The Hunt Ball

I love the way Rita mae Brown makes you feel you are right there on the hunt and a part of the hunting community with her vivid descriptions. And as an animal lover, I enjoy the talking animals as they add so much spice to the mix. So I say if you want a fun read get the whole "Sister Jane" series and gallop on!

The Hunt Ball kept me enthralled in the continuing story of Sister and the central Virginia Jefferson Hunt Club. I love the way the animal characters are full participants in the plot development. (Do I detect the influence of Sneaky Pie Brown?) While each novel works independently, I can hardly wait to see how the next book in the series picks up the continuing plot lines and takes off with them. Tally Ho!

I first bought this as an audio book, but really struggled with Ms. Brown's narration. I don't know if she's narrated other novels, but I think the use of a voice actor would have been a better plan. In fact, I was able to only listen to about an hour before giving up, not due to the story but due to the narration. Then I went out and bought the book, because I so love Ms. Brown's evocative writing. And I wasn't disappointed. The only downer is that I wound up paying for the book twice!

This is the first "hunt" book I've read by the author, and I loved it! I could feel the thrill of the fox hunt and enjoyed learning about something I'd only heard about in the past. Mixing it with engaging human (and animal) characters in an entertaining mystery means this book makes my holiday gift list.

As always, Rita Mae Brown's characters come alive for readers. I don't think it would matter what her characters get into. They are so well written that readers just want to read more. Who would have thought that a septagenarian would make a great heroine of a cozy mystery? Who else can make animals seem so real without humanizing them too much? Whether her house pets, as in the Sneaky Pie series, or fox hounds and wildlife, are her inspirations, Rita Mae always writes winners.