First off, let me just say: this is the kind of book you pick up, and suddenly it’s 3 AM and your coffee is cold. Morette knows how to hook you from page one.

The Story

The whole thing starts with a ridiculous wager. A wealthy old man bets our detective, a guy named Leo who’s smart but broke, that he can’t solve a fifty-year-old disappearance in just three months. The twist? It’s not a real case to anyone but a few old-timers, and the only witness is a woman who may have drowned. Leo dives into old photos, witness accounts, and a faded map only to find out the missing person might have stumbled onto a very big local secret. As he follows the trail, people start getting cheap threats, a car gets run off the road, and Leo briefly considers running away to Alaska. The mystery behind what happened and why someone wants it buried is as knotty as a love-hate pirate rope.

Why You Should Read It

Morette’s writing feels like a chat with a clever friend who picks out the details everybody else misses. Leo is a mess: not a tough guy, just a brain with a sad suit and half-empty bank account. I actually missed the book when I finished it. The theme here isn’t just about solving murder, it’s about what happens when you dig into history that people would rather forget. The author folds in a critique of small-town “keep your nose out” mentality without ever sounding preachy. Also, there’s a nun with a secret sewing hobby that made me laugh out loud.

Final Verdict

This one’s perfect for readers who loved *The Golden Age of Murder* for its logic, or for anyone into slow-burn thrillers where the pay-off hits like a train. Great for fans of Tana French or classic Ellery Queen, but also for younger readers who like storytelling over fireworks. Snacks: expect red herrings served cold, and an ending that stays with you. If you’re tired of novels full of explosions and want one full of tough choices and tender moments? Get *The Sturgis Wager*. You’ll thank me.