Outfoxed: A Novel ("Sister" Jane)

After reading 20 of Rita Mae Brown's Mrs. Murphy series, I'd given up!!The series has gone downhill since Harry gave up her position as postmistress of Crozet, VA. Can't stand the jargon/platitudes her characters now mouth. While once good-humored, her charactershave become too intense, attempting to save the planet from city-dwellers who care nothing about MOTHER EARTH.Thought I'd give this newer series a try. Since I'd read other reviews, was prepared for the mountains of text explaining the closed, class-ridden world of fox-hunting(Have to own-or rent-a horse/a trailer/ and an SUV or pick-up that can pull said horse/trailer!! Thousands of dollars invested before the horse/rider steps on the field). Apparently most folks in VA can afford this out-lay, since Brown attempts to convince us this is a middle-class sport and whole towns' social life revolve around it.Do Brown's characters ever smile??? Sister Jane, with the burden of M.F.H.(Master of Foxhounds) attached to her name, certainly doesn't. In true Brown fashion, she's introverted and gets along better w/ animals than humans. Shaker(huntsman/keeper of the pack) and Doug(first-whipper in), the paid staff, have problems of their own-and this is before the murder occurs on the hunting field. Jane even states she's madder about the slaughter of a fox-(and therefore must find out who-done-it) than the murder of the (albeit worthless) man.I'm not certain about the series-though have some hope-having purchased the next three. Didn't connect to any of the characters, who are either louts w/ lots of money/ working parents whose kids are brats, other than Sister. This volume is more complex than Mrs. Murphy- where any new character lasts all of 5 pages and will end as either the murderer or victim.3-1/2 Stars.

I have enjoyed others in the author's foxhunting mysteries so thought to pick up th 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 th drag of a start.

Rita Mae Brown writes such delightful, engaging stories with wit that is never pretentious or snobby.I knew virtually nothing about the fox hunting world, but I do now! And it was a painless education, sandwiched between the human and animal worlds and their respective conversations with one another.Sister Jane is a strong, yet sympathetic matriarchal figure, whose deep caring for her work and the people in her community is evident throughout.I like that she didn't make light of addiction, and was able to weave it into the story -- showing how pervasive it is across all socio-economic and geographic arenas.With the murder happening well into the book, it gave us time to meet and understand the characters, their foibles, and their hearts. Getting to know the foxes, the horses, the birds, and the hounds was also a treat, and provided some of the funniest dialogue.I was again captivated by Rita Mae Brown and hope to read more of Sister Jane's adventures.

First, I am a huge fan of of the author's Mrs Murphy series, so hoped this might be more of the same quality. Far from it. She obviously knows everything there is about the subject of fox hunting and it's painfully obvious she's ready to impart her knowledge to those of us who don't. I like enough details to lend credence and color to the story, but my eyes were glazing over by the time I should have been getting into the plot. Speaking of which, this is a murder mystery where the murder didn't even occur until 2/3 of the way through the book. The plot seemed to be an afterthought to support the course in protocol. By the end I didn't really care "who dun it", even though it had a nice twist. I'd hope that the future books in the series follow a more traditional balance of subject and murder, especially seeing that there are so many of them. I may just never find out.

This is first of a second series of mysteries by the excellent writer Rita Mae Brown. It is technical about fox hunting, but is still a good read.

I thought the setting was different, interesting and fun. We vacation in VA hunt country so I could picture much of the action in my mind’s eye. I thought the dialogue was quite believable and appropriate for the individual characters. I love animals so although I was initially sceptical that the intermittent animal conversations would be hokey, I like to think animals are actually quite smart and do have intelligent conversations amongst themselves. Somehow it works. Now that I’ve finished the book, I rather miss the characters so will be reading the next one soon.

Here, in the first of a grand series set amid Virginia's gracious, tradition-loving country estates,.you'll meet people and creatures you will know well and love dearly. Life here is exciting as an hour's fast gallop over fences--or a dead man discovered on Hangman's Ridge. Meet Sister Jane Arnold, the decidedly un-diva-like Master of Hounds of the Jefferson Hunt; you'll feel at home in her comfortable old home, her kennels--where experienced foxhounds help teach pups under the expert care of Sister's old friend, Shaker--and her stables, home of fine hunt horses whose personalities are as singular as the people who ride them. Nearby, two families of clever, beautiful foxes maintain cozy dens and a funny mix of respect and disdain for the humans they can always outwit. Members of the Jefferson Hunt also range from novice to expert, but all understand the strict protocol of the Hunt. Rita Mae Brown weaves a great story: it reads like a movie!