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"Sister" Jane #1
Outfoxed
From the bestselling author of the landmark work Rubyfruit Jungle comes an engaging, original new novel that only Rita Mae Brown could have written. In the pristine world of Virginia foxhunting, hunters, horses, hounds, and foxes form a lively community of conflicting loyalties, where the thrill of the chase and the intricacies of human-animal relationships are experienced firsthand--and murder exposes a proud Southern community's unsavory secrets. . . .
As Master of the prestigious Jefferson Hunt Club, Jane Arnold, known as Sister, is the most revered citizen in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain town where a rigid code of social conduct and deep-seated tradition carry more weight than money. Nearing seventy, Sister now must select a joint master to ensure a smooth transition of leadership after her death. It is an honor of the highest order--and one that any serious social climber would covet like the Holy Grail.
Virginian to the bone with a solid foxhunting history, Fontaine Buruss is an obvious candidate, but his penchant for philandering and squandering money has earned him a less than sparkling reputation. And not even Sister knows about his latest tawdry scandal. Then there is Crawford Howard, a Yankee in a small town where Rebel bloodlines are sacred. Still, Crawford has money--lots of it--and as Sister is well aware, maintaining a first-class hunt club is far from cheap.
With the competition flaring up, Southern gentility flies out the window. Fontaine and Crawford will stop at nothing to discredit each other. Soon the entire town is pulled into a rivalry that is spiraling dangerously out of control. Even the animals have strong opinions, and only Sister is able to maintain objectivity. But when opening hunt day ends in murder, she, too, is stunned.
Who was bold and skilled enough to commit murder on the field? It could only be someone who knew both the territory and the complex nature of the hunt inside out. Sister knows of three people who qualify--and only she, with the help of a few clever foxes and hounds, can lay the trap to catch the killer.
A colorful foray into an intriguing world, Outfoxed features a captivating cast of Southerners and their unforgettable animal counterparts. Rita Mae Brown has written a masterful novel that surprises, delights, and enchants.
As Master of the prestigious Jefferson Hunt Club, Jane Arnold, known as Sister, is the most revered citizen in the Virginia Blue Ridge Mountain town where a rigid code of social conduct and deep-seated tradition carry more weight than money. Nearing seventy, Sister now must select a joint master to ensure a smooth transition of leadership after her death. It is an honor of the highest order--and one that any serious social climber would covet like the Holy Grail.
Virginian to the bone with a solid foxhunting history, Fontaine Buruss is an obvious candidate, but his penchant for philandering and squandering money has earned him a less than sparkling reputation. And not even Sister knows about his latest tawdry scandal. Then there is Crawford Howard, a Yankee in a small town where Rebel bloodlines are sacred. Still, Crawford has money--lots of it--and as Sister is well aware, maintaining a first-class hunt club is far from cheap.
With the competition flaring up, Southern gentility flies out the window. Fontaine and Crawford will stop at nothing to discredit each other. Soon the entire town is pulled into a rivalry that is spiraling dangerously out of control. Even the animals have strong opinions, and only Sister is able to maintain objectivity. But when opening hunt day ends in murder, she, too, is stunned.
Who was bold and skilled enough to commit murder on the field? It could only be someone who knew both the territory and the complex nature of the hunt inside out. Sister knows of three people who qualify--and only she, with the help of a few clever foxes and hounds, can lay the trap to catch the killer.
A colorful foray into an intriguing world, Outfoxed features a captivating cast of Southerners and their unforgettable animal counterparts. Rita Mae Brown has written a masterful novel that surprises, delights, and enchants.
368 pages, Paperback
First published January 4, 2000
338 people are currently reading
1345 people want to read
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
173 books2,232 followersRita Mae Brown is a prolific American writer, most known for her mysteries and other novels (Rubyfruit Jungle). She is also an Emmy-nominated screenwriter.
Brown was born illegitimate in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She was raised by her biological mother's female cousin and the cousin's husband in York, Pennsylvania and later in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Starting in the fall of 1962, Brown attended the University of Florida at Gainesville on a scholarship. In the spring of 1964, the administrators of the racially segregated university expelled her for participating in the civil rights movement. She subsequently enrolled at Broward Community College[3] with the hope of transferring eventually to a more tolerant four-year institution.
Between fall 1964 and 1969, she lived in New York City, sometimes homeless, while attending New York University[6] where she received a degree in Classics and English. Later,[when?] she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts.[citation needed] Brown received a Ph.D. in literature from Union Institute & University in 1976 and holds a doctorate in political science from the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.
Starting in 1973, Brown lived in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In 1977, she bought a farm in Charlottesville, Virginia where she still lives.[9] In 1982, a screenplay Brown wrote while living in Los Angeles, Sleepless Nights, was retitled The Slumber Party Massacre and given a limited release theatrically.
During Brown's spring 1964 semester at the University of Florida at Gainesville, she became active in the American Civil Rights Movement. Later in the 1960s, she participated in the anti-war movement, the feminist movement and the Gay Liberation movement.
Brown took an administrative position with the fledgling National Organization for Women, but resigned in January 1970 over Betty Friedan's anti-gay remarks and NOW's attempts to distance itself from lesbian organizations. She claims she played a leading role in the "Lavender Menace" zap of the Second Congress to Unite Women on May 1, 1970, which protested Friedan's remarks and the exclusion of lesbians from the women's movement.
In the early 1970s, she became a founding member of The Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper collective in Washington, DC, which held that heterosexuality was the root of all oppression.
Brown told Time magazine in 2008, "I don't believe in straight or gay. I really don't. I think we're all degrees of bisexual. There may be a few people on the extreme if it's a bell curve who really truly are gay or really truly are straight. Because nobody had ever said these things and used their real name, I suddenly became [in the late 1970s] the only lesbian in America."
Brown was born illegitimate in Hanover, Pennsylvania. She was raised by her biological mother's female cousin and the cousin's husband in York, Pennsylvania and later in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Starting in the fall of 1962, Brown attended the University of Florida at Gainesville on a scholarship. In the spring of 1964, the administrators of the racially segregated university expelled her for participating in the civil rights movement. She subsequently enrolled at Broward Community College[3] with the hope of transferring eventually to a more tolerant four-year institution.
Between fall 1964 and 1969, she lived in New York City, sometimes homeless, while attending New York University[6] where she received a degree in Classics and English. Later,[when?] she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts.[citation needed] Brown received a Ph.D. in literature from Union Institute & University in 1976 and holds a doctorate in political science from the Institute for Policy Studies in Washington, D.C.
Starting in 1973, Brown lived in the Hollywood Hills in Los Angeles. In 1977, she bought a farm in Charlottesville, Virginia where she still lives.[9] In 1982, a screenplay Brown wrote while living in Los Angeles, Sleepless Nights, was retitled The Slumber Party Massacre and given a limited release theatrically.
During Brown's spring 1964 semester at the University of Florida at Gainesville, she became active in the American Civil Rights Movement. Later in the 1960s, she participated in the anti-war movement, the feminist movement and the Gay Liberation movement.
Brown took an administrative position with the fledgling National Organization for Women, but resigned in January 1970 over Betty Friedan's anti-gay remarks and NOW's attempts to distance itself from lesbian organizations. She claims she played a leading role in the "Lavender Menace" zap of the Second Congress to Unite Women on May 1, 1970, which protested Friedan's remarks and the exclusion of lesbians from the women's movement.
In the early 1970s, she became a founding member of The Furies Collective, a lesbian feminist newspaper collective in Washington, DC, which held that heterosexuality was the root of all oppression.
Brown told Time magazine in 2008, "I don't believe in straight or gay. I really don't. I think we're all degrees of bisexual. There may be a few people on the extreme if it's a bell curve who really truly are gay or really truly are straight. Because nobody had ever said these things and used their real name, I suddenly became [in the late 1970s] the only lesbian in America."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 152 reviews
August 2, 2011
I think that this book deserves constant love and praise as well as a pedastal to follow it around so it is always being worshipped. Yes, people, it is that good! Rita Mae Brown is a fantastic writer and her characters are so realistically flawed that you can imagine them as clearly as you can imagine your best friends. The relationships between the characters are full of the raw human emotion that exists in real life and the challenges that these characters face are heartbreaking. The beautiful Virginian countryside is a marvellous setting for this incredible mystery. I love all of the insight that it gives in regards to the sport of foxhunting. I had always thought that foxhunting was a cruel practice that was deadly for the foxes, but Sister's story taught me how much the foxhunters respect the foxes that they chase without any hope of catching and how they take care of their furry friends as best they can. The mystery is wonderfully woven through a cast of fantastic characters which is topped off by Sister herself, a woman that I admire as if she really existed, living out her days in the foothills of the Blue Mountains. Sister's place in the community is very interesting, and I only respect her more for not abusing that power. I would recommend this mystery to all fans of wonderful books, for it is so much more than just a detective story; rather, it is a story of love, heartbreak, friendship, and the beauty of nature.
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May 3, 2008
I've admired Rita Mae Brown for many years but had never read any of her "Sister Jane" mysteries until recently. I was hesitant the first time I picked one up at the library when I realized the series is largely centered around American Foxhunting - a sport I know zip about! - and that, in addition to the human characters, there is an entire cast of various animal characters as well. About midway through that first book, however, the concept began to grow on me. The characters, both animal and human, are well drawn, the stories entertaining and, as is typical of Rita Mae, reveal something about human nature and our relationships with one another. I am now working my way through the series and would highly recommend them!
September 5, 2019
This was a bit slow. It was the mystery. It didn't get started until after the halfway point. It involves drugs and murder. The rest of the story was more interesting. It involves horses, fox hunting, and dogs. The animals were the best characters, but I liked some of the humans, too. The autumn setting was lovely, especially since it was in Virginia.
November 11, 2022
Human aspects of this book were very interesting to me, and I enjoyed the overall human story very much. What I disliked was the anthropomorphism of hounds, foxes, and horses and the many "human" type conversations they had amongst themselves. This particular dislike will keep me from reading more in the series.
November 8, 2020
Interesting but verbose
I have enjoyed others in the author's foxhunting mysteries so thought to pick up the first book. I found the first half of this long novel more than a little excessive with tiny details about what the well dressed hunter wears, eats, and does. Sure some background is needed, but I suspect readers may get lost in the trivia and put the book away. At the halfway mark, the actual story begins. This part is good and moves right along. A distinguishing characteristic is the way that the hounds, horses, foxes, and other animals speak to one another and know what the humans are doing all while the latter remain ignorant of all that. Worthwhile, even with the drag of a start.
I have enjoyed others in the author's foxhunting mysteries so thought to pick up the first book. I found the first half of this long novel more than a little excessive with tiny details about what the well dressed hunter wears, eats, and does. Sure some background is needed, but I suspect readers may get lost in the trivia and put the book away. At the halfway mark, the actual story begins. This part is good and moves right along. A distinguishing characteristic is the way that the hounds, horses, foxes, and other animals speak to one another and know what the humans are doing all while the latter remain ignorant of all that. Worthwhile, even with the drag of a start.
May 27, 2017
I mostly enjoyed this book. I really liked the characters and love the talking animals. I was completely clueless when it came to the killer. My issue was that there was too much detail about fox hunting. The murder didn't even happen until over halfway thru the book. Some info on fox hunting would of been fine, but there was just too much detail, about hound bloodlines, clothes, and the hunts themselves. I hope that the next book doesn't go into as much detail because I would like to read more in this series. :)
May 9, 2021
I really liked this -- the structure is one that handled poorly I'd be likely to dismiss as gimmicky but instead this was a lot of fun, an interesting view of a murder through varied group's viewpoints, and a well-developed interconnection of societies that are highly structured in their way.
October 18, 2012
BOTTOM LINE: This first "Jane Arnold, Master of Jefferson Hunt, rural Virginia" novel is a truly fantastical cosy, but definitely not for those who do not enjoy talking animals, as there is a superfluity of them here. However, the plot - and characters are very well-done, and there's a nice leavening of humor throughout. Comfortable cosy, albeit annoying at times.
Hunt season is coming on, and The Jefferson Hunt is readying horses, dogs, and people for Opening Hunt. Unfortunately someone plans to kill one of the contenders for Joint Master (an extremely influential position, second only to Jane) on that day, and lays plans almost as carefully as Jane does, to ensure the desired result.
I always enjoy Rita Mae’s “take” on people and places, and she doesn’t disappoint here. The characters are wonderfully sassy, and the setting is a sort of glorified “Beatrix Potter’s Garden” for adults (all the animals talk to each other and can understand humans, although the reverse isn’t true), making this a place I very much enjoyed visiting. There was, however, far too much foxhunting detail for this city girl's taste, and while the buildup was enjoyable it was far too long - the murder doesn't occur until page 220 or so, and the book could have used some pruning, weighing in at over 400 pages. In an attempt to educate those of us who know absolutely nothing about foxhunting, there are far too many bits of information for a novice to grasp - I wanted to scream ” just get ON with it!” in many places, as my eyes glazed over.
The murder plot was classic with a nice twist, setting up not one but two positively despicable people that you’d gladly see murdered any old time. And the setting of “rich and privileged folks behaving badly” was really entertaining. Plus I absolutely adored Sister Jane, the Master of the Hunt, a savvy, energetic 70-year-old who takes no guff from anyone, be they human, horse, dog or wild animal. But this suffered from an overabundance of good things - too many wild rides over the beautiful landscape, too many instances of showing how awful the two potential murderees could be, and, a far more telling problem, there was far, far too much animal dialogue for my taste.
Rita Mae does that sort of thing better than almost anyone (except Rousseau Murphy IMO), but here she doesn’t seem to know when to quit. We “visit” with the foxes in their dens almost as often as we sit down with Jane, and that becomes wearing after a while. Although I must admit the “characters” of one little fox and one particular hound (why does that make me think of disney? ) were wonderful, really appealing, and I look forward to “meeting” them again along with Jane.
But Rita Mae needs to pare down the conversations between the animals to what is necessary, and also to tighten up her plotting. While the lead up to the murder is good (if too long), the actual murder itself is so complex as to be nearly totally incomprehensible. And the “catch” that you need to know to solve the puzzle is such an esoteric one that it’s almost missed, although Brown does mention it many times. What bothered me most was the denouement, wherein Jane leaves a note “telling all” for the murderer, in a place that, supposedly, only they would know (how or why is never cleared up) and expecting the murderer to turn themselves in, as is only proper for a Hunt Member In Good Standing. Fantasy. yep. But rather enjoyable for the most part.
Brown can do far better than this, although generally her mysteries do tend to depend upon character and setting far more than plots. This world she has set in motion is a rich and enjoyable one, and I will likely read more of this series, eventually.
Hunt season is coming on, and The Jefferson Hunt is readying horses, dogs, and people for Opening Hunt. Unfortunately someone plans to kill one of the contenders for Joint Master (an extremely influential position, second only to Jane) on that day, and lays plans almost as carefully as Jane does, to ensure the desired result.
I always enjoy Rita Mae’s “take” on people and places, and she doesn’t disappoint here. The characters are wonderfully sassy, and the setting is a sort of glorified “Beatrix Potter’s Garden” for adults (all the animals talk to each other and can understand humans, although the reverse isn’t true), making this a place I very much enjoyed visiting. There was, however, far too much foxhunting detail for this city girl's taste, and while the buildup was enjoyable it was far too long - the murder doesn't occur until page 220 or so, and the book could have used some pruning, weighing in at over 400 pages. In an attempt to educate those of us who know absolutely nothing about foxhunting, there are far too many bits of information for a novice to grasp - I wanted to scream ” just get ON with it!” in many places, as my eyes glazed over.
The murder plot was classic with a nice twist, setting up not one but two positively despicable people that you’d gladly see murdered any old time. And the setting of “rich and privileged folks behaving badly” was really entertaining. Plus I absolutely adored Sister Jane, the Master of the Hunt, a savvy, energetic 70-year-old who takes no guff from anyone, be they human, horse, dog or wild animal. But this suffered from an overabundance of good things - too many wild rides over the beautiful landscape, too many instances of showing how awful the two potential murderees could be, and, a far more telling problem, there was far, far too much animal dialogue for my taste.
Rita Mae does that sort of thing better than almost anyone (except Rousseau Murphy IMO), but here she doesn’t seem to know when to quit. We “visit” with the foxes in their dens almost as often as we sit down with Jane, and that becomes wearing after a while. Although I must admit the “characters” of one little fox and one particular hound (why does that make me think of disney? ) were wonderful, really appealing, and I look forward to “meeting” them again along with Jane.
But Rita Mae needs to pare down the conversations between the animals to what is necessary, and also to tighten up her plotting. While the lead up to the murder is good (if too long), the actual murder itself is so complex as to be nearly totally incomprehensible. And the “catch” that you need to know to solve the puzzle is such an esoteric one that it’s almost missed, although Brown does mention it many times. What bothered me most was the denouement, wherein Jane leaves a note “telling all” for the murderer, in a place that, supposedly, only they would know (how or why is never cleared up) and expecting the murderer to turn themselves in, as is only proper for a Hunt Member In Good Standing. Fantasy. yep. But rather enjoyable for the most part.
Brown can do far better than this, although generally her mysteries do tend to depend upon character and setting far more than plots. This world she has set in motion is a rich and enjoyable one, and I will likely read more of this series, eventually.
April 6, 2016
I found this book to be a different type of mystery book. I kept waiting for the murder to occur, but it only did approximately 2/3 through the book. I am still digesting this approach. While at times I found myself racing through the book to get to the "murder," I was fascinated with the juxtaposition of the conversations among the people and the animals. I know nothing about hunting so I did struggle with all the details that revolved around the hunt. I especially enjoyed the character of " Sister." What a no nonsense woman; I would like a friend like that! I think I am intrigued enough by this series to read the next installment. While I don't think that it will ever be one of my favorite series, I still may well find it a nice change of pace.
July 5, 2012
Jane, also known as Sister, now 70 years old is the matriarch of the fox and hound set in Virginia, must contend with all of the petty behavior of the selfish members of the locals. She must aslo keep the local rid-raff, criminals and thieves from destroying the age old life styles of the rich and infamous. It isn't easy. Especially when most of the wealthy feel that they are entitled to do anything they want, and the not so wealthy feel exactly the same way.
But Sister has it Ll under control...or does she?
But Sister has it Ll under control...or does she?
March 22, 2009
I was a bit nervous about starting this book. Not a book I would normally read. But I was impressed. The heroine is smart, mature and sophisticated. The author's details on the foxhunt are great. I actually really liked seeing the story not just from a human perspective, but from the animals perspective as well. The book did start out a bit slow, but I am hoping that the second book will be better.
September 1, 2015
This book is great if you want to learn about fox hunting. I knew nothing before I read the book and now I find the sport and the people involved very interesting. I would give the book four stars for the fox hunting knowledge that I gained. In contrast, the talking animals were very distracting to me and the murder didn't occur until so late in the book I found the crime solving to be rushed. I could only give the book two stars.
April 1, 2009
First in the "Sister" Jane fox hunting set in Virginia mystery series. Hunt master "Sister" Jane Arnold has her hands full in this mystery with a murder, heated rivalry between two over becoming joint masters that is splitting the hunt club, and various relationship problems. As in her other series, Brown has animal characters that play a prominent role in the story. A very enjoyable read.
June 11, 2011
I fell in love with "Sister" Jane and the hunt club so much, I tried to talk my husband into buying a 30 (or so) acre farm in Virginia. And we live in Southern California. It didn't work - I still live in Los Angeles. So I have to get my hunt club thrills vicariously and the "Sister" Jane series have been just the ticket.
December 10, 2011
Thus began my Sister Jane addiction. Being into foxhunting it was a joy to finally find a novel (a whole series!) dedicated to our sport. I found Sister Jane to be quite endearing and lovable and was sad when I'd finished the series.
June 13, 2022
3.5. There were a few things I really enjoyed about this book, and a few things that drove me crazy.
First of all, why include an index of useful terms at the end of the book? If I had known it was there, I would have consulted it during my reading. Most of the terms I figured out, but still......
Second, there were too many characters introduced too quickly with unusual names, that it was hard to keep everyone straight. I took some notes, but I still don't remember who Shaker was.
Third - to me, the ending was not satisfying. Actually kind of depressing..... And the solution to the mystery involved to0 much coincidence.
But - the story was definitely one I probably wouldn't have finished if it weren't chosen for a our book club. It is all about fox hunting in Virginia. And a murder that takes place during a hunt. (which, in the story, doesn't even happen til probably over halfway through). I was grateful to learn that the foxes aren't actually killed during these hunts. I had never thought about fox hunting before, but this book really opened met eyes to the traditions involved, the money, the time that are part of it. The idea I most enjoyed was the animals communicating with each other. The hounds and the foxes and the horses - and even the raven and the owl - (and even the house cat and pet dog) all talk to each other. It was fun to hear what they were saying, and how wise they were. And how they would actually help each other out and work together to help make the hunt more fun.
It was interesting to hear the differences between the eastern and western US. The East is definitely more tradition-bound, and thinks of itself as superior. If you aren't from Virginia, it's pretty hard to prove yourself worthy.
Sister, who was the main character, is very wise. But one of her comments irritated me. "Sexual escapades are a common and often amusing human frailty." With all the individuals who were hurt by these "escapades" in here, that seemed like a very cruel thing to say.
First of all, why include an index of useful terms at the end of the book? If I had known it was there, I would have consulted it during my reading. Most of the terms I figured out, but still......
Second, there were too many characters introduced too quickly with unusual names, that it was hard to keep everyone straight. I took some notes, but I still don't remember who Shaker was.
Third - to me, the ending was not satisfying. Actually kind of depressing..... And the solution to the mystery involved to0 much coincidence.
But - the story was definitely one I probably wouldn't have finished if it weren't chosen for a our book club. It is all about fox hunting in Virginia. And a murder that takes place during a hunt. (which, in the story, doesn't even happen til probably over halfway through). I was grateful to learn that the foxes aren't actually killed during these hunts. I had never thought about fox hunting before, but this book really opened met eyes to the traditions involved, the money, the time that are part of it. The idea I most enjoyed was the animals communicating with each other. The hounds and the foxes and the horses - and even the raven and the owl - (and even the house cat and pet dog) all talk to each other. It was fun to hear what they were saying, and how wise they were. And how they would actually help each other out and work together to help make the hunt more fun.
It was interesting to hear the differences between the eastern and western US. The East is definitely more tradition-bound, and thinks of itself as superior. If you aren't from Virginia, it's pretty hard to prove yourself worthy.
Sister, who was the main character, is very wise. But one of her comments irritated me. "Sexual escapades are a common and often amusing human frailty." With all the individuals who were hurt by these "escapades" in here, that seemed like a very cruel thing to say.
December 30, 2017
An interesting gaze into the world of gentrified foxhunting. It is a world, I confess, I know or care little about. However, an animal lover can smell another good enough so it kept me reading even though no one dies in this murder mystery until page 240. After that, the pace of the novel picks up considerably. The book is well written and the scenery and characters well painted. I suppose, if you hold a romanticized view of the perfectly pressed but incredibly fragile world of these country gents and ladies, then you will be interested enough in this telling of a story about horses, hounds and their prey. Me, I prefer the barefoot, jeans and flannel, messier world of Where the Red Fern Grows. Though I can admire the technical strength of the writing, the book didn't really work well for me until we had a dead body and a mystery to solve.
March 12, 2023
Outfoxed has a good plot, but there is more about foxhunt procedure and is told from the humans' viewpoint, the foxes' viewpoint, and the hounds' viewpoint. Occasionally, we will hear from a horse, but it is an insignificant comment. This can be a bit confusing as the humans have names, some of them with nicknames, the primary hounds have names, and the foxes have names. The description of the hunt grounds is beautiful and refreshing.
Don't expect very much attention to be given to the mystery aspect. There is a Mystery, it is spokes of in passing, and the solution is given a sentence or so, almost anticlimactic.
Overall, Outfoxed is a pleasant read, especially if you are not familiar with the ins and outs of foxhunting. Giving the animals voice is a reflective look at the impact upon and among these characters.
Don't expect very much attention to be given to the mystery aspect. There is a Mystery, it is spokes of in passing, and the solution is given a sentence or so, almost anticlimactic.
Overall, Outfoxed is a pleasant read, especially if you are not familiar with the ins and outs of foxhunting. Giving the animals voice is a reflective look at the impact upon and among these characters.
September 1, 2017
very slow start but turned out worth reading
the murder doesn't happen until you're about 60% through the book, so it was hard for me to find the story's center, especially given there were whole chunks of time when I felt I was drowning in the minutiae of Virginian fox hunting. (I thought I had somewhat of a handle on it after reading fantasies based on the hunt, but no.) Then, too, Sister Jane is obviously meant to be a sympathetic character, but I found her difficult to pace until after the murder when her personality begins to shine. I think the book was a slow setup to the series, but I look forward to the next story after coming to care for Sister, the dogs, foxes and human members of the hunt
the murder doesn't happen until you're about 60% through the book, so it was hard for me to find the story's center, especially given there were whole chunks of time when I felt I was drowning in the minutiae of Virginian fox hunting. (I thought I had somewhat of a handle on it after reading fantasies based on the hunt, but no.) Then, too, Sister Jane is obviously meant to be a sympathetic character, but I found her difficult to pace until after the murder when her personality begins to shine. I think the book was a slow setup to the series, but I look forward to the next story after coming to care for Sister, the dogs, foxes and human members of the hunt
November 7, 2018
This is a murder mystery set in hunt country near Warrenton, so it is full of
information about the particulars and traditions of the fox hunt, which I knew nothing about. While not for everyone, I found it fascinating and the main character of "Sister" reminded me of a local friend who invited me to come
to experience the hounds and the hunt. I regret not doing so, but it would
have been wise of me to have read this book first.
Also, Rita Mae Brown is an excellent, polished writer whom I had known from the headlines back in the day when she and Martina Navratilova were a celebrity news item. It is good to have finally experienced her murder mysteries; many of them are set in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains
near Charlottesville, Warrenton and Middleburg.
information about the particulars and traditions of the fox hunt, which I knew nothing about. While not for everyone, I found it fascinating and the main character of "Sister" reminded me of a local friend who invited me to come
to experience the hounds and the hunt. I regret not doing so, but it would
have been wise of me to have read this book first.
Also, Rita Mae Brown is an excellent, polished writer whom I had known from the headlines back in the day when she and Martina Navratilova were a celebrity news item. It is good to have finally experienced her murder mysteries; many of them are set in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains
near Charlottesville, Warrenton and Middleburg.
March 14, 2020
I have read Rita Mae Brown before and thought I would try this one since my husband worked for a hunt club at one time. I'm sorry, but I quit at Chapter 11. How do you get to Chapter 11 of a murder mystery and there is no murder? After giving up, I read other reviews. Apparently, the murder does not happen until two thirds into the book. While I enjoyed the details of the hunt club workings, it began to get extremely boring when not tied into a mystery. It was just talking. I understand about developing characters, but not to the detriment of the mystery plot. Side note- while I understand swearing seems to be the norm for a lot of authors, I am always disappointed when an author relies on swear words to express themselves. Listening to the audio version also made the swearing harsher.
November 2, 2017
Talkative Animals
A fun and fascinating reading exercise. The birds talk, the hounds talk, the red foxes talk, the grey foxes talk, and the horses chat. It an interesting device to move the plot forward, but I had to try to remember all of the names of these characters and finally did, but the story ended. The murderer is finally revealed and that was a surprise. I now know more than I will ever need to know about Fox hunting, but it made an interesting background for the mystery.
A fun and fascinating reading exercise. The birds talk, the hounds talk, the red foxes talk, the grey foxes talk, and the horses chat. It an interesting device to move the plot forward, but I had to try to remember all of the names of these characters and finally did, but the story ended. The murderer is finally revealed and that was a surprise. I now know more than I will ever need to know about Fox hunting, but it made an interesting background for the mystery.
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August 11, 2021wow, what detail about fox hunting. i appreciated the time we spent with the characters--the people and the animals were well-developed. the mystery started far into the book--past the halfway point--but was fun to unravel. Brown tells us the whole time who it probably is, but the final reveal is still exciting with everything else. i have a deep love for sister and all the animals. i'm hoping books going forward have a faster pace and spend less time describing in intense detail the appropriate garb for fox hunting. that is to say, in curious enough to try book 2 but i'm also wary
April 11, 2024
If you loved Nancy Drew as a kid, you'll love the Sister Jane series. After reading all of them I have yet to guess the culprit of any mystery before the end. A predictable format but a mastery of red herrings that leaves you wondering throughout and satisfied at the end. You can sense the authors passion for ethical and traditional fox hunting, much of which is integrated deeply in each book. Her reverence for the animals is apparent from the quiet voices given to the animals within her stories, as much a part of the plot as the humans. Cozy, fun, a little scandalous, and utterly unique.
March 27, 2025
I loved the story. Unfortunately I listened to the audiobook. I suspect this is a book better read than listened to. Everybody talks - the people, the dogs, the horses, he chickens, the foxes. And lines of dialog didn't always name the speakers. Worst of all, the book was read by the author. Authors should NEVER read their books. The author would gulp air in the most awkward places, leaving unnatural pauses. I give 4 stars to the story - it is very good; and one star to the narrator. She was HORRIBLE!!
May 22, 2017
4 Star book!!!
I enjoyed it once the action picked up. Nothing major happened until halfway through. 56% to be exact, so the first half was really slow for me. But after that, everything happened really quickly. I really loved that the readers could hear the animal's conversations and know their side of the story. I definitely recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries, and if you don't mind reading through the first half.
I enjoyed it once the action picked up. Nothing major happened until halfway through. 56% to be exact, so the first half was really slow for me. But after that, everything happened really quickly. I really loved that the readers could hear the animal's conversations and know their side of the story. I definitely recommend this book if you like cozy mysteries, and if you don't mind reading through the first half.
April 2, 2020
3.5 stars. A fun, light mystery introducing "Sister " Jane Arnold, master of the Jefferson Fox Hunting club. There's a rather large cast of characters, human and animal, who are involved in figuring out and persuading Jane about who should be chosen for the title of joint master. A murder occurs in the midst of a hunt, and Jane pulls the clues together to figure out "who done it." Lots of fox hunting terminology. Thankfully there is a glossary at the end.
August 4, 2023
This book is a very detailed description of foxhunting in Virginia. The author is, not surprisingly, a master of the hunt herself. The fun part of the book is the conversations among the animals...foxes gray and red, owls and ravens, hounds and horses. In my opinion, the details about the hunting humans are overlong and boring. The mystery is pretty much secondary to the story, and the conclusion unsatisfying, at least to me. I want to know what will happen to the young murderer!
September 18, 2017
I have read many books by Rita Mae Brown. This one was so confusing. It spent so much time explaining the proper hunting gear even though I will never go foxhunting in my life. TMI. Halfway through the book, when the murder occurred, it actually got interesting. I hope the next in the series is not as focused on what to wear in the hunt.
November 20, 2017
This isn't up to Rita May Brown's usual standards. Maybe an early book? No! Written after my favorite Sneaky Pie series. Hmmm.
Excruciating detail about fox hunting slow down the pace. There is a significant fact thrown in out of the blue late in the book, but not used. The animal characters are engaging, more so than most of the humans.
Excruciating detail about fox hunting slow down the pace. There is a significant fact thrown in out of the blue late in the book, but not used. The animal characters are engaging, more so than most of the humans.
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