“Killing Maine” is the second in the Pono Hawkins thriller series, after the critically-acclaimed bestseller “Saving Paradise.” Mike Bond’s latest is a tale of murder, bribery, politics and industrial crime against the state’s magical and fast-disappearing natural beauty.

Internationally-known surfer Pono Hawkins is in Maine after a phone call from the wife of his old Special Forces buddy, Bucky Franklin. But Franklin was in trouble, and trying to get to the bottom of it to clear his name was murder. In Bond’s newest thriller based on his own life experience, Hawkins must find out who framed Bucky for the death of an environmentalist — and just how deep the political corruption goes in the Pine Tree State.

Hawkins quickly learns that Maine is as corrupt as Hawaii, with huge energy corporations gobbling up the state’s beautiful mountains, destroying Maine’s wilderness and purchasing its politicians at rock bottom prices. Stirring up this hornet’s nest is why Hawkins is hunted, shot at, betrayed and stalked by knife-wielding assassins while trying to find the true murderer and free Bucky. Nothing is certain. No one can be trusted. No place is safe — and everyone he cares for is in danger. And with a rap sheet that includes two undeserved jail sentences, Hawkins is a target for every cop in the state, who will all do anything to lock him up for good.

Bond, a Maine native, has written a book for the Sierra Club on Maine’s Allagash River and has been active in battles to protect Maine’s endangered outdoors. “Killing Maine” (Mandevilla Press; July 22, 2015; $14.99) wil be available in local bookstores and on Amazon.com.

Bond is scheduled to make appearances at the following locations:

• PORTLAND: Sherman’s Books & Stationery; 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 14.

• CAMDEN: Public Library; 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 15.

Both events are free and open to the public.