Picture a storyteller who swapped the bright lights of sports broadcasting for the shadowy twists of crime fiction—meet Elise Hart Kipness! This former TV sports reporter turned bestselling author has taken her adrenaline-fueled experiences chasing athletes through Madison Square Garden and spun them into gripping thrillers. Her debut, Lights Out, introduces readers to a world where sports and suspense collide, cementing her as a rising star in the mystery genre.
With a knack for crafting complex characters and heart-pounding plots, Kipness draws on her high-octane career to deliver stories that feel both authentic and electrifying. Now living on a hobby farm in Connecticut, surrounded by labradoodles and a cantankerous turkey, she’s writing novels that keep readers up all night.
The Making of Elise Hart Kipness
A graduate of Brown University, Elise Hart Kipness didn’t start her career with a pen in hand. She began as a journalist, diving into the fast-paced world of television news at outlets like WNBC-TV and News 12 Long Island. Her shift to sports reporting for Fox Sports Network put her in the thick of major events—think Olympics, NBA playoffs, and US Opens—where she interviewed icons like Venus Williams and covered high-stakes moments like the 1998-99 NBA lockout. These experiences, filled with pressure and drama, became the bedrock for her fiction. After stepping away from reporting to raise her family, Kipness rediscovered her love for storytelling, channeling her insider knowledge into crime novels that pulse with authenticity.
Elise Hart Kipness’s Unforgettable Stories
Kipness’s Kate Green series is where her talents shine. Her debut, Lights Out (2023), follows Kate Green, a former Olympic soccer player turned sports reporter, as she navigates a murder investigation involving her best friend’s husband, an NBA superstar. The novel’s fast-paced plot and vivid sports-world setting draw heavily on Kipness’s own career, offering readers a front-row seat to a thrilling whodunit. Critics praised its layered characters and societal themes, like the challenges women face in male-dominated industries.
The series continues with Dangerous Play (2024), diving deeper into Kate’s past as a youth soccer player and exploring the darker side of professional sports. The third installment, Close Call (2025), keeps the momentum going, blending personal drama with high-stakes suspense. Kipness’s style is marked by sharp dialogue, intricate plots, and a keen eye for the human side of crime—friendship, betrayal, and resilience. Her ability to weave real-world issues, like drug culture or workplace dynamics, into her mysteries adds depth that resonates with readers.
Why Elise Hart Kipness Matters
Elise Hart Kipness is more than a thriller writer; she’s a trailblazer who brings a fresh perspective to crime fiction. Her shift from sports reporting to novel-writing highlights her versatility, while her focus on strong female protagonists like Kate Green challenges genre norms. As co-president of Sisters in Crime Connecticut and a member of Mystery Writers of America, she’s also fostering a community for aspiring authors. Her work captivates fans of suspense and sports alike, proving that the sidelines can be just as thrilling as the court.
- Born: United States
- Key Works: Lights Out, Dangerous Play, Close Call
- Notable Roles: Co-president, Sisters in Crime Connecticut; Member, Mystery Writers of America
- Fun Fact: Lives on a hobby farm with three labradoodles and a feisty turkey
Snag Lights Out and dive into Elise Hart Kipness’s electrifying world of sports and suspense—you won’t put it down!