Hatchet Island: A Novel (Mike Bowditch Mysteries, 13)

HATCHET ISLAND is an intense and atmospheric thriller. A remote island in Maine is used by bird watchers to track specific types of birds. The internship can be life-changing. Stacy was a past intern and when she receives a call to come to the island, she and Mike head out. What they find is something dark and strange, with Maeve, the leader, having disappeared and the others facing unknown threats. Not long after Mike and Stacy arrive, they stumble upon an even more gruesome scene with two of the three island inhabitants now murdered. As they work the case, they uncover a remote and dangerous world mired with secrets. This was such a gripping thriller/procedural, and the remote location adds to the intensity of the mystery. The book contains some thought-provoking themes around prejudice particularly in investigations, predators, abuse, and power. Mike and Stacy were great main characters, and I appreciated that the focus of the story remained on the case with brief interludes into their personal lives. The islands provided the perfect mysterious and trapped atmosphere. HATCHET ISLAND is a gripping and twisty thriller/procedural with compelling characters and thought-provoking themes. Highly recommend for fans of remote thrillers, such as the Rockton series and THESE SILENT WOODS. Please note that I received an ARC. All opinions are my own.

I received a complementarily electronic ARC (Advanced Readers Copy) of this environmental novel from Netgalley, author Paul Dolron, and publisher St. Martin's Press - Minotaur Books. Thank you all for sharing your hard work with me. I have read Hatchet Island of my own volition, and this review reflects my honest opinion of this work. I am happy to have found Paul Doiron - he writes a tale that pulls us into the roadblocks caused by climate change. We are on the Atlantic Coastal areas of Maine between Kennebec River and Pemaquid Point, and our story is told in the first person by game warden investigator Mike Bowditch who is an avid birder. Having plans for a camping trip with his girlfriend Stacey Stevens for a week on Spice Island, they are fortunately already loaded up in their sea-going kayaks when Stacey gets an SOS email from a dear friend and former college roommate, Kendra Ballard. Kendra is working on the Baker Island sanctuary for puffins and terns, Dr. Maeve McLeary's project known as the Maine Seabird Initiative. Years ago, Stacey had spent time on the island as a volunteer for Dr. McLeary so she is quick to react. In her email, Kendra says Dr. McLeary is missing, weird things are happening, and for Mike to bring his badge and gun, please. They waste no time hitting the water. Baker Island is usually a dead zone for cell service - they can occasionally get texts or emails in and out in the dead of night but otherwise no service - and there is no response on the VHF radio. Maeve has a satellite phone, but it, too, must be missing or Kendra would have called. It is a long and winding waterway to Baker Island, though they make good time. And they could not have imagined the mess they would find when they finally reached the island...

Something is very wrong on Baker Island, a bird sanctuary off the coast of Maine. Mike Bowditch, a game warden, and his love Stacey kayak out there after Stacey gets a call from her old friend Kendra, who is doing research on the island. Things are odd yes but Stacey and Mike head off to another island for their planned camp but when they are awakened by a gun shot, they have to head back. What they find is shocking and sets them off into a twisted situation involving residents of other nearby islands, one of which is controlled by a famous photographer with a lot of money and an iffy history. This is a well done procedural that hits topical themes and takes unexpected turns. I've only read a few of the earlier books and this was a fine standalone. No spoilers from me. Thanks to Netgalley for the ArC. It's an excellent read.

Buying a just out hardcover book has become a expensive option. Have always liked Doiron and I have purchased all of his books. The last three haven't been as good as the previous ones. Super warden and super girlfriend have become too much. Political correctness has entered. Bowditch isn't as likable as before. The island setting was terrific. I am losing interest in Bowditch.

I so enjoyed this book, especially since you wrote about my neighborhood and the puffins. I will definitely buy all your books. You never let us down.