Discussion Questions - The Poacher’s Son

  1. Mike knows that his father has a history of violence. Why do you think he believes so strongly in his innocence?

  2. Mike chooses his job over his relationship with Sarah, but when his estranged father becomes a prime suspect in a murder case, he impulsively drops everything to support his claim for innocence. Why do you think Mike puts his father before his job when he isn’t able to do the same for Sarah?

  3. Mike says, “my mom . . . had depths to her heart I’d never be able to fathom.” How is he similar to his mother in this respect? Is this quote relatable to his father? If so, how?

  4. What attracted Mike’s mother to his father and why did she stay with him as long as she did? What are the ramifications for Mike’s relationships?

  5. Mike learns from his mother that she has had periodic contact with Jack since their divorce. What do you think compelled her to keep reaching out to him?

  6. How does Mike’s first experience with his father at Rum Ponds Sporting Camps affect him and his relationship with his father? Do you think it strengthens or weakens their relationship? Why?

  7. Almost all of the characters (Mike, Charley, B.J./ Brenda, etc.) have scenes in both the present story and Mike’s flashbacks. In what ways do these characters change between the years? In what ways do they stay the same?

  8. What role do Mr. DeSalle and his young son play in the story? How do they act as for Mike and his dad?

  9. How does the expression “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” apply or not apply to the book?

  10. What role do you think the North Woods setting—and Mike’s relationship with it—plays in the story?


DIscussion questions - Dead by Dawn

With thanks to Karen Burrell

  1. Have you ever read any other novels by this author?

  2. Have you ever connected to a character in a novel series before? If so, which one?

  3. The book starts out on an exciting note and a constant theme running through the book (no pun intended) is the Androscoggin River. I particularly liked when the author shared the route of where the river began and ends, as well as sharing how the river contributed to Maine’s historic factories along the river. Do you have any experience regarding this the Androscoggin? Any history, memories, or thoughts in general on the Androscoggin River?

  4. Did you like that the author used the writing technique of twin timelines that seems so popular with suspense authors lately?

  5. One of the reasons that this particular series is so widely popular is that there are so many references to places in Maine that readers may have been to themselves or heard about – often. Could you visualize the locations? Which ones, in particular?

  6. The book itself only spans a 24 hour period – give or take. And, much of that time, Mike Bowditch is fighting for his life. As Mike faces a nightlong battle to stay alive, he must dissect the hours leading up to the ambush and solve two riddles: which one of these people desperately want him dead, and what has he done to incur their wrath? What were your original thoughts on who set the spike strip that led Mike to plunge into the frozen river?

  7. Were you surprised to find out who the antagonist was? Did you see it coming? Can you even imagine having that much hatred and hostility to take that kind of revenge?

  8. Let’s talk about the wolf. Shadow is his own well-developed character. Did you appreciate the relationship between Mike and Shadow? Those who have had a dog can relate to the ‘alpha’ role, 100% loyalty, and the way dogs typically look to their owner as the alpha and their protector. This relationship is completely different, as Shadow is a real wolf and can never be expected to be a ‘pet’. But – there is an obvious trust and understanding that there is an untenable bond between the two. Look at how many times Shadow came back to help Mike. If you could ask Mike one question about Shadow – what would it be?

  9. Mike is torn between two love interests: Dani, the petite state trooper, and Stacey Stevens, the daughter of his best friend and mentor. Do you think that this particular storyline was able to be developed enough that you had an opinion on which woman Mike was leaning towards? The question of where Mike would be spending Christmas was planted to get us thinking about each woman, and the author certainly tried to weave both into the storyline. Did this leave you wanting to learn more about both Dani and Stacey?

  10. The author is a Maine Guide who writes about a main character who is a Maine Game Warden. With the popularization of the TV series “North Woods Law,” do you think that Mike Bowditch is a solid representation of a Maine Game Warden? Did you have any idea that Maine Game Wardens face such danger? Have you ever met a Maine Game Warden?

  11. Did you find this to be a departure from the type of books that you normally read? Can you think of anyone that you’d specifically recommend this book to?