Associated Press / Ballantine Books

Virginia author Rita Mae Brown, an avid fox hunter, writes about the lessons she learned from animals in "Animal Magnetism."

I started reading Rita Mae Brown books when my children were born. Her Sneaky Pie Brown mystery books were my guilty pleasure. Trying to figure out the murder before the cat did was my goal.

The main character, Mrs. Murphy, is a sleuth in cat's clothing. The feline has an uncanny ability to dig up clues to local homicides. Her human, Mary "Harry" Haristeen, is the postmistress of small-town Crozet, Va., who helps piece the clues together.

Loving cats myself, and of course Virginia, the books have been perfect reads for me. But there is more to Rita Mae Brown than murder.

The recent release of her memoir, "Animal Magnetism," demonstrates Brown's deep relationship with animals. A collection of recollections, the book is Brown's voice telling tales of saving coon dogs from ill-caring neighbors; first love in feline affection; a horse named Suzie Q, who gave Brown the lesson of hard work paying off; and many more. The book is aptly named as Brown clearly has magnetism with animals.

I recently asked Brown what her inspiration was for this memoir. Her response was deeper than I expected:

"When my mother was born in 1905, 90 percent of Americans lived on farms," she said. "When I was born, the number was about 50/50. Today it is 90 percent of Americans living in the cities or suburbs and only 10 percent of us living on farms. This means millions upon millions of Americans are disconnected from other sentient creatures and from natural cycles.

"While most of my sister and brother Americans love animals, their lack of knowledge can be dangerous to them and hell for the animals. Groups posing as animal welfare groups utilize this for their own ends. 'Animal Magnetism' is one way to begin that slow and enchanting walk back to nature. At least, I hope it prods some folks to look at the world anew."

Brown has a passion for fox hunting and re-established the historic Oak Ridge Fox Hunt Club in Afton, Va., in 1993.

So how did Brown get involved with fox hunting?

"I grew up with it," she said. "As soon as I made enough money to come back and farm, I wanted to fox-hunt.

"I hasten to add, Americans chase, we don't kill. In defense of the English and Irish, their farming practices are so different from ours. There the fox is a pest."

Living on a farm, Brown puts in a full day with animal care, beginning at 5 a.m. with feeding the chickens. Between walking the foxhounds, taking a ride on a horse, mending broken fences or rounding up loose stock, it's a wonder she's able to schedule daily writing time.

And what does Brown plan next?

"Merriment. There's a line in the Bible, 'Make a joyful noise unto the Lord.' No matter what, there's always something or someone to celebrate, and I hope I never forget that," she said.

Sounds like a good plan, and hopefully there will be more murder mysteries for Sneaky Pie to unravel.