Sweet Poison: A Jane Lawless Mystery

In the juicy 16th Jane Lawless mystery (after 2007’s The Mortal Groove ), the lesbian restaurateur worries about her father Ray’s upcoming bid for governor of Minnesota. Corey Hodge, a convicted rapist Ray once defended in court, has just been released from prison. Nursing a grudge, he volunteers at Ray’s campaign headquarters until his identity is exposed. Life gets more intense after Corey becomes a suspect in the murder of one of Ray’s top volunteers, Charity Miller. Charity was being stalked by her ex-boyfriend, who may have committed a hate crime against a gay United Methodist minister involved with a male campaign worker. Also causing Jane concern is the unexpected return from Africa of her ex-lover, Dr. Julia Martinsen. Julia plots to reignite her relationship with Jane, who’s involved in a troubled long-distance relationship with Kenzie, a Nebraska professor. Hart fans will enjoy the many twists, both personal and criminal. (Nov.)