Pitch Dark, a novel written by best selling author Paul Doiron.

Pitch Dark is a cool read for a hot summer day! Paul Doiron writes a great story full of mystery, investigation, and humor sprinkled throughout. I read this story not knowing that it's part of a long running series for the main character, Mike Bowditch.

Doiron does a great job being descriptive and setting the atmosphere. The characters are written very well, tempting me to find and read all of the other Bowditch books!

If you're looking for an entertaining mystery with great characters and setting, Pitch Dark should be your next read.

This was a really great, faster paced, mystery audiobook. I haven’t read any of the series so it does well as a stand alone. The Main and Canada settings are amazing. It reminded me of These Silent Woods (dad and daughter living in a very remote area) except make it a police chase for fugitives. Definitely kept my attention and I enjoyed the little twists!

This story follows a Maine warden who has great instincts when it comes to feeling like things are off and that a really good thing for some in this story. We see him go through a lot to save this girl but yet who’s telling the truth about her and her father? The father claims he is just trying to protect his child but something just doesn’t make sense with that story.

This story had lots of action and adventure as well as twist all through out.

3.5/5 stars rounded up

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the advanced listening copy!

SYNOPSIS: When Maine game warden Mike Bowditch gets a call about an armed man offering lots of money for information on Mark Redmond, he's instantly suspicious. Mike recently found out that Mark is building a home for his wife's godmother, Josie Jonson, in a remote area, living there with his 12-year-old daughter, Cady. When Mike investigates further, he finds a trail of confusing back story and a concerning amount of isolation in Redmond's past. After convincing Josie to take him and his father-in-law, Charley, to see Redmond, they realize that Mike's concern was valid, as they are taken captive and Redmond disappears. While this game of cat-and-mouse escalates, Mike uncovers more and more information that blurs the lines between good and bad even further, leaving him uncertain who he is there to protect.

First, this is the 15th book in the Mike Bowditch series, but the first one that I've read. I think this can definitely be read as a standalone; while I missed some of the underlying nuance of the relationships, I never felt confused or lost when jumping into this one. And jump in, I did! This book was super fast-paced, with some big shocks. The premise itself was interesting, and it was cool to watch the story unfold from the perspective of the game warden -- not something I'm used to hearing much about. While I couldn't put it down, I also wasn't super invested in the characters. A few weeks after finishing this book, I'm having a hard time remembering details beyond the basic plot, which says to me that I wasn't super connected to the characters. I enjoyed this one overall, but it likely won't stick with me.

I didn't realize this was book 15 until I added it here a third of the way through. Despite it being so far into the series I was still able to enjoy the book (though I am very curious about the wolf dog)

This was a bit of a slow start, but it picked up quickly and I got hooked. Mike is an excellent character, very easy to root for and like. His relationships with the people around him are precious.

I would definitely continue this series. The narration also did fantastic in conveying the emotions happening and I hope is consistent throughout the novels
Thank you to NetGalley and the author for my advance copy of this audiobook

Pitch Dark by Paul Doiron is the 15th book in his "Mike Bowditch" mystery series. It can definitely be read as a stand alone but the series is fantastic to listen to.
Set in Northern Maine, Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch is involved in a dangerous chase through the woods, during stormy weather, to find a man and his young daughter who are on the run.
Fast-paced action, suspense and many surprises!
Narrator Henry Leyva does a superb job telling the story!
Highly Recommended!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an arc of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

This was a good, compelling, twisty book and I'm glad NetGalley promoted it to my often unobservant eyes. I love wilderness survival stories and this one added so many extra facets that I couldn't stop consuming the book. I didn't even realize I was on the 15th book in a series, but it does explain some of the unexplored and unexplained relationships. This is a thrill ride with lots of action, and a story that challenges the reader to consider the idea of evil and at what age it can be accepted as a label. Despite the warm weather in my world, this book left me feeling chilled and shocked to the very end.

Author Paul Doiron returns with his popular Mike Bowditch mystery series in his latest heart-pounding adventure with #15, PITCH DARK.

About...

Set in the main woods, Game Warden Mike Bowditch must chase down a dangerous killer who is whip-smart in this twisty game of cat-and-mouse. Mark Redmond, a skilled builder, shows up to build Josie Jonson's (bush pilot) cabin after purchasing land near Prentiss Pond. He only requests to be left alone to homeschool his daughter, Cady (age 12, never seen in public). Suspicious?

Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch is suspicious of Redmond's secretiveness, especially in light of suspicious criminal activity being reported around the area―including rumors of an armed man offering large sums of money in exchange for the location of Redmond and Cady.

Josie, hesitant to violate her builder's trust, eventually agrees to fly Mike and his father-in-law, Charley Stevens (a retired warden pilot), to the secluded pond to protect reclusive Redmond and Cady. But hours after landing, the trip takes a dark and sinister turn when they witness a horrific murder and are taken captive themselves. What is Mark hiding?

Mike escapes and is forced to set off alone and unarmed through the Maine forest toward Canada in pursuit of a mysterious fugitive. He soon learns that, through all the roadblocks, weather, and wilderness, the killer may be able to outsmart him and his skills. Plus, a bounty hunter is also pursuing Redmond and Cady, plus more complications.

Who is the cat and the mouse in this dangerous game, and will Mike be able to save the life of a young girl and himself?

My thoughts...

PITCH DARK is riveting, atmospheric, fast-paced, action-packed, and full of suspense and twists for a wild adventure. The characters are well-developed, and the setting is vivid and rugged. Excellent characterization (especially Mike, the hero) and atmospheric descriptions make this one an excellent addition to the series full of action, suspense, murder, and danger.

Recs...

PITCH DARK is highly recommended for fans of the author and the Mike Bowditch series and those of authors C.J. Box, Ace Atkins, and David Baldacci.

Audiobook...

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Henry Leyva for an outstanding gripping performance, making the characters come alive for a fast-paced thrill ride!

Thank you...

Thanks to #MacAudio2024 Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for a gifted ALC for an honest review. #CoverLove

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JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: June 25, 2024
My Rating: 4 Stars
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4.5 Stars

Mike Bowditch gets a call from a neighboring game warden needing guidance. He has a possible missing person. A man, not from around Maine, rented an ATV, despite warnings of bad weather and land conditions. Before venturing off, he was asking for information on a reclusive man, Mark Redmond, and his young daughter, Cady, seen around Prentiss Pond, a remote location close to the Canadian border.

Mike finds out that Mark is building a cabin for Josie Johnson, a bush pilot and family friend. The story raises Mike’s suspicions and so he and his father-in-law, Charley, travel out to check on Mark and his daughter, Cady. From there things go south. Mike, Charley and Josie end up tied up with a killer escaping.

The story took off at a breakneck speed after that with Mike pursuing this killer through the remote Maine wilderness, overcoming many obstacles, both from nature and of the human variety. I was glued to the story! While I do think Mike runs headlong into danger, most of the time he tries to think things through. Circumstances do not always allow for plotting and planning, especially with criminals. However, they usually don’t count on Mike’s dogged determination! The situation culminates in an exciting conclusion! Some things were left open, so I’m anxious for the next book!

One of the things I love about this series is that Doiron manages to vividly describe the Maine landscape, rough and beautiful, without slowing the plot.

Pitch Dark is book fifteen in the series, but I feel you could read it as a standalone and still enjoy the story. I stepped in late in the game at book twelve and I’ve read enjoyed every new installment since!

I’ve listened to the series with Henry Leyva performing and he’s come to “be” Mike Bowditch to me. Doiron’s wry humor comes through loud and clear through his performance and I enjoy his Maine and Canadian accents. I listened at my usual 1.5x normal speed and a little higher in some of the more intense scenes. A definite recommend!

In the book Pitch Dark, author Paul Doiron continues his Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch series. Bush pilot Josie Jonson hires Mark Redmond to build her dream cabin on land she purchased at Prentiss Pond. Redmond is living at the building sight with his 12-year-old daughter Cady. But when an armed man arrives in the area asking questions about Redmond and then goes missing, Bowditch goes to question Redmond. But something is off. But will the digging get Bowditch killed? And who is really telling the truth? And what is Redmond and his daughter running and hiding from? This was a great continuation of the series. I would recommend this book. I received a copy of this audio-book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This is the first book I've read in the series but it can be read as a standalone.

I was pretty sure this was going to be a DNF for me up until about 25ish%. After that the plot picked up and it was a fairly good story. Before the plot picked up I was super confused and questioned whether I was listening to the right audio.

The narration was done as well as it could be.

Loved this pulse pounding, edge of your seat thriller set in the woods of Northern Maine. Mike Bowditch is the Game Warden and he’s hot on the trail of fugitive Mark Redmond and his daughter Cady. Mike’s father in law is assisting in locating Redmond. In the process, they witness a murder and are drugged and held captive themselves. Mike manages to free himself and the game of cat and mouse begins. I devoured this thriller. Twist and turns up till the last minute. Pub Day 6/25. Excellent audio narration by Henry Leyva. This would be a great movie. 🎥 Thank You @macmillan.audio #macaudio2024 #netgalley

Set in the northern Maine forest this action-packed thriller finds Game Warden Mike Bowditch hunting down a dangerous fugitive. Mike finds himself in some precarious situations as he discovers why Mark Redmond is on the run.

I really enjoyed listening to this story. There is mystery, suspense and a lot of ACTION packed into #PitchDark. Even though this is book 15/15 it can stand alone. Thanks so much @macmillan.audio for the gifted audiobook!

Review of the audiobook:
Henry Leyva does a great job of not only narrating the story but also bringing the characters to life. I especially love the way he portrays Charlie one of my favorite characters in this series!

Review for the story:
When Mike gets a call that gets his spidey senses tingling, he sets off with his father-in-law Charlie, who is one of my favorite characters, to figure out if a man is really missing, and why he's looking for a man and his daughter currently living off the grid.

From the moment they meet up with the father and daughter things feel wrong, and like the other shoe is going to drop any moment. And when it does it's a doozy. This guy and his daughter are not what they seem and before long Mike is hunting them through the wilderness at night, in the rain, hoping he can stop them before they escape, and anyone else ends up dead.

This book is fast-paced and kept me on the edge of my seat from page one. It felt like you were right next to Mike as he was trekking through the woods, obstacles constantly in the way. Twists and turns literally around every corner, not only with Mike surviving in the woods trying to take a killer down but also closer to home. I did not want to put it down and read it in one sitting. I can't wait to see what Mike will be investigating next, and whats going to happen now that Mike got some very important life-changing information at the end!!

Thank you @Macmillan.audio for my complimentary copy. My thoughts are my own.

I recently discovered Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series, and I am really enjoying it! My husband is enjoying the books along with me and we often listen to one on longer car rides. PITCH DARK is the fifteenth book in the series, and it can be read as a stand-alone.

When Maine game warden investigator Mike Bowditch notices an increase of criminal activity in the remote north woods of Maine, he wants to investigate further, and perhaps provide protection for builder Mark Redmond and his 12-year-old daughter, Cady.

Mike flies to the secluded area, along with his father-in-law, but soon finds himself tied up, witnessing a murder, and matching wits with a dangerous killer!

This action-packed, quick paced story kept me fully engaged! It unfolds through the first person perspective of likable game warden Mike Bowditch. I am really enjoying the Maine setting in this series, and as I read more of the books, I’m getting to know and enjoy the recurring characters. Henry Leyva provides the perfect voice for Mike Bowditch in the audio version. I highly recommend this series!

Thank you Netgalley, Paul Doiron, and MacMillion Audio for the audiobook! A great narration by Henry Leyva, kept me captivated the entire book! I loved the Maine references and the story had twists and turns that had my head spinning!

Thank you Netgalley, Macmillian Audio and Paul Doiron for the audio Arc of Pitch Dark.
Narrated by Henry Leyva

I have a confession. When I read the synopsis of this book, I must of missed the fact that Pitch Dark is the 15th book in of the Mike Bowditch series. Whoops! Luckily, it reads great as a standalone. Pitch Dark is a high octane bush thriller. Mike, a game warden/investigator is a well fleshed out character even with no backstory that's in the previous books. He feels trustworthy and likeable which inspires you to find out more about his story.
In this book, Josie wants to build her dream log cabin and can't believe her luck when a builder and his daughter offer to do this on one condition. That he's left alone to homeschool his 12 yr old daughter, Cady.

For Mike, this rouses suspicion and what ensues is a great cat and mouse thriller. The twist, is really clever and quite unusual and definitely leaves you questioning what you would do in the same circumstances. I listened Pitch Dark within a day whilst having a walk and cleaning. Kept me engaged and couldn't wait to get to the end of the book

Henry Leyva narrates this book and loved his voice. It suits the cadence of the book and the right emphasis/pacing is used to keep you gripped!


4.5 stars rounded to 5

Thank you to the publishers, author and NetGalley for the free copy of this audio book.

Although this is part of a series, I read it just fine as a standalone. Good pacing and interesting characters, it kept my attention throughout. The narrator did a good job.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook in exchange for my honest review. Henry Leyva narrates this story and its wonderful!!!

This is installment #15 in the series and I have never read any of the previous books in the series. I believe it can be read as a stand-alone without missing out on anything other than the past adventures of the game warden. I do plan to return to the series and catch up!

In this story, Game Warden Mike Bowditch is in his turf in Maine hunting down a fugitive from Canada and his 12 year old daughter. Mike at first believes he is looking for a lost camper but stumbles upon the bigger fish who leads him on an exhilarating chase.

In this fast paced thriller, the suspense is high and I just did not want to stop listening at any point as I had to figure out the ending. The setting is vivid and atmospheric with the raw weather issues pitted against the cat and mouse chase. A fun read that I recommend!!

Game warden and newly married Mike Bowdich sets out with his father in law Charlie to search for a man who has disappeared while out riding ATVs. They hitch a flight with their friend Josie because the rain has made many of the roads unsurpassable. Their first stop is to find out why he was hunting down a father and his young daughter who have secluded themselves in the wild. The search turns deadly as Mike unearths lie after lie.

Mikes wife at home may be pregnant. But he has to make it back to find out. Will he survive the hunt?

This book was quite an adventure. Having not read any of the preceding 14 books, I still understood Mike and his motivations. It definitely works as a stand alone read. I would recommend it if you like guns and a good action read.

Thank you Paul Doiron, @netgalley and Henry Leyva and @macmillanaudio for the ARC. The book is being released on June 25, 2024!