Tradition of DeceitTradition of Deceit by Kathleen Ernst is the fifth book in the “Chloe Ellefson” mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, October 2014

Curator and occasional sleuth Chloe Ellefson is off to Minneapolis to help her friend Ariel with a monumental task. Ariel must write a proposal for a controversial and expensive restoration project: convert an abandoned flour mill, currently used as shelter by homeless people, into a museum. When a dead body is found stuffed into a grain chute, Chloe’s attention turns from milling to murder.

Back in Milwaukee, Chloe’s love interest Roelke has been slammed with the news that a fellow officer was shot and killed while on duty. Sifting through clues from both past and present, Chloe and Roelke discover dangerous secrets that put their lives—and their trust in each other—at risk.

The co-mingling of time is explored in this mystery that became a journey of self-discovery for Chloe and Roelke. This was a well-written tale that I could not put down, quickly becoming a page-turner. Every nuance, every action, every discovery pulled me in in this telling drama of murder and secrets uncovered. I love that we continue to see the emotional growth of Chloe and her relationship with Roelke and how it takes shape with each murder case they become involved in. This is another great book in a terrific series and I’m looking forward to more time spent with Chloe, Roelke and their friends.