Elise Hart Kipness

Elise Hart Kipness is a television sports reporter turned crime fiction writer. The first two books in her Kate Green thriller series, LIGHTS OUT and DANGEROUS PLAY, are available now. The next, CLOSE CALL, will be released in August, 2025.

LIGHTS OUT is based on Elise’s experience in the high-pressure, adrenaline-pumping world of live TV. Like her protagonist, she chased marquee athletes through the tunnels of Madison Square Garden and stood before glaring lights reporting to national audiences. (At five feet, she often stood on a milk crate to interview NBA players).

In addition to reporting for Fox Sports Network, Elise was a reporter at New York’s WNBC-TV, News 12 Long Island, and the Associated Press, covering events including the Olympics, NBA and NCAA Championships, and the US Open. She is President of Sisters in Crime Connecticut, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Friends of Key West Library. When not writing, Elise loves reading, binge-watching thrillers, and she will fight you for the last scoop of coffee ice cream.

A graduate of Brown University, Elise has two college-age sons. Elise, her husband and their three labradoodles split their time between Key West, Florida and Stamford, Connecticut.

Behind the Scenes

2001 US Open

I was really excited when I got to interview Venus Williams after she beat her sister in their first Grand Slam face-off. Venus was so nice and down to earth. I was six months pregnant at the time and she was very solicitous about how I was doing, especially in the heat. 

2000 National League Championship Series
Shea Stadium

I really enjoyed covering baseball, especially when it came time for the playoffs. There was something magical about being on the field under the lights in October. 

1998-99 NBA Lockout
Interviewing former NBA Commissioner David Stern

The NBA lockout was a “hurry up and wait” story where reporters spent hours waiting outside conference rooms. Moments like these inspire a lot of the situations Kate Green, finds herself in, and some of the creative ways she corners elusive characters.

2000 March Madness

Yes, covering March Madness is as fun as you would expect! I had the great luck to be assigned to report on Coach K and Duke Basketball. Here’s a little secret: As a petite (5’) reporter, I needed all the height I could get when interviewing players, which is why I always stood on a milk crate, unless I got lucky and we sat.

1999 Olympic Stadium, Montreal

This week I spent more time in the airport than on baseball fields. In addition to covering Tony Gwynn’s 3,000th hit in Montreal, I saw Sammy Sosa hit his 60th home run for a second year and Wade Boggs join the 3-thousand Hit Club.

1999 Raymond James Stadium

Covering the NFL was a blast. I got to report on one of the NFL’s star coaches, Tony Dungy, when he led the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to the team’s first division title in 20 years.