ARC Review: Skin and Bones by Paul Doiron

Skin and Bones
Author: Paul Doiron
Series: Mike Bowditch Mysteries
Publication: Minotaur Books (May 13, 2025)

Description: For the first time in print, Skin and Bones features a collection of eight gripping original short stories in the bestselling Mike Bowditch series―including one brand new, never-before-published story―from Edgar-award nominated author Paul Doiron.

In THE BEAR TRAP, legendary Maine woodsman and bush pilot Charley Stevens tries to convince young Mike of the dangers awaiting rookie game wardens.

RABID draws Mike into the story of a gruesome case involving a bat with rabies from his Charley Steven’s past (2019 Edgar award nominee for Best Short Story).

When a visiting hunter goes missing in the middle of a snowstorm, a young Charley Stevens sets off to rescue him―but begins to suspect the man may not want to be found in BACKTRACK.

In THE IMPOSTER, Mike is confronted with a baffling case of stolen identity when he discovers a dead body whose driver’s license claims he is none other than Mike Bowditch himself.

Mike tracks down a sinister prowler who turns a couple's dream vacation home into a nightmare in THE CARETAKER.

An investigation into the killing of a bald eagle in SKIN AND BONES unearths an old case of a missing young man whose physically abusive brother might have murdered him.

In SNAKEBIT, Mike must hunt down a killer who uses the unlikeliest of murder weapons: rattlesnakes.

(Brand New!) Mike suspects there’s more to a grisly murder-suicide than meets the eye in SHEEP’S CLOTHING.

Critically acclaimed for his brilliant crime novels, Paul Doiron proves he is also the master of short story in Skin and Bones.

My Thoughts: This interesting collection of short stories feature Game Wardens in the State of Maine. Both Charley Steve and Mike Bowditch are characters in Paul Doiron's long-running Mike Bowditch series. 

The stories were all interesting and span a number of years. They are filled with an intriguing variety of characters who live in very rural Maine from poachers to recluses. 

I've only read a couple of the Mike Bowditch stories but found getting to know him in more depth through these stories to be illuminating of his character. 

Short stories aren't really my thing since I like more depth in my stories. Fans of the genre and fans of Mike Bowditch will enjoy these glimpses into unseen episodes in his life and career.

I received this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.