This a new series for me. I came to Dead Man’s Wake with no history or background and was quickly brought up to speed thanks to Doiron’s research and information that infiltrated the early pages. I went into the balance of the book knowing that Maine game wardens have police powers and Mike Bowditch works in the Wildlife Crimes Investigation Division of the Maine Warden Service. On any given day he could be “busting poaching rings to solving hunting homicides to reconstructing boating accidents.” No surprise this book is going to deal with a boating accident, maybe.

Mike Bowditch is a likable sort of guy who speaks with a sometimes prosaic,sometimes juddering but an always decisive voice. He often acts quickly without considering the consequences. It’s a double edged sword of his greatest fault as well as his greatest strength. The supporting characters are well drawn. His fiancée Stacey Stevens can sometimes come across as “a three alarm firecracker” is perfectly suited, but her father, Charley really stood out with just a little bit of mischief mixed in with intelligence and experience. He kept popping up and validating the direction of the story.

The accident “which maybe isn’t” turns into an interesting investigation with too many people thrown into the mix. These peripheral characters run the gamut from a smarmy college kid looking to join the ranks of the Fortune 500 (I really disliked him - who wouldn’t?) to rough bikers to an “arrogant, insubordinate, self-pitying” sheriff’s deputy and oh wait, a hunky diver who I would love to meet.

This story is a little bit boating accident, murder mystery, but maybe not, but then definitely an attempted murder or something else. It definitely held my attention even if the writing was sometimes uneven. I am rounding up to four stars. Thanks to St Martin’s Press - Minotaur Books and NetGalley for a copy.

I didn't realize this was a book in a series, until I looked up the author. I liked the writing style and characters. Even though this is #14 in the series, I don't feel I lost anything from the previous stories. It can be read as a stand alone book. It starts off with 2 bodies being found and most of the book is about the police investigations into those deaths. I think Charley was my favorite character. He seems like he'd be fun to hang out with and could teach so many things to you. Mike Bowditch was a pretty cool character and determined to find answers. I'll have to go and read some of the other books in the series.

I received a free copy from NetGalley. I have not read others in this series and thought it did okay as a stand alone. Plot moved along quickly enough and the characters were believable and the setting interesting.

Date for the review, was read at a different time.

I had no idea that this was book 14 in a series, but I found that it can easily be read as a stand-alone.

Mike Bowditch is a Game Warden investigator. During his engagement party at his stepfather's lake house, he and his fiance witness a hit and run speedboat crash. They head out to the scene and end up finding two bodies in the water. Although this seems like an accident at first, Mike suspects it is murder and begins working on the investigation with the local police.

I loved that this book was set in Maine and thought it was fun that Mike's fiance had the same first and last name as mine! I really liked these characters, especially Mike and Stacey. The book was fast-paced and twisty.

I will probably go back at some point and read book one. Mike has a wolf dog, but he was only mentioned in this book. I would like to read about them going on some investigations together!

Thank you @netgalley, @minotaur_books, @stmartinspress and the author for the gifted e-arc of this book!

The 14th book in Mike Bowditch Series and it's still going strong. Bowditch is a Maine Game Warden. I enjoy these books because I always get mystery, adventure and most times edge of my seat thrills.

Mike Bowditch and Stacy are at his stepdad's house for their engagement party on Great Pond. Bowditch is off duty but soon there's an accident on the lake and a body. He soon is off investigating with his soon to be father-in-law, Charley.

I have read everyone of the Mike Bowditch books and somehow Doiron keeps coming up with new investigations for Bowditch to do. I have seen how Doiron has grown Bowditch's character, as well as the other characters that have a recurring place in the books. I'm never bored when reading one of his books.

If you like adventure and mystery books, you ought to give this series a try. I don't think you would be disappointed.

Published June 27, 2023

Thanks to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Minotaur Books for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

#netgalley
#stmartinspress
#minotaurbooks
#pauldoiron
#deadmanswake

.Dead Man's Wake is the fourteenth book in the Mike Bowditch series. It is the first one I have read. It is a standalone read, but I am sure that it is worth reading the whole series from the beginning.

This is a well written, police procedural story about Mike Bowditch, a Maine game warden.

The story begins with Mike and his fiancée, Stacey, at their engagement party dinner. Listening to the evening sounds of the Great Pond, they hear jet skis racing at night and then a crash on the lake. Deciding to investigate, they find a severed arm of a man, then his body and finally the body of a woman.

Mike's job is to work the case of the boating accident, but he is working with two homicide detectives, one of whom seems determined to pin the murders on the husband. Mike doesn't agree with the assessment of the accident, so he works the accident until he is able to report all of the facts.

This is a fast-paced story that is very intense and told from Mike's point of view. There are a lot of characters to keep straight but not too many that you can't keep them straight. The story is very descriptive and easy to follow. I really liked this one and am interested in reading more of the series.

This is the 14th book in the Mike Bowditch series. I feel this can be read as a standalone read.
Though the story starts out a bit slow, no worries because it picks up in a great way.
I really like the main character, Mike.
Overall, a solid investigative mystery thriller with lots of suspense thrown in!
Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are completely my own.

fast paced thriller that i couldn't put down

thanks to the publisher and netgalley for the copy for review

Dead Man’s Wake by Paul Doiron an entertaining “police” procedural although the protagonist is a game warden in Maine. Anymore, in many places, game wardens have many of the same responsibilities as the police do, just having authority in limited locales. They are at the lake, Mike and Stacey, visiting with his stepfather, Neil, and stepmother, Jubilee, as well as Charley and Ora, Stacey’s parents, when Mike heard a jet ski on the lake, but it was after dark when it was against the law. Reminded by Stacey that he was not working, he ignored it until shortly after when they heard a collision. Charley jumped to his feet as well, being a former game warden who had never quite gotten it out of his blood and he and Mike took off in Neil’s boat to investigate. What they found was disturbing: a severed human arm. Thus began the investigation which would end up with two murders, only one of which was in Mike’s purview.

I have never read this particular series before and I really liked it and then I discovered it was book 14! Mike is a good character, and well written. He is a dedicated lawman with few, but some, personal issues. Neil was his stepfather but Mike had never really accepted him. He had assumed Jubilee was a trophy wife, but she turned out to be so much more. Stacey was the ideal fiancee for a lawman and would make a wonderful wife, while still living her own life. This was a complicated mystery, primarily because much of the evidence was hidden under water. The obvious culprits had alibied out and there was much to do to solve the murders. I was a good book. Surprisingly involved and full of possible clues that led nowhere. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of Dead Man’s Wake by St Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #PaulDoiron #DeadMansWake

I did not realize this was part of a series and although it's possible to read as a standalone, as the 14th book in the series some may find themselves needing to read the previous books. It was quite confusing initially with the characters but eventually I was able to catch along. Do I recommend reading the other books prior? Possibly considering you will get more of backstory. I did enjoy the suspense and thrill the story gave and the pace was great as it was pretty quick. The 2 stars I docked are simply because this is a part of series and I'm such an OCD of person that I would have preferred to read the previous books and the initial confusion I had. Had those 2 not have been factor, there is a high possibility that this would be a 5 star read for me.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the gifted ARC!

Intriguing and captivating story of a social visit that becomes a murder investigation. This was my first Paul Doiron book, but it won’t be my last. It was intelligent, fast-paced, and hard to put down!

Outlier.
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.**

I will say first that I have not read any of the other books in this series. You can read this book without reading any of the prior books. This book was fast-paced. It takes place in less than 3 days. I found that it went too quick to be believable on solving this murder. The book wasn't a bad book but I most likely won't read anymore in this series.

"Dead Man's Wake" by Paul Doiron is a thrilling addition to the Mike Bowditch crime series, delivering a fast-paced and suspenseful story that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end. As the 14th installment in the series, it successfully captivates both new readers and dedicated fans alike.

The story opens with an unexpected twist that sets the stage for a gripping narrative. Mike Bowditch, the series' protagonist, is celebrating his engagement when the discovery of a severed arm interrupts the festivities. This shocking event leads to the unraveling of a double murder, plunging Mike into a dangerous investigation.


One of the strengths of "Dead Man's Wake" is the author's ability to provide enough background information for new readers to understand the characters and their relationships. Despite not having read the previous 13 books in the series, I found myself easily connecting with Mike Bowditch and comprehending the underlying dynamics of his personal and professional life.

Paul Doiron's writing style is concise and engaging, maintaining a steady pace that keeps the story moving forward. The narrative is filled with unexpected twists and turns, which adds to the suspense and makes it difficult to put the book down. Each chapter ends on a cliffhanger, enticing readers to continue reading to uncover the truth behind the heinous crimes and their perpetrators.

Another aspect worth mentioning is the vivid and immersive depiction of the setting. Doiron's ability to bring the Maine wilderness to life adds an atmospheric layer to the story, creating a backdrop that is as captivating as the plot itself. The descriptions of the rugged landscapes and untamed beauty of the region enhance the reading experience, making it feel as if the reader is right there alongside the characters.

In conclusion, "Dead Man's Wake" is a gripping and fast-paced crime novel that will satisfy both long-time fans of the Mike Bowditch series and newcomers alike. Paul Doiron delivers an enthralling narrative filled with suspense, well-developed characters, and a captivating setting. Prepare yourself for a wild ride as you follow Mike Bowditch on his relentless pursuit of justice in the face of danger and deception.

So this is a sequel but it doesn't read like a sequel, thankfully. I have never read a Paul Doiron novel, but I think I will need to read the rest of this series. His writing is fluid and keeps you reading.

This story is intriguing and lots of twists. Definitely recommend for those that like mysteries.

I was excited to receive this book and then I realized it was #14 in the series, normally I would never start a series at book 14, but I didn't have time to go back and read thirteen books. I'm one of those people who has to read a series in order, so this was a first for me (considering the number of books).

The book starts at Mike Bowditch's engagement party, which is all light and fun for about ten minutes, then Mike as an investigator for the Warden service can't handle the jet skier breaking all the rules on the Great Pond. The action begins then, with first the discovery of a severed arm and then the body. Mike's job is to investigate the boating accident that damaged the body and/or discover if the person was killed by a boat. Things get complicated when they discover another body and that's when the action really kicks in with twists and turns and an excellent story that leads to an explosive ending. The only weird thing to me - it seemed like the author dumbed down Mike to mansplain some things to the reader, which was kind of insulting. If anyone reads crime fiction, they already know the things he did this on. He also used it to give his father-in-law to be a chance to "show off." It made the rough and tumble Mike appear not very bright for an investigator and after fourteen books, I would have hoped he was smarter than that. I didn't take a star off for this because it might have been a pet peeve of mine. I'll definitely read more of this series.

Thanks to Minotaur books and NetGalley for this digital copy. All opinions are my own.

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.

Book Summary:

Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and Stacey Stevens have the unfortunate luck of witnessing a speedboat hit-and-run. It's probably not the sort of event most people would expect to hear about, but it's just another event in a long line of strange and morbid occurrences.

Only this one is about to get stranger. Upon closer inspection, this accident looks more like a calculated and brutal murder and less like a horrible accident. Now Mike and Stacey must investigate the crime and hopefully remain alive.

My Review:

So....I did it again. I accidentally dove into the middle of a mystery series. Why do I keep doing this?!? I picked up Dead Man's Wake, unaware it was the fourteenth (fourteenth!) book in a series. That said, it was still a fun read that I had no issues keeping up with. Though I'm confident, I missed out on a lot about Mike's past.

Onto the actual review! Dead Man's Wake starts fast, and I mean that. We're quickly thrown into the murder mystery, which our leading character was unlucky enough to witness (sort of?). You can see how it would quickly spiral from there.

This fast-paced race made staying invested in the plot easy, even when I didn't know all the backstories. Paul Doiron's writing is witty and approachable, making it the perfect mystery read. I must go back and check out the rest of this series.

Highlights:
Mystery/Thriller Series
Lots of Action
Tense

Trigger Warnings:
Speedboat Accident/Murder

Do you enjoy going on boats? Or what is the weather like for you today?
I used to love going on boats but just last year I learned that on smaller boats I get seasick when we go fast! Not a fun thing to learn on my way to vacation! I did do fine on a cruise ship, so maybe it’s a size thing.
At their engagement party Game Warden Mike and his fiancée Stacy are interrupted by a hit-and-run speedboat crash. They dive in to start investigating. With the hunt for the killer ramping up, Mike starts to wonder if some of his fellow patrol members are in on the crime. Will Mike be able to figure out who the killer is before time runs out?
I didn’t realize going into this one that it was part of a lengthy series, and in this case, I would have enjoyed some of the backstory as we were just plopped right in. I think that reading some of the previous books would have helped me become more engaged. This one was not a badly written book in any way; it just didn’t hold my attention like I prefer for a thriller. This is very much a heavy police procedural novel, so make sure you are prepared for that. I didn’t get a ton of plot outside the procedure, which I would have enjoyed. It was a solid middle of the road read.
If you are looking for a solid thriller, with the twist of being a game warden versus a police officer at the protagonist, then check this one out June 27th.

Thank you to the publisher St Martin’s Press, @stmartinspress, Minotaur Books, @minotaur_books, and Netgalley @netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, Paul Doiron is a new author for me, and his story telling ability kept me engaged throughout the entire thing. The character were all complex with their own stories and he takes his time revealing the details so as to keep you on pace with the first person perspective of the investigation. A unique aspect of this one was that it focused on crimes within a context that I was not accustomed to and learned a lot about. Crimes committed on lakes or in water are treated differently in their processes than most mysteries I've read before. Would read more from this author!