Massacre Pond: A Novel (Mike Bowditch Mysteries Book 4)

After reading the first Bowditch story, I questioned whether I wanted to read his follow up. Believing everyone deserves a second chance, I bought the second novel. I found this stronger, better written and a solid push to buy the next.

If ever there was a Maine author to write mysteries set in Maine with authority it's Paul Doiron. The former editor in chief of "DOWNEAST, the Magazine of Maine," Doiron has an excellent understanding of Maine's history, socio-economic structure, political climate, and current struggles.Doiron takes an unsolved mystery about the massacre of several moose north of the town of Rangely in 1999 and uses it as a base for the plot of "Massacre Pond," the fourth in the Mike Bowditch series. But he also touches on several of Maine's contemporary problems, particularly the dying fishing and wood product industries, and Mainers' increasing economic dependence on tourism. Throw in some of Maine's environmental concerns, such as the protecting of wilderness lands versus carefully (or not) controlling northern Maine's potential for building vacation homes and he has created an absolutely convincing description of some of the problems we Mainers are currently grappling with.In "Massacre Pond," Mike Bowditch, is now in his third year as game warden after being reassigned from the relatively cushy mid-Maine, where the first two Bowditch books are set, to what is truly the most rural and coldest part of Maine, the area north and east of Moosehead Lake. The action in Book 3 takes place during a very cold and snowy Maine winter. Now in Book 4, Massacre Pond, it is an unnaturally warm October and Mike is still at the same post, when he is asked to investigate the senseless shooting of a bull moose out of season. The discovery is made by Billy Cronk, who readers meet in Book 3. Billy is a veteran of Afghanistan and Iraq, but beneath his forbidding-looking physique there is a soft hearted man with a wife and four children to support. His job: to manage the property of Betty Morse, who earned her fortune selling herbal medicine, and has quietly been buying enough land from defunct paper mill owners to create a National Park. But not everyone wants to see a national park on Betty Morse's property because it would displace so many people, destroy much of what is left of Maine's pulp and paper industry, and limit access to snow mobilers in the winter.So what kind of sicko is killing moose (for there is more than one) on Betty Morse's property? As game warden, it is Mike's job to find the perpetrator. But he is blindsided by others in his department, who know about Mike's questionable past (Book 1), or see solving the moose massacre as way to publicly advance their own careers.Having been branded a hothead who doesn't listen to orders very well, Mike is determined to keep his nose clean by following orders that generally keep him out of the hunt for the moose murderers. But he still has his regular warden activities to attend to, and in the process he uncovers some dangerous men, who he believes are involved in the moose killings.Staying away from the limelight, which is, increasingly becoming a three ring circus, Mike manages to solve the mystery. But his life is still a mess. Back in Portland his mother is ill, and seeing himself through her eyes he begins to wonder if he is really cut out to be a game warden. There are problems with his love-life, too, for he is in love with his best friend's daughter, who is also a game warden--and engaged to someone else..Doiron writes with the authority of someone who knows Maine. His descriptions are excellent, particularly about simple things few people "from away" have experienced: the crunch of newly fallen leaves, the magnificent waves along the Maine coast after a storm, the smell of a lake. More importantly he continues to develop Mike Bowditch as a complicated man whose life experiences have been tearing him in two conflicting directions. Is he a game warden, or a guy with a BA from Colby College who can't quite figure out who he is?I started this book the day before Thanksgiving, read a couple of chapters before I went to bed Thanksgiving night, and decided to read a little more over breakfast the following morning. The next thing I knew it was dinner-time and I finished "Massacre Pond.". I can't wait to read book 5.

I truly enjoyed this book. The mystery of the dead moose(s) was a very interesting plot line. Mike’s detective skills and common sense clash with the ineptness of his superiors and the politicians. However, we see Bowditch maturing as a character and actually following orders. The results are harrowing at times, but in the end very satisfying. His friendship with the retired warden Charlie Stevens is an great part of this developing series. I also must say that there were a few scenes in the book that actually brought a tear to my eye. REALLY GOOD WRITING!! My only criticism of this book that I read in record time is that the ending is basically a set-up for the next book. There are some obvious loose ends. For me, not an issue - I can’t wait to start the next book in the Bowditch series. He is truly becoming a cool, but still nuanced, character. Highly recommend, but start with Book 1 of the Bowditch series to get the full appreciation.

Great book series …. by a Maine author about a Maine game warden .

Another great installment in the Warden Bowditch book series. Love the characters and plots. Hard to put down. Looking for book #5 now!

Paul Doiron continues his Mike Bowditch series with this latest novel. He is more than holding our interest. He is one of the few authors that my husband and I both read. We preordered this to arrive on publication date. Like most successful series, the key to success is in the characters and their lives that wrap around the plot of each separate book. We care about Mike and believe in the people and forest that surround him. Give credit to Mr. Doiron. We do not know any people remotely like his characters and we live in one of the largest cities in the country. Nevertheless, we feel that we are immersed in the backwoods of Maine seeing and talking with everyone of these people. If you have not read any of the books, it is worthwhile to read them in order, so begin with the Poacher's Son. These books are not postcard Maine and they do not romanticize rural life. Massacre Pond is interesting because of the collision between a wealthy conservationist who is fencing, preserving and "saving" pristine wild Maine and the survival needs of the very poor local population that is barely managing to survive with a challenging subsistence lifestyle. So, please, keep writing this series, Mr. Doiron, and we will continue to read and recommend your books.(P.S. Totally loved the line about Pluto.)

I may be a tad bit biased being in Maine's law enforcement arena, but I've found this series riveting and thought provoking. The similarities to real events and people also drew my interest. In this case, the character Elizabeth Morse and her idea for a national park draws on the inspiration from Roxanne Quimby and her same intent. Though Dorion's characters and scenario are fictional, it is also spot on in many ways to what is occurring in Maine.In this fourth book we finally see Mike begin to mature and try to control his reckless self destructive tendencies. Mike was easier to relate to and root for in this book than the previous three. I guess in the end Mike felt more believable as a character and warden.I would recommend this series to those readers out there who like to think...many mystery writers fail to write a truly thought provoking novel. Doiron's plot line isn't easily predictable and genuinely kept me reading needing to know what was going to happen next trying to solve this mystery with Mike.The only point I would make about Doiron's portrayal of the warden service is they are not destitute. The average warden doesn't live in a ramshackle trailer or broken down camp. They make a respectable living as is deserved for the job they perform.

This is the fourth book written by Paul Doiron about Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch. I have read all of them. A Game warden in the US is actually a sort of policeman and initially it is hard to understand why a Game warden gets involved in "real" crimes but this is a US thing. Anyway this is a mystery story located in Maine.Paul Doiron is a fine writer. He is capable to combine great character description, great settings and a mystery into such a blend that it is a joy to read. This book is as good as his other three. Initially it is a little slow but you get drawn into the story and in the end it is hard to put down. I found it to be a delightful way of spending a day reading this one.It is easy to compare Mike Doiron's books about Mike Bowditch with the far larger series of book by C J Box about his Game Warden Joe Pickett. I have read 14 of his books, so far, as well and find them to be excellent but I would be hard pressed to chose between Paul Doiron and C J Box. They are equally good.So if you have never read anyone of these two authors there are at least 18 good books waiting for you!

Good service and book exactly as described.

I have traveled parts of northwest Maine by dog team so enjoy stories of the area.

I enjoyed this book very much - a real page-turner - highly recommend!

Well written. Mystery with outdoor scenario