Night Vision

Jane Lawless #14

by Ellen Hart

Joanna Kasimir, an old friend of Jane Lawless, left Minneapolis years ago to make it big in Hollywood and, unlike so many others, she succeeded. Unfortunately, her stardom came at a price. Early in her career, Joanna was involved with a man who quickly went from being an idle interest to a dangerous stalker. Nearly a decade has passed since she sent him to prison, but just as she is about to leave for her hometown to star in her friend Cordelia Thorn's production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf," she receives one of his ominous calling cards.

Joanna refuses to let him control her life—she can't. Not again. Tired after ten years of fear, ten years of hiding, she calls on Jane and former homicide detective A.J. Nolan, but they may not be able to protect her from a man who refuses to be anyone's one-night stand.

And when they find out that Joanna may not be the only one on the run, their investigation quickly spins Jane into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

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

336 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2006

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

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good mystery. Always good to read a Jane Lawless mystery.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, each book in the series gets stronger and stronger. Jane finds herself as the owner of two entertainment establishments and the budding start to her Private Investigator profession. People from her past surface in Minneapolis, one an actress of note come to star in Cordelia's theater and her brother who was once Jane's best friend. Each of them has some deep dark secrets that come together by chance. Funny doings at the Linden Lofts set Jane on a deep and scary path. I love where the series is going and enjoy each book I read. Not in a hurry to catch up to the current story just savoring the hometown vibes each one gives.

[Timarie Simmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

This author has a whole series about this “private detective”. I actually like the characters pretty well, and I’d pick up another if I was waiting for a book on my list to become available. Nonetheless, they’re a little predictable and cheesy, but I certainly don’t hate them.

[Tink · Rating 4 out of 5]

14 down.

[Susan Moxley · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read that will keep you on the edge of your seat guessing to the very end of the Book

[Sandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great series.

[Sarah Thornton]

Good glimpse into the parasocial relationships associated with stardom.

[Kristi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy the Jane Lawless series set here in Minneapolis. I am a fan of character driven as opposed to "stand-alone" mysteries. Kristi & Abby Tabby

[Patti · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just discovered author Ellen Hart. Her Jane Lawless series is a fun read. I've always loved reading this type of book. Sometimes it's like coming home again catching up with the characters.

[Kathleen Hagen]

Night Vision, by ellen Hart, a-minus, Narrated by Aimee Jolson, Produced by Audible Inc., Downloaded from audible.com.

Joanna Kasimir, an old friend of Jane Lawless, left Minneapolis years ago to make it big in Hollywood and, unlike so many others, she succeeded. Unfortunately,
her stardom came at a price. Early in her career, Joanna was involved with a man who quickly went from being an idle interest to a dangerous stalker. Nearly
a decade has passed since she sent him to prison, but just as she is about to leave for her hometown to star in her friend Cordelia Thorn's production
of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, she receives one of his ominous calling cards. Joanna refuses to let him control her life - she can't. Not again. Tired
after ten years of fear, ten years of hiding, she calls on Jane, restaurateur and amateur sleuth, and former homicide detective A. J. Nolan, but they may
not be able to protect her from a man who refuses to be anyone's one-night stand. And when they find out that Joanna may not be the only one on the run,
their investigation quickly spins Jane into a deadly game of cat and mouse.

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another excellent Jane Lawless mystery! I like these people so much. I love it when the books I read are full of characters I would like to be friends with. Jane’s old friend David Carlson shows up at her restaurant the same week that his sister, the actress Joanna Kasimir, is scheduled to begin work on a play at Cordelia’s theatre. But David is running from a mysterious affliction that causes him to wake up and perform violent and destructive acts in the night, while Joanna is running from a demon of her own – a stalker. Meanwhile, Cordelia’s sister, Octavia, the mother of Cordelia’s beloved niece, Hattie, whom she is raising, shows up for one of her rare visits to her daughter with a new husband in tow. Come on, Ellen Hart! Hurry up with the next book! I must know if Cordelia gets Hattie back!

[Daphne Birchfield · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think jane make up her mind whether she wants to be nolan's partner or not. it still has the mystery that needs to be solved, it still has murders. I really like jane's character. she battled with her inner moral code on whether to give out certain info to police which hasn't happened before, but it could have been because she and said person were close friends. I can't stand octavia and what she is putting cordelia through. i wish she would crawl in a hole and disappear.

[Kathleen Messmer · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first time I've read Ellen Hart on the recommendation of a friend. I was NOT disappointed! I love how she develops her characters and makes you feel as though you're right there in the middle of it all right along with them. I may have to read all of her other books now! I love when that happens...

[TJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not one of Ellen Hart's best books. There were too many disparate plots going on that really didn't tie in. I was left with questions as to why certain characters and story lines were included in the book.
Overall a fast read, but not a great book.

[C Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's just OK, with some suspense here and there.

[Cathleen · Rating 1 out of 5]

no good

[Gale · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice easy read while sick. Hart has found a new storyline that doesn't involve Jan Lawless getting nearly killed, thank goodness. A little disappointed in the ending, but good enough.

[Freyja Vanadis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hart is on a downward slide with her writing. I'm so disappointed.

[Lbaker · Rating 4 out of 5]

All the regular characters including the exuberant Cordelia.
Stalking and revenge are included in the mix.