Chandler has presented talks about the craft of writing, serves as a mentor to many up-and-coming writers, and is a contributing member of The Golden Crown Literary Society, Sisters in Crime, and serves on the board of Mystery Writers of America.Ĭhandler was born in Grantsburg, Wisconsin, and raised primarily by a single mother, her father having died before she was born. Her work includes the Shay O'Hanlon Caper Series, many short stories, and other novels. Jessie Chandler (born August 16, 1968) is an American author of mystery and humorous caper fiction, most of which is about lesbian protagonists. But show-biz is a small world, and as Jane starts tracing the trails of two separate investigations, she's surprised to find they might not be as unconnected as she thought.2012 Ann Bannon Popular Choice Award for Bingo Barge Murder

Although Jane is already in the thick of another investigation-she's embroiled in a well-known country-western singer's family scandal-she agrees to help Cordelia out on the side. Cordelia immediately calls on her best friend, Jane Lawless.

And, to her shock and horror, Cordelia discovers that there is also one present-day body literally buried in a basement wall. Nicknamed 'The Old Deep and Dark' because of the Prohibition-era double murder that occurred in the basement-then a speakeasy-there are a wealth of secrets hidden inside its walls. Cordelia has a vision for the playhouse's future, but the more she learns about the building, the more fascinated she becomes by its past. Ellen lives in the Minneapolis area with her partner of 34 years.Ĭordelia is working to restore a historic theater in downtown Minneapolis that she recently bought with her sister Octavia, a world-famous actress. For the past fourteen years, Ellen has taught 'An Introduction to Writing the Modern Mystery' through the The Loft Literary Center, the largest independent writing community in the nation.

In 2010, Ellen received the GCLS Trailblazer Award for lifetime achievement in the field of lesbian literature. She is a five-time winner of the Lambda Literary Award for Best Lesbian Mystery, a three-time winner of the Minnesota Book Award for Best Popular Fiction, a three-time winner of the Golden Crown Literary Award in several categories, a recipient of the Alice B Medal, and was made an official GLBT Literary Saint at the Saints & Sinners Literary Festival in New Orleans in 2005. Ellen Hart is the author of twenty-eight crime novels in two different series.

Bingo Barge Murder by Jessie Chandler