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Jane Lawless #22
The Old Deep and Dark
Renowned theater director Cordelia Thorn is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Minneapolis that she and her actress sister, Octavia, recently bought. Cordelia has a vision for the playhouse’s future, but the more she learns about the building, the more fascinated she becomes by its past. Nicknamed “The Old Deep and Dark” because of the Prohibition-era double murder that occurred in the basement—then a speakeasy—there are a wealth of secrets hidden inside its walls. And, to her shock and horror, Cordelia discovers that there is also one present-day body literally buried in a basement wall. Cordelia immediately calls on her best friend, P.I. Jane Lawless.
Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation—she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer’s family scandal—she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.
With The Old Deep and Dark, the latest installment in the award-winning Jane Lawless series, Ellen Hart has crafted another impeccably plotted, seamlessly written mystery.
Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation—she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer’s family scandal—she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.
With The Old Deep and Dark, the latest installment in the award-winning Jane Lawless series, Ellen Hart has crafted another impeccably plotted, seamlessly written mystery.
9 pages, Audible Audio
First published October 7, 2014
31 people are currently reading
221 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Hart
72 books222 followersEllen 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 29, 2016
This book was definitely interesting.... Where to start?
The pros: I liked the story about the theater having a somewhat sinister past, the plot was great, the characters were well written, good story, didn't know who the killer was until the end.
The cons: too many people coming out of the closet, not that I'm one to judge but when 5 or 6 characters keep coming out it gets old. The daughter Chloe was a complete ass, Kit... The mother was a slut and written like one and I absolutely hated her. Jordan the husband was a jerk. The family was nuts. I hated how much drama there was and how the family was so fake. The whole Erin O' Brian saga was completely unnecessary to the plot and took up part of the story that didn't need to be.
Would I recommend? I don't know, maybe. Some parts of the story really could have been left out and more could have been added to thicken the plot up.
The pros: I liked the story about the theater having a somewhat sinister past, the plot was great, the characters were well written, good story, didn't know who the killer was until the end.
The cons: too many people coming out of the closet, not that I'm one to judge but when 5 or 6 characters keep coming out it gets old. The daughter Chloe was a complete ass, Kit... The mother was a slut and written like one and I absolutely hated her. Jordan the husband was a jerk. The family was nuts. I hated how much drama there was and how the family was so fake. The whole Erin O' Brian saga was completely unnecessary to the plot and took up part of the story that didn't need to be.
Would I recommend? I don't know, maybe. Some parts of the story really could have been left out and more could have been added to thicken the plot up.
January 21, 2018
Ellen Hart must have had a gay old time writing The Old Deep and Dark. That’s the 22nd book in her Jane Lawless mystery series, although I have to say that the old theater owned by her friend Cordelia Thorne and her sister Ophelia and the theater itself, nicknamed “the Old Deep and Dark”, take center stage in this one.
This story struck me as sort of a cross between a soap opera and an Agatha Christie novel. Why a soap opera? The core of the plot focuses around Jordan Deere, a country western singer, his wife Kit, who is an actress, and their adult children, Booker and Chloe. On the surface, they are a clean-cut, all-American family, but this clan puts the “dys” in dysfunctional family. Along with the parents and children, we get Jordan’s manager, Tommy Prior, and Kit’s personal assistant and long-time friend, Beverly Elliot. Add in Archibald Van Arnam, who happens to be both a professor of history who is helping Cordelia with research on her theater and a friend of the Deere family. When a big-time scandal breaks, it’s anybody’s guess as to who’s behind it. It could be anyone in the circle of intimates.
Cordelia, a theatrical, splashy woman who believes in ghosts, is certain that the Thorn Lester Theater is haunted. When skeletons start showing up behind secret doors at the theater, things get really interesting. Red Clemens, the janitor who goes way back at the Old Deep and Dark, is something of a history buff himself when it comes to the theater. What does he know about the bodies?
Jane Lawless, lesbian restaurateur and also a licensed PI, finds herself caught in the middle of both situations. Her father, Ray Lawless, is a defense attorney who is hired by Kit to represent her when the cops suspect she may be involved. Ray, in turn, hires Jane to be his investigator. Cordelia, as usual, has her own ideas about that case, and, since Jane’s office is in the same building as the theater and she and Cordelia are best friends, Jane naturally gets involved in the case of the skeletons in “the Old Deep and Dark” (which, by the way, comes from a double murder during the Prohibition days when the building housed a speakeasy.
Oh – that “gay” old time I mentioned – there are one or two or more folks who are outted or decide to come out of the closet in this book. There is also Jane’s ill-advised relationship with Avi. Don’t get me started! There are those who use marriage as a cover. Not everyone is gay, of course. Some of the heterosexual people are quite promiscuous, or wish they could be, and there is more than enough romantic angst to go around. No one in the Deere family or intimate sphere is too likable. There is a whole lot of lying and deceiving going on. See? Soap opera. The Agatha Christie part? The writing verges on cozy but don’t get too comfy; despite occasional lightheartedness and even mirth, there’s some serious stuff here. Then there are the red herrings, the multiple suspects, and the grand finale, which is definitely Christie-esque. I had it narrowed down to two suspects. Wrong on both counts.
Jane Lawless may get top billing as the lead in her detective role in this one, but it is Cordelia Thorne who steals the show. The gal who is usually the sidekick steps up her game and shows that she, too, has what it takes to bring down the house. The Old Deep and Dark was not one of my favorite books in the series, but it was good fun. It has wit, a clever plot, and it kept me guessing until the end.
3.5 stars
This story struck me as sort of a cross between a soap opera and an Agatha Christie novel. Why a soap opera? The core of the plot focuses around Jordan Deere, a country western singer, his wife Kit, who is an actress, and their adult children, Booker and Chloe. On the surface, they are a clean-cut, all-American family, but this clan puts the “dys” in dysfunctional family. Along with the parents and children, we get Jordan’s manager, Tommy Prior, and Kit’s personal assistant and long-time friend, Beverly Elliot. Add in Archibald Van Arnam, who happens to be both a professor of history who is helping Cordelia with research on her theater and a friend of the Deere family. When a big-time scandal breaks, it’s anybody’s guess as to who’s behind it. It could be anyone in the circle of intimates.
Cordelia, a theatrical, splashy woman who believes in ghosts, is certain that the Thorn Lester Theater is haunted. When skeletons start showing up behind secret doors at the theater, things get really interesting. Red Clemens, the janitor who goes way back at the Old Deep and Dark, is something of a history buff himself when it comes to the theater. What does he know about the bodies?
Jane Lawless, lesbian restaurateur and also a licensed PI, finds herself caught in the middle of both situations. Her father, Ray Lawless, is a defense attorney who is hired by Kit to represent her when the cops suspect she may be involved. Ray, in turn, hires Jane to be his investigator. Cordelia, as usual, has her own ideas about that case, and, since Jane’s office is in the same building as the theater and she and Cordelia are best friends, Jane naturally gets involved in the case of the skeletons in “the Old Deep and Dark” (which, by the way, comes from a double murder during the Prohibition days when the building housed a speakeasy.
Oh – that “gay” old time I mentioned – there are one or two or more folks who are outted or decide to come out of the closet in this book. There is also Jane’s ill-advised relationship with Avi. Don’t get me started! There are those who use marriage as a cover. Not everyone is gay, of course. Some of the heterosexual people are quite promiscuous, or wish they could be, and there is more than enough romantic angst to go around. No one in the Deere family or intimate sphere is too likable. There is a whole lot of lying and deceiving going on. See? Soap opera. The Agatha Christie part? The writing verges on cozy but don’t get too comfy; despite occasional lightheartedness and even mirth, there’s some serious stuff here. Then there are the red herrings, the multiple suspects, and the grand finale, which is definitely Christie-esque. I had it narrowed down to two suspects. Wrong on both counts.
Jane Lawless may get top billing as the lead in her detective role in this one, but it is Cordelia Thorne who steals the show. The gal who is usually the sidekick steps up her game and shows that she, too, has what it takes to bring down the house. The Old Deep and Dark was not one of my favorite books in the series, but it was good fun. It has wit, a clever plot, and it kept me guessing until the end.
3.5 stars
January 14, 2015
Hold onto your seat and let your imagination fly
Minnesota author Ellen Hart continues to turn out top drawer mysteries that go beyond the usual mystery boundaries: he main character is Private Investigator Jane Lawless who just happens to be a lesbian - and also just happens to be one of the is the more ardently followed characters in the genre of crime novels. Ellen recently married her partner of 37 years, Kathleen Kruger and they live in Eden Prairie. Minnesota. Though it may be difficult to believe, Ellen has authored thirty 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 sixteen 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 knows how to mix humor with fright and the result is a novel that explore theatrics this time around while still focusing one Ellen's keen `Miss Marples' type mind to keep us entertained while sliding further down in the comfort of our cozy safe chair. The author offers a very succinct synopsis of this new book: `Cordelia is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Minneapolis that she recently bought with her sister Octavia, a world-famous actress. Cordelia has a vision for the playhouse's future, but the more she learns about the building, the more fascinated she becomes by its past. Nicknamed "The Old Deep and Dark" because of the Prohibition-era double murder that occurred in the basement--then a speakeasy--there are a wealth of secrets hidden inside its walls. And, to her shock and horror, Cordelia discovers that there is also one present-day body literally buried in a basement wall. Cordelia immediately calls on her best friend, Jane Lawless. Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation--she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer's family scandal--she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.'
For lovers of crime novels this one is a must. It sparkles with wit and fright and is simply one wonderful read.
Minnesota author Ellen Hart continues to turn out top drawer mysteries that go beyond the usual mystery boundaries: he main character is Private Investigator Jane Lawless who just happens to be a lesbian - and also just happens to be one of the is the more ardently followed characters in the genre of crime novels. Ellen recently married her partner of 37 years, Kathleen Kruger and they live in Eden Prairie. Minnesota. Though it may be difficult to believe, Ellen has authored thirty 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 sixteen 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 knows how to mix humor with fright and the result is a novel that explore theatrics this time around while still focusing one Ellen's keen `Miss Marples' type mind to keep us entertained while sliding further down in the comfort of our cozy safe chair. The author offers a very succinct synopsis of this new book: `Cordelia is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Minneapolis that she recently bought with her sister Octavia, a world-famous actress. Cordelia has a vision for the playhouse's future, but the more she learns about the building, the more fascinated she becomes by its past. Nicknamed "The Old Deep and Dark" because of the Prohibition-era double murder that occurred in the basement--then a speakeasy--there are a wealth of secrets hidden inside its walls. And, to her shock and horror, Cordelia discovers that there is also one present-day body literally buried in a basement wall. Cordelia immediately calls on her best friend, Jane Lawless. Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation--she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer's family scandal--she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.'
For lovers of crime novels this one is a must. It sparkles with wit and fright and is simply one wonderful read.
January 26, 2016
A good, quick read. I'm usually not a fan of mysteries, probably because I can't keep track of the countless characters and clues, popping up and dropping out of a designedly confusing plot. Too often I don't like the characters and can't understand the plot. This one is different. I loved the flawed, confused, yearning, often bumbling, and sometimes chilling characters; and I was able not only to follow the story but even hazard a prediction or two. I'll be checking out this prolific writer's other Jane Lawless mysteries. I believe I've found a new favorite author and series!
November 16, 2014
Publically Kit and Jordan Deere are a happy, successful celebrity couple. She is an actress. He is a country singer. Their two children have grown to adulthood without the paparazzi discovering any scandals.
But that may be about to change as Jordan plans to publish a novel which is a thinly disguised memoir, including various incidents in the family's past. Who might be willing to kill Jordan to stop the scandal that would erupt?
The mystery was good. There were reasonable clues and red herrings. I thought I knew who the killer was, but turned out to be wrong.
On the other hand, this is the 22nd Jane Lawless mystery. Jane and the other regular characters didn't seem to develop, and as a result didn't seem as believable. Some mystery authors, such as Agatha Christie, don't give their detectives much of a back story. Ellen Hart has been putting in a sub-plot with Jane's relationships and/or her family in each book. I felt that fell short in this one. There was a sub-plot, but it felt phoned-in.
But that may be about to change as Jordan plans to publish a novel which is a thinly disguised memoir, including various incidents in the family's past. Who might be willing to kill Jordan to stop the scandal that would erupt?
The mystery was good. There were reasonable clues and red herrings. I thought I knew who the killer was, but turned out to be wrong.
On the other hand, this is the 22nd Jane Lawless mystery. Jane and the other regular characters didn't seem to develop, and as a result didn't seem as believable. Some mystery authors, such as Agatha Christie, don't give their detectives much of a back story. Ellen Hart has been putting in a sub-plot with Jane's relationships and/or her family in each book. I felt that fell short in this one. There was a sub-plot, but it felt phoned-in.
August 9, 2018
I'm stunned at how Ellen Hart can turn out books that are so well-organized and compelling. Another 5 out of 5. But read the Jane Lawless books in order!
September 9, 2019
I've been bingeing on Ellen Hart for the past two weeks and having a blast. This one centers on Cornelia's new theater and the people who have a history with it. Kit is a famous actress and her husband Jordan is a popular country western singer. Murder visits their family. Cornelia also finds murder in her new playhouse. Jane works closely with her father and has to come to grips with her new girlfriend. All in all it was quite a romp in drama.
April 8, 2015
The 2014 entry in the Jane Lawless mystery series. A respite after Jane Eyre and Native Son. What's not to love about a lesbian restauranteur who solves murders with the help of her lesbian thespian best friend?
May 14, 2015
This was the first of the Jane Lawless Mystery series that I've read. Ellen Hart has quite a number of books in the series, all set in the Twin Cities, Minnesota. Interesting and enjoyable read, especially for someone who lived there for a long time. Interesting characters and plot twists.
April 29, 2022
I’m not usually a mystery reader, and I haven’t read any of the previous books in this series, so I was pleasantly surprised to find that I wasn’t lost at all. This book obviously follows characters who have become familiar to readers, but it also stands alone really well.
There were enough clues to point toward the killer, but also misleading scenes to direct the attention to other suspects, and knowing who the killer was before (but not too much before) they were revealed was really satisfying.
I enjoyed stepping outside my usual genre (fantasy), and the fact that there was a handful of LGBTQ characters made my little bi heart happy.
I liked this book, and will probably read more of them. There was something cozy about it, and I’d recommend it to someone looking for a comfortable queer mystery.
There were enough clues to point toward the killer, but also misleading scenes to direct the attention to other suspects, and knowing who the killer was before (but not too much before) they were revealed was really satisfying.
I enjoyed stepping outside my usual genre (fantasy), and the fact that there was a handful of LGBTQ characters made my little bi heart happy.
I liked this book, and will probably read more of them. There was something cozy about it, and I’d recommend it to someone looking for a comfortable queer mystery.
December 7, 2017
Actual rating: 2.5 stars. Two things I didn't really know when I started this book: One, this is book #22 in the series (I was mostly able to follow along despite not reading any of the previous ones) and "gay mysteries" are actually a separate subgenre of Mystery. Huh. You learn something new everyday. I don't read a lot of mysteries so maybe my rating is unfair, but Jane seemed to be the only character without a personality (her father is too, I suppose). She seemed very flat in comparison. She reacted to things happening, but never took initiative. She doesn't even solve the crime, but apparently that's happened in previous books too and may be a reoccurring theme so I can't fault this book too much for that. Overall, it's well-written and the story is interesting, but this didn't convince me to pick up the rest of the series.
September 4, 2019
Wow, I loved this book!!!!
15+ stars!!!!
Jane, Cordelia and Ray sure figured this out. There were so many suspects that had great motives, just people who were a threat to the Deere family.
I couldn't put the book down, I had to force myself cause I had other plans. But I finished tonight and I had the wrong person for a long time.
You will love this book. Ellen Hart is an excellent writer. I have been reading the "Jane Lawless series" for years and they still keep getting better every book.
You won't be disappointed Ellen Hart fans!!
15+ stars!!!!
Jane, Cordelia and Ray sure figured this out. There were so many suspects that had great motives, just people who were a threat to the Deere family.
I couldn't put the book down, I had to force myself cause I had other plans. But I finished tonight and I had the wrong person for a long time.
You will love this book. Ellen Hart is an excellent writer. I have been reading the "Jane Lawless series" for years and they still keep getting better every book.
You won't be disappointed Ellen Hart fans!!
June 11, 2017
As someone who doesn't usually read mysteries, I have to say, I enjoyed this so much. I thought Jane was a real and likable main character and her best friend, Cordelia, was larger than life and utterly charming. The mystery was complex enough that I didn't know "who dunnit" and the setting in the old theater was just creepy and mysterious enough. A fun and charming read.
May 22, 2017
As always, I was guessing until the very end since every character is suspicious. Good to revisit Jane and Cordelia every time.
October 24, 2017
I like this series. Having read some several years ago. Just now catching up.
February 4, 2018
3 1/2 ⭐️. Enjoyed the story and the ending. It all worked out well for this reader.
April 12, 2018
Fun quick read. Enjoyable.
June 3, 2018
Good read from the mystery Master.
November 19, 2018
A good read.
October 7, 2019
A real page turner with lots of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next.
October 25, 2019
22 down.
December 26, 2020
Excellent mystery!
Lots of twists and guesses. Kept me in the dark but I the end made sense! I recommend this book.
Lots of twists and guesses. Kept me in the dark but I the end made sense! I recommend this book.
June 8, 2021
I always enjoy a Jane Lawless mystery - love that the books are set her in Minneapolis. Recommend this series. Kristi & Abby Tabby
July 14, 2021
Ellen Hart just keeps reminding us what an entertaining mystery should be. Well done, Ellen!
April 21, 2022
Simply a fun mystery!
Read
April 9, 2024Called this one fairly early too.
Two in a row.
Two in a row.
January 2, 2025
I wanted this to read like a Nancy Drew computer game and it kind of let me down. 6/10
March 1, 2017
The plot was contrived and the characters were flat.
April 10, 2017
Another enjoyable read in the Jane Lawless series that takes place in the Twin Cities.
September 9, 2014
Hart, Ellen. The Old Deep and Dark. Minotaur Books. 2014. $25.99. HC 304 p. 9781250047694.
In this 22nd installment in the Jane Lawless series, Jane agrees to help Cordelia, a theater director, solve the mystery of a body found buried in the basement walls of a theater she is attempting to restore. This investigation dovetails into Jane’s work on a country music scandal, and as Jane begins to connect the dots, she realizes there is more to this haunted theater than meets the eye.
This story has much to give readers in the way of a compelling, fast-paced plot. The mystery story is well-written, complete with very accurate details about Minneapolis. Indeed, this western sister of the Twin Cities is an ideal setting for a haunted theater. As a mystery story, The Old Deep and Dark does not disappoint. Readers will be kept guessing and turning the pages until the very end.
This is, however, the 22nd time Jane Lawless has appeared in print, and as such, there is not much character development in this novel. Fans of the other novels in the series will find the same Jane up to her old tricks, and newcomers to the series may wish to peruse previous novels to learn more about Jane herself. Some readers may wish that Jane would adapt and change throughout the series so that she isn’t the same character who appears in the first novel. It may be time for Jane to learn from her past mistakes.
The compelling pace of this story as well as its well-written mystery make it a recommended addition to any public library’s mystery collection.
In this 22nd installment in the Jane Lawless series, Jane agrees to help Cordelia, a theater director, solve the mystery of a body found buried in the basement walls of a theater she is attempting to restore. This investigation dovetails into Jane’s work on a country music scandal, and as Jane begins to connect the dots, she realizes there is more to this haunted theater than meets the eye.
This story has much to give readers in the way of a compelling, fast-paced plot. The mystery story is well-written, complete with very accurate details about Minneapolis. Indeed, this western sister of the Twin Cities is an ideal setting for a haunted theater. As a mystery story, The Old Deep and Dark does not disappoint. Readers will be kept guessing and turning the pages until the very end.
This is, however, the 22nd time Jane Lawless has appeared in print, and as such, there is not much character development in this novel. Fans of the other novels in the series will find the same Jane up to her old tricks, and newcomers to the series may wish to peruse previous novels to learn more about Jane herself. Some readers may wish that Jane would adapt and change throughout the series so that she isn’t the same character who appears in the first novel. It may be time for Jane to learn from her past mistakes.
The compelling pace of this story as well as its well-written mystery make it a recommended addition to any public library’s mystery collection.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews