Whoo?

Stands of centuries-old Douglas firs in Washington State signify safe nesting spots to spotted owls, livelihood to local loggers and big profit to property owners in Hoyt's latest mystery featuring PI John Denson ( Fish Story ). The gritty gumshoe is investigating a trumped-up marijuana-growing charge against a young couple in the town of Sixkiller when his Native American assistant, shaman Willie Prettybird, convinces him to represent the ``animal people'' (magic spirits of his tribe) afer a spotted owl is found with its neck wrung. Denson agrees, mostly because he was a little in love with a recent murder victim, a young female ecologist who'd come to town to measure the spotted owl population. Hoyt's complicated plot involves an upcoming sheriff's election, a handsome but insane wildlife photographer named Adonis and an intricate scam requiring the importing of owls from other states. Suspense is impeded by macho humor and more information on the characters' food consumption than readers could possibly care about. (Nov.)