Sweet Poison (Jane Lawless Series #16) [NOOK Book]

WHAT A PIECE OF CRAP!!!!

I'm a fan of Katherine Forrest,the Kate Delafield series,Laurie King,the Kate Martinelli series and Patricia Cornwell,kay Scarpetta. Even Cornwells book I recently finished Scarpetta,was a bit disappointing,not sure if I should take a chance on her latest book The Scarpetta Factor. Well,I've read all of the other series and I went looking for a similar character in Ellen Harts book. It was disappointing in that,there was a murder committed and the M.O. seemed to fit,three murders committed,a few years ago,in other cities. The women were also raped. Well,when the current mystery was solved.....IT WAS A FREAKIN' ACCIDENT AND THEY NEVER TOLD YOU WHO KILLED THE OTHER VICTIMS!!! I paid $9.99 for this book,$9.98 TOO MUCH!!!! If anyone likes the Delafield,Martinelli and Scarpetta series and can recommend something close to that,please let me know. (maybe put Recommendations: in the subject matter).Thanks, Y.M.S PS Only because it was required to put a star,that it got the one. Y.M.S

1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.

You'll never guess this one!

Minneapolis restaurateur, Jane Lawless, is helping out her father, Ray Lawless, defense lawyer now gubernatorial candidate, at his campaign headquarters when she learns his plane had to make an emergency landing.Jane is frantic until she finally gets to talk to him. Although she has a feeling that he is holding something back, she is just relieved he is okay. Early on, Hart cleverly sets the stage for suspense.

At the outset, the reader is introduced to a host of characters, some who had previous dealings with Ray when he was a defense attorney, a lot of whom are not happy with the amount of felons he got off with light sentences. One of the campaign volunteers is murdered in similarly eerie circumstances as the crime allegedly committed by one Corey Hodge nine years previously. Coincidentally, Ray Lawless was his attorney and got him off with what many thought a too light sentence. While Jane is busy with her successful restaurant she still finds time to look into the murder along with her P.I. friend, Nolan, and long time friend ,Cordelia.

Along with the murder investigation are several gay romantic subplots. When past lovers show up, the story line deepens and makes for more complexity. Hart does such a wonderful job of characterization, the reader feels the anguish of the lovers as they try to resolve many relationship issues making it easy to empathize with them. With insightful dialogue and witty repartee, the reader gets a good feel for the characters¿ personalities, their self doubts and even doubts about their respective partners. Not all is as it seems. These richly portrayed subplots not only enhance the mystery, but they are good stories in themselves. When Jane¿s girlfriend , Kenzie, is attacked in the same way as the murder victim, the motives now are numerous. Was the murder politically motivated, or was it jealousy with a little revengeful obsession thrown in?

Hart writes a really tight plot, carefully crafted with a lot of red herrings, clues and teeming with motives. The story is well paced with a good progression towards the very surprising denouement. The characters are plausible and seem to come alive with every page. There are so many elements to this story along with a multi twists and turns mystery, the reader will be enthralled until the end. I defy the reader to guess who ¿dunnit¿.

I think this is one of Hart¿s more edgier mysteries. A lot of series seem to become stale after a few books, but not so with Hart. In fact, she just keeps getting better and better. If you have not read any of the previous Jane Lawless series, this is a stand alone mystery but after you read this one, you will definitely want to go back and read more. Ellen hart is also the author of the enjoyable Sophie Greenway series. Highly recommended.
Posted by Kaye at 12:13 PM 0 comments

The Jane Lawless mysteries are some of the consistently best amateur sleuth tales

Besides running her restaurants, Jane Lawless is also working on her father Ray¿s campaign for governor and helping her friends she and her lover Kenzine wish she had more time for them. As a defense attorney Ray defended Corey Hodge against a rape charge he arranged a plea bargain that got the man out of prison. Ray¿s opponent is using that case and others defended by Jane¿s dad as making the streets unsafe.-------------- Cory volunteers to work at the campaign¿s headquarters there he meets another volunteer Charity Miller, who fears her former fiancé Gabriel Kean. The law firm of Lawless, Kaplan and Piper got Kean off on a technicality in the beating of Minister Christopher Cornish. When Charity is murdered by someone using the same M.O. that led to Corey¿s conviction, the police focus on him though other suspects including Kean exist. Cory¿s aunt asks Jane to prove his innocence. She reluctantly agrees though an inquiry takes more time away from Kenzine who finally leaves while her former lover Julia tries to win back her heart.--------------- The Jane Lawless mysteries are some of the consistently best amateur sleuth tales and SWEET POISON confirms that belief. The whodunit is fabulous as there are many suspects besides Corey for Jane to look at. Her attitude remains top notch demanding people to accept her as is while actively campaigning for her dad Ray shows his strength of character too as he wants her election help and not a bush league sham limited to gays and lesbians. With the Willie Horton election effect adding to a strong election year intrigue, fans will enjoy Ellen Hart¿s latest timely winner.---------- Harriet Klausner

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