Michael E. Bemis Books In Order

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Non-Fiction Books

Michael E. Bemis
Michael E. Bemis is a fiction and non-fiction author born and bred in Massachusetts. He is also a well-known law enforcement officer in York County, Maine. From a young age, Bemis dreamt of joining the police force, but it took a while for him to get in the field, even with his degree in Law Enforcement. However, after graduating from police school, Bemis went on to become a corporal, Sergeant, and later the Lieutenant in the Kennebunk Police Department. In 1990, Bemis ran for a Sheriff position in York County and won on a Republican ticket. He served his people for the next four years but chose not to run again for this position. He then turned into his love, writing amid volunteering in different programs. To date, Bemis has five published works to his name.

Snow Waste
Snow Waste tells the story of Joe Littlefield, the man in charge of snowmaking in White Woods Ski Resort. Joe is not just a dedicated worker, but he is also honest, competent, and maybe naïve. He has been looking forward to a promotion as Mountain Operations Manager, but his determination to do what is right has been thwarting his dreams. This book also introduces Warren Ainsworth, White Woods’ owner, who also happens to be Joe’s boss. Warren has a drinking problem, but he is also keen to develop a peak that would put his establishment among the largest ski resorts in the area.

This story also introduces Doug Andrews, one of Cannon’s newest members. Doug is an environmental activist, and it has been five years since he moved from Massachusetts to make Cannon his home. He and his wife moved here searching for a simpler life, and they are happy running their small antique shop. However, Doug has not abandoned his love for the environment. The dedicated activist also aspires to join the Natural Environmental Council someday. In his small ways, Doug tries to protect the environment and make the world around him a better place.

This story parallels the struggles between the environmental movement and modern-day corporate America. On one end is a paper mill determined to survive and a ski resort working to ensure success in the future by making choices that affect the environment. The story is told from three perspectives, and through these individuals, the author explores the themes of greed, ethical values, and personal motivation. The fictitious town of Cannon depends on the White Woods Resort, but it is clear that neighboring towns have to turn the other way for the sake of its survival. Is this sustainable in the long run? How long will it take for the other small towns to start reacting to the effects of this resort? The author has done a great job of developing characters and fleshing them out so they read like individuals you would be interested in meeting in real life.

Snow Waste is an intriguing story on people, nature, and the environment. It is a tale of people who come together for the greater good. Through the character, we get to see the challenges experienced by those who live in rural Maine and the small victories that make life here blissful. There is also a lot of snowmaking information that those interested in the craft may find useful. From his writing, it is clear that Bemis understands skiing, snow, and life in Maine.

Dogs
Dogs is a true saga of Government failure and oversight that led to the suffering of about 30 dogs between 2001 and 2002. The saddest thing is that law enforcement officers knew what was going on within this period, but they did not do anything notable to help the situation. John H. Hughes Jr. was born and bred in Brooklyn, New York. After attending outstanding Catholic schools where behavioral and academic excellence was promoted, Hughes become one of the most exceptional boy scouts in his school. However, traumatic brain injury changes the course of his life. Hughes started on a downward spiral that saw him leave his home in Florida for Downeast Maine.

His new home didn’t offer him the luxury of his old one. Hughes lived in poverty, often going without food. However, he would sacrifice everything to ensure his dogs were fed. His motorhome was laden with dog feces and urine so much that it started oozing from the sides. The police moved Hughes 35 times, but none of them offered to help this man in any meaningful way. Eventually, Hughes finds a home for himself in a wooded land of about 3.4 acres. By then, the dogs had ripped out most of the motorhome’s wiring, and it did not help that this land was in a remote area where utilities were non-existent.

Hughes released his dogs in the wild. They roamed free throughout the day, often killing wildlife for food. For about three months, the locals feared for their safety and begged the government to do something about Hughes and the dogs. How was this man allowed to live in a mobile home that was considered a dangerous building? Well, Hughes died in a fire in his motorhome in November 2002. A few days later, seven of his remaining dogs were massacred using a .45 caliber handgun. The state human agent tasked with eliminating the dogs at some point got overwhelmed by emotion, leaving a civilian to complete the job. This gross recklessness and lawlessness by government officials was no mistake. Jonesboro’s town clerk orchestrated it.

Dogs cover a 20-moth saga that involved so much recklessness that you will think it is fiction. It is sad that the dogs had to die the way they did after being left to fend for themselves for too long. Three Maine government officials failed in their job, and, sadly, the dogs were the losers in all this. This short book is captivating, and you will not want to stop reading once you open the first page. The author did his homework, and where he offers his opinion, there is enough evidence to support it.