Old World Murder (A Chloe Ellefson Mystery, 1) - Softcover

Ernst, Kathleen

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0738720879 ISBN 13: 9780738720876

Publisher: Midnight Ink, 2010

Synopsis

Trying to leave painful memories behind her, Chloe Ellefson is making a fresh start. She's the new collections curator at Old World Wisconsin, an outdoor ethnic museum showcasing 1870s settlement life. On her first day, Chloe meets with an elderly woman who begs her to find a priceless eighteenth-century Norwegian ale bowl that had been donated to the museum years ago. But before Chloe can find the heirloom and return it to her, the woman dies in a suspicious car crash.

Digging up the history and whereabouts of the rare artifact quickly turns dangerous. Chloe discovers that someone is desperately trying to cover up all traces of the bowl's existence―by any means necessary. Assisting Chloe is police officer Roelke McKenna, whose own haunting past compels him to protect her. To catch the covetous killer, Chloe must solve a decades-old puzzle...before she becomes a part of history herself.

Praise:

"Clever plot twists and credible characters make this a far from humdrum cozy."―Publishers Weekly

"This series debut by an author of children's mysteries rolls out nicely for readers who like a cozy with a dab of antique lore. Jeanne M. Dams fans will like the ethnic background."―Library Journal

"Information on how to conduct historical research, background on Norwegian culture, and details about running an outdoor museum frame the engaging story of a woman devastated by a failed romantic relationship whose sleuthing helps her heal."―Booklist

"Old World Murder is strongest in its charming local color and genuine love for Wisconsin's rolling hills, pastures, and woodlands...a delightful distraction for an evening or two."―New York Journal of Books

"A wonderfully-woven tale that winds in and out of modern and historical Wisconsin with plenty of mysteries―both past and present. In curator Chloe Ellefson, Ernst has created a captivating character with humor, grit, and a tangled history of her own that needs unraveling. Enchanting!"―Sandi Ault, author of the WILD Mystery Series and recipient of the Mary Higgins Clark Award

"Propulsive and superbly written, this first entry in a dynamite new series from accomplished author Kathleen Ernst seamlessly melds the 1980's and the 19th century. Character-driven, with mystery aplenty, Old World Murder is a sensational read. Think Sue Grafton meets Earlene Fowler, with a dash of Elizabeth Peters."―Julia Spencer-Fleming, Anthony and Agatha Award-winning author of I Shall Not Want and One Was A Soldier

"Museum masterpiece."―Rosebud Book Reviews

"A real find...5 stars."―Once Upon a Romance

About this title

From the Author:

Old World Wisconsin is a real place, and one of the premier living history museums in the county. I was lucky enough to work there as an interpreter and curator. After twelve years I moved on, but found myself missing the place! So I decided to write an adult mystery that is largely set there.

As a reader, I enjoy the mystery genre--in large part because I love going on a long multi-book journey with favorite characters. Writing Old World Murder let me create my own main characters, Chloe Ellefson and Roelke McKenna, which was great fun. I've got lots of plans for them!

About the Author:

Kathleen Ernst is a novelist, social historian, and educator. Her seventeenth book is "The Heirloom Murders: A Chloe Ellefson Mystery," the second in a series of novels for adult readers that are set at historic sites. The first, "Old World Murder," was published in 2010. Both are available from Amazon as trade paperbacks and for the Kindle. The third, "The Lightkeeper's Legacy," is to be released in October 2012 and can be pre-ordered now.

Kathleen's historical fiction for children and young adults include eight American Girl mysteries set between 1732 and 1945, and five novels for young readers set during the American Civil War. These titles have earned four Arthur Tofte Juvenile Fiction Awards, the Flora MacDonald Award, a WILLA Finalist Award, an Edgar Award nomination, and three Agatha Award nominations. In September 2012 Kathleen will have a major new release of American Girl books, which can be pre-ordered now on Amazon.

Kathleen has also authored a nonfiction adult book about the Civil War, "Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign," which was an alternate selection of the History Book Club. It tells the stories of non-combatants who found themselves caught up in the bloodiest day in American history.

Kathleen has a Masters Degree in History Education and Writing from Antioch University, where her self-designed program focused on nontraditional methods of teaching and learning history--with a special emphasis on historical fiction. She spent over a decade as a Curator of Interpretation and Collections with the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, Historic Sites Division, which provided great material for her novels.

She lives near Madison, Wisconsin with her husband Scott and Sophie the cat. Some of her greatest pleasures include gardening, learning folk crafts, traveling to research new books, and hearing from readers.

About this edition

• Publisher: Midnight Ink
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 0738720879
• ISBN 13: 9780738720876
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 325