Fiddling with Fate

by Kathleen Ernst

Overview

Chloe Has a Devil of a Time Keeping Tempo with Dangerous Mysteries in Norway

After her mother's unexpected death, curator Chloe Ellefson discovers hidden antiques that hint at family secrets. Determined to find answers,

Chloe accepts a consultant job in Norway, her ancestors' homeland. She's eager to explore Hardanger fiddle and dance traditions ... and her

own heritage.

Once their plane lands, however, Chloe and her fiancé, cop Roelke McKenna, encounter only disharmony. Chloe's research reveals strong women and the importance of fiddle music in their lives. But folklore warns against "the devil's instrument" and old evils may yet linger among the fjords and mountains. As Chloe fine-tunes her search for the truth, a killer's desire to stop her builds to a deadly crescendo.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781595988430
Publisher:	Three Towers Press
Publication date:	09/01/2021
Pages:	406
Sales rank:	140,629
Product dimensions:	5.25(w) x 8.00(h) x 0.83(d)

About the Author

Kathleen Ernst is an award-winning author, educator and social historian. She has published fifteen novels and one nonfiction book, including her bestselling American Girl mystery, Danger at the Zoo, which was an Agatha Award finalist in the category of best children’s/young adult mystery. She took an interpreter job at Old World Wisconsin and later worked as a Curator of Interpretation and Collections at the historical site.

Editorial Reviews

Praise for the Chloe Ellefson Series

Fiddling with Fate

"Fiddling with Fate is a riveting page-turner that culminates in a nail-biting ending...It's a masterpiece.—Maddy Hunter, Agatha Award finalist and author of the Passport to Peril mystery series

"[A] richly-detailed and multi-faceted mystery."—Patricia Skalka, winner of the Edna Ferber Fiction Book Award

The Lacemaker's Secret

"Allows the readers rare access to Wisconsin's old-country heritage in a very factual and picture-perfect manner."—Alan C. Pape, former restoration chief at Old World Wisconsin (1971–1983)

Mining for Justice

"Contrasts the difficult life of Wisconsin's Cornish miners with the heroine's burgeoning romance, highlighting both her researching skills and her unusual feel for the past."—Kirkus Reviews

A Memory of Muskets

"Provides a new perspective on the Civil War woven together with a compelling mystery."—Kirkus Reviews

"Extremely well-written."—Suspense Magazine

"Kathleen Ernst knows how to spin a tale, weave an intricate plot, and hide clues in the embroidery."—Kathy Lynn Emerson, Agatha Award–winning author

Death on the Prairie

"Ernst does an exceptional job of sharing the kinds of character details that cozy readers relish."—Booklist

"A real treat for Little House fans."—Kirkus Reviews

"A delightful tale of intrigue that interweaves facts about Laura Ingalls Wilder's life with fan folklore and murder."—Linda Halpin, author of Quilting with Laura

"A super read that sparks the imagination."—Suspense Magazine

"As superbly pieced together as a blue-ribbon quilt."—Molly MacRae, Lovey Award–winning author

"Suspense, intrigue, trafficking in stolen artifacts, blackmail, murder: they're all here."—John E. Miller, author of Becoming Laura Ingalls Wilder

Tradition of Deceit

"Ernst keeps getting better with each entry in this fascinating series."—Library Journal

"Everybody has secrets in this action-filled cozy."—Publishers Weekly

"All in all, a very enjoyable reading experience."—Mystery Scene

"A page-turner with a clever surprise ending."—G.M. Malliet, Agatha Award–winning author

"A plush journey into cultural time and place."—Jill Florence Lackey, PhD, author of Milwaukee's Old South Side

Heritage of Darkness

"Provides a little mystery, a little romance, and a little more information about Norwegian folk art and tales."—Kirkus Reviews

The Light Keeper's Legacy

"A fresh and compelling read."—Jane Kirkpatrick, New York Times bestselling author

"Chloe's third combines a good mystery with some interesting historical information on a niche subject."—Kirkus Reviews

"Builds up two mystery cases and cleverly weaves them back together."—Library Journal

"The multiple plots move easily across the intertwined past and present."—Booklist Online

"The mystery elements of this book are very good."—Mystery Scene

The Heirloom Murders

"Chloe is an appealing character, and Ernst's depiction of work at a living museum lends authenticity and a sense of place to the involving plot."—St. Paul Pioneer Press

"Greed, passion, skill, and luck all figure in this surprise-filled outing."—Publishers Weekly

"A very satisfying read."—Mystery Reader

"Entertainment and edification."—Mystery Scene

Old World Murder

"[S]trongest in its charming local color and genuine love for Wisconsin's rolling hills, pastures, and woodlands."—New York Journal of Books

"Clever plot twists and credible characters make this a far from humdrum cozy."—Publishers Weekly

"Rolls out nicely for readers who like a cozy with a dab of antique lore."—Library Journal

"Museum masterpiece."—Rosebud Book Reviews

"A real find...5 stars."—Once Upon a Romance

"[An] engaging story."—Booklist

"A wonderfully-woven tale."—Sandi Ault, Mary Higgins Clark Award-winning author

"Propulsive and superbly written."—Julia Spencer-Fleming, Anthony and Agatha Award–winning author

From the Publisher