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"Sister" Jane #17
Fox and Furious
“Sister” Jane Arnold must use her wits and savvy foxhunting skills to solve the mystery in this exciting new novel from New York Times bestselling author Rita Mae Brown.
In this newest installment of the foxhunting series, "Sister" Jane Arnold will have to team up with her hounds to solve the mystery.
In this newest installment of the foxhunting series, "Sister" Jane Arnold will have to team up with her hounds to solve the mystery.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published October 28, 2025
60 people are currently reading
4343 people want to read
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
177 books2,245 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 31 reviews
August 14, 2025
Massive warning that this is a mystery set in the world of foxhunting, which I’m not sure I realised when I requested the ARC. It does what I love my mysteries to do, which is immerse you into a world the author knows all about and I know nothing about, so I ended up learning loads reading this. Excellent characterization and Sister is a very solid character. Lots of funny lines too. This was my first book in the series and I understood enough to say that it can stand on its own - a murder over an inheritance.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC!
Many thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine for this ARC!
December 8, 2025
I love, love, love these books! It’s so much more than the mystery. The entire setting from Eastern Virginia to the hunting culture to the hounds and beagles fascinates me. I grew up on horseback in SoCal where cow culture dominates. It’s all about roping and rodeo. Fox hunting is well outside my experience. I love these people, the horses, the dogs, and the foxes. There’s a turtle. I can’t say more without spoiling the surprise. Everyone has a voice in Sister’s world. And justice prevails. How refreshing. The audiobook is read by the author. What a treat! Highly recommended!
September 9, 2025
whew. Thanks to NetGalley for this arc! This mystery was DENSE, especially when the first few pages give a long, long lisy of characters, their roles, and then terms for fox hunting that will be used throughout the read.
It was daunting and out of my comfort zone, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book!
It was daunting and out of my comfort zone, but I still thoroughly enjoyed the book!
December 30, 2025
3 stars. I really didn’t enjoy this book which surprised me bc I’ve loved every other book by this author that I’ve read. I wasn’t deterred by the background of hunting even though I’d never even given it a thought; I figured I’d learn something new. But the list of characters at the beginning was a bit daunting. I figured these were influential characters to be listed here, so why so many, and will all of them be “suspects”? Good grief! And added to that, was the detailed textbook narrative re hunting and the Virginia geography.
But I carried on. And it really didn’t get better for me.
The murder happened and not much of an investigation either by the law or by Sister who is portrayed as a novice sleuth capable of unearthing guilty parties.
In fact, the crime was solved by happenstance and right at the end leaving a few unanswered questions, in my opinion. It seemed like a rush to close out the narrative.
But I carried on. And it really didn’t get better for me.
The murder happened and not much of an investigation either by the law or by Sister who is portrayed as a novice sleuth capable of unearthing guilty parties.
In fact, the crime was solved by happenstance and right at the end leaving a few unanswered questions, in my opinion. It seemed like a rush to close out the narrative.
January 19, 2026
3.5 stars
In this 17th book in the 'Sister Jane' cozy mystery series, a feud between two brothers becomes deadly. The book can be read as a standalone.
*****
Jane Arnold, called "Sister", has been Master of Foxhounds (MFH) of the Jefferson Hunt - a foxhunting club in Albemarle County, Virginia - for over forty years.
As MFH Sister hires and fires personnel; makes arrangements with landowners; develops the pack of hounds; organizes the hunts; and so on. The foxhunts are very popular, and Sister is aided by an array of personnel who command the hounds and make sure things run smoothly.
As the story opens, it's October, 2024, and Sister is overseeing a joint hunt with the Nantucket-Treweryn Beagles, which hunts rabbits. The participants enjoy the event, though there's minor angst surrounding the Bradford family.
The Bradfords got very wealthy from timber mining, and ever since her husband died, matriarch Olivia Bradford has been overseeing the business and keeping the peace between her middle-aged sons Winston and Andrew.
Winston is Master of Beagles, and puts a lot of work into nonprofit companies, especially those addressing environmental concerns. Winston and his wife Beryl have been happily married for almost 30 years.
Winston's brother Andrew is Joint Master of Beagles, but has no brain for business, and just wants to have a good time. It bothers Andrew that Winston gets more respect than he does, though Andrew does nothing to deserve admiration. Andrew's reputation declines even further when he has a midlife crisis, divorces his wife Georgia, and marries a gorgeous young woman named Solange.
Andrew's ex-wife Georgia was hurt by the rejection, but ultimately realized she was happier without Andrew.
Winston and his wife Beryl; Andrew and his wife Solange; and Andrew's ex-wife Georgia all participate in the hunts. Everyone is polite, but there's an undercurrent of discomfort amongst them.
When matriarch Olivia Bradford has a stroke and dies, Winston and Andrew each inherit half of the Bradford estate. A brouhaha over the location of the beagle kennels leads to a vicious fight between Winston and Andrew, with punching, kicking, and threats.
After the next Jefferson Hunt, Andrew doesn't come in for the delicious post-hunt repast, and several club members go out to look for him.
Andrew's body is found in a farm equipment shed, impaled on the spider wheel tedder used to make hay bales. Solange screams, "Winston's killed my husband. I know it! I know it!"
The upshot is that Winston is arrested, but most people in the Jefferson Hunt think he's innocent. Sister and her friends discuss the situation, and suggest reasons Andrew may have been targeted: Was he dealing drugs? Did he make a bad business deal? Was another man interested in Solange? and so on.
While awaiting Winton's trial, Sister and the foxhunters have additional concerns. Fox hunts take place over large swaths of land, and hunt participants sometimes cross paths with deer hunters; moonshiners; trappers; or criminals with hidden stashes of guns. Encounters with these people can end in violence, and during one fox hunt, a man is found dead in a bear trap.
By the end of the book, all is revealed, and we learn how and why Andrew was killed.
The 'Sister' cozies by Rita Mae Brown are much more about foxhunting than solving a mystery, and the story features one foxhunt after another, each of which is described in detail. The hunts are seen not only from the POVs of the humans, but also of the dogs, horses, and foxes involved. There's also chatter from pet dogs and cats, all of which adds a fun element to the novel.
The book contains many scenes of Sister talking with her friends, or at home with her husband Gray and her pets: long-haired cat Golly; Doberman Raleigh; harrier Rooster; three rescued fox cubs; and a turtle called J. Edgar Hoover.
J.Edgar even gets a little skateboard, to roll around the house.
Rita Mae Brown includes beautiful word pictures of the Virginia landscape, which adds a wonderful ambiance to the story. I'd recommend the book to fans of Rita Mae Brown and people interested in foxhunting.
Thanks to Netgalley, Rita Mae Brown, and Ballantine Books for an ARC of the book.
You can follow my reviews at https://reviewsbybarbsaffer.blogspot.com
November 1, 2025
This is the latest in the line of books that Rita Mae Brown EXCELS with! ;) And if it's a Great Mystery that you're looking for...look no further!
These stories that she writes comes with all the mystery you can want...and the plus is all the verbal creatures that are along for the ride also!
If you want a continuing mystery...one that's set in the Beautiful Virginia countryside, here you go!
Highly Recommended for those mystery lovers...and everyone else!
November 6, 2025
Thank you to Goodreads, the author and publisher for a copy of this book.
I’m so excited to have been introduced to this series and amazed at the level of complexity of this book. This is my first introduction to the world of fox hunting, which made for an interesting backdrop for a murder mystery.
The explanation of the characters and lexicon at the start is very helpful tool, especially to someone new to the book series and hunting in general.
I’m so excited to have been introduced to this series and amazed at the level of complexity of this book. This is my first introduction to the world of fox hunting, which made for an interesting backdrop for a murder mystery.
The explanation of the characters and lexicon at the start is very helpful tool, especially to someone new to the book series and hunting in general.
September 22, 2025
Not an unbiased review because I love the author's different series.
2024. Set in Virginia where the state sport is Fox Hunting, and the state dog is Foxhound. Fortunately, there is an explanatory cast of characters at the beginning because there are so many verbal animals as well as an abundance of humans! Another positive aspect of this author's writing is that it stresses the importance of caring for wild animals as well as the household variety. This episode contains: greed and inheritance, sibling rivalry so intense that the brother who loudly and very publicly said he would kill the other but wound up as a corpse instead, support by the hunting community to move and care for the hounds, and a whole lot more devious and intricate relationships. Of course I loved it, there are dogs and woodland creatures!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam via NetGalley. Avail Oct 28, 2025
#FoxAndFuriest by #RitaMaeBrown #SisterJaneBk17 @randomhouse @ballantinebooks @bantambooks #anthropomorphism #americanfoxhunting #siblingrivalry #murder #CrimeNovel
2024. Set in Virginia where the state sport is Fox Hunting, and the state dog is Foxhound. Fortunately, there is an explanatory cast of characters at the beginning because there are so many verbal animals as well as an abundance of humans! Another positive aspect of this author's writing is that it stresses the importance of caring for wild animals as well as the household variety. This episode contains: greed and inheritance, sibling rivalry so intense that the brother who loudly and very publicly said he would kill the other but wound up as a corpse instead, support by the hunting community to move and care for the hounds, and a whole lot more devious and intricate relationships. Of course I loved it, there are dogs and woodland creatures!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam via NetGalley. Avail Oct 28, 2025
#FoxAndFuriest by #RitaMaeBrown #SisterJaneBk17 @randomhouse @ballantinebooks @bantambooks #anthropomorphism #americanfoxhunting #siblingrivalry #murder #CrimeNovel
December 29, 2025
“Fox and Furious” is the seventeenth book in Rita Mae Brown’s Sister Jane mystery series. While I’ve read all of the books in Brown’s Mrs. Murphy series, this is a fairly new series to me and it took a few books for me to really get into the series. The series is centered around fox hunting which is something I, as a New Englander, don’t get the appeal of, but I’ve grown to at least understand the concept while reading the series. The book is indeed heavy on the fox hunting aspects but it does help in understanding the main characters especially “Sister” Jane Arnold and her husband and friends. There’s so much fox hunting that I’m surprised the mystery – about who killed one of two feuding brothers – doesn’t get lost but it doesn’t. This isn’t a sit back and guess whodunit type of book – I wasn’t terribly surprised when the killer was revealed although the motive was a surprise – but more of a character driven mystery. If you like all plotlines in books neatly tied up with a bow this isn’t the book for you – Brown leaves more than a few questions unanswered. Still, it is an enjoyable mystery – fox hunting and all.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley.
October 18, 2025
This latest in the long running Sister Jane series might be most enjoyed by those familiar with Brown's world of talking animals and fox hunting (no foxes are harmed) in Virginia but she does provide a cast list and basic fox hunting info at the start and that will help new readers (as well as remind fans). Sister Jane's pal Olivia has unfortunately died, leaving behind two sons-Winston and Andrew- who do not like one another one bit. So much so that there's a murder (or did someone else do it). Sister Jane not only works to find the real villain she helps find care for their dogs. I like this series, which is admittedly quirky, for those talking creatures and for the atmospheric setting. And the mystery is good. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. A good read.
November 8, 2025
Another wonderful addition to the Sister Jane series! I love how these books remind me of the Disney movie Robin Hood with the talking animals but minus the fox hunting. I was saddened to read about Olivia's passing and leaving her two sons behind to continue their squabbling matches. This is a great book for those continuing the series or who are just starting out and wanting to read something a little different. I can't wait to see what's next in store!
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
I would love to thank the author, publisher and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC book in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2025
This is book 17 in the Sister Jane series. It can be read as a stand alone but you'll miss out on some of the background of the many familiar characters. This is the first I can remember that they are running beagles and hunting rabbits. the situations are the same as the animals all talk and share their thought about the inefficient human body with no sense of smell and bad hearing. When an elderly friend of Sister Jane dies the family starts feuding over the division of the estate. When a brother is murdered everyone in the community can't believe it. Sister Jane works with the local sheriff to prevent an innocent man from going to prison.
October 2, 2025
Fox and Furious by Rita Mae Brown continues the story of Sister Jane Arnold and her hunt pack, but with the addition of a hunting beagle kennel, which is different, as it is done on foot. As always, there is lots of intrigue, hunting by horseback and foot and mystery, when one of the beagle owners is murdered. As always, one is informed about bloodless hunting and the whole community around the hunting and a great deal of Southern information. Another chatty, informative and just fun to read story of Southern culture as one level sees it.
November 8, 2025
Welcome back to Sister Jane and her fox hunting cohorts. Fall is here and fox hunting is enjoying the cooler weather. The sport of hunting with beagles is introduced. Olivia loves beagles and has a pack for hunting. She also has two squabbling sons. After Olivia dies their squabbling intensifies and one of the sons is found dead. The hunt clubs puzzle the murder as they enjoy the fall season. I love this series and always enjoy learning something along with solving a mystery. #NetGalley
December 4, 2025
Fun book to read. Love the dogs and the three baby foxes. Characters were well developed. Plot and storyline took some time to unfold, but it was intriguing. Not a lot of twists and turns. Some humorous lines. It's always interesting to read about the fox and rabbit hunts. I truly enjoy the characters. Kept me engaged. The ending was quick and sort of abrupt but still effective. Highly recommend.
December 10, 2025
MAKE SURE you flip to the back of the book so you can see the delightful sketch of the turtle riding the skateboard! I think most people will miss it.
I absolutely LOVE this series, and really enjoyed this one. I wish Sister was a real person, and that I lived near her. I would have to follow the hunt with Aunt Daniella in the Range Rover, but it would still be fun!
Looking forward to finding out what happens with the fox cubs!
I absolutely LOVE this series, and really enjoyed this one. I wish Sister was a real person, and that I lived near her. I would have to follow the hunt with Aunt Daniella in the Range Rover, but it would still be fun!
Looking forward to finding out what happens with the fox cubs!
Read
November 26, 2025Loved it as usual. Could use a few more comma for those of us above the MD line, as she uses a lot of colloquial phrases. Would reduce my need to reread a sentence here and there. Love the characters both two and four legged. Half figured out the end but not completely. Liked that. Felt smart but still got a surprise
June 15, 2025
Any time you can join Sister Jane for a fox hunt, is a good time. After Olivia passes away, her sons begin to feud. After one ends up dead, the hunt begins for his killer. Join Sister and the gang as they look for the murderer.
June 19, 2025
I always enjoy Rita Mae Brown books and Fox and Furious was no exception. Fun, fast, interesting, and informative! Always these are good mysteries set in the rolling hills of Virginia hunt country.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.
October 30, 2025
Informative and fun
Once again Rita Mae Brown brings us fun, hunting, and mystery. Horses, hounds, and diverse people bring a dose of fun to a mystery.
Once again Rita Mae Brown brings us fun, hunting, and mystery. Horses, hounds, and diverse people bring a dose of fun to a mystery.
November 10, 2025
Great mystery. Wonderful characters.
November 11, 2025
Wonderful
November 15, 2025
Sister Jane
I love every single one of the books in this series & hope they keep coming. As a horseperson myself, I appreciate the accuracy of the horse information.
I love every single one of the books in this series & hope they keep coming. As a horseperson myself, I appreciate the accuracy of the horse information.
December 9, 2025
Another fun philosophical, murder mystery from the Master of Equines and Mysteries.
Want to read
December 10, 2025E
January 1, 2026
I'd like to see the animals more involved again
January 5, 2026
I usually enjoy her books no matter what series. but this one basically wrap the whole thing up in a page and a half and I don't like that.
January 14, 2026
I read a lot of Rita Mae Brown’s books, and I found this one to be fast paced, interesting, and pretty well rounded. I enjoyed it.
Read
January 17, 2026Enjoyed this read.
Learned many new words about a sporting event I knew nothing about.
Learned many new words about a sporting event I knew nothing about.
January 20, 2026
Fast paced with a twisty ending.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews