First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Mike Bond, and Mandevilla Press for providing me with a copy of this book, which allows me to provide you with this review.

In my first experience with a Bond novel, the premise seemed highly entertaining and I hoped the politics would juxtapose themselves nicely with a fast-paced story. Pono Hawkins is called away from his idyllic life in Hawaii to help a Special Forces comrade whose found himself in a load of trouble in the frigid backcountry of Maine. Bucky Franklin is accused of the murdering local politician Ronnie Dalt as Hawkins finds himself fighting two major battles for which he is ill-equipped: helping the man who sent him to a military prison and tackling the high-impact world of wind power politics. Pono reconnects with Bucky’s wife, Lexie, whom Hawkins stole during the aforementioned incarceration period, as they attempt to find Bucky an alibi. Pono crosses paths with an old flame who is now a fierce attorney and Dalt's widow, Abigail, both of whom help the cause in their own way while sharing his bed and body. Pono becomes the new target of a set of mysterious killers who are dead-set against poking around into the Dalt murder. With his sordid past, Pono becomes the local authority's new target for acts of vandalism and kidnapping, leaving yet another battle in his path as time is running out. With corruption rife and the authorities turning a deaf ear, Pono must use his love quadrangle to his advantage, as the truth comes to light. An interesting read, pitting politics and honesty against one another in a way the reader may not have seen before. Bond uses his soapbox throughout, which may help give the reader a better idea of corporate America's domestic warring, with politicians as their soldiers.

The political aspects of the novel lured me in, at least when I read the summary. However, once I delved deeper and tried to match it up with the story, things fell flat. I cannot put my finger on it, but Bond did not utilise Pono in a way to pull me in and his flitting characteristics seemed more off-putting than alluring to me. Wind Power and its corrupt nature did little to keep me sated, as Pono pieced together the mystery behind a local murder and uncovered a deeper tale of corrupt politicians and greased palms. The premise could have made for an explosive novel, forcing page-turning well into the night. Instead, I am left thankful that I can close this book and hope to get the literary wind back in my sails, pun intended.

Interesting idea, Mr. Bond, though far from stellar in its presentation.

/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
netgalley11 s Monnie1,501 778

Some of my favorite authors don't hesitate to tackle issues important to them - Brad Thor and John Grisham come to mind immediately. But Gott im Himmel - in this one, the editorializing nearly obliterates the story. And that's too bad because there is a story here, and, IMHO, a darned good one.

I came close to missing it; after a few chapters, I'd grown so weary of the bashing of the wind energy industry, "crooked" politicians, newspapers and business leaders that I actually considered giving up. Now that I'm finished, I'm very glad I hung in there, and I thank the publisher for offering me a copy for review. My 4-star rating, in fact, is based on the underlying story - with the caution to other readers that they'll have to ride out a soapbox derby to find it.

In fairness, though, the ever-increasing wind turbine farms in Maine is not only central to the plot here, but an important environmental issue: Their presence, particularly in such large numbers, clearly is harmful to wildlife and humans (hence the title of the book) while bringing, not insignificantly, the lure of huge profits to proponents. Hey, I'm from northeastern Ohio, where the big issue now is fracking; trust me, I get it. But in a work that's touted as fiction, the constant haranguing is, well, overkill.

I'll also note that this is the author's second book featuring former Special Forces veteran Pono Hawkins, who mostly spends his civilian life surfing in Hawaii (the first is Saving Paradise, which I have not read). Here, he's called to come to Maine - in the dead of winter, yet - to help former Special Forces teammate Bucky get out of jail after being charged with murder (as well as a successful shootout that destroyed a couple of wind turbines). Problem is, Bucky and Pono aren't even close to being friends; Bucky's testimony back in the day helped put Pono in prison (he was exonerated shortly thereafter), and then he had the audacity to marry Pono's girlfriend Lexie. But loyalty to the corps trumps everything else, so Pono reluctantly says goodbye to the ocean waves and heads to the Pine Tree State, where his own ancestors are lying (probably in unrest, given the current environmental issues).

Then things start to get muddled - and very cold. For openers, Bucky is less than cooperative despite his insistence that he's innocent. In short order, Pono becomes the target of an unknown sniper, and as one might expect, his lust for his pre-prison flame Lexie returns with a vengeance. The course of his investigation also puts him in close contact with the murder victim's widow, Abigail, and long-ago girlfriend Erica, now a hot-shot attorney. For sure, there's plenty of contact to go around; the sex scenes really aren't graphic, but they're plentiful enough that I started to suspect that while the incessant whine of those turbines may be destroying the hearing of local folks, it's making them very horny as well.

The corrupt powers-that-be, of course, aren't happy to find Pono's nose in their big business. At every ice-covered turn, he's thwarted by local police, who seem intent on putting him behind bars again. And in the middle of all this, Pono learns that his beloved father, who's still in Hawaii (where the government also is corrupt, BTW), is dying of cancer. Pono needs to get back to see him, but that won't be easy when the police are eyeing his every move. Besides that, his efforts could be putting the three women with whom he's enamored in danger. And there's this: If the corruption is as entrenched as he believes, even if he's able to track the identity of the culprits, nothing will be done about it.

Some editing would be helpful here and there - a few words are omitted in sentences, and it struck me as odd when a character whose grammar has been almost impeccable suddenly pops up with, "I didn't do nothing." Of course, how it all works out in the end I won't reveal, but I'll certainly repeat that this is a story worth reading.
9 s Frank Errington738 58

Review copy

When I decided to read Killing Maine by Mike Bond, I had no idea it was the second book in a series. To tell you the truth, it would not have made any difference. This book works perfectly well as a stand-alone novel.

A little bit about the author, Mike Bond. Aside from being a bestselling author, Mike is an environmental activist, human rights and war correspondent, award-winning poet, and international energy expert. In writing Killing Maine Mike calls upon all of those skills to deliver a well-told environmental thriller.

The story begins with a killer opening...

"A coyote barked downhill. As I stopped to listen a bullet cracked past my ear and smacked into the maple tree beside me. I dove off the trail skidding down the icy slope toward the cliff. Whack another bullet smashed into a trunk as I tumbled past, couldn't stop sliding, couldn't pull off my snowshoes, the cliff edge coming up fast as a shot whistled past my eyes, another by my neck."

Pono Hawkins, former Special Forces operative, returns to Maine to come to the aid of another former SF agent who is jailed on murder charges. Pono doesn't particularly the guy, but as former SF, it's what you do.

Before long, Pono finds himself battling corrupt politicians and villainous industrial wind companies and juggling relationships with three beautiful women. To make matters worse, he left the warm climate of Hawaii to do all this in February, in Maine, where the temperature is nearly always below zero.

Given his background, Mike Bond, has a very specific point of view, but still manages to tell a compelling story.ripped from today's headlines. The closer I got the end of the book, the faster my heart was racing. Although a bit preachy at times Killing Maine was still a terrific read.

Killing Maine is available now in paperback and will also be available as an ebook in the near future. Published by Mandevilla Press.

Not horror, but certainly recommended.6 s Clare O'BearaAuthor 22 books362

This seems very right wing to me. The surfer Pono who is usually found in Hawaii heads off to Maine when a friend from Army days is jailed. As one does. I d the book about saving Hawaii from giant wind turbines which would benefit a giant electricity supplier, WindpowerLLC, by gaining them grants and by giving them control over all the electricity supplied in Hawaii, the state with the dearest power in America. When the obvious alternative was a solar panel supplying every house from its own roof, but that would put the householders in charge.

This book looks at Windpower LLC again but this time it has built giant - 55 storeys high if that can be believed - towers in the Maine mountains, done with grant aid. The towers are exempt from planning permission, environmental reports and prosecution for killing birds and raptors. The turbines also, Pono finds, produce enough noise to put livestock farmers out of business. And seemingly they are powered to turn when the wind drops, consuming electricity, because otherwise they might freeze up or rust. Protesting these turbines has got a man jailed and an environmentalist has been shot by persons unknown.

I think Pono should be spending a lot less time drunk and in bed with women and fantasising about being in bed with women, if he is getting shot at as soon as he arrives. He spends more time musing about his service time and about women than anything else, padding out the book but not contributing to his quest.

I also felt that the blatant corruption which we can now see to be behind very many decisions in American business is the evil here, not just the concept or reality of a wind turbine. The author does say this right at the end, but Pono spends most of his time on wintry mountainsides, not exposing corruption. We're also told that the local press is owned by someone enmeshed in the electrical generating process. With all the guns, Army talk and complaints about Obama era grants - rather than how they are administered - this story comes across as a Republican manifesto, dressed up as positive towards the environment being, I don't doubt, spoiled by giant turbines.

I received an e-ARC. This is an unbiased review. america-crime5 s Phillip IIIAuthor 27 books177

There was a time when all I read were books by James Patterson, and Lee Child. I can’t remember this last suspense novel I read. Well. Until now. Mike Bond’s KILLING MAINE definitely brought me back into the genre. Full force.

Sam ‘Pono’ Hawkins is a Special Forces vet, living in Hawaii. After having spent time in prison, he does his best to keep his nose clean. However, when he gets a message from an old flame, and is informed her husband has been arrested for murder, and she needs his help, Pono is torn.

Things are never simple. Originally from Maine, he decides he’ll head back and see what he can do about helping. He’s not thrilled about it, though. His old flame ended up marrying a guy from his Special Forces unit. And the guy, Bucky, testified against him in court, getting him sentenced to twenty years in prison for war crimes committed.

Politics have taken over Maine. Big money is being thrown around. The installation of ineffective, and costly wind turbines are going up across the state. Deep pockets are ensuring votes, and land value is quickly decreasing. Animals are absent, and birds are dying. The turbines are big, loud, and bright. Residents are losing their minds.

When Ronnie Dalt, Vice President of lobbying for Maine Environmental Resources is murdered, and the rap pinned on Bucky, Pono has his work cut out for him. His appearance in Maine does not go unnoticed. His digging for answers has triggered alarms. The only way to keep political secrets secret is by getting rid of Pono any way possible.

The quest for truth has Pono not only fighting for his own life, but for the lives of those closest to him. As the net around Pono drops he is down to one last chance at turning the tables. But will it be too little, too late!

Mike Bond is a storyteller. Crisp, clean writing accompanies swift, edgy prose. The dialogue is authentic, and the characters expertly drawn. Everything about this book – from the opening until the ending – is high octane thriller. I am now a Mike Bond fan, and am anxious for more Sam ‘Pono’ Hawkins!

Phillip Tomasso,
Author of the Severed Empire Series, and
The Vaccination Trilogy
3 s Randy2,490 44

Pono Hawkins is tilting at Wind mills again, literally. This time on the other side of the world. Maine. He's there to help an old comrade who's in jail for murder.

Buddy Franklin is his name and Pono doesn't even him. He once testified at a trial where Pono was accused of shooting an Afghani girl. He did, but the fifteen year old had been set on fire by her husband for daring to lay eyes on another man, an honor killing. Dying anyway and begging for someone to kill her, he'd ended her pain. The Bush government made him a scapegoat and Pono got twenty years, a sentence vindicated a few months later. Franklin had also married the woman Pono loved.

Why help him then?

A thing called honor. Franklin was Special Forces Pono and the testimony was by rules of law. One didn't desert a comrade in trouble. Oh, forgot to mention, Franklin had saved his life in a firefight as well.

The Wind Mafia was at it again in Maine. Pono had managed to beat them in Hawaii and they were now making billions, off the public dollar, building useless wind turbine towers, blotting the landscape, killing wildlife, ruining property values, and getting obscenely rich, along with the politicians, judges, and cops they paid off.

Pono was only there for a few days before the harassment started, shots were fired at him, and the cops were trying to pin murders, arson, and destruction of property on him.

A wonderfully written novel that wouldn't let me stop until I finished it. Read the whole thing in less than a day.

Recommended.3 s Harvee1,311 36

Another thriller by Mike Bond on the wind industry's deleterious effects on people and the environment - noise pollution and the destruction of birds, bats, and other animals by giant wind turbines. This time it's in Maine. Crooked politicians and officials are paid off by a wind industry corporation to look the other way in return for hefty financial rewards and backing.

Suspenseful thriller with an environmental theme. 3 s Agnes (BookBubbe)890 70

Having read SNOW by Mike Bond I was interested in seeing what this book was about, and was delighted when I received an ARC from NetGalley. It did take me longer than most books I read as I found it extremely descriptive about Maine. The author grew up in Maine and is active in environmental issues. So when this book covered the windmills in Maine and what it was doing to our environment I wasn't surprised. The story itself is about Special Forces Vet Pono who leaves Hawaii to come to Maine to help his friend who is in jail for a killing and is being framed. The story centers around the turbines and their noise and destruction, and what it is doing to the beauty of Maine. Trees cut down, birds no longer have a place to live and this is all due to politicians being paid off by the Wind companies.

It was long and very descriptive, but I did want to see how Pono was going to handle this because he himself got into hot water. The book does show Mike Bond's passion for the environment and it also tends to make one thing about what we are doing to this beautiful world of ours - for the sake of...... money??2 s Agnes (BookBubbe)890 70

Having read SNOW by Mike Bond I was interested in seeing what this book was about. It did take me longer than most books I read as I found it extremely descriptive about Maine. The author grew up in Maine and is active in environmental issues. So when this book covered the windmills in Maine and what it was doing to our environment I wasn't surprised. The story itself is about Special Forces Vet Pono who leaves Hawaii to come to Maine to help his friend who is in jail for a killing and is being framed. The story centers around the turbines and their noise and destruction, and what it is doing to the beauty of Maine. Trees cut down, birds no longer have a place to live and this is all due to politicians being paid off by the Wind companies.

It was long and very descriptive, but I did want to see how Pono was going to handle this because he himself got into hot water. The book does show Mike Bond's passion for the environment and it also tends to make one thing about what we are doing to this beautiful world of ours - for the sake of...... money??netgalley2 s Joyce1,764 17

Killing Maine was a challenging novel to read, and a very well written one. It was a bit too hard boiled for my taste however the history and ecological bits and pieces about Maine were fascinating and quite riveting. Pono, our protagonist, tells the story and at times it is convoluted and confusing and the reader needs to slow down, take a deep breath and then jump back in. The women (all his paramours) were all feisty and tough and, naturally, fantastic in bed. All in all the main plot was excellently done and the majority of the characters were captivating. I will read more of the series.

Thanks to Net Galley and Mandevilla Press for the ARC for an honest review.2 s Coleen1,005 49

Murder mystery that involves Wind Mills in the State of Maine, and also political corruption everywhere. Being a supporter and fan of 'wind power', I enjoyed reading this fast paced book that shows an entirely different side of the story of the use of wind. I didn't need any convincing on the political corruption. Bond is good writer, and most male authors, they see every woman as beautiful and wanting to have sex with their male hero every chance they get. But he manages to provide a good ending, and I will definitely look for and read his other books.

I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway.2 s Don Gorman1,828 11

(1 1/2). At time this book is exciting, at other times it is touching, fun and interesting. But the main thing it is is disjointed. The cohesion is just not there. Way too many unbelievable situations overcome by our fearless and lovable protagonist, Pono (Sam) Hawkins). Yes, we can sit in an ice hole for hours in 20 below weather because we have good long underwear. We can walk forever through thigh high snow to sneak up on folks, climb over razor wire at the Canadian border because we have to. Really? This book was a lot harder to read than it ever should have been.3 s Joe Murphy51 1 follower

This book was "okay". I chose it because it was based in Maine. I d the "Maine" portion but found the plot was very convoluted. Again, Mike Bond's Pono Hawkins #1, the Wind Energy industry are the bad guys. Gets me thinking is there any truth to what is described here. Its not a terrible read, but unless you are interested in Maine and Wind Energy Industry, I would recommend a "pass". 2 s Abibliofob1,271 79

Once again Pono is fighting windmills... This time he has to leave Hawaii for a snowy Maine to help an old soldier "friend" whom he doesn't . If only a fraction of the part about windenergy is correct then it is terrible. But it would not surprise me. I was not sure if I d the first one in this series but it grows on you. Mike Bond is very good at telling stories.1 soleil125 14

Read this through twice for work. Some good things— many that just made me roll my eyes. The ending was terrible. Talk about wish fulfillment. 1 Terry Houchin244 24

I was  so excited to get my copy of Mike Bond's newest book, Killing Maine. I love action packed thrillers and his are some of my favorites.
This particular novel is about how corporations use their power and money to corrupt our elected officials into voting the way they want them to vote. Of course it is the big corporations that benefit monetarily from the laws being put into affect.
In this case Pono Hawkins leaves the warm sandy beaches of Hawaii to help a fellow special forces  veteran  who is wrongfully jailed in Maine. Two Maine governors and a bunch of legislators were able to get bills passed that would allow wind turbines to be erected all over Maine. They were able to do this without the approval of the local people and with no environmental surveys being done. One of the governors made millions in the wind industry and then installed his son at the top of a big wind company. He then went on to become a Maine senator.
Once the people realized how loud and horrible for the environment these wind turbines were, it was too late. People were upset when the noise from the turbines started causing them health issues and they couldn't sleep. Then they were unable to sell their homes. Pono's Special forces buddy took matters into his own hands and shot out two of the turbines. Then an environmentalist was killed with the same rifle that was used to destroy the turbine.
Pono comes to investigate and see if he can help out. There in lies the foundation for all the suspense and thrills just waiting to be revealed in this fast action packed book.
I live on the gulf coast of Texas and we have wind turbines here. I'm going to have to do some investigating myself. I just figured the wind turbines would help lower our electric bills. Didn't happen. I felt sure that our local environmentalists would never let something that would hurt the environment or the birds be built here. I'm embarrassed to say I don't know what impact they are having on our environment. You can bet I'm going to find out though. So I owe Mike Bond for opening my eyes and making me think.
As always, thank you Net Galley for my advance copy of this wonderful novel in exchange for an honest review.
If you fast paced action books, you should give this one a try.1 John Purvis1,253 21

“Killing Maine” eBook was published in 2015 and was written by Mike Bond (http://www.mikebondbooks.com). Mr. Bond has published six novels, this being his second in the Pono Hawkins series.

I received a galley of this novel for review through https://www.netgalley.com. I categorize this novel as ‘R’ because it contains Mature Situations and Mature Language. This Mystery Thriller novel is set mostly in contemporary Maine. The primary character is Sam ‘Pono’ Hawkins, a former Special Forces soldier and now a surfer and occasional writer.

He is contacted by a former girlfriend, Lexie, to come to the aid of her husband, Bucky. The wind power industry (who Pono confronted in “Saving Paradise” in Hawaii) has come to Maine. Bucky is being held for having shot up wind turbines and killing a local environmentalist promoting the wind industry. But Bucky swears he is innocent of the murder.

Pono leaves for Maine to see if he can help Bucky. As he investigates, he finds himself the target of the local police. Pono is shot at and nearly killed himself. The killing does not stop with the environmentalist, and soon Pono is the prime suspect for further turbine shootings as well as a murder/arson.

Pono finds evidence of corruption by Maine officials and wind power companies. Things are more complicated when Pono hears from this father. His father is near death from cancer, with little time left. Pono makes intimate relations with two women he meets during his investigation, though he is not always sure which side they are truly on.

This 388 page novel gave me 10 hours of reading. The mystery aspect of the story was interesting, but I found the constant anti establishment, anti government, anti wind power sentiments annoying. Certainly the wind power conspiracy was key to the story, but the repeated expression of animosity made the story more of an environmental/political call for action. The story was never dull (if you ignore the anti-wind power speeches) and that saved the story. That said, i am not sure if I will read another of Bond's novels. I give this novel a 3.8 (rounded up to a 4) out of 5.

Further book I have written can be accessed at http://johnpurvis.wordpress.com/blog/. 1 Viviane Crystal851 28

Special Forces Pono Hawkins veteran is leaving Hawaii to help his former peer, Buddy Franklin. Hawkins has a checkered past, having been imprisoned for killing a woman. The circumstances were merciful, but that’s not how others saw it. Up to now, after he’s released, he’s a Hawaiian surfer who teaches others the sport and the atmosphere it brings, thrills and peacefulness at the same time. Now he’s off to help this fellow veteran although there’s no love lost between the two of them. Franklin’s got a hatred for the powers-that-be who control the industrial wind power turbines being built across the northern Maine lands.
Wind power is an interesting topic treated in a careful manner in this novel. The detrimental side effects are categorically stated as illness and death surround the animals and humans living around these wind turbines. Franklin has taken on the issue in his own way, shooting the turbines so they can’t function. But now a high-up exec behind the wind power business has been murdered and Franklin is the one who is accused of the death of Ronnie Dalt. The goal is obviously to get Franklin out of the way and end the trouble he brings with his vehement hatred of those who are in the wind power business or Wind Mafia, as it’s called, for financial gain regardless of the consequences that follow.
There’s another matter that complicates things. After Hawkins was imprisoned, he told his girlfriend to forget about him. Now she’s hooked to Franklin. No spoilers here; Hawkins plunges into his investigation as one never leaves behind a fallen, fellow soldier. The search brings politicians, lawyers, and other important people into the limelight and someone out of these rich connections is trying not only to stop Hawkins but to kill him.
There’s more than plenty of high-paced action and thrills as Hawkins’ prey get closer. Read it and root for those who would “save Maine” from the devastating effects of what was originally publicized as an energy source that would tip the scales to energy independence.
Nicely paced and plotted, Mike Bond! As an aside it just might compel readers to look into its underlying issue as well!
1 Alyce76

I enjoyed KILLING MAINE by Mike Bond, although a lot of the story was a little graphic for my taste with the gruesome flashbacks to the time the main character, Pono, spent in the war. I thought I knew Maine as an ecological haven and was very surprised to learn Mr. Bond's take on the nefarious interplay between big wind power and government.

According to the story, most of the big players in the wind power industry got their start at another notable company, Enron. Once the jig was up at Enron, those that were not arrested, made their way over to the next big energy scheme, big wind power. Seems a good energy alternative and appartently has the "greenies" in their back pocket, but in truth it is devastating to the surrounding environment both human and animal a. The mutilation and murder of the eagles was pretty unsettling.

Pono goes back to Maine from his relaxing existence in Hawaii to help the husband, Bucky, of his old girlfriend, Lexie, who has just been arrested for shooting out several wind turbines and potentially killing a man. From here, the plot is pretty twisted and confusing with wind power as the enemy and the time Bucky and Pono spent in the Special Forces as the ultimate backdrop. Although Pono despises Bucky for submitting testimony that put him in prison and for stealing his girlfriend, he finds he has no choice but to help prove his innocence. Why? Because at one point in the war, Bucky saved his life. I am not sure this entirely plausible considering the circumstances and incredible risk this puts Pono at considering his criminal record, but I suspended disbelief.

It is an interesting story if you can wind (long i not short in sit!) your way through it. I understood after I started reading it that it is the second book in a series. I believe this book stands on it own.

Thanks to Net Galley, Mike Bond, and Mandevilla Press for the ARC for an honest review.1 MELISSIA LENOX158 24

A great set of lead characters caught up in an action-packed mystery with the environment as a key player in the game. Killing Maine was myvibrroduction y
to Mike Bond and it left me looking forward to more. death moral-human-fails mystery-suspense ...more1 Andrea Stoeckel2,791 115

[I received this book free from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank them for their generousity. In exchange, I was simply asked to write an honest review, and post it. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising]

" we learned in Special Forces: Never say it can’t be done."

Sam Pono Hawkins, former Special Forces Afghanistan, lives in Hawaii, where he syrfs and writes about surfing. When the wife of a former "brother in arms" calls requesting his help, Pono comes east to Maine to try to unravel a case that is so convoluted and riddled with corruption no one can really begin, or choose not to, figure it out. (Add to the mix his former lover is married to the accused, who once testified against Pono and because of that Pono got twenty years in Leavenworth which was overturned.)

This puzzle starts with the locals shooting out the wind farm turbines, and stacks some of the most incongruent stories together and no one can figure out how it all comes together. Leave it to Pono's connections from his days in Special Forces to come to his rescue again. And when they work together to find the connection, who knows how high up the politcal "food chain" it will lead.

If you can accept the anti-wind power stand the author takes, then this book is as taut a thriller as any out there. It will sweep you along as fast as a wind driven snowstorm, stopping along the corrupt nature of every group that has their fingers in the pie. Fascinating enough to search out the first Pono Hawkins mystery to see how this character evloved. I recommend this book.1 Sally344

Pono Hawkins, Special Forces (SF), suddenly finds himself pulled away from the surf and sunny beaches of Hawaii to the bitter cold of Maine because SF buddy, Bucky Franklin has been accused of killing environmentalist executive, Ronnie Dalt. In the SF you leave no buddy behind, no matter what they have done. The fact Becky’s testament sent Pono to military prison and then married his girlfriend; Lexie still qualified him for help.

This book will capture your attention from the get-go and keep it until the end. There are so many twists and turns, at times you will wonder how Mr. Bond is going to tie it all together, but he does it almost effortlessly. The suspense, mystery and intrigue will keep you on the edge of your seat, but the corruptness in the name of environmentalists will cause a smoldering fire of anger. As I read this book it caused me to wonder about the efficiency of windmill farms to the point, I did some of my own research. Mr. Bond’s book is spot-on.

These questions will be answered as you turn the pages:
Does windmill farms cause more harm than good? Are they filled with corruptness in the name of environment, while really only being interested in the bottom dollar line? Will Pono be able to help exonerate Bucky in the murder of the environmental executive, Ronnie Dalt? Will he lose Lexie this time forever? This is a book well worth reading.
Disclosure: I was given a copy of this eBook by the publisher, Threshold, Pocket Books, through NetGalley blogger program for review. I was not required to write a favorable review nor was I compensated for my review. The opinions in this review are my own.
1 Nancy23 10

This is my first Pono Hawkins thriller and I found it riveting.

It has not only plenty of danger, mystery, adventure and intrigue to keep the pages turning, but a deep and disturbing, underlying eco/political issue running through it. In other words, substance!

It is well written as you would expect with a critically acclaimed writer. And it contains many of the elements I really enjoy in a novel, reminding me of some of my favorite authors, Steve Berry and Daniel Silva.

The awareness of the windmill issue that it brought to me was profound! I would really to have seen a chapter at the end in the style of Steve Berry documenting the accuracy of the ecological horrors of windmills as they are being done here in America. I ended up in a discussion on facebook with a friend who is politically on the same page as I, but we got into a long discussion on windmills, with her citing statistics saying that very few birds and wildlife populations are compromised by windmills, so obviously now I am very interested in seeing verifiable data based on what really happens.

Could have held the writing in higher regard because I don't think profane language is necessary to make a point. And had some trouble keeping Pono Hawkins on my hero pedestal because of his promiscuity. But with the writer's last name, Bond, am sure he just couldn't resist. Just think the hero could have risen to a classier level, much as Daniel Silva's, Gabriel Allon. Then I could have thrown in wholeheartedly with both the novel and the ecological issues.

But, all in all, very intriguing reading!1 William BentrimAuthor 59 books69

Killing Maine by Mike Bond

Pono Hawkins is a retired Special Forces veteran who find himself pulled into the wind controversy in Maine when a former and un-d fellow operative is arrested for murder.

Bond appears to have a decidedly negative attitude about the building of wind farms in Maine. I did some reading and research and concluded I don't know enough to have a strong opinion. I have not gone to Maine to see or hear any of the things that Bond mentions as determents of wind power. I have attached links to two articles that were informative and appear reasonably unbiased.

Disregarding the politicizing of the book, the story was a mystery with interesting sexual overtones that were somewhat subtle and certainly not blatant. Pono appears to have issues with monogamy. There is some violence, gun play and moderate torture in the book. The police are portrayed as easily manipulated by politicians and extremely biased as to ex-cons regardless of their charges being exonerated.

Bond expresses a lot of opinions in his characters.
It was an interesting book.

Web site: https://mikebondbooks.wordpress.com/
Wall Street Journal Article
Portland Press Herald Article
1 Irene Adam432

I received an advanced copy of this novel from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Is wind power a viable alternative energy source? Once I started reading I couldn’t put this book down. In the state of Maine the huge windmills upset people’s lives and the environment and this is all being covered up by politicians and big business who have their hands in each other’s pockets and are willing to do anything, even destroy lives, in order to continue receiving the government subsidy for wind power. I found this very disturbing. This book really made me think about the wind power farms in my area and the neighboring state. They have taken over some prime agricultural areas of both states. There are protests but the legislators are attempting to lift some restrictions on the windmills. Some dairymen have had to sell their cattle because their cows quit giving milk and because of the extremely elevated somatic cell count in the milk. This book really makes a person stop and think about the use of wind power as an alternative energy source. This is a book everyone should read. 1 Vicki188 7

Wow! Mike Bond does well with his Pono character. This is the second I've read with him, I don't know if he was introduced in an earlier book. I dig the surfer dude trying to hang out in Maine in this one. A fish out of water really. But Pono sees what's at stake. And I'm not even bothered by him getting himself in to trouble with 1st WOMEN, jeez, Pono take a break! And 2nd with his loyalty to friends who were even bad to him (i.e., he's helping the character in this one that actually testified and had Pono jailed earlier - although the case was dropped eventually.) Great writing, love the story and the characters and the regional descriptions. Even shed a tear in this one. giveaway1 Russell Howen252 1 follower

An exciting environmental murder mystery with intrigue that emphasizes the danger of destroying the land in an attempt to save energy. Well written; enjoyable read.1 Cathleen735 19

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I requested a copy mostly because I was born and brough up in the lovely state of Maine. This imaginative tale about the corrupt government and the payoffs and bribes that are paid by the company the build wind turbines is a very disturbing story. I have seen turbines sprout up around the country and never really thought about the environmental destruction they cause.

"Killing Maine" provides a reader with a story that has many twists and turns as Pono tries to investigate the murder that a former Special Forces soldier, Franklin, is accused of committing.

Pono finds himself dodging bullets as well as trying to keep himself out of jail while he investigates the mystery surrounding a couple of deaths.

Overall, "Killling Maine" is an interesting and enjoyable read. Partly because I grew up in the State and am familiar with the area of Maine the story takes place in.

I recommend "Killing Maine" to anyone looking for an interesting mystery to read. 1 Philip Bailey400 8

A nail biter that really sets the mind in action. Been a good while since I was in Maine, but the landscape descriptions are accurate and the weather is as horrendous as spelled out. There really is a Three Dollar Dewey’s. I cannot even imagine the destruction of the natural beauty of The Allagash or The Acadia National Park by placing wind turbines on their mountain and hill tops. I am unaware of the noise or other impacts these would have but I am certainly opposed to any upset of nature’s wildlife. More important would be the impact on human life and values. Many of Maine’s human inhabitants have a rather tough go of it. Assuming most fiction is based somewhat on fact that is greatly embellished I have to wonder just how much bovine excreta the government spreads amongst the citizens. I know corruption is king but I hope this book is just a very well penned story. I also hope if the story has grains of fact it will awaken the citizens and will be the nucleus for a thorough investigation. Other than all that it is an excellent reading experience.1 Jay Williams1,718 25

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