AUTHOR'S NOTE

I started my blog, Sites and Stories, to celebrate historic sites - the stories they tell, the stories they inspire. My posts often provide behind-the-scenes glimpses of the people, places and the past featured in my books. I also write posts as a guest on other blogs, usually about facets of my Chloe Ellefson adult mysteries from Midnight Ink. There’s a lot here - have fun exploring!

My Blog Posts

Below are excerpts and links to the 2018 posts on my Sites and Stories blog and my guest posts on other blogs. Enjoy!

The Belgian Farm
		"Every Chloe Ellefson Mystery is set at a real historic site or museum. This lets me celebrate special places, and allows readers to visit the scene of the crime. When I planned the 9th book in the series, The Lacemaker’s Secret, I honed in on the Belgian Farm restored at Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay, WI. The house, constructed in 1872, was originally located in..." more>> Posted December 12, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Chloe 10 - Sneak Peek!
		"I was planning to wait a bit before revealing a sneak peek about the 10th Chloe Ellefson Mystery. But word is starting to leak out, and I want faithful readers to be in the know. Chloe and Roelke are going to Norway!" more>> Posted December 2, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Roadside Chapels
		"Belgian immigrants brought many religious traditions to North East Wisconsin. Signs of faith are still visible among their descendants, such as this shrine in front of a home, and this beautiful grotto in the St. Francis and St. Mary parish cemetery north of Brussels, WI. Most of those who arrived in the 19th-century were devout Catholics. Some of the newcomers built a small chapel on their property, continuing an Old Country tradition." more>> Posted November 20, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Lacemaking in Belgium
		"As someone who gravitates toward folk arts, I knew almost nothing about Belgium’s lacemaking industry before starting research for The Lacemaker’s Secret. But one of the best parts about writing the Chloe Ellefson mysteries is learning new things, and this topic was no exception. The mystery includes a strand of historical fiction featuring a Belgian farm girl, Seraphine. When Seraphine and her sister Octavie are orphaned at a young age, they find a home at a convent and lace school..." more>> Posted November 13, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Chloe Tours Scheduled at Vesterheim - Advance Notice
		"Exciting news! Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum has scheduled two special tours based on the fourth Chloe Ellefson mystery, Heritage of Darkness. Here’s the scoop on both tours..." more>> Posted October 21, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Belgian Pies
		"There are lots of fun things about writing a mystery series that celebrates ethnic heritage. One of those is the chance to explore food traditions. When I started researching The Lacemaker’s Secret, which focuses on Belgian immigrants in northeast Wisconsin, I quickly discovered the importance of Belgian pies." more>> Posted October 15, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Immigrant Stories
		"People sometimes ask why I so often write about 19^th-century immigrants. My fascination began in the 1980s when I worked at an outdoor ethnic museum called Old World Wisconsin. The museum features over 50 historic structures which have been moved to the site and restored. Working as an interpreter and curator there provided tantalizing glimpses into the lives of some of the state’s first Yankee and European immigrants." more>> Posted October 10, 2018 on the Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book blog.

Get to Know - Chloe Ellefson by Kathleen Ernst
		"Chloe first appeared in Old World Murder and one of the best ways to learn about a person is by asking questions, so lets get to know Chloe." more>> Posted October 6, 2018 on dru's book musings blog.

Kathleen's Great American Read Book Picks
		"*The Great American Read* is back, with weekly explorations each Tuesday night of why America’s best-loved books and characters make such lasting impressions in our lives. We’ve enjoyed hearing about Wisconsin authors’ own picks, both on and off TGAR‘s list. Next in our series is Kathleen Ernst, a multitalented author who describes her work as “writing at the intersection of people, places and the past.” If you enjoy history, mystery or any combination thereof, read on for some of Ernst’s inspiring picks!" more>> Posted September 18, 2018 on the Wisconsin Public Television blog.

Five Days at the Painted Forest
		"The drive to the Painted Forest from my home had me winding through rural hills and valleys, passing Amish buggies and stands of goldenrod. I started feeling better long before I reached the rural hamlet of Valton. The trip actually started last April, when I learned that my novel Mining For Justice: A Chloe Ellefson Mystery had been awarded..." more>> Posted September 16, 2018 on the Council for Wisconsin Writers blog.

An Interview with Author Kathleen Ernst
		Rocco: "Hi! Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?" Kathleen: "I’m a full-time writer who’s passionate about historic places and artifacts and the stories they can tell. I worked at an outdoor museum for twelve years, and have channeled my memories into the Chloe Ellefson Mysteries. Chloe works as a curator at the same historic site, and travels to different sites and museums as the series progresses. I’ve written many other books, but this series..." more>> Posted September 15, 2018 on the Cats, Books...and More Cats! blog.

The Lacemaker's Secret - Giveaway Winners!
		"Congratulations to KAREN AGEE, PHYLLIS NOONAN, CLARISSA PETERSON, LESLIE ROBINSON, and AMY OLSON SULLIVAN! Each has won an Advanced Review Copy of the 9th Chloe Ellefson Mystery, The Lacemaker’s Secret. Huge thanks to all who entered—we had almost 500 entries..." more>> Posted September 14, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

The Lacemaker's Secret - Advance Copies Giveaway
		"How would you like to read my new Chloe Ellefson mystery, three weeks before it is officially released?" more>> Posted September 12, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Why Belgians and Lace?
		"The 9th Chloe Ellefson Mystery, The Lacemaker's Secret, is set in Green Bay and southern Door County, Wisconsin. It features the Belgian immigrants who arrived in that area in the 1850s..." more>> Posted September 3, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Mining For Justice Giveaway Winners
		The winners of this month's Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are SHIRLEY HYING, DIANE JOHANSON and SUE SMITH. Each gets an author signed, personalized, trade paperback of Mining for Justice, the eighth book in this award-winning series. NOTE: in September Kathleen will give away Advance Reader Copies (ARCs) of Chloe 9, The lacemaker's Secret, three weeks before the book becomes available in October! Posted August 23, 2018.

Mining For Justice Giveaway
		This month Kathleen is giving away trade paperback copies of the eighth book in her Chloe Ellefson mystery series: Mining for Justice. To enter, leave a comment on the giveaway post on her Facebook Author page or her Sites And Stories Blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Wednesday, August 22, 2018. One entry per person, please. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck! Posted August 21, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Digging for Information
		"It’s challenging to find primary-source information about Territorial Wisconsin. While researching *Mining For Justice*, the 8th Chloe Ellefson mystery, I was therefore delighted to learn that a few newspapers from 1837 still exist, and have been microfilmed. They helped paint a picture of Mineral Point." more>> Posted August 20, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

The Mining Museum
		"The latest Chloe Ellefson mystery, Mining For Justice, features Wisconsin’s lead mining era. To learn about the miners’ work, the Mining Museum in Platteville, WI, is a great place to explore. Touring the 1845 Bevans Lead Mine with a knowledgeable guide is a highlight. The lead region produced over 27,000 tons of lead that year!" more>> Posted July 31, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

A Memory of Muskets - Giveaway Winners!
		The lucky winners of Kathleen's seventh monthly Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are SUSAN NELSON, CARRIE STAMMER and MELISSA WEINSTEIN. Each will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of A Memory of Muskets, the seventh book in this award-winning series. Stay tuned for a giveaway of Mining For Justice in August! Posted July 27, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

A Memory of Muskets - Giveaway!
		This month Kathleen is giving away trade paperback copies of the seventh book in her Chloe Ellefson mystery series: A Memory of Muskets. To enter, leave a comment on the giveaway post on her Facebook Author page or her Sites And Stories Blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Thursday, July 26, 2018. Only one entry per person, please. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck! Posted July 25, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Researching A Memory of Muskets
		"Mr. Ernst here. This book’s modern storyline is set in July 1983. Some readers find it hard to imagine life back then. For others, that time can evoke cherished memories and “Oh, I remember that!” moments." more>> Posted July 23, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Death of a Reenactor - And Giveaway!
		"All I want to do is host a stellar Civil War reenactment at the historic site where I work, Old World Wisconsin. I want to work with a small group of great reenactors, and focus on social history. But my micromanaging boss, director Ralph Petty, wants..." more>> Posted July 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Memory of Muskets - A Retrospective
		"Although setting books at different historic sites and museums is one of my favorite things about writing the Chloe Ellefson series, I do enjoy getting her home to Old World Wisconsin every now and again. The 7th mystery, *A Memory of Muskets*, does just that." more>> Posted July 12, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Death on the Prairie - Giveaway Winners!
		The lucky winners of Kathleen's sixth monthly Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are CAROL SIGLE DOSCHER, MARLENE EZELL, and DEBORAH STANISH. Each will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of Death on the Prairie, the sixth book in this award-winning series. Stay tuned for a giveaway of A Memory of Muskets in July! Posted June 28, 2018.

Death on the Prairie - Giveaway!
		This month Kathleen is giving away trade paperback copies of the sixth book in her Chloe Ellefson mystery series: Death on the Prairie. To enter, leave a comment on the giveaway posts on her Facebook Author page or Sites And Stories Blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Wednesday, June 27, 2018. Only one entry per person, please. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced the next day. Good luck! Posted June 26, 2018.

Death on the Prairie - A Retrospective
		"I often say that I look for untold stories or little-known events when seeking inspiration for a new book. With the 6th Chloe Ellefson mystery, Death on the Prairie, I took the opposite approach." more>> Posted June 22, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Researching Death on the Prairie
		"Mr. Ernst here. As youngsters, Kathleen and her sister Barbara loved the “Little House” books by bestselling children’s author Laura Ingalls Wilder. So much so that as adults they toured the Wilder historic sites together. So it’s not surprising that in Kathleen’s mystery, Death on the Prairie, Chloe Ellefson and her sister Kari also cherished Wilder’s books as kids, and as adults decided to visit places where..." more>> Posted June 20, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Happy Father's Day!
		Chloe Ellefson writes: "Happy Dad's Day to all the father figures out there! Since my sister and I are enjoying a road trip visiting all of the Laura Ingalls Wilder homesites, we just called our dad to wish him well. (Actually, we're not totally enjoying our road trip. Someone seems to have figured out that we're carrying an incredibly rare quilt that once belonged to Laura herself...and they may be willing to kill to get their hands on it." more>> Posted June 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Tradition of Deceit - Giveaway Winners!

"Congratulations to Stephanie Guile, Shannon Jurkus, and Micha Rader! Each won a signed and personalized copy of Tradition of Deceit. Winners were chosen from all entries here and on my Facebook Author Page. Thanks to all who entered, and for the lovely comments too. We’ll hold another giveaway next month."

Posted May 25, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Tradition of Deceit Giveaway
		This year from January through August I'm holding monthly giveaways of my Chloe Ellefson mysteries. The featured book for May is Tradition of Deceit. To enter the giveaway just leave a comment [on my Sites and Stories Blog] before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Thursday, May 24, 2018. Only one entry per person, please. Winners will be chosen at random from all entries [on my blog] and on my Facebook Author page and announced the next day. more>> Posted May 23, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Missing the Mark
		"Roelke McKenna here. I'm in a bad way. My best friend and former partner, Rick Almirez of the Milwaukee Police Department, was killed on duty the other night. He was killed in Milwaukee's Old South Side neighborhood. I used to walk a beat here too, so I know it well." more>> Posted May 18, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Researching Tradition of Deceit
		"Mr. Ernst here. In Tradition Of Deceit (TOD) Chloe and Roelke get caught up in separate mysteries, in separate cities, each facing deadly perils on their own. Chloe’s in Minneapolis helping her friend Ariel at the Minnesota Historical Society work on transforming an enormous abandoned flour mill into a museum. Roelke’s in..." more>> Posted May 15, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Tradition of Deceit - A Retrospective
		"As I began conceptualizing Tradition of Deceit, the 5th Chloe Ellefson Mystery, I had several goals in mind. Since main characters Chloe and Roelke were getting along pretty well by the end of the previous book, I figured it was time to throw a new challenge their way: distance." more>> Posted May 8, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

My Ten Favorite Books
		"I’m lucky to have some wonderful indies in my home state of Wisconsin. One of them, Books & Company in Oconomowoc, celebrated Independent Bookstore Day last week by creating a display featuring four Wisconsin authors and 10 of their favorite books. I was honored to be included. Picking just ten was tough, but it was an interesting exercise. Here’s my list..." more>> Posted May 4, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

April Giveaway - Winners!
		The lucky winners of Kathleen's fourth monthly Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are Gloria Browning, Julie Clabots, and Donamae Clasen Kutska. Each will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of Heritage Of Darkness, the fourth book in this award-winning series. Stay tuned for a giveaway of the fifth book in May! Posted April 20, 2018.

Celebrating Libraries Giveaway - Bonus Winner!
		Having mistakenly named a winner prior to the entry deadline, Kathleen has chosen to name a second winner in her Celebrating Libraries Giveaway! Congratulations to the Stone County Library in Mountain View, AR, which was nominated by Kay Garrett. The library will receive author-signed copies of three Chloe Ellefson mystery books: Old World Murder, The Heirloom Murders, and The Light Keeper's Legacy. Posted April 20, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Celebrating Libraries Giveaway - Winner!

State Historical Society of Wisconsin interior view.

Congratulations to the Pierce County Library in Sumner, WA, which was nominated by Lori Bonkoski. The library will receive three Chloe Ellefson mysteries: Heritage Of Darkness, Tradition Of Deceit, and Death On The Prairie.

NOTE: this giveaway was mistakenly ended a day early, so Kathleen has decided to select a second winner after the original Midnight, April 19th deadline. Their name, and the library they nominate, will be announced on the Killer Characters blog this Friday. more>>

Posted April 19, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Heritage Of Darkness Giveaway
		"This year from January through August I’m holding monthly giveaways of my Chloe Ellefson mysteries. The featured book for April is the fourth in the series, Heritage of Darkness. To enter the giveaway for Heritage of Darkness, just leave a comment below before 11:59 PM (Central US time) on Thursday, April 19, 2018. Only one entry per person, please. Three winners will be chosen at random from..." more>> Posted April 18, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Celebrating Libraries - and a Giveaway!
		Chloe Ellefson writes: "Library week may officially be over, but I'm taking a pause from my own work to celebrate libraries--and the people who work in them. I'm curator of collections at an outdoor museum, and sometimes do consulting work at other museums and historic sites too. Most have their own library for staff use. On the other end of the scale..." more>> Posted April 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Researching Heritage Of Darkness
		"Mr. Ernst here. This month the focus is on a surprise that turned up when researching a specific scene in this book, the fourth in Kathleen’s award-winning Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery series. Heritage Of Darkness (HOD) takes place within and around the wonderful, world-class Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum..." more>> Posted April 11, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Heritage Of Darkness - A Retrospective
		"*Heritage of Darkness, the 4th Chloe Ellefson mystery, was the first to cross state lines. It’s set at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa. By the time I started planning this book I’d visited this wonderful museum while writing the first Chloe mystery, Old World Murder*, to study ale bowls. I’d also taken several classes through the museum’s folk art school." more>> Posted April 4, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Ragna's Tale
		Ragna (pronounced Ron-yah) writes: "I didn't expect to become one of the best net makers on Rock Island. To my surprise, I did. Everyone says so. I need only three days to make a gillnet, five feet by one hundred twenty. I charge a dollar each and no one complains. "A thing of beauty," Anders declares each time I hand him a new net..." more>> Posted March 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Researching The Light Keeper's Legacy
		"This article explores examples of how technical research and photographic documentation were used to help Kathleen write the award-winning third book in her Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery series. The Light Keeper's Legacy (TLL) takes place in two time periods: A modern one in September 1982 featuring Chloe and police officer Roelke McKenna; and an historical thread stretching from 1869 to 1906. more>> Posted March 13, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

The Light Keeper's Legacy - A Retrospective
		"When publisher Midnight Ink picked up the first book in the Chloe Ellefson Mystery series, Old World Murder, I was given a two-book contract. After turning in the second book I wrote a proposal for two more, starting with a book set at Pottawatomie Lighthouse in Rock Island State Park, Wisconsin. (Rock Island is off the tip of Door County in Lake Michigan, and it takes two ferries and a mile walk to reach the lighthouse..." more>> Posted March 6, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

The Heirloom Murders Giveaway - Winners!
		The lucky winners of Kathleen's second monthly Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are Agnes Flamen, Elaine Klingbell, and John Nondorf. Each will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of The Heirloom Murders, the second book in this award-winning series. Stay tuned for a giveaway of the third book in late March! Posted March 1, 2018.

The Heirloom Murders Giveaway
		"This year from January through August I’m holding monthly giveaways of my Chloe Ellefson mysteries. February’s featured book is the second in the series, The Heirloom Murders." To enter this month’s giveaway..." more>> Posted February 27, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Researching The Heirloom Murders
		"Mr. Ernst here. This month the focus is on things interesting and indicative that turned up while researching *The Heirloom Murders*, the second book in the Chloe Ellefson mystery series. Some of the following made it into the book. Other things influenced the story. And some things below are included merely to reflect the times. Kathleen and I hope you find them interesting too." more>> Posted February 20, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Gardening...And Murder?
		Dellyn Burke, Historic Gardens Coordinator at Old World Wisconsin: "Are you dreaming of spring? Here in Wisconsin, it's still distant. If you're a gardener like me, though, you've probably started planning. For me, planning gardens is more than a pleasant winter pastime. I'm responsible for all of the gardens at Old World Wisconsin, an outdoor ethnic museum with over fifty restored buildings. The exhibits include ten working..." more>> Posted February 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

The Heirloom Murders - A Retrospective
		"Welcome back to the behind-the-scenes look at the Chloe Ellefson mysteries! Up today: The Heirloom Murders, second in the series. I knew where I wanted to go after wrapping up the first book, Old World Murder—Green County, Wisconsin, famous for its Swiss heritage. My father’s parents were born and raised in Switzerland, so that was a natural draw. Fondue dinners in New Glarus became “research trips.”" more>> Posted February 13, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Chloe Mystery #9 - Revealed
		"Last week I zipped the manuscript for the 9th Chloe Ellefson mystery off to my publisher. This week, it’s available for pre-order. I’m excited to provide a peek at Chloe and Roelke’s next adventure!" more>> Posted February 6, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Old World Murder Giveaway - Winners!
		The lucky winners of Kathleen's first monthly Chloe Ellefson Mysteries Giveaway are Sharon Butera, Sandra Redford Griswold, and Maryjean Samer. Each will receive a free, author signed and personalized, trade paperback of Old World Murder, the first book in this award-winning series. Stay tuned for a giveaway of the second book in late February! Posted February 1, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Chloe Mysteries Giveaway: Old World Murder
		For the next 8 months I’m giving away trade paperback copies of my 8 Chloe Ellefson mysteries, starting now with Old World Murder, the first book in the series. To enter this month’s giveaway, just leave a comment on the giveaway posts on my Facebook Author page or my Sites And Stories blog before 11:59 PM (Central US time), Wednesday, January 31, 2018. Only one entry per person, please. Three winners will be chosen at random and announced this Thursday. Good luck everybody! Posted January 30, 2018.

Researching Old World Murder
		"Mr. Ernst here. Extensive research is an important element in crafting the ‘people, places, and the past’ that appear in every Chloe Ellefson mystery, starting with the first, *Old World Murder* (OWM). As the author, Kathleen does the vast majority of research. But as her spouse (and “partner in crime”)..." more>> Posted January 27, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Cabin Fever
		Mary Pascoe writes: "I heard a miner talking about "cabin fever" the other day. Now that winter's pressed down, do you have it too? If so, I must admit to some envy. It took every cent my brothers and I had to travel from Cornwall to what soon became the Wisconsin Territory in America. We settled near the spot where the very first lead was discovered in Mineral Point. Our first "home" was a little dug-out shelter with brush for a roof. This winter we got lucky, and moved into a tiny cave..." more>> Posted January 17, 2018 on the Killer Characters blog.

Old World Murder - A Retrospective
		"Thanks for joining me as we take a behind-the-scenes look back at the Chloe Ellefson mysteries! First up: Book 1, Old World Murder. A little backstory: I worked at Old World Wisconsin, a large outdoor museum near Eagle, from 1982 through 1994. The first two years I worked as an interpreter..." more>> Posted January 16, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

The Early 1980s - A Pop Quiz
		Mr. Ernst writes: "Do you remember the early 1980s? The Chloe Ellefson mysteries written by Kathleen Ernst (my wife and better half) are set back then. When she first began working on the series I volunteered to do some general background research about the time period. This short, purely-for-fun quiz is based on some of what I turned up. Enjoy!" more>> Posted January 13, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.

Eight Books In Eight Months
		"My 9th Chloe Ellefson mystery will soon zip off to my publisher, and I’m already planning the 10th! That’s a milestone, and it seems like a good time to take a look back. My husband (AKA Mr. Ernst) and I have decided to do just that this year, with some treats along the way for readers. Here’s how “Eight Books in Eight Months” will work." more>> Posted January 10, 2018 on the Sites And Stories blog.