Books On Board
series Reading Order

Jane Lawless Books in Order

27 Books
1989 – 2012 Published
Jump to reading order
Affiliate links: We may earn a commission on purchases made at no extra cost to you.
Reading order

Where to Start with Jane Lawless

For anyone looking to dive into the mysteries of Jane Lawless, the absolute best place to start is at the very beginning with Hallowed Murder (1989). While each book features a self-contained mystery that is resolved by the final page, the personal lives, romantic relationships, and social dynamics of the recurring characters evolve significantly over the course of the series.

Starting from the first book allows you to experience the full developmental arc of Jane as she grows from a young Minneapolis restaurateur navigating a closeted mid-1980s landscape into an openly respected amateur sleuth. Furthermore, the legendary friendship between Jane and her theatrical, larger-than-life sidekick, Cordelia Thorn, is established in these early volumes. Reading out of order means missing the subtle, rewarding progression of their lives, careers, and personal milestones.

Publication Order vs. Chronological Order

Fortunately for readers, there is no need to navigate complicated timelines, prequels, or chronological detours. The chronological storyline of the Jane Lawless series perfectly matches its publication order. Spanning from 1989 to 2020, the timeline of the books mirrors the real-world passage of time, reflecting shifts in technology, politics, and social acceptance in Minneapolis and the wider United States.

As you read through the series in order, you will notice these shifts firsthand. The early novels feature payphones, physical paper trails, and characters navigating the deep social anxieties of the post-Stonewall era. By the later novels, Jane is utilizing smartphones and dealing with modern forensic developments and updated legal realities. This natural progression makes chronological reading a highly immersive experience.

The Complete Jane Lawless Book List in Order

Below is the complete list of the Jane Lawless novels in their recommended reading order, spanning over three decades of mystery writing:

  • Hallowed Murder (1989) – Jane's debut case involving the suspicious drowning of a sorority sister.
  • Vital Lies (1991) – A cozy yet tense investigation at a Victorian inn.
  • Stage Fright (1992) – The theatrical world of Cordelia Thorn takes center stage when a reunion turn deadly.
  • A Killing Cure (1993) – Jane investigates the dark secrets behind a prominent women's club.
  • A Small Sacrifice (1994) – A reunion of old college friends leads to old secrets resurfacing.
  • Faint Praise (1995) – The suspicious suicide of a popular TV personality draws Jane into the media world.
  • Robber's Wine (1996) – Family secrets and blackmail threaten a quiet Minnesota town.
  • Wicked Games (1998) – Jane retreats to a cabin in the woods, only to find herself solving a local murder.
  • Hunting the Witch (1999) – A high-stakes mystery centered around an upcoming wedding and long-held grudges.
  • The Merchant of Venus (2001) – A wealthy entrepreneur's death drags Jane into a complicated inheritance dispute.
  • Immaculate Midnight (2002) – A chilling case involving arson and decades-old family trauma.
  • An Intimate Ghost (2004) – Jane is hired to look into a double homicide at a wedding reception.
  • The Iron Girl (2005) – The death of a prominent community leader exposes a web of deceit.
  • Night Vision (2006) – Jane investigates a stalker, leading to a much larger web of violence.
  • The Mortal Groove (2007) – Jane's father runs for governor, bringing old Vietnam-era political secrets to light.
  • Sweet Poison (2008) – A luxury hotel opening becomes the backdrop for a poisoned guest list.
  • The Mirror and the Mask (2009) – A psychological puzzle involving an unstable artist and missing persons.
  • The Cruel Ever After (2010) – Jane must defend her former partner who is accused of a brutal crime.
  • The Lost Women of Lost Lake (2011) – A retreat to a northern Minnesota resort uncovers a cold case.
  • Rest for the Wicked (2012) – The mystery of an old key and a long-hidden body.
  • Taken by the Wind (2013) – A mother and daughter go missing during a severe storm.
  • The Old Deep and Dark (2014) – A theater director's housewarming party ends in homicide.
  • The Grave Soul (2015) – A woman is haunted by memories of a murder she believes she witnessed as a child.
  • Fever in the Dark (2017) – Jane helps an old friend whose husband's political campaign is plagued by blackmail.
  • A Whisper of Bones (2018) – The discovery of skeletal remains brings old family rivalries to the surface.
  • Twisted at the Root (2019) – A wrongful conviction case forces Jane and her father to re-examine an old murder.
  • In a Midnight Wood (2020) – The 27th book, focusing on a cold case involving the disappearance of a young man decades prior.

The Twin Cities Universe: Sophie Greenway Crossovers

In addition to Jane Lawless, Ellen Hart is the creator of the Sophie Greenway mystery series, which spans eight books beginning with This Little Piggy Went to Murder (1994) and concluding with No Reservations Required (2005). Because both series are set in the Twin Cities area and feature protagonists tied to the local culinary scene (Sophie is a food critic and magazine editor, while Jane is a restaurateur), many readers wonder if they cross over.

While the two series exist within the same fictional universe and occasionally mention the same local landmarks or hint at overlapping social circles, there are no official crossover novels where the two characters team up to solve a case. You can enjoy the Sophie Greenway books entirely independently of the Jane Lawless series without worrying about missing key plot points in either timeline.

What to Know Before You Start

Before diving in, readers should know that Ellen Hart describes her writing style as aiming for "maximal suspense with minimal gore." If you prefer detective stories that focus on psychological depth, complicated human motives, and rich interpersonal relationships rather than explicit violence, this series is an excellent match.

The series is also historic. Launching in 1989, it was one of the earliest mainstream mystery series to feature an openly lesbian protagonist. Over the course of 27 books, Jane Lawless does not remain a static character; she ages, builds businesses, falls in love, experiences heartbreak, and deals with family drama. Her best friend, Cordelia Thorn, provides a perfect foil with her dramatic flair and sharp wit, making their partnership one of the most beloved friendships in modern detective fiction.

Frequently Asked

QWhat is the best book to start the Jane Lawless series with?

The best book to start with is Hallowed Murder, the first novel in the series. It introduces Jane Lawless and Cordelia Thorn, setting up the character arcs and relationship dynamics that carry through the rest of the books.

QDo you need to read the Jane Lawless books in order?

While the mystery in each book is self-contained, it is highly recommended to read them in publication order. The main characters age, their relationships change, and the social landscape of Minneapolis evolves chronologically.

QAre there any crossover books between Jane Lawless and Sophie Greenway?

No, there are no direct crossover novels. Although both of Ellen Hart's series are set in the Minneapolis area and deal with the culinary world, they remain separate storylines that can be read independently.

QIs the Jane Lawless series completed?

As of now, the latest book in the series is In a Midnight Wood, published in 2020. No newer novels have been released, making it the 27th and most recent entry in the series.

QWhat awards has the Jane Lawless series won?

The series has earned wide critical acclaim, including six Lambda Literary Awards, three Minnesota Book Awards, and author Ellen Hart was named a Grand Master by the Mystery Writers of America in 2017.