The Poacher's Son

 

The Poacher's Son by Paul Doiron 324 pp.

The Poacher's Son is the first book in a series that was recommended by someone in our Mystery Lover's Book Club.  It is about a man who is a game warden in Maine.  Game wardens in Maine have the same training and abilities to arrest people as police officers and sheriffs/deputies do.  They go through similar training.  Part of the story is about trapping a bear that has a taste for pork.  The other part is about Mike Bowditch (the main character) trying to clear his father's name when he is accused of killing two people: a man from a paper company and a police officer.  Mike wants to help with the investigation but cannot since he is too close to the crime (since it involves his father).  He involves himself anyway and puts his position as a game warden on the line as a result.  Another character in the story is a former game warden (who inspired Mike to become one) who flies a water plane.  Both of them get in a little over their heads by the end.

I enjoyed the story.  It was very easy to read.  The characterizations of the main characters were very good, but some of the female characters were not as well fleshed out.  I thought much of the conversation between male characters felt true.