Deerlover

One wonders at the point of this first novel. Retired Latin high school teacher Robinson Jay, widowed and well-off, has decided to stopor at least slowthe killing of wild-life by murdering their hunters. He sets out to kill a hunter a day during the two-week November deer season. In his second ""season,'' he decides to contact a Detroit Times columnist, letting her know ``Deerlover's'' plans, thinking that the publicity for his cause will justify the added risk. Robinson gets involved with a brutalized prostitute, has crucial contacts with a young copycat killer, manages to avoid capture and bags his hunter-a-day. Even readers familiar with the Michigan wilds may become muddled with Robinson's peregrinations but, worse, even animal-rights activists will question his behavior. The main problem is that Robinson is crazy but not interesting, and Creeth's deadpan style makes him doubly so. (October 16)