A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

Happily for me, the issue brought up with Roelke in book #8 is addressed in this book, briefly, but sufficiently. I find him the more likable and compelling of the main couple. This book brings up adoption (hmmm, in a way the last book did too, is the author working something out personally?) which is close to home as my mother was adopted too. Chloe questions her own identity and that of her mother and thinks things that I cannot relate to despite being in a similar situation. Despite this, after reading 4 of these books in a row (to finally write the honest reviews I agreed to in exchange for copies from Netgalley, sorry for the years of delay) I am warming up to Chloe.

I liked both the 1980's storylines which seemed to parallel each other much less than in previous books. I just briefly viewed some of the lacemaker's story (the more historical storyline that threads through these books). While they are well done and tie into Chloe's story line, I find they take me out of the main story and detract from my enjoyment of the central mystery.

Another positive note about these books, including the ones where I've read the historical story line as well as Chloe's and Roelke's, is that despite the tons of information the author writes them in a way that I never lose track of what's happening and the characters, including the many secondary characters. No Dune or Lord of the Rings moments where I go "Who the heck is that???"

Ernst always manages to find some bit of history to detail so very interestingly in these Chloe Ellefson novels, I like them so much. Both Roelke and Chloe are harboring some secrets this time, which might not be great personally, but since it takes Chloe to a site, where a body is found, things really get going.

Set in the 1980s, before cell phones and Netflix and Greek yogurt, Ernst's series revolves around Chloe, an historian who works in the upper midwest, and travels to different museums and locations for research or to help set exhibits. I like the unusual setting of the series, and its time frame means that some aspects can be simpler (people did seem nicer and less harried in the 1980s, which I remember well), and the lack of modern technology means that suspense can be ratcheted up in little ways that cell phones and the Internet would not allow. The simultaneous story lines can be a bit much, and I found myself starting to dislike the constant flipping back and forth between the stories, but it is handled deftly overall.

I wish I could provide feedback without a star rating, because I did not finish the book. I couldn't get very far into the story because there was so, so much telling and very little showing. I hope the story picked up, but for me it felt amateurish and not worth continuing.

Each installment in the Chloe Ellefson mystery series is better than the last, but the biggest problem with this book, the ninth, is how much is stuffed into it.

The historical element, about an orphaned Belgian lace maker coming to establish a farm in the wilds of Wisconsin in the 1800s, is fascinating. It could have been given even more space, since there's not as much time spent on the flashback as in previous volumes, particularly compared to the effects of the multiple major events portrayed over the time span, from 1848-1919. It will likely be of more interest to many readers than some of the more specialized crafts covered in previous volumes, just because more will be familiar with the beauty of antique lace.

There's a lot going on in the modern day, with several crimes -- some of which, if you read the book quickly, barely register -- and a ton of characters and discoveries. It can be difficult to keep it all straight. The continuing plot lines from previous books aren't handled in particularly satisfactory fashion, in my opinion, but I would rather have a book that tries to do too much than one that's overly padded. Still, having Chloe and her police officer boyfriend try to deal with moving their relationship along, his work-related secret, and a new family discovery for her (one that is only introduced, not resolved) is a bit much on top of introducing all the new characters, both historical and present-day.

That said, by the end of the historical storyline, I was brought to tears at everything that happened to the immigrant and her family, after everything she'd struggled through. I am a bit tired of the bad guy trying to kidnap and/or kill Chloe, though -- please, a new resolution to the mystery in the next one!

First, thanks to #NetGalley for the opportunity to read this one. I read the first book in this series a few years ago and I didn't like Chloe. Since I hadn't read one since, and the description of this one sounded so interesting I decided to give it a go. Too bad Chloe hasn't really changed and I still don't like her. Seraphine's story in this one was excellent and I really liked the information about bobbin lace. The present day story was more than a little so-so. The historical part of this story is highly recommended, but otherwise? Not so much.

Thank you to Netgalley, the Publisher ad the author for the opportunity to read this book in return for my review based on my honest opinion.

This is the first book I have read by this author and I am conflicted about how I felt about it. On the one hand, I absolutely loved the historical information about bobbin lace, I loved Seraphine's story completely, but I felt that I could have done without much of the present storyline. It felt disjointed and left so many questions about the plot, I felt that the reasons we were given for certain instances seemed thin and implausible. I liked Chloe and Roelke, I even liked the secondary characters, I just felt that the story as a whole for me didn't really go anywhere, but perhaps if I had read all of the Chloe Ellefson mysteries, I would feel differently. Again, I must say, I was enthralled with Seraphine's stories, of Belgian lacemaking and hardship in a new world, I might even try my hand at making bobbin lace.

The Lacemaker's Secret is a rare gem in the world of cozy mysteries. Part historical fiction, part mystery but full of a unique storyline that keeps readers guessing at each and every page. What I love the most about this book was the authors ability to take real local historical locations and weave a story into them.

A solid 3-1/2 stars rounded up.

I enjoyed the back story of the orphaned sisters, Octavia who remains in Belgium, and Seraphine who leaves to marry and resettle in Wisconsin. Both are devoted to the lace making industry. The history of Belgian lace making is fascinating and I only wish even more time had been devoted to it. I have travelled to Bruges and visited the lace museum. I have watched the women weave their bobbins at dizzying speed. It is a sight to behold. I purchased a remnant of antique lace for a small fortune and look at it every day and remember my visit to the convent and the city of Bruges.

The story of the Belgian Walloon immigrants’ struggles in Wisconsin was also well told, informative and heartbreaking. The telling of their stories as part of the current story is powerful and allows the reader to become well acquainted with their history. Unfortunately I didn’t feel the modern day story was nearly as strong. Yes there is a mystery and it gets deeper and darker but there were too many tangents that I found distracting. I credit Ms. Ernst with being a good storyteller by tying it all together but still found some of it superfluous.

A minor point but some of the expressions, e.g. “Hunh”, “Holy Toboggans” just struck a discordant note. Thank you NetGalley and Midnight Ink for a copy

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

This is one of my favorite historical mystery series, and The Lace Maker’s Secret exceeds my expectations! In this captivating mystery, Chloe goes to Door County, Wisconsin, to help develop a furnishings plan for the new Belgian farmhouse at Heritage Hill, an outdoor museum. She learns more about the history of the area, specifically the Belgian culture and customs which overlap with the family at whose B&B where she is staying. One of the delights, or at times drawbacks, is that the setting is the 1980’s, so cell phones or computers of any kind not available. Another delight is that the mystery of the current day is skillfully woven with a or mystery from an earlier era with people or situations related to what she is currently working on.

Chloe Ellefson works at Old World Wisconsin, a living history museum, and is a Curator of Collections. Chloe has helped solve many murders and doesn’t want to get involved again. Roelke, the man she lives with, is a police officer who wants to keep her safe. One thing I found endearing is how Chloe ‘hears’ in her head what Roelke would say in certain situations. A unique ‘gift’ Chloe has is being able to feel the emotions, whether positive, negative, or frightening in historical homes.

Chloe has reservations at a B&B within an easy drive of the of the museum just outside of Green Bay and is looking forward to meeting up with Elise, a woman she had worked with as an interpreter at a Virginia museum. Studying for post-graduate degrees has brought Elise to her current position, working with the lace curator at the National Museum of History at the Smithsonian. She became interested in Belgian lace, at one time the finest in the world.

On her way to the B&B, Chloe is passing an old farmhouse and slows to view the various buildings. She spots what looks like a summer kitchen and wants to see the structure better. The farmhouse is boarded up so she enters the unlocked summer kitchen. As she pictures those who might have used the kitchen and the oven in the past, she can almost smell bread baking. Curious, she opens the oven door only to find a dead body.

The body is identified of Hugh Lejeune, cousin of Sharon Bertrand, who owns the B&B. The neighboring properties have been in their respective family branch for several generations. Hugh had been leasing out the fields and stopped by the farm occasionally to check on it. He must have been there within the past couple days based on the estimated time of death.

Approximately 130 years earlier, orphaned 12-year-old Serephine Moreau and her sister Octavie were sent to live at a convent school in Flanders. Girls at the convent school begin training from the age of 7 or 8 to make lace, so the two sisters worked hard to catch up. Serephine has a gift for making lace as well as designing patterns that can be used to make lace and feels it is her vocation. Octavie has the call to become a nun, so becomes a novitiate at age 17.

Honestly, I appreciated all of the ladies in this mystery, as well as Chloe’s boyfriend, Roelke. The women from the 1800’s worked hard, and helped each other out, especially in the Wisconsin forest. Serephine and Octavie did not have an easy life, yet each found the life they were called to at the convent school. Chloe and Elise appear to have found the life in which they find purpose, as does Sharon, their hostess at the B&B. Each woman is brilliant and gifted in their own way, and each is very well defined for their role.

This novel is an exciting read! I appreciate how the author fills in the social and cultural details of whatever time period she writes. The way she alternates between chapters of Chloe in the present (1980’s) and the historical characters portrayed shows how the past, present, and future are inexorably entwined. I find it fascinating to read about the homes and, in this novel, how the settlers from Europe adapted and contributed to life in 1800’s Wisconsin. The mysteries are equally fascinating, with regards to the murder, the treasure, and what might have happened to Serephine’s lace. Plot twists in both centuries kept me thinking, and I was so wrapped up in the 1800’s and 1900’s that at times I forgot the perplexing murder and ensuing danger Chloe faced. While I had an idea who the killer might be, I was in for a surprise! In this case, I was happy to be wrong due to the circumstances and was overall very satisfied with how all situations were resolved at the end. I highly recommend this novel to those who appreciate cozy mysteries with a serving of history and thoughtful, engaging characters.


*OBS would like to thank the publisher for supplying a free copy of this title in exchange for an honest review*

I enjoyed how this author wove together two distinct stories. I found it to flow very well. I liked reading about the two time periods and thought that Ms. Ernst did a great deal of research to be so accurate. The characters were well-written and the story had plenty of twists to keep my attention. I will have to go back and read the others in this series. I received a copy from NetGalley and the publisher and this is my honest opinion.

Dollycas’s Thoughts
This installment of this wonderful series takes Chloe Ellefson on the road to Green Bay’s Heritage Hill Historical Park. They are restoring a historic Belgian-American farmhouse and have asked her to consult on its furnishings. She recently learned some upsetting news about her family and something is definitely bothering her boyfriend. Roelke McKenna, so maybe a week away, doing the thing she loves will do them both some good. She is meeting a woman there who she has worked with in the past. The woman is a lace expert and she has been told a valuable piece of lace is part of Heritage Hill’s collection. Both women are excited to learn about the lace and its origins.

It is winter in Wisconsin and driving north Chloe encounters some slippery conditions. Just before she reaches the B&B where she will be staying she notices a summer kitchen building right off the road. She pulls over quickly to check the place out, but she makes a grisly discovery. A dead body has been stuffed into the old bake oven. This is not the way she planned to start her week. The death has nothing to do with her. Maybe she can leave everything to the police and just do what she came to Green Bay to do. But she knows that is not going to happen, she is going to find herself right in the middle of another investigation and her favorite police officer is many miles away.

I know when I pick up a book by Kathleen Ernst I am in for a delightful read. This book was no exception. I have spent my whole life in Wisconsin and every time I read a book by this wonderful author I still learn something new. I knew the basics of the historical events that take place in this story but her fictional telling of the time period resonates and makes the time, place, and people come alive.

The historical part of the story begins in Belguim in 1848 when 12-year-old Seraphine Moreau’s father dies and she and her twin sister, Octavie are taken by their uncle to a convent school in Bruges. She leaves her friend Jean-Paul Lejeune behind but he doesn’t forget her, he visits her and the convent often and they pledge their love to each other. While at the convent both Seraphine and Octavie learn to make the beautiful bobbin Belgian lace. In 1854, Jean-Paul returns to ask Seraphine to be his wife and travel with him to America where there are new opportunities for farmers. The story then follows their lives in Wisconsin and joins together with the current story which is set in the 1980’s.

Again, Ernst really shows her storytelling chops by marrying these two time periods together seamlessly. Both time periods feature strong women in Chloe and Seraphine and even Octavie who remains in Belguim. We see through the letters to her sister what is happening across the Atlantic. Seraphine and the immigrants struggle to just survive at times was both heartbreaking and inspirational, the perseverance shown throughout their lives was remarkable. Chloe shows her strength time and time again and she strives the find the truth even while putting herself in danger.

In Chloe’s timeframe, I always need to remind myself, 1980’s, no cell phones, no easy access to the internet, no text messages. I love the nightly phone calls between Chloe and Roelke, the calling collect, and reversing the charges. Something the current generation of kids and young adults will never know. For them, both parts of this story would be historical. I know Ms. Ernst’s books would be a great way for them to learn about history. She makes it personal and her stories stick with her readers. Her stories are well-researched but fictional so she does juggle the dates sometimes to fit her narrative while still giving an accurate picture of the things her characters endure.

I do love that the stories in this series take place in actual destinations near where I live. As my grandchildren get older these are places I would love to take them. According to their website, “Heritage Hill has earned a reputation as a jewel of the Midwest for guests from within the area and those visiting the community.” I really thank the author for bringing this treasure to my attention.

The Lacemaker’s Secret is a fantastic story filled with characters that are truly believable. They will draw readers deep into their lives. The theme of Belgian lace and the setting in Wisconsin really shows the author’s love of the history of our state. This was an amazing read!

The Lace Maker’s Secret is the ninth book in the Chole Effelson Mystery series.

This is a very enjoyable and interesting series, each book contains two stories. One being about Chole Effelson who works at Old World Collection as a curator of collections. The second being a historical story that the author skillfully ties into the Chole story.

In this book Chole is on her way to Green Bay, WI to visit the Heritage Hill State Historical Park, who wants to restore a Belgian-American home to how it would have been in the early 1900’s. She is also looking forward to seeing her old friend, Elise O’Rourke who is an expert on Belgian Lace. As Chole is nearing the Belgian Acres B&B, where she will be staying, she notices a summer-oven and having never seen one she stops and goes to inspect it. As she opens the door she is shocked to find a body. That body is soon identified as Hugh Lejune, a cousin of Sharon Bertrand owner of the B&B where Chole is staying. When Roy Galuska, restoration specialist, is found dead and then Elise goes missing, Chole knows she has to get busy searching for Elise and work to find the killer.

What I really enjoyed in this book(and others in this series) is the historical aspect of the book. The reader will follow Seraphine Lejune, her husband Jean-Paul, Etienne Lejune, Jean-Paul’s brother and Emelie, Etienne wife. Seraphine was very accomplished at making bobbin lace. These young folks come to America and settle near what would become Green Bay. The land that they were going to farm was virgin land and see what the two families had to go through to first provide shelter let alone being able to farm. In addition, they had to fight cholera and the great Peshtigo Fire of 1871. This gained no notoriety as it started on the same day as the Great Chicago Fire. This historical part of the book was extremely interesting and exciting to read what the early settlers had to endure begin their new lives in their new country.

A wonderful addition to this very exciting series. It is well-plotted and well written with wonderful characters.

I will be watching for the next book in this series.

Chloe needs some time to think after the revelation of a family secret, and Roelke isn't quite himself lately, though she doesn't know why. She hopes that a new consulting job in nearby Green Bay will provide a needed break from her distracting personal life. But when she finds a body, she has to figure out who it was and why the person was killed.

This is the ninth book in this series, and I have learned something from each and every book. I really like the way the author incorporates history lessons into the story without making it feel like the reader is being beat over the head with it. Although the secondary characters change from book to book, the primary characters feel like friends to me, and I have enjoyed watching their relationships develop, despite issues and troubling circumstances. Although I had suspects in mind as I read this book, I wasn't sure I was right until just before the reveal. I will definitely look for the next book in this series.

What a treasure! I hadn’t heard of Kathleen Ernst’s character-driven historical fiction cozy mysteries before, but I am glad I had the chance to read The Lacemaker’s Secret, #8 in the Chloe Ellefson series.
It’s apparent that the author was bringing her real life experience as a historian to the book and I learned a lot about lacemakers and Belgian immigrants in Wisconsin. The author managed to tie together a current day mystery surrounding historical artifacts and a murder interspersed with chapters from the viewpoint of a Belgian immigrant lacemaker. At parts in the middle, it felt like a little slow and unbelievable but it was connected together nicely in the end. I will be reading the rest of this series.

Thanks to NetGalley, Midnight Ink, and the author Kathleen Ernst for an advanced electronic reading copy. The book comes out October 8, 2018.

This is a delightful cozy mystery, I loved the mix of history and mystery plot.
It was the first one I read in this series and had no problem in understanding the characters and their story.
The historical part was fascinating and informative, with a well researched background.
The mystery plot was sound, no plot hole, and kept me guessing till the end.
A very good book, highly recommended!
Many thanks to Midnight Ink and Netgalley for this ARC

I was thrilled to receive this book for review as I have read all of the author's previous books. .This book is the first new release in two years and it was worth waiting for as a fan of the series. I highly recommend this series for your reading enjoyment. .
In this next in series our protagonist curator Chloe Ellefson is in Green Bay for a consulting job at Heritage Hill Historical Park, where an old Belgian-American farmhouse is being restored. She is looking forward to working on the historical restoration of the Belgian farmhouse and meeting up with her old friend Elise O’Rourke. Elise is a lace scholar. She is looking for a rare and valuable piece of lace made by one of the earliest Belgian settlers. When driving up to the Belgian Acres, Chloe decided to take a look at a old oven left outside. She discovers a body in the bake oven.. The mystery proceeds and deepens the plot of the story.

The Lacemaker’s Secret is written from two perspectives. The first is Chloe. The second is the story of Seraphine a Belgian lace maker and early immigrant from mid-1800.
I adored reading the dual timelines in this story as each had its own story to tell that was relevant to the story. This is a exciting addition to the series with a well crafted sleuth, interesting charcters and a wonderful historical aspect of traditional lace making.
Very well done to the author. Thank you for the ARC that does not influence my review. I highly recommend this book for all who enjoy historical mysteries .

The Lacemaker’s Secret starts with curator Chloe Ellefson who heads to Green Bay for a consulting job at Heritage Hill Historical Park, where an old Belgian-American farmhouse is being restored. She hopes it will be a relaxing escape, because she has just discovered a unsettling family secret and her boyfriend, Roelke McKenna has been acting strange lately. She could use a distraction and is looking forward to working on the historical restoration of the Belgian farmhouse and meeting up with her old friend Elise O’Rourke. Elise is a lace scholar, who is also going to Green Bay for her job. She is looking for a rare and valuable piece of lace made by one of the earliest Belgian settlers.

What was supposed to be a delightful assignment, soon turns into a mysterious scene. When driving up to the Belgian Acres B&B, Chloe sees a century-old summer bake oven and she decided to take a look. She discovers a body in the bake oven..

The person in the bake oven is murdered and research suggests that the crime has something to do with the valuable piece of lace Elise is looking for.

The Lacemaker’s Secret is written from two perspectives. The first narrative is from Chloe. The second narrative is the story of Seraphine Morreau Lejeune, a Belgian lacemaker and early immigrant from mid-1800. Seraphine’s narrative is a story about hope, love, sisterhood, grieve and perseverance.

I adored reading the historical timeline and I really liked the murder mystery too. I do think I would have enjoyed the book even more if I’d read the other books in the Chloe Ellefson series too. This is the ninth book in the series and, although you can definitely read it as a stand-alone, I do think it would give the characters more depth if you read all the books.

4 out of 5 stars.

This is another terrific dual time line mystery from Ernst. Chloe's job as a curator allows us to learn about niche pieces of history in each installment- and this time it's Belgians in Wisconsin. And lacemaking! Who knew lace could lead to murder. Well, not exactly, but that's more or less what's happened. Seraphine learned lacemaking in a Belgian convent before moving to the US in the 1850s. Her story was in some ways more interesting to me than the mysteries, although Chloe works hard when she discovers a body and then another and then a disappearance. Her love interest Roelke is not so interesting this time around but that's ok- I was happy with the story as it stood. Thanks to net galley for the ARC. You'll be fine if you haven't read the earlier books and then you, like me, will be looking forward to the next one!