Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

September 15, 2014
Bestseller Brown’s disappointing ninth “Sister” Jane Arnold mystery (after 2012’s Fox Tracks) takes the Master of Foxhounds of Virginia’s Jefferson Hunt to Kentucky for a joint meet with the Woodford Hounds. When repair workers discover a human skeleton interred in a grave in a local horse cemetery, Mercer Laprade, an equine bloodline expert, believes that the remains belong to his grandfather, who disappeared in 1921 after delivering the marker for the grave from Virginia. Sister suspects that the subsequent death of vet Penny Hinson, who was researching equine bloodlines, may be connected to the earlier killing of Mercer’s grandfather. As usual, Brown is at her best when relaying the animals’ quirks and conversations, and mischievous foxes are a delight. Pedantic foxhunting detail and tangential political diatribes make for cumbersome going, however. Series fans may enjoy catching up with Sister and her friends, but new readers and those interested in more than a cursory mystery plot might prefer to pass on this one. Agent: Wendy Weil, Wendy Weil Agency.

June 1, 2014

In this ninth "Sister" Jane Arnold foxhunting mystery, the discovery of human remains in a venerable equine graveyard makes for a tough and touchy case involving three families and their prize thoroughbreds. Brown set the pace with her best-selling Mrs. Murphy series; her foxhunting titles are great for readers who like gentility with a wicked little twist.

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2014

Sister Jane Arnold, master of foxhounds, has traveled to Kentucky for a meeting with the Woodford Hounds, but bad weather and the discovery of human remains in an equine graveyard disrupts their hunt. In her ninth book, after 2012's Fox Tracks, Sister remains an intriguing and challenging sleuth. [See Prepub Alert, 6/1/14.]

Copyright 2014 Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.