Trespasser

By: Paul Doiron

Narrated by: Henry Leyva

Length: 9 hrs and 39 mins

Publisher's summary

In Paul Doiron's riveting follow-up to his Edgar Award–nominated novel, The Poacher's Son, Maine game warden Mike Bowditch's quest to find a missing woman leads him through a forest of lies in search of a killer who may have gotten away with murder once before.

While on patrol one foggy March evening, Bowditch receives a call for help. A woman has reportedly struck a deer on a lonely coast road. When the game warden arrives on the scene, he finds blood in the road—but both the driver and the deer have vanished. And the state trooper assigned to the accident appears strangely unconcerned.

The details of the disappearance seem eerily familiar. Seven years earlier, a jury convicted lobsterman Erland Jefferts of the rape and murder of a wealthy college student and sentenced him to life in prison. For all but his most fanatical defenders, justice was served. But when the missing woman is found brutalized in a manner that suggests Jefferts may have been framed, Bowditch receives an ominous warning from state prosecutors to stop asking questions.

For Bowditch, whose own life was recently shattered by a horrific act of violence, doing nothing is not an option. His clandestine investigation reopens old wounds between Maine locals and rich summer residents and puts both his own life and that of the woman he loves in jeopardy. As he closes in on his quarry, he suddenly discovers how dangerous his opponents are, and how far they will go to prevent him from bringing a killer to justice.

©2011 Paul Doiron (P)2011 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

“Henry Leyva's Downeast accents are spot-on as the author sketches vivid pictures of lobstermen, state police, locals, and summer people. Leyva's performance captures Mike's insightful reflections as he deals with personal and spiritual quandaries…Leyva creates genuine people – some likeable, some creepy – but all very real.” —AudioFile Magazine

“Classically trained actor Henry Leyva brings his considerable talents to the work with Down East accents, full-voiced characters, convincing females, and the taut presentation of violent action. Both the novel and the narration are excellent.” —Sound Commentary

“Doiron's plot is heart-pounding, filled with startling twists and turns. The main characters, some lovable and others despicable, are all multidimensional. And the stylish prose is pitch-perfect, especially in its evocative descriptions of the beauty, and occasionally the ugliness, of coastal Maine in early spring. The story's slam-bang ending leaves Mike's life in tatters, and the reader anxious to know what the author has in store for him next.” —Associated Press

I like the concept but it falls flat

After this one I feel like this series is direct rip off of C.J. Box Joe Pickett series. All the plot lines are exactly the same. The joe picket series is much better written and thought out.

Another excellent story!

I love the settings the author creates, and the action that races along, then pauses and swirls before sliding to the next bump and drop.

very good tale

Liked the narrative. Good escapist reading.
Characters where well thought out.
Fire victims a bit descriptive

A great diversion

It isn’t great literature, but I don’t think it was intended to be. It was enjoyable, though, and better than most mysteries I’ve read.

Doiron is very adept at creating a powerful sense of place, and I like his flawed protagonist.

NOT a rip-off and an enjoyable experience

There’s been some nattering that the series is a rip-off off of CJ Box’s Joe Pickett. The only thing in common is that they’re both ‘game wardens’. However the protagonists actual day to day job description and, importantly, their respective personalities and back stories are quite different. The story lines are also unique. Mike Bodich is, as all good police procedurals requires, a mess. He makes a lot of dumb mistakes that inevitably result in both disaster and success. But it’s easy to like him and to appreciate his efforts. His youth and inexperience are charming and inspire me to root for his success.

Solid. Looking forward to the next one.

Discovered this series after I’d exhausted so many others of a similar ilk and I am enjoying it so far. I like these deeply placed-based crime novels and the characters are growing on me.

One note on this book at least—there are fairly offhand references about sexual assault and rape. This may be triggering for some.

Developed story line

Character development of the families and background characters. The information of the area, makes me want to see Maine ! The story makes me want to become a game warden

Maine Game Warden solves murder!!

Maine Game Warden, Mike Bowditch is just recovering from dealing with his notorious father in THE POACHER'S SON. His girlfriend has decided to give him a second chance to spend more time at home, and to be "safe" in his job. Now negatively labeled as "the poacher's son", he is trying to live down this reputation, but this is difficult as he is once again fighting the current within his area.

Mike was called to the scene of an accident between a driver and a deer, but for some strange reason the girl has left the scene. But did she really leave on her own, as she has been found brutally murdered in one of the Maine coast's "summer cabins"---huge summer homes for the vacationing rich. Her married lover is found in a four wheeler with his throat slit. The authorities want to call this a murder/suicide, but Mike finds the girl's murder eerily like another murder that happened a number of years ago. But since that murder was "solved" , with the perpetrated behind bars, things just don't add up, and Mike just can't leave well enough alone.

Mike is caught between those calling the convicted man innocent, and those who just want to close both cases, and they are not "playing nice". Mike's girlfriend just wants him to consider his safety while investigating a crime that is NOT within the Game Warden's job description.

This book is definitely a thriller, but the play on atmosphere and the definite "Maine dialogue", adds a whole new dimension to the enjoyment of this book. Once again, Paul Doiron has created a book of action so definitely within Maine, that the reader is transported to the seaside with the characters---multiplying the suspense for the reader twofold. Definitely this series will continue to be on my reading list, going right on to the nest book--BAD LITTLE FALLS.

As Biologist I enjoy the Bowditch mysteries.

The little nuggets of flora and fauna make every story a learning experience... enjoy it.

Nice continuation

Very good Good characters & natural world description. Good enough that I’ll keep going with book 3. I don’t normally do series of any length but this is better than others I’ve tried to start & a great mind diversion whilst doing yard work & other tasks.