Skin And Bones by Paul Doiron

 

Mike Bowditch is a game warden in Maine, a surprising career move as his dad was a famous poacher in the area.  Mike has found an eagle shot and on his weekly visit with his mentor, Charley Stevens, who is retired now.  That brings back memories for Stevens of a time that he joined forces with Bowditch's father.

Jack Bowditch flagged down Stevens one day with a bald eagle in the back of his truck, outraged that someone had killed the nation's symbol.  Both men had been in the armed forces but took different paths afterward.  Bowditch insisted he knew who had done it, a young boy who was making his way after his parents were killed by living with his abusive older brother and making a little cash on the side by poaching and selling his catch.  Stevens went to their house to check it out but Bowditch followed him and things escalated  It ended with the abusive brother in jail that night and the younger one, having been beaten by the older, running off into the woods.

Bowditch comes back in a day or so saying now he really knows who did it, an Indian who is a cook in a notorious bar.  But by then, the young boy has been missing for a few days.  His girlfriend said he wanted them to run off but she hadn't heard anything else from him.  Stevens puts the blame for whatever happens to the boy on Bowditch's shoulders due to his false accusation.

This novella tells a story that adds more information to the backstory of Mike Bowditch who is the hero of Paul Doiron's series.  Mike has devoted his life to the Forestry Service and taken Stevens as his hero since his own father scoffed at the law and did whatever he wanted.  It is an interesting story and fans of the series will enjoy it.  This book is recommended for mystery readers, especially fans of the Mike Bowditch series.