When Mike Bowditch discovers an the body of a bald eagle shot by an ice fisherman, he takes the carcass to his old mentor, Charley Stevens. Filled with outrage, Mike takes time to talk and Stevens relates a long ago and fairly grim story about Mike's father in a similar situation. Doiron has written a number of shorter works about his main character, each of which has revealed back story that hasn't fit into the longer novels. This novella is particularly tight and well plotted. As the action is set well before the series start, it can be plugged in anywhere as a free standing tale. Another excellent narration by Henry Leyva.

As I listen to the well narrated short story Skin and Bones, I can not help but wonder if author Paul Doiron is testing the waters of a prequel series. Charley Stevens has been prominently featured in the Mike Bowditch series, though there is a huge backstory that has yet to be told. This short story ties in Jack Bowditch, Mike's father, a poacher with his own skewed idea of a moral code.

The narration is good and I would recommend the format to those who like to listen instead of read. The voice actor gives the characters life and does a great job of expressing feelings and emotions. I would like to know more of the background of both Charley and Jack, so I hope that the author is planning on expanding out his idea.

Disclaimer: I was given an Advanced Audio Copy of Skin and Bones by NetGalley and the publisher. The decision to listen to and review this book was entirely my own.

Taking one character and have him tell a story to another character was great. Going back to the beginning of his career and share difficult times with his protege made for a great change.

When his protege, Mike Bowditch, finds a bullet-ridden Bald Eagle, Retired Warden Charley Stevens is reminded of a similarly distressing case from his past. In this story, set years prior to the current series, we follow a young Charley as he finds an unlikely ally in the form of Mike's Dad, infamous poacher Jack Bowditch and the two of them try to get to the bottom of the slain birds.

I loved everything about this. Charley is my favorite character in the current series (Sorry, Mike!) and I absolutely loved seeing him (and Ora!) as their younger selves.

The only note I have is that as much as I love Charley, I wouldn't burn an Audible credit on a Novella. I'd definitely prefer to buy it separately at a novella price.

I'm a big Paul Doiron fan and this was my first audiobook of his. The narrator was excellent and held my attention throughout. This is a novella, which I've also not read before. Despite it's short length, it packed a good punch and was very easy to follow. There wasn't a huge mystery, but that would've been difficult to pull off in a novella. I will recommend this to library patrons. It'd be an excellent audiobook to listen to on a short car ride.

Eek! Kind of gruesome but still a good addition to the Mike Bowditch featuring Charley Stevens and Jack Bowditch in the early part of Charley’s career.
Henry Leyva is the right narrator for this series.