I recently had the pleasure of diving into a novel by Albert Wyatt, a writer who hails from Maine and has studied at Bates College and Boston University. His book, The Ruins of Woodman’s Village is the latest addition to his collection, and I must say, I enjoyed it a lot.
Wyatt's deep connection to Maine's coastal towns is palpable in his writing. As a resident of Kennebunkport, he paints a vivid picture of the locale, and his understanding of the social intricacies adds depth to the mystery. I was immediately drawn in by the opening lines: '"Chief, you better come out here." I glanced up from the County Star's sports page, noticing Estelle Maynard's furrowed brows and trembling chin. Without a knock or a word through the intercom, she was there, and I had no idea why. Rising from my chair, I was met with a woman's glare from the counter...' This introduction to Chief LT Nichols was just a glimpse of the mystery that awaited.
What I found most impressive about Wyatt's writing was his ability to craft a mystery that kept me hooked from start to finish. The story revolves around the disappearance of twin teenage sisters in Laurel, Maine. Police Chief Tim Nichols' summer takes a dark turn as he searches through bars, farms, estates, and shacks, uncovering secrets and lies that reveal a hidden darkness in the town. The way Wyatt described the setting made me feel like I was right there on the coast of Maine, unraveling the mystery alongside Nichols.
I must commend Wyatt for his skill in condensing the plot without losing any of its richness. The novel is not just a mystery; it's a journey through a town that seems perfect on the surface but hides something sinister beneath. Reading it was like visiting Maine's coast, with the added thrill of a clever and convincing mystery.
I can't recommend this book enough. Whether you're a fan of mysteries or simply love well-written stories that transport you to another place, The Ruins of Woodman’s Village is a must-read. It's satisfying on every level, and I'm already looking forward to Wyatt's next work. ( )

Having grown up in rural Maine, I recognize much of what transpires in this story. It's gritty, dark, and sometimes profane, but pretty accurate. There are small towns in Maine with enclaves like the one ruled by Boomer. Greed runs a lot of things in places like Laurel and Woodman's Village as well.
I like dark tales and this certainly fills the bill. I look forward to more by this author. ( )

In his latest mystery novel, The Ruins of Woodman's Village, Albert Waitt weaves a gripping narrative that is both compelling and disquieting. Set on the picturesque Maine coast in 1986, Waitt's tale is the first in a series featuring Police Chief LT Nichols, a character whose tenacity and dedication are as deep as the coastal waters he patrols.
The tranquil serenity of a sunlit, tree-lined summer is abruptly interrupted when two teenage sisters go missing at the height of the tourist season. From that point on, Police Chief Nichols' summer of beach patrols ends, replaced by a desperate search that takes him from seaside bars to abandoned farms, from million-dollar estates to cobbled-together shacks. The coastal town of Laurel, Maine, with its postcard-perfect façade, undergoes a metamorphosis as Nichols doggedly unearths information, revealing a darkness coursing through its sunny, tree-lined streets​.
Waitt's prose is evocative and engaging, crafting a world that is as vivid as it is unsettling. His mastery of suspense creates an ebb and flow of tension that reflects the coastal setting. There's a meticulous attention to detail that adds authenticity to the narrative, with each location visited by Nichols during his investigation painted in rich, realistic strokes.
The character of Police Chief LT Nichols stands as a beacon of steadfast dedication amidst the chaos. His struggle is palpable as he battles not just the mystery of the girls' disappearance, but also the looming threat of exposing the sinister underbelly of his beloved town.
However, despite its strengths, The Ruins of Woodman's Village is not without its shortcomings. At times, the pace of the narrative slows, causing the tension to wane. Additionally, some of the supporting characters lack depth, appearing more as plot devices than fully fleshed-out individuals. Nonetheless, these flaws do not significantly detract from the overall enjoyment of the book.
Overall, The Ruins of Woodman's Village is a compelling mystery novel that successfully blends a richly detailed setting with a gripping, if occasionally uneven, narrative. Waitt's latest offering is a captivating exploration of a small town's secrets and the relentless lawman determined to uncover them. While not the best book of the year, it is certainly worth the read, particularly for fans of the genre. ( )

The Ruins of Woodman's Village by Albert Waitt is a gripping mystery novel that follows the search for two missing teenage sisters in a small town. The book's protagonist, Police Chief Tim Nichols, is a well-developed character who struggles with his personal issues while attempting to solve the case. The novel's pacing is excellent, with tension building steadily until the very end, keeping readers engaged throughout.

What distinguishes this book is its insightful treatment of pertinent and emotive issues concerning class and social justice. The author's exploration of these themes is candid and unflinching, and he deftly confronts the inherent complexities and contradictions. As a result, the novel possesses a profound sense of depth, rendering it an engaging and thought-provoking read.

The Ruins of Woodman's Village is a well-crafted mystery novel that will keep you engaged from beginning to end. Waitt's excellent pacing and exploration of important themes make it a standout in the genre. A good read for fans of mystery novels or anyone looking for a thought-provoking read. ( )

Maine author Albert Wyatt earned his degrees from Bates College and from Boston University’s Creative Writing Program. He has published short stories in important journals, and his books to date - SUMMER TO FALL and now THE RUINS OF WOODMAN’S VILLAGE. Wyatt lives in Kennebunkport and his knowledge of Maine’s coastal towns is evident not only in his atmospheric settings but also in the social vagaries that pulse this fine mystery into a meaningful status. Engaging the reader at the outset, he writes: ‘”Chief, you better come out here.” I put down the sports page of the County Star. Estelle Maynard’s eyebrows were in a V and her chin was quivering. She hadn’t knocked, never mind used the intercom. I couldn’t even guess what that meant. I sighed as I leaned into the arms of my chair and pushed myself up…A sheet of sweat broke out across my back when I saw the woman glaring at me from the counter…’That intro to Chief LT Nichols and a hint of the mystery that follows blossoms.

Wyatt successfully creates an absorbing, attention addictive mystery novel that works on every level. He condenses the plot well - ‘When twin teenage sisters go missing at the height of tourist season, Laurel, Maine Police Chief Tim Nichols' summer of patrolling beaches and leading parades comes to an abrupt end. A desperate search for the girls takes him from seaside bars and abandoned farms to million dollar estates and cobbled-together shacks. As Nichols doggedly unearths scraps of information and deciphers a steady flow of half-truths, he finds a darkness coursing through Laurel's sunny, tree-lined streets. He races to piece together the girls' disappearance, knowing that doing so may tear the façade off his postcard-perfect town.’ Reading this well-scribed novel is akin to visiting the coast of Maine, so well is the locale painted. Add a clever and convincing mystery and this book is satisfying on every level. Highly recommended. ( )