Advance Praise for Old World Murder:


“Propulsive and superbly written, this first entry in a dynamite new series from accomplaished 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 the Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne Mystery Series


“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, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author of the WILD Mystery Series


“An enchanting mystery that propels you through historic Wisconsin.”

    -- Brava Magazine


“Clever plot twists and credible characters make this a far from humdrum cozy.” -- Publishers Weekly


The first in a new mystery series, this novel is set in 1982 at Old World Wisconsin, where I once was a curator myself.  (My plot and characters, of course, are entirely fictional.) 















Me at the Norwegian Fossebrekke Cabin, Old World Wisconsin, in 1982 (left) and 2010.


                                        




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Old World Murder

(Midnight Ink, October 2010)


Available now for pre-order now!


Chloe Ellefson’s new job as Collections Curator at a famous open-air historic site brings her face to face with a murder, a stolen artifact, a boss who seems to know little about running a living history museum, and an intriguing new relationship that just might help her banish the difficult memories she’s running from.  And that’s only her first day.


When I was developing the plot for Old World Murder, I needed a Norwegian artifact for a major plot point. 

I chose to feature an ale bowl.  These old tankards, which are often beautifully carved and painted, have appealed to me ever since my Old World Wisconsin days.


I recently went to Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum to learn more about ale bowls.  Vesterheim staffer Alison Dwyer was kind enough to show me some of the bowls in their collection.  You can get a behind-the-scenes look too!  Just check out the video:

Old World Murder was  lot of fun to write.  I hope you look for it...and support your local historic sites!

News!  Deadly as Diamonds, the second Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery, will be published in October, 2011.   Chloe delves into the puzzling suicide of a friend’s sister and the possible connection to the disappearance of a legendary diamond, while dealing with confusing matters of the heart when an ex-boyfriend seeks her out.