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. ( )

The Ruins of Woodman's Village: An LT Nichols Mystery by Albert Waitt is a gripping and well-written small-town Maine murder mystery that immerses the reader in a complex web of characters, each with their own relatable and quirky qualities. From the opening pages to the climactic ending, the story takes us through a variety of harsh class disparity realities and introduces both endearing and despicable characters. As the plot develops fairly quickly, you learn about a tragic incident and follow Laurel, Maine Police Chief Tim Nichols as he navigates the mystery of missing twins. Nichols is a relatable character full of flaws, and this makes him all the more believable. The author weaves specific locales into the story, creating an authentic and immersive reading experience as well. This is a book that will leave you eager for a sequel. Highly recommend. ( )

This is my first experience reading author Albert Waitt. I found Ruins of Woodman’s Village to be a gripping mystery that explores the complexities of class and social equity in a fictional rural town. Waitt has a real talent for creating multidimensional characters that feel like they could be your next-door neighbors. Through the perspectives of the town's residents, we get an intimate look into their lives, secrets, and motivations.
The novel's main character, Police Chief Nichols, is a flawed but relatable protagonist who is navigating personal issues while doggedly pursuing a missing person's case. As a reader, I felt like I was immersed in the scenes with Nichol's as he worked to uncover the truth. The pacing of the novel is excellent, and the tension builds steadily until the very end.
One of the things that I appreciated about Ruins was the way it tackled relevant and poignant issues such as class and social equity. Waitt's exploration of these themes feels honest and nuanced, and he never shied away from addressing the complexities and contradictions inherent in them.
Overall, I found this to be a great read that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys a good mystery novel with well-developed characters and a thought-provoking exploration of social issues. Waitt has hit with this one I feel, and I can't wait to see what he comes up with next. ( )