I was not aware that this was a book in a long running
series as that is not indicated anywhere on the book. .
However I do feel like you could read this book as a stand alone
not having read the prior books and not lose any understanding of the
story.

This would be the perfect book for you if you like a good who done it, without
the MC being your typical Police or Detective.

Review of eBook

Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch and his fiancé, Stacy Stevens, are celebrating their engagement at a party put together by his stepfather, Neil Turner and his wife, Jubilee. Outside, a Jet Ski rider buzzes the lake.

When they hear a crash, they head out to the lake where they make a gruesome discovery. Soon Mike is involved in an investigation involving two bodies found in the lake. At the same time, there is a search in progress for the unknown hit-and-run boater involved in the crash.

Were the two people found dead in the lake victims of the boat crash or victims of something more sinister?

=========

Although “Dead Man’s Wake” is fourteenth in the Mike Bowditch series, it works well as a stand-alone. Despite being a bit predictable at times, the unfolding story presents an intriguing mystery wrapped up in a well-written story that keeps the reader involved in the telling of the tale. Convincing, realistic characters and a strong sense of place work together; readers are sure to feel they are on the edge of the Great Pond.

As Mike investigates, there’s plenty of action and a few surprises leading to an explosive denouement.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this eBook from St. Martin’s Press, Minotaur Books and NetGalley
#DeadMansWake #NetGalley

I was excited to read the latest instalment of the Mike Bowditch series since I’d enjoyed the previous book. I had not read all of them. This one didn’t live up to my expectations.
Mike is an investigator for the Warden Service in Maine, and the setting on a renowned pond is well portrayed with wildlife, flora and fauna. The plot follows several agencies, with specific authorities and powers, in locating witnesses and determining the cause of a terrible accident over a holiday weekend.
An adulterous married man in the company of a much younger woman (married to a mean biker) are dead in the lake. One is dismembered, the other might have drowned. A confession which should wrap everything up just muddied the waters.
There were many family members, law enforcement and local residents in the story. Mike’s fiancé, Stacey, was by far the most interesting, personable and compassionate. I wanted to know more about her and their backstory. The majority of the other characters left me cold, none very likable. If the intent was to portray Mainers as snarky and brusque, it succeeded. Mike’s pet Wolf/dog creature is strange, much like the Mainers were. In one scene the kerosene lamps were blazing white then a lone kerosene lamp flickered, inconsistent. Overall the premise has great potential, however it felt rushed, scattered and like the author was meeting a deadline.
The digital advance reader copy of “Dead Man’s Wake” by Paul Doiron, published by Minotaur Books, was provided by NetGalley. These honest thoughts and opinions are all provided voluntarily without any compensation to me.

As a long part time resident of Maine I’ve read and enjoyed every Doiron book. Each one takes place in a different area of Maine but features the same interesting characters . This book involves murders on an island in Belgrade Lakes. It’s helpful if you’ve owned and used a boat as I have since boats and their operation figure in much of the story.
Doiron’s writing is lively and fluid and his major legal protagonist, Mike Bowditch, is an interesting and complex character. The only boring thing about Bowditch and his adventures is that readers can be certain that in a late chapter he will almost be killed—but of course survive and get the bad guy. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Dead Man's Wake fascinated and stirred my sense of solving a mystery because it involved the warden service and patrolling the waters, bays, and islands. Paul Doiron pens an inspiring tale that keeps you engaged throughout the novel trying to determine who is the villain. Also

Standard fare Paul Doiron/Mike Bowditch. The story starts out with a man's arm (decapitated by a boat on a lake) showing up in a lake where Bowditch and family happen to be. As more people get involved another body shows up and the story goes from there. It felt sluggish to me. The big whopper was the "Who" as in "Who-dunnit" shows up at 87% through the story and has barely been in the story to that point. The usual mayhem/gun play follows. Then Doiron/Bowditch explain how this all came about.
Bowditch fans will probably like it. I've read all his previous Bowditch books, and I was not blown away.

Dead Man's Wake is number 14 in a series but can be read as a standalone novel. Mike Bowditch is a game warden and he and his fiancé witness a hit-and-run accident on a lake. They soon discover two bodies, and Mike starts to investigate the murders. While this is a standalone, I personally think it would have been helpful to know the backstory of all the characters involved because there were things that were alluded to that I had no knowledge of, not having read any of the other books. I just felt there was something missing for me, but I think those who have read the other books will also enjoy this installment in the series. Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the ARC.

Mike Bowditch and Stacy are at Mike's stepfathers house with Charlie and Ora for their engagement party. While outside, they hear a boat driving fast on the small lake and Mike knows that means trouble. Sure enough, the boat hits someone and leaves the scene. While investigating, Bowditch and the locals find another body and it had nothing to do with a boat accident.

I really enjoy this series and look forward to more Bowditch books. This one needs some major editing before it gets published, but it's one of my favorites so far in the series. I'm looking forward to the next one. Charlie and Ora are some favorite characters and I love how savvy Charlie is and still teaches Bowditch some new tricks.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read and review this book.

Another entry in the Maine Game Warden series with Mike Bowditch. I've read several of the previous installments, and yes, while there are similarities between them, each novel is different. Mike can't keep his inquisitive mind to himself, and thus gets entangled into another mess of a case. I've enjoyed getting to know the characters in Bowditch's world, and this novel gives more breadth to his stepparents Neil and Jubilee.

A good, solid mystery set in Vacationland.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Mike Bowditch's sense of right and wrong along with his curiosity draws him into a death investigation. Was the man who's arm they found floating in the lake killed by a speedboater? Where is his companion of the weekend get away?

There were several misdirections and a few close calls with death before he figures out the clues. It was good to meet Mike's stepfather and see the relationship growth as Mike realizes his actions impact those he loves. It was interesting to learn about law on the water.

Another fantastic adventure.

By now, Mike Bowditch the Maine Game Warden, had so many adventures from the same cookie cutter, that there's not much unpredictable. As he goes over many of the scenes in the series previous incidents, it gets tedious and reads more like YA fiction.

What an incredible mystery! I loved the main character Mike - actually I liked pretty much all of the characters. They were well developed, and you knew them well enough to understand their motivations and predict their next actions - that is not to imply that you guess where the story takes you. There were clues all around Mouse Island, but they had to be unearthed in the right context. The mystery was very intricate, and I admit that I missed some vital clues. Regardless, the end is quite a surprise! I found the novel to be very engrossing and entertaining, and I enjoyed all of the little tidbits of info I learned about water recovery.

Paul Doiron always has a way of keeping this series fresh, with wonderful characters that continue to grow and change, interesting mysteries and plots, and perfect writing. They can all be read as a stand-alone with minimal backstory.
Celebrating their engagement with their family, Mike and Stacey see an accident on the lake that appears to be a hit and run. This kept me on the edge of my seat.

Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch is back. He and his fiancee Stacy Stevens, along with her parents, are at Great Pond for a Labor Day engagement party. The wardens, Mike and his retired father-in-law-to-be Charley Stevens, are observing the tomfoolery on the lake as a speed boat zips by at dusk. Before long, they hear the boat hit something, and Mike and Charley go out to investigate. That was no log the speed boat hit. What looks like a terrible accident leads the wardens to find not one but two bodies, at least one of them strangled.

Mike’s only charge is with chasing down the boat incident, but he’is sure there’s more to the situation than meets the eye and pursues information with his usual doggedness and misadventures.

Paul Doiron has served up another page-turner with Dead Man’s Wake. I love how Doiron has set his books in every wild setting in Maine, this time on a summer lake. At least Mike isn’t in danger of freezing to death in this one! Doiron also serves up a mystery with plenty of twists and twisted characters. Not for the cozy mystery crowd, but a fine, fun read for the rest of us.

This was a solid whodunnit mystery with plenty of twists and turns. I didn’t care for many of the characters and there was a bit too much boating information, so those took away from the overall enjoyment for me. I appreciate the opportunity to review an advanced reader’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is such a good book! This is the first book I’ve read in this popular series, and it was easy to read as a stand-alone, although I’m now going to read the series by this talented writer. Bowditch, the main character in this story, is a Game Warden in Maine, which I found really interesting. Highly recommended!

Mike Bowditch is a Maine Game Warden Investigator. He and his fiancée, Stacey, are celebrating their engagement when they see a hit and run boat accident on Great Pond. They take a nearby boat and ride over to where the accident occurred. They do find evidence of the hit and run and among the evidence they (along with Stacey’s father a retired Warden) find an arm that had been detached. This initiates their involvement in the investigation. There are murders, liars, cheats, oh yes, and some very decent people among the colorful cast of characters. This is fast, very visual, reading and well worth spending some time with. Thanks to Net Galley and Minotaur Books for an ARC for an honest review.

I've recently discovered this series and I'm happy I did. Mike Bowditch is a Maine Game Warden and the overall series tracks his career. In this latest, Mike is celebrating his upcoming wedding at his stepfather's house when he witnesses a boating accident. Though it's not his jurisdiction, he jumps into investigative mode, accompanied by his soon-to-be father-in-law and fiance. An exciting story with lots of twists and turns. Though this is part of a series, you pick this up without having read the previous entries. If you like the Anna Pigeon series, I think you'll like this.

Thanks for St Martin's Press for access to a digital ARC on NetGalley.

This is the first one of the series I read, seemed fine to read it without having read the prior books. The mystery was interesting, with lots of characters, many unlikable and lots of interpersonal dynamics. Maybe too much about boating for me, but others might like that element. worth the read

I was fortunate to receive an ARC of 'Dead Man's Wake' from NetGalley and Minotaur books, thank you. This is book #14 in the Mike Bowditch's mystery series. Books are set in Maine which makes me a tad bias. I love a good mystery. There are plenty of great authors and Paul Doiron is in that category. What makes a good mystery to me is real, likeable characters, I love the characters especially Charley is one of my favorites other than Mike of course. Throw in some animals...doesn't have to have them but I appreciate them (wolf, dog, raven oh my). The mystery is a severed arm floating in the lake...at least that is where it all starts and off we go. P.D. books are fast paced, no junky filler and action! All the makings for a good mystery that makes me hunker down to read and grumble when life interferes and I have to stop reading. If you haven't started the series, I recommend you start with #1 the Poacher's Son and binge!