The Bear Trap

Mike Bowditch #4.5

by Paul Doiron

Legendary Maine woodsman and bush pilot Charley Stevens tries to convince young Mike Bowditch of the dangers awaiting rookie game wardens.

Genres: Mystery, Short Stories, Fiction, Audiobook, Thriller, Suspense, Mystery Thriller

Audiobook

First published May 31, 2014

About the author

Paul 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.

Reviews

[Paul Doiron · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm giving myself points for effort.

[Debra - can't post any comments on site today grrr · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good short story which features Charlie and Mike. I love that there is more Charlie in this book. This is a great short read for fans of the Mike Bowditch series.

[Neil Plakcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The writing here is so beautiful-- elegant descriptions that demonstrate the author really knows his landscape. The plot of the story is clever, and the teaser that follows for the full-length novel is equally well-written.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this novella (4.5) in Paul Doiron's "Mike Bowditch" series!

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a short story/novella in the Mike Bowditch series by Paul Doiron. While it probably didn't advance the series any, it was still a great little read. I don't usually like short stories or novellas for that matter, but this was nicely done. It was interesting and had some really nice twists. So 4 stars for this one. I need to read more in this series,

[S.W. Hubbard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting hermit character, but a lot was left unexplained at the end. A good short story is very hard to write. Every word has to count. There's no room for blah-blah. I would have preferred more hermit.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

An engaging short story.

[Meghan Samberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook; short story

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Bear Trap is a short story in author Paul Doiron’s series centered on Maine Gane Warden Mike Bowditch. It falls between Massacre Pond and The Bone Orchard, although it really stands on its own and could be read or listened to at any point in the series. It’s just 46 minutes long to listen to, so it’s quite a short story.

Mike Bowditch is out fishing with retired Game Warden and pilot Charlie Stevens, when Charlie regales him with a tale from his early years with the Warden Service. Newly home from Vietnam, having been a P.O.W. at the Hanoi Hilton, Charlie joins the Warden Service. One of the first issues he faces is that of a string of thefts surrounding a central Maine Lake. It’s been going on for 19 years, and the perpetrator has eluded capture. Known locally as “The Hermit” or “Sweet Tooth” because he likes to steal sweets, the man has only been seen once or twice and sounds more like Bigfoot than a human being.

When “Sweet Tooth” robs a summer camp for disadvantaged kids Charlie becomes fixated on him. He makes a big show of restocking the groceries at the camp, then stakes out the place. For almost a week, he spends every night hidden around the property, but “Sweet Tooth” doesn’t return. Desperate, Charlie comes up with a plan to flush him out.

I would guess you have to have some idea of what a rural area Maine is to understand how someone could hide out without being discovered for 19 years. People go missing all the time in this area, either accidentally or purposely. Bodies are often recovered years later, if ever. Just this past summer we had an elderly woman with alzheimers go missing near one of the lakes who still hasn’t been found. Otherwise, this part of the story might seem a bit unrealistic. It isn’t.

To read my full review, please go to The Bear Trap by Paul Doiron – A Uniquely Maine Short Story

[Erika Hayes · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well I read this book on my kindle and didn't realize it was a .5 book. Good news it was written well and grabbed my attention right away. It also got me to look up the series and will be reading it. Short sweet treat on this Saturday.

[Neil Plakcy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful writing and a great introduction to the series, though the introduction to the following book is not for the faint of heart.

[Jon Knepp · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short

[Peg Schwarz · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting side story about Charlie. Tells the story of how injuries impact people in different ways.

[Marianne Reese · Rating 5 out of 5]

An exciting and quick short story that’ll leave you wanting more!

[Keith Dean · Rating 5 out of 5]

great short story. only available on audiobooks.

[Paula Kowalsky]

audiobook

[Lis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could invite Charlie Steven’s over for a fire and just sit and listen to his stories. This short story takes you into the central Maine woods to find a thieving hermit. Charlie’s humor and true storytelling abilities just make it all the better. Enjoy!

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charley is my favorite character in this series so I really enjoyed this short story about his early days!

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This super-short novella in Paul Doiron’s Mike Bowditch series was a quick, enjoyable detour—three stars from me. Nothing profoundly memorable or game-changing for the overall arc, but anytime we get a story centered on the legendary Charley Stevens, I’m all in. He’s that wise, folksy retired warden we adore, and hearing things from his perspective feels like sitting around a campfire with an old friend spinning yarns.

The tale kicks off with young game warden Mike Bowditch out fishing on a peaceful Maine lake alongside his mentor, Charley. To drive home the real dangers rookies face in the vast North Woods, Charley launches into a gripping story from his own early days on the job—fresh back from Vietnam and still finding his footing in the Warden Service.

He’s tasked with tracking down a mysterious hermit who’s been stealthily raiding summer camps and cabins for years: canned goods, propane, blankets, you name it. Nicknamed “Sweet Tooth” for his penchant for sweets, this elusive figure has evaded capture forever, slipping through the dense forests like a ghost. Charley’s determined stakeout turns into a tense battle of wits, leading to a close encounter that underscores just how unpredictable—and perilous—the Maine wilderness can be, especially when you’re dealing with someone who’s mastered survival off the grid.

Doiron’s vivid descriptions of the lakes, pines, and that unforgiving backcountry shine as always, pulling you right into the atmosphere. It’s a tight, atmospheric little mystery with some clever twists, perfect for fans wanting more Charley lore without committing to a full novel.

If you’re deep into the series like I am, this one’s a fun palate cleanser.

[Hunter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kind of an odd story, I almost would have liked to have seen it fleshed out a bit more - i.e. explored some subplots similar to how the main series books have all sorts of subplots in addition to the main storyline - about Charlie's early years as a game warden.
I really liked the sudden turn the story took toward the end, it was unexpected and sometimes I forget how tough Charlie is underneath his warm and genuine nature. But again, perhaps would have had more fun if there had been further development leading to the normal twists and turns in the investigation instead of the sudden revelations in this tale.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4.5 in the Mike Bowditch series is actually a prequel to the series. In this very slim story, Warden Charley Stevens is breaking in new anger Mike Bowditch and reminisces about an event that happened when he was a rookie. The story was originally published in 2014 but the 2017 kindle edition in misleading, it looks more substantial than it is because it includes the first 10 chapters of Knife Creek (2017). The quickly read story is amusing.

Legendary Maine woodsman and bush pilot Charley Stevens tries to convince young Mike Bowditch of the dangers awaiting rookie game wardens.

[Lauren · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good short story with a interesting story of cat and mouse. I was pulled into the story of a warden who set out to catch a criminal, how he went about it, and how it concluded. I am not a big fan of short stories but this one did a good job of keeping my interest with an ending that didn't leave me upset but satisfied. In the midst of the story was a level of drama I didn't really see coming and I was sad that it came to such an end as I was not aware before downloading that it was a short story. : ) Great very quick read.

[Will Decker · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story took me back to being a kid and seeing the world through eyes full of excitement and hope. There is nothing like being deep in the woods reminiscing about past adventures over a campfire on a cool Maine night, or so I've been led to believe. This story is well written with good attention to detail (I could feel the cold rain penetrating my clothes and the resulting chill all the way to my bones and turned up the heat). Although I enjoyed the short story, I thought it was going to be a novella, but most of the book was a teaser into a full length story. Not good!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you write, sometimes your minor characters need their story told. In this short story, Charlie, Mike's mentor tells about a time in the National Park Service that he thought he was hunting "Snipe". A chilling tale of a man who may have mental health issues decides he is going to live in the woods and forage through other peoples homes. The story is short and to the point. And mirrors a real life incident. Unfortunately I don't remember what Northern state it happened in. The man was arrested.

[Donna Siebold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charley spins Mike the tale of how he caught the Last Hermit. Some of the story Charlie tells Mike is true. There was a hermit living in the Maine woods. He did survive by robbing the local residents. His hiding place really wasn't that far back into the woods and he was captured by a Maine Game Warden. However, in Charley's story the hermit remained hidden for less than 20 years and in real life the hermit was hidden for about 27/28 years. Still Charlie spins a good yarn and this is a nice prelude to the actual story of the Lost Hermit which is well worth reading.

[Julie (JuJu) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This short mystery with some humor will keep readers enthralled as if listening to a story told around a campfire. It’s a great taste of Paul Doiron’s interesting writing!

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[Capt. H. Hornblower Of His Majesty’s Navy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Bear Trap
Mike Bowditch Series: Book 4.5
By Paul Doiron

Rating:
5 stars.

Summary:
Short, fun, kind of silly but with a grim survivalist twist. Read it twice. Gratified to hear some of Charley’s past. He’s such an enigmatic figure even after 4 books, the author could probably write stand alone books just on him.

I really appreciated the Christian elements, especially the David vs. Goliath parallel.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like backstories to fill in the blanks. It was/is easy to figure the proper order to read the Amelia Peabody Egyptologist stories in order regardless of when they were published because she refers to the archeological field season in each book (as does Joan Hess who finished a book started by Barbara). Doiron does not give us a time frame until you start reading and then you have to figure it out first yourself…a side mystery 🤭!

[Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet, a story told by old-time game warden Charley Stevens to his good friend, new game warden Mike Bowditch, when they were out fishing. The story that Charley tells takes place when he was a new game warden over 35 years previously and had captured a notorious hermit nicknamed "Sweet Tooth" who had been 19 years living and stealing in the Maine woods.

[Georgia · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was Ok. More of a man's interest, woods, hunting wild boars and bigs, but a baby's body is found lending a little bit of mystery. Like the better!