Step into the chilly, thrilling streets of Rutherford, Minnesota, where Jake Hines, a detective with a knack for unraveling the toughest mysteries, awaits! Elizabeth Gunn’s Jake Hines series is a gripping blend of crime mystery and police procedural, following a meticulous sleuth whose journey from abandoned infant to Chief of Detectives captivates readers. With eight novels packed with intricate plots and small-town charm, this series is a hidden gem for mystery lovers.
From serial killers staging bizarre crime scenes to gritty scams shaking a quiet town, Jake’s cases keep you guessing. His sharp eye for detail and unconventional approach make every book a page-turner. Ready to dive into a world where persistence meets heart? Let’s explore the Jake Hines series!
How Jake Hines Began
Elizabeth Gunn, a former innkeeper with a zest for adventure, launched the Jake Hines series in 1997 with Triple Play. Inspired by her roots in southeast Minnesota, Gunn crafted Rutherford, a fictional mid-sized city where rural calm clashes with gritty crime. Her varied past—private pilot, scuba diver, and travel writer—infused her writing with authenticity. At 70, Gunn began her novel-writing career, channeling her knack for storytelling into precision-tooled procedurals that earned praise from critics like Marilyn Stasio of The New York Times.
The Heart of Jake Hines
The series kicks off with Triple Play (1997), where Jake tackles a serial killer posing victims in vintage baseball uniforms, leaving chilling crime-scene photos. In Par Four (1999), Jake, now Chief of Detectives, faces a crime wave from a bar robbery to a shocking double murder tied to a river. Five Card Stud (2000) pits him against a frozen corpse and a missing trucker in a snowy Minnesota winter, while Crazy Eights (2005) dives into a murder case tied to a not-guilty verdict that haunts Jake.
Gunn’s novels shine with themes of resilience, meticulous investigation, and the clash between small-town values and rising crime. Jake’s backstory—rescued from a dumpster and raised in foster homes—adds emotional depth, making him a relatable underdog. The setting, with its icy winters and idyllic prairies, contrasts the dark, complex cases, while Gunn’s realistic police procedures and team dynamics ground the stories. Fans love the simmering romance with forensic scientist Trudy Hanson, adding heart to the suspense.
Why Jake Hines Resonates
The Jake Hines series stands out for its authentic portrayal of police work and its compelling protagonist. Gunn’s knack for weaving intricate mysteries with human stories has earned a loyal niche following, especially among fans of small-town crime sagas. While not as mainstream as some mystery giants, the series’ blend of grit and heart has kept readers hooked across eight books, with reprints in e-book and paperback formats ensuring its accessibility. Its focus on a mixed-race detective with a murky past adds a unique layer to the genre.
Gunn’s legacy lies in crafting a series that feels both timeless and grounded, proving that even lesser-known mysteries can leave a mark. Her ability to balance procedural detail with character-driven storytelling makes Jake Hines a standout in crime fiction.
- Publication Years: 1997–2010
- Number of Books: Eight novels, plus a holiday short story, Too Many Santas (2011)
- Setting: Rutherford, Minnesota
- Genre: Crime Mystery, Police Procedural
Grab Triple Play and dive into Jake Hines’s thrilling world of clues, crime, and small-town secrets! Whether you’re a mystery buff or new to the genre, Jake’s journey will keep you hooked from the first page.