Outfoxed

Rating:
Summary: I enjoyed this book....
Review: ....but found it confusing since I read Hotspur first. Apparently the author decided to ignore the details in Pete's will in the following books. (Doug to become Hunt Master, no Joint-Master.)

Rating:
Summary: Murdoch sets contemptible standards by re-defining "news"
Review: As a former tv news photographer, I took issue with the Fox "News" channel focus on character assasination instead of reporting factual events and dialogue, as supported by other news networks. The singular coordinated attack in the form of established radio, television and print media, by the neo-conservatives, is more outrageous in its scope and breadth than all the propaganda generated in all the wars up to this date. If your blood doesn't begin to boil as you read this expose, you 'd better check for a pulse. Get it. Read it. Tell your friends watching Fox "News" they are watching the biggest hoax since "War of the Worlds".

Rating:
Summary: Mystery involving a different way of life...
Review: I am getting the distinct feeling that many people are not happy with this information concerning fox hunting in America. Myself, I find it interesting (since Virgina is barely a hop, skip, and a jump away from Pennsylvania). Also, many readers are a little skeptical of Brown's anthromorphizing of the animals in her book. Even though we do not understand everything there is to know about animals, I do know as a scientist that many of the past ways of looking at animals are untrue. For years, scientists said animals did not play. That's been disproven on many fronts. When was the last time you saw an otter? Sometimes I think all they do is play and preen themselves. And zoos are now giving animals all kinds of 'human' things like balls, ropes, etc. because they found out that animals like bears and monkees are prone to depression if they don't have much to play with, or never see anything new to explore.

Enough of the ranting. I enjoyed this book. It obviously came before one of her other books I read with 'Sister' in it. Some of the talk between the animals is absolutely hilarious, just because I can imagine the dumb things that we do as humans probably amuse them. As for animals like foxes becoming used to people, it does happen...we went camping and had three skunks as visitors, who would munch on marshmallows for an hour while around the campfire, and then left to bug someone else. Screams all over the campsite but no one got sprayed. Those skunks knew we were a source of treats. I don't recommend feeding wild animals usually, and especially with rabies in raccons and skunks. But these guys were harmless, and just after our food. I imagine the animals got a big kick out of scaring campers too.

Rita Mae Brown has always been a favorite of mine, and will continue to be as she writes. She is a good writer, and I happen to like the dialogue between humans and between animals. This is a method of writing that has been around for a long time...remember Watership Down, and of course, Animal Farm by George Orwell. This is just a light and enjoyable read. When you have to read bioethics and science stuff all the time, it is nice to have something like this at your bedside.

Karen Sadler

Rating:
Summary: Loved the Foxhunting
Review: I really enjoyed her previous equine book, "Riding Shotgun", and was thrilled to see this sitting in the new section of the library. It's such a pleasure to read a book relating to horses by someone who clearly knows what she's talking about. BTW, the book doesn't mention that Ms Brown is a MFH herself, so she knows what she's talking about. Unlike some of the other readers, I enjoyed the animals comments. I suspect they're like that in real life - just enough to let you know you're reading fiction. I agree that the mystery aspect was weaker than the rest of the story, but the book was so enjoyable that I really didn't care. It's tough to find intelligent well written equine books. Ms Brown, would you PLEASE write more of these?

Rating:
Summary: Outfoxed - a refreshing change of pace
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the book - I couldn't wait to find time to read. Outfoxed is light yet intelligent with a fascinating glimpse at the communication between animals and their role in solving the crime. As an animal lover and avid reader, I highly recommend this book. As a recent mystery convert, I am hooked and cannot wait to read the second book in the series (Hotspur).
Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: Outfoxed - a refreshing change of pace
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed the book - I couldn't wait to find time to read. Outfoxed is light yet intelligent with a fascinating glimpse at the communication between animals and their role in solving the crime. As an animal lover and avid reader, I highly recommend this book. As a recent mystery convert, I am hooked and cannot wait to read the second book in the series (Hotspur).
Enjoy!

Rating:
Summary: It's definitely not Sneaky Pie!
Review: Rita Mae Brown is such a talented writer. This entire series makes me feel like Crozet, Virginia, is my "summer place." I care about the development of the human characters, although the animals obviously don't develop and are starting to get stale.

Rating:
Summary: Very enjoyable
Review: This book, as well as the others by Rita Mae Brown, is a well written, funny book that one can appreciate more if you are familiar with her previous books. The characters are always interesting and fun. It is a pleasure to read more about them and the musing of the animals make it very special.

Rating:
Summary: Another triumph for Rita Mae Brown
Review: What a delightful book and a joy to read. As always with Ms. Brown, I hated to finish the book and know I will read it again.

Born and raised in Virginia, I had no idea what was involved in fox hunting prior to starting OUTFOXED. One of the best things about reading is learning, and as always, Rita Mae teaches through her work. The character development of both the humans and animals was excellent and solving the mystery was great fun.

I hope there will be future "Sister" Jane Arnold books to further embellish the characters introduced in OUTFOXED. I felt a kindred spirit with her, her friends and acquaintances and, especially, the menagerie of critters. Three Cheers and Five Stars!