PW Gives The Bone Orchard a Starred, Boxed Review

The early reviews are starting to come in on my forthcoming novel, The Bone Orchard, which hits stores on July 15. (Honestly, this is the most anxious time in the publishing process for me, waiting for those first notices.) 

But I got some goods news from the latest issue of Publishers Weekly which has given the book a starred and boxed review — which is pretty much the best you can hope for from the magazine. The write-up isn't online yet, but it calls The Bone Orchard an "excellent" installment in the Mike Bowditch series and concludes with words that are music to any mystery author's ears: "Thoughtful plotting and strong characters raise this above the crime novel pack."

Now we'll see if the other early reviewers agree.

Listen to a Discussion of The Poacher's Son

The Maine Public Radio book club discussion of The Poacher's Son that I'd previously announced is now available to download as a podcast or listen to online. So if you missed the show, here's your second chance. I'll confess that I found the experience of listening to people talking about my novel a bit like attending my own funeral and listening to the eulogies. But happily the comments here are mostly positive (as I hope they will be at my graveside). I'd be curious to hear what you think of the "Maine Calling" show. 

Snowmobilers Charged by Moose Under Investigation

I wasn't going to comment on this incident since the video went viral and was already getting so much coverage, but I'm glad the Maine Warden Service is investigating the case. The video itself is damning. The rider's description of the animal as "mangy and tick-infested" suggests it was already under severe stress. The moose wouldn't have turned and charged if it hadn't felt harassed.