Massacre Pond by Paul Dioran (Mike Bowditch #5)

Massacre Pond by Paul Doiron

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Jacket Blurb: On an unseasonably hot October morning, Bowditch is called to the scene of a bizarre crime: the corpses of seven moose have been found senselessly butchered on the estate of Elizabeth Morse, a wealthy animal rights activist who is buying up huge parcels of timber land to create a new national park.

What at first seems like mindless slaughter—retribution by locals for the job losses Morse's plan is already causing in the region—becomes far more sinister when a shocking murder is discovered and Mike's investigation becomes a hunt to find a ruthless killer. In order to solve the controversial case, Bowditch risks losing everything he holds dear: his best friends, his career as a law enforcement officer, and the love of his life.

The beauty and magnificence of the Maine woods is the setting for a story of suspense and violence when one powerful woman’s missionary zeal comes face to face with ruthless cruelty.

Read as an audio book.

I enjoyed this one a great deal more than the first four.

Premise of the book is eight moose are found slaughtered on "Queen Elizabeth's" extensive property in Northern Maine which sets off an investigation the likes of which nobody has seen before. Mike, still under a cloud from his previous actions (earlier books) is shunted to the side and given "make-work" jobs, like picking bullets from gravel pits and acting as a liason between the investigation and Elizabeth. Mike, feeling the sting of rebuttal but understanding why, does his duties as assigned. Yet, it's through talking to people and his persistence in being a part of the case that leads him to a startling conclusion.

As I noted, I enjoyed this installment much more than the previous books. Mike matured..to a degree. I did become increasingly annoyed with his infatuation with Stacy, when there was nothing more than looks to fuel his interest. She has not been a nice person to Mike. Brier Morse, Elizabeth's daughter, flirts shamelessly with Mike, and he doesn't look away. He doesn't do anything about it, other than try and protect Brier when she feels threatened. But he's admitted he has "a thing" about protecting women.

I will also confess to figuring out the "who done it" very early on in the book. I distinctly remember turning to The Husband while we were driving around and saying "X did it". I was right. Still, it didn't detract from my enjoying the plot - it was well executed, it was interesting watching certain individuals bumble about and it was

So other than a constant pining for a woman who detests the ground he walks on, and an internal monologue whining about the lack of Stacy's interest in him, this was probably the best book yet in the series. Solid and engaging mystery, interesting cast of characters and dynamics, and good emotional rapport between characters.

Recommended if you've read the first four.



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