BETRAYAL AT CROSS CREEK
A HISTORY MYSTERY

American Girl Publishing
Audio Version by Recorded Books

Agatha Award Nominee for Best Children’s/Young Adult Mystery
— Malice Domestic

Winner of the Flora MacDonald Award for Outstanding Contribution to Scottish Affairs
— St. Andrews Presbyterian College 

Children’s Literature Award Winner
— Council for Wisconsin Writers

Best Historical Fiction Novel Nominee
— Disney Adventures Magazine 

Multiple award winning Betrayal At Cross Creek is the first of Kathleen's mysteries for Americn Girl, and the eighth of Kathleen's twenty-five published books. It is written for readers age 10 to adult who enjoy American Revolutionary War era historical fiction without any sex, gore, or explicit violence. This story was originally released as a 178-page book in softcover and hardcover formats, and is currently available as a 4 hour and 13 minute audiobook.

Story Description

It's 1775. Elspeth Monro, newly come from Scotland, is just beginning to feel at home in North Carolina, with a new friend and a weaving apprenticeship she loves. To Elspeth, the brewing Revolution feels very far away--until someone starts to threaten her own family, trying to force them to join the rebels. When her grandfather marches off to fight with the British, Elspeth is left alone to protect her grandmother--and to figure out who is putting her family in danger!

This book includes a richly illustrated "Peak Into The Past" essay, glosseries of Scots-English and Gaelic words, and an author's note. 

What Others Are Saying

"Listeners will encounter strong characters, palpable tension, and a surprising twist at the end of the story.  Davina Porter...reads with great emotion and earnestness and a lovely Scottish accent."
— School Library Journal (Audiobook Review)

"This is a complex book which does not sugarcoat the trials women and children must face when their homes are engulfed by war.  It is well written and the mystery...is brought to a convincing, sad conclusion."
— The Historical Novels Review

"A wonderful addition to the American Girl History Mystery series. In addition to a suspenseful story set at the start of the American Revolution, there are lessons about family loyalty, self-reliance, and friendship, even when friends are on opposing political sides."
— BookSense

"The American Revolution smolders in the North Carolina hills in 1775; for the thousands of recently immigrated Scots settlers, choosing sides is very difficult. Most of them are still reeling from the long-reaching effects of their own failed rebellion against the British 30 years ago. Twelve-year-old Elspeth, whose grandparents bear physical and emotional scars from that long-ago war, wants nothing more than to fit in to her new life as a weaver’s apprentice to an English woman. When Patriots begin to threaten her family, she’s not sure what to do. Strong writing brings the setting to life; when Grandda roars, “I fought at Culloden, ye numpty gowks!” readers may not know “Culloden,” “numpty,” or “gowks,” but will understand the overall meaning just fine. Complex emotions are as balanced as the light and dark threads in the overshot patterns Elspeth loves to weave, and Elspeth, trying desperately to find her own balance, is appealing and brave. Only the focus on the requisite mystery seems a touch off, a constraint forced upon the book by its inclusion in the “History Mysteries” series. Still, a grand read and an important addition for this age group about the Revolutionary War."
— Kirkus Reviews

"In North Carolina in 1775, Elspeth MacKinnon, 12, and her grandparents are refugees from Scotland and the brutal war with Britain that killed Elspeth’s parents. Patriots in America want to fight the Loyalists who support the British king, and Elspeth’s grandparents are split about which side they are on; they’re not even sure about whether to fight at all. Suspense builds, new war breaks out, Elspeth’s cousin is killed, and her grandfather arrested. Who is spying on the family? Can Elspeth trust her English friends? At times the author’s research shows, and the plot bogs down with daily details--what the people eat and wear and how they make it. But characters are drawn with extraordinary depth, especially the women at home; wounded by past wars, Grandmother is bitter and angry. The shocking solution to the mystery of who has betrayed the family reveals the anguished history as well as the truth about those who join the militia but are not sure why. A competent entry in the History Mysteries series."
— Booklist

"Finally...a book that is able to explore some of the historical complexities of the role of Scots in the American Revolution.... It presents some very important aspects of the Highland experience in North America through the eyes of a family from Skye, especially the young daughter Elspeth. I certainly hope that readers young and old will pick up this book and get a rare view into American history from the perspective of many Highland colonists."
— Celtic Heritage Magazine

Author's Bio

Best selling author Kathleen Ernst writes mysteries and historical fiction for adults and young readers. Her work has earned numerous honors, including multiple Edgar and Agatha mystery award nominations, and an Emmy for children's educational programming. To date, Kathleen's 25 published books have sold well over 750,000 copies.  more>>

Related Blog Posts

Enjoy the author's insights about the story, characters, and settings.

Missing Home
	Last week I posted about a farewell to Norway found written on a barn beam. The man loved his homeplace, and clearly mourned leaving it. That reminded me of something penned by another immigrant... more>>
Fairfield House, Ontario
	Growing up in Maryland, I never gave much thought to people who were Loyalists during the American Revolution.  When I was in elementary school, I learned that Patriots were good/right, and Loyalists... more>>