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Chloe Ellefson Mystery Books in Order

11 Books
2010 – 2021 Published
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Reading order

How to Read the Chloe Ellefson Mystery Series

Written by historian and author Kathleen Ernst, the Chloe Ellefson Mystery series centers on a curator at the Old World Wisconsin living history museum who solves crimes that connect historical mysteries with present-day investigations. Set in the 1980s, the series is a wonderful blend of cozy mystery, Midwest history, and detailed heritage crafts.

The Recommended Reading Order

For the best experience, you should read the Chloe Ellefson books in publication order. Because the books follow Chloe's personal growth, mental health journey, and evolving relationship with police officer Roelke McKenna, reading them chronologically prevents spoilers and makes the character development much more satisfying.

  1. Old World Murder (2010) – Set at Old World Wisconsin, focusing on Norwegian immigrant heritage and a valuable historic ale bowl.
  2. The Heirloom Murders (2011) – Chloe deals with green-head museum politics, stolen gold, and heirloom seeds.
  3. The Light Keeper's Legacy (2012) – Chloe takes a temporary job on Rock Island, Wisconsin, uncovering secrets at the historic Pottawatomie Lighthouse.
  4. Heritage of Darkness (2013) – Set at the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum in Decorah, Iowa, involving rosemaling and a family mystery.
  5. Tradition of Deceit (2014) – Chloe travels to Minneapolis to research a new exhibit, finding herself investigating a historical mystery from the 1930s.
  6. Death on the Prairie (2015) – A road trip to Laura Ingalls Wilder sites in Wisconsin and Minnesota leads to murder and historical connections.
  7. A Memory of Muskets (2016) – Explores German-American heritage during a Civil War reenactment event at Old World Wisconsin.
  8. Mining for Justice (2017) – Set at the Pendarvis Historic Site in Mineral Point, Wisconsin, focusing on Cornish immigrants and lead mining history.
  9. The Lacemaker's Secret (2018) – Chloe visits Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin, discovering secrets about Belgian-American lace makers.
  10. Fiddling with Fate (2019) – Chloe travels to the Shetland Islands in Scotland, connecting local folk music history with her own family origins.
  11. The Weaver's Revenge (2021) – The latest installment takes Chloe to the Apostle Islands as she investigates a mystery tied to Finnish heritage and weaving.

Are There Any Spin-offs or Novellas?

No, there are no spin-offs, co-authored books, or short story collections in the Chloe Ellefson universe. The reading experience is straightforward, consisting entirely of these 11 main novels. If you finish this series and want more of Ernst’s historical mysteries, check out her Hanneke Bauer series, which is set in 19th-century Wisconsin.

Frequently Asked

QWhere should I start reading the Chloe Ellefson series?

You should start with the first book, Old World Murder. Reading in order allows you to follow the characters' personal and professional lives without spoilers.

QAre the publication order and chronological order the same?

Yes, the publication order and chronological order are identical. They follow the timeline of Chloe's life in the 1980s.

QAre there any Chloe Ellefson short stories or novellas?

No, the series consists only of the 11 main novels. There are no side stories, novellas, or spin-offs.

QIs the Chloe Ellefson series finished?

As of now, The Weaver's Revenge (2021) is the most recent book. While the author has not officially ended the series, she is currently focusing on her Hanneke Bauer historical mysteries.

QWhat is the main setting of the series?

Most books are set at or around Old World Wisconsin, a real-life living history museum in Eagle, Wisconsin, though some stories take Chloe to other historic sites in Iowa, Minnesota, and even the Shetland Islands.

QCan these books be read as standalones?

While each mystery is fully resolved within its book, the overarching character development, especially Chloe's relationships and career progression, builds from one book to the next. We highly recommend reading them in order.