Later on, another body is discovered and the investigation is on to find the boat and then figure out how these two people died and whodunit. This has a healthy dose of my favorite character, Charley, and it also comes with a health scare for Ora. This is a page-turner right down to the last page, and I also loved the ending!
March 3, 2024
I loved this 14th book in Paul Doiron's "Mike Bowditch" series!
February 19, 2023
I liked the sound of Dead Man's Wake - a hit and run boating accident results in the gruesome death of a man. During his investigation Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch soon uncovers a second body - and this one is no accident. Things pick up from there as Mike tries to piece together exactly what happened.
First, I didn't realize this was part of a long running series (this is Book 14) as this isn't mentioned anywhere in the blurb or on the cover. Although it is a stand alone, I might have been a little more engaged if I'd read some of the previous books first. It's a good procedural/whodunnit book but I can't say it enthralled me. To be honest, despite the novelty of having a Game Warden as the main character instead of the cliched cop or federal agent, Mike just isn't that interesting. He investigates crime scenes, interviews witnesses, and does everything the actual cops do to the point that his title really is irrelevant. His personality is just kind of blah to me - no different then the hundreds of other protagonists I've read in this genre
Dead Man's Wake isn't a bad book at all, but I just couldn't get wrapped up in it. Again, maybe things would have been different if I'd been following this series from the beginning and had more of a connection to the characters. I enjoyed the read, but not enough to be interested in reading any more about Mike Bowditch
First, I didn't realize this was part of a long running series (this is Book 14) as this isn't mentioned anywhere in the blurb or on the cover. Although it is a stand alone, I might have been a little more engaged if I'd read some of the previous books first. It's a good procedural/whodunnit book but I can't say it enthralled me. To be honest, despite the novelty of having a Game Warden as the main character instead of the cliched cop or federal agent, Mike just isn't that interesting. He investigates crime scenes, interviews witnesses, and does everything the actual cops do to the point that his title really is irrelevant. His personality is just kind of blah to me - no different then the hundreds of other protagonists I've read in this genre
Dead Man's Wake isn't a bad book at all, but I just couldn't get wrapped up in it. Again, maybe things would have been different if I'd been following this series from the beginning and had more of a connection to the characters. I enjoyed the read, but not enough to be interested in reading any more about Mike Bowditch
April 2, 2023
It seems that it was only a short while ago since the first book came out but this is the fourteenth adventure with Maine game warden Mike Bowditch by Paul Doiron. Add a couple of marvellous short stories to that and you have a great series that I have loved to read, this one is great for those that have been following the life of Mike. We get some more background on his live and even an old colleague makes an appearance. I have been a fan of Doiron since I got my hands on the first book in this series many years ago and will follow it for as long as there is another one to read. I always get the feeling that Maine is a wondeful place to visit when I read these stories if it weren't for the high murder rate... I give a big thank you to Minotaur Books, Macmillan and Edelweiss for letting me read this advance copy of a great book.
May 20, 2023
This is the 14th in the Mike Bowditch series and I only just discovered it! Although I’m sorry I missed out on the earlier stories, this works well as a standalone.
Mike is a Maine Game Warden Investigator engaged to Stacey, an EMT. While visiting his step father and his new wife in their lakeside home, along with his future in laws, the couple observe what may be a hit and run boat crash. When they investigate, they discover a severed arm in the water. The next day, two bodies are found in the lake. The dead bodies bring out personnel from various law enforcement departments, with Mike and Stacey caught up in a dangerous quest for the truth.
I loved the unique take on a police procedural…featuring a game warden investigator.It was a fast paced, engrossing read with a solid plot and lots of action. Doiron created a good sense of place. I enjoyed learning some new information related to boating, water searches, float planes. Although there are hints of a rough background, I liked the main character. He was realistic. Mike respects warrants and there were minimal superhuman feats. I also liked Stacy’s character. She is a smart, capable female who plays an important role in the story.
I am adding this series to my list of must reads. I am looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to #netgalley and #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for the ARC.
Mike is a Maine Game Warden Investigator engaged to Stacey, an EMT. While visiting his step father and his new wife in their lakeside home, along with his future in laws, the couple observe what may be a hit and run boat crash. When they investigate, they discover a severed arm in the water. The next day, two bodies are found in the lake. The dead bodies bring out personnel from various law enforcement departments, with Mike and Stacey caught up in a dangerous quest for the truth.
I loved the unique take on a police procedural…featuring a game warden investigator.It was a fast paced, engrossing read with a solid plot and lots of action. Doiron created a good sense of place. I enjoyed learning some new information related to boating, water searches, float planes. Although there are hints of a rough background, I liked the main character. He was realistic. Mike respects warrants and there were minimal superhuman feats. I also liked Stacy’s character. She is a smart, capable female who plays an important role in the story.
I am adding this series to my list of must reads. I am looking forward to the next one.
Thanks to #netgalley and #StMartinsPress #MinotaurBooks for the ARC.
May 27, 2023
Imagine, if you will, an entire play cast with only 1 actor who simply changes names and jobs throughout, while keeping the same personality and mannerisms. You now have every female character outside the protagonists family, that he ever meets in this book. Does he really encounter that many horrible women, or is his inherit narcissism responsible for an unflattering view of those around him? We'll never know because it seems that other than being genuinely unlikable, these characters are as flat as paper. I was really interested in reading a thriller with a game warden instead of police investigating but in the end it didn't matter, there was nothing different. A ton of research must have been done into the technicalities of boating because entire passages read like an instruction manual, leaving me feeling bored and frustrated. 2 stars for the great descriptions of Maine, I want to visit more than ever. But not if boats are involved.
June 1, 2023
Doiron’s writing is addictive and consistently excellent and this is no exception. He skillfully weaves details of game warden Mike Bowditch’s personal life, which readers have come to know and love, with a captivating mystery that will keep readers turning the pages and guessing until the end.
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.
January 8, 2024
New to me author, I havent read the precious books, but this was very entertaining and also a good suspense. Solid 3.5 stars!!!!
July 25, 2023
Published: 06/27/23
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for accepting my request to read and review Dead Man's Wake.
This was okay. This being #14 in a series that I had not previously read plays very little to my 2.5 (round up to 3 stars) rating. I liked the prospects of the story from a game warden. This is a new concept. I enjoyed the tidbits expressed. However, wow on the need for an address book with a connecting flow chart. So many people, property names, places, boats, equipment that it just became background noise. I skimmed to make the most of my reading time and keep my commitment to NetGalley. With that said, I will DNF a NetGalley book. DMW didn't meet my NetGalley DNF criteria. If this had been library book I wouldn't have finished.
I was bored early on with all the names, there were too many in multiple categories as I stated above. As I skimmed the relationship between the warden and his fiancee slowly played out, and I found myself liking them. And that really is where it ended. I didn't like after 300+ pages to be left with a question --should she or shouldn't she.
Of note: I tossed my notes, and can't specifically remember swearing.
Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for accepting my request to read and review Dead Man's Wake.
This was okay. This being #14 in a series that I had not previously read plays very little to my 2.5 (round up to 3 stars) rating. I liked the prospects of the story from a game warden. This is a new concept. I enjoyed the tidbits expressed. However, wow on the need for an address book with a connecting flow chart. So many people, property names, places, boats, equipment that it just became background noise. I skimmed to make the most of my reading time and keep my commitment to NetGalley. With that said, I will DNF a NetGalley book. DMW didn't meet my NetGalley DNF criteria. If this had been library book I wouldn't have finished.
I was bored early on with all the names, there were too many in multiple categories as I stated above. As I skimmed the relationship between the warden and his fiancee slowly played out, and I found myself liking them. And that really is where it ended. I didn't like after 300+ pages to be left with a question --should she or shouldn't she.
Of note: I tossed my notes, and can't specifically remember swearing.
July 9, 2023
This is a gripping read. Maine Investigator Game Warden Mike Bowditch is matched step by step by state police detectives and by Charley and Stacey. The death of two people and the involvement of a fast boat on a pond where a small family engagement party is being held blows up into an investigative trip to Massachusetts which is nearly a disaster and a gunfight and fire where some die and others nearly do. The plot keeps you reading to the last page. Characters are a strength of the novel and it is especially rewarding to see some former favorites like Kathy and Maple play a larger role. There is humor in unexpected places as well as some good life lessons along the way. And a taste of pathos, too. Entry number 14 is a strong and very entertaining addition to this series.
December 24, 2023
Dead Man's Wake is the 14th book in the Mike Bowditch series and I've read them all, however this one was not the most thrilling book in the series. As much as I like this series and its characters didn't the story captivate me. I was just not finding the investigating into the dead bodies especially thrilling. I was listening to the audiobook version narrated by Henry Leyva and he did a great job which was a plus and I was not bored with the book. I just felt the storyline to be so-so. Hopefully, the next book will work better for me.
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