Massacre Pond by Paul Doiron

by:  Paul Doiron
published by:  Minotaur Books
publish date:  July 16, 2013

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.

This is book 4 in the Mike Bowditch series.  I'm really liking this series a lot.  I've posted about the first three books in this series:  The Poacher's Son, Trespasser, and Bad Little Falls.

Once again, this book stayed more focused on the mystery and less on Mike's personal life.  Although, the story left things open for Mike to finally get a shot at the woman he's been pining for, Charlie's daughter.  In the past she's been off the market since she's been engaged.  Maybe in the next book, Mike might have a love life.  

I really like the outdoorsyness of these books.  The investigation isn't always about dead people.  That makes for a different mystery with different elements to think about.  

The next book in this series is The Bone Orchard.  I already have the audiobook on my mp3 player.  Book number 6 The Precipice is expected to come out this year.