Publication Day Review: Storm Tide: A Novel by Paul Doiron

 

In some sense what began in The Poacher’s Son long ago is about to come full circle. As Storm Tide: A Novel by Paul Doiron begins, Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch, who had a very problematic relationship with his own father, is about to be a father. His wife, Stacey, is just a few weeks away from giving birth. The clock is ticking on the arrival of their child in a world that has seen dad demoted back to patrol and about to lose his career with the Maine Warden Service.

 

On this October night others have lost far more. The roaring blaze in the shattered remains of the house means people have lost their lives. Somehow, a baby made it out, and a nearby neighbor has the child. Allegedly, the father brough the baby out and went back in for his wife. Bowditch had made it to the scene fast after the call came out and tried the same feat. The intense heat almost killed him as he entered and saw a man in flames collapsing to the floor. Bowditch managed to pull the man out of the raging inferno, but it was too late.

 

It is only in the aftermath with the arrival of Detective Sergeant Delphine Cruz of the Maine State Police Major Crimes Unit that Bowditch realizes something is up. Originally from Boston, she has made it to the scene before the Arson Investigator. So too has her attitude as she doesn’t like Maine or, as she sees it, what Bowditch represents. Through her, while answering her questions, he learns this is the home of the Malloys.

 

Specifically, the home of the infamous Brian Malloy who has been in the news for over a year due to his infidelity, a child out of wedlock, and the disappearance of the child shortly after he was ordered to pay child support. Many in the area searched for the missing child that has yet to be found. The court of public opinion has found them both guilty as people think dad took and killed the child and his wife lied for him. Their alibis had proven unshakable. There is a lot of anger amongst the locals who believe the Malloys got away with it all.

 

Now, both are thought to be dead in what is left of their relatively new home. Bowditch is pretty sure that something is off about the fire and the situation, in general, but he isn’t an investigator anymore, and never has been one for arsons anyway. Nobody is going to listen to him on this. Especially with his record and the fact that he is about to lose his job due to his recent actions.

 

Then some really weird things start happening. Somebody is once again toying with Bowditch. To mess with him is one thing. But, now Stacy and the baby are at risk.

 

What follows is a complicated read full of twists, turns, and links to the past. If Maine Game Warden Mike Bowdicth does not figure it out fast, he and his family may not survive.

 

Storm Tide: A Novel by Paul Doiron is the latest outing in a strong series best read in order. It finds Bowditch contemplating faith, fatherhood, and family, while also trying to prove that he isn’t just a conspiracy nutcase with a badge and gun. Sometimes you aren’t paranoid if they really are trying to get you.

 

Amazon Associate Purchase Link: https://amzn.to/3Mia20a

 

 

My digital ARC reading copy came by way of the publisher, Minotaur Books, through NetGalley, in early November 2025, with no expectation of a positive review.

 

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2026