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Driftless Gold
A migrant worker is discovered buried in a local quarry with an antique gold coin in his pocket near La Crosse, Wisconsin.
Lt. Jim Higgins begins to unravel a murder that will take him back into Wisconsin’s early history. During the investigation, Higgins meets a local archaeological savant and treasure hunter who tells him a wild tale about a U.S. Army payroll that was stolen on the way to Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien in 1866. The payroll has never been recovered. Is the coin on the dead man part of the stolen treasure?
Higgins hesitates to base his investigation on a wild tale, but he has nothing else to go on. As his team desperately attempts to make sense of the facts, the killer strikes again. The investigative team realizes the wild tale may be the only explanation for the two murders. In a race against time, Jim struggles to identify the killer—and find the elusive gold treasure.
Lt. Jim Higgins begins to unravel a murder that will take him back into Wisconsin’s early history. During the investigation, Higgins meets a local archaeological savant and treasure hunter who tells him a wild tale about a U.S. Army payroll that was stolen on the way to Fort Crawford in Prairie du Chien in 1866. The payroll has never been recovered. Is the coin on the dead man part of the stolen treasure?
Higgins hesitates to base his investigation on a wild tale, but he has nothing else to go on. As his team desperately attempts to make sense of the facts, the killer strikes again. The investigative team realizes the wild tale may be the only explanation for the two murders. In a race against time, Jim struggles to identify the killer—and find the elusive gold treasure.
350 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 29, 2022
20 people are currently reading
32 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
January 23, 2025
Jim Higgins, sheriff, searches for a murderer and potentially a legendary Gold shipment heist from the US Army 1866. A dead body begins the hunt when an antique gold coin is found on the body. Jamie Albert, socially awkward student archaeologist, offers his services as a hobby treasure hunter, to help find the missing gold stash. Many twists and turn of events unfold with several potential treasure hunters as suspects. In the end the gold is found and murderer is put in jail.
October 19, 2025
Excellent book
It has been a real page turner, keeping my attention from the first to the last page. I especially appreciated the character development in the book, and the many places in the La Crosse .and extended areas you included. I liked the morality built into the plot through the main character, Jim. I appreciate the fact that this story line focused on the Driftless geographic area.
I look forward to reading more of your books.
It has been a real page turner, keeping my attention from the first to the last page. I especially appreciated the character development in the book, and the many places in the La Crosse .and extended areas you included. I liked the morality built into the plot through the main character, Jim. I appreciate the fact that this story line focused on the Driftless geographic area.
I look forward to reading more of your books.
August 24, 2025
This mystery takes place in the greater LaCrosse, Wisconsin area and is book 1 of a series. It was a real page turner for me. Great character development - both good and evil - and some good romance thrown in. It is the September 2025 read for my Mystery Book Club and I look forward to reading more books in this series by Sue Berg.
December 27, 2023
I read this to the end because it was our library book club selection and the author was coming to join us. There is no mystery. It was the most boring book I've ever read. The romance was saccharine and did nothing for the story but pad it with more boring scenes.
June 26, 2024
I am beyond impressed with this first book in The Driftless series! I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series! It’s so fun knowing the area where the story takes place!
September 30, 2025
This was a GREAT book. I loved that the setting was in my own state but the characters were great to follow. This book surprised me actually especially towards the end. Highly recommend.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews