Whodunit in Decorah???

Top selling author Kathleen Ernst says her next mystery novel is set in Decorah, and even more specifically will include Vesterheim Museum. Ernst says the book, the fourth of her Chloe Ellefson mystery series published by Midnight Ink, is scheduled to be released next fall. The title has not yet been disclosed. However, Ernst previews the book by saying that when the story begins her protagonist, Chloe Ellefson, a police officer friend, and Chloe's mother plan a fun visit to Decorah, but "when they arrive things go sour quickly." Ellefson's role in the mystery series is that of a museum curator who manages to find herself immersed in all sorts of mysteries and shenanigans.

Why Decorah and Vesterheim? It is a long and somewhat circuitous story that is part of Ernst's career and professional passions.

Ernst has long been a writer, who is passionate about history and has used this passion to incorporate history into her fiction (although she has also published non-fiction works).  A huge writing break came for her when the American Girls company found out about her history infused writing and contacted her for their American Girls book series. She is currently on her 15th book in that collection. The addition of mysteries to her wide array of writing venues came because she ultimately missed the world of museums.

One of her first jobs (that she held for 12 years) was at Old World Wisconsin, an outdoor living history museum, that ultimately became the setting for the first of her Chloe Ellefson mystery series.  In fact, the background research about a missing wooden ale bowl, the center of that mystery, was done at Vesterheim. She says that her first visit to Vesterheim and Decorah was intended to be a quick research trip, and ended what she terms a "life changing experience."  The hospitality, knowledge gained , and further appreciation of the museum world she experienced at that time has fueled annual treks to Decorah for workshops, folk art classes, and writing research.

The headline of Ernst's website, kathleenernst.com, "Writing at the Intersection of People, Places, and the Past" captures the essence of her passion for history and honoring stories of early settlers and immigrants.  While the American Girls stories are obviously set in their corresponding historic timeline, the Chloe Ellefson mysteries are set in the early 1980's and specifically based in real museum locations.  Ernst says that time period allows distance from the present museum and workers, while still providing a very accurate description of museum workings with fictitious characters in a slightly earlier day. That era also provides an opportunity for traditional mystery stories, without graphic violence or sexual content, to unfold as whodunits without the twists of the internet and cell phones.

Ernst spoke to a crowd of 150 people Thursday night at the Decorah Public Library regarding the American Girl series. She says she was thrilled by the crowd and the enthusiasm young girls showed for reading and history. She also did book signings for her Chloe Ellefson books on Saturday during Vesterheim's Norwegian Christmas � on the 2nd floor next to the ale bowls exhibit! As far as reader following, Ernst's mysteries have tapped into multiple market niches: mystery fans, history buffs, museum enthusiasts, and regional interest based on the sites she uses as settings for her mysteries. It is not hard to imagine healthy sales in the surrounding area next fall, when everyone is curious about "whodunit in Decorah."

Book based on missing "ale bowl"