Most biologists believe the worst thing about field biology is watching everything else have sex except you. Robyn Devara is no exception. In the remote logging town of Marten Valley, Robyn knows she's not likely to win popularity contests, much less get any dates. After all, she's there to survey the old-growth forest for spotted owls, and, if she finds any of the endangered birds, it's going to mean big changes for the people of Marten Valley. As it turns out, hostile locals and militant environmentalists are the least of Robyn's problems after she discovers a body in the forest; the body of a logging foreman, murdered by the well-aimed thrust of a tree spike.While angry townspeople point accusing fingers at the environmentalists, Robyn isn't sure what to think. Is the dead man's murder connected to the spotted owl controversy? His flirtations and unfaithful wife? A disgruntled employee? Or does the killing have something to do with a possibily illegal clearcut that Robyn and her attractive male colleague have discovered? Robyn has a vested interest in finding out: somebody leaves a mutilated owl on her car; the dead man's wife turns out to be an old acquaintance; and she herself happens to be one of hte suspects and, potentially, another victim. Robyn must sort through all the clues to clear her name and find the killer...before she, too, becomes an endangered species.

Karen Dudley wrote a short stack of wildlife biology books for kids before trying her hand at mystery--mostly for the satisfaction of ‘bumping off’ people who irritate her in real life. Then after four environmental mysteries, she had an epiphany . . . she wanted to write fantasy! So she did. Her historical fantasies take place in ancient Greece, and they still include the odd corpse (which is not surprising, given the number of annoying personalities in the world) as well as deities and the odd mythical monster. Her first Epicurian Epic, Food for the Gods, has been nominated for the prestigious Aurora awards, the Boney Blithe award for Humours Mystery, A High Plains Book Award nomination for best culinary book as well as the Mary Scorer Award for Best Book by a Manitoba Publisher. It's follow up, Kraken Bake will be released next spring.

Karen Dudley's profile page

• Short-listed, Arthur Ellis Best First Novel

"Dudley writes her characters with wit, realism and charm." --Canadian Bookseller

Canadian Bookseller

"If her first novel, Hoot to Kill, is any indication, Karen Dudley...has a bright future ahead in the mystery genre." --Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press

"...feel-good, crack-paced, chuckly and informative..." --Quill and Quire

Quill and Quire

"Karen Dudley's Hoot to Kill is a refreshing blend of murder, environmental infighting and owl lore.... the discerning reader will welcome Robyn, a bright and funny addition to Canadian crime fiction." --Gail Bowen, author of Verdict in Blood

Gail Bowen, author of Verdict in Blood