Still Life

Having fun with the artistic and spiritual excesses of Taos, N.M., as he mixes murder and wisecracking nutcases, Hanson seems, at first, to go over the top. But the goofiness grows on you. Ex-cop Adam McCleet (Spare Parts; Mortal Remains) travels to Taos in his third offbeat adventure, eager to display his sculptures in a show arranged by his girlfriend, Allison Brooks, a Portland, Ore., gallery owner. Outside of town, McCleet becomes prime suspect in the murder of an old prospector. The death may be connected to the search for an interplanetary time traveler who landed in Taos and, legend has it, is buried thereabouts. Countless loopy locals are obsessed with finding the grave. There's Rob Crusoe, a former rock star now leading a cult devoted to military drills and nude volleyball; Gunter Bjornsen, a rich retired scientist who lives in a high-tech teepee and has part of a map to the alien grave; McCleet's own much-divorced sister, Margot, and her property caretaker, Whines For No Reason, known as Whiney. Under attack by rattlesnakes, snipers and tabloid reporters, McCleet must find the killer to clear his name and save his neck. Hanson, who maintains the good humor throughout, has Taos's spirit down pat: ""I own an art gallery,"" Allison tells Whiney. ""Who doesn't?"" he responds. (June)