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Chloe Ellefson Mystery #7
A Memory of Muskets
Curator Chloe Ellefson is happily planning to spotlight home-front challenges and German immigrants at Old World Wisconsin's first Civil War reenactment, but her overbearing boss scorns her ideas and proposes staging a mock battle instead. And when a reenactor is found dead at one of the historic site's German farms, Chloe's boyfriend, cop Roelke McKenna, suspects murder.
The more Roelke learns about reenacting, the more he fears that a killer will join the ranks. Then Chloe discovers a disturbing secret about Roelke's Civil War-era ancestors. Together they struggle to solve crimes past and present . . . before Chloe loses her job and another reenactor loses his life.
Praise:
"Veteran Ernst provides a new perspective on the Civil War woven together with a compelling mystery." --Kirkus Reviews
"Extremely well-written."--Suspense Magazine
"Kathleen Ernst knows how to spin a tale, weave an intricate plot, and hide clues in the embroidery. A Memory of Muskets takes two stories separated by more than a century and knits them together into one thoroughly satisfying read."--Kathy Lynn Emerson, Agatha Award-winning author of How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Murder in the Merchant's Hall, and other historical mysteries
The more Roelke learns about reenacting, the more he fears that a killer will join the ranks. Then Chloe discovers a disturbing secret about Roelke's Civil War-era ancestors. Together they struggle to solve crimes past and present . . . before Chloe loses her job and another reenactor loses his life.
Praise:
"Veteran Ernst provides a new perspective on the Civil War woven together with a compelling mystery." --Kirkus Reviews
"Extremely well-written."--Suspense Magazine
"Kathleen Ernst knows how to spin a tale, weave an intricate plot, and hide clues in the embroidery. A Memory of Muskets takes two stories separated by more than a century and knits them together into one thoroughly satisfying read."--Kathy Lynn Emerson, Agatha Award-winning author of How to Write Killer Historical Mysteries, Murder in the Merchant's Hall, and other historical mysteries
388 pages, Paperback
Published October 8, 2016
17 people are currently reading
280 people want to read
About the author
Kathleen Ernst
57 books379 followersI grew up in Maryland, in a house full of books! Both of my parents were avid readers, thank goodness. Before we traveled to a new area, my librarian-mom used to bring home historical novels set in that place. It was a great way to get excited about history.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
I began writing stories when I was maybe 10 or 11. At 15 I wrote my first novel; I sold my first novel to a publisher 20 years later! Writing was my hobby, so during those two decades I just kept practicing, reading, writing some more. What a thrill to finally hold my first book in my hand! Still, I write because I enjoy the process (at least most of the time).
For years I wrote while working at other day jobs. I spent 12 years working at a huge historic site, which was a perfect spot for someone interested in historical fiction. I also developed and scripted instructional videos for public television. Finally, though, it got to be too much to juggle. I now write full-time, and consider myself enormously fortunate to do something I love.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
July 29, 2021
Much better than the previous book in the series, and full of personal memory jogs for me, as it is set in an area I am familiar with in a time period close to when I lived there, S.E. Wisconsin, early 1980's.
It did have one mistake in it, but it was a minor one. She made reference to a high school sports team which I know to be in Mequon,WI., but then had it transpire that the kid in question lived in Cedarburg.
Had nothing to do with the plot, which was about Civil War reenactors at Wisconsin State Historic Sites.
I was tangential involved in that during my time in Wisconsin. It was during a family visit to a Civil War reenactment at The Old Wade House Historic Site that I got a chance to demonstrate lace making at several future events at the site.
I even got to give part of the tour one day when one of the volunteers was called away on a family emergency.
So, reading this book was like Old Home Week for me, only with a couple of murders thrown in.
If there are historic sites in your state please support them. History lives at places like these. Take your children and grandchildren to experience the past there. It will mean so much more than just what they learn in school.
It did have one mistake in it, but it was a minor one. She made reference to a high school sports team which I know to be in Mequon,WI., but then had it transpire that the kid in question lived in Cedarburg.
Had nothing to do with the plot, which was about Civil War reenactors at Wisconsin State Historic Sites.
I was tangential involved in that during my time in Wisconsin. It was during a family visit to a Civil War reenactment at The Old Wade House Historic Site that I got a chance to demonstrate lace making at several future events at the site.
I even got to give part of the tour one day when one of the volunteers was called away on a family emergency.
So, reading this book was like Old Home Week for me, only with a couple of murders thrown in.
If there are historic sites in your state please support them. History lives at places like these. Take your children and grandchildren to experience the past there. It will mean so much more than just what they learn in school.
September 3, 2016
Kathleen Ernst is unbelievably talented. She layers her books like a set of Russian nesting dolls. Set in the 1980s, her Chloe Ellefson mysteries feature historically accurate 20th Century mysteries interwoven with mysteries from other historical periods.
A Memory of Muskets skillfully knits together Civil War history with a modern day murder mystery, using stunning detail to help the reader understand life during the Civil War and how that conflict reverberates in the lives of Americans many decades later.
We come to care about museum curator Chloe and policeman boyfriend Roelke even more as their relationship develops over the course of the series. It's a privilege to read such well-researched mysteries that give the reader insight into bygone eras through delightfully human, always slightly flawed, characters.
Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
A Memory of Muskets skillfully knits together Civil War history with a modern day murder mystery, using stunning detail to help the reader understand life during the Civil War and how that conflict reverberates in the lives of Americans many decades later.
We come to care about museum curator Chloe and policeman boyfriend Roelke even more as their relationship develops over the course of the series. It's a privilege to read such well-researched mysteries that give the reader insight into bygone eras through delightfully human, always slightly flawed, characters.
Full Disclosure--Net Gallery and the publisher provided me with a digital ARC of this book. This is my honest review.
April 25, 2020
Always a good story and double when reading about an area I’m familiar with. I first heard of this series years ago while listening to Chapter a Day on public radio and it wasn’t til it was over did I realize it was in a series and I had missed a number of books. So I started at the beginning.
October 17, 2016
Dollycas’s Thoughts
My first experience at Old World Wisconsin was back in 5th grade for a school field trip and have visited several times since but not lately, at least in person. Through this series I have been able to visit there and some other wonderful places in the Midwest.
Our protagonist, Chloe Ellefson together with Byron Cooke, curator of interpretation, are planning a Civil War program. Thanks to their boss it turns into a Civil War Reenactment. While doing research for the event she discovers some ties to Roelke’s ancestors and the family home she is planning to move into with him. It may explain the disturbing feelings she has about the place. They both get distracted away from their move when a man is found dead at Old World Wisconsin. Dressed as a reenactor, the man has no identification, and this leads the case in several different directions.
Kathleen Ernst always writes a great story with a captivating mystery and the perfect amount of history too. She gives us very detailed descriptions that make the story come alive and easy to visualize. I enjoyed the way she skips back to the past, the 1860’s, and back to present time in this case, is the early 1980’s. As always you can see she has deeply researched the subject matter and I like that I actually learn something while reading every story.
I found Rosina’s story to be very interesting. Her traveling to the New World and making her way to Wisconsin and her life there.
Chloe and Roelke have gotten even closer but they are still building trust as their lives together starts a new chapter.
All the characters are written so well. Chloe’s boss, Petty, not only pushed her buttons but mine. You know the type, my way or the highway, moving deadlines just because he can. and adding things to programs some times just to get her on the defensive. At times you could cut the tension with a knife.
The mystery itself tangled around itself at times and the clues did not always more the investigation forward but took us back to review things that were missed. I was again caught by surprise as we reached the end for that revealing moment when all the clues fell into place.
Ernst is a strong storyteller. At times I could picture all of us gathered around her listening to her tell us Rosina’s story and catching us up with Chloe and all the people in her life. Kind of like the interpreters at Old World Wisconsin. Something she actually used to do. Her love for the place and the history shines bright in every one of her stories.
My first experience at Old World Wisconsin was back in 5th grade for a school field trip and have visited several times since but not lately, at least in person. Through this series I have been able to visit there and some other wonderful places in the Midwest.
Our protagonist, Chloe Ellefson together with Byron Cooke, curator of interpretation, are planning a Civil War program. Thanks to their boss it turns into a Civil War Reenactment. While doing research for the event she discovers some ties to Roelke’s ancestors and the family home she is planning to move into with him. It may explain the disturbing feelings she has about the place. They both get distracted away from their move when a man is found dead at Old World Wisconsin. Dressed as a reenactor, the man has no identification, and this leads the case in several different directions.
Kathleen Ernst always writes a great story with a captivating mystery and the perfect amount of history too. She gives us very detailed descriptions that make the story come alive and easy to visualize. I enjoyed the way she skips back to the past, the 1860’s, and back to present time in this case, is the early 1980’s. As always you can see she has deeply researched the subject matter and I like that I actually learn something while reading every story.
I found Rosina’s story to be very interesting. Her traveling to the New World and making her way to Wisconsin and her life there.
Chloe and Roelke have gotten even closer but they are still building trust as their lives together starts a new chapter.
All the characters are written so well. Chloe’s boss, Petty, not only pushed her buttons but mine. You know the type, my way or the highway, moving deadlines just because he can. and adding things to programs some times just to get her on the defensive. At times you could cut the tension with a knife.
The mystery itself tangled around itself at times and the clues did not always more the investigation forward but took us back to review things that were missed. I was again caught by surprise as we reached the end for that revealing moment when all the clues fell into place.
Ernst is a strong storyteller. At times I could picture all of us gathered around her listening to her tell us Rosina’s story and catching us up with Chloe and all the people in her life. Kind of like the interpreters at Old World Wisconsin. Something she actually used to do. Her love for the place and the history shines bright in every one of her stories.
September 10, 2016
Curator Chloe Elleson is working in Old Worl Wisconsin, a living museum featuring the lives of the early German immigrants to the US, and planning a big event about the Civil War and a reenactment of the challenges the immigrant faced. But everything gets worse when an unknown Civil War reenactor is found dead in one of the farms.
I really enjoyed this book, very much and for different reasons. The first thing was that this story is told in two different periods, the contemporary period that includes Chloe, Roelke her, police officer, boyfriend, and the 1860s where we learn the story of the ancestors of Roelke, Klaus and Rosina, both German immigrants.
The other thing was about the characters. The author obviously knew a lot about this reenactment thing, because all the details about the reenactors, the scenes and everything that involved them were amazing.
Also, i must admit, i just loved Chloe. I felt connected to her, her love for history, her commitment to find the facts, truths was wonderful, and the way she sometimes forgets everything when speaking about some long gone people or events, i can be like that, a lot.
The other interesting thing about this book was the emotions displayed. I felt, and it can be only my imagination, that this book was about two powerful emotions: Guilt and Regret. How they really can poison the lives and memories of people, how they travel through years and even generations and never really let go of people. It was really a very touching part of this book, and it made me enjoy it even more.
All this was happening as everybody was trying to figure out who that dead reenactor was and how he died. So after all that death was only the starting point of this story, the one event that brought so many tragedies and secrets out.
I really recommend it to those who enjoy historical fictions, with a bit of mysteries and some romance all along.
I got this book through NetGalley.
I really enjoyed this book, very much and for different reasons. The first thing was that this story is told in two different periods, the contemporary period that includes Chloe, Roelke her, police officer, boyfriend, and the 1860s where we learn the story of the ancestors of Roelke, Klaus and Rosina, both German immigrants.
The other thing was about the characters. The author obviously knew a lot about this reenactment thing, because all the details about the reenactors, the scenes and everything that involved them were amazing.
Also, i must admit, i just loved Chloe. I felt connected to her, her love for history, her commitment to find the facts, truths was wonderful, and the way she sometimes forgets everything when speaking about some long gone people or events, i can be like that, a lot.
The other interesting thing about this book was the emotions displayed. I felt, and it can be only my imagination, that this book was about two powerful emotions: Guilt and Regret. How they really can poison the lives and memories of people, how they travel through years and even generations and never really let go of people. It was really a very touching part of this book, and it made me enjoy it even more.
All this was happening as everybody was trying to figure out who that dead reenactor was and how he died. So after all that death was only the starting point of this story, the one event that brought so many tragedies and secrets out.
I really recommend it to those who enjoy historical fictions, with a bit of mysteries and some romance all along.
I got this book through NetGalley.
October 20, 2016
Old World Wisconsin, a living history museum, is an interesting setting for a story with a Civil War reenactment. When an unidentified body turns up behind a barn there, local police and the curators are baffled, especially as he is dressed in a soldier's uniform.
A history mystery with a dual timeline, set mainly in Wisconsin, the story bounces between the 1860's to 1983. The author did a lot of thorough research it seemed, weaving it into the character's lives in the past and present stories. The details of what a Civil War soldier carried, wore, and what their families left behind experienced was interesting; the German heritage of the area was also. I was drawn into Rossina's story, as well as Chloe and Roelke's. I had enjoyed the first books in the series, and liked catching up with them in this one. I would have enjoyed the narrative a lot more without the swearing; it didn't seem to fit Chloe's educated background really either, but detracted. The mystery came together rather quickly at the end with a few loose ends.
Readers who like a Civil War era tale, with a modern day mystery, may enjoy this story. 3.5 stars
(Warning for sensitive readers: see comment below for additional details.)
(A book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
A history mystery with a dual timeline, set mainly in Wisconsin, the story bounces between the 1860's to 1983. The author did a lot of thorough research it seemed, weaving it into the character's lives in the past and present stories. The details of what a Civil War soldier carried, wore, and what their families left behind experienced was interesting; the German heritage of the area was also. I was drawn into Rossina's story, as well as Chloe and Roelke's. I had enjoyed the first books in the series, and liked catching up with them in this one. I would have enjoyed the narrative a lot more without the swearing; it didn't seem to fit Chloe's educated background really either, but detracted. The mystery came together rather quickly at the end with a few loose ends.
Readers who like a Civil War era tale, with a modern day mystery, may enjoy this story. 3.5 stars
(Warning for sensitive readers: see comment below for additional details.)
(A book was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.)
October 17, 2016
Another historical mystery winner from talented author Kathleen Ernst.
The fact that I live in Wisconsin, close to the sister site, and appreciate reinactments, did not make me rate this higher than it deserves. This is an amazing book full of historical references and multiple layers.
We watch the relationship between Chloe and her cop develop, and get a feel for her extra sensitive emotional perceptions, experience the antagonistic overbearing complications of her boss with political aspirations. The mysterious discovery of a uniformed body at the historical site ties all the other elements together. Kathleen is a master at inserting subtle humor and sarcasm into the script as needed to lighten the mood.
"(Det.) Goresko had sandy hair worn in a Who cares?style, as if he trimmed it himself while watching a Packers game on tv."
We get to look behind the scenes at what it takes to transform a visit into a near time travel experience. And as a bonus, the author digs deeper into ancestral research, reminding us that every family has secrets and heroes.
After reading this book I am planning another visit to my local historical sites.
I did receive this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
The fact that I live in Wisconsin, close to the sister site, and appreciate reinactments, did not make me rate this higher than it deserves. This is an amazing book full of historical references and multiple layers.
We watch the relationship between Chloe and her cop develop, and get a feel for her extra sensitive emotional perceptions, experience the antagonistic overbearing complications of her boss with political aspirations. The mysterious discovery of a uniformed body at the historical site ties all the other elements together. Kathleen is a master at inserting subtle humor and sarcasm into the script as needed to lighten the mood.
"(Det.) Goresko had sandy hair worn in a Who cares?style, as if he trimmed it himself while watching a Packers game on tv."
We get to look behind the scenes at what it takes to transform a visit into a near time travel experience. And as a bonus, the author digs deeper into ancestral research, reminding us that every family has secrets and heroes.
After reading this book I am planning another visit to my local historical sites.
I did receive this book in exchange for an unbiased review.
November 26, 2016
Being an Ernst junkie I've read them all and this one spoke to me ... from my genealogy interests to my Pomeranian roots to Old World Wisconsin to the names that she chose for the characters -- WOW! The love story continues between the two main characters, as they get to know just a bit more about each other through Roelke's family history. Through the research and excitement, they grow to appreciate the balance that each bring to the relationship. Ernst has this awesome way of walking the reader right through the scenes, to the point where I now want to visit Old World, go to GermanFest, buy a farmhouse and plant an heirloom garden and then in my spare time research my ancestors' involvement with the Civil War. Multiple storylines flow easily through the book, each well researched and melded together like a concert. Can't wait for the next in the Chloe Ellefson series!
September 12, 2016
Uh, this was painful. I don't know what book the other reviewers read, but this was imho... not good. I almost abandoned and jumped ship. The huge problem? This book just keeps rehashing over and over the same information - there's a guy who died. They have no idea who he is. Here's what we found. Here's the grandma's story. She has a secret. Here's the secret. Over and over. The reader won't forget!! I might write a lengthier review later but it was so annoying I just was in pain. The only redemption was some of the Civil War information was quite good - about relics and reenactments (oh yeah, that info was repeated over and over and over) but that's my only redemption I found.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for this honest review.
May 12, 2016
This is the seventh in the series of Chloe Ellefson Old World mysteries. They follow a pattern, with the main character Chloe, who is a curator at an interactive open air museum in Wisconsin, having to solve a murder mystery with the help of her boyfriend, small town cop Roelke. Meanwhile, a parallel drama is going on in another time, involving past residents of the area, often immigrants. The drama from the past eventually sheds some light on what is happening in the present (actually the 1980s). And then there's the romantic relationship of Chloe and Roelke, who are often at cross purposes due to their intense and tightly wound natures.
Usually I enjoy the murder mystery most, followed by the relationship story, then the historical drama. This time I found the historical drama the most engaging, set against a backdrop of the Civil War, followed by the relationship melodrama, and finally the murder mystery. In fact, I find myself enjoying the parallel historical story lines more and more as the series progresses.
Can you start the series out of order? I think so -- Ernst explains enough each time so that new readers will be up to speed without giving away anything from past stories.
I also enjoyed the genealogy aspect of this novel, especially the unspoken caveat that no matter how thorough you are in your research, the past won't give up all its secrets.
(Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a digital review copy.)
Usually I enjoy the murder mystery most, followed by the relationship story, then the historical drama. This time I found the historical drama the most engaging, set against a backdrop of the Civil War, followed by the relationship melodrama, and finally the murder mystery. In fact, I find myself enjoying the parallel historical story lines more and more as the series progresses.
Can you start the series out of order? I think so -- Ernst explains enough each time so that new readers will be up to speed without giving away anything from past stories.
I also enjoyed the genealogy aspect of this novel, especially the unspoken caveat that no matter how thorough you are in your research, the past won't give up all its secrets.
(Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a digital review copy.)
December 6, 2016
A MEMORY OF MUSKETS is my favorite Chloe Ellefson mystery so far. Chloe, curator of Old World Wisconsin, is in the midst of a murder investigation after a reenacter is found dead on the property. Kathleen Ernst’s descriptions helped me visualize the living museum with its buildings representing different immigrants such as the German Schulz farm.
Descriptions of the struggles to travel to America, to farm and homestead, and then to fight in The Civil War helped me imagine what it was like for my own German ancestors.
Kathleen Ernst has expertly woven together the story of Chloe and her policeman boyfriend Roelke with a parallel story dating back to German immigrants in the 1860’s. Fanciful Rosina, who will let the peas burns while watching cardinals play in the snow, falls in love on board ship taking her to her intended. After one stolen night with Leopold, she becomes pregnant. She must say goodbye to join hard-working, homesteader Klaus. Leopold goes off to fight. Does Klaus know the child isn’t his? Will Leopold return?
Thanks to Kathleen Ernst, master storyteller and creator of the Chloe Ellefson series, for bringing history to life.
Descriptions of the struggles to travel to America, to farm and homestead, and then to fight in The Civil War helped me imagine what it was like for my own German ancestors.
Kathleen Ernst has expertly woven together the story of Chloe and her policeman boyfriend Roelke with a parallel story dating back to German immigrants in the 1860’s. Fanciful Rosina, who will let the peas burns while watching cardinals play in the snow, falls in love on board ship taking her to her intended. After one stolen night with Leopold, she becomes pregnant. She must say goodbye to join hard-working, homesteader Klaus. Leopold goes off to fight. Does Klaus know the child isn’t his? Will Leopold return?
Thanks to Kathleen Ernst, master storyteller and creator of the Chloe Ellefson series, for bringing history to life.
October 18, 2016
Book 7 and still going strong! Curator Chloe Ellefson works at Old World Wisconsin. In this installment, she is yet again at odds with her boss as they plan the site's first Civil War reenactment. An unknown civil war reenactor is found dead at the site's German farms and Roelke McKenna, local cop and Chloe's boyfriend, suspects foul play. Then, the body count rises. What did these men have in common and how did it get them killed?
At the same time, Chloe and Roelke are struggling with moving in together to Roelke's old family homestead, just recent purchased. Chloe gets feelings of bad things from the original cabin. Why and what will they do to move beyond it? We get to learn what occurred there through flashbacks.
I love this installment and strongly recommend the series. The book stands alone, but you will miss out some but not having the character backgrounds built in previous books.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
At the same time, Chloe and Roelke are struggling with moving in together to Roelke's old family homestead, just recent purchased. Chloe gets feelings of bad things from the original cabin. Why and what will they do to move beyond it? We get to learn what occurred there through flashbacks.
I love this installment and strongly recommend the series. The book stands alone, but you will miss out some but not having the character backgrounds built in previous books.
Full disclosure - I received a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2016
Oh, wow. Kathleen Ernst has done it again! The Chloe Ellefson mysteries are so wonderfully engaging! I love how each one transports you to a different period of time and really brings it to life. This newest installment did not disappoint at all. Reading about the lives of the German immigrants, the hardships they faced, the love and friendships they found made me feel like I actually knew them. The mystery was well-crafted, as well! As a transplant to the midwest, I feel a litlle more at home with each book in this series that I've read.
November 23, 2018
Love the history/mystery aspect of this series. though this particular book was not quite as good as others I've read. Despite that, I'm on a quest read all of books in this series.
April 7, 2019
This is the best one so far. The back and forth between the past and was great, the little details and clues were awesome. I really enjoy these books!
September 26, 2021
This book focuses heavily on the WI all (or mostly) German regiments in the civil war and the re-enacting lifestyle. Fascinating and informative.
January 7, 2018
Kathleen is a master of linking the past and present into a compelling novel. I learned a lot about the daily life of German immigrants in Wisconsin during the Civil War, something I had never considered before.
September 25, 2016
Kathleen Ernst writes a multi-layered story of different members of a family, over a hundred years apart, and those they are connected to in love and work. There are two mysteries occurring in the book.
Chloe Ellefson is a Curator at Old World Wisconsin planning a big Civil War event. She is a professional at work, while mentoring and working with staff, despite her Boss being a pain. At least her love life was fine until she felt bad energy about the Cabin that her boyfriend wants to make into her private space. Roelke had bought the family farm and Chloe is slowly moving her things in... as she finds out things about his Ancestors who built it. Things she may not want to tell him. But while she debates all this... they find the body of a reenactor and death suddenly seems very close. Add to that the shooting of another and all kinds of strange things start happening.
The Book is strong on the language and flavor of reenacting as it is also on the daily workings of a historic site. The Staff who work with collections, as well as events, are well developed. Ernst builds strength into the personalities and types of people who love history and participate in these type of recreation events. The Book moves slow but layers the different time frames well.
But to me the heart of the book is the love story set right before the Civil War. I found the German settlers, who entered this country at a time of Civil War, making life and death decisions about themselves... fascinating. Their loyalties gave a slant to history I had never thought about. Marriage was often built on practical reasons alone... not love. I found the ancestor research by Chloe added a lot of emotion to the story and had a strong mystery of its own.
Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a digital review copy.
Chloe Ellefson is a Curator at Old World Wisconsin planning a big Civil War event. She is a professional at work, while mentoring and working with staff, despite her Boss being a pain. At least her love life was fine until she felt bad energy about the Cabin that her boyfriend wants to make into her private space. Roelke had bought the family farm and Chloe is slowly moving her things in... as she finds out things about his Ancestors who built it. Things she may not want to tell him. But while she debates all this... they find the body of a reenactor and death suddenly seems very close. Add to that the shooting of another and all kinds of strange things start happening.
The Book is strong on the language and flavor of reenacting as it is also on the daily workings of a historic site. The Staff who work with collections, as well as events, are well developed. Ernst builds strength into the personalities and types of people who love history and participate in these type of recreation events. The Book moves slow but layers the different time frames well.
But to me the heart of the book is the love story set right before the Civil War. I found the German settlers, who entered this country at a time of Civil War, making life and death decisions about themselves... fascinating. Their loyalties gave a slant to history I had never thought about. Marriage was often built on practical reasons alone... not love. I found the ancestor research by Chloe added a lot of emotion to the story and had a strong mystery of its own.
Thanks to Midnight Ink and NetGalley for a digital review copy.
October 4, 2016
Death Stalks a Civil War Reenactment
Old World Wisconsin is a living history site devoted to telling the story of the German Immigrants to Wisconsin. The site is beautifully designed with farms showing how the settlers lived from the earliest immigrants to those after the Civil War.
Chloe Ellefson is a Curator at Old World Wisconsin and very proud of the living history museum. She is planning a major event about the Civil War and wants to highlight the lives of the individuals, but her boss has different ideas. He wants to stage a reenactment of a Civil War battle. Chloe is against it, but he insists believing it will bring more visitors. However, when a reenactor's body turns up on one of the farms and Roelke, a policeman and Chloe's boyfriend, suspects murder, the celebration becomes more complicated.
The story takes place on two levels. One is the present day celebration; the other is a tale of tho early settlers Klaus and Rosina, who are Roethe's forebears. The book follows both stories weaving the plots together with the historic site.
The author knows a great deal about the technical aspects of reenactments. I found it fascinating. The historical detail is also well done. The story of Klaus and Rosina has a tragic aspect that highlights the reality of the settler's lives where marriage was often a matter of convenience rather than love.
I did feel that the search for the murderer contained too much redundant information. It seemed that the characters kept repeating the same information over and over. However, the inclusion of the Civil War love story keeps the tension high.
If you enjoy a good mystery with a historical context, you may enjoy this one.
I received the book from Net Galley and Midnight Ink for this review.
Old World Wisconsin is a living history site devoted to telling the story of the German Immigrants to Wisconsin. The site is beautifully designed with farms showing how the settlers lived from the earliest immigrants to those after the Civil War.
Chloe Ellefson is a Curator at Old World Wisconsin and very proud of the living history museum. She is planning a major event about the Civil War and wants to highlight the lives of the individuals, but her boss has different ideas. He wants to stage a reenactment of a Civil War battle. Chloe is against it, but he insists believing it will bring more visitors. However, when a reenactor's body turns up on one of the farms and Roelke, a policeman and Chloe's boyfriend, suspects murder, the celebration becomes more complicated.
The story takes place on two levels. One is the present day celebration; the other is a tale of tho early settlers Klaus and Rosina, who are Roethe's forebears. The book follows both stories weaving the plots together with the historic site.
The author knows a great deal about the technical aspects of reenactments. I found it fascinating. The historical detail is also well done. The story of Klaus and Rosina has a tragic aspect that highlights the reality of the settler's lives where marriage was often a matter of convenience rather than love.
I did feel that the search for the murderer contained too much redundant information. It seemed that the characters kept repeating the same information over and over. However, the inclusion of the Civil War love story keeps the tension high.
If you enjoy a good mystery with a historical context, you may enjoy this one.
I received the book from Net Galley and Midnight Ink for this review.
October 15, 2016
See this review and more at Mystereity Reviews
A Memory of Muskets, book 7 in the Chloe Ellefson series, a heart-wrenching tale of Roelke's ancestors is finely woven into a riveting modern mystery. When a Civil War re-enactor is found dead at Old World Wisconsin, Roelke is plunged into yet another murder investigation. With nothing to identify the dead man, the investigation stalls and another Civil War re-enactor is shot to death at Milwaukee's German Fest. Roelke works to piece together the pieces and find a killer. Throughout the book, the tragic story of Roelke's ancestors unfolds as Roelke and Chloe purchase the Roelke homestead, which has been in his family since the time of the Civil War.
The plot was really well crafted; I had no firm suspects (although I hoped Petty guilty of the murders.) and the ending did come as a surprise. The characters continue to grow and gain some dimension and have become a solid unit.
What I really loved was the the Roelke family history. There was a lot I could relate to with this book; I have been working on my family's German genealogy over the last few months, so I guess I felt a certain kinship with the story. It certainly brought much enjoyment for me reading it, as it could just as easily have been my own history. I'm woman enough to admit that I did cry at the end of the book. When I said a heart-wrenching story, I wasn't kidding.
Overall, a another solid entry into the Chloe Ellefson series and I can't wait to read more. This book can be read as a standalone, but would be better appreciated if the series was read in order.
A Memory of Muskets, book 7 in the Chloe Ellefson series, a heart-wrenching tale of Roelke's ancestors is finely woven into a riveting modern mystery. When a Civil War re-enactor is found dead at Old World Wisconsin, Roelke is plunged into yet another murder investigation. With nothing to identify the dead man, the investigation stalls and another Civil War re-enactor is shot to death at Milwaukee's German Fest. Roelke works to piece together the pieces and find a killer. Throughout the book, the tragic story of Roelke's ancestors unfolds as Roelke and Chloe purchase the Roelke homestead, which has been in his family since the time of the Civil War.
The plot was really well crafted; I had no firm suspects (although I hoped Petty guilty of the murders.) and the ending did come as a surprise. The characters continue to grow and gain some dimension and have become a solid unit.
What I really loved was the the Roelke family history. There was a lot I could relate to with this book; I have been working on my family's German genealogy over the last few months, so I guess I felt a certain kinship with the story. It certainly brought much enjoyment for me reading it, as it could just as easily have been my own history. I'm woman enough to admit that I did cry at the end of the book. When I said a heart-wrenching story, I wasn't kidding.
Overall, a another solid entry into the Chloe Ellefson series and I can't wait to read more. This book can be read as a standalone, but would be better appreciated if the series was read in order.
September 19, 2020
I enjoyed this book more than the previous one focused on a Laura Ingalls Wilder tour. I found the info. on reenacting a bit more interesting. There were the usual, for this series, multiple story lines. One focusing on Chloe, one on Roelke which intertwines with Chloe's) and one a historical one focusing on one of Roelke's ancestors.
So, again, the author packs a lot of detail and information into the book including more on Chloe and Roelke's relationship. There's so much, it's a bit of a slog at times. However, it kept me interested enough that I kept going. I'm going to go with a modest like, but I would recommend it with reservations. I commend the author for what she's trying to do and how the historical story line works into the 1980's story lines, but I don't think the average mystery reader is looking for this, even one like me who is a museum buff.
I got my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
So, again, the author packs a lot of detail and information into the book including more on Chloe and Roelke's relationship. There's so much, it's a bit of a slog at times. However, it kept me interested enough that I kept going. I'm going to go with a modest like, but I would recommend it with reservations. I commend the author for what she's trying to do and how the historical story line works into the 1980's story lines, but I don't think the average mystery reader is looking for this, even one like me who is a museum buff.
I got my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
April 2, 2017
This was a great book because I like history. curator Chole is planning to spotlight home-front challenges and German immigrants at Old World Wisconsin first Civit War reenactment.Lots of interesting details about what soliders and people on the homefront wore during the Civil War. The mystery comes with a reenactor's death and information about her cops boyfriends family. They work together to solve the past and the present mysteries. I look forward to her other books.
Read
April 18, 2021This is a book about murder among Civil War reenactors. I didn’t think I was all that interested in Civil War reenactors, but this turned out to be one of my favorite of the Chloe Ellefson mysteries. Chloe and Roelke are both so sincere and decent that going somewhere with them is a kind of happy place for me, even if people do drop dead around them on a regular basis.
Chloe, as curator of artifacts for Old World Wisconsin (a real-life historical village) believes that the objects made and held by people from the past can help us connect to their lives, and to know, as much as we can, their joys and struggles. Roelke, as a cop, wants to see justice done. He wants good people safe and bad people caught, and can’t rest until loose ends are tied up.
In this story, Old World Wisconsin is going to host a Civil War reenactment. Chloe’s asshole boss (that is the correct word for him) wants a big, showy battle, historical accuracy be damned. Chloe is trying to plan something more meaningful and educational, focusing on the experience of the local German community. In the meantime, a man in Civil War dress is found dead at one of the farms.
Back home, Roelke has invited Chloe to live with him on his farm, but she has reservations. The biggest is that Roelke is fixing up the old cabin for her to use as her private space, but she can’t go in there. She senses overwhelming misery there. Something bad must have happened to one of Roelke’s ancestors, but what? And what can they do about it?
Flashback to the past of Roelke’s ancestors. His great-great-something grandparents immigrated from Germany and began the very farm where Roelke now lives, and built the very cabin that Chloe can’t enter. Their story is both sweet and very sad. The hopes and struggles of immigrant families are always moving, but the fact that these arrived just in time for a terribly bloody war, which would seem to ruin everything, made this all the more heartbreaking.
But I won’t tell the story. And it is revealing no secret to say that in the modern day, Chloe and Roelke fumble closer to understanding each other.
Chloe, as curator of artifacts for Old World Wisconsin (a real-life historical village) believes that the objects made and held by people from the past can help us connect to their lives, and to know, as much as we can, their joys and struggles. Roelke, as a cop, wants to see justice done. He wants good people safe and bad people caught, and can’t rest until loose ends are tied up.
In this story, Old World Wisconsin is going to host a Civil War reenactment. Chloe’s asshole boss (that is the correct word for him) wants a big, showy battle, historical accuracy be damned. Chloe is trying to plan something more meaningful and educational, focusing on the experience of the local German community. In the meantime, a man in Civil War dress is found dead at one of the farms.
Back home, Roelke has invited Chloe to live with him on his farm, but she has reservations. The biggest is that Roelke is fixing up the old cabin for her to use as her private space, but she can’t go in there. She senses overwhelming misery there. Something bad must have happened to one of Roelke’s ancestors, but what? And what can they do about it?
Flashback to the past of Roelke’s ancestors. His great-great-something grandparents immigrated from Germany and began the very farm where Roelke now lives, and built the very cabin that Chloe can’t enter. Their story is both sweet and very sad. The hopes and struggles of immigrant families are always moving, but the fact that these arrived just in time for a terribly bloody war, which would seem to ruin everything, made this all the more heartbreaking.
But I won’t tell the story. And it is revealing no secret to say that in the modern day, Chloe and Roelke fumble closer to understanding each other.
December 17, 2016
http://openbooksociety.com/article/a-...
A Memory of Muskets
A Chloe Ellefson Mystery #7
By Kathleen Ernst
ISBN (eARC)
kathleenernst.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Curator Chloe Ellefson is happily planning to spotlight home-front challenges and German immigrants at Old World Wisconsin’s first Civil War reenactment—but her overbearing boss scorns her ideas and proposes staging a mock battle. And when a reenactor is found dead at one of the historic site’s German farms, Chloe’s boyfriend, cop Roelke McKenna, suspects murder.
The more Roelke learns about reenacting, the more he fears that a killer will join the ranks at Chloe’s special event. Then Chloe discovers a disturbing secret about Roelke’s Civil War-era ancestors. Together they struggle to solve crimes past and present . . . before Chloe loses her job and another reenactor loses his life. (from Goodreads)
Review:
This is one of my favorite historical cozy mystery series! Seventh in the Chloe Ellefson Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone. ‘A Memory of Muskets’ is impressive for the historical detail that the author researched and shared with we readers, and it includes a tiered mystery that is stunning and intense. The novel is set in 1983, before cell phones (or smartphones!),or personal computers were in use. Most smaller companies or municipalities didn’t have any kind of computer networks, either. Impressive also is that the author actually lived some of the situations in this novel, such as where she worked and the type of reenactor she was.
Chloe is Curator of Collections at Old World Wisconsin in Wisconsin. Her boyfriend Roelke recently purchased the old Roelke farm that had been in his family in generations past, and Chloe was going to move into the farmhouse with him. Roelke is a cop, and his career and hers will clash in this novel – or at least with the Site Director of Old World Wisconsin, Ralph Petty.
This is the first novel I’ve read with a detailed historical reenactment, in this case, the Civil War. As Old World Wisconsin caters to tourists and families, a reenactment of battle scenes could be too intense for young or sensitive visitors, so Chloe and her boss want to start the first reenactment at the farmhouses that were moved, in their entirety, to Old World and farms established around each as in the original locations, with the interpreter (staff who dressed as period person) sharing and telling visitors about their various characters.
Before the events are even scheduled, however, the body of one who appears to be a reenactor is found outside the barn of one of the farms, dead of a broken neck. He is dressed entirely in authentic repros of period clothing, with no current ID of any kind, just a haversack of various foodstuffs that Civil War soldiers might have carried, and what looks like an original tintype of a little boy. This situation is terrible to the director because he fears somebody will sue them for the man’s death. While the man could not have accessed the walkway on the barn exterior, it is the only logical place he could have fallen – or been pushed – from. Roelke’s job is cut out for him, as the director doesn’t want anything to stop the visitors from coming into the farm areas.
While Chloe has never been Petty’s favorite employee, he seems to delight in trying to find a reason to fire her. She loves the other aspects of her position enough to try to stay out of his way. Petty, who has political aspirations, has his fingers into many pies. He brought in a Civil War re-enactment group to do a full war scene in spite of the many children who come through with their parents. His group doesn’t stay true to period clothing and supplies, and requires electric hookups for their various equipment. What occurs during this unique weekend is most stunning of all, as Chloe and Roelke race against time to solve the challenges and save lives.
The characters are very well developed based on their roles. The better I get to know Chloe, the more I like her; she is very bright, hardworking young woman who is also learning that running when life is overwhelming isn’t her only option. She may not see her ‘gift’ of sensing the past when going into a home or building as a positive thing, even though there are times it is helpful. In this novel, Roelke wanted to dress up the original cabin that was on the Roelke farm, but Chloe couldn’t bear to go inside it because of the oppressive darkness she finds there, and is forced to tell Roelke about her gift. Roelke is a man who wants to take care of Chloe, but her fear of commitment of moving in and her feeling from the cabin are taking a toll on him. There are things he has to learn about himself and about his family that he has tried to keep from remembering. His sister Libby is a huge help; I appreciate her and the lengths she goes to as a single mom. Others we learn about when needed, making it hard for we armchair detectives to determine who the bad guy(s) might be.
The plot was an outstanding showcase of the author’s talents. The historical information was in no way dry or boring; I wish she had written the history books I had in school! Using a ‘real’ venue for the setting is a great choice; especially if readers have been there. I appreciated reading about the preparation that goes into even minor changes to the facilities. There was much drama, including the situations with Petty, Roelke’s family history and the relationship of Roelke and Chloe. The mystery was layered with a murder, poisonings, and theft. There was an assortment of potential bad guy(s) and plot twists to stump even the best reader! The final twists were brilliantly creative! The resolutions to the varied situations were carried out, leaving no loose ends. Overall, this novel was very satisfying; I highly recommend it to those who appreciate cozy mysteries that have strong historical ties and are very challenging to solve.
A Memory of Muskets
A Chloe Ellefson Mystery #7
By Kathleen Ernst
ISBN (eARC)
kathleenernst.com
Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie
Synopsis:
Curator Chloe Ellefson is happily planning to spotlight home-front challenges and German immigrants at Old World Wisconsin’s first Civil War reenactment—but her overbearing boss scorns her ideas and proposes staging a mock battle. And when a reenactor is found dead at one of the historic site’s German farms, Chloe’s boyfriend, cop Roelke McKenna, suspects murder.
The more Roelke learns about reenacting, the more he fears that a killer will join the ranks at Chloe’s special event. Then Chloe discovers a disturbing secret about Roelke’s Civil War-era ancestors. Together they struggle to solve crimes past and present . . . before Chloe loses her job and another reenactor loses his life. (from Goodreads)
Review:
This is one of my favorite historical cozy mystery series! Seventh in the Chloe Ellefson Mystery series, it can be read as a standalone. ‘A Memory of Muskets’ is impressive for the historical detail that the author researched and shared with we readers, and it includes a tiered mystery that is stunning and intense. The novel is set in 1983, before cell phones (or smartphones!),or personal computers were in use. Most smaller companies or municipalities didn’t have any kind of computer networks, either. Impressive also is that the author actually lived some of the situations in this novel, such as where she worked and the type of reenactor she was.
Chloe is Curator of Collections at Old World Wisconsin in Wisconsin. Her boyfriend Roelke recently purchased the old Roelke farm that had been in his family in generations past, and Chloe was going to move into the farmhouse with him. Roelke is a cop, and his career and hers will clash in this novel – or at least with the Site Director of Old World Wisconsin, Ralph Petty.
This is the first novel I’ve read with a detailed historical reenactment, in this case, the Civil War. As Old World Wisconsin caters to tourists and families, a reenactment of battle scenes could be too intense for young or sensitive visitors, so Chloe and her boss want to start the first reenactment at the farmhouses that were moved, in their entirety, to Old World and farms established around each as in the original locations, with the interpreter (staff who dressed as period person) sharing and telling visitors about their various characters.
Before the events are even scheduled, however, the body of one who appears to be a reenactor is found outside the barn of one of the farms, dead of a broken neck. He is dressed entirely in authentic repros of period clothing, with no current ID of any kind, just a haversack of various foodstuffs that Civil War soldiers might have carried, and what looks like an original tintype of a little boy. This situation is terrible to the director because he fears somebody will sue them for the man’s death. While the man could not have accessed the walkway on the barn exterior, it is the only logical place he could have fallen – or been pushed – from. Roelke’s job is cut out for him, as the director doesn’t want anything to stop the visitors from coming into the farm areas.
While Chloe has never been Petty’s favorite employee, he seems to delight in trying to find a reason to fire her. She loves the other aspects of her position enough to try to stay out of his way. Petty, who has political aspirations, has his fingers into many pies. He brought in a Civil War re-enactment group to do a full war scene in spite of the many children who come through with their parents. His group doesn’t stay true to period clothing and supplies, and requires electric hookups for their various equipment. What occurs during this unique weekend is most stunning of all, as Chloe and Roelke race against time to solve the challenges and save lives.
The characters are very well developed based on their roles. The better I get to know Chloe, the more I like her; she is very bright, hardworking young woman who is also learning that running when life is overwhelming isn’t her only option. She may not see her ‘gift’ of sensing the past when going into a home or building as a positive thing, even though there are times it is helpful. In this novel, Roelke wanted to dress up the original cabin that was on the Roelke farm, but Chloe couldn’t bear to go inside it because of the oppressive darkness she finds there, and is forced to tell Roelke about her gift. Roelke is a man who wants to take care of Chloe, but her fear of commitment of moving in and her feeling from the cabin are taking a toll on him. There are things he has to learn about himself and about his family that he has tried to keep from remembering. His sister Libby is a huge help; I appreciate her and the lengths she goes to as a single mom. Others we learn about when needed, making it hard for we armchair detectives to determine who the bad guy(s) might be.
The plot was an outstanding showcase of the author’s talents. The historical information was in no way dry or boring; I wish she had written the history books I had in school! Using a ‘real’ venue for the setting is a great choice; especially if readers have been there. I appreciated reading about the preparation that goes into even minor changes to the facilities. There was much drama, including the situations with Petty, Roelke’s family history and the relationship of Roelke and Chloe. The mystery was layered with a murder, poisonings, and theft. There was an assortment of potential bad guy(s) and plot twists to stump even the best reader! The final twists were brilliantly creative! The resolutions to the varied situations were carried out, leaving no loose ends. Overall, this novel was very satisfying; I highly recommend it to those who appreciate cozy mysteries that have strong historical ties and are very challenging to solve.
April 1, 2018
Old Wisconsin historic site is preparing to host a Civil War reenactment when someone finds a body dressed in Civil War uniform--but it's not one of the reactors, nor someone any one recognizes. In the meantime, Chloe must work against her obnoxious boss's resistance while preparing to move in with her boyfriend, policeman Roelke McKenna, who has just bought his family's old homestead. Sensitive Chloe can tell that something sad happened in the little cabin that he'd like to convert into a private office for her. The readers are privy to the plight of his Civil War era ancestors, the first Roelkes to live there; though Chloe and he never learn the full story, she does learn enough to lay the ghost.
March 17, 2019
Roelke McKenna bought his family's farm when it recently came up for sale. He wants Chloe to move in with him but she keeps making excuses for not bringing her things over. Then the body of an unidentified Civil War reenactor is discovered on the Old World Wisconsin property. How did he get there? Was he pushed to his death or did he fall? This mystery brings Roelke's and Chloe's work worlds together. The historic back story involves early German settlers in this part of Wisconsin and their feelings toward the Civil War. We also learn a lot about the hobby of Civil War reenactment and the people who spend their weekends re-living history.
October 11, 2023
I found this book to be one of the best in the series of Chloe Ellefson mysteries I have read so far. I really liked the way the historic vignettes were used in the story; it was as though two stories were being told at once in parallel times. It gave me a greater appreciation for the historian’s task of creating an historical narrative in the present of events from the past. While the two stories wind through in a parallel time, they may not match exactly and the historian’s goal is to try make them do so as best he or she can accomplish. It makes one realize that sometimes history is in the eye of the beholder.
August 10, 2017
I enjoy how Kathleen Ernst has developed her characters. She started the Chloe Ellefson series with Old World Murder. Each of her books are set in an historical place. Not only do you try to solve a mystery, but you learn about history as well. In A Memory of Muskets we are back at Old World Wisconsin. As Chloe is trying to get information about Roelke's family history, she is putting up with a cantankerous boss, has a new intern and is trying to string and work a very old loom. I can't wait to read her next book!
January 7, 2020
This is a great series, with each volume exploring a different aspect of Wisconsin history. This one tackles the recruitment of new German immigrants into the Union Army. That story is a parallel to current (1982) Civil War reenactors at Old World Wisconsin, where curator Chloe and her boyfriend, police officer Roelke, struggle to solve a murder. As usual, period-era artifacts are central to the story.
This series makes me want to cross the state line and visit all the sites Chloe explores. Wish there were a comparable series set in Illinois!
This series makes me want to cross the state line and visit all the sites Chloe explores. Wish there were a comparable series set in Illinois!
April 29, 2021
I love the dual time period stories going on in this book, and the fact that they were happening literally right at home for the main characters. I like how Chloe and Roelke are settling in together, and all the history they discover. They’re cute.
That being said, the murders in this book (as in all of this series) often seem really contrived. It’s ok to just have one body; a book doesn’t have to produce more bodies and end with Chloe being trapped and threatened by the killer. I’d love to see one of the books in this series have a more elegant, Agatha Christie-esque denouement.
That being said, the murders in this book (as in all of this series) often seem really contrived. It’s ok to just have one body; a book doesn’t have to produce more bodies and end with Chloe being trapped and threatened by the killer. I’d love to see one of the books in this series have a more elegant, Agatha Christie-esque denouement.
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