Almost Midnight by Paul Doiron

When darkness falls over the Maine woods, Mike Bowditch must navigate his most dangerous case yet. Almost Midnight brings readers two gripping novellas that showcase why Paul Doiron’s game warden series has become essential reading for mystery lovers.

In these pulse-pounding tales, Maine Game Warden Investigator Mike Bowditch faces threats that emerge from the shadows—both literal and figurative. Doiron, who knows these woods intimately, crafts stories where the unforgiving wilderness becomes a character itself, as dangerous as any human adversary. The salt air and pine-scented forests of coastal Maine have never felt more alive, or more menacing.

What sets this collection apart is Doiron’s masterful ability to blend procedural detail with raw emotion. Bowditch isn’t just solving crimes; he’s wrestling with the moral complexities that come with protecting both people and wild places. The novellas offer the perfect entry point for newcomers while giving longtime fans deeper insight into the character they’ve come to love.

Critics have praised Doiron’s “vivid sense of place” and “complex, believable characters.” His intimate knowledge of Maine’s wilderness—its beauty and its brutality—infuses every page with authenticity. These aren’t just mysteries; they’re immersive experiences that will have you checking over your shoulder long after you’ve turned the final page.

Perfect for fans of C.J. Box and William Kent Krueger, Almost Midnight proves that the best mysteries happen when civilization meets the wild.