© Council for Wisconsin Writers 2013 Council for Wisconsin Writers Council for Wisconsin Writers Kathleen Ernst Kathleen Ernst Winning Category: Anne Powers Fiction Book Award Winning Entry: The Heirloom Murders, Midnight Ink Hometown: Middleton  Kathleen Ernst is a novelist, social historian, and educator. Her Chloe Ellefson mysteries are deeply rooted in her years as a curator at Old World Wisconsin. The Heirloom Murders shines a spotlight on heirloom gardening, the legendary Eagle Diamond, and Swiss-American culture in Green County. It will soon be followed by The Light Keeper's Legacy, set in Door County.      [Read an excerpt] Kathleen has written twenty novels for young readers, one nonfiction book, poems, and essays. Honors for her work include four Tofte Awards from the CWW, a Children's Literature Award from the Society of Midland Authors, multiple Edgar and Agatha Award nominations, and an Emmy Award in Children's Programming for a video scripted for Wisconsin Public Television. She has a Masters Degree in History Education and Writing from Antioch University.  Kathleen lives and writes in Middleton, WI.  Visit her at www.kathleenernst.com.