Stay Hidden by Paul Doiron

Stay Hidden by Paul Doiron – 328 p.

Game warden Mike Bowditch has been promoted to Warden Investigator. He lands his first hunting homicide (don’t call them accidents – at best they are referred to as “incidents”). Bowditch ends up being the only real law enforcement officer on a foggy Maine island where the insular residents prefer to handle their problems without outside help. Mike has realistically matured as these books progress. While his dangerous impulsiveness often has me wanting to shake sense into him, I’ll continue to follow his exploits in this excellent series.

Widowmaker by Paul Doiron

Widowmaker by Paul Doiron - 320 pages
Mike Bowditch Mysteries - Book 7

A mysterious woman appears in front of Main Game Warden Mike Bowditch's house to try and get his assistance in locating her missing son who may or may not be tied to Bowditch's past.  Bowditch has finally got his life in order both professionally and personally after many reckless years so he is hesitant to dive in, but eventually circumstances somewhat force his hand.  The hunt for the missing man takes him to the ski country of his youth and puts his resolve to the test. 

The plot in this book is fairly straight forward but I don't read this series for the mystery.  It's a great read because of the way the author treats the landscape like a character on its own, and everyone that Bowditch encounters is fully fleshed out with an interesting back story that makes you want to know more.  I'm always happy to dip into this world and am looking forward to the next one. 

Stone Cold by C. J. Box

Stone Cold by C. J. Box - 384 pages
Joe Pickett Series Book 14

Joe has his old job back as a game warden in Wyoming but it comes with the catch that he is at the beck and call of the Governor for an special troubleshooting duties as needed.  A disturbing pattern of deaths leads Joe into an investigation in a remote county with a wide ranging web of corruption.  This book features Joe's friend and federal fugitive Nate Romanowski which always makes for a more interesting story.

Massacre Pond by Paul Doiron

Massacre Pond by Paul Doiron - 320 pages
Mike Bowditch Mystery (Book 4)

North Woods Maine game warden Mike Bowditch is called in by a friend to investigate the worst wildlife crime in the history of the state.  The crime occurred on the property of a rich enigmatic woman at odds with the surrounding community due to her plans to turn over a huge amount of property to the National Parks Service.  Mike is at odds with his own service due to his actions in the previous books so he is soon relegated to the sidelines of the investigation.  Personal connections bring Mike back into the web of the crime and force him to question what he truly is meant to do with his life and what really constitutes justice.

Breaking Point by C.J. Box

Breaking Point by C.J. Box - 384 Pages
"A Joe Pickett Novel"

Wyoming Game Warden Joe Pickett is on routine patrol when he runs into his neighbor Butch Roberson who is out hunting.  Only later does Joe find out that Butch is a suspect in the death of two EPA agents and the subject of a manhunt.  Most of the following narrative is a chase scene through the back country.  Box's visual descriptions are stunning as always and the trip down the river is especially memorable.  There is a strong anti-government regulation agenda in the book that does slightly overwhelm the plot at points.