Exceptional and captivating story.

The characters are well-crafted and lovable. The storyline is easy to follow and quite enjoyable.

Another successful story by Rita Mate Brown.

Highly recommend!!!

Book 12 in the Sister Jane series. Echoed book 11 a bit, but otherwise enjoyable murder mystery. Could do without the animals talking, but tended to skim those parts. Could just be me. Would recommend this book and author.

This is typical Sister Jane book with murder, talking animals and fox hunting. The subject matter in this one is a little depressing dwelling on elder abuse and dementia. This is book 12 in the Sister Jane series and I like it more than her Murphy Brown books because she isn't pushing a political environmental agenda. You can read it as a stand alone. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A new mystery from one of my favorite authors. I loved the mystery and though some of the characters get too political for me I still find them engaging

Rita Mae Brown writes books that are fun and easy to read. She builds a community and populates it with entertaining characters. Entertaining until someone gets killed. In this new series she introduces us to the fox hunting crowd and sets them up for our heroine to solve a murder along with a major theft ring. I have always loved Rita Mae Brown's series and have now added this one to my friend's TBR piles!

Scarlet Fever by Rita Mae Brown is about “Sister” Jane Arnold. She is dealing with frigid air in the Blue Ridge Mountains in February. Everyone cuddles in front of the fire until they find one of their group with his skull cracked at the bottom of a flight of stairs. Sister is not convinced this is an accident so she and her hounds determine to find out what really did happen. This book is all about the deep traditions of Virginia horse country. This is Rita Mae Brown’s 12th book in the “Sister” Jane Arnold series. It’s involves fox-hunting in the cold mountains. It has a few too many characters to remember them all. I do like hearing the animals “talking,” but I felt it was too similar to her 11th book isn’t this series.

This book is less about crime and more about ethics especially as they relate to aging and dying. For long-time readers of the series this book is pleasant and a worthwhile addition. If you are new to the series, don't start with this book.

To give Brown credit, she doesn't deeply get into the ethics of the situations but accepts the actions of the characters, which is good. I appreciated that she treated the actions just as she would treat more usual crimes in her other mysteries.

This cozy animal mystery is one my associate and I read together. The author presents a number of POVs including those of the foxes, hounds, horses, as well as the humans. And humans--there's a bunch of them! Protagonist Sister (Jane Arnold) functions as Master of Foxhounds for the Jefferson Hunt in a nasty, cold, rainy wintry season in the Virginia hills looking at the Blue Ridge Mountains, and the foxes are plentiful. And smart!

This narrative opens a world you only might briefly have been aware. It's a lesson that takes some time in immersion, but there is a death that looks suspicious. Also of discussion are exquisite antiques, drug and opioid problems, and the plight of the aged and oft less than sympathetic treatment of patients with dementia and Alzheimer's.

My introduction to the series and this author would be Book 12 but with the complex cast of characters, you might wish to begin with Book 1. Somewhat slow to start, the well-plotted mystery moves you through the end of the fox-hunting season. I particularly enjoyed the conversation between the animals, not just between the dogs, but species to species.

The author has an unusual no-nonsense way of laying out the facts in a droll and unemotional manner. The conclusion is not wholly unexpected and loose threads are joined. I received this digital download from the publisher through NetGalley and appreciated the opportunity to read and review. 3.5/5 rounded down V Williams

His Review:
Be patient! I thought this book started slowly with pages of introduction to the characters until I got into the tale. Masterfully contrived the story held interest and suspense for me. A world I have only seen pictures of opened up.

Ms. Brown has evolved the characters into personalities both human and canine. It seems except for breeding season, the fox either vixen or reynard, prefers solitary living. They also have a penchant for sweets and human blankets and coats. Fun to explore their habitats and habits.

The author held my interest throughout the book including a couple of sub-plots that were neatly wrapped up at the end. Stick with this book and enjoy your reward. 5/5 CE Williams
Average at 4.0 stars

I have read and loved all of the author’s Mrs. Murphy series so when I saw Scarlet Fever on NetGalley I snapped it up. Mrs. Murphy books are a more traditional cat cozy mystery though the cats and dog do talk and investigate crimes.

Scarlet Fever is book number twelve in the “Sister” Jane mysteries. This book literally has a hundred characters. There are talking hounds, dogs, and horses—all with intricate family relationships. There are also many human characters with seemingly long-standing issues from previous books in the series. The author does provide a detailed biography of the cast at the beginning. However, it was difficult to get into the mystery while frequently having to turn pages back and forth. Therefore, I would not recommend starting the series with this entry.

However, if you like fox hunting, you will love this series that focuses minutely on the methods used by the hunters, their hounds, and the foxes trying to outwit them both. Long-term fans of the “Sister” Jane mysteries will be sure to enjoy Scarlet Fever. 4 stars!

Thanks to Ballantine Books, Random House and NetGalley for a copy in exchange for my honest review.

Scarlet Fever, the 12th book in Rita Mae Brown's Sister Jane series, is a bit different than most cozy mysteries I read. But it is still filled with fun characters. If you are a fan of books with animal characters then you might want to check out this book.

I first discovered Rita Mae Brown when I read Whiskers in the Dark (read my review), a book in her somewhat related Mrs. Murphy series, this past spring. Like that book, this series also focuses on hunting dogs. While in Whiskers in the Dark the dogs are Bassetts, in Scarlet Fever the dogs are foxhounds. Outside of a couple of episodes of Downton Abbey, I'm not really familiar with fox hunting. So it made me curious about reading a cozy mystery with such an activity.

If you are like me and don't know a thing about fox hunting, there is a glossary of terms at the beginning of the book. There is also a list of characters so even if you haven't read any of the other books, like me, in the series you will know who is who. I usually like having a refresher of characters, but since I haven't read any of the books in this series it felt like an overwhelming info dump, particularly when paired with the glossary of hunting terms. Seriously, my eyes were crossing - it is a huge ensemble cast that includes people, dogs, horses, and foxes. I think figuring out who is who came out naturally in the story, so I think you are safe in skipping the list of characters.

It wasn't the fox hunting that made this unique (though I don't know of any other fox hunting cozies). No, what was different about this book is that the focus was not on the murder. There is no amateur detective. Even the police are in the background. Actually most of the investigating takes place off the page. The process of the investigation is relayed largely through gossip. The focus of the story is largely on the fox hunting and the relationships of the people that are part of the community, which does play into a secondary mystery.

Because of the focus on the fox hunts, I felt that the book was very visual which I struggle with in a book. I had trouble picturing the action taking place because the terms were unfamiliar. And partly I don't get the point of fox hunting. Thankfully the fox always made it to its den and the dogs didn't catch the fox.

I enjoyed how the characters played off each other. They are mostly older characters which is a nice change from all the stories featuring 20 and 30 somethings. They are at the age where they can speak their minds and there were hints of commentary on current events and issues. Of course, it all was covered in a veneer of southern charm. Like in Whiskers in the Dark, there is some emphasis on first. But unlike in Whiskers in the Dark where the history was more along the lines of the American Revolution and the Civil War, this history was more like the first century. There's even a conversation where a name of ancient history is mentioned and one character expresses surprise that the other character knows who that was and that explains that she is an educated woman. Maybe I read a bit too much into it, but her comment reeked of snobbishness. I mean, I'm a college-educated woman, but I had no idea who that person was. Does that mean I'm stupid? Because that is how it sounded. But again, maybe I read too much into it.

Along the same lines, the display of wealth was a little annoying and it made them feel more like characters rather than real people. I'm glad that Sister balked at the $20,000 price tag of a French reproduction desk. But then another character didn't think twice about purchasing a ring that sold for like $7,000. There didn't seem to be any regular folks to balance out the wealthy.

The writing was good, the story plotted well, and I enjoyed the interactions between the characters, but overall it wasn't my kind of story. If you enjoy fox hunting or how the other half lives, then this would be a good story for you.

Review will publish as Girl Who Reads on Thursday, Nov. 21 - https://www.girl-who-reads.com/2019/11/scarlet-fever-by-rita-mae-brown-review.html

This has a little more serious message than the usual Sister Jane mysteries- but know that you'll still find talking animals (love that!) and a lot of information about fox hunting. Sister Jane is the master of the hounds for the Jefferson Hunt and she solves murders. Or in this case, solves a mystery or two. It's been a rough season for the hunt- lousy weather and itchy people but Sister Jane still rides out. When a body is found (no spoilers) Sister Jane and the hunt must look among themselves and think about dementia, elder abuse, and how their community can responsibly care for others. I always like these books for the detail about the hunt and the animals and there's plenty of that here. There are, honestly, perhaps too many characters (and you can get lost in trying to keep up) but it's still a good read. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. This is one case where those who have read the earlier books in the series will appreciate it more than those picking it up as a standalone.

american-fox-hunting, amateur-sleuth, family-dynamics, friendship, animals, dementia, mysteries

I always love the communications among the tame and wild animals, especially when they are passing judgment on the humans. There is also much verbal interaction among the hunt people in this unseasonably snowy late winter. The plot is good and the characters certainly are, but there is a deeper message about the victims of dementia and the devastation to family and friends. The only thing missing is the physical danger to residential staff (I know whereof I speak). I found it an excellent and engaging read!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Random House Publishing Group via NetGalley. Thank you!

Rita Mae Brown is a fabulous author who knows how to paint a great story. Scarlet Fever has well developed characters and is well written.

I'm never quite sure what to expect with a "cozy mystery"--minimal sex/cussing/gore? A tight-knit cast of characters, probably in a small town? A kind of Thomas-Kincade-pink, alternate reality where nobody punches a clock and yet everybody somehow owns nice possessions that perfectly reflect their quirky personalities?

Check, check, and check.

I didn't expect talking animals or a manual on fox hunting. But my dears, there are talking animals a-plenty here.

And lots of info on fox hunting. I took 10 years of huntseat riding lessons, but my eyes were still glazing over a bit. I hadn't realized that this was #12 in a series I haven't read, so I couldn't possibly get the warm fuzzies of seeing old familiar characters/friends.

So, as you can gather, I was having a pretty hard time getting into this book, but eventually it does start building toward its message. The afterword features important information about elder abuse and dementia, so if the book helps bring more awareness to that, I have to hand it back one of the stars I had taken away.

Sister Jane Arnold, Master of the Jefferson Hunt, returns in the latest cozy mystery set in the Virginia countryside. A dealer in vintage and antique furniture and collectibles is found dead in the snow outside of a tack shop, having apparently fallen and struck his head. Did he have help falling? Certainly he had one notable enemy who wouldn't have objected one bit to his passing.

The question of whodunnit, if indeed it was done, moves to the background as life goes on through a stormy winter. The story focuses on giving us an update on most of our favorite characters, but nothing about Felicity and Val. Tootie is an expert whip, a huntsman's assistant who works with another whip to keep the hounds grouped and under control.. Whip is just the name for the position; they carry a whip, but only use it when necessary to warn a hound to turn back, or mind his business.

Cattle Clytemnestra and Orestes, the mother and son who live at Cindy's farm, escape briefly when a man crashes a Land Rover into their paddock. They are a snotty pair of bovines, and I do hope that Orestes has been turned into a steer by now. You might remember them from "Hunt Ball," raising Cain on an escape.

The man who destroyed their fencing turns out to be suffering from dementia. The challenges he presents to his family are familiar to all of us with elder family members. Keeping him safe and out of trouble is getting more difficult each day.

There are some new foxes moving into the neighborhood, sometimes using one another's dens as need arises to escape the hounds. By the way, American foxhunts do not hunt their quarry to a kill. Instead they tree or den him where he is safe, call off the hounds and turn away, off to find another fox to chase, or return to a good hearty hunt breakfast.

Foxhunting is about the traditions and pageantry of hound work, not the killing of foxes. The riders get a good outing cross country, the hounds demonstrate their skill, and so do the foxes, who always know a way to elude their pursuers.

Is the man who killed the furniture dealer one of those folk riding in the hunt? One had motivation. He's also the son of the man with dementia. There's a lot of stress in his life when you add a druggie son who is undependable and manipulative.

I enjoyed this more as a story of life in Virginia and the joy of riding horses cross country, than as a mystery. I don't try to figure out guilty parties, I just let the story unfold. I enjoy a good visit with the Jefferson Hunt any day.

I am reviewing this title for the holiday edition of Mystery Scene Magazine I do not own this review. See the review in the Holiday Mystery Scene magazine

This is the first book I've read in this series, and really enjoyed it. It is well written and holds your attention. Now I want to read the other books in the series. Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine Ballantine Books via NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

I love this series. "Sister" is a hoot as well as a proper Southern lady. The hunts are always wonderful..And the murders always solved. What could be better than dogs, horses and wildlife?

This book is just as amazing as all her others!! I loved every bit of the story told from everyone’s perspective. A fantastic read!!