It's a shame this series has so few reviews as it's quite strong. The main character, ex-New York Times reporter Jack McMorrow, who has retreated to the backwoods of Maine, is an engaging and evolving fellow who reminds of C.J. Box's Joe Pickett, and James Lee Burke's Dave Robicheaux (two of my very favorite mystery protagonists), in his ability to grow and mature, but still not lose the damning character traits that get him into the middle of trouble again and again. 
 McMorrow is supported by one of my favorite mystery sidekicks (along with and as deadly as Pickett's Nate Romanowski), Clair Varney, who is always there to provide a check to McMorrow's impulsivity, and guide him on the path to being a better person, as well as saving his sorry butt when required. The development of Roxanne Masterson, whose caseload as a state child protective services social worker, provides one of the bad guys in this installment, is also an engaging part of the series as she has grown from a girlfriend involved somewhat superficially, to a main driving force as she and McMorrow work to balance their difficult and often dangerous jobs, with the demands of being new parents. 
 Overall, this has been a very satisfying series, and I'm indebted to my mystery-loving mother in law for turning me on to it.