Ellen Hart Books in Order

Recommended Reading Path: Where to Start?

If you are new to the mystery novels of Ellen Hart, the best place to begin is with the celebrated Jane Lawless series. Starting with the debut novel, Hallowed Murder (1989), this series represents a landmark in mystery fiction, introducing readers to one of the first openly lesbian protagonists in a mainstream crime series. Reading this series in order allows you to follow the rich development of Jane’s personal life, her career as a restaurateur, and her enduring partnership with her eccentric, theatrical best friend, Cordelia Thorn.

If you prefer a shorter, completed mystery line with a distinct culinary focus, the Sophie Greenway series is a fantastic alternative. Kicking off with This Little Piggy Went to Murder (1994), this eight-book series features a food critic and magazine editor who frequently finds herself untangling puzzles in the Twin Cities. While both series share Hart's signature Minneapolis settings and culinary themes, they do not overlap in plot, so you can read them independently of one another.

The Jane Lawless Series in Publication Order

Spanning 27 novels over three decades, the Jane Lawless series is best read in publication order. Because the characters age, build relationships, and experience major life changes in real-time, reading the books chronologically is highly recommended to avoid key character spoilers.

• Hallowed Murder (1989) – Introduces restaurateur Jane Lawless and Cordelia Thorn as they investigate the suspicious death of a young woman at a local activist organization.
• Vital Lies (1991) – Jane visits a rural Wisconsin inn, only to find herself investigating a series of decades-old lies and fresh murders.
• Stage Fright (1992) – Set in the Minneapolis theater world, Jane looks into a series of deadly accidents targeting a prominent acting family.
• A Killing Cure (1993) – Jane investigates a suspicious death within a wealthy Minneapolis women's club, exploring themes of power and greed.
• A Small Sacrifice (1994) – A reunion of college friends at a Wisconsin cabin turns tragic, forcing Jane to solve a long-hidden secret.
• Faint Praise (1995) – Cordelia’s life takes center stage when a television personality's apparent suicide is revealed to be murder.
• Robber's Wine (1996) – Jane gets caught up in a complex case involving blackmail, family secrets, and a winery.
• Wicked Games (1998) – A high-suspense psychological mystery set at a secluded summer resort.
• Hunting the Witch (1999) – Personal stakes rise as Jane’s former partner is implicated in a bombing and murder case.
• The Merchant of Venus (2001) – Jane steps into the world of high art, old money, and historical secrets to clear a friend's name.
• Immaculate Midnight (2002) – A deeply personal and dark investigation into a family tragedy that hits close to home.
• An Intimate Ghost (2004) – A wedding turns into a crime scene, forcing Jane to investigate the complicated past of the groom.
• The Iron Girl (2005) – Following the death of a beloved community leader, Jane uncovers a shocking double life.
• Night Vision (2006) – Jane tracks a dangerous predator stalking the streets and parks of Minneapolis.
• The Mortal Groove (2007) – Set against the backdrop of a high-stakes political campaign, Jane must find a killer before the election.
• Sweet Poison (2008) – A quiet getaway at a cabin turns deadly when a prominent businessman is poisoned.
• The Mirror and the Mask (2009) – A complex, psychological investigation involving a bizarre murder and mythological clues.
• The Cruel Ever After (2010) – When Jane's former partner is arrested for murder, Jane must race against the clock to prove her innocence.
• The Lost Women of Lost Lake (2011) – Jane and Cordelia head north to a historic resort town to uncover old secrets and new crimes.
• Rest for the Wicked (2012) – The mysterious deaths at a secluded monastery lead Jane into a web of religious devotion and dark secrets.
• Taken by the Wind (2013) – A family disappears during a major storm, leading Jane on a desperate search through the Minnesota countryside.
• The Old Deep and Dark (2014) – Jane is drawn into a theatrical family's dark history when an old friend asks for help.
• The Grave Soul (2015) – A client suffering from repressed childhood memories asks Jane to solve a decades-old murder.
• Fever in the Dark (2017) – A politician's family secrets threaten to derail a campaign and lead to a web of blackmail.
• A Whisper of Bones (2018) – A search for a missing sibling leads Jane to a historic Minneapolis mansion filled with secrets.
• Twisted at the Root (2019) – Jane investigates a wrongful conviction case that forces her to look at local corruption and family ties.
• In a Midnight Wood (2020) – The 27th and final novel in the series, bringing a satisfying conclusion to Jane and Cordelia’s long investigative journey.

The Sophie Greenway Series in Publication Order

The Sophie Greenway series runs shorter and focuses heavily on the culinary scene of the Twin Cities. Sophie is a food critic, editor, and hotel owner who uses her sharp eye for detail to solve crimes. This series should be read in publication order:

1. This Little Piggy Went to Murder (1994)
2. For Every Evil (1995)
3. The Oldest Sin (1995)
4. Murder in the Air (1997)
5. Slice and Dice (2000)
6. Dial M for Meat Loaf (2001)
7. Death on a Silver Platter (2003)
8. No Reservations Required (2005)

Cozy Case Files & Anthologies

If you want a lighter introduction to Ellen Hart’s writing, she has contributed short stories and excerpts to various crime collections. Notably, her work has been included in Minotaur Books' Cozy Case Files samplers, including volumes 1 through 20. She has also contributed short stories to themed anthologies such as Murder, They Wrote (1997), The Milk of Human Kindness (2004), Twin Cities Noir (2006), Resort to Murder (2007), and Crime Hits Home (2022). These collections showcase her ability to build quick, suspenseful mysteries outside her main novel formats.

What to Know Before You Start

Ellen Hart’s style is best described as "maximal suspense and minimal gore." While her books feature clever clues, psychological depth, and complex human relationships, they avoid explicit violence and graphic details, making them perfect for fans of cozy and traditional mysteries. Hart’s background as a professional chef for 14 years shines through in her writing. Whether describing Jane’s restaurant operations or Sophie’s food columns, culinary details are woven seamlessly into the fabric of the Twin Cities, making Minneapolis feel like a central character in every book.