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"Sister" Jane #14
Thrill of the Hunt (Center Point Platinum Fiction
It’s the start of fox-hunting season and Sister is training a new generation of hounds in eager anticipation of Opening Hunt. But before they make it to that exciting day, several members of the hunt club receive ominous videos in which they appear to be doing scandalous, career-ending deeds. The videos are doctored, but does it matter? The unknown blackmailer promises to publish the clips if they don’t get paid, and even the most upstanding citizen can be brought down by the court of public opinion.
392 pages, Library Binding
Published October 1, 2022
About the author
Rita Mae Brown
176 books2,325 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 to an unmarried teenage mother and her married boyfriend 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 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 where she received a degree in Classics and English. In 1968 she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts. 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. 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."
Edited with information from Wikipedia
Brown was born to an unmarried teenage mother and her married boyfriend 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 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 where she received a degree in Classics and English. In 1968 she received another degree in cinematography from the New York School of Visual Arts. 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. 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."
Edited with information from Wikipedia
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
February 6, 2022
I have read all of the books of the Sister Jane Series. Thrill of the Hunt was no exception. As an ex-fox hunter I enjoyed the descriptions of cubbing and Opening Day of the hunt. It brought many wonderful memories of my fox hunting days.. Besides the hunting a lot is happening in this book. Jane Arnold is the main character. She is the Master of Foxhounds of the Jefferson Hunt. The other supporting characters from the first of the series add to the story as well as the addition of new characters. I love that the foxhounds, foxes and horses all have dialog amongst themselves. There is two parts to this story. Crawford Harold has bought and is restoring Old Paradise, The plantation was originally built by Sophie Marquet. She got her fortune by robbing the British with the help of her slave, Ransom Patrick. There is rumors that she buried her fortune on the property. Jane has hired Ryan Stokes and his assistant Ayanda Freedman to follow the hunt to make a video of the hunt as a fund raiser for the hunt. To the surprise of everyone two of their members, Greg Wilson and Arnold Snyder have committed suicide . They are both successful in their businesses.. Both Crawford and Jane get a blackmail email telling them that they have to drop off money at certain locations. The reader is taken on a comical adventure of trying to outwit the blackmailers as well as find out who they are. The story comes to a surprising and exciting end.
I look forward to the next adventure of Jane and the members of Jefferson Hunt.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC.
I look forward to the next adventure of Jane and the members of Jefferson Hunt.
Thank you NetGalley and Ballantine Books for this ARC.
August 14, 2022
It’s time for fox hunting again in Crozet, Virginia. It’s been a good start to the fox hunting year and it looks to be a go despite covid. But there’s a lot going on. The hunt has hired a videographer to film the season. There’s a cluster of suicides with unlikely victims. Drones seem to be flying over the farms for unexplained reasons. It seems unlikely they will find the solution to everything that is going on. This is another enjoyable book. I always enjoy the hunting stories. The mystery is pretty involved in this one but very interesting. I enjoyed the read.
August 6, 2022
This is the 14th book in the Sister Jane series and it's a good one. The fox hunting season is just getting started and COVID protocalls are in effect. Sister Jane is perplexed when a good friend is found dead with the call of suicide as the cause. She can't imagine her friend killing himself. I love this series with the human characteristics for all the animals involved. From the horses, the hounds and the foxes. The story is complex and the mystery is well written. Always a little history involved.
May 18, 2022
Love the slow continuation of covid in the timeline. Very interesting use and mis-use of drones, with thought provoking ramifications to consider.
September 5, 2022
I have been a fan of this author for many years. I enjoy all the characters: human and animal alike. I must say that her Mrs. Murphy series is actually much more enjoyable than the Sister Jane. Ms. Brown is an avid fox hunter and these books go into great detail about hunt clubs. Do not shy away from the series thinking that there is animal cruelty. The riders do not harm the fox; they are in it for the thrill of the chase. Actually, landowners involved actually fill feed boxes with high quality medicated food to keep the foxes healthy. Ms. Brown’s characters include older foxes who prefer to stay at home and sly foxes with multiple dens who like to give the hounds a run for their money. The discussion of whether or not giving chase is animal cruelty is not a topic that I chose to address.
I found the book disappointing because the hunt descriptions took precedence to the storyline. Brown had so much description of cubbing, and hunting that it became a tedious interruption of the story. The plot was poorly crafted and the mystery was obvious. If the author had spent even half as much effort and page space on the story instead of the hunt club descriptions the book would have been a much better read.
Although this did not effect my rating, I also have to comment about the treatment of COVID in the story. Too many books in the past couple years have let the disease darken what would otherwise be an “easy , breezy read”. The author touches on the issue mentioning social distancing and masks on a few occasions but not making a big deal about it. She even points out that some club members followed protocol and others didn’t which reflects the casual attitudes often shown. The illness is addressed but not belabored and does not effect or overwhelm the story. Kudos for that. I only wish that there would have been more concern shown on Jane’s part. As a senior citizen the character is in a high risk category and should have taken a little more care. It would have been easy for the author to find a better balance on the topic.
I found the book disappointing because the hunt descriptions took precedence to the storyline. Brown had so much description of cubbing, and hunting that it became a tedious interruption of the story. The plot was poorly crafted and the mystery was obvious. If the author had spent even half as much effort and page space on the story instead of the hunt club descriptions the book would have been a much better read.
Although this did not effect my rating, I also have to comment about the treatment of COVID in the story. Too many books in the past couple years have let the disease darken what would otherwise be an “easy , breezy read”. The author touches on the issue mentioning social distancing and masks on a few occasions but not making a big deal about it. She even points out that some club members followed protocol and others didn’t which reflects the casual attitudes often shown. The illness is addressed but not belabored and does not effect or overwhelm the story. Kudos for that. I only wish that there would have been more concern shown on Jane’s part. As a senior citizen the character is in a high risk category and should have taken a little more care. It would have been easy for the author to find a better balance on the topic.
June 17, 2022
Review: Thrill of the Hunt (Rita Mae Brown). I took this from the new books section of the local library last time I was in there. Then I realized it wasn't part of Rita Mae Brown/Sneaky Pie Brown's series of mysteries I love, but another series altogether (the Sister Jane series, about 10 in all; I may well have read one earlier without realizing it also was a different series). Sigh. Anyway, I enjoyed this book, mostly; clearly Rita Mae Brown writes well, and again, there are many animals, all of whom can speak with each other. The mystery was interesting, but it definitely played second fiddle to the recounting of the fox hunting tradition, in which the author is clearly steeped. I found much of this interesting, but for someone unfamiliar with it all, it bordered on the tedious when (in spite of the explanation of terms at the beginning) so much was couched in specialized language which was overwhelming to someone unfamiliar with the hunt. It was cool at least to learn that foxes are never killed anymore in hunts, either here or in Britain. And so very many characters, all with names... humans, hounds, and foxes, with an occasional other tossed in for good measure. It was very confusing sometimes to figure out what name went with what species. So I don't think I'll seek out more of this particular series, as it doesn't appeal to me nearly as much as the Sneaky Pie series. What a prolific author!
June 14, 2022
This one was marginally better than the last one but, all in all, I found it rather dry and boring in a lot of spots. I didn’t enjoy it anywhere near as much as books 1-12.
May 25, 2022
I think I love the animals more than the people!
Thrill of the Hunt is book 14 in Rita Mae Brown's Sister Jane series. Once again, Rita Mae Brown dazzled me with her masterful plot and character development. There were so much action, twists and turns in this novel I was totally surprised when the villain was finally revealed! I Don't know how Ms. Brown keeps her storyline organized in her mind. I picture her storyboard must be very complex and enormous!
None of Rita Mae's novels can be read quickly. Full of historical facts , detailed explanations of fox hunting and vivid descriptions of Virginia countryside, her writing is meant to be savored ,like a fine wine. My favorite way to read her works is curled up in front of my fireplace with a cup of my favorite tea and my dogs at my feet. Especially when reading the Sister Jane series, I disappear into the story, soaring on a horse over the Virginia countryside, and for a time ignore the real world around me.
I love the continuing historical saga of of Old Paradise farm and its owner during the Revolutionary War that is the center of a lot of the action in Thrill of the Hunt. The characters are multigenerational and I love that Sister Jane, in her seventies is as spry and athletic as her protege Tootie in her early twenties! And Aunt Dan is ageless! In Thrill of the Hunt, Sister Jane is enjoying her recent marriage, which makes her character even more delightful!
But I think what is the most enjoyable part of this series is learning how the animals think and view the humans in these stories. Rita Mae Brown development of the personalities of Sister Jane's horses and hounds is so imaginative! In Thrill of the Hunt she introduces some new hounds and new foxes. The animals' interactions are quirkier than the humans! I was laughing out loud at some of the conversations between the hounds and the foxes.
My only complaint is the way Rita Mae handles the politics around the COVID pandemic. Much of the time Sister Jane bemoans and dismisses the outbreak as it interferes with "The Hunt" and socializing with friends and neighbors. While it fits with Sister's character, it downplays the devastating affect that the virus had on our most vulnerable senior population. The nonchalant way the Hunt Club complied with mask mandates and social distancing had me, as healthcare provider ready to shout obscenities at people who were not real! Again, another example of how engaging and relatable Me. Brown's novel can be!
I continue to have Rita Mae Brown on my Must Read shelf. Her creative mind is a wonder to behold. I never miss a novel of hers and recommend you don't either!
Thrill of the Hunt is book 14 in Rita Mae Brown's Sister Jane series. Once again, Rita Mae Brown dazzled me with her masterful plot and character development. There were so much action, twists and turns in this novel I was totally surprised when the villain was finally revealed! I Don't know how Ms. Brown keeps her storyline organized in her mind. I picture her storyboard must be very complex and enormous!
None of Rita Mae's novels can be read quickly. Full of historical facts , detailed explanations of fox hunting and vivid descriptions of Virginia countryside, her writing is meant to be savored ,like a fine wine. My favorite way to read her works is curled up in front of my fireplace with a cup of my favorite tea and my dogs at my feet. Especially when reading the Sister Jane series, I disappear into the story, soaring on a horse over the Virginia countryside, and for a time ignore the real world around me.
I love the continuing historical saga of of Old Paradise farm and its owner during the Revolutionary War that is the center of a lot of the action in Thrill of the Hunt. The characters are multigenerational and I love that Sister Jane, in her seventies is as spry and athletic as her protege Tootie in her early twenties! And Aunt Dan is ageless! In Thrill of the Hunt, Sister Jane is enjoying her recent marriage, which makes her character even more delightful!
But I think what is the most enjoyable part of this series is learning how the animals think and view the humans in these stories. Rita Mae Brown development of the personalities of Sister Jane's horses and hounds is so imaginative! In Thrill of the Hunt she introduces some new hounds and new foxes. The animals' interactions are quirkier than the humans! I was laughing out loud at some of the conversations between the hounds and the foxes.
My only complaint is the way Rita Mae handles the politics around the COVID pandemic. Much of the time Sister Jane bemoans and dismisses the outbreak as it interferes with "The Hunt" and socializing with friends and neighbors. While it fits with Sister's character, it downplays the devastating affect that the virus had on our most vulnerable senior population. The nonchalant way the Hunt Club complied with mask mandates and social distancing had me, as healthcare provider ready to shout obscenities at people who were not real! Again, another example of how engaging and relatable Me. Brown's novel can be!
I continue to have Rita Mae Brown on my Must Read shelf. Her creative mind is a wonder to behold. I never miss a novel of hers and recommend you don't either!
March 10, 2022
After reading the rest of the Sister Jane mysteries by Rita Mae Brown, I have been looking forward to The Thrill of the Hunt and it definitely did not disappoint. Set in the fall of 2020, the country is beginning to recover from the COVID-19 Pandemic and the members of the Jefferson Hunt are looking forward to the new hunt season while trying to remain healthy and safe. Shortly after the first outing of the season, one of the members of the hunt commits suicide. Shortly after a second member of the community also commits suicide and another person receives a blackmail letter. It is up to Jane, her husband, and several of their friends to try to determine why the suicides, who is responsible for the blackmail and if the incidents are all connected.
I thoroughly enjoy reading all of Rita Mae Brown's books as she has done an excellent job of creating characters, relationships and storylines that maintain consistency throughout each series and give insight into hobbies and regions that most people have no way of knowing or understanding except through these books. Another strongly positive aspect of these books is the way that the characters interact with each other across age, race and economic status demonstrating that it is in fact possible for harmony to exist within communities with just a little work and understanding. I look forward to more installments in this series as I am sure that Sister Jane has much more life and adventures still left in her.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
I thoroughly enjoy reading all of Rita Mae Brown's books as she has done an excellent job of creating characters, relationships and storylines that maintain consistency throughout each series and give insight into hobbies and regions that most people have no way of knowing or understanding except through these books. Another strongly positive aspect of these books is the way that the characters interact with each other across age, race and economic status demonstrating that it is in fact possible for harmony to exist within communities with just a little work and understanding. I look forward to more installments in this series as I am sure that Sister Jane has much more life and adventures still left in her.
I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing in exchange for a fair and honest review.
May 20, 2022
The Thrill of the Hunt by Rita Mae Brown is an entertaining book, if somewhat confusing to a person with no background in fox hunting or the intricacies of raising hunting hounds. It has moments that confuse me as the reader can hear the thoughts and communications of all the animals: hounds, foxes, and horses. Brown does a good job of delineating when it is an animal speaking but it takes some getting used to. This time, it is the beginning of the season and things are just getting underway. There is no serious hunting yet. The club has commissioned a videographer to record the hunt in all its aspects, both as a souvenir and a fundraiser. He is always there and yet, never in the way.
First it was a suicide, of their good friend, Greg, and then another suicide, no as good a friend, but someone they knew. Next came the blackmail. then the attempted suicide of Greg's wife, then the reason why. They were all aghast. The blackmail was trumped up but the public would never understand that. Then more blackmail. The mystery was a good one and it took a while to solve. The reasons were obscure. The crimes were clever. It all led to the cause: money. It all became apparent without much investigation. This is a different kind of cozy mystery, full of interesting personalities, all subtle, not in your face. A little politics, but really no hint of which side they are on. It is just past the pandemic and there are comments on that, as well, all subtle. Good read.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Thrill of the Hunt by Ballantine Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ballantine #ritamaebrown #thethrillfothehunt
First it was a suicide, of their good friend, Greg, and then another suicide, no as good a friend, but someone they knew. Next came the blackmail. then the attempted suicide of Greg's wife, then the reason why. They were all aghast. The blackmail was trumped up but the public would never understand that. Then more blackmail. The mystery was a good one and it took a while to solve. The reasons were obscure. The crimes were clever. It all led to the cause: money. It all became apparent without much investigation. This is a different kind of cozy mystery, full of interesting personalities, all subtle, not in your face. A little politics, but really no hint of which side they are on. It is just past the pandemic and there are comments on that, as well, all subtle. Good read.
I was invited to read a free e-ARC of The Thrill of the Hunt by Ballantine Books, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #ballantine #ritamaebrown #thethrillfothehunt
September 8, 2022
I just binged the audiobooks of the whole series and thoroughly enjoyed them. Honestly, I’m just here for the hunting. I was raised on horseback, but in a western saddle. I had no idea there were fox hunting clubs in America. I am in love! I’m in love with these people, their sport, their clothes, their horses and hounds, the state of Virginia (which I have never wanted to visit until now). I’m in love with RMB again, now that I know she’s a Master of Fox Hounds and spends half her time on horseback. I used to read the Sneaky Pie novels way back in the day, but I moved on and hadn’t read her in decades. I’m so glad I picked up this series. These are country people with country values, practical faith, and conservative politics, like me. Nobody cares more for the environment than hunters, and nobody cares more about people than farmers. So refreshing these days when some authors feel compelled to openly insult any reader who isn’t Woke. I hate that. It was a little jolting to hear the author read her own book at first. She’s definitely not a professional. But I got used to it pretty quickly and came to enjoy her. Her passion for her subject makes up for her style. Highly recommend. If you listen to audiobooks regularly you won’t like her at first, but hang in there. She is Sister Jane.
May 5, 2024
I have read the entire series and I am currently in the process of rereading it. I'm almost done since this is the next to last book so far. I have noticed during my rereads that certain characters, once mentioned in several books, have suddenly disappeared with no explanation. Sylvia, Lorraine and X to start with. Also certain animal inconsistencies, some hounds have vanished for no apparent reason like Diddy, and in one book "Violet" was giving birth but there are no "V" hounds. There are others I could mention but I particularly wanted to mention a big inconsistency that happens in this book. Target has suddenly changed from being a red to being a gray? In the cast of characters at the beginning of the book, his name is listed under the reds but (gray) is also after his name. Not too far into the book it says he is a gray. Since Charlene is his mate that makes her a gray too but she is also under the reds. Frankly I think Target would find being called a gray insulting.
Anyway, I did enjoy the book both the first and second times through even though I did figure out whodunnit pretty early on. I wish the author would address the inconsistencies in some way.
Anyway, I did enjoy the book both the first and second times through even though I did figure out whodunnit pretty early on. I wish the author would address the inconsistencies in some way.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 2, 2022
It should be a happy time for the Jefferson Hunt-they've survived the worst of the pandemic and are back out in the field. Sister Jane is especially pleased. But then, sadly, one member commits suicide and then another and someone is trying to blackmail others! Sister Jane, our intrepid heroine, along with her friends, both human, and animal, figure out what's going on and put a stop to the bad behavior. Know that there's a last cast to this, especially of animals (yes, the animals talk, a lot) but there is a list at the beginning of the novel. I'm a fan of this series for the animals (yes), the details of the hunt, and the mysteries. Sister Jane is a hoot. Thanks to netgalley for the ARC. It's the latest in a long running series but likely accessible and enjoyable as a standalone.
October 15, 2022
A good read.
A thoroughly predictable read, I still
found it enjoyable. I am glad to see that "Sister Jane" AKA Rita Mae Brown, has somewhat toned down her very right wing politics. I do not share her reactionary politics and don't want to read the drivel in a pleasure book. I disagree strongly with the whitewash view of slavery that Ms. Brown puts in her books. Nevertheless, I do like the animal characters but wish they had played a bigger role in the book. I say that she's predictable because every time she introduces a new character they end up dying or are the antagonist.
A thoroughly predictable read, I still
found it enjoyable. I am glad to see that "Sister Jane" AKA Rita Mae Brown, has somewhat toned down her very right wing politics. I do not share her reactionary politics and don't want to read the drivel in a pleasure book. I disagree strongly with the whitewash view of slavery that Ms. Brown puts in her books. Nevertheless, I do like the animal characters but wish they had played a bigger role in the book. I say that she's predictable because every time she introduces a new character they end up dying or are the antagonist.
June 2, 2022
as always Rita, a wonderful book !
I’ve read all of the Sister Jane books along with all the Mrs. Murphy books. I loved this because it rang true. The deaths were shocking. As much of a curmudgeon Crawford is, I’m glad he’s back in the good graces of Jefferson Hunt. All the characters have real personalities and speak as if the are all different. You can tell if it’s Betty talking vs. Tootie. Oh I love Aunt Dan and her stories that could curl your hair.
As you can tell, I loved this book. Thank you Rita !
I’ve read all of the Sister Jane books along with all the Mrs. Murphy books. I loved this because it rang true. The deaths were shocking. As much of a curmudgeon Crawford is, I’m glad he’s back in the good graces of Jefferson Hunt. All the characters have real personalities and speak as if the are all different. You can tell if it’s Betty talking vs. Tootie. Oh I love Aunt Dan and her stories that could curl your hair.
As you can tell, I loved this book. Thank you Rita !
May 21, 2022
Absolutely Worth the Wait
I have read all of the Sister Jane series and I loved them all. I pre-ordered this book months ago and couldn't wait to get it. It was NOT a disappointment. I'm a former fox hunter myself and her descriptions of the hunt are spot on. I'm also a big fan of mysteries and can usually figure out who done it. Not this time! It was an exhilarating hunt. Tallyho!
I have read all of the Sister Jane series and I loved them all. I pre-ordered this book months ago and couldn't wait to get it. It was NOT a disappointment. I'm a former fox hunter myself and her descriptions of the hunt are spot on. I'm also a big fan of mysteries and can usually figure out who done it. Not this time! It was an exhilarating hunt. Tallyho!
June 14, 2022
I love this series & recommend it to any horse lover or dog lover, especially those with an interest in fox hunting. Please note that NO FOXES ARE HARMED in ANY book in this series! The Hunt Club members feed the wild foxes, medicate them and do their best to keep the foxes healthy & happy, as there would be no sport without the clever, wily foxes! The author knows fox hunting thoroughly, and her expertise shows in every novel. How I wish I could ride with the Jefferson Hunt!
April 14, 2023
I picked this up because Rita Mae Brown is a popular author and I had never read her before. I thought it might be a fun read. But there is very little plot in this mystery. Mostly it is descriptions of fox hunting in the Virginia countryside. The characters are affable enough, but they have all apparently been introduced in previous books, and the relationships don't grow or change. Her earlier books might be better--I wouldn't start with this one.
March 21, 2024
awful
I can’t believe There is an entire series like this. There is, first of all, a huge amount of trivial garbage about fox hunting, most of which is boring pretentious nonsense, and a huge cast of characters, which is totally unnecessary. The mystery itself was totally obvious from the first: duh, video guy shooting the hunt and blackmailing people with videos? Sherlock Holmes this writer isn’t. Horrible.
I can’t believe There is an entire series like this. There is, first of all, a huge amount of trivial garbage about fox hunting, most of which is boring pretentious nonsense, and a huge cast of characters, which is totally unnecessary. The mystery itself was totally obvious from the first: duh, video guy shooting the hunt and blackmailing people with videos? Sherlock Holmes this writer isn’t. Horrible.
February 15, 2022
I love the Sister Jane series. I have learned so much about fox hunting and the unknown parts of how the hunts work. This time two locals commit suicide with no apparent reason. On the outside their lives look happy and fulfilling. Meanwhile there is activity at night in one of the local historical cemeteries. Sister and the gang work together to solve the mysteries.
June 9, 2022
I love the Sister Jane series with all the quirky neighbors and the animal characters as well. This book set in Fall of 2020 makes comments on the pandemic as people had began to adjust to masking and such. The mystery of being blackmailed - and caused two suicides; was the mystery that needed solved along with the treasure hunt for antique gold. Fun relaxing read !
June 16, 2022
Loved this! I would give it a higher rating then a 5...
Every time the author manages to teach me something, in addition to all the enjoyment I get from her books. She mentioned a famous photo of Jackie Kennedy falling off her horse, which led to me finding many, many photos of the former first lady and her horses.
Every time the author manages to teach me something, in addition to all the enjoyment I get from her books. She mentioned a famous photo of Jackie Kennedy falling off her horse, which led to me finding many, many photos of the former first lady and her horses.
Read
October 10, 2022library book,
Story of Virginia hunting club. Diverse group. Two members commit suicide. Master of hunt (Jane/Sister), black female; hubby is black computer/finance executive (Gary); (Sam) Gary's brother, hound n horse keeper; Aunt Dani...
The photographer did it!!! Two suicides were involved in sex for hire scheme. Oh my!!!
Story of Virginia hunting club. Diverse group. Two members commit suicide. Master of hunt (Jane/Sister), black female; hubby is black computer/finance executive (Gary); (Sam) Gary's brother, hound n horse keeper; Aunt Dani...
The photographer did it!!! Two suicides were involved in sex for hire scheme. Oh my!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 15, 2022
I love Rita Mae Brown's books -- every character has such a unique personality -- whether two-footed or four. There's always something to learn, as well. There is so much history in this beautiful region. We learn a little history and about the hunt and solve a mystery.
June 13, 2022
#14 in the Sister Jane Arnold, the Master of Foxhounds for the Jefferson Hunt, located in the piedmont area of Virginia. Typical for Rita Mae Brown mysteries, the 4 legged animals are as important as the 2 legged ones. This is a good series to read with well developed characters (both human and animals) set in an area rich in behavioral traditions and historical history.
September/October, 2020, the start of the fox hunting season and a high tech blackmailer is targeting wealthy members of “Sister” Jane Arnold’s club. People are receiving ominous videos in which they appear to be doing scandalous, career-ending deeds with the blackmailer promising to publish the clips if they don’t get paid. Two men have died apparently by suicide or is it murder? The elusive blackmailer has the police baffled.
Meanwhile the large old estate Old Paradise is being restored to its former condition and there are rumors of a secret stash of gold from its original owner somewhere on site. Does someone want the treasure badly enough to kill for?
Interesting note: the previous book, #13, has the developing covid as a back ground issue. This book which takes place 56 months later in 2020, doesn't mention covid at all.
September/October, 2020, the start of the fox hunting season and a high tech blackmailer is targeting wealthy members of “Sister” Jane Arnold’s club. People are receiving ominous videos in which they appear to be doing scandalous, career-ending deeds with the blackmailer promising to publish the clips if they don’t get paid. Two men have died apparently by suicide or is it murder? The elusive blackmailer has the police baffled.
Meanwhile the large old estate Old Paradise is being restored to its former condition and there are rumors of a secret stash of gold from its original owner somewhere on site. Does someone want the treasure badly enough to kill for?
Interesting note: the previous book, #13, has the developing covid as a back ground issue. This book which takes place 56 months later in 2020, doesn't mention covid at all.
June 29, 2022
Good storytelling
Good story if you especially like older protagonists. I figured out the bad guy quickly but always enjoy her mysteries filled with opinionated people and animals.
Good story if you especially like older protagonists. I figured out the bad guy quickly but always enjoy her mysteries filled with opinionated people and animals.
August 6, 2022
Thrill of the Hunt
Sister Jane ponders the evil of greed at the cost of human life. As the Jefferson Hunt staff prepare for the Opening Hunt someone is attempting to blackmail the members. Is it friend or foe?
Sister Jane ponders the evil of greed at the cost of human life. As the Jefferson Hunt staff prepare for the Opening Hunt someone is attempting to blackmail the members. Is it friend or foe?
November 9, 2022
love Sister and the gang
What I really like about these books, besides the enjoyable stories is that you learn so much. We learn so much about fox hunting and American history. So really interesting.
What I really like about these books, besides the enjoyable stories is that you learn so much. We learn so much about fox hunting and American history. So really interesting.
December 26, 2024
Needs more animal conversation - that’s where this series has shined. Sloppy editing, lots of “huh?” moments as a reader that could have been easily fixed by a good proofreader and some minor edits for clarity and continuity. Felt like the author was rushed, or tired.
March 22, 2026
Always enjoy the Sister Jane mysteries. I felt some editing was needed as some sentences seemed choppy. Some prepositions were needed.
I did enjoy reading about the research involved in restoring Paradise.
I did enjoy reading about the research involved in restoring Paradise.
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