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The Ivory Nation #1
In Plain Sight
On the outside, Arizona chief prosecutor Janet McNeil is the epitome of a driven, daring attorney who lives life by her own rules. But inside, her world is in chaos. Terrifying nightmares keep her in a constant state of anxiety. Yet saving face is imperative now that she's prosecuting a member of a white supremacy organization, a killer who wouldn't think twice about using his twisted followers to silence Janet for good. Neighbor Simon Green is the only person who "isn't" begging her to quit the case. Simon, an ex-police officer with dark secrets of his own, understands how vital it is to obliterate violence and hate. But when one word from the most unlikely source threatens to change their lives forever, Janet must decide what risks she's willing to take.
377 pages
First published January 1, 2006
15 people are currently reading
224 people want to read
About the author
Tara Taylor Quinn
374 books1,459 followersTara Taylor Quinn began her love affair with Harlequin when she was fourteen years old and picked up a free promotional copy of a Harlequin Romance in a hometown grocery store. The relationship was solidified the year she was suspended from her high school typing class for hiding a Harlequin Romance behind the keys of her electric typewriter. Unaware that her instructor loomed close by, Ms. Quinn read blissfully on with one finger resting on the automatic repeating period key. She finished the book in the principal’s office. Forced to leave her romances in her locker after that, Ms. Quinn’s typing skills improved - a fact for which she is eternally grateful.
With over 80 original novels, published in more than twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is a winner of the 2008 National Reader's Choice Award, four time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion and appears regularly on the Waldenbooks bestsellers list. Ms. Quinn writes for Harlequin and MIRA Books. Reviewer, Cindy Penn, wordweaving.com says, “Amazing character development is the hallmark of author Tara Taylor Quinn’s work. Indeed, Taylor’s profound observations of human nature and intimate understanding of values and priorities lends extraordinary psychological depth to all her work.”
Tara Taylor Quinn was born and raised in Ohio. Though she wrote her first story at the age of seven, her professional writing career began ten years later when she was hired as a stringer with the Dayton Daily News in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Wright State University and graduated from Harding College in Arkansas with a degree in English and Journalism. She published several magazine articles before turning to writing as a full-time occupation.
Ms. Quinn is a Past President of the Romance Writers of America and served for eight years on the Board of Directors of that association. She has a wide range of experience as a public speaker and workshop presenter for writers groups around the country.
When she’s not home with her owners, Jerry Lee and Taylor Marie, or fulfilling speaking engagements, Tara loves to travel with her husband, stopping wherever the spirit takes them. They’ve been spotted in casinos and quaint little small town antique shops all across the country..
With over 80 original novels, published in more than twenty languages, Tara Taylor Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author with more than seven million copies sold. She is a winner of the 2008 National Reader's Choice Award, four time finalist for the RWA Rita Award, a finalist for the Reviewer’s Choice Award, the Bookseller’s Best Award, the Holt Medallion and appears regularly on the Waldenbooks bestsellers list. Ms. Quinn writes for Harlequin and MIRA Books. Reviewer, Cindy Penn, wordweaving.com says, “Amazing character development is the hallmark of author Tara Taylor Quinn’s work. Indeed, Taylor’s profound observations of human nature and intimate understanding of values and priorities lends extraordinary psychological depth to all her work.”
Tara Taylor Quinn was born and raised in Ohio. Though she wrote her first story at the age of seven, her professional writing career began ten years later when she was hired as a stringer with the Dayton Daily News in Dayton, Ohio. She attended Wright State University and graduated from Harding College in Arkansas with a degree in English and Journalism. She published several magazine articles before turning to writing as a full-time occupation.
Ms. Quinn is a Past President of the Romance Writers of America and served for eight years on the Board of Directors of that association. She has a wide range of experience as a public speaker and workshop presenter for writers groups around the country.
When she’s not home with her owners, Jerry Lee and Taylor Marie, or fulfilling speaking engagements, Tara loves to travel with her husband, stopping wherever the spirit takes them. They’ve been spotted in casinos and quaint little small town antique shops all across the country..
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 26, 2016
In Plain Sight is the first book in the Ivory Nation series by American author, Tara Taylor Quinn. Janet McNeil is an Arizona prosecutor whose latest case may be dangerous, but she can’t back out of it: it’s far too important. Jan is prosecuting a killer who is linked with the white supremacist group, Ivory Nation. Subtle, and not-so-subtle threats won’t deter her, and missing or tampered-with evidence that have her wondering just who she can trust, make her all the more determined.
Jan’s home life is focussed on one aim: to adopt eight year-old Hailey Miller, a young offender she prosecuted for shop-lifting. Jan sees promise in the girl, whose crimes were the result of caring about another. But Jan’s own background has left her with nightmares she hopes will disappear when she finally has Hailey in her home. When her motorcycle-riding younger brother Johnny turns up for a visit, Jan thinks it must be about her depressed mother, but Johnny’s concern is for his sister’s safety.
Jan’s next-door neighbour is Simon Green. Simon writes text books. At least, that’s the cover he’s working under. Simon is ex-FBI, writing an anti-terrorist manual and doing some undercover work for an FBI colleague investigating terrorist training. But as Simon sits in his study, in front of his computer, he watches the neighbourhood. He knows about Jan’s latest case, and begins to worry for her. He soon realises their cases intersect, and is torn between protecting Jan and allowing someone to depend on him. Ever since he lost his brother, he’s been afraid to let anyone get close.
Taylor Quinn gives the reader a believable plot that centres on white supremacist groups, their actions and recruitment methods, while also touching on domestic violence, adoption and the vulnerability of disaffected youth. Not all the characters are quite what they first seem, and there are a few twists before the gripping climax. The pace is a bit slow, and it is more suspense than romance, but still a fairly good read.
Jan’s home life is focussed on one aim: to adopt eight year-old Hailey Miller, a young offender she prosecuted for shop-lifting. Jan sees promise in the girl, whose crimes were the result of caring about another. But Jan’s own background has left her with nightmares she hopes will disappear when she finally has Hailey in her home. When her motorcycle-riding younger brother Johnny turns up for a visit, Jan thinks it must be about her depressed mother, but Johnny’s concern is for his sister’s safety.
Jan’s next-door neighbour is Simon Green. Simon writes text books. At least, that’s the cover he’s working under. Simon is ex-FBI, writing an anti-terrorist manual and doing some undercover work for an FBI colleague investigating terrorist training. But as Simon sits in his study, in front of his computer, he watches the neighbourhood. He knows about Jan’s latest case, and begins to worry for her. He soon realises their cases intersect, and is torn between protecting Jan and allowing someone to depend on him. Ever since he lost his brother, he’s been afraid to let anyone get close.
Taylor Quinn gives the reader a believable plot that centres on white supremacist groups, their actions and recruitment methods, while also touching on domestic violence, adoption and the vulnerability of disaffected youth. Not all the characters are quite what they first seem, and there are a few twists before the gripping climax. The pace is a bit slow, and it is more suspense than romance, but still a fairly good read.
June 7, 2020
Set in Arizona, chief prosecutor Janet McNeil is working on a case which proves to endanger her safety. She is prosecuting a killer who is a member of a white supremacy organisation and at times she does not know who to trust. Janet's brother begs her to drop the case, trying to convince her of the danger she is in, but she is determined to nail this killer and is driven by her thirst for justice.
I enjoyed this novel which was fast paced and believable. The characters were well described but not everyone was who they seemed to be. There were lots of twists and turns in this story which held my attention, although I did think the ending was a bit predictable.
I enjoyed this novel which was fast paced and believable. The characters were well described but not everyone was who they seemed to be. There were lots of twists and turns in this story which held my attention, although I did think the ending was a bit predictable.
July 5, 2025
I guess I shouldn't be to harsh as this is typical of this trash thriller genre. But really. How does someone become a prosecuting attorney and get so scared when she goes to court? And it would be nice if the main characters had a few endearing flaws besides the big dramatic ones. THis book is 20 years old so I will give the author some slack around the fact that 8 year old girls are NOT put on probation for misdemeanor crimes and minor ones at that.
August 15, 2019
3.5 stars for this one would be more adequate.
A very good story that touches on several things that are in our periphery everyday. Abuse, neglect, and white supremacy. Most of us are not touched by these things but are out there.
The attorney attempting to put a white supremacist creep in jail, gets threats and some very unbelievable surprises that make you really think. A good one to read.
A very good story that touches on several things that are in our periphery everyday. Abuse, neglect, and white supremacy. Most of us are not touched by these things but are out there.
The attorney attempting to put a white supremacist creep in jail, gets threats and some very unbelievable surprises that make you really think. A good one to read.
March 31, 2021
Intense, gripping story of a young prosecutor doing battle agains a group of white supremacists while her own past demons haunt her. Her handsome loaner neighbor seems to be her self appointed watch dog and little does she know how their lives will intertwine.
April 9, 2022
Suspenseful AF, slow burn romance, family drama, courtroom drama, white supremacist terrorists, some devastating my mental, and a great ending.
June 19, 2011
Driven prosecutor Janet McNeil has been trying for 5 years to bring down Jacob Hall, whom she believes is a member of Ivory Nation, a white supremicist group in Arizona, while she deals with debilitating nightmares and works to adopt a child she initially had to prosecute for stealing when she (the child) was very young. Her next door neighbor, Simon Green, appears at first glance to be a writer; however, it turns out he is former FBI with a painful past he is trying to escape. Janet's brother, Johnny, reappears in Janet's life after a long period in which he has been less than accessible and tries to talk her out of continuing the case. Janet's mother commits suicide . . . or does she?
These are just a few of the many strings running through this well crafted novel - all of which Ms. Quinn carefully weaves into a terrific tapestry of suspense and terror. The title of the piece is an interesting choice - showing that the faces that people present are very rarely what they seem to be. Not only is the writing terrific, but Ms. Quinn also apparently employs a terrific copy editor, as this book was not full of the spelling and grammatical mistakes that so mar many modern books. The only obvious mistake I could find was that in one place it is said that in Arizona citizens can carry concealed guns as long as they (meaning, apparently, the weapons) are registered, while elsewhere it is mentioned that a concealed carry permit is necessary. Now I'll be up nights if I don't find out which is true! A very small amount of romance does not detract from the plot, making this a great choice for those who prefer the suspense/thriller aspect over the romance. All in all, I must say I was very impressed and plan to look for more books by this terrific author.
These are just a few of the many strings running through this well crafted novel - all of which Ms. Quinn carefully weaves into a terrific tapestry of suspense and terror. The title of the piece is an interesting choice - showing that the faces that people present are very rarely what they seem to be. Not only is the writing terrific, but Ms. Quinn also apparently employs a terrific copy editor, as this book was not full of the spelling and grammatical mistakes that so mar many modern books. The only obvious mistake I could find was that in one place it is said that in Arizona citizens can carry concealed guns as long as they (meaning, apparently, the weapons) are registered, while elsewhere it is mentioned that a concealed carry permit is necessary. Now I'll be up nights if I don't find out which is true! A very small amount of romance does not detract from the plot, making this a great choice for those who prefer the suspense/thriller aspect over the romance. All in all, I must say I was very impressed and plan to look for more books by this terrific author.
January 16, 2017
personal response: The book was disappointing and i did not care much for the ending she just gave up on life and it was very predictable.
Plot summary: Janet Mcneil is a lawyer and when she takes on a case against a man named Jacob hall that she has tried to put away before and has failed to do so yet she becomes very determined to put him away and uncover his white supremacist ties to the Ivory Nation and it puts her and her family at risk. While all this is going on her neighbor Simon Green is taking on a job for the FBI as an undercover agent who is not a real agent, he was at one point in his life until he got his twin killed by not listening to the signs
Plot summary: Janet Mcneil is a lawyer and when she takes on a case against a man named Jacob hall that she has tried to put away before and has failed to do so yet she becomes very determined to put him away and uncover his white supremacist ties to the Ivory Nation and it puts her and her family at risk. While all this is going on her neighbor Simon Green is taking on a job for the FBI as an undercover agent who is not a real agent, he was at one point in his life until he got his twin killed by not listening to the signs
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 26, 2012
I bought this book because I read the second one in the series and absolutely loved it. Unfortunately, it wasn't as good. It drags on a little bit, and the ending is overly sappy. it just sort of had me shaking my head. Too emotionally wrought. I did like the way the story had lots of twists and turns, and I found the two main characters extremely likable. So it wasn't that it was a bad novel – it just didn't live up to my high expectations.
December 18, 2012
This kept me interested...a good solid read. I waffled between 3 and 4 stars because I do prefer a different kind of romance. The characters were both pretty "damaged" by their pasts...especially Jan...so I guess their emotional distance was understadable. The ending was well done, too.
April 3, 2009
good read
August 25, 2012
Interesting book, but not sure if I would continue with this series. I don't really like books about the white supremacy. It was well written though. Just not my cup of tea.
April 4, 2013
Kind of slow and slightly disappointing in the end.
July 21, 2013
Quick read
June 1, 2015
One of the best books I have ever read.
November 29, 2024
dull dull dull. 38 pages in and I kept having the feeling that I was missing whole chapters. couldn't force myself to keep going
February 20, 2011
enjoyable. predictable.
June 27, 2013
4.5 stars. Intense, twisty, frustrating, scary, sexy... This list goes on. A really excellent read.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews