Review of "Out of Hounds: A Sister Jane Cozy Mystery' by Rita Mae Brown

 

In this 13th book in the 'Sister Jane' cozy mystery series, the amateur sleuth investigates art theft and murder. The book can be read as a standalone.

*****

Jane Arnold, called "Sister", has been Master of Foxhounds (MFH) of the Jefferson Hunt - a foxhunting club in Jefferson County, Virginia - for over forty years.



As MFH Sister hires and fires personnel; makes arrangements with landowners; develops the pack of hounds; organizes the hunts; and so on. The foxhunts are very popular, and Sister is aided by an array of personnel who command the hounds and make sure things run smoothly.



As the story opens, it's February 2020 - foxhunting season - and Sister is overseeing a morning hunt. After the hunt there's a breakfast with hot food, hot drinks, and a full bar where participants - most of whom are wealthy - socialize.



Foxhunters like Carter Nicewonder, who sells expensive vintage jewelry, and Kathleen Sixt Dunbar, who sells high-end antiques also take the opportunity to solicit business from their affluent acquaintances.

As the story unfolds valuable artworks that feature women riding sidesaddle, painted by Sir Alfred Munnings, are being stolen from the homes of rich people associated with foxhunting and/or horse breeding.





The thievery is soon followed by murders, the deceased being ex-convicts as well as a woman called Delores Buckingham, whose painting was stolen from her residence.

Sister and her friends, who greatly admire Munnings work, are distressed by the burglaries and fear the artworks will end up with rich collectors overseas. Thus the amateur sleuths embark on their own investigation, which largely consists of contacting museums and collectors that own Munnings' work, to see if anyone has been sniffing around, asking questions, etc.



This ends up putting Sister in danger, when the perpetrator(s) fear she's getting too close.

The 'Sister' cozies by Rita Mae Brown are much more about foxhunting than solving a mystery, and the story features one foxhunt after another, each of which is described in detail.



The hunts are seen not only from the POVs of the humans, but also of the dogs, horses, and foxes involved. There's also chatter from pet dogs and cats, all of which adds a fun element to the novel.

Like all hunting sports, foxhunting has its detractors, and protestors stage demonstrations, distribute fliers, and put up signs accusing foxhunters of being cruel and elitist.



Sister carefully explains that foxhunting is the state sport of Virginia, the foxes are chased but not killed, foxhunters are nature lovers and environmentalists, and the activity generates a billion dollars in revenue.

As usual in Rita Mae Brown books, the author takes the opportunity to share her interest in history, politics, and social issues in the guise of conversations among the characters.


Rita Mae Brown (left)

Thus Sister and her compatriots talk about changes in foxhunting over the years; the evolution of equine art; old money manners and breeding vs. new money superficiality and showiness; religion; marriage; social media; alcoholism; the coronavirus (origin in China; social distancing, masks, economic hardship, and profiteering); and more.

I'd recommend the book to fans of Rita Mae Brown and people interested in foxhunting.

Thanks to Netgalley, Rita Mae Brown, and Ballantine Books for a copy of the book.

Rating: 3 stars