Paul Doiron Books in Order: Complete Mike Bowditch Series & Short Stories (2010-2026)
Paul Doiron writes the Mike Bowditch series, a Maine game warden mystery set across forests, lakes, islands, and small towns. The books follow Mike from a rookie warden into a seasoned investigator, and the character’s growth is a big part of the appeal. Doiron has said you don’t have to read them in order, but publication order gives you the clearest view of that arc.
This guide lists every Mike Bowditch novel, short story, and collection in publication order, with years and short descriptions to help you pick your next read. Each book has a spot for a buy button, and the short stories are marked as optional.
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Where to Start
| If you want… | Start with |
| The full experience | The Poacher’s Son (2010) |
| A fast, high-stakes wilderness story | The Precipice (2015) |
| A taste of the short fiction first | Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories (2025) |
| The newest book | Storm Tide (2026) |
Mike Bowditch Books in Order (Main Novels)
Quick list: 1. The Poacher’s Son · 2. Trespasser · 3. Bad Little Falls · 4. Massacre Pond · 5. The Bone Orchard · 6. The Precipice · 7. Widowmaker · 8. Knife Creek · 9. Stay Hidden · 10. Almost Midnight · 11. One Last Lie · 12. Dead by Dawn · 13. Hatchet Island · 14. Dead Man’s Wake · 15. Pitch Dark · 16. Storm Tide
1. The Poacher’s Son (2010)
Doiron’s debut introduces rookie game warden Mike Bowditch. His estranged father becomes a suspect in a killing, forcing Mike to choose between duty and family. It sets up the Maine setting and father-son tension that run through the series, and it won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award.
2. Trespasser (2011)
Mike refuses to drop the case of a missing woman, even when it puts his career and safety at risk. His stubbornness pulls him into a dangerous search through remote Maine country. The novel won the 2012 Maine Literary Award.
3. Bad Little Falls (2012)
Mike is sent to a remote posting after trouble in his career, and a violent crime in a tight-lipped small town soon tests him. The book shows him trying to rebuild his reputation. It’s a good example of how Doiron uses place and community in his mysteries.
4. Massacre Pond (2013)
The slaughter of moose at a Maine pond sets off anger in a divided community. Mike is pulled into a case that mixes crime with debates over land and conservation. It’s one of the early books where the outdoors itself becomes a source of conflict.
5. The Bone Orchard (2014)
Mike takes on a darker, more atmospheric case that tests both his instincts and his personal history. It marks a turning point in the early part of the series. It’s best read after the first four so Mike’s development makes sense.
6. The Precipice (2015)
Two women disappear while hiking in the Maine wilderness, and Mike joins the search. The setting is remote and unforgiving, which gives the story a strong survival-thriller feel. It’s a good entry point if you want a faster-paced wilderness mystery.
7. Widowmaker (2016)
Mike faces another demanding Maine Warden Service case with personal stakes. The story keeps the series’ mix of procedural detail and wilderness danger. Read it after The Precipice to follow Mike’s ongoing storyline.
8. Knife Creek (2017)
Mike returns for another suspenseful case in the Maine woods. The novel continues his shift from rookie to experienced investigator. It also keeps the series’ trademark attention to outdoor detail.
9. Stay Hidden (2018)
Mike investigates a mystery that draws on Maine’s isolated places and close-knit communities. The book keeps the series’ balance of crime plotting and character growth. It’s best read in sequence after Knife Creek.
10. Almost Midnight (2019)
This entry moves Mike into a new phase of the series with a fresh case and rising tension. Doiron’s themes of duty, loyalty, and the wild remain central. Readers who have followed Mike this far will notice how much he has changed.
11. One Last Lie (2020)
Mike’s work again collides with his personal life in a mystery driven by secrets. The novel shows how experience has shaped his judgment. It’s a strong mid-to-late series installment.
12. Dead by Dawn (2021)
Mike faces a tense case with a ticking-clock feel in the Maine backcountry. The book won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction. It’s often cited as a high point of the later series.
13. Hatchet Island (2022)
The action shifts toward Maine’s islands and coast, adding a new kind of isolation. Mike works a case where location and weather matter as much as suspects. It’s a good pick for readers who like island and maritime mysteries.
14. Dead Man’s Wake (2023)
Mike investigates another dangerous case that tests his skills and resilience. The story keeps up the series’ steady, atmospheric style. Read it after Hatchet Island to keep the timeline intact.
15. Pitch Dark (2024)
This entry brings Mike into another suspenseful Maine mystery with high stakes. It builds on the long arc of his career and relationships. It’s essential reading before the newest novel.
16. Storm Tide (2026)
The most recent Mike Bowditch novel continues the series with another Maine crime story. It’s the book to read once you’ve caught up through Pitch Dark. Newer readers can also use it as a sign of how the series has evolved since 2010.
Mike Bowditch Short Stories and Collections (Optional Reading)
The short stories are not required to follow the novels. Read them if you want more of Mike, his mentor Charley Stevens, and the Maine woods between the full books.
Quick list: The Bear Trap · Rabid · Backtrack · The Imposter · The Caretaker · Skin and Bones · Snakebit · Sheep’s Clothing · Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories (collection) · Blaze Orange
The Bear Trap (Short Story, 2014)
The first Mike Bowditch short story, published in the same period as The Bone Orchard. It’s a quick way to sample Doiron’s style.
Rabid (Short Story, 2018)
A short Bowditch case that was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Short Story. Published the same year as Stay Hidden.
Backtrack (Short Story, 2019)
A compact Mike Bowditch mystery from the Almost Midnight era. It works as a stand-alone read.
The Imposter (Short Story, 2019)
Another short case released in 2019. It’s easy to read between novels.
The Caretaker (Short Story, 2021)
A short story published around the time of Dead by Dawn. It adds a smaller-scale case to Mike’s later career.
Skin and Bones (Short Story, 2022)
A short Bowditch story that later became the title of the collection. Published in the same year as Hatchet Island.
Snakebit (Short Story, 2023)
A short case released alongside Dead Man’s Wake. It’s a quick, self-contained read.
Sheep’s Clothing (Short Story, 2025)
One of the stories included in the Skin and Bones collection. It gives readers a recent short-form Bowditch case.
Skin and Bones: And Other Mike Bowditch Short Stories (Collection, 2025)
This collection gathers eight Mike Bowditch stories, including Sheep’s Clothing. It’s the easiest way to catch up on the short fiction in one book.
Blaze Orange (Short Story, 2026)
The newest short story, released in April 2026. It continues the short-fiction side of the series.
Other Paul Doiron Books
Eating Between the Lines: A Maine Writers’ Cookbook (1998, Editor)
Before the Bowditch series, Doiron edited this cookbook of Maine writers. It isn’t part of the series, but it belongs in a full bibliography.
Publication Order vs. Reading Only the Novels
If you’re short on time, read just the 16 main novels in order and skip the short stories. If you want the full experience, read the novels first and then add the short stories and the Skin and Bones collection. Either way, publication order keeps Mike’s personal arc clear.
About the Author: Paul Doiron
Paul Doiron is the bestselling author of the Mike Bowditch crime novels. He was born and raised in Maine, and the state’s landscape and communities shape every book. Before writing fiction full-time he was editor-in-chief of Down East: The Magazine of Maine, where he is now editor emeritus. He is also a Registered Maine Guide who specializes in fly fishing, which explains the authentic outdoor detail in his writing.
His debut, The Poacher’s Son, won the Barry Award and the Strand Critics Award. Trespasser won the 2012 Maine Literary Award, Rabid was an Edgar Award finalist for Best Short Story, and Dead by Dawn won the New England Society’s 2022 Book Award for Fiction. Doiron lives in Maine with his wife, the writer Kristen Lindquist.
Why Trust This Guide
This guide is compiled by Emon, founder of Whimsy Read, a book discovery blog focused on clear “books in order” guides. Each series is listed by original publication date, with short descriptions to help you choose where to start. If you spot an error or a missing title, let us know and we will update the guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the first Paul Doiron book?
The Poacher’s Son (2010) is the first Mike Bowditch novel and Doiron’s fiction debut. It introduces Mike as a young Maine game warden and is the best place to begin.
How many Mike Bowditch books are there?
As of 2026 there are 16 main novels, ending with Storm Tide. There are also several short stories and the Skin and Bones collection.
Do I need to read the Mike Bowditch books in order?
Doiron has said it isn’t necessary, and each case is largely self-contained. Publication order is still recommended because Mike’s personal story builds from book to book.
Are the Mike Bowditch short stories required reading?
No. You can skip them and still follow the novels. They’re worth reading if you want more of Mike and his world.
Where are the Mike Bowditch books set?
They’re set in Maine, mostly in the woods, lakes, islands, and small towns where game wardens work. The state is almost a character in itself.
What genre are Paul Doiron’s books?
They’re crime and mystery novels with a thriller edge. They blend police procedural elements with outdoor and wilderness settings.
Is Mike Bowditch a real person?
No, Mike Bowditch is a fictional character. Doiron draws on real Maine landscapes, wildlife law, and local culture to make the stories feel authentic.
What is the newest Paul Doiron book?
The newest full-length novel is Storm Tide (2026). The newest short story is Blaze Orange (2026).
What should I read if I like Paul Doiron?
Readers often pair him with other rural or wilderness-set mystery series, such as C.J. Box’s Joe Pickett, Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire, and William Kent Krueger’s Cork O’Connor. Each has a strong sense of place and a long-running lead character.
Where should I start if I want to sample the series first?
Try The Poacher’s Son for the full arc, or The Precipice for a faster standalone-feeling wilderness story. The Skin and Bones collection is a good low-commitment taste of the short fiction.
Final Note
The Mike Bowditch series rewards readers who like to watch a character grow over many books and a landscape come alive on the page. Start with The Poacher’s Son, follow the novels in order, and add the short stories whenever you want more of Maine. Bookmark this guide, because new releases will be added as they appear.
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