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Jane Lawless #8
Wicked Games
Jane Lawless has worked hard to make her Minneapolis restaurant a success, and she's finally reaping the financial rewards. Yet even the demands and excitement of being a popular restauranteurs and living the good life don't bring the same satisfaction they once did. Jane needs a bigger challenge. A mystery to solve. The thrill of the chase...
When Jane rents her quaint third-story apartment to a new tenant, children's book author Elliot Beauman, she unwittingly opens the door to a sinister, decades-old mystery that has been waiting patiently to unfold--in her own house. Meanwhile, Jane assist a detective in tracking down clues about her new neighbor, Patricia, whose husband died mysteriously. Patricia is eager to become friends, or more...even though she knows Jane is immersed in a long-distance relationship with the attractive but secretive Dr. Julia Martinsen. little does Jane know that a strange man upstairs, an attractive neighbor, and a volatile love affair are just the beginning of her problems.
When Jane rents her quaint third-story apartment to a new tenant, children's book author Elliot Beauman, she unwittingly opens the door to a sinister, decades-old mystery that has been waiting patiently to unfold--in her own house. Meanwhile, Jane assist a detective in tracking down clues about her new neighbor, Patricia, whose husband died mysteriously. Patricia is eager to become friends, or more...even though she knows Jane is immersed in a long-distance relationship with the attractive but secretive Dr. Julia Martinsen. little does Jane know that a strange man upstairs, an attractive neighbor, and a volatile love affair are just the beginning of her problems.
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published August 1, 1998
10 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Hart
72 books221 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 - 26 of 26 reviews
October 31, 2018
I've read quite of a few of the Jane Lawless mystery series to date and enjoyed them all.
This addition is not one of my favourites so far.
It was still a pretty quick and enjoyable read, but I felt the mystery aspect was overshadowed by Jane's relationship angst.
As a character she was unusually whiny and insecure in this one. And Cordelia was not on top form either.
I'll definitely be reading more in the series (I already have the next few queued up), I just hope they'll be returning to previous form.
This addition is not one of my favourites so far.
It was still a pretty quick and enjoyable read, but I felt the mystery aspect was overshadowed by Jane's relationship angst.
As a character she was unusually whiny and insecure in this one. And Cordelia was not on top form either.
I'll definitely be reading more in the series (I already have the next few queued up), I just hope they'll be returning to previous form.
June 6, 2020
I have been reading Ellen Hart's series for more than 30 years. She is great at character development ( there are indeed some humorous "characters" in the mysteries ), has written about a lesbian sleuth ( there are not many with whom I am acquainted in detective novels ) for all those 30 years, and creates credible and complex mysteries. Just as an added treat, the books are set in my home town of Minneapolis, so I can picture all the settings described. I heartily recommend the Jane Lawless series. Kristi & Abby Tabby
September 8, 2025
Hart’s writing is always great and is why I keep coming back. I liked that this book placed Jane Lawless back at home. I thought that the murderer was a bit obvious. I was hoping that while we look to one of a certain group of people to be the killer, that the real killer would be someone completely unexpected. I also feel the book kind of wrapped up too quickly. I’m looking forward to finishing the series. I can’t wait until Jane leaves Julia because I don’t care how much they love each other, Julia just keeps too many secrets. I’m sorry, even in the 90s, it was crazy if you didn’t hear from someone you were trying to reach and leave messages with for five days! Cornelia provides entertainment and is a good contrast to Jane but she is too much really and still gets on my nerves. On to the next one!
November 10, 2024
Another case of incredibly rich folks are more emotionally/psychically are more damaged the rest of us! I did hit a pint where I was thinking, “ What other “hot” topic are you going to throw in here?” Lesbians; bisexuals; alcoholism; drugs; cheating spouses; frustrated midlife crises males and females; people not accepting responsibility for their actions;…. Sorry, Otto is a sh*thead. His lame ass “apology” sucks. Virginia is an alcoholic mess. Julie, who is supposed to be the sane, rational character, is a piece of work. I will probably try a few more of the series.
February 17, 2022
Ellen Hart has again written an interesting mystery starring her very likable sleuth, the restauranteur Jane Lawless, assisted by her trusty friend Cordelia. Jane finds her self ensnared by the members of a very dysfunctional family, one of who is interested in ending her relationship with Jane’s lover Julia, a woman whose previous lovers have ended up apparently committing suicide. Jane is recruited to help determine if the most recent death really was a suicide.
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October 10, 2023I figured it out early on, but she had me second guessing that choice up until the end.
Cliffhanger of an ending with the secrets of one and the fate of another still up in the air. Wasn't expecting to get hooked on something I'd have expected to have aged more poorly than it has - although that might be more of a sign of society reverting than any lack of social progression from that day and age.
Cliffhanger of an ending with the secrets of one and the fate of another still up in the air. Wasn't expecting to get hooked on something I'd have expected to have aged more poorly than it has - although that might be more of a sign of society reverting than any lack of social progression from that day and age.
November 24, 2021
Well holy SHIT this was definitely the most intense Jane Lawless yet.. I’m still shook at that ending!!
For the first half of Wicked Games I was a little put off, I just wasn’t as drawn into the story as usual. Especially because I really despised some characters.. however, the second half REALLY makes up for it. It was so tense and I LOVED IT.
For the first half of Wicked Games I was a little put off, I just wasn’t as drawn into the story as usual. Especially because I really despised some characters.. however, the second half REALLY makes up for it. It was so tense and I LOVED IT.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 1, 2018
Great series
I loved this storyline. Every book is better than the last. You won't be disappointed. Ready to read book 9.
I loved this storyline. Every book is better than the last. You won't be disappointed. Ready to read book 9.
February 4, 2019
Clever character development kept me guessing till the end just whodunnit.
The trials & tribulations of relationships, both family & friends.
The trials & tribulations of relationships, both family & friends.
September 5, 2019
8 down.
September 5, 2020
Interesting character development and especially between Jane, Julia, and Patricia.
December 30, 2023
Interesting quick read. The main plot was tied up at the end but not the subplot. I suppose to get you interested in the next book (where that is the main plot) but it just seemed undone.
December 3, 2024
I'm usually good at guessing who the killer is, but this book was full of twists I didysee coming! Very interesting as always with Jane Lawless.
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May 10, 2014Wicked Games, by ellen Hart, a-minus, Narrated by Aimee Jolson, Produced by Audible Inc., downloaded from audible.com.
Jane’s restaurant is a financial success at last and she is reaping the rewards. But this has lessend the challenge of owning and running the restaurant for her, and she finds herself immersed in more mysteries. She has made the third floor of her house into an apartment, and she rents it, almost without even checking references, to a nice young man who comes to her door and who is known as a children’s book author. Next door, a young woman has recently bought a house and moved in. This woman seems very interested in and attracted to Jane, which is somewhat awkward for her because she is still trying to work out whether she and Dr. Julia Martinson can maintain a relationship. It turns out that her renter and the neighbor are brother and sister. It also turns out that their mother is one of the Board of Directors of the theater which Cordelia directs, and she may be the crucial vote in whether Cordelia’s contract is renewed. For all these reason, and because a private eye, a friend of her father’s asks for help, she becomes very involved in the secrets of this rather sinister family, and at least one of those family members may be responsible for several murders made to look like suicides. Very good.
Jane’s restaurant is a financial success at last and she is reaping the rewards. But this has lessend the challenge of owning and running the restaurant for her, and she finds herself immersed in more mysteries. She has made the third floor of her house into an apartment, and she rents it, almost without even checking references, to a nice young man who comes to her door and who is known as a children’s book author. Next door, a young woman has recently bought a house and moved in. This woman seems very interested in and attracted to Jane, which is somewhat awkward for her because she is still trying to work out whether she and Dr. Julia Martinson can maintain a relationship. It turns out that her renter and the neighbor are brother and sister. It also turns out that their mother is one of the Board of Directors of the theater which Cordelia directs, and she may be the crucial vote in whether Cordelia’s contract is renewed. For all these reason, and because a private eye, a friend of her father’s asks for help, she becomes very involved in the secrets of this rather sinister family, and at least one of those family members may be responsible for several murders made to look like suicides. Very good.
November 14, 2011
I like this series, and have liked recent ones more than early ones, but this book took a step backwards with Jane turning into a jellyfish, insecure and wibbling about her new love and seeming almost desperate when she suspects Julia is lying to her and is evasive about her life. This is not the Jane I have come to know and enjoy spending time with.
On the mystery end of things, Jane gets involved in the family dynamics of the wealthy Kastner family when their son rents Jane's third-floor apartment and the daughter moves down the street and shows an inordinate amount of interest in Jane. Then a private detective contacts Jane to inform her of some of the family's colored past.
On the mystery end of things, Jane gets involved in the family dynamics of the wealthy Kastner family when their son rents Jane's third-floor apartment and the daughter moves down the street and shows an inordinate amount of interest in Jane. Then a private detective contacts Jane to inform her of some of the family's colored past.
May 24, 2014
This series just gets better and better. Love the main character, Jane, even with all the angst and love the cast of supporting characters. A really good mystery with a creepy family, love with secrets abounding and danger. Love the Minneapolis mentions and homage to places and things. Can't wait to read the next one.
November 5, 2017
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 GLBT, 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!
April 26, 2015
This is an old series I got half way through, then dropped along the way. Don't know why, because this was amazingly good. I must have known somehow that I would get back to these characters and local, and we would happily resume our acquaintence.
June 3, 2010
RATING: 2.5
June 16, 2010
THis was a good quick read. It had plenty of action and several suspects, typical of Ellen Hart's mysteries.
November 15, 2010
Fantastic mystery.
November 27, 2010
I liked this one much better than some of her other books. That Julia is something else.
December 20, 2013
Well written, good story. I will read more of her books.
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February 27, 2014Greatly enjoy Ellen Hart and Jane Lawless. Would recommend them.
October 5, 2016
Good story, well-written, interesting characters; I thought there was too much left hanging at the end of the book, but will still read more books from this author.
January 18, 2011
Reached page 127 and could not continue; crime fiction without a crime.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews