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Hanneke Bauer Mystery #1
Lies of Omission: A Hanneke Bauer Mystery
When Pomeranian immigrant Hanneke Bauer reaches Wisconsin in 1855, she believes her dearest dreams are coming true. After reuniting with her husband Fridolin at his farm near Watertown, she will help create a true home. Instead, she receives the shocking news that he is dead.
Hanneke quickly learns that Wisconsin life is not as bucolic as it seems. Alone and destitute, she is determined to discover the details of Fridolin’s death. Her efforts prompt animosity from his friends, anger the deputy sheriff, and entangle her in the rising tide of anti-immigrant sentiment. Finding herself in danger, Hanneke races to learn the truth about her husband’s secrets and lies…before a killer can silence her forever.
Hanneke quickly learns that Wisconsin life is not as bucolic as it seems. Alone and destitute, she is determined to discover the details of Fridolin’s death. Her efforts prompt animosity from his friends, anger the deputy sheriff, and entangle her in the rising tide of anti-immigrant sentiment. Finding herself in danger, Hanneke races to learn the truth about her husband’s secrets and lies…before a killer can silence her forever.
298 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 30, 2021
8 people are currently reading
131 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 32 reviews
February 9, 2022
3.75 stars
In 1855 Hanneke Bauer has at last arrived in Wisconsin after a long journey from Germany. She's eager to be reunited with her husband, Fridolin, whom she met and married while he was on a business trip last fall. Hanneke stayed behind to nurse her ill mother and now her mother is dead, Hanneke is able to join her husband. Fridolin fails to meet Hanneke in Milwaukee as planned, Hanneke travels on to Watertown thinking Fridolin must be delayed for some reason. But in Watertown she recieves shocking news- Fridolin has died! What's worse is that he never told anyone of his marriage and no one believes her. When Hanneke tries to show her proof, she discovers her papers have been stolen, leading Deputy Barlow to believe she's a fraud. He encourages her to leave Watertown but Hanneke won't be deterred. She wants answers. What happened to her husband? Why did he tell no one about her? Who stole her papers? Hanneke finds little support among the residents of Watertown and the nearby farming community, including her own sister-in-law Christine. Only an unwed mother-to-be, Angela, and her surrogate brother Adolf, are willing to take Hanneke in. Hanneke likes being a part of the tavern life, caring for Angela but soon she discovers that the idllyic new home she envisioned is anything but. Growing tensions over immigration and slavery lead to intense hatred and may even escalate into violence. As Hanneke searches for answers about the husband she barely knew, she unwititngly becomes involve in things that are way over her head. Can she survive long enough to learn what really happened to Fridolin?
The plot of this book is riveting. I couldn't put it down. I had to cheat and look at the last chapter because I had to go to sleep. However, the execution of the story was a lot more "cozy" mystery than I expected. Sure I knew Hanneke was an amateur sleuth but I expected the mystery to be more traditional. It seemed like it was heading in that direction. Many of the things that happen to Hanneke are either improbable or coincicental. The outcome of the mystery was also unlikely and not what I expected. However, as always, Kathleen Ernst excels at including all the historical details that set the story. She includes language, culture, architecture, farming techniques and the history of German immigrants, specifically from Pommerania, in the 1850s. She learned much of this from LIVING the life as an interepter at Old World Wisconsin back in the 80s. I loved her American Girl mysteries when I was younger especially for that very reason. She makes the stories come to life by including enough details to make the reader feel like they're there but not so many the reader becomes bored. (Infodumping authors please take notes).
The history behind the story is rather scary to read about. In addition to the growing tensions over slavery, and the indifference many felt about it, there was also an increasing nativist presence in Wisconsin. I, of course, knew about the Know-Nothing party from history class and research into antebellum politics. I have been aware for more than a decade that history is repeating itself. The Republican party of today better look to the past and see this nativist, anti-immigrant, elitist party who ended up on the wrong side of history reflecting in their own values of today. What was new to me was how the Know-Nothings were not just against Catholics but ANY immigrants including Norwegians and Swedes. That surprised me because in school we were taught Norwegians and Swedes were OK because they came early and were Protestant while many Germans and Irish who arrived after the failed revolutions of 1848 were Catholic. I also learned in this novel that these 48ers, these Latin farmers, were skilled tradesmen, educated elites who wanted to preserve their language and culture but couldn't and wouldn't farm. They excluded other immigrants of the laboring/peasant class from the discussion until they wanted to agitate. It was easier and better to get the peasants to do the dirty work probably and keep their own hands clean.
Now, back to the story. I liked Hanneke as a character. She's very brave, resourceful and smart. She's also super kind and has interesting knowledge of herbal remedies, spinning, dyeing and knitting wool- all things that were beginning to be lost with increasing industrialization. Like Kathleen Ernst, I too worked as a museum interpreter where I learned those things and I was so happy to read about Hanneke's knowledge but it added little to the plot and when it did, it was a bit too coincidental. I could never do what Hanneke did. I would have written to my friend and asked her husband for help. Having the protection of a man would have made the search for answers a little easier. At least he would provide verification that Hanneke was who she said she was. I hope. It galled me that Hanneke was believed only when
In 1855 Hanneke Bauer has at last arrived in Wisconsin after a long journey from Germany. She's eager to be reunited with her husband, Fridolin, whom she met and married while he was on a business trip last fall. Hanneke stayed behind to nurse her ill mother and now her mother is dead, Hanneke is able to join her husband. Fridolin fails to meet Hanneke in Milwaukee as planned, Hanneke travels on to Watertown thinking Fridolin must be delayed for some reason. But in Watertown she recieves shocking news- Fridolin has died! What's worse is that he never told anyone of his marriage and no one believes her. When Hanneke tries to show her proof, she discovers her papers have been stolen, leading Deputy Barlow to believe she's a fraud. He encourages her to leave Watertown but Hanneke won't be deterred. She wants answers. What happened to her husband? Why did he tell no one about her? Who stole her papers? Hanneke finds little support among the residents of Watertown and the nearby farming community, including her own sister-in-law Christine. Only an unwed mother-to-be, Angela, and her surrogate brother Adolf, are willing to take Hanneke in. Hanneke likes being a part of the tavern life, caring for Angela but soon she discovers that the idllyic new home she envisioned is anything but. Growing tensions over immigration and slavery lead to intense hatred and may even escalate into violence. As Hanneke searches for answers about the husband she barely knew, she unwititngly becomes involve in things that are way over her head. Can she survive long enough to learn what really happened to Fridolin?
The plot of this book is riveting. I couldn't put it down. I had to cheat and look at the last chapter because I had to go to sleep. However, the execution of the story was a lot more "cozy" mystery than I expected. Sure I knew Hanneke was an amateur sleuth but I expected the mystery to be more traditional. It seemed like it was heading in that direction. Many of the things that happen to Hanneke are either improbable or coincicental. The outcome of the mystery was also unlikely and not what I expected. However, as always, Kathleen Ernst excels at including all the historical details that set the story. She includes language, culture, architecture, farming techniques and the history of German immigrants, specifically from Pommerania, in the 1850s. She learned much of this from LIVING the life as an interepter at Old World Wisconsin back in the 80s. I loved her American Girl mysteries when I was younger especially for that very reason. She makes the stories come to life by including enough details to make the reader feel like they're there but not so many the reader becomes bored. (Infodumping authors please take notes).
The history behind the story is rather scary to read about. In addition to the growing tensions over slavery, and the indifference many felt about it, there was also an increasing nativist presence in Wisconsin. I, of course, knew about the Know-Nothing party from history class and research into antebellum politics. I have been aware for more than a decade that history is repeating itself. The Republican party of today better look to the past and see this nativist, anti-immigrant, elitist party who ended up on the wrong side of history reflecting in their own values of today. What was new to me was how the Know-Nothings were not just against Catholics but ANY immigrants including Norwegians and Swedes. That surprised me because in school we were taught Norwegians and Swedes were OK because they came early and were Protestant while many Germans and Irish who arrived after the failed revolutions of 1848 were Catholic. I also learned in this novel that these 48ers, these Latin farmers, were skilled tradesmen, educated elites who wanted to preserve their language and culture but couldn't and wouldn't farm. They excluded other immigrants of the laboring/peasant class from the discussion until they wanted to agitate. It was easier and better to get the peasants to do the dirty work probably and keep their own hands clean.
Now, back to the story. I liked Hanneke as a character. She's very brave, resourceful and smart. She's also super kind and has interesting knowledge of herbal remedies, spinning, dyeing and knitting wool- all things that were beginning to be lost with increasing industrialization. Like Kathleen Ernst, I too worked as a museum interpreter where I learned those things and I was so happy to read about Hanneke's knowledge but it added little to the plot and when it did, it was a bit too coincidental. I could never do what Hanneke did. I would have written to my friend and asked her husband for help. Having the protection of a man would have made the search for answers a little easier. At least he would provide verification that Hanneke was who she said she was. I hope. It galled me that Hanneke was believed only when
May 12, 2023
As a lifetime Wisconsinite I found this book fascinating. Indeed, Wisconsin is filled with food, traditions, customs, and religious and work ethics from Germany. I visited Germany fairly recently and was amazed at how much it looked and felt like home. Truly an eye opening experience.
Hanneke Bauer is a smart and very tenacious female protagonist. You will cheer for her from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book.
Hanneke Bauer is a smart and very tenacious female protagonist. You will cheer for her from the first page to the last. I highly recommend this book.
December 22, 2021
I loved this new series by Kathleen Ernst! It takes place in Watertown, WI in 1855. Hanneke, the main character, a Pomeranian immigrant, navigates life as she arrives expecting to meet her husband - only to find he is dead. Was his death an accident? She doesn't think so.
January 12, 2023
Quite an interesting historical story of immigrants settlers in mid 1800s in Wisconsin. Living just a few miles from Watertown area it was particularly of interest to me. And very enlightening that the anti-immigrant movement against many of German decent was much earlier than WW1 era.
library-to-read
July 20, 2025QNPoohBear highly recommends. (The series is only three books long, at least atm July 2025). She says they qualify as 'cozy mystery' despite the intimidating blurb.
January 22, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Like many Pomeranian immigrants, Hanneke Bauer is coming to America full of dreams for her future. She has traveled a long way to reunite with her husband Fridolin and has finally reached Wisconsin. But he wasn’t there to meet her when she got off the ship so she makes her own way to Watertown anxious to start their life together. Her search leads her to a local hotel. There she learns her husband was killed in a freak farming accident and that he never mentioned to anyone about having a wife. The sheriff even tells her to get out of his town. Scared and unsure how to proceed she befriends a young pregnant woman who gives her a job and a place to rest. She quickly learns that America is not the safe haven she sought. She also knows in her heart her husband’s death was not an accident. As she tries to get to the truth she finds that her husband omitted much about his life in Wisconsin. She puts herself in danger to find out what he was hiding and why. An investigation that could get her killed as well.
Kathleen Ernst is an amazing storyteller. In this first book in the Hanneke Bauer Mystery Series following the wonderful Chloe Ellefson Mystery Series, she takes her readers back to a tumultuous time in Wisconsin. In 1855 it was the height of the nativist movement where people were up in arms by all Irish and German Catholic immigrants flowing into the country. It was also the time of the Fugitive Slave Act and slaves who had escaped bondage traveled through Wisconsin north for freedom. We see this time through Hanneke’s eyes as she tries to make her way in her new world. The author has fictionalized this time but I think she captured it realistically.
Hanneke is a strong courageous woman, she had to be. She had no idea who she could trust especially when no one believed she was Fridolin’s wife. She also had no money to return home. Her friend Angela was a strong woman as well as she was dealing with making a life for herself after her brother left her. Both women are so well crafted. They are easy to identify with and root for. Ms. Ernst has surrounded these women with a real menagerie of supporting cast that ran the gambit of creepy, frightening, and mean. By the end, thankfully, a few helpful folks enter the story showing there were good people in the area.
The mystery of Fridolin’s death was very complex. The title fits the story perfectly. Lies of Omission were the driving force behind all of Hanneke’s experiences. Her drive to delve for the truth was something I really admired. She made some wrong assumptions and walked dangerous lines which came from the perfectly timed twists the author plotted out so well. She also painted such vivid pictures with her words to set every scene whether Hanneke was walking down a dirt road or watching protestors marching through the town, or when she made an unbelievable discovery. With the story being set so close to home for me I felt even closer to Hanneke and her struggle.
Lies of Omission was a fantastic read. I am very excited about this series. The author draws from all her historical studies to write stories that stick with her readers. This one will surely stick with me until we get to visit Hanneke Bauer again. You will definitely find Lies of Ommission on my Best Reads List for 2022. I am giving it my Paradise Rating.
Like many Pomeranian immigrants, Hanneke Bauer is coming to America full of dreams for her future. She has traveled a long way to reunite with her husband Fridolin and has finally reached Wisconsin. But he wasn’t there to meet her when she got off the ship so she makes her own way to Watertown anxious to start their life together. Her search leads her to a local hotel. There she learns her husband was killed in a freak farming accident and that he never mentioned to anyone about having a wife. The sheriff even tells her to get out of his town. Scared and unsure how to proceed she befriends a young pregnant woman who gives her a job and a place to rest. She quickly learns that America is not the safe haven she sought. She also knows in her heart her husband’s death was not an accident. As she tries to get to the truth she finds that her husband omitted much about his life in Wisconsin. She puts herself in danger to find out what he was hiding and why. An investigation that could get her killed as well.
Kathleen Ernst is an amazing storyteller. In this first book in the Hanneke Bauer Mystery Series following the wonderful Chloe Ellefson Mystery Series, she takes her readers back to a tumultuous time in Wisconsin. In 1855 it was the height of the nativist movement where people were up in arms by all Irish and German Catholic immigrants flowing into the country. It was also the time of the Fugitive Slave Act and slaves who had escaped bondage traveled through Wisconsin north for freedom. We see this time through Hanneke’s eyes as she tries to make her way in her new world. The author has fictionalized this time but I think she captured it realistically.
Hanneke is a strong courageous woman, she had to be. She had no idea who she could trust especially when no one believed she was Fridolin’s wife. She also had no money to return home. Her friend Angela was a strong woman as well as she was dealing with making a life for herself after her brother left her. Both women are so well crafted. They are easy to identify with and root for. Ms. Ernst has surrounded these women with a real menagerie of supporting cast that ran the gambit of creepy, frightening, and mean. By the end, thankfully, a few helpful folks enter the story showing there were good people in the area.
The mystery of Fridolin’s death was very complex. The title fits the story perfectly. Lies of Omission were the driving force behind all of Hanneke’s experiences. Her drive to delve for the truth was something I really admired. She made some wrong assumptions and walked dangerous lines which came from the perfectly timed twists the author plotted out so well. She also painted such vivid pictures with her words to set every scene whether Hanneke was walking down a dirt road or watching protestors marching through the town, or when she made an unbelievable discovery. With the story being set so close to home for me I felt even closer to Hanneke and her struggle.
Lies of Omission was a fantastic read. I am very excited about this series. The author draws from all her historical studies to write stories that stick with her readers. This one will surely stick with me until we get to visit Hanneke Bauer again. You will definitely find Lies of Ommission on my Best Reads List for 2022. I am giving it my Paradise Rating.
February 6, 2022
Amazing book of personal tragedy, mystery, intrigue, and hope. Being a descendant of Pomeranians, this book spoke loudly to me; my family settled in the rural areas north of Milwaukee and were as stoic and proud as the Hanneke, the protagonist in this new book by one of my favorite authors, Kathleen Ernst. Hanneke meets, falls in love and quickly marries Fridolin who is leaving soon to travel back to the states where he is setting up his farm in Watertown, Wisconsin. Hanneke's mother's health is failing so they agree that she will stay with her mother and join Fridolin later. Finally the time comes for Hanneke to join Fridolin but when he doesn't meet her at the ship the mystery begins. Hanneke is sure it's a mistake and travels on to Watertown only to learn that he is dead and there were things about Fridolin's life that he had failed to tell her.
Ernst writes about an important time in our history that failed to make it into the stories we are taught in school about the prejudice our ancestors met when they immigrated to America. This prejudice wasn't reserved for those of different color but shared with those who talked differently or dressed differently. For those who were promised a better life when they left their homeland, their stories are left to be told. Thank you Kathleen for bringing them to life.
Ernst writes about an important time in our history that failed to make it into the stories we are taught in school about the prejudice our ancestors met when they immigrated to America. This prejudice wasn't reserved for those of different color but shared with those who talked differently or dressed differently. For those who were promised a better life when they left their homeland, their stories are left to be told. Thank you Kathleen for bringing them to life.
April 25, 2022
awesome historical mystery
My bookclub decided to dedicate 2022 as a year to read books written by female Wisconsin authors. Although not a huge fan of mysteries, I am obsessed with historical novels. This ranks as one of the best. I live only 30 minutes from Watertown where the story took place. I was unaware of the political issues of the time dealing with folks who had immigrated to the area, Loved the descriptions and the detail to way of life. I could barely put the book down once I started it. I plan to read more written by Ms Ernst. Can’t wait for our bookclub discussion.
My bookclub decided to dedicate 2022 as a year to read books written by female Wisconsin authors. Although not a huge fan of mysteries, I am obsessed with historical novels. This ranks as one of the best. I live only 30 minutes from Watertown where the story took place. I was unaware of the political issues of the time dealing with folks who had immigrated to the area, Loved the descriptions and the detail to way of life. I could barely put the book down once I started it. I plan to read more written by Ms Ernst. Can’t wait for our bookclub discussion.
August 27, 2023
I have now read the first book in each of the Chloe Ellefson and Hanneke Bauer mystery series written by Kathleen Ernst. I must say that each was a pleasure to read and interesting in the exposure provided to Wisconsin history along with the stories themselves. They each appear to have been well researched to fit with the times they are describing, although the writing has improved between the time the two series were initiated (about 11 years and as many other books between). As of now, I plan to continue reading both series and visiting historical sites described within them. Recommend both books to those interested in midwestern US history and mysteries.
March 20, 2022
Historical Cozy Mystery
When Hanneke Bauer arrives in Milwaukee, she expects her husband to greet her. But he has not arrived at the usual hotel. After travelling to Watertown, his farm’s location, she learns of his tragic death less than two months ago. However, the people she meets, including his sister, deny all knowledge of a marriage.
Ms. Ernst touches on many of the political issues which greeted immigrants in the 1850’s. Hanneke is a keen observer, intelligent, and fearless. I look forward to more adventures as she settles into American life.
When Hanneke Bauer arrives in Milwaukee, she expects her husband to greet her. But he has not arrived at the usual hotel. After travelling to Watertown, his farm’s location, she learns of his tragic death less than two months ago. However, the people she meets, including his sister, deny all knowledge of a marriage.
Ms. Ernst touches on many of the political issues which greeted immigrants in the 1850’s. Hanneke is a keen observer, intelligent, and fearless. I look forward to more adventures as she settles into American life.
January 20, 2022
New World Brings Problems
Embarking on a journey across the ocean to Wisconsin, Hanneke Bauer has no idea what the new world holds in store for her. She discovers her new husband is dead and he never mentioned their wedding to anyone, not even to his sister. When she arrives all her important papers are stolen so she has no proof she was married to Fridolin Bauer. A novel of courage and strength in the face of prejudice and distrust.
Embarking on a journey across the ocean to Wisconsin, Hanneke Bauer has no idea what the new world holds in store for her. She discovers her new husband is dead and he never mentioned their wedding to anyone, not even to his sister. When she arrives all her important papers are stolen so she has no proof she was married to Fridolin Bauer. A novel of courage and strength in the face of prejudice and distrust.
January 25, 2022
This is the first book in a new series by Ernst. It did not disappoint. Anchored in Watertown Wisconsin in 1855 it offers a glimpse into what it was like to live in the frontier as it was being tamed. The description of early Watertown, the underground railroad and the nativist movement are a history lesson made interesting by the narrative. I look forward to the next in the Hanneke Bauer Mystery series, as well as the next installment of the Cloe Ellefson series, also by Ernst.
February 4, 2023
Oh, I loved this book! I wanted to learn a little about what life would have been like for my ancestors from Watertown, WI and boy did I get more than I expected. I had no idea of the anti-German climate at the time and wonder if they moved on to Nebraska because of it. And then the author threw in an awesome mystery solved by a strong female lead…perfection Kathleen Ernst! I cannot wait for the next book in the series and will look into her other books as well.
December 26, 2021
As a Chloe fan, I knew I'd love another book from Kathleen Ernst. Hanneke is every 21st century women's embodiment of who they probably think they would be in the past. As a native of Southeastern WI, it's fun reading about the landmarks and places that I know today.
As a reader, this story kept me intrigued and turning the pages. I can't wait to see where Hanneke's stories go!
As a reader, this story kept me intrigued and turning the pages. I can't wait to see where Hanneke's stories go!
February 25, 2023
I don't know why I was surprised, but this is a very good book. I had read just one of Ernst's books before and wasn't enticed. Glad my library encouraged me to read this one. Intelligent and interesting. And a really good mystery.
July 21, 2023
a show of female strength and endurance.
A story with many twists and changes. Intriguing plot that captures the imagination. I Could not put this book down.
A story with many twists and changes. Intriguing plot that captures the imagination. I Could not put this book down.
August 1, 2024
Good mystery that taught some Wisconsin and American history along the way
Read
February 9, 2025Hanneke was living in Pomerania, in what would become Germany. She was an old maid in her brother and sister-in-law’s home, a situation that was growing uncomfortable. When her brother brought a man home for dinner, a fellow Pomeranian who had emigrated to America, and that man proposed marriage to Hanneke, she accepted.
They married right away, and had two weeks getting to know each other. He seemed like a nice man. He had been a bookbinder, but now had a farm in Wisconsin. Fridolin Bauer went back to Wisconsin, and Hanneke stayed to care for her dying mother. She would follow later.
She did. She arrived, after a long voyage, in Watertown, Wisconsin, to be told that Fridolin Bauer was dead. But he had not told anyone that he had a wife coming over, not even the sister who lived with him. Likewise, Fridolin hadn’t told Hanneke that he had a sister. These are the lies of omission. He had lied to everyone closest to him by not telling the whole truth. Why?
No one believes that Hanneke is Fridolin’ wife. They think she is some kind of fortune hunter. She goes to get the marriage certificate out of her bag, and finds it gone. Someone has stolen her papers. Why?
Hanneke begins to ask questions about Fridolin’s death. She learns that he had whacked himself on the head accidentally while threshing grain. She thinks that is suspicious. It’s theoretically possible to whack oneself on the head while threshing grain, but no one does. Was he perhaps murdered?
Lots of other things are going on in 1850s Wisconsin. The number of German immigrants (as well as Swedes, Norwegians, and Irish) has swelled, causing a backlash from the Nativist Know-Nothings who are complaining about the “filthy, drunken” foreign influence. German immigrants are organizing in their turn, and there is good reason to believe that the town is about to erupt in violence.
In addition, the Fugitive Slave Law has made it a crime to shelter runaways, but runaways are coming through town, on their way to Canada, and many of the local Germans are liberal philosophers who believe in the Rights of Man, having fled Europe after their part in the revolutions of 1848. They hate slavery. So what are they to do?
This book becomes ridiculously exciting. At first a persistent and nosy Hanneke meets a wall of “no.” No one will answer her questions, and they just tell her to leave town. But as she snoops more, and begins to find things out, she is threatened, and beaten, and locked up, and pushed into the path of a horse. Her survival is a miracle of toughness, and some luck.
I am a fan of Kathleen Ernst’s work. I have read all of the Chloe Ellefson books. I enjoy that she tells a good story, but I also enjoy knowing that she is a thorough researcher, and knows her history. I feel like I can trust her.
The plot thread about the Know-Nothings was surprisingly comforting, because, as you will all be aware, anti-immigrant sentiment in America is high at this moment. It was reassuring to be reminded that, as a country, we have been through this before, and come out OK, eventually. But, the book reminds us, violence solves nothing. And, as immigrant Hanneke Bauer says, “All any of us want, she fumed, is a hearth of our own. An opportunity to work hard and contribute to this country. That was not too much to ask!”
They married right away, and had two weeks getting to know each other. He seemed like a nice man. He had been a bookbinder, but now had a farm in Wisconsin. Fridolin Bauer went back to Wisconsin, and Hanneke stayed to care for her dying mother. She would follow later.
She did. She arrived, after a long voyage, in Watertown, Wisconsin, to be told that Fridolin Bauer was dead. But he had not told anyone that he had a wife coming over, not even the sister who lived with him. Likewise, Fridolin hadn’t told Hanneke that he had a sister. These are the lies of omission. He had lied to everyone closest to him by not telling the whole truth. Why?
No one believes that Hanneke is Fridolin’ wife. They think she is some kind of fortune hunter. She goes to get the marriage certificate out of her bag, and finds it gone. Someone has stolen her papers. Why?
Hanneke begins to ask questions about Fridolin’s death. She learns that he had whacked himself on the head accidentally while threshing grain. She thinks that is suspicious. It’s theoretically possible to whack oneself on the head while threshing grain, but no one does. Was he perhaps murdered?
Lots of other things are going on in 1850s Wisconsin. The number of German immigrants (as well as Swedes, Norwegians, and Irish) has swelled, causing a backlash from the Nativist Know-Nothings who are complaining about the “filthy, drunken” foreign influence. German immigrants are organizing in their turn, and there is good reason to believe that the town is about to erupt in violence.
In addition, the Fugitive Slave Law has made it a crime to shelter runaways, but runaways are coming through town, on their way to Canada, and many of the local Germans are liberal philosophers who believe in the Rights of Man, having fled Europe after their part in the revolutions of 1848. They hate slavery. So what are they to do?
This book becomes ridiculously exciting. At first a persistent and nosy Hanneke meets a wall of “no.” No one will answer her questions, and they just tell her to leave town. But as she snoops more, and begins to find things out, she is threatened, and beaten, and locked up, and pushed into the path of a horse. Her survival is a miracle of toughness, and some luck.
I am a fan of Kathleen Ernst’s work. I have read all of the Chloe Ellefson books. I enjoy that she tells a good story, but I also enjoy knowing that she is a thorough researcher, and knows her history. I feel like I can trust her.
The plot thread about the Know-Nothings was surprisingly comforting, because, as you will all be aware, anti-immigrant sentiment in America is high at this moment. It was reassuring to be reminded that, as a country, we have been through this before, and come out OK, eventually. But, the book reminds us, violence solves nothing. And, as immigrant Hanneke Bauer says, “All any of us want, she fumed, is a hearth of our own. An opportunity to work hard and contribute to this country. That was not too much to ask!”
February 5, 2022
Ernst does not disappoint to paint the historical and character backstory in this new series set in Wisconsin in 1855. As a fan of the German village at Old World Wisconsin, the use of the Schultz farm allowed the reader who has been to the physical site, really immerse themself in the setting. The difficulties for Germans setting in Wisconsin are showcased in this work of historical fiction and the friction between them and those with nativists ideals. Interestingly Wisconsin’s role in the Underground Railroad is also explored.
January 20, 2023
Excellent. When Hanneke Bauer arrives in Wisconsin from Pomerania to join her husband, Fridolin, she expects to find him waiting. Instead, she learns that he died recently, without telling anyone about their marriage during his trip to Germany. And when her papers are stolen she had no proof. But she also has no money, an nowhere to go. Tensions are rising in the town of Watertown between the Yankee settlers and the German and Irish immigrants. Hanneke has no idea who to trust as she tries to discover the truth about Fridolin.
November 14, 2023
I was drawn in by the descriptions of the time period and the events in this 1855 historical novel. When Hanneke Bauer comes to Wisconsin to reunite with her husband, she learns that she had become a destitute widow. Now she has to prove herself, and uncover her husbands secrets before the killer comes for her. In a time when people were only as good as their word, she learns to trust her instincts and gains the respect of local officials. The escapist in me highly recommends Lies of Omission and I look forward to reading more Hanneke Bauer books.
October 8, 2025
I enjoyed this novel a lot. It is written by a woman whose father was our pastor in the 70's. She has written over 40 books for adults and children. This book is about the 1800's and the adventures of a woman, Hanneke Bauer, who comes to America to start a life with her husband. Once she arrives, she finds out that her husband is dead and no one knows about her and her marriage. Many unfortunate things happen as Hanneke tries to find out what happened to her husband. I am now going to read the second book in this series and find out more about Hanneke's life in America.
April 30, 2022
The author was very knowledgeable about the era of her setting which made the book believable. I enjoyed the main character and several of the supporting characters as well. I thought the solution to the mystery was somewhat far removed from the rest of the book, almost as though it was tacked on at the end.
June 7, 2022
I got this book from our library because the author is coming later this month to discuss it. It is a book about Watertown, Wisconsin in the mid 1850's, highlighting life in that community at that time. It revolves around German immigrants and political problems of the time. It was a quick, easy read.
December 20, 2021
A wonderful mystery Ive finished in only two evenings. The story of coming to America with the courageous nature of so many immigrants. Kathleen Ernst again inserts historical knowledge I did not realize about Wisconsin in the 1850s. A great book! Now when does the next book come out?? 😊
February 11, 2022
Lots of mid-19th century Wisconsin history with several mysteries - including the death of a spouse under suspicious circumstances- are belnded in this story about an immigrant from Germany coming to Watertown.
June 9, 2022
I was disappointed with this book. The story line was good but the main character was just a little too much. Hannake was too forward in her behavior for the times. I am sorry that I didn’t like the book.
June 14, 2022
I would give a rating of 9 if possible!
Kathleen never disappoints! Story line is fabulous. Historical content intriguing.
By the way, if you , reader, have not devoured her Chloe Ellefson series, I highly recommend them. Best read in order.
Kathleen never disappoints! Story line is fabulous. Historical content intriguing.
By the way, if you , reader, have not devoured her Chloe Ellefson series, I highly recommend them. Best read in order.
August 16, 2022
The premise of the book is good, but the writing and story line are not. The writing reads like a young adult novel written by someone who doesn't know how to write for young adults and the story line was ridiculous yet easy to predict - the foreshadowing and mystery clues were not subtle.
January 16, 2025
I loved the Wisconsin setting, and this is an interesting story of a Wisconsin pioneer woman who travels to the homestead of her intended, only to find out he is no longer alive. Rather than returning to Europe, she is determined to remain and to uncover the mystery surrounding his death.
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