Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

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. (Nov.)