The Heirloom Murders - Kathleen Ernst [0]
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any matter whatsoever, including Internet usage, without written permission from Midnight Ink, except in the form of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
As the purchaser of this ebook, you are granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this ebook on screen. The text may not be otherwise reproduced, transmitted, downloaded, or recorded on any other storage device in any form or by any means.
Any unauthorized usage of the text without express written permission of the publisher is a violation of the author’s copyright and is illegal and punishable by law.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
First e-book edition © 2011
E-book ISBN: 9780738731421
Book design and format by Donna Burch
Cover design by Kevin R. Brown
Cover Scythe illustration © Charlie Griak
Editing by Connie Hill
Midnight Ink is an imprint of Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
Midnight Ink does not participate in, endorse, or have any authority or responsibility concerning private business arrangements between our authors and the public.
Any Internet references contained in this work are current at publication time, but the publisher cannot guarantee that a specific reference will continue or be maintained. Please refer to the publisher’s website for links to current author websites.
Midnight Ink
Llewellyn Worldwide Ltd.
2143 Wooddale Drive
Woodbury, MN 55125
www.midnightink.com
Manufactured in the United States of America
Acknowledgments
A note about sap sago: I first became aware of this specialty cheese in historical accounts. However, there are those who still enjoy grating the hard cheese over buttered pasta or salads. I’m not aware of any American producers, but Schabzieger (spelling varies) can be obtained through some Swiss import shops. It’s been made in Glarus since 1463, and is considered the oldest branded product in Switzerland. The distinctive color and aroma originated from the vegetation in Glarner alpine pastures—especially blue fenugreek, which helps control gastrointestinal problems.
The basic facts relating to the Eagle Diamond are correct as presented. Clarissa and Charles Wood(s) were real people, although I fictionalized their relationship. Some accounts mention a hired hand, but he is not named.
You can find photos, a tour guide, and maps of relevant places on my website: http://kathleenernst.com
Any errors in this book are, of course, my own. That said, I owe enormous thanks to:
My interpreter and curator friends, and everyone at Old World Wisconsin, for keeping me connected. Special thanks to the garden staff and volunteers, past and present. The Eagle Police Department, especially Chief Russ Ehlers and Officer Gwen Bruckner, for sharing their time and knowledge; and Lee Lofland and the instructors at the Writers’ Police Academy—ditto.
My agent, Andrea Cascardi, and the entire Midnight Ink team, for making it happen.
Curator Elaine Ledrowski, and all the Eagle Historical Society volunteers, for gathering so many resources about local history—especially the Eagle Diamond. The guides at the Swiss Historical Village, and everyone at the New Glarus Historical Society, for preserving and sharing community history. Director Mary Ann Hanna, staff, and volunteers at the National Historic Cheesemaking Center, for their help and expertise.
Nancy Kopp, Rudy Kopp, and Hedy Wuethrich, for help with sap sago and pear bread. My treasured circle of writer pals, for their friendship and support; Katie Mead and Robert Alexander, for providing a retreat; and my friends at the Prairie Café, for a quiet corner and all the mochas.
Scott, my partner in crime; and my family.
And finally, to the readers