Sweet Poison: Jane Lawless Mysteries
by Ellen Hart
Published by St. Martin's Minotaur
Click on book
cover to order
at Amazon.com
Reviewed by Sharon Broom
Ellen Hart is one of my favorite mystery authors. Her two series, one featuring food critic Sophie Greeway, and the other series featuring lesbian restaurant owner Jane Lawless, are topnotch. The writing is strong and the plots unique and interesting. Sweet Poison is the fifteenth novel in the Jane Lawless series.
Jane Lawless’ father, Ray Lawless, is embroiled in a heated race for Minnesota Governor and Jane has been working tirelessly to see that he gets elected. But she also has a restaurant to run and it isn’t easy, even with a double digit lead in the campaign.
What looks like an easy victory for Ray Lawless becomes shaky when his rival, Republican Don Pettyjohn, lists some criminals that are out on the street, thanks to Ray’s work as a criminal defense attorney.
Corey Hodge was convicted of a violent crime he insists he didn’t commit. He served his time (Ray convinced him to plead guilty) and was released, determined to get revenge. When one of the Ray’s campaign workers is murdered, Corey becomes a suspect. Jane believes Corey is innocent and must work to clear his name and save her father’s campaign.
What is so wonderful about Hart’s mysteries is the various subplots. In an earlier novel you experiences the pain Jane’s friend, Cordelia Thorn, experiences when her beloved niece (whom she was raising) was snatched by her biological mother who spirited her out of the United States. Hart revisits that storyline and gives us a taste of something delicious to come in another book. New people appear in Sweet Poison and storylines blossom with possibilities. And of course Jane’s significant other, Kenzie Mulroy, makes an appearance and that’s a good thing.
Sweet Poison is what the doctor ordered. It’s fast-paced and intense, and the political maneuverings and ambition is culled from real life.
Armchair Interviews says: A must read.
Author’s Web site: http://www.EllenHart.com