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Mike Bowditch #13.5
Snakebit: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery
This program is read by series narrator, Henry Leyva.
In “Snakebit," an original short story from bestselling author Paul Doiron, Maine game warden Mike Bowditch must hunt down a killer who uses the unlikeliest of murder rattlesnakes.
When a teenager arrives at a Maine hospital with a rattlesnake bite, warden Mike Bowditch is baffled. Rattlesnakes have been extinct in the region for over a hundred years—so where did this one come from? Bowditch’s investigation leads him to a pair of eccentric married scientists who have a vested interest in rattlesnakes and their venom. Even more suspicious, their estranged daughter has accused them of carrying out grotesque experiments on her. As more rattlesnakes appear in the woods—and the case becomes increasingly mystifying—Bowditch finds himself running out of time to catch his exotic foe.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.
In “Snakebit," an original short story from bestselling author Paul Doiron, Maine game warden Mike Bowditch must hunt down a killer who uses the unlikeliest of murder rattlesnakes.
When a teenager arrives at a Maine hospital with a rattlesnake bite, warden Mike Bowditch is baffled. Rattlesnakes have been extinct in the region for over a hundred years—so where did this one come from? Bowditch’s investigation leads him to a pair of eccentric married scientists who have a vested interest in rattlesnakes and their venom. Even more suspicious, their estranged daughter has accused them of carrying out grotesque experiments on her. As more rattlesnakes appear in the woods—and the case becomes increasingly mystifying—Bowditch finds himself running out of time to catch his exotic foe.
A Macmillan Audio production from Minotaur Books.
Audible Audio
First published April 25, 2023
224 people are currently reading
511 people want to read
About the author
Paul Doiron
38 books2,276 followersPaul Doiron is the best-selling author of the Mike Bowditch series of crime novels set in the Maine woods.
His first book, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award and was nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel. His second, Trespasser, won the 2012 Maine Literary Award. His novelette “Rabid” was a finalist for the 2019 Edgar in the Best Short Story category. Paul’s twelfth book, Dead by Dawn won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction, as well as his second Maine Literary Award. It was also a finalist for the Barry Award. His books have been translated into 11 languages.
Paul is the former chair of the Maine Humanities Council, Editor Emeritus of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, and a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing.
His first book, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award and was nominated for an Edgar for Best First Novel. His second, Trespasser, won the 2012 Maine Literary Award. His novelette “Rabid” was a finalist for the 2019 Edgar in the Best Short Story category. Paul’s twelfth book, Dead by Dawn won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction, as well as his second Maine Literary Award. It was also a finalist for the Barry Award. His books have been translated into 11 languages.
Paul is the former chair of the Maine Humanities Council, Editor Emeritus of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, and a Registered Maine Guide specializing in fly fishing.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
May 14, 2023
Rattlesnakes in Maine? Fact or fiction? Well Snakebit by Paul Doiron revolves a little around this question. Mike Bowditch, one of my favorite game wardens starts getting calls about rattlesnake but they are supposedly extinct in Maine. This is another wonderful short story to keep us up to date with the adventures of Bowditch. The short stories are mostly about past events of Mikes career but sometimes they are about Charley Stevens. I find them great even though I would have liked longer stories. If you haven't read any of Doirons books it's high time to start.
February 7, 2024
I loved this novella (#13.5) in Paul Doiron's "Mike Bowditch" series!
July 30, 2024
Short, short story that leads into another book.. it was great as a stand-alone, but was also a great book.
Always lots of action, adventure and thrills with this series.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
Always lots of action, adventure and thrills with this series.
5 stars
Happy Reading!
January 27, 2024
This is the perfect creepy little book with a horrifying plot twist in the last few chapters that left my jaw dropped to the basement of Hades. I’m NOT a mystery/detective reader but I just might get into the genre after reading this. Definitely recommend, it takes just over an hour to read and I just couldn’t put it down.
July 25, 2023
Enjoy the Bowditch series. Was happy to see another novella and really liked it. Hope to hear what will happen to the characters in the future, The newest book in the series is sitting waiting for me to have time to read it, but so many books and so little time causes me to read some before others. If you are a fan of game wardens, this is the series for you!
June 4, 2023
Snakebit by Paul Doiron
As Snakebit: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery by Paul Doiron begins, a woman has called Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch to report that she saw a rattlesnake. She claims to have seen it during her hike on Black Cat Mountain. Considering there have not been any natural occurring rattlesnakes in Maine in decades as well as the fact she does have pictures and refused to give her name or any other information and got angry quickly, Mike Bowditch doesn’t believe her. He soon has an opportunity to reconsider that thought when hours later he is awakened with news of the fact that a teenager has been bit while attending a keg party in the nearby woods. Something is going on and Bowditch is going to get to the bottom of it in this novella.
The read also includes the first three chapters of the next book in the series, Dead Man’s Wake.
As to the novella, this is a solidly good read. Set in an earlier time of the series when Game Warden Mike Bowditch is only 27 years old (“..take place in the weeks before KNIFE CREEK…” per the author’s Facebook post of May 26th), the tale is complicated, and moves forward at a fairly rapid pace. For those of us long familiar with the series, it is an enjoyable read. For those new to these books, Snakebit: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery is a good taste of why these reads are so good.
My eBook reading copy came by way of purchase using funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
As Snakebit: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery by Paul Doiron begins, a woman has called Maine Game Warden Mike Bowditch to report that she saw a rattlesnake. She claims to have seen it during her hike on Black Cat Mountain. Considering there have not been any natural occurring rattlesnakes in Maine in decades as well as the fact she does have pictures and refused to give her name or any other information and got angry quickly, Mike Bowditch doesn’t believe her. He soon has an opportunity to reconsider that thought when hours later he is awakened with news of the fact that a teenager has been bit while attending a keg party in the nearby woods. Something is going on and Bowditch is going to get to the bottom of it in this novella.
The read also includes the first three chapters of the next book in the series, Dead Man’s Wake.
As to the novella, this is a solidly good read. Set in an earlier time of the series when Game Warden Mike Bowditch is only 27 years old (“..take place in the weeks before KNIFE CREEK…” per the author’s Facebook post of May 26th), the tale is complicated, and moves forward at a fairly rapid pace. For those of us long familiar with the series, it is an enjoyable read. For those new to these books, Snakebit: A Mike Bowditch Short Mystery is a good taste of why these reads are so good.
My eBook reading copy came by way of purchase using funds in my Amazon Associate account.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2023
June 27, 2023
One of the better shorts in my opinion, Mike receives an anonymous call about someone seeing a rattlesnake. He tries to convince the caller they are mistaken but they are insistent. Later that night and fairly far away from the reported snake a young man is attacked by a rattlesnake. Since rattlers are no longer native to Maine there is no anti-venom on hand and the young man's life hangs in the balance.
As Mike investigates, he learns of a couple who were trying to reintroduce rattlers to Maine. They were quite notorious some years earlier but today were flying under the radar. He learned the couple had two daughters. One of the daughters had been removed from the family home as a child - the family believed she would develop an immunity to snake venom if she were bitten enough times. But, they went too far and to keep the girl alive she was removed from her parent's home.
Mike's investigation leads him to believe that the couple had simply moved their snake activities under the radar. This later proved true when a warrant is obtained to investigate the couple's farm. This story takes place fairly early in Mike's career. He is not yet an investigator and he is not especially well-liked within the department. He is committed to the cause, however, and comes to a conclusion about the case that is not entirely accepted by others.
As Mike investigates, he learns of a couple who were trying to reintroduce rattlers to Maine. They were quite notorious some years earlier but today were flying under the radar. He learned the couple had two daughters. One of the daughters had been removed from the family home as a child - the family believed she would develop an immunity to snake venom if she were bitten enough times. But, they went too far and to keep the girl alive she was removed from her parent's home.
Mike's investigation leads him to believe that the couple had simply moved their snake activities under the radar. This later proved true when a warrant is obtained to investigate the couple's farm. This story takes place fairly early in Mike's career. He is not yet an investigator and he is not especially well-liked within the department. He is committed to the cause, however, and comes to a conclusion about the case that is not entirely accepted by others.
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December 21, 2025Wow, this one stretches the realms of possibility I hope. What would happen if a scientist and his wife were devoted to research on vipers, spent their time milking them for the venom that produces antivenom. The couple are devoted to their research while raising 2 daughters on the "ranch".
When a rattlesnake type that has been eradicated from the area is involved in an attack on a young man, the wardens get involved.
Warden Mike Bowditch had been contacted a day or so before of the sighting of this species but was unable to find one to confirm. The attack removes all doubt except the knowledge of the previous viper ranch.
Mike has been busted down from investigator so is legally unable to lead the case but legality has never stopped him from doing. something he thinks needs to be done. In a damn the torpedos kind of bravado, away he goes.
Even the description of the vipers gave me the willies. Enjoyed the story with all the twists.
When a rattlesnake type that has been eradicated from the area is involved in an attack on a young man, the wardens get involved.
Warden Mike Bowditch had been contacted a day or so before of the sighting of this species but was unable to find one to confirm. The attack removes all doubt except the knowledge of the previous viper ranch.
Mike has been busted down from investigator so is legally unable to lead the case but legality has never stopped him from doing. something he thinks needs to be done. In a damn the torpedos kind of bravado, away he goes.
Even the description of the vipers gave me the willies. Enjoyed the story with all the twists.
June 1, 2023
This was a self-contained novella from a well-established series. I had no trouble following along with the characters even though I had not read any of the previous books. The premise was a bit weak with rattlesnakes being found in Maine and everybody panicking and wondering where they were coming from. The "bad guys" in the story were stereotyped as secluded misanthropes who maybe abused their kids and took part in shady scientific research involving rattlers. The ending was short and all in all the story was very unsatisfying. The main character was the type of police officer who gives police officers a bad name. "I'll do whatever it takes to get the bad guy, even if it's not following procedure." I'm sure lovers of this series will overlook the flaws and enjoy the story for what it is.
August 26, 2024
Snakebit by Paul Doiron
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Rattlesnakes in the woods here? You must be mistaken. Even though they are rare and not supposed to be here Mike cannot let it go to check things out for himself. Just as he has outraged the thought a boy is bitten by a rattlesnake and is clinging to life. Some years back a married scientist couple was trying to bring back snakes to the area but their home was burnt down and all the snakes were thought to have been killed. Now a call from a women claiming to be their daughter has given Mike some information to follow up on but what is her real motive here? Mike is about to find out.
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Rattlesnakes in the woods here? You must be mistaken. Even though they are rare and not supposed to be here Mike cannot let it go to check things out for himself. Just as he has outraged the thought a boy is bitten by a rattlesnake and is clinging to life. Some years back a married scientist couple was trying to bring back snakes to the area but their home was burnt down and all the snakes were thought to have been killed. Now a call from a women claiming to be their daughter has given Mike some information to follow up on but what is her real motive here? Mike is about to find out.
May 10, 2023
Game Warden Mike Bowditch suffers under superiors who lack his persistence. Mike is called about a rattlesnake. Doesn’t find it. Rattlesnakes are supposedly nonexistent in Maine. Then a young man is bit by one at a quarry party and loses his leg. Mike figured out a suspect but is prevented from pursuing- not his jurisdiction. The bite was no accident. Mike pursues it anyway and has several confrontations with the suspects. Even when it’s all done the state still has it all wrong but Mike knows and has a very interesting encounter with the surviving suspects.
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July 10, 2024Doiron is very popular in my library so this short one seemed like a good choice for getting a sense of what people like.
Bowditch is written as the only competent person on a team of blowhards. It’s a bit annoying.
The narrator gave each character a different voice, points for effort, but they also each had a different accent despite all being from the same town, and he made the teenage daughter sound like a toddler.
Not to my taste, though I enjoyed the mention of the real uproar about creating a haven for rattlesnakes in the Quabbin, which happened a handful of years ago.
Bowditch is written as the only competent person on a team of blowhards. It’s a bit annoying.
The narrator gave each character a different voice, points for effort, but they also each had a different accent despite all being from the same town, and he made the teenage daughter sound like a toddler.
Not to my taste, though I enjoyed the mention of the real uproar about creating a haven for rattlesnakes in the Quabbin, which happened a handful of years ago.
June 23, 2023
As always, Mr. Doiron's stories stories are an enthralling, hard to put down read, whether it be a full length book or short story. A great whodunit, with twists right to the end and insight on the development of Mike Bowditch's personality. An intriguing premise...watch where you step in the woods!
March 27, 2024
Snakebit
Mike Bowditch gets an anomalous call about a rattlesnake seen on a trail in Maine. As a game warden he knows there are no rattlesnakes in Maine so he ignores the call. Then a young man is bitten by a rattlesnake and this all becomes very real. Seems there was a business in Maine milking snake venom for antidotes, but what are they really doing with all those snakes?
Mike Bowditch gets an anomalous call about a rattlesnake seen on a trail in Maine. As a game warden he knows there are no rattlesnakes in Maine so he ignores the call. Then a young man is bitten by a rattlesnake and this all becomes very real. Seems there was a business in Maine milking snake venom for antidotes, but what are they really doing with all those snakes?
April 16, 2024
"Snakebit" is a short story that is part of the Mike Bowditch series, occupying the spot between books #13 and #14. It serves as a teaser, leaving readers eager to read more. The author's writing style is unique and should appeal to outdoor enthusiasts with its vivid descriptions of the beautiful Maine landscape and well-drawn, quirky characters with a touch of sarcasm.
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March 10, 2025To reintroduce exterminated species or not. That is a very good question. Wolves reintroduced to Yellowstone why not rattlesnakes returned to Maine? Or all the native species destroyed by the introduction of Muskelunge in Quebec that crossed the border through streams into Maine where it was a non-native. A quandary.
April 26, 2023
What a wonderful surprise this morning! Young Mike Bowditch isn't my favorite character - I much prefer the more mature, less insufferable version - but quite enjoyed this tale. Can't wait for the next full-length story - the opening teaser already has me hooked.
April 30, 2023
I enjoy all of Paul Doiron's books and short stories. I have read every book. Snakebit is the strongest of the short stories. Engaging. You are able to picture the settings.
Cannot set it down 'til it is finished. And when the book is finished you do not want it to end!
Cannot set it down 'til it is finished. And when the book is finished you do not want it to end!
July 6, 2024
Got this while looking for a short audiobook for a short drive. Never read anything in this series, but it wasn't hard to follow along. Overall it was unsatisfying. I wasn't impressed with the story, the storytelling, and guessed the ending way before it happened.
June 6, 2025
I enjoyed this one. Snakes, a clever plot, rogue activists reintroducing a species into the Maine woods and a decent chase to puzzle it all together. Like with many of these shorts, it could have been quite the story in long form.
May 7, 2023
I really dislike snakes, and I might have nightmares, or even daymares, from reading this, but I'm THAT much of a Mike Bowditch fan! Fast paced and suitably creepy for featuring snakes...
May 19, 2023
Snakebit
As always Paul Doiron delivers. Two great mysteries with the results left to your own imagination! Never a dull moment.
As always Paul Doiron delivers. Two great mysteries with the results left to your own imagination! Never a dull moment.
May 21, 2023
The book had an original story and was told well. I would have preferred a different ending but am satisfied. I recommend the novella.
June 23, 2023
Interesting short story. Wonder if the two sisters will be in an upcoming book.
June 27, 2023
short story
September 12, 2023
A quick Mike Bowditch short story about a couple who is breeding snakes & their 2 daughters. I'm not a fan of snakes - creepiness overload.
October 17, 2023
Promising plot but suddenly to book ended with many hanging issues....
December 22, 2023
Well put together!
December 27, 2023
Good short story... love the series!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews