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!

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.

Dead Man’s Wake by Paul Doiron
Mike Bowditch # 14
I was so excited to be offered an ARC by the publisher because this series is one of my favorites. I love the descriptions of Maine, the outdoorsy activities and the excitement of the investigations. None of it is anything I would ever do but I find these books thrilling to read. This one particularly is a wowie zowie ripsnorter. The ending is filled with tension and terror for our hero. It really wasn’t too hard to figure out who was the bad guy but it did not take anything away from the book.
This book is not to be missed but really not the place to start the series. I did miss Shadow but I understand why he had to stay home for this one. I wonder how being married will work out for Mike but that will be something to find out in future additions to the series.

This author has written a compelling story of murder and intrigue. The numerous characters keep the story moving. The murders are the central part of this dark mystery. Who is guilty? That is difficult to determine. This book was sent to me electronically by Netgalley for review. Thanks to the publisher and the author.

Another well constructed plot by Paul Doiron as he gives Warden Mike Bowditch another challenging mystery.
I love these books! Don't miss out on this one. Very well written.

Dead Man's Wake is book 14 in the Mike Bowditch series by Paul Doiron and it’s a fast-paced book with plenty of action that puts you on the edge of your seat. Very intense
This was a real page tuner for me! I could not read this book fast enough!
Full of tension, action, and suspense.
With likable and relatable characters this was a hard one to put down.
A enjoyable story that anyone who loves a suspenseful mystery, thriller.
I just had to know what was going to happen.
I really need to start this series with book one.
It’s too good.

"I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own."

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!