When the storm clears, only questions remain—was the killer ever really there, or just a shadow in the night?

It’s late August and the Driftless region is burning up from heat and lack of rain. Finally on a humid night, the weather boils over the horizon and delivers a whopper of a thunderstorm. As the wind and rain slash the vegetation and force motorists off the road, a young clerk at a convenience gas station in Stoddard along the Mississippi River is brutally murdered. When Lt. Jim Higgins arrives, the perpetrator has disappeared with hardly a clue left behind. Higgins’ team races to bring the murderer to justice if they could only find him. Is he just a shadow? Does he really exist? The drama that unfolds in the search for justice will have you on the edge of your seat.

Welcome to the Driftless Mystery Series—a multi-award-winning collection that’s captivated readers across the Midwest and beyond. With a keen eye for suspense and a deep love for Wisconsin’s untamed beauty, author Sue Berg spins smart, twist-filled mysteries set in the rugged bluffs and winding coulees of the Driftless Region.

At the heart of the series is Lt. Jim Higgins, a seasoned detective with grit, guts, and a loyal team that doesn’t shy away from danger. Together, they take on puzzling crimes and small-town secrets that simmer beneath the surface of the serene Mississippi River Valley.

With richly drawn characters, whip-smart dialogue, and plots full of clever turns, Berg delivers page-turning intrigue steeped in local charm—and just the right dose of daring. If you love compelling mysteries with heart, humor, and a distinct Midwestern flavor, this is a series you won’t want to miss.