Wed 17 Jun 2015
Reviewed by Barry Gardner: RICHARD HOYT – Whoo?
Posted by Steve under Bibliographies, Lists & Checklists , Characters , Reviews[5] Comments
RICHARD HOYT – Whoo? John Denson #5. Tor, hardcover, 1991; reprint paperback, 2000.
This fifth (after a several-year hiatus) of the Denson books is set against the backdrop of the spotted owl-lumber industry conflict in the Northwest. Denson assists a stranded motorist who turns out to be a federal owl-counter, beds her that night, and goes on to the case that’s brought him to the area.
She is murdered, he vows vengeance, and (surprise) Denson’s original case turns out to be connected. His sometime partner, native American Willy Prettybird, becomes involved and things move right along to a more or less satisfying finish.
The owls or trees issue gets a lot of space; more, perhaps, than some readers would wish, even though the issue itself is integral to the plot The explanations are not one-sided, which is refreshing though the author and Denson make it clear where their ultimate sympathies lie.
I enjoyed the book. Hoyt is an excellent writer who knows how to tell a story, and create sharply defined and interesting characters. Denson is, as always, irreverent and witty. The plot, however, doesn’t bear thinking about very deeply while reading — there are simply too many elements that upon reflection are unlikely, improbable, or just plain silly.
It isn’t one of Hoyt’s major efforts, but nevertheless recommended.
The John Denson series —
Decoys (1980)
30 for a Harry (1981)
The Siskiyou Two-Step (1983). Published in slightly expanded paperback form as Siskiyou.
Fish Story (1985)
Whoo? (1991)
Bigfoot (1993)
Snake Eyes (1995)
The Weatherman’s Daughters (2003)
Pony Girls (2004)
June 17th, 2015 at 5:21 pm
I remember enjoying the first four books in this series quite a bit. Then the hiatus Barry mentions, and I lost track of both the author and the character. Eventually I caught up with this one, but I’ve yet to read it. I don’t think much of the title, but when I come across this one again, somewhere in my collection, I’ll make sure to read it.
June 17th, 2015 at 6:50 pm
I liked the earlier books a lot. This one, not so much.
June 18th, 2015 at 6:30 am
I feel the same. I read the first four in a short period of time and liked them a lot, but this one killed my interest in the rest of the series.
June 18th, 2015 at 4:07 pm
Maybe I won’t put this on on my Must Read pile after all.
June 18th, 2015 at 7:12 pm
Hoyt was gone for a while and didn’t seem the same writer when he came back, but I loved these books though I agree that plot was not his strongest point.
SISKIYOU TWO STEP and FISH STORY are my favorites of the Denson series, and about as much fun as the pi novel of that era got.