Kathleen Ernst is a Wisconsin author who may be best known
for her American Girl books. She had written eight American girl mysteries
featuring young heroines who are strong as well as smart. And in September
American Girl will be launching its newest character, Caroline Abbot, created
by none other than Kathleen Ernst.
for her American Girl books. She had written eight American girl mysteries
featuring young heroines who are strong as well as smart. And in September
American Girl will be launching its newest character, Caroline Abbot, created
by none other than Kathleen Ernst.
However, several years ago Kathleen moved hermystery-writing skills to include adult novels.
She drew not only on her abilities as a writer, but on her own
experience as an interpreter and curator of the nation’s largest outdoor historical
museum, Old World Wisconsin.
The result of that experience is the character Chloe
Ellefson, the fictional collections curator of Old World Wisconsin who finds
dead bodies and solves their murders.
Ellefson, the fictional collections curator of Old World Wisconsin who finds
dead bodies and solves their murders.
The Heirloom Murders is the second in the Chloe Ellefson
series. The plot revolves around the missing Eagle diamond, a true-life gem unearthed
in Wisconsin in 1876. That’s my favorite part about reading a book like this
one.
series. The plot revolves around the missing Eagle diamond, a true-life gem unearthed
in Wisconsin in 1876. That’s my favorite part about reading a book like this
one.
As I’ve said in other posts, I love books that teach mesomething new. The great thing about Kathleen’s book is how she teaches about the
workings of an outdoor historical museum without being obvious about it.
Everything we learn about the gardens, how important heirloom seeds are (the
fact that they exist at all!), and the various people who work on-site is woven
naturally into the story.
The Heirloom Murders switches its point of view between the
main character, Chloe, and the young small town police officer, Roelke McKenna,
who desperately wants a relationship with her, but doesn’t seem to quite know
how to go about getting her to commit.
main character, Chloe, and the young small town police officer, Roelke McKenna,
who desperately wants a relationship with her, but doesn’t seem to quite know
how to go about getting her to commit.
Both Chloe and McKenna have complex personal histories
that get in the way of a relationship, but also equip them with the skills and
character traits that make them good leads in the kinds of murder
investigations endemic to the “cozy” mystery genre.
that get in the way of a relationship, but also equip them with the skills and
character traits that make them good leads in the kinds of murder
investigations endemic to the “cozy” mystery genre.
The fact that I have visited Old World Wisconsin made the
story more personal for me. But for those who haven’t been there, Kathleen paints a picture
of the site and the small towns nearby that puts the reader into the
story.
story more personal for me. But for those who haven’t been there, Kathleen paints a picture
of the site and the small towns nearby that puts the reader into the
story.
The Heirloom Mystery is a wonderful read for both mystery
and history fans.
and history fans.
Kathleen Ernst is also the author of Old World Murder and the Light Keepers Legacy.
I'm so glad you are enjoying the series! Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts.