My day will be spent crawling about a creepy, enormous, long-abandoned flour mill. The Washburn A Mill in Minneapolis, to be exact. It’s a long way from Old World Wisconsin, the rural farm museum where I’m employed as curator of collections. But visionaries at the Minnesota Historical Society are hoping to turn the mill into a museum. I’m here to help my friend Ariel develop an interpretive plan.
In theory, the museum is a great idea. The Washburn Mill, completed in 1874, was once the world’s largest flour mill. New milling techniques industrialized the production of a basic food item for the first time in history. The mill gave us Gold Medal Flour and Betty Crocker.
Ariel, however, is afraid to go inside the place. It’s spooky, I must admit—cold, dark, damp, and filled with dangerous old machinery. People who are homeless live here. Kids dare each other to sneak inside. Drug dealers do business in the shadows.
And then there’s the disturbing fact that during my first tour of the mill, we discovered a professor’s body in a rusty hulk called a turn-head distributor.
I’d rather be spending a peaceful day at my own historic site, topped by sharing dinner with my guy. Officer Roelke McKenna and I haven’t been a couple for long, and time together is something to savor.
But Roelke is in Milwaukee with troubles of his own. His best friend was killed in the line of duty. Rumors that Rick was drinking on the job are flying around the Milwaukee Police Department. Roelke doesn’t believe it, and he’s focused on finding the truth. So focused, in fact, that he’s shut me out entirely.
So I’m trying to figure out why an architectural historian was killed in the Washburn A Mill. Ariel’s on the edge of an emotional meltdown, lies are being told, secrets are being kept, and my boyfriend isn’t returning my calls.
And to think, some people assume the history world is boring…
You can learn more about Chloe in Tradition of Deceit, the fifth book in the “Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites” series, published by Midnight Ink. The first book in the series is Old World Murder.
Giveaway: Leave a comment by December 12 for a chance to win a trade paperback copy of TRADITION OF DECEIT. The giveaway is open to residents of North America.
Meet The Author
Tradition of Deceit is Kathleen Ernst’s thirtieth book. In addition to the Chloe Ellefson Historic 
Sites series, she has written many books for American Girl, including nine about the historical character she created, Caroline Abbott. Over 1.5 million copies of Kathleen’s titles have been sold. The Chloe series has earned a LOVEY Award for Best Traditional Mystery, and several of her mysteries for young readers have been finalists for Edgar or Agatha awards. Visit Kathleen at her website or on Facebook.
I have enjoyed this series from the beginning. Congrats on the new one.
Sounds like a fantastic giveaway. I am looking forward to reading your book. We have a old mill that was changed into shops, foods and crafts. I can see where it would be creepy empty.
If only wishes do come true then I would be a winner in your drawing. I love a good book and reading is pure pleasure for me. Thank you to all the authors who contribute to my addiction.
Thanks for posting about this series – Look forward to reading it!
This sounds interesting! Thanks for the opportunity to win the book.
I love this series ,would love to read this one 🙂
I would love to start reading this series! Thank you!
great series; thank you for the chance 🙂
New series to me. Sounds like a great read! Would love to win this book. Thanks so much!
Kathleen Ernst is a new author to me, but I would love to start reading her books. They sound exciting, intriguing and never a dull moment.
Would love a chance to read this
A spooky old mill sounds interesting. I would love to start this sreies.
I’m always happy to be reading a good mystery series. Good luck to the winning draw! For Christmas I wish for more books! Hint hint!
I love the fact this ties in a little history along with the mystery. Thanks Dru for sharing your review with us.
I haven’t heard of this series before, but I’m extremely interested! I love all things that have to do with history, so this series is definitely going on my “must read” list!
new series to try. sounds interesting. thanks.
I love Kathleen Ernst’s books. Guaranteed to be great. Thanks for the chance!!!!
This series sounds perfect for me!
This sounds great! Thank you for the contest!
Sounds a great read.
This is a new author to me. The description of her new book sounds very interesting, so much so that I think I will have to go back and start with her first book in this series. Would love to win a copy of Traditions of Deceit.
I love visiting the old milling district in Minneapolis. That area by the river is a great place to take a nice long walk. Thanks for the contest.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
History is never boring and your book sounds amazing!
History – at least history well-told – is NEVER boring! Your book sounds amazing!
Sounds like a pretty rough day, although I would have enjoyed the mill (minus the dead body). Those sort of places are always interesting. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of this book.
Sounds intriguing! I will check out this series!!
If my memory is still intact, I don’t think that I have ever read one of the books in Kathleen’s series before this, but certainly don’t want to miss out on any series with as many good ratings as this one. Thank you for including me in the drawing.
Cynthia
Always looking for a new book (to me).
This sounds like a great series!
A museum curator! Love it!
Haven’t read this series but would love to.
Oh thank you for the chance to win
This would be a new series for me!
What a collection of unpleasantness. Good luck her.
Really love cozies…
Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com
Sounds like a wonderful story! Thanks for the giveaway.
I am very glad to learn of the “Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites” series and want to read all of the books in the series
Thank you for a chance to win a copy of Tradition of Deceit.
please put in an entry ticket for me Dru. I’d love to add this one to my library.
Hello all! Thanks so much for stopping by; and thanks to Dru Ann for being such a gracious host. I’ve been on the road today, but enjoyed catching up on the comments. And I appreciate the kind words! Happy reading, everyone!
Love Chloe adventures!
Kathleen has a great way of giving her readers a real sense of place. Knowing the real live Mill City Museum, I can’t wait to read her account of the “old” days before the museum came to be. (And thanks for the chance to enter this giveaway!)
How did I miss this series?! It sounds great! I’ll have to check it out (and I have some Amazon gift certs! Hooray!). Thanks for letting me know about it!
This sounds interesting
Darn, lost my entire earlier comment. Technology!! I’d love to a win a trade PB. I confess I came late to this series & bought all 3 of the earlier ones. After reading Old World Murder, I tried rationing my reading bait… Until I saw that 4th was published & now #5. Now, I’m reading #4 so I’ll be ready when I win this one (hoping). Wish all my favorite cozy authors were in trade paperbacks! Easier for me to read with my increasing vision issues…yes, I get digital & change the font BUT to an old-fashione librarian print format is ALWAYS first choice for personal library!!
30th book! Boy, I have a lot of catching up to do. A former museum employee, I am certain this is a story for me. Love the historical aspect.
this whole series sounds wonderful! can’t wait to my hands on ’em!
Sounds good! I have my finger’s crossed!
This is a fantastic series! Chloe and all the historical information will intrigue, not confuse you! Thanks for the chance to win!
Not familiar with this author but love the premise of the novel. Love the local history angle.
The book sounds real spooky, and just my kind of story. I would love to read it. Thanks for having the giveaway.
The book sounds totally awesome
I used to visit a flour mill near my home. It no longer exists at all, however.
Love books written about the past.
contest is closed.