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.http://agirlandherbookshelf.blogspot.com
A book recommended by my mother. I wasn't sure if I was going to read it, so it sat on my shelf probably for a year, maybe even longer. I finally decided to give it a try or to get rid of it; it had been hanging around long enough. At first, the book simply baffled me. My mother had said it was a murder mystery. Usually it doesn't take too long to get into the murder and whodunit, but in this book, it wasn't until page 198 that we get to the murder/whodunit aspect. The preceding 197 pages is dedicated to the details of American foxhunting and establishing the cast of characters, and thus the various possible motives for the murder. At first I didn't really enjoy the details about fox hunting, but it didn't take long for me to find it both curious and interesting, a world I'm completely ignorant about. The story was made more interesting because Rita Mae Brown gave voices and points-of-view to all the main animals in the story - the horses, hounds, foxes (Reds & Greys), an owl, a raven, and three household pets. It made the story a bit amusing, imagining the foxes plotting their runs in group meetings, hounds bragging to each other about their prowess, and inter-species friendships, enemies, or mere mutual respect stated. I'm glad I read this book. It was something different for me, turned out to be both entertaining and educational.
What do You think about Outfoxed (2005)?
I was hesitant to read this book, having enjoyed the Mrs. Murphy series so much, but I thought I'd give it a try. There is more action with the human characters and much discussion of foxhunting -- a world I know nothing about -- but there were still very many animal characters who al had voices and it was a great Rita Mae Brown mystery romp. Definitely a vacation type read, but very enjoyable. I am excited to get to know the characters more in the rest of the series. I may even figure out the foxhunting terminology.
—Lynn
I read this book many years ago and liked it then but I think foxhunting is one of the barbaric things we humans do to animals. That said, the underlying back story grows on you and you start to care about some of the characters in the book. The addition of the animal "voices" are sometimes confusing but the story is good. Sister Jane Arnold is the master of the Jefferson Hunt Club. She is 70 years old and wants to find a joint master to transition to the time when she can no longer ride. Two local men vie for the honor but each one is unacceptable for some reason. When one of the men is found murdered, Sister lays a trap for the killer in order to close the case quickly. The book tries to portray foxhunting as an honorable sport but I am not a fan.
—Ann
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!
—Hodges
