Hounded to Death

I've become addicted to Rita Mae Brown's foxhunting series. This is another that not only engages me to solve the mystery, it delights me to learn about the characters and their lives. I particularly enjoy Rita Mae Brown's cast of talking and thinking animals. Their maneuvers and interaction with the humans is not only clever, it actually furthers the plot.

Since I read the first of Rita Mae Brown's foxhunting mysteries, I have been hoping for ever more hounds! And here it is, a delightful mystery with the foxhounds at center stage.

I have enjoyed all of the Rita Mae Brown books I have read. They are a great read for an animal lover

I keep reading the so called "editorial reviews" and wondering if they actually read anything but modern literature? It took Proust twenty odd pages of wafting through the smell of madelines and delineating every piece of furniture in his house (and mind) to begin to introduce a character or plot. THAT was a bit slow for me. But, I *love* what I learn each book about the details of Sister Jane Arnold's life. It is a delightful quirk that she knows so many esoteric things about the saints. Just as children await every detail of what it might be like to go to school at Hogwart's, I await these books to add to my expanding knowledge of Sister Jane and her world. I AM a horse person; but never did hunt. (I am past the time in my life to even be a hill-topper, but I can enjoy "hunting" along with the Jefferson Hunt). I am delighted to see the nuances set forth in this book regarding the difference between animal welfare and animal rightists. It is done with such delicacy that the reader is not tromped on by the politics to the detriment of an exceedingly good reading experience. I think that this one is my favorite so far. I am left with a both a feeling of satisfaction, and also with anticipation of the next book. I sincerely look forward to Sister Jane's mentoring and all of the many wonderful details that absolutely suspend my disbelief. (I keep looking on maps to figure out where, exactly, is the farm) as I do visit the Blue Ridge mountains from time to time. Sister Jane is like the hale and hearty people who live in the Himalayas; her outdoor life has given her tremendous strength of health and character. Her ethics are impeccable; the spiritual component of these books is not lost on the reader. I do miss some of my other favorite characters and do hope that they will reappear in later books, and that Sister Jane and the Jefferson Hunt will live to a hundred so that I can get to know them better with the passing years. This series is one of my two favorite series of all time. And, I am a rabid reader and was a literature major in college. Sister Jane is not the only MFH; so is Ms. Brown and she is also a master at her craft. Buy and ENJOY!

Rita Mae Brown delivers a winner in this installment of her Sister Jane "Outfoxed Series". Where her last title seemed rushed to production and the plotline was not well-developed, "Hounded to Death" is a welcome return to a great read for Rita Mae fans. The story begins in late Spring in Kentucky at the Mid-America Hound Show where evil quickly raises its ugly head and starts the novel on its "whodunit" path while simultaneously explaining hound shows and searching for a stolen hound. Then, a suicide of a friend occurs, but Sister is not willing to believe that it was a suicide. Hmmm. Intermingled are interesting discussions of Kentucky bourbon, human nature, descriptions of opening new hunt territory, carrion eating habits, graduation from Custis Hall by "the girls", moonshining, and animal cruelty allegations. As usual with this series, Rita Mae gives great accounts that educate us on foxhunting and animals without the feeling that we are being educated. And yes, the animals have some great conversations--a Rita Mae device to give us more clues and education. While the book moves through the summer, there are no accounts of actual hunts so the reader must wait until hunting season just as foxhunters must wait. As with real foxhunting, the wait is worthwhile, as several wonderful accounts finally take place. As often happens in this series, a body is discovered during a hunt, and similarly, the unmasking of the killer is discovered, and he is accounted for at the end of a hunt. Several old friends from previous books play important parts, including Tootie, Shaker and Gray. New characters include the despicable Mo Schneider; a horse vet--Hope Rogers; retired Judge Barry Baker; pet food maker, Grant Fuller; and new landowners, Dr. and Mrs. Mitch Fisher. The writing is entertaining and sometimes thought provoking. It is also quite poetic and descriptive as evidenced by the following passage: "Red!" Dreamboat called out. As this hound was only in his second year, Cora checked it. Asa came over, put his nose down, then lifted his head along with Cora and the curtain was raised. This is a fun read, and we are there with them. I'll recommend this one to all my friends. +