Immaculate Midnight

Jane Lawless #11

by Ellen Hart

Ray Lawless, prominent defense attorney and father of Minneapolis restaurateur Jane Lawless, tries his biggest case yet defending an accused serial murderer and arsonist whom the media has dubbed "The Fireman." Ray's client is eventually convicted and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, though he proclaims his innocence to the end, and a few days later, he kills himself in his cell. Someone in The Fireman's life, however, can't let go, and, blaming Ray for the man's death, plots a meticulous revenge. With the help of her best friend, Cordelia, Jane sets out to discover why this person is so determined to undo her family.

Genres: Mystery, LGBT, Fiction, Lesbian, Lesbian Fiction, Queer, Cozy Mystery

336 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

About the author

Ellen Hart is the author of twenty-eight crime novels in two different series. She is a five-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery, a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award for Best Popular Fiction, a three-time winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award in several categories, a recipient of the Alice B Medal, and was made an official GLBT Literary Saint at the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans in 2005. In 2010, Ellen received the GCLS Trailblazer Award for lifetime achievement in the field of lesbian literature. For the past fourteen years, Ellen has taught "An Introduction to Writing the Modern Mystery" through the The Loft Literary Center, the largest independent writing community in the nation. Ellen's latest Sophie Greenway mystery is No Reservations Required (Ballantine). Rest for the Wicked, the twentieth Jane Lawless mystery, will be released by St. Martin's/Minotaur in October 2012. Bella Books has recently revived the out-of-print books by publishing them in both trade paperback and E-book. Ellen lives in the Minneapolis area with her partner of over 35 years.

Reviews

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I truly awesome book with lots of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat yet until the very end of the book. You may think you know he’s done it but I twist will happen and change your mind.

[Jackie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found much of the book to be rather boring. Even the climax was anticlimactic.

[Spuddie · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's been several years since I read a Jane Lawless book, having grown a little disgruntled with the direction the series had taken. This was more of the same--too much emotional, personal stuff with the main character, a Minneapolis restaurateur, not enough focus on the mystery. I had always initially considered Jane to be a level-headed compatriot, but in recent books there's just too much emotion, too much being pushed into doing stupid things. I want to shake her up and tell her to use her noggin! I don't like Jane's current on-again, off-again girlfriend and wish I could see her settling down with someone. I also wasn't crazy about the way the mystery was presented, changing point of view to some of the suspects.

That said, as it had been a number of years, it was good to visit Jane's world again, which is in some way, mine as well, since I also live in Minneapolis. It's nice to immediately recognize where things are and picture them in your head at just the mention of the name of a landmark or street. And the writing is decent, the story flows well. I didn't NOT like it...just hoping Jane's circumstances improve soon!

[Rhonda Gilliland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one in the series has you at the pace from the very beginning that is usually saved until the last chapter. I swear there were times that I was holding my breath while reading. Very easy to keep track of this ensemble cast of characters. Some cliffhangers too. So far it's my favorite of the series and I thought I had them before. This was unusually suspenseful.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated the change in direction with the writing in this tangled web of lies and half truths. Though this story is less of a whodunit and more of a character driven mystery, I really enjoyed this investigation of Jane and her family’s dynamics.

[Stephanie Thompson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read only the first couple of chapters. I like the introduction to who the characters are. The story is developing nicely. I stopped reading it because the subject matter is becoming too 'serious' for me. I prefer cozy mysteries with not too much 'real life' thrown in. Within the first couple of chapters we are introduced to a serial killer and arsonist, possible infidelities, a set up for a drug crime, alternative lifestyles, and mental illness. The one star is my personal rating system so I won't inadvertently get a book by this author again.

[Gabby D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not My Favorite in the series

For me there was no suspense and U was disappointed that Jane really didn't figure out or catch the killer.

[Tink · Rating 3 out of 5]

11 down.

[Sarah Thornton · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little more obvious than the last ones, but Jane was in danger again and still had awful taste in women.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Immaculate Midnight, by Ellen Hart, a-minus, Narrated by Aimee Jolson, Produced by Audible Inc. downloaded from audible.com.

Ray Lawless is involved in his biggest case yet-defending a possible serial killer who murders women and then sets fire to the house to try to destroy the evidence. But he is unsuccessful in getting the guy off, and he is sentenced to life without parole. A few days later he kills himself. The rest of his family is very upset and plots vengeance on the Lawless family, particularly Ray. Jane, Peter and Ray are all sent Xeroxes of tarot cards which a tarot reader indicates are meant to be a threat and a warning. As Sigrid is attacked and almost killed after the one convicted of being a serial killer dies, they all know that the man who committed these murders, leaving a strange pendant at each site, is still loose. Jane takes on making an investigation to find out who really killed the women and attacked Sigrid. Cordelia is front and center in this novel as usual. Very good.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was halfway through when I realized I'd read it before. That seemed like bad news, since it took so long to remember. The good news was that I didn't remember how it turned out, so I continued reading. One thing that surprised me was the poor copyediting; there were a shocking number of mistakes. This is a mainstream pub, not a Naiad book, people! I'm not sure what kind of "excellerants" are best used to start a fire, maybe the copyeditors paycheck?

Anyway, back to the book. Less annoying Cordelia than usual. A few loose ends not adequately wrapped up. More Raymond Lawless, which was a nice change of pace, and more of the family dynamic, which I enjoyed. A decent entry into the Jane Lawless series, but clearly, not a memorable one!

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy this series with its vulnerable female lead characters. Jane Lawless is still struggling to find herself after losing her soul mate to death and another love to uncertainty. In this book we see more of the Lawless family, father Ray and Brother Peter who have their own trials and tribulations. Certainly not a "Beaver Cleaver" family. This story also has deep and unsettling religious undertones with a few solicitous sociopaths thrown in for good measure. Good looking cops also make an appearance and set the stage for the next book. Jane pieces the final clues together to rid the town of some ugly people. I look forward to each new book set in my hometown, for the local references and for the good characters and storylines.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I came into this series at a weird book number, but after that I figured what's it matter and just started reading them in whatever order I could get my hands on. I really like this series. I love the main characters. I think the "bad guys" were a little meh. I don't know why authors feel the need to mastermind these super brilliant evil doers. it just gets to be a bit much. Other than that the book was great!

[George · Rating 3 out of 5]

#11 in the Jane Lawless, Minneapolis restaurant owner, mystery series. In this story, Jane must rescue her father, defense lawyer Ray Lawless, from a vengeful plot by the family of the man he was defense counsel for who was convicted of murder and then killed in prison. The family blames Ray for the son's imprisonment and then death and stars harassing Ray and his son and daughter.

[Brenda Faucon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellen Hart is an AWESOME author, and the Jane Lawless mysteries are fabulous reads, one by one. I hate that in the bookstores these are pigeonholed under LG, they really need to be in the mystery section so more mystery booklovers can discover these stories. Jane Lawless is a pretty awesome protagonist, and the dramatic Cordelia, the funniest and most formidable sidekick EVER. Highly recommend!

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry in this series, in which we get to know a bit more about Jane Lawless's family. I was apparently catching up on Ellen Hart's books during January 2006, as I read 4 of them in quick succession.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

OK, but lacking substance. A good fast read for the plane.