Fiddling with Fate
Chloe has a devil of a time unraveling the mysteries of Norway's fiddle and dance traditions
After her mother's unexpected death, curator Chloe Ellefson discovers hidden antiques that hint at family secrets. Determined to find answers, Chloe accepts a consultant job in Norway, her ancestors' homeland. She's thrilled with the opportunity to explore Hardanger fiddle and dance traditions . . . and her own heritage.
Once their plane lands, however, Chloe and her fiancé, cop Roelke McKenna, encounter only disharmony. Chloe's research reveals strong women and the importance of fiddle music in their lives. But folklore warns against "the devil's instrument" and old evils may yet linger among the fjords and mountains. As Chloe fine-tunes her search for the truth, a killer's desire to stop her builds to a deadly crescendo.
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Kathleen Ernst is an award-winning and bestselling author, educator, and social historian. She has published over thirty novels and two nonfiction books. Her books for young readers include the Caroline Abbott series for American Girl. Honors for her children's mysteries include Edgar and Agatha Award nominations. Kathleen worked as an Interpreter and Curator of Interpretation and Collections at Old World Wisconsin, and her time at the historic site served as inspiration for the Chloe Ellefson mysteries. The Heirloom Murders won the Anne Powers Fiction Book Award from the Council for Wisconsin Writers, and The Light Keeper's Legacy won the Lovey Award for Best Traditional Mystery from Love Is Murder. Ernst served as project director/scriptwriter for several instructional television series, one of which earned her an Emmy Award. For more information, visit her online at KathleenErnst.com.
Praise for the Chloe Ellefson Series
Fiddling with Fate
"The historical threads and Chloe's quest tie together at the end in a really lovely way, and the reader learns something about Norwegian folk traditions along the way. Ernst brings not only her characters to life, but also the Norwegian heritage Chloe is so desperate to uncover."--Mystery Scene
"Fiddling with Fate is a riveting page-turner that culminates in a nail-biting ending...It's a masterpiece."--Maddy Hunter, Agatha Award finalist and author of the Passport to Peril mystery series
"[A] richly-detailed and multi-faceted mystery."--Patricia Skalka, winner of the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award
The Lacemaker's Secret
"Allows the readers rare access to Wisconsin's old-country heritage in a very factual and picture-perfect manner."--Alan C. Pape, former restoration chief at Old World Wisconsin (1971-1983)
Mining for Justice
"Contrasts the difficult life of Wisconsin's Cornish miners with the heroine's burgeoning romance, highlighting both her researching skills and her unusual feel for the past."--Kirkus Reviews
A Memory of Muskets
"Provides a new perspective on the Civil War woven together with a compelling mystery."--Kirkus Reviews
"Extremely well-written."--Suspense Magazine
Death on the Prairie
"Ernst does an exceptional job of sharing the kinds of character details that cozy readers relish."--Booklist
"A real treat for Little House fans."--Kirkus Reviews
Tradition of Deceit
"Ernst keeps getting better with each entry in this fascinating series."--Library Journal
"Everybody has secrets in this action-filled cozy."--Publishers Weekly
Heritage of Darkness
"Provides a little mystery, a little romance, and a little more information about Norwegian folk art and tales."--Kirkus Reviews
The Light Keeper's Legacy
"Chloe's third combines a good mystery with some interesting historical information on a niche subject."--Kirkus Reviews
"Builds up two mystery cases and cleverly weaves them back together."--Library Journal
The Heirloom Murders
"Chloe is an appealing character, and Ernst's depiction of work at a living museum lends authenticity and a sense of place to the involving plot."--St. Paul Pioneer Press
"Greed, passion, skill, and luck all figure in this surprise-filled outing."--Publishers Weekly
Old World Murder
"[S]trongest in its charming local color and genuine love for Wisconsin's rolling hills, pastures, and woodlands."--New York Journal of Books
"Clever plot twists and credible characters make this a far from humdrum cozy."--Publishers Weekly
"Rolls out nicely for readers who like a cozy with a dab of antique lore."--Library Journal
"[An] engaging story."--Booklist
